Chapter One: Deviation

The Darkling signaled to Ivan, who stood behind him, waiting for orders. "Bring me the prisoner."

I looked up sharply, a fresh bolt of fear shooting through me as Mal was led through the crowd and to the railing, his hands bound.

The Darkling looked him over, as if contemplating his choice. Mal raised his chin and their eyes met. He gave an imperceptible nod, then lowered his eyes to the panels of the sand-skiff. My gaze shot between them, unsure of what the gesture might have meant.

The Darkling turned back to the crowd, "The prisoner Malyen Oretsov has been offered an official pardon. He has been promised clemency for his crimes and in return he will serve Ravka with his life."

Murmurs rolled through the crowd. But none looked surprised by his announcement.

"This is after all, going to be a new age of forgiveness and obedience," He stressed the word obedience as he glanced at the Fjerdans and Shu Han. Some bristled with indignation, alight with sneers and defiance. But most turned the color of sour milk.

"Oretsov here, will be harbinger to that age."

"Mal, what is he talking about?" My voice came out as little more than a whisper. Mal looked at me as though he was willing me to understand. His eyes searched mine, pleading with me. But it didn't make sense. He hated the Darkling more than I did, which was saying something.

The conflicting emotions of relief and horror overtook me. Mal had joined the enemy. He made a deal with the Darkling. The most power-hungry maniac who'd ever lived, and of course the fact he had magic powers beyond imagining. But he was safe. Obviously the Darkling's plan to dispose of him in the Shadow Fold had been revised. But what had he traded? His tracking skills? Maybe his knowledge of me? Or was it something more sinister? I wanted Mal to be safe, to be protected. I didn't want him to sell his soul. But now it was too late.

"We leave for Os Alta! The Age of the Grisha has come!" The Darkling called, and a wild cheer went up in response. The masses began moving and the Darkling turned to the Fjerdan, Kerch and Shu Han ambassadors, "Think on what I have shown you. Run back to your kings, your queens, your people. And tell them that I will not stop until each and every one of them is under my foot, do you understand?"

The Fjerdans and Kerch nodded stiffly and swept around, walking out of the Fold with the rest. The Shu Han argued amongst themselves until the leader, a dark-haired man with his coal colored beard tied into an intricate knot marched up to the Darkling menacingly. Ivan stepped forward, hands at the ready, but the Darkling caught his eye.

He spoke in an accent-heavy growl, "You are demons! All of you! And if you think we will submit to the will of witches and fiends then you are as mad as the Black Heretic!"

The Darkling's mouth curved slowly into a small smile.

"You have no idea how right you are."

I shut my eyes unable to take it all in. I had just killed hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. I didn't think it was possible to detest myself more than I already did, but then my thoughts strayed to the future. The Darkling would have me slaughter entire nations for his greed. I was going to become the most famous villain in history. I thought about what mothers would tell their children in Fjerda and Shu Han. Listen to your elders or Alina Starkov will feed you to the Volcra. Do your chores or Alina Starkov will send the Shadow Fold to swallow you. Alina Starkov the Grisha. The Witch. The Murderer.

I saw my fate laid out before me and I knew I had only one choice. I had to run or die trying. I refused to become more of the Darkling's tool than I already had. I opened my eyes and glanced at Mal. He was staring at me. He had a desperate look in his eyes, like he knew what I was thinking. We had known each other since Duke Keramsov's Estate, so he probably did. He shook his head furiously, but I ignored him and looked out at the Fold. I called the light, willing it to come back to me. It surged throughout my body, as constant as the stars above. But like them, it was now a world away, my own power turned against me.

The skiff started to move, drifting noiselessly across the sand. The Darkling was talking with Ivan, the Grisha laughing and chatting among themselves while the First Army was quiet and glancing nervously at them. No one was watching me, no one except Mal. This was my chance. This was it.

I leaped over the side and broke into a run, not bothering to look back. Almost immediately I heard shouts and cries of confusion.

"Seize her!" The Darkling shouted. The sound of feet pounding across the sand followed. Up ahead I saw the darkness. As soon as I crossed, I would be in the Shadow Fold once more.

"Alina! You'll be killed!" Mal's voice almost made me stop almost made all my resolve falter. But the image of Novokribirsk being destroyed filled my thoughts. I wiped back tears and ran on.

Then, before I had any time to accept my imminent death, I hit the blackness. The shouts died and I couldn't help but slow my pace. I could barely see ten feet, but from what I could distinguish, the sand had turned color. The warm golden vibrancy sucked out, leaving gray granules that skittered over each other at each breath of wind. A chill crept in through my kefta. It was completely silent, cold and reeking of ruin.

Reviews? What did you think? Anyway you get the main idea. It's Alina running away except I decided 'what if Mal didn't go with her?' That might be interesting. Alina on her own.