prisoner (shadow & bone)

Chapter Three

PLAYING WITH FIRE

On the way back, both the general and Tatia were silent, but once they reached the comfort of the girl's room, Kirigan was unable to hold in his frustration any longer.

"She should not have said any of that," he said lowly, pacing around the room as Tatia sat herself down on the bed, looking on as the man talked. "She had no right. Don't worry, she'll get what's coming to her," he added ominously.

Tatia picked at her sleeves nervously. "I'm sorry."

Kirigan turned around so quickly that he might have snapped his neck. "What possibly for?" he frowned. He approached the girl and crouched in front of her.

She was looking down to avoid his gaze, but he reached up and lifted her chin so that she would look him in the eye. Her eyes were filled with tears, and he felt the sudden urge to kill Zoya for everything she had said.

"I don't know anything," Tatia said in a broken whisper. "That girl, Zoya, she was right. I don't know even know how to use a fork."

General Kirigan's eyebrows furrowed and he took her hands in his, maintaining eye-contact to make sure that she knew the sincerity of his words. "The fact that you don't know many things of the outside world is not your fault." He spoke slowly and deliberately, trying to get the point across. "I'll have you caught up with everything in no time. Zoya was out of line."

Tatia sniffled. "The outside world is scary."

Kirigan's eyes softened at her words, and he slowly brought her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her trembling figure. He hushed soothing words in her ear as he gently rubbed her back.

"Whatever happens, I am here, darling," he whispered. One thing he knew for sure. He was not letting her out of his sight.

He didn't care about Genya's opinion on the matter. He would take extra precautions to ensure her safety. He would station guards outside of her door, and she would only be allowed outside of her room with him as her escort. If not him, then someone he approved of and trusted. Genya would do, he supposed. The two seemed to get along quite well.

He would shield her from the outside world as well as he could. She would be allowed outside, but only when escorted by him, and never would she leave the premises. Yes, that sounded alright.

Once the girl had calmed down, the general had left her alone so that she could rest. The day had been tiring for her, and everything was catching up to her fast. She changed into her nightgown, took off her make-up (Genya had shown her how to) and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.

When she awoke the following morning, it was to the sound of Genya looking though pieces of fabric. The woman looked up and smiled at the now awake girl. "I already have your outfit ready. The General has requested your presence. I think he wants to start your training today."

Tatia felt a spark of excitement ignite in her chest at the thought. She threw off the covers with a renewed energy, and she saw Genya smiling in amusement out of the corner of her eye as she took the outfit the woman had prepared and dashed into the bathroom.

She was done in about five minutes. She barely sat still long enough for Genya to do her makeup, and she was practically bouncing with excitement as Genya led her down the hall.

At first, she had been hesitant to leave her room without the general there to escort her, but Genya, who had looked exceptionally sad, told her that it was okay. She said that Tatia (the woman had paused before saying this, frowning) had received permission from the General.

What Genya found the worst about this arrangement the general had made up, was that Tatia seemed to have no idea. The poor girl thought that this was what freedom looked like, but she couldn't be more mistaken.