Dark Malfetto (A Young Elites/Grisha Trilogy Fanfic)

Darkest Evening

Adelina stands in the doorway of the dining hall staring at the Darkling seated at the end of the long table. Her weight is pressed into the door frame to keep from falling over as her eye adjusts to the indoor light.

Set on the table are many dishes ranging from Ravkan delicacies to those Baghra used to make. Even one of Violetta's hidden recipes are on a platter.

"Senka, you're back earlier than I thought you would be." The Darkling looked down at the parchment he was writing on. The ink spreading as he created a new letter on the page.

"It's hard to see through one eye in the dark." Her reply earned a smirk from the Darkling.

"Have a seat." He wrote on.

Adelina took up a spot towards the center of the grand table. The Darkling looked up as the chair creaked on the floor.

"Senka." His hair fell in his face, while hers was still a silver mess above her shoulders. "Sit here." He gestured to the seat at his right. Directly next to him.

Adelina pushed the chair back and proceeded to hastily sit down.

His eyes stayed concentrated on the parchment in front of him.

"What's that?" His pen faltered. Adelina stiffened. He looks so beautiful tonight. Like a dark disaster. "Aleksander."

He lifted his head. "Using formality again? Seems a little personal for that at such an early stage of you being here."

"I've been here for over a month, the least I could do is call you by your name." She shifted in her seat then looked back at him.

"Senka-"

"Adelina." She corrected.

"Adelina. It seems as though we've come across each other in an interesting form at an interesting time. You say this Dagger Society has castes you out and you need help building your own army, yes?" He leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head, staring through Adelina. "So you've come to me to use as a dark force in your master plan. Because you believe I'm one of the worst malfettoes and you wish to see me join you is that correct?" Adelina stayed silent. "I call upon darkness and you create it. Are we really that different?"

"I create illusions. I could kill you right now if I wanted." Adelina called upon every ounce of strength she had to keep from passing out in front of the darkest man she's known.

"But you don't want to?" He grinned.

Adelina stared at the empty plate in front of her and felt her empty stomach beneath her fingertips.

His grin grew wider.

"It wouldn't be in my best interest." A wave of nausea overtook Adelina as she rose from her seat. Tripping over the chair, she crossed the room as quickly as she could.

Arms took hold of her as the world swayed beneath her feet. The fear has left. My energy is gone. It's depleting too fast now. "Adelina." Her world was quickly becoming white. The Darkling no longer visible. She felt his faint body heat emanating from his body as she fell forwards. His hands taking hold of her back to keep her steady. "Adelina."

"Alek-sander." It's gone. Her legs were lifted from under her as her sight shifted from a bright white to a dark, deep black.