Ash and Dusk

Chapter 9

I waited for him to come back. He said he will spoke to the servants and then accompany me.
I can't lie, I was really nervous. This will end, I tried to encourage myself.
With nothing to do I stared at the ceiling. It was my favourite part from that room. Painted in black with small pieces of diamond on it to resemble the constellations.
After some moments the Darkling entered the room.
His face was inexpresive as always but his shoulders were a little tense. I walked past him and felt his cold gaze burning my back.
None of us said a word.
We stopped into a large hall with festive tables. Just one of them was full with every kind of food I could ever want. He lead me to that one.
I sat on a chair and asked "Why is it so much food here? We're just two persons."
He pulled a chair from the end of the table and sat down. I was standing at the other end.
"The servants like to show their abilities when they have to cook for someone special" he said.
I picked some food and put it on my plate. I wasn't hungry, I haven't really eaten these days, but it had to look normal.
I looked at the table. Near him was a glass of water. Hopefully, Genya did her move. If I stared at the glass any longer it would have been suspicious. I started to eat slowly.
He haven't eaten anything. Without raising my eyes I could feel he was studying me. Like he could sense something wasn't right. I became even more nervous.
I looked up when he grabbed the glass. I watched him bringing it to his lips and then...

He stopped.
The glass was back on the table.
"What's in the water, Alina?" he asked coolly
I froze. Oh, no.
"What do you mean?" I tried to sound as confused as possible.
He stood up taking the glass with him and stopped near me.
"You were watching me. You wanted me to drink it." He put the glass in front of me. "Why?"
I know I should not have looked up at him but I couldn't resist.
In his grey eyes was burning a cold flame of anger. I tried to look calm but failed lamentably.
I couldn't speak.
"I think your very precious friends helped you with this plan" he said. "Should we ask them?"
I finally recovered.
"No. They aren't a part of this." Even for me my voice sounded defeated.
"I have been taken for a fool too many times by you. Now your friends will have to answer some questions." He started to move toward the door.
I hurried to stop him and grabbed his arm.
"No!" I raised my voice. "It was my ideea. In the glass is water from that turquoise lake. They don't even know about his existence."
He turned to look at me, in his eyes still flashing anger. I haven't let go of him. Not yet.
"And what's stopping me from torturing them?"
I flinched at his words.
"Me" I said with my voice barely a whisper. "I will stop you if it's necessary".
He looked at me untouched. I started to panic when he didn't said anything. After interminable moments he finally spoke.
"Don't try to do that ever again."
I let go of him and he left without looking back.

***

I rushed to Genya's room and opened the door without knocking.
"Genya!"
She was standing at a table doing something with her tailor kit. When she heard my panicked voice she jumped off the chair.
"What happened?" Genya asked abruptly.
I approached to look at her. Even with her patch covering her eye she looked gorgeous. Gorgeous as usual. He didn't do anything.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course I am" she said.
From my mouth escaped a relieved sigh.
"Alina, what happened?" I felt Genya becoming more nervous.
I shifted uncomfortably.
"He...he noticed something wasn't right. He haven't drank from the water" I said quietly.
I looked at her. At first disappointment was flashing through her eyes. Then it was replaced by understanding.
"Oh" her voice sounded defeated. Just like mine. "It's alright. We just have to find another plan." A hint of hope appeared on her face.
"Genya, I can't" I said.
"Why?" Her confused face hurt my heart.
I haven't replied.
"Alina, tell me" she demanded.
I sighed.
"If he would find out again..." I broke out "He would hurt you, Zoya and David. And not just my close friends. Everyone who would even talk to me. And I...I can't let that happen. Too many died for me. Too many lost their souls for me" I hardly wishpered, my voice beeing suddenly hoarse.
She haven't said anything. In her eyes was pity. I don't deserve pity.
"Just promise me you will not try again" I said.
Genya stared sadly at me.
"I'll try."
"It's not enough. Promise me." I insisted.
She bit her lip and said "I promise. But I can't say the same thing for Zoya."
I nodded. When I wanted to leave I stopped in the doorway.
"I'm sorry" I felt awful for not saying something more.
"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault."
I felt like something inside of me cracked. Again.
"You don't even know how guilty I am" I said leaving Genya alone.

I don't actually have to say something but I feel like a chapter without a little author's note isn't complete. So here is it. The next chapter comes in two days, as usual (from now on)
Hope you liked it.

Annie