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  AS HEARTRENDER'S TOOK CARE of the girl whose skin moments before burst with light, the other Grisha scrambled to return the skiff to port. Viktoriya stood still, watching the dark-haired Shu girl be tended to, her face peaceful in her unconscious state. The Sun Summoner. There was no doubt that was her. Excitement, dread, and fear washed over Viktoriya in one big wave all at once. Finally, she had an equal, but what would that mean for her once they returned to shore? The Darkling would have a new favourite, and he would also have the tool he needs to expand the Shadow Fold.

She bit her tongue, trying to shove all those thoughts from her mind. Forcing herself to turn away, Viktoriya bent down to recover her kefta that the volcra had ripped from her body. She held up the grey and black fabric, inspecting it. The arm from which the volcra tore its talons into was shredded. She'd have to ask a Fabrikator to fix it when she returned to Little Palace. Slipping it back on to regain what dignity she had left, Viktoriya tried to ignore the stares from not only the Grisha but Second Army enlistees. She was supposed to protect them and she failed. People died because of her. 

She stood alone as the skiff made its way back. No one dared go near her, not even Zoya, who claimed time and time again that she did not fear the Moon Summoner. But with so much blood on Viktoriya's hands, it was hard not to fear her. The skiff ported and people began rushing on and off to tend to the wounded and collect the dead. Viktoriya could see Vlad in the distance, the horror clear and visible on this round face. She knew why he was there waiting -- to take her to him. The Darkling will want to know why she failed and he would take pleasure in her punishment, though he says otherwise. 

Good, she thought defiantly as she began to take her first few steps to leave the skiff. Rather me than her. The Sun Summoner. He finally had what he wanted and that terrified Viktoriya. She could not let the girl fall into his trap and she could not let him succeed. As she walked, others cleared a path, keeping as much distance as they could from the Moon Summoner. 

"Sankta," Vlad greeted with a bow once she had reached solid ground. 

No other words were exchanged. Viktoriya knew what to do. She nodded and followed the young Squaller. Eyes burned into her as she walked through the camp, but Viktoriya kept her head up and eyes forward, never once straying from the black spire of the Darkling's tent. 

When Vlad pushed open the flaps of the tent and light flooded the dark space, Viktoriya was surprised to see a crowd. Had he invited an audience to her punishment? She knew he very well could have. "Viktoriya," His voice seemed to come from every direction as it reverberated all around her. Vlad had closed the tent flaps and once again darkness consumed. "Come to me."

She couldn't tell where he was, but she knew where he would be. She took hesitant steps, careful to not bump into anyone, but it seemed as if they were avoiding her. And as she suspected, he was standing at the end of the tent in his makeshift throne. He did not hide the fact that he saw himself as king. As soon as she reached him, she dropped to her knee, bowing her head in shame. "Your grace..." Her voice trembled. 

"Rise, child," He waved her off with a brush of his hand. Viktoriya lifted her head in confusion. There was no anger in his eyes, no intent to harm. Quickly, she scrambled to her feet. The Darkling's eyes trailed along the torn arm of her kefta. He tutted softly and shook his head. "Have this sent to the Little Palace. She will need it when we return."

Viktoriya knitted her brows as shuffling was heard behind her. A Fabrikator stood behind her in a tight bow. He held out his arms, gesturing for the kefta. "Sankta." 

"Oh..." Viktoriya hesitated. She did not want to part with her kefta. The trip to Little Palace was days. Could she survive without it for that long? It was the one thing that made her feel safe. She gulped, straining her neck to look back at the Darkling. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Viktoriya quickly reached for the clasps of the kefta, removing the fabric from her body swiftly, left in her blacks underneath. "Thank you," She murmured to the Fabrikator as he took her kefta. 

"Viktoriya," The Darkling called her once more. She whipped around to face him. "Is it true? Is it the Sun Summoner?" 

The hope in his voice made her skin crawl. She wanted to lie, to tell him that his precious Sun Summoner didn't exist. But she could never lie to him, no matter how much she wanted to. "Yes..." She breathed weakly, her gaze dropping to the floor to hide the single tear that slipped down her cheek. 

"You have done marvellously, child. Your mother would be proud." He had stood up. All Viktoriya could see were his black leather boots as she kept her head down. She said nothing. The Darkling grunted, moving his gloved hand to her chin and softly raising her face to him. It was the most gentle he had been with her since she was a child. He tilted his head, eyes searching her face. 

Viktoriya shuddered. Her mother. He had the audacity to mention her mother. The urge to scream at him was strong, to kick and claw until he bled. But she just stared at him, pale and afraid. "...thank you," She managed to speak. 

