Ash and Dusk

Chapter 3

"What are you doing here?" a cold voice asked from the entrance.
I turned around to see The Darkling standing in the doorway.
"I was just walking." I said hurrying to put the picture back.
A flash of emotion passed over his eyes as he noticed the thing I was holding but it disappeard quickly.
"It's late. You shoud go back." he said moving forward in the room.
I almost left the hut but not before seeing The Darkling staring at the frame. I don't know why I did it but I asked "Are you coming?"
He looked at me for a second then nodded.

We walked in silence. He looked lost in memories and I was glancing occasionally at him.
When we were back in The Darkling's chambers he said he has some paperwork to do and he will send some servants to prepare my room.
I was alone. With nothing to do I went to the balcony. It was a stunning night. There weren't clouds on the dark sky and the stars were shining like diamond fragments thrown in shadows.
I wish Mal could have seen it. He loved the stars, I thought. But now Mal can't see the nightsky anymore. Because of you. I banished that though.
It was becoming later and the servants nor The Darkling came. I decided to go to sleep. I changed my clothes and went to bed. It smelled like winter's wind, like flames made of ice. It smelled like him. But with all of this it was a calming scent.
When I was almost asleep I heard the door open. I knew it was The Darkling. After he walked from room to room he turned the lights off and came closer. He was sitting on his side of bed and I shifted uncomfortably.
"Go back to sleep, Alina" he wishpered.
I looked at him through my lashes and even if in the room was dark I could have sworn he was smirking.

***

"Alina, wake up!" said Genya shaking me.
"What...what happened?" I asked confused. I was blinded by the sunlight shining through the window. Genya must have pulled the curtains.
"You've overslept. It's late. You have to eat, then go to train the new Grisha who arrived. After that you have battle training." she said quickly, hurrying to get me dressed. When she told me to sit down I took a look at me in the mirror. My white hair was a mess but it still had some kind of glowing, my skin wasn't that pale anymore and the black circles under my eyes were smaller. Genya has made her magic and I looked presentable. But still not as a real Sun Summoner.

I ate quickly, then I went to meet the new Grisha. They were 30 in total, ten Corporalki, ten Materialki and ten Etherealki. I was standing in front of them and beside me were Genya, David, Zoya and a Heartrender girl. I didn't know what to say but Genya pushed me from my back and I started my speech.
"Welcome to the Little Palace" I said struggling for words. "I am Alina, the Sun Summoner, and I will be one of the instructors of the Etherealki. Behind me are some representants of each order. I'll let them introduce themselves." I finished.
I made my way to the training arena where some Grisha were standing relaxed on benches. When they saw me they became silent. Their eyes were filled with curiosity.
I gave down my black kefta and went to sit near the others. The trainor entered the room. He was a massive man, with his skin tanned and there was a cunning look in his crystal blue eyes. When he spoke his voice was loud and everyone was paying attention.
"Good afternoon. My name is Lyov and I will be your new battle instructor." He made a pause then continued. "I have changed some rules. From now on you can use your power in confrontations. But no murdering."
When I heard that my face fell and Lyov saw me.
"Any problem, Sun Summoner?" he asked with his eyebrows raised.
Everyone in the room turned their faces at me.
"I don't think it's a good idea." I said with a strange confidence. "We might get really hurt or even mutilated."
"Healers will be there too"
I looked unconvinced.
He sighed. "So what do you suggest?" said Lyov moving toward me.
"To practice without powers." I replied also taking a step forward.
"All right. But with one condition. If you can prove that the battle with powers is as effective as the powerless one then we're going to do what you want."
I nodded and asked "And how am I going to prove it?"
He grinned mischievous. "I will pick you a training partner." After a moment he called for someone. "Kirill, you'll be the Sun Summoner's partner."
Kirill looked almost as massive as Lyov. That coudn't be good.
"Let me tell you the rules" said Lyov. "If you step out of this circle" and he pointed at a white circle on the floor "you lose. And if you are so hurt that you can not raise from the floor, you lose"
I stepped inside the circle and I waited.
"Good luck" said Lyov winking knowingly at me.
And the battle started.

What's going to happen next? Will Alina win? Or she will get beaten by a mount of a men? Who knows...? Oh, wait, I know :).You'll see in the chapter 4. I don't know if I will post it tomorrow because I'm kind of busy but I'll do what I can. Hopefully you've noticed that this chapter was bigger than the previous one.
I really hope that you liked it.

Only good thoughs,
Annie