IT COEXISTS WITH THEM.

Ithaca groaned then the curtains of her room were thrown open, letting in blinding sunlight. She hid her face in her pillow, but soon that was ripped from her.

"Up," an unfamiliar woman ordered. "And follow me to the Sun Summoner's room."

At the mention of Alina, Ithaca was up in an instant, looking at a gorgeous red haired woman with beautiful blue eyes but a firm look on her face. And she turned her nose up at Ithaca, seeing the disheveled state she was in.

"You look like you slept in a stable," she muttered before turning to leave.

Ithaca was left to scramble after her, not even bothering to throw on a dressing gown and shoes, walking down the hallways in nothing but her undershirt and dirty breeches from her uniform. She was too busy rubbing the sleep from her eyes to notice Kirigan leaving his room, not did she see the amused smile on his lips at her disheveled state.

Then the moment was over as Ithaca followed the woman to Alina's room, not even bothering to ask her what her name was. Chances were they'd never meet again after, well, whatever was happening.

Already outside of Alina's room, several handmaidens were gathered and waiting. And just as she did with Ithaca's room, the woman threw open the doors and let herself in, not a care in the world.

Alina sat up in an instant, looking at all the people with wide eyes. And of course, the woman had something to say about her appearance as well. "Saints! Have you ever bathed? And what happened to your face?" Alina self-consciously touched her busted lip. "This is going to take more work than I expected."

The woman snapped her fingers at one of the maids. "Fetch my kit. Get them both in the bath."

Soon, Ithaca was being shoved along with Alina toward the bathroom, no one caring to be gentle as they undressed them and forced them into the tub that could easily fit two people. Ithaca grumbled as they tore through the tangles in her hair and scrubbed at the flaking blood on her back. Their treatment of Alina was no better.

It was when Ithaca finally got a look at herself. She did look like she'd slept in a stable, and the cut running along her face was covered with crusted blood, looking rather ghastly just like her shoulders.

Then they both heard one of the maids speaking in Old Ravkan, which was hardly spoken anymore — unless you grew up poor or in an orphanage like they did.

"Smells like horse."

"Horse has a use," another said, chuckling.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Alina ordered, grabbing the rag from one of them. "I am perfectly capable of washing myself. And yes, I smell like horse. I was on one for two hundred miles. After nearly being killed. Twice. And I understand Old Ravkan, and that was really quite rude."

Ithaca smirked but it dropped when a maid raised her arms and brought a razor to the hair that was growing underneath it. "Don't cut me!" she warned. "Or I'll cut you."

The red headed woman rolled her eyes, having enough of their antics. "In an hour, you'll both be presented to King Pyotr, and General Kirigan has asked that I make you look presentable."

Alina's eyes went wide. "I am to meet the King?"

"In an hour."

"Oh," she mumbled.

"Yes, 'Oh.'" she said. "So let's get on with it."

Alina kept her mouth shut as they cleaned her up a bit more, but Ithaca still grumbled a bit, especially when they went over her healing shoulders again. Saints, she needed a healer.

"You know, this is all a bit much. I really don't need any of this," Alina said as they helped her out of the water and dried her off. But when they wrapped a fluffy robe around her, she sighed. "Oh, Saints! Is this velvet?"

One of the maids leaned in to the red haired woman, not bothering to lower her voice as she said, "I'd start by making her eyes less Shu, Miss Safin."

Ithaca glared at the girl and slowly stood from the water, ready to attack her out of hatred. But the beautiful woman was beating her to it.

"Everybody out," she ordered, clapping twice.

In an instant, all the maids left, some scoffing as they did so. Alina sighed in relief and handed a robe to Ithaca, who had to admit it was rather soft. Then she forced a smile.

"Thank you."

"Happy to get rid of the miserable shrews. I don't pick my staff. The Queen assigns them," she explained while leading them to a vanity. "Mostly so she can spy on me."

"Don't change my eyes," Alina pleaded.

"I don't care that you're part Shu," she said flatly. "I care that you look terrible."

Ithaca snorted and slid to sit on the edge of the vanity while the woman looked over Alina. "Some of this is surface, but some of it runs deeper."

