𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 ❧ 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕

────── ❧❧❧ ──────

────── ❧❧❧ ──────

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

────── ❧❧❧ ──────

Night had fallen and it was soon time for Alina's demonstration of her abilities. Inessa was usually allowed to stay in her room during events like this. In fact, the Darkling preferred for her to stay out of sight. But he insisted that she was there tonight. Even though she had already seen it, he wanted her to witness what the Starkov girl could do. That was why she found herself standing with Ivan and Fedyor near one of the dessert tables.

Inessa nibbled on a cookie, not having much of an appetite as her thoughts bounced around in her head. Beside her, Fedyor was trying one of the macarons while Ivan was scanning their surroundings as if looking for threats. It didn't take the Kaminsky man long to realize both Inessa and Ivan were on edge, causing a sigh to pass over his lips. But it only took another second for him to come up with an idea to change all that.

Fedyor soon picked up another macaron and showed it to Inessa, earning a confused look from the girl. But before she could question him, the Kaminsky man attempted to get Ivan to try the dessert. The youngest Heartrender couldn't help but laugh as the Bozic man turned away, irritated by his partner's actions. Ivan soon took a step away and continued to survey their surroundings, only for Fedyor to grab his face and force the treat into his mouth. Inessa let out another laugh at her friends' actions, earning a large smile from Fedyor and a playful glare from Ivan. But her joy soon faded when a familiar face came into view.

Standing in front of them was the oprichniki Inessa ran into earlier. The same boy she was almost certain had no affiliation to the Darkling. The Smirnoff girl just watched as the boy's eyes moved between the three Heartrenders in front of them. But only she seemed to notice his gaze lingering on her for a second longer. What felt like an eternity passed before the boy cleared his throat and began speaking. "The Kaelish ambassador is clumsy when he's drunk."

"You can't wear that in here," Ivan declared while staring at the stain before his attention moved back up to the boy's eyes, "get a replacement from laundry."

"My order are to-"

"You heard me," the Bozic man said with a look on his face that showed their discussion was over.

"Yes. Sorry," the false oprichniki responded before turning and walking out of the room.

Inessa kept her eyes glued to the boy until he was out of sight, debating if she should make her worries known to Fedyor and Ivan. But once again, something deep down told her to keep her suspicions to herself. And once again, she listened.