Chapter 24

Hadrian and Zoya leads Alina to Kirigan's tent,it was filled with Grisha of all orders healer,Heartrenders and Summoners.Among them of the Black Dragon who gave small towards Hadrian who waved them off whispering'I told you not to do that."

Kirigan studying the new Sun summoner questioned"Who are you?"

Alina was hesitating seeing the nod from Hadrian she answered"Alina Starkov, Assistant Cartographer, Royal Corps of Surveyors."

Kirigan had his eyes still on Alina asked"Answer the question.What are you?"

Alina once again hesitated not looking at Hadrian answered"No,I am just a mapmaker, sir."

All the people except Hadrian and Zoya were laughing,Kirigan with stern tone said"Quiet."

The laughter quickly stops,as Hadrian and Zoya frowned thinking"The girl is still rejecting her powers."

While one of Hadrian's Grisha's brought Mal inside,who was worried and confused.

Kirigan hummed and questioned"So who actually saw what happened?Zoya? You manned the main sail."

Zoya sighed and answered"We were attacked barely two markers in.Someone lit a lantern."

Kirigan asked"And?"

Zoya continued"The volcra went after the riflemen and our Inferni first.But we managed to keep them off,then there was a searing light.It was her."

The crowd erupted into murmurs. The survivors from the skiff were nodding.The Grisha erupted into exclamations of disbelief as another Sun summoner was found,many of them looking at Hadrian for confirmation as he said"It's true,she is sun summoner."

Once again murmurs erupted.Kirigan narrowed his eyes as Alina and said"Our mapmaker....Is this true?"

Alina shook her head,but Kirigan fully believed Hadrian and Zoya,he had enough experience to see Alina was lying,so Kirigan once again questioned"Where did you grow up?"

Alina hesitated,but then answered"Keramzin."

Kirigan hummed looking thoughtful asked"And when were you tested?"seeing no answer once again asked"You don't remember?"

General Kirigan seeing a nod sighed,as Hadrian came and whispered to him,Kirigan eyes then

focused at Mal asked softly, "What did you see?"

As one, the crowd turned toward Mal, who looked uneasily at Alina and then back at Kirigan.

Mal replied"Nothing. I didn't see anything."

Zoya frowned seeing both of them is so much asked"The girl was right beside you."

Mal nodded,as Kirigan asked"You must have seen something."

Mal now glanced at Alina again, his look weighted with worry and fatigue.

Ivan who was trusted Grisha of Kirigan asked "Just tell us what you remember, tracker,"

Mal shrugged slightly and replied "I was on my back on the deck. Alina was next to me. I saw the volcra diving, and I knew it was coming for us. I said something and—"

Then Kirigan cool voice cut through the room"What did you say?".

Mal said."I don't remember,"

Alina and even Hadrian recognized the stubborn set of his jaw and knew he was lying.

Mal did remember,but he didn't want to believe Alina was a Grisha and she kept it a secret from him.So he continued "I smelled the volcra, saw it swooping down on us. Alina screamed and then I couldn't see anything. The world was just … shining."

Kirigan sighed and asked"So you didn't see where the light was coming from?"

Mal shook his head. said"Alina isn't … She couldn't …We're from the same … village.If she could do anything like that, I would know."

Hadrian noticed that tiny pause,the fact he thinks Alina should tell him everything is really hard to believe.

Kirigan looking at Hadrian added"Well, let us just make certain."as he gestured Hadrian to test her.

Hadrian nodded takes a spiked ring from his hand,it was small gift from Kirigan and steps toward her.

Hadrian with small apologetic smile said "Hold out your arm out"

The soldiers stared forward, stone-faced. The survivors from the skiff looked frightened and tired.The Grisha regarded the scene curiously.

Mal's pale face seemed to have gone even whiter, but there was no answer in his worried eyes.Alina held out my left arm which was shaking as Hadrian asked "Alina lift up your sleeve."

Hadrian muttered "Sorry"as he opens up sleeve and with his spike ring cuts Alina's arm, it is unmistakable sunlight pours for her. At first, it is a single stream, emanating from the girl, but it spreads fills the tent, The world exploded into blazing white light. The darkness inside the tent shattered around us like glass. For a moment, Alina saw the faces of the crowd, their mouths wide with shock as the tent filled with shining sunlight, the air shimmering with heat,it was even flowing out into the camp.Then Hadrian released his grip, and with his touch The radiant light disappeared, leaving ordinary candlelight in its place.

Black Dragons present frowned as this light didn't give the same feeling of Hope,that their Leader Hadrian's did,it was different. While Mal looked betrayed walked out of the tent,Zoya seeing this thought"Here comes the Drama."