It Follows

Part 4

"Show me." Kirigan's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her so close she was now crushed against him. "Take me to where you were with him and show me how much you missed me. Now."

Alina smiled to herself. There he was, the most powerful Grisha in the universe, a man with the whole world at his fingertips - but he seemed haunted by the idea of Mal and her. It was absolutely ridiculous.

She reached up to touch his hair, gliding her fingers through the silky strands, loving the sensation of being pressed up against him tightly. Her hand lingered down the side of his face, caressing him, enjoying him, stopping when she reached his lips. Slowly, languidly, she traced the shape of his mouth. His lips parted slightly, his eyes burning with desire. For her.

The other Alina took over, the person inside her who wanted him, needed him, demanded him. Taking his hand in her own, she turned around and led him to her hidden spot. With Mal she was never a courageous person, definitely not when it came to making romantic overtures, but with Kirigan it was different. She didn't know why, she couldn't explain it, and she didn't care.

The sky was dark, the night chilly, but all she felt was the heat of his hand in hers, the rustle of his coat as he moved with purpose behind her. As soon as they reached behind the wall of ivy, he suddenly took charge and swung her around.

His eyes brimmed with anger, his tone clipped as he spat out his words. "Do you really expect me to believe nothing happened here between you and the tracker?"

She couldn't help herself; she giggled. "I've never even kissed him." She bit her lip, laughing at the dumbstruck expression on Kirigan's face as he digested her words.

"Why not?"

She felt light-headed, unencumbered by her usual inhibitions. "Because he didn't want me."

Kirigan's gaze trailed down to her lips, watching her silently for what felt like an eternity. "Then he's a bigger idiot than I assumed."

"Be nice," she reminded him.

"Did you think of me when you were alone with him?"

"Did you think of me when you took off without a word?" she fired back.

He clutched the back of her head roughly, yanking her close to him. The dangerous glint in his eyes would have evoked fear in anyone else but not her. She wasn't afraid of him.

"I don't answer to you, Alina," he growled quietly.

"Then you don't get to touch me." She shoved him hard, forcing him away. He glowered at her, agitated; she glared up at him, defiantly. "You left without saying goodbye." She shrugged her shoulders. "It hurt." She knew better than to expect an explanation from him, so when he did speak his words caught her by surprise.

"I didn't want to distract you from your training."

Here he was, invested in her enhancing her skills, and she'd been a complete failure. She'd accomplished nothing without him. A heavy sigh escaped her lips, she couldn't bear to look him in the eyes. Focusing on the ground, she spoke softly. "I'm not good at this, Kirigan. I can't do what you want me to do."

"Everyone feels that way after a few days with Baghra," he said wryly.

She shook her head 'no', lifting her eyes to meet his despite her fear of seeing him disappointed. "I can't control the light unless I'm with you."

"Good," he remarked. Only the Darkling could sit on a bench and make it look as regal as a throne, and it didn't help that arrogance vibrated off of him in spades. He seemed very pleased with her confession – and she didn't like it one bit.