Chapter 38

Hadrian was now with Kaz, Inej and Jesper.

Kaz was the one to speak up"We have to go with the idiot in his train, otherwise we will blow out cover."

Hadrian took out one of his portkeys and giving to Kaz said"Keep this with you and remember to use it if things go our of hand."

Kaz nodded and took it, since he knew it was useful if they needed to escape from the fold,if things got dangerous.

While Alina made was on her way down the lake path, she stomped up the steps to Baghra's hut and banged open the door. As usual, she was sitting by the fire, warming her bony body by the flames.

Alina plunked herself down in the chair opposite her and waited. Baghra watched as Alina managed to create a small ball of light,she saw Hadrian create a bigger on his first try.

Alina frowned and said"I think I need an amplifier. Something to boost my strength."

Baghra sneered and retorted"You can't light a doorway on your own.What would you amplify?"

Alina cut in"When Hadrian touched me…"

Baghra stopped her and said"Hadrian can't be your crutch forever.And the use of amplifiers is a barbaric, lazy practice…"

Alina frowned and said"You could try to be encouraging."

Baghra simply replied"I'm not your mother.But I guess you'll always be looking for one of those."

Alina hearing that was angry and stood up,she held her hand out and used the rage and anger to fuek her powers.As a ball of light lit up on her palms.

Baghra smiled seeing this and said"There she is,welcome.That tea should be taking effect."

Which confused Alina and questioned"What?"

But she then felt ber powers waver and sudddenly she went into daze,then when she looked around and soon found,she was at the orphanage.Slowly the the old memories of the day she was tested played out.

Then she came back to the real world,when the memory ended.

Baghra then questioned, she was curious"What happened on this day?"

Alina looking at her cut on her palm answered"I was tested.I knew the testers used sudden pain to detect Grisha power.But it wouldn't show if I was already in pain.So I protected myself.I wasn't aware I was Grisha.I was just doing whatever I could to not be separated from Mal."

Baghra frowned and said"You protected yourself by denying yourself."

Alina retorted'He was bullied when he was alone.I wasn't thinking of me, I was thinking of him.We planned to run away together."

Baghra sighed and said"Do you know the difference between you and Hadrian?"

Alina'a focus was on Baghra now,who contninued"He knew his gift would give people hope and he knew his duty came wirh burdens,but he embraced it instead of running away from it.Because he knew Grisha while having a good life here are still treated as monsters or tools.While you denied yourself for a boy that may or may not understand you."

Alina looked down feeling guily about it,while Baghra ordered"Bring the light."

Alina frowned and yelled"I'm trying."

Baghra had enough and with slight venom said"How many more Ravkan children need to be orphaned to this war because you are afraid to face the truth?"

That hit Alina hard,Baghra was right she thought, she was making such an effort, but deep down, some part of her just wanted to go home to Mal. Some part of her hoped that this had all been a mistake, that the Hadrian and Darkling would realize there error and send her back to the regiment.

Baghra scoffed seeing this, she knew the girl is too emotional.Baghra felt her son and Hadrian wouldn't need such baggage.

For Baghra Hadrian was the beacon of hope and light, who brought back her son from his darkest point.So she felt he didn't have to put up with such a stubborn girl.