Who is my mother, really? (A Shadow and Bone Fanfic)

Part Eight

Author's Note Ahead➡^Picture above is of Lassie's and Raleigh's lockets.

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My first impression was of a warm and homely place. A house that had became a home where children were spoilt beyond belief. Picture frames lined the entrance hall that I stood in. There was one picture of a happy couple holding a small baby boy. The rest of the pictures were full of two beautiful young girls ranging in ages from babies to at least twelve years old. On closer inspection, the two girls looked almost identical.

A man's loud voice sounded from a room down the hall. "Adam! Where is Alina?"

I took that as my cue to enter said room.

It was a small living room filled to the brim with people and extremely obvious signs of struggle. There was a small brick fireplace in between two brown sofas.

Seated on one sofa under the weight of two oprichniki was a man with short curly brown hair and bright crystal blue eyes. He was an older replica of Adam, who was sitting opposite him on the other sofa with the two girls from the photos.

The man was on his feet in an instant, trying his hardest to move towards me. The Darkling, who had been standing off to the side of the room, moved in front of me and blocked me from the man's view.

The Darkling's cool voice rang through out the room, a threat hidden under the layer of indifference. "Stand down, tracker. I won't hurt her if you comply."

I peeked around him to stare at the man. This was Mal? Adam was almost an exact replica of his father.

His blue eyes flicked to me as he scanned my face. They widened slightly as he took in how young I looked. "Alina? You look-"

When he choked up, I took the opportunity to speak up. "I'm sorry, but I'm not Alina. I'm her daughter."

He looked shocked. "Her daughter?" He whispered. He looked back at the Darkling, and his eyes filled with molten fury. "Why would you take her instead of Alina? She's a child!

I glanced at the Darkling. He was staring straight at me as if Mal and the rest of the room didn't exist. His expression also gave me no clue on what to tell Mal.

I took a deep breath, then stepped in front of the Darkling, as if I was protecting him. " Mal," I began, quickly thinking of a convincing lie. "He didn't take me. I came willingly."

Well, that was half of the truth. He didn't need to know that the Darkling had made me choose between my mother and me, or that it was my destiny.

Mal's eyes filled with anger again, but this time, the fire was directed at me. "You are no daughter of Alina's." he spat, "She would never be so weak."

A pang spread through my heart, but I squared my shoulders. I had to put on a strong front. I couldn't let the Darkling see even an ounce of weakness that he could use against me.

But Mal wasn't finished yet. He turned his fiery anger on Adam. "How could you lead them here?! To our home?" He hissed. He gestured to the two girls on the couch. "To your sisters?"

Adam rose from the couch to face his father. His hands clenched into fists at his side.

"I have told you, Dad, time and again, that what is fate shall happen. And it is their fate to take your place! It will happen, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Nothing any of us can do!" Anger underlined his words. "Look at Lassie. She has accepted her fate, and the hardships it will bring." Adam took a small, calming breath. "So please, Dad. Don't keep them from their fate. They have to go."

The Darkling spoke up then, intruding into their conversation. "We need the tracker to find Ravka."

Mal let out a disbelieving laugh. "Well that's rich! You can't even find your own country!" He laughed until I thought his side's would break. "But I tell you this, my tracker days are over. I couldn't find Alina in a forest if she had the whole countryside lit up."

Adam jumped onto his last statement like a lifeline. "See! I told you! You have lost your tracking because they," he pointed at the two girls again, "have it!"

Then Adam addressed the Darkling. "They will help you find Ravka." He said with an air of finality.

The Darkling nodded. "Then it is decided. We leave now."

I turned around to face him. "Wait! Shouldn't we let the horses rest a while? We did push them pretty hard this morning."

He quirked an eyebrow at me. "You just do not want to ride the horses, correct?"

I shook my head. "They have to be exhausted." I pushed.

He sighed. "Alright. You can help the girls collect their things while the horses rest." Then he swept out of the room, his black kefta like a stain behind him.

Author's Note Ahead
I know it's kinda short, but I've really needed to update. So, yay. Here it is! I hope you guys enjoyed! Please vote, comment, and share! It all means a lot and helps motivate me to update!
Songs for this chapter are:
Try by Colbie Caillat

and Memories by Panic! At The Disco

This part is dedicated to CandyCurbStomp. I am so sorry for the late update! I hope you liked it! Thank you so much for commenting.
Saints' Speed.
-Anna