They watched in awe as she ran her thumb over Alina's face, healing the cut on her bottom lip and then a wound over her eyebrow.

"You're a Healer," Ithaca said. "Thank the Saints."

"I'm a Tailor," she corrected. "I can fix, but I can also modify."

"I've never met a Tailor before," Alina told her.

"I'm almost as rare as you two," she said while walking around Alina, inspecting her for more injuries, "though I'd hardly say saving the Queen from sagging tits makes me as important as you. Important to the Queen, of course, and she does not like to see cracks in her porcelain."

Then she pushed up the sleeve of Alina's robe, revealing the cut made by General Kirigan, which she quickly healed. Then she moved on to her hand, spotting an old scar that meant more than anything to her.

"No, um, that one's a reminder of home," Alina stopped her.

"Sentimental," she noted. "I'll work on that, too. But for right now, sit."

As Alina did so, the woman began rifling through a container full of all sorts of random things. As she searched for something, Ithaca spoke up. "Do you have a name?"

"Genya," she said simply, surprised that they'd bothered to ask. Then she held up some piece of dark silk. "This will do nicely."

Alina and Ithaca watched in awe as Genya ran her hand over Alina's hair, which became more thick and shiny — all the split ends and damage disappeared.

"It only lasts a few days," she explained.

"How old were you when you knew?" Alina asked as Genya kept digging for more things.

"Testers found me when I was eleven. That's when General Kirigan gifted me to the Queen." Ithaca squirmed, not sure she liked the wording of 'gifted to the Queen.' "But I've been working on myself since I was three."

"Since you were three?" Alina asked in shock. "Saints! I can't go in front of the King. I need more time. I've only been a Grisha for a day."

Genya chucked and shook her head. "Maybe you've only been aware for a day. But you've been a Grisha your whole life. Both of you. And now you're here, to tear down the Fold."

"Not me," Ithaca said, shaking her head. "My light doesn't... banish shadows. It coexists with them. Always has."

"That would be why they're calling you the Starlight Summoner," Genya said, now focusing her attention on her. "Let me see that back."

Ithaca did as told, turning around and dropping the back of her robe, showing off the long gashes that still burned from when the Volcra attacked. In an instant, the pain was gone as Genya ran her hands over the muscles. Ithaca sighed in relief, closing her eyes for a moment.

"By the Saints, you're scarred," Genya couldn't help but note.

"Leave them," she requested, pulling the robe back up. "I'm a soldier. Each scar is a battle won."

☆︎

Ithaca thought that Alina looked ridiculous, but then again, she thought she did as well. Both were in First Army uniforms, and while Alina had a golden veil over her face, Genya put the black markings back around Ithaca's eyes. Only she outlined it and her eyes in a bluish-silver paint, which defeated the point of such intimidating warpaint.

"No army uniform includes a veil," Alina said as they walked down the hallway, her fiddling with the fabric.

"You look fine," Genya told her.

Alina looked out the window that they passed. "Say one wanted to leave the Little Palace..."

"But everything you need is here," Genya said with a frown.

"I've got some things I've forgotten back at the camp," she lied. "I could just go back."

"Don't be ridiculous. This way," she led.

And as they walked, Alina kept blowing the veil off her nose, which made Ithaca giggle. But it annoyed Genya.

"Stop that! No one can see you until King Pyotr does."

"It's just as well. This outfit is ridiculous," Ithaca muttered. Honestly, Ithaca didn't even fight in her First Army uniform half the time.

"Sadly, this is how the King sees the First Army. He cares little for mud, blood or sacrifice," Genya explained.

"Shouldn't I be in a kefta?" Alina asked, missing the one she'd been lent.

"Oh, no. The King expects to see a humble girl plucked from the ranks of his army. He'll want to take the credit for you. You'll get a kefta once he's witnessed your power."

"Right," Alina mumbled, "my power."

"And you," Genya said, looking to Ithaca. "You are the Blade of Ravka. You've always been his to claim. He'll be less than thrilled about you moving to the Second Army."

Ithaca clenched her fist, hating the name more than ever. Alina was the only of the two to sense her discomfort and reached for her hand.

