We all quickly navigated the palace halls, trying to get to Jesper at the meeting point. He was in charge of getting us a carriage to escape the Little Palace. I was hoping Jesper was okay, that he was there. I couldn't focus on how horribly we failed; I couldn't focus on the look of recognition that I know passed through Kirigan. I couldn't focus on any of it. We finally made it outside, Kaz's limp way too pronounced, and we raced over to Jesper.
Jesper eyed Inej. 'What happened? You okay?'
'She's real, Jesper,' Inej said. 'She made the light sing.'
Kaz was glaring at nothing. 'We lost her.'
Jesper grinned. 'Did we?'
Kaz squinted. 'Well, we don't know where she is.'
Jesper turned and started walking towards the carriage, chuckling. 'Don't we?'
I raced forward stepping in front of Jesper. 'Not the time to mess around, Jesper.'
'What do you want to know, love? I'll give you anything.'
Jesper winked at me, and I started to smile.
'Seriously, Jesper.'
'Just ask,' he shrugs.
Jesper jumped up onto the carriage and we all followed suit. I sat next to Inej, massaging my own palms as I remembered the act of power I showed in the Little Palace.
Kaz looked at Jesper. 'Fine. Do we have a fix on where the target is?'
Jesper glanced towards the back of the carriage, before smiling, snapping the reigns. The carriage jolted forward, and we began making our way off the palace grounds.
---
The ride back into town was quiet. After Jesper told us that Alina was in the back of our carriage nobody felt the need to say much more. It was early in the morning when we finally stopped the carriage, and all jumped down. I changed out of the dress back into my normal clothes. As we moved to stand behind the trunk Alina was supposedly stowed away in, Jesper took out one of his pistols.
'Jesper, put that away,' I complain. 'We aren't here to kill her.'
Jesper sighed but obediently put his gun back in the holster. Noises came from inside the trunk, and the lid popped open, Alina slowly emerging. She cautiously climbed out and jumped down in front of us, holding her hands up in surrender.
'We don't want any trouble,' Jesper said.
Alina's voice was shaky. 'Neither do I, so I'll just be on my way.'
Kaz swiftly drew up his cane, blocking her from getting away on his side.
Jesper stepped forward hesitantly. 'Clearly, you want out of East Ravka. We can help you. We have a secret route through the Fold.'
Inej looked like she might pass out and I was feeling weirdly similar. I didn't believe in Saints, or at least I didn't think I did. I hope, privately. But I don't pray.
'I prefer to travel alone,' Alina said.
Jesper raised a hand towards her, signaling he meant no harm. 'Don't be rash. You stick with us, and everybody gets what they want.'
'I'm not being anyone's captive ever again. So, step aside, and let me pass.'
Kaz sighed. 'I'm afraid we can't let that happen.'
