It Follows

Part 3

Alina’s hands were aching as she rubbed them to ease her sore muscles. The last three days of intense training had wiped her out, both from the mental concentration required as much as having to deal with Baghra’s whips and verbal smacks. The elder Grisha had not been impressed with the very little progress she’d made and Alina couldn’t exacty blame her. It had taken days of practice on her part with little to show for it - and yet, the level of skill she’d displayed in Kirigan’s room had been effortless. Of course that was because of him. He’d been right. Her powers were magnified when she was near him – but only when they were in physical contact. Even though he’d invaded her every thought since the night in his room, she could only control her power effectively when he was close to her physically. Which meant her powers, for all intents and purposes, were useless to her when she hadn’t seen him in a week.

 

Her last glimpse of him had been watching him ride off with his oprichniki, traveling to parts unknown. She’d stood on the terrace, hoping he’d look for her amongst the crowd.

 

He hadn’t.

 

Since their night together he’d stayed far away, and Alina only had herself to blame. When she was with him she may have felt like a different person, someone who was bold, flirtatious, demanding even, but underneath that façade she was still herself – a person desperate to be accepted. And just like Mal, he’d sensed that desperation and chose to keep his distance.

 

As Alina made her way to the garden, a group of women walked past her. As they snickered and whispered amongst each other, eyeing her down, Alina curbed the urge to throw something at them. After a lifetime of blending into the background, it was strange to suddenly become the subject of gossip. She missed being unknown, at least then when she failed it wasn’t a public humiliation.

 

Exhaling a heavy sigh, she sat down on a nearby bench. This part of the garden was isolated, rarely visited by others as there were no flowers in bloom nor beautiful shrubbery to look at. The adjoining wall of ivy provided the perfect cover to hide behind while also giving her ample opportunity to watch others without being noticed. And right now, she needed distraction from her thoughts.  

 

She watched as two of the Queen’s maids giggled and made their way from the palace. They were holding hands, one blushing while the other lavished her with kisses – and Alina smiled at how in love they seemed. Then she caught sight of Zoya and some of her friends chatting animatedly, probably plotting ridiculous mean girl tactics. Alina rolled her eyes.

 

“So that’s where you’re hiding.”

 

Alina turned to find Genya standing a few feet away, smiling ear to ear. Except Genya wasn’t alone. Standing behind her was Mal. Mal.  Alina’s heart leapt up with joy at the sight of him – even though he was staring at her with a blank expression. But she didn’t care. She’d missed him terribly and it felt so good to finally see a familiar face.

 

“I knew you’d be happy to see him!” Genya declared. “You owe me one.” She turned her back to them and started walking away, leaving them alone.