"By all accounts, it'll be King Pyotr, the Queen, Crown Prince Vasily, and the King's spiritual adviser, the Apparat. He's this greasy rat—"

"Was that a library?" Alina asked, looking back over Ithaca's shoulder. "Is it available to all of us?"

"Everything here is available to all of us," Genya said with a smile. She'd never wanted for anything in her life and didn't understand the orphan's need to ask for permission. "The General built this home for us so we can thrive."

"Has a Grisha ever escaped?" Alina questioned, looking to Ithaca, only to see General Kirigan coming up on Ithaca's other side.

"Planning on making a break for it?"

"Yes," Ithaca said flatly, earning an elbow in the gut from Alina, who began to stumble over her words nervously.

"Uh, I didn't mean to..." She trailed off when the Grand Palace came into view. It was easily three times the size of the Little Palace, so Ithaca supposed the names made sense now. "Oh, Saints!"

"Sure is ugly," Ithaca noted, titling her head.

Kirigan chucked. "I agree, Miss Zaiste. I think the Grand Palace is the ugliest building I've ever seen. Now, how was your rest?"

"Restless," Alina admitted as they walked. "Despite Genya's magic, I didn't—"

"It's not magic," he cut her off. "It's science. Or rather, Small Science. We do not conjure from nothing. We manipulate that which already exists around us."

"You make it sound so easy," she sighed.

"A bird makes flight look easy," he noted. "But it was born to do so."

"When it's ready."

"So, be ready," he said, his words with a threatening edge to them that Ithaca didn't like.

Alina huffed. "You're asking me to do something I didn't even know I could do three days ago. I'm not like Ithaca. Why can't she do it?"

"Do you believe I brought you here to make a fool of you? To make a fool of both of us?" Kirigan asked her. "Just keep your focus on me, and you'll be fine. Once he sees what you can do and we have his blessing, you will remain here to train."

"His blessing?" Alina asked with a frown. "I thought you ruled the Grisha."

"I may lead the Second Army, but the King is still the King," he said, sounding almost bitter. "Now, come."

"I still don't see why Ithaca can't do this," she repeated, yet again looking to her best friend.

"Oh, Miss Zaiste will not be in attendance to stand and watch you. She'll have a demonstration of her own. A starlight summoner is unheard of — we don't even have legends about her kind. Her power is unprecedented."

"I'm not putting on a silly light show," Ithaca muttered, crossing her arms. "That's not what I do."

"You are the Sankta of Starlight," Kirigan told her, stopping to face her. "It's what you'll do now."

"I'm not a saint. I'm a soldier," she said sharply, glaring at him and taking a step closer. "I don't save lives — I relish in taking them. And anyone that tries to tell me what to do will learn why the enemy quakes at the sound of my name."

Kirigan took a step closer to her, nearly coming chest to chest with her as he looked down his nose at her. "Then be my guest. Go in there as the Blade of Ravka. But you will leave as Sankta Ithaca whether you like it or not."

She clenched her fist tightly, resisting the urge to punch him in his perfect face. "I'm going to stab you one day."

He smirked cockily down at her. "I'm looking forward to it."

Ithaca huffed and spun on her heel, marching toward the Grand Palace, Kirigan following close behind her. Alina eyed the two, unsure if Ithaca hated the man or enjoyed his similar personality.

A group of Grisha were waiting for them at the entrance of the Grand Palace, also wanting to be there for the presentation of Alina and Ithaca. A small crowd was gathered in the throne room, everyone standing along the walls. People began to murmur and whisper as General Kirigan led
Alina to the center of the room, Ithaca hanging back by a few feet.

"I thought she'd be taller," King Pyotr said, eying Alina.

"I thought she was Shu. Well, I guess she's Shu enough," the Queen rudely commented. Then she looked to Kirigan. "Tell her... Oh, I don't know... good morning.

Alina nervously looked at Kirigan, who wasn't going to stand up for her. She had to do it herself. "I don't actually speak Shu, Your Highness."

"Then what are you?" she asked her.

The silence was deafening, Alina having no clue how to answer that. So, Kirigan stepped up and raised his voice, speaking confidently. "She is Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner, moya tsaritsa. She will change the future. Starting now."

