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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟐
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄

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After getting a safe distance away from the Fold, Mal got to work on making a fire. It wasn't long before a wave of warmth washed over them, something they all didn't realize they craved. Inessa hadn't said a word since they escaped the Fold. She simply stared at the flames as a million thoughts bounced around in her head. But despite her hectic mind, the Smirnoff girl always found herself thinking back to Ivan. She would never be able to forget his expression as she used her abilities against him. And no matter how much she knew there wasn't more she could do, Inessa would always blame herself for not being able to save him.

What felt like an eternity of silence passed when the fire crackling mixed with approaching footsteps. Everyone instantly looked up to find Kaz approaching them. He was the only one who stayed back on the skiff. He had claimed it was to gather anything valuable, but Inessa heard his heartbeat. She was the only one who knew he needed a moment to gather his thoughts after their little adventure. And she didn't blame him, which was why she kept that piece of information to herself.

"I've never met a Saint before," Inej said to Alina, breaking the silence that had been surrounding them since they escaped the Fold.

A small smile appeared on the Sun Summoner's lips as she placed her hand on Inej's arm. "I've never been a Saint before."

Determination soon filled the Ghafa girl's eyes before putting her own hand on top of Alina's. "Wherever you are, whatever you need...my hand is yours."

"I think I like that hand with a dagger in it," the Starkov girl responded while reaching into her cloak and pulling out a small dagger, "I couldn't hold onto yours, so take mine as a replacement. It's not much, but it'll fend off a bully or two."

Inej's smile instantly returned to her face as she examined the dagger in her hand. "I know just what to name it."

A matching smile soon appeared on Jesper's lips, who was enjoying seeing his friend happy. It wasn't long after that when he stepped forward and handed a bag to Mal. "Step one for any good plan, a change of clothes. It's worked for me."

"So...will you still be trying to kidnap me?" Alina asked after Inej helped her to her feet.

Silence surrounded them for another moment as everyone seemed to study each other. But that was soon broken by Jesper, who let out a small scoff before speaking. "Of course not."

An annoyed look instantly appeared on Kaz's face as he looked over at the boy next to him. "Have you found religion, too?"

"No, it's just...I'm exhausted. Besides...it'd be bad form to kidnap someone after they saved your life, wouldn't it?"

The Brekker boy couldn't help but roll his eyes at Jesper's words before looking back over at Alina. "You are quite valuable, you know?"

The Sun Summoner kept her eyes glued to the leader of the Crows until stepping around the fire to stand in front of him. She then pulled out a necklace that Inessa had seen a few times before. One that belonged to her aunt. "So is this."

Kaz simply stared at it until taking it into his hand. He continued to study it before looking up at the Starkov girl. "I saw this on a portrait of one of the queens in the Little Palace."

"It's not a gift. It's to keep quiet about who I am. Where I go from here."

What felt like an eternity of them keeping their eyes locked passed before Kaz slipped the necklace into his pocket. Just as Inessa thought they were about to go their separate ways, the Brekker boy's attention landed on her. "I need to speak with you."

Inessa hesitated, but only for a moment. She sent him a small nod before getting to her feet. After sending a reassuring smile Alina and Mal's way, the Smirnoff girl followed behind Kaz. He didn't stop walking until he knew no one would be able to hear their conversation. That was when he stopped in his tracks and turned to face the Heartrender. He just stared at Inessa for a moment, making it seem like he was trying to find the right words to say. Inessa didn't know how much time had passed before he finally spoke. "You should know that Dreesen didn't just send us to bring back Alina. He wanted us to bring you too."

"Me?" Inessa responded, not bothering to hide the shock in her voice. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "Why would he send you to find me? I'm just like any other Heartrender. And I definitely don't know anyone named Dreeson."

"He didn't tell us why he wanted you. Just your name and where to find you," Kaz explained before reaching into his coat and pulling out a small envelope, "but he did give us this. He told us to give it to you so you knew to trust us."

