The next morning i practiced my summoning, i needed to get it perfect if i'm going to plan with Sturmhond and find Mal before the Darkling finds out what i'm up to and before he knows about Sturmhond. My summoning has evolved, it takes on a stronger form of light. Playing with it in my palms, a golden glow would always be shown. I felt stronger. No amplifier. No Darkling.

Heartrenders came to take me to the training yards, i saw how they looked so similar and yet so different. 

For a couple of hours i trained with my powers but i was afraid of using the Shadow summoning i supposedly possessed. What if it turned me into the Darkling? What if i had a taste for more power, for more of His power. Riya came along soon enough and like when she got me ready, she did not speak to me much but she did introduce me to some people who wanted to seek an audience with me. Some were of the Darkling's followers, who were completely loyal to him, questioned me if i was his follower. I didn't really know what to say so i chose to ignore the question and move onto a different subject instead.

Sitting down under the heat of the sun, i witnessed some of the fish swim in the pond. Looking up, i could see the balcony from my chambers-some Corporalki were around me, they kept an eye on me, to make sure i wasn't doing anything i shouldn't do. My drawing pad and pencil were with me as i drew my surroundings.

But my mind was focused some where else, i started drawing some creatures i started seeing  in my dreams and what I've seen when i was younger. I felt a dark presence around me, that made me shiver slightly. A shadow loomed over my head and covered half of my drawing pad.

 I looked up to see The Darkling look down at me-i didn't even hear him coming towards me. "What is it?" I asked harshly. "You should be in your chambers!" The Darkling stated, i stood up holding my pad to my chest and my pencil in the palm of my hand. "you can't just keep me in my room forever." 

"No but i can certainly try." He said half cocky, his facial expression was still and he had a slightly raised eyebrow. "We both know your here for a real reason, what do you really want?" 

"You wouldn't believe me if i said you!" He raised his eyebrow smirking slightly. 

"I would, all you ever want is my powers to use against my friends and to expand the fold to kill all of Ravka's enemies." Not me, not in the way Mal does.

"Hmm, i get that but perhaps i want you in general, ever considered that." He stepped a little closer. I shivered again. I shouldn't have worn a sleeveless, purple dress in this weather. The Darkling picked up on that. "Your cold, come i'll take you back to your room." 

"No, i'll go on my own." I tried to step past him but my legs started to wobble, "Alina what's wrong?" The Darkling came up to me and i could feel the world around me slowing down. Something didn't agree with me. Could it be the food i ate? Something felt wrong in my stomach. My head pounded quickly and i dropped my art supplies, the Darkling held my hand and i could feel his arm around my waist. I could only do the one thing that would ease the pain in my body. I fainted. 

***

Mal. Mal. Mal.

Amplifier. The white stag. The Darkling.

Three Stones. I've seen them before. From where though?

Throne.

Targaryen. Vision like dreams, all strange and all based on the things i see daily-they were somehow important, if they started with Mal. But I had to wake up.

***

I woke up to a cold fabric on my forehead. My eyes flattered open, my head slightly numb. I couldn't feel my hands completely. I could tell i was under black quilts. Wait-Black.

Oh no.

I'm in his Chambers.

I look up to see Riya dabbing a wet cloth on my forehead. She saw i was awake but didn't talk to me. She smiled slightly. "She is awake General Kirigan!" 

She alerted looking behind her, where i could see a black couch faintly.  The Darkling's voice said gently, "Leave us Riya!" Riya removed the wet cloth from my forehead and I saw her leave my sightline. I heard the door close behind her. The Darkling rose and came around to see me in bed. I was in his bed. I pushed myself up, the Darkling looked down at me. I caressed my forehead, "What happened?" I asked, feeling my throat dry.

I watched him pour a glass of water from an urn on the night stand. He gave me the glass of water and i drank it quickly, hydrating myself. When i was done he took the glass out of my hands and back on the night stand. He stood there, observing me. "You had a fever and passed out from exhaustion, but my healers were wrong. I know you were around a negative amplifier."

He answered. My head ached slightly. "Negative amplifier? Are you a negative amplifier?" 

He sat down near my legs, "Do you ever feel dizzy or nauseas around me Alina? Whenever i amplify you, do you feel weak? Can you not use your powers?" His face stern, awaiting my answer. I looked away from him. He continued talking.

"You will be supervised by me now Alina, your staying in my chambers until i find out what the negative amplifier is. Also your tracker has been moved from the grand palace."

Mal. He's not here. Oh no. Sturmhond-my plan.

"Why?" I said shakily. Mal was moved from me, i have no idea where he is or how he is? Is he even alive? I almost started to cry but i couldn't give the Darkling that satisfaction.

"Rest!" he practically ordered. Like always the Darkling said nothing about Mal and left his own room to let me cry in his bed. 

***

PUBLISHED: 20:13PM 13/11/21