As darkness filled the room, most everyone crowded together, whispering in fear at the show of Kirigan's power, but Ithaca found it almost inviting. It felt the same as the coldness that enveloped her when she conjured her starlight.

"Now," Kirigan whispered to Alina, "call the sun."

Except Alina had no clue how. Ithaca watched her closely through the darkness, spotting the way that Kirigan grabbed her wrist. Then light burst from Alina, illuminating the entire room in warm sunlight — all because of Kirigan's touch.

He was an amplifier.

While everyone was busy marveling and gasping, Ithaca kept her eyes on the General, who had a calculating look on his eyes as he watched Alina. She was the best weapon he had, after all, even if she didn't know how to wield it just yet.

When the light faded, everyone in the room clapped. The King stood from his chair and nodded to Kirigan. "How long will she need?"

"Destroying the Fold will be no easy feat," Kirigan warned. "She will remain with me at the Little Palace to train, undisturbed."

King Pyotr was less than thrilled about that. "Then train her quickly. Our wars have been a noble pursuit, but this chatter from the West about becoming a sovereign nation, that needs to stop. The sooner we are one country again, the better."

"Agreed, moi tsar," Kirigan said, bowing his head to him. "The Sun Summoner alone may not be able to do it. That is why we will be joined by Ithaca Zaiste."

"And what business does my Blade have in the Second Army?" the King asked familiar with the name even though they'd never met. He hadn't even spotted Ithaca until she stepped forward.

"It seems Miss Starkov was not the only Grisha hiding in Keramzin," Kirigan said while nodding to Ithaca, giving her the go ahead.

Rather than put on a show as Alina did, Ithaca formed a rod of light in her hand until it made the shape of a small dagger. Then she pulled her hand back and flung it toward the King, it landing mere centimeters from his head, imbedded in the wall behind him.

Kirigan sighed in annoyance at her stubborn show of power, grateful that the King didn't have her arrested on sight.

"I am still the Blade of Ravka, My King," Ithaca said through gritted teeth. "But now it is the Second Army's turn to wield me."

☆

︎

Ithaca was in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Everywhere she went in the Little Palace, some Grisha or another was fawning over her and Alina. They couldn't get a moment alone because guards were constantly following them. Saints, they couldn't even take a walk outside — that was likely because Kirigan thought they'd succeed in making a run for it.

As Alina stared longingly out a window, they were joined by two girls that they'd not met after the presentation.

"Alina! There you are," one girl said said, sounding relieved. "You too, Ithaca."

"We've been looking for you both," the other explained. "We weren't properly introduced earlier. I'm Marie, this is Nadia."

Rather than greet them, Ithaca just nodded her head to them before picking at the loose threads of her kefta. Both she and Alina were given blue ones — Alina's embroidered with gold and Ithaca's with silver. Ithaca hated how similar hers was to the grey of a Squaller.

"Why are the guards keeping us inside?" Alina asked, wanting a second opinion. Ithaca always thought things were being done to spite her.

"You're both supposed to be in training now," Nadia told them. "Are you really a mapmaker?"

"Were you really attacked by Fjerdans?" Marie asked, never having fought one before.

"How many Fjerdans did you kill?"

"Kill?" Alina asked. "I barely got a swing off at one. Ithaca's the warrior, not me."

"Sounds like our timing is perfect," Marie said as they led them toward a door that went outside — just not the outside they were wanting.

"Welcome to the first part of your new daily schedule," Nadia said before Marie joined her. "Combat training."

When they pushed open the door, Ithaca looked around in wonder, seeing numerous Grisha of all orders practicing combat and training. Seeing all the weapons was like heaven to a girl like her, and she moved forward of her own accord, the other three trailing behind her.

"Ithaca the Bloody. Sun Summoner," and older man named Botkin called out. "All of Ravka's foes want to kill you before you can destroy the Fold. It's a great honor to have so many enemies."

"A very warm greeting," Alina said, coming to stand next to Ithaca.

"He's always like this," Nadia informed them.

"I'm sure we'll get along," Ithaca said with a smirk.

