𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐱, Kaz Brekker & Inej Ghafa

Chapter 6

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I huff as I walk down the long, dimly lit hallway, flanked by guards. They're making me wear a veil. I didn't even know an army uniform came with a veil, but here we are. I glance sideways at one of the guards who keeps his gaze forward, like they all do.

"Do you know why I have to wear this?" I ask him, annoyance creeping into my voice.

He gives a slight glance at me before looking back ahead. "General Kirigan's orders," is all he offers, his tone neutral.

I groan, feeling the weight of the veil on my head. "Thanks for the lovely answer," I mutter sarcastically, wishing the guards could be a little more forthcoming. But I know they won't-no one does in this place.

As we continue walking, the silence presses in, and I grow increasingly bored. I begin to idly blow at the veil, trying to lift it off my face. Maybe if I do it enough, someone will notice and take it off me. Before I know it, I realize that the guards have disappeared, leaving me alone in the hallway.

"Stop that!" A familiar voice hisses at me, and I turn, startled, to find Genya standing there with another girl beside her. Relief floods over me, and a wide grin spreads across my face.

"Genya!" I shout, rushing toward her and pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, how I've missed you!" I say dramatically, squeezing her tightly.

"Oh, stop being so dramatic, it's only been a day," Genya laughs, pulling herself away, though there's a smile tugging at her lips. I look at her with exaggerated offense, placing a hand on my heart.

"I thought you loved me," I reply, pouting.

She rolls her eyes. "You're such a child." Then I notice the girl standing awkwardly beside her. She's taller than me, with an uncertain expression. I frown slightly, not sure who she is. "Who's this?" I ask, gesturing toward the stranger.

Genya glances at the girl beside her, then back at me. "This is Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner," she explains with a little smile, as if proud of the introduction.

I squint at Alina, still confused. "The Sun..." I trail off, trying to recall what I've heard about this Sun Summoner. Suddenly, the realization hits. "Oh! The Sun Summoner," I repeat, now understanding. I glance at the girl shyly, raising my hand in a small, hesitant wave. "Hi," I say quietly.

Alina smiles at me warmly and waves back. I watch her for a moment, noting her openness. Genya, however, doesn't waste time before speaking again.

"Alina, this is Irina Marshall. She's also a summoner like you." Genya says, clearly hoping I'll get along with the new girl.

Alina's eyes widen in surprise, and she looks between Genya and me. "She's a Sun Summoner?" she asks, clearly intrigued, but before Genya can respond, I cut in.

"A Phoenix, actually," I correct, feeling a little uncomfortable with the attention. "All I know is that I can create a ball of fire and that I lose control of my powers with my emotions." I glance down at my feet, the weight of my insecurities settling in. "Probably because I don't know how to control them yet, and also why people fear me. I wouldn't be surprised if you fear me, too." I murmur the last part, hoping she doesn't hear.

But Alina does hear, and her expression softens. She steps closer, her movements slow and careful, like she's not sure what to expect. She gently takes both of my hands in hers, giving them a soft squeeze.

"I may not know you, but I will never fear you for being what you are," Alina says, her voice steady and kind. "I don't know what you've been through, but I can tell you've been through a lot. Just know that I'm here for you now." She smiles at me, and it's not the kind of smile that feels like pity. It feels warm, like she genuinely means it. "And honestly, I think being a Phoenix is pretty fascinating."

A small smile spreads across my face, and for the first time, I feel like someone sees me. I didn't expect it from her-not so quickly-but there it is.

"I think you and I are going to be good friends," Alina continues, her smile growing.

The word friends echoes in my mind, and for some reason, it feels almost too much to process. I've never really had many friends-not true ones, anyway. Genya has always been the only one who's stood by me, and that's a lot to take in, too. I glance at Genya, catching her hopeful gaze. I look back at Alina and nod slowly, a smile tugging at my lips.

"I have a feeling you and I are going to be good friends as well," I tell her, my voice quieter now, more genuine.

Genya's proud smile seems to soften into something more serious. She clears her throat, her expression shifting. "As much as I hate to ruin this moment," she says, giving us both a pointed look, "the General is waiting for you two, so we better get moving."

I blush, a little embarrassed, and glance at Alina before Genya takes both of our hands, leading us down the hallway. I sigh softly as I walk beside them. "Why do we have to wear these army uniforms?" I ask, fidgeting with the fabric, clearly uncomfortable.

Alina looks just as confused, her brow furrowed. "Yeah, shouldn't we be in Keftas?" she asks, her voice laced with curiosity.

Genya pauses in her steps, turning to face us both. She looks around quickly before speaking in a low tone. "Oh, no. The king expects to see a humble girl plucked from the ranks of his army," she explains. "He'll want to take the credit for you."

I squint at her, processing the words. "If the king wants to see Alina, then why am I here?" I ask, confusion furrowing my brow.

Genya looks at me and shrugs. "Because the king wants to see you, too," she says simply.

I widen my eyes at that. The king wants to see me? Why? I thought General Kirigan said I wasn't ready to be presented to the king yet. A thousand questions fill my mind, none of which I have answers to. Why now? Why would he want to see me?

Genya gestures with her fingers for us to follow. I gulp nervously, but Alina and I follow behind her, both of us lost in our thoughts.

"You two will get Keftas once the king has seen your powers," Genya adds casually, though her words make me nervous. I don't even know how to control my powers. They just... happen. What if I can't control them in front of him? What if I embarrass myself?

"Right, my power," I hear Alina mumble beside me, and it's clear she's just as uncertain as I am.

Genya's voice cuts through my worries. "By all accounts, it'll be King Pyotr, the Queen, Crown Prince Vasily, and the King's Spiritual Adviser, the Apparat." She leans closer to us, whispering, "He's this greasy rat-"

Before she can finish, Alina interrupts, her voice slightly louder than before. "Was that a library?" she asks, pointing back up the stairs. "Is it available to all of us?"

Genya looks at Alina, then gives a knowing smile. "Everything here is available to all of us," she replies. "The General built this home so we could all thrive." She leads us down to the bottom of the stairs, her voice taking on a more serious tone as the doors ahead of us open. "But now we must go."