Satisfied with her words, the Darkling let go, his cold demeanour returning. "Bring her to me," He commanded. Viktoriya moved to his side, wiping her fresh tears hurriedly. She watched as, from the crowd, held by two First Army soldiers, the girl from the skiff whose skin was made of sunlight was pulled into the centre of the tent. Her big brown eyes were wide with fear. "Closer," The Darking sneered. Whispers spread throughout the tent.

The guards pushed the girl forward ruffly and as she stumbled, her eyes and Viktoriya's met for the first time. A warm feeling blossomed in Viktoriya's chest, but there was no time to linger on that feeling as the Darkling's broad shoulders blocked her view. He looked down at the girl with intrigue. "Closer," He said once more. Viktoriya began to sweat. She moved aside, watching the girl as she took a few hesitant steps towards him. "Well?" He tilted his head.

"Well, what? Sir." The girl spoke for the first time. The sound was almost melodic. 

"What are you?" The Darkling questioned.

"Alina Starkov. Assistant Cartographer, Royal Corps of Surveyors," She answered like a soldier. Alina Starkov. The name sent a thrill up Viktoriya's spine. Alina shuddered. "They're all gone. It's my fault. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"

The Darkling put his hand up, stopping her. Viktoriya could feel his impatience growing. "Answer the question. What are you?"

Alina shook her head, not understanding the gravity of the situation. "A...mapmaker, sir!"

A few of the soldiers and Grisha in the tent chuckled at her answer, but not Viktoriya. Did they not understand how terrified the girl must be? Up until this point, Alina had been a simple Cartographer and now everything was about to change. "Quiet," The Darkling ordered and the laughter ceased. He shifted his gaze to Viktoriya. "You saw what happened, Viktoriya. Enlighten us." 

All eyes fell on the Moon Summoner, but Viktoriya didn't dare look at anyone else but the Darkling, no matter how much she wanted to look at Alina. She stood straighter. "I did, sir. I...became distracted halfway through our journey and lost the light. We were attacked. And then..." She stopped, her mind numb at the image of exploding light. 

"And then, what?" The Darkling tilted his head. 

Viktoriya gulped. "Light. All around us."

"And you didn't summon it?" He questioned, though he already knew the answer.

"No," Viktoriya shook her head. "When it had gone, at the centre of it was her." 

The Darkling nodded, satisfied. "Our mapmaker," His gaze returned to Alina. "Is this true? Can you...summon light?" Alina shook her head and the Darkling mimicked the action. "Where did you grow up?"

"Keramzin," Alina answered.

"Hmm," The Darkling nodded. "And when were you tested?" He watched Alina for an answer, but she couldn't find the words, her mouth kept opening and closing as she searched for them. "You don't remember? Well, let us just...make certain." The Darkling began to walk, crossing the gap that separated him and Alina.

Viktoriya held her breath as she watched him fix his taloned ring onto the tip of his thumb. She knew what he was about to do, he had done it many times to her before. "Lift up your sleeve," The Darkling told Alina. Then, shadows began to swarm the room. Viktoriya's throat tightened. She took a step back, trying to get away from the shadows. 

"What's happening?" Alina asked, alarmed.

The Darkling ignored her question. "Your sleeve, please," He commanded once more, but in a softer tone. Alina moved her sleeve up to her elbow, but that was not enough for him. The Darkling grabbed her sleeve and pushed it up to her shoulder. Viktoriya watched as Alina tensed, awaiting the pain he may bring her. She gasped as the Darkling slit her skin with the point of his ring. 

A concentrated stream of light shot through the spire of the tent, pushing the shadows away and illuminating the room. Viktoriya's eyes widened. The light on the skiff had been so sudden and unexpected but seeing it there in the tent, she knew she was seeing a real Saint. 

The Darkling stepped away from Alina and the light receded back into her arm. Silence filled the room, the only sound was of Alina's shocked gasps. The Darkling gave a satisfied nod and turned his back to her. "Prepare a carriage. She leaves for Os Alta immediately." He turned to Viktoriya and lowered his voice. "I want you to go with her."

"May I ask why, sir?" Viktoriya's throat was dry. She clutched it tenderly. 

"To keep the Sun Summoner safe. I trust you more than any Heartrender." Viktoriya almost believed the care in his voice, but her years spent with him taught her better. 

She nodded. "Of course." Taking a deep breath, she began to walk past him, but the Darkling caught her arm, his grip tight and painful.

"Do not fail me again," His voice was sinister and serious. 

Viktoriya's breathed shakily as she nodded and he let go. Her next few steps were unbalanced until she shook her fear and pushed the flaps of the tent open. 

AUTHORS NOTE
I am so in love with this chapter omfg. Our girls haven't officially met, BUT they made eye contactttttt