"You must learn to defend yourself fast.
I know of Miss Zaiste's skills, but do you know how to fight?" he asked Alina.

"I've had some training," she replied, and Ithaca cringed, not thinking Mal showing her how to throw a proper punch was really considered training.

"Show me. Pick an opponent," Botkin ordered.

And of course, Alina's stubborn self had to go and choose Zoya who stepped up with a confident smirk on her face. "Zoya Nazyalensky. I've been training her since she was ten."

"Care to back down?" Zoya asked cockily.

"Not familiar with the concept," Alina said, which made Ithaca smile at her courage.

"Saints," Nadia suddenly whispered, her eyes above the training grounds where a railed-off balcony overlooked them. "The General's here."

Ithaca followed her gaze and saw General Kirigan's dark figure looming over them, his eyes fixed on Alina and Zoya, likely wanting to see how his Sun Summoner would fare against his best Squaller.

"He never comes to training," Marie said excitedly. "He must be here for Alina."

"Fighters ready?" he asked, and Alina put her fists up. "And... fight!"

It was over in seconds. Alina made the first move, but as she lunged at Zoya, the Squaller kicked her legs out from under her, making her fall on her back. Alina looked at the onlooking Grisha and then at Ithaca, who nodded encouragingly. So, she jumped back up.

"We go again."

"Fight."

Again, Alina made the first move and managed to get in a few hits before Zoya flipped her over. And Ithaca could hear her taunting her. "Your tracker friend also liked it when I put him on his back."

"Easy, Zoya," Botkin warned, and the Grisha let up, walking away from Alina.

But Alina was wrathful after the comment about Mal, so she climbed to her feet and stomped toward Zoya, who turned toward her just as Alina's fist went flying. She punched Zoya so hard that she nearly fell over.

"Fuck yeah, Lina!" Ithaca yelled, jumping up and down a bit. But her smile fell as Zoya suddenly thrust a gust of wind at Alina that was so strong it sent her crashing into a pile of hay.

"Alina!" Marie shouted, running up to her with Nadia.

Botkin jumped in right away, pulling Zoya back before she could attack again. "What were you thinking? Against the Sun Summoner? Have you lost your mind? She's not the enemy any more than I am! Go!"

"No, don't go," Ithaca said, practically shaking with anger over someone hurting Alina. Her glare nearly made Zoya flinch when she met it. "I still haven't had my fight. I'll even let you use your little currents."

"Ithaca," Alina spoke up warily, standing with the help of Nadia and Marie. "You don't—"

"But I want to," she said, feeling a bit vengeful.

"Alright, ready?" Botkin asked as the girls stood across from each other. Ithaca didn't even bother to put her hands up as Zoya did. "Fight!"

Zoya moved quickly, trying to throw Ithaca back in the same way she did Alina, only for her to drop down low, the gust flying over her head. Then she turned her body, kicking Zoya's legs out from under her. But Zoya was fast, getting up just as quickly as she did.

Ithaca threw a punch, hitting Zoya in her stomach, making her kneel over. Then she grabbed her hair and held her head in place while bringing her knee up to break her nose.

Zoya screamed in anger and clapped her hands together, a strong gust throwing Ithaca off of her. She rolled into the fall so that she wouldn't break anything and then jumped up just as Zoya ran at her.

Punch after punch was dodged before Zoya squeezed her fists together, and Ithaca felt the air leaving her lungs.

"Zoya!" Botkin shouted, moving to stop her. Even Kirigan from up above was preparing to interfere.

But Ithaca didn't need him to. Taking a page from Mal's book, she head butted Zoya, breaking her concentration and allowing air inside of her lungs. And now that she knew they were truly playing dirty, she could have some fun.

She brought her hands together and threw blinding light at Zoya, who stumbled back. Then Ithaca spun while raising her leg, kicking Zoya in the jaw hard and knocking her to the ground.

Ithaca had to give the girl credit because she still crawled to her knees. But Ithaca was seeing red, losing control as usual in a fight. So, when Zoya lunged at her, Ithaca let her and then wrestled her to the ground, pinning her down. She summoned a shard of starlight in her hand, its tip razor sharp.

