The Summoners' Heir

Chapter 43: Losing Myself

"Father, are you sure?"

Yes, I was.

I lowered my gaze to meet hers.

Moya Aleksandria's.

The King and his forefathers had already taken so much. From Ravka, from our people, the Grisha. But he would not take anything from me.

All I saw were the eyes of a frightened girl. It made me hesitate.

I'm doing this for you, milaya.

"Father, is this really the answer?"

Yes, it was.

I closed the space between us, caressing her cheek. She closed her eyes at my touch, seeking comfort in it. I relished the sight. Not many people find me a comfort. Not even my Alina. I felt a warmth in my chest, a fuzzy feeling. Perhaps Genya was right, and I should start taking those antacids.

I was a boy again. I was watching these two girls by a creek. One was a grisha, a tidemaker I believe, while her younger sister was otkazatsy'a - forgotten.

Unworthy.

She was using her gift, creating waves to please the likes of her sister. I watched the younger one, entranced by the sight of it. Every time she would reach to touch it, the waves would collapse, much to her frustration.

The older one giggled.

MAGIC! The younger one shrieked.

"No," I answered, "It's small science."

"MAGIC!" she insisted.

"Do you want to see my magic?" I asked.

This got the older one's attention.

I summoned.

I called my shadows to come play, forming puppets for the girl to admire - to reach out for like she did the waves. But there was no admiration. No intrigue. Just fear. She shrieked. Even the older one's eyes held terror.

"You devil!" she called out.

The younger one was now wailing.

The tidemaker rushed to pick her sister up. They both fled from me like I was the plague - but not without spitting at me first.

Turned on - by my own.

I was a terror. A monster.