A confused look soon overtook the shocked look on Inessa's face. She didn't move for a moment, unsure of what to make of a letter from a man she didn't know. But her curiosity outweighed her skepticism, causing her to take the envelope from Kaz. The Smirnoff girl hesitated for a moment before tearing open the envelope, only to find no note inside. But what was inside made her blood run cold. Her hand shook as she reached inside and pulled out a gold star necklace. To most, it looked like something that they could sell quickly for some money. But to Inessa, it meant so much more. And now she knew exactly who sent the Crows to find her and Alina.

"Does that mean something to you?" Kaz asked, causing the Smirnoff girl to look up at him as if just remembering he was there.

"Would you believe me if I said no?" Inessa retaliated after shoving the necklace into her cloak pocket.

Before the Brekker boy had a chance to respond, the Heartrender turned her back to him and headed back toward their allies. Kaz couldn't help but roll his eyes at her, fully knowing she couldn't see his reaction to her words. It wasn't long after that when he followed her.

They arrived back at the firepit right as Mal and Alina returned from changing clothes. The Oretsev boy didn't hesitate to hand the bag over to Inessa, giving her the last set of clothes in the bag. She sent him a grateful smile before turning to go change. But the Starkov girl's next move made Inessa stop in her tracks. The Heartrender never expected Alina to throw her kefta into the fire. That action alone was enough to make the Smirnoff girl realize her own kefta was gone. It was left in a bag back in Kribirsk. Just another thing Inessa had lost on her journey to freedom. She hoped it would be the last thing she'd lose.

"I didn't expect it to burn at all," Mal said, breaking the silence surrounding them while keeping his eyes glued to the burning kefta, "but it can be destroyed in the end. Just like him."

While Mal and Alina stepped away to have a private conversation between themselves, Inej and Astrid stood up and walked toward Inessa. They stopped just a foot away from her before the blonde girl began speaking. "I know they're your friends, but you do have another option."

Confusion flowed through Inessa's veins as she looked away from her friends to meet their gazes. "And what would that option be?"

"You could come with us," Inej declared with a bright smile on her face, "I doubt anyone would look for you in Ketterdam."

The Heartrender hesitated for a moment as she took in their words. Her mind soon raced with memories of her past. It wasn't long before her hand touched her outer pocket, knowing her necklace was on the other side of the fabric. Inessa knew going with the Crows would take her one step closer to what she'd been searching for over the last five years. But something deep inside her was telling her that she couldn't leave Mal and Alina now. Not after everything they had just gone through together. She wasn't ready to leave the Sun Summoner on her own.

A shaky breath passed over the Smirnoff girl's lips before opening her mouth to respond. "Thank you for the offer. But I'd like to witness the Fold fall."

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After two days of traveling on foot, the very odd-looking group reached their destination. They quickly said their goodbyes before watching the Crows board the ship. It wasn't long after that when Inessa, Mal, and Alina followed them on. The Heartrender took one last look at the Crows, the very people who could take her to what she longed for. But after letting out a small sigh, she turned her back to them and followed her friends onto the upper deck. Along the way, they passed a member of the ship's crew, who greeted them in Kerch. A confused look soon appeared on Alina's face as she glanced back at her friends.

"Did he call us ghosts?" the Starkov girl asked right as they took their place by the ship's railing.

"It also means survivors," Mal explained with a small smirk on his face.

"But ghosts are what we'll need to be for a while," Inessa muttered under her breath just loud enough for them to hear. When she felt all eyes on her, the Heartrender continued speaking. "You're a Saint now, Alina. The whole world will be after you. There's no way to escape that fact."

Alina's eyes moved between her newest friend and her eldest friend before letting out a long sigh. Not even a second after that passed when a hint of determination appeared in her eyes. "When I'm strong enough, we'll come back. Together. And tear down the Fold...now that the Darkling is dead."

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