"Say something about Mal! I dare you!" she shouted, holding the makeshift knife to Zoya's neck, whose skin was turning red from the heat coming off it.

"Ithaca!" Alina shouted, grabbing her shoulder and bringing her back. "She's had enough."

Ithaca glared down at Zoya's blood-covered face that was already darkening with bruises. "Has she?" she asked wrathfully.

"Yes," a firm voice said, catching her attention.

General Kirigan had come down to the training grounds, having witnessed the entire fight. The rage faded from Ithaca as she met his dark eyes, unable to tell if he was angry or impressed with her show of power. Her weapon dissipated, and she finally got off of Zoya, freeing her.

With an annoyed huff at being stopped, Ithaca stormed past the Darkling and left the training grounds, practically feeling it as he followed after her, no doubt to scold her.

"Zoya had it coming," she said in a snarky tone, stomping to her room.

"I didn't say she didn't," Kirigan said in a surprisingly calm tone, following her inside. And when she went through the sheer curtains to the bathroom, he stood in the doorway. "But that was out of line."

"She started it," she said childishly while filling the sink with water. Then she grabbed a cloth and began cleaning the ridiculous black and silver paint from her face. She'd been in it all day. "People need to learn that if they mess with Alina, they mess with me."

"A noble idea, but don't you think Miss Starkov deserves to learn how to defend herself? She may not always have you," he reminded her.

She bristled at the thought of not always being there for Alina. She hated the thought.

Ithaca scrubbed her face until every trace of paint was gone and then looked into the mirror, staring back at her reflection. She could see the General over her shoulder, having entered the bathroom.

"You fight well, Little Star," Kirigan complimented. "But you lack control — restraint — and that lack of control limits you more than you know. It's not something that Baghra can help with."

She peered at him through the mirror. "Who is Baghra?"

The corners of his mouth turned upward. "I pray you never find out," he said, seemingly joking. "You'll train with me, Miss Zaiste. Something tells me that the untapped potential inside of you is greater than even you could imagine."

"Well, I'm already using my light to almost slit Zoya's throat, but I can't say I'm not interested in that move you pulled with the Drüskelle," she said, turning around.

Kirigan took a step closer to her, chest nearly brushing hers. "I'll teach you the Cut when you've learned to control your emotions."

"I can control my other emotions, just not my anger," she mumbled before huffing. "But fine. And for what it's worth, I'm... sorry about Zoya."

He smirked at her. "No, you're not."

"No," she said, matching his smirk. "I'm not."

Rather than move back, Kirigan studied her face, realizing this was the first time he'd properly seen her when not covered in blood and grime or with black smeared around her eyes. For once, she didn't look like the imposing soldier that he knew she was.

He fucking hated how soft her eyes looked with the afternoon sun coming in from the window. And Saints, did she have to smell like lavender? Not to mention that he couldn't stand the smirk on her lips that he wanted to wipe away with his own all of a sudden.

So, Kirigan quickly cleared his throat and took a step back, not expecting such intrusive thoughts to enter his mind when she wasn't the Summoner he was meant to be getting close to.

"I shall still introduce you to Baghra though," he said, knowing that if anyone could kill the mood, it would be his mother. "Come along. And try not to kill her if you can help it."

"No promises," she teased, making him nearly smile again as they left the room. "Whoever she is."

"I'll tell you a secret if you survive her," he said in a light, teasing tone.

"I could always just torture the secret out of you," she said flatly.

Kirigan let out a huff of amusement. "I'm going to have my hands full with you, won't I?"

"I tried to escape," she reminded him. "Should've let me."

"I'm surprised you haven't tried to flee since."

"Well, your guards are so nice. Don't feel like permanently blinding them," she shrugged. "Today, anyway."

"I'll have my Fabrikators work on some glasses then," he told her, and she wasn't sure if he meant it or not. "I've only just now worked off the headache from your attack at the camp."

"I hope you feel embarrassed that we could've gotten away," she said, smiling as they made it outside. It was a beautiful day outside.

"I will admit I wasn't expecting such... skill on your part," he said, nodding his head. "It was an impressive show of power. I underestimated you that night I met you, Little Star."

Though she'd hated it at first, she hated even more that she was starting to enjoy the nickname he'd bestowed upon her. He was the Starless Saint, after all, so what could it mean if he was calling her that?

"Why didn't you correct me that night?" Ithaca then asked, moving on from the nickname. Or was it a term of endearment? She didn't want to know just yet. "I thought you were a Heartrender."

"Would you have fled like everyone always does when they find out what I'm capable of?"

"I told you that not much scares me, General," she said, smirking up at him. "You could've created the damn thing and I wouldn't be scared of you."

He studied her face, an unreadable emotion flashing through his eyes before disappearing. "I don't know if that makes you brave or stupid."

"Bit of both, Mal always says," she said, her smirk turning to a grin.

"Mal," he repeated, a frown making its way onto his face. Something made his stomach turn but he refused to believe it was something as trivial as jealousy. "I'm to assume the same Mal you came to blows with Zoya over. A lover, perhaps?"

"Yes. Not mine though," she said, unknowingly relieving him. And he fucking hated that he was relieved. "Alina's. The three of us grew up together in Keramzin. He's the reason we rigged the test — didn't want to be separated."

"How long have you known about your power if you rigged the test?" Kirigan questioned as they neared his mother's hut.

"Since I was nearly three. I clapped at a bunny that was hopping around. Cut its head clean off," she said, seemingly unaffected. "Ate it for dinner that night. Suppose that was the first sign that I was a natural born killer. A monster of sorts."

"You are not a monster, Ithaca," he said, stopping to face her before opening the door. "You are Grisha."

He said that, but he couldn't know. Not really. Kirigan didn't know that she craved bloodshed. That she relished in being stronger than others. That she loved using intimidation to get her way. He had a skewed perception of her because he'd only seen her around Alina, who made her soft. But were the Sun Summoner not there to keep her in check, she'd be far more difficult.

Ithaca stared up at Kirigan, wondering if he could see the conflict in her green eyes. Wondering if he knew, deep down that she was darker than she appeared.

Whatever moment they were having was ruined by the door swinging open, revealing a rather short old woman with a sour look on her aging face. "Are you going to stand on my doorstep all day or bring her in, General?"

Ithaca slowly spun on her heel to appraise the woman, raising an eyebrow as she did so. "Baghra, I take it?"

"Let me have a look at you," she said, ushering her inside. And she abruptly shut the door in Kirigan's face when he tried to follow, which made Ithaca snicker.

As Ithaca stood in the small hut, Baghra walked in a circle around her. "The Staright Summoner who nearly killed a Squaller for the Sun Summoner."

"That just happened. How do you know?" Ithaca asked, narrowing her eyes at her.

"I have eyes everywhere, young one," she told her. "And skilled as you may be, you can't punch your way through the Shadow Fold."

"I can try," she muttered, crossing her arms uncomfortably. "Why am I here? General Kirigan said he'd be taking over my training."

That gave Baghra reason to pause. "Is he now?"

"Yes. Is that unusual. Is he not training Alina?"

"No, the Sun Summoner will be brought to me for our first lesson shortly," she explained. "Tell me who you are."

"Ithaca Zaiste."

"Where are your parents?"

"Dead. Killed by Drüskelle," she said simply.

"Where did you grow up?"

"Keramzin."

"You slipped through the cracks and stayed where you didn't belong," she surmised.

"I didn't slip through, though. I chose to stay hidden," Ithaca said sternly. "And were Alina and Mal not in danger, I'd have stayed hidden."

"What for? To keep carrying a riffle in the King's name?"

"Not his name. My name," Ithaca told her, still holding her head high. "I am Ithaca the Bloody. The Blade of Ravka. But most importantly, I am Alina's protector. And she is the only reason I have not left yet. I am loyal to her, not the King."

"Have care how you speak—"

"No," Ithaca said, getting annoyed. "You asked me who I am. This is who I am."

"A headstrong girl who needs to learn to control her tongue and temper," Baghra guessed, which made Ithaca smirk.

"Exactly."

"I do hope you give the General hell when working with him."

"Oh, I will."