It Follows

Part 8

Alina split the light into several spheres, trying to control each of them in the air independently. With a lot of effort she was able to manipulate two, then three, but when she tried to spin them in opposite directions the globes conglomerated and then simply fizzled out. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. She'd been hoping to make a small explosion, instead now she was sitting in the dark with Baghra who appeared smug about Alina's failed attempt.

"Just when I think you may have some potential," Baghra remarked in a patronising tone. "You managed to prove me wrong."

Alina faked a bright smile. "I do so enjoy disappointing you, Baghra." Tired of the old woman's acerbic insults, she stood up to leave.

"A roll in the hay with the General can only do so much. Eventually it comes down to how talented you actually are. In your case, not very much. Such a waste."

The surge of power that rushed through Alina was instantaneous. She motioned with her hands and light shot out of her palms, aiming straight for the art fixture that was positioned right next to Baghra. It was her anger that helped Alina focus, concentrating her energy to such a precise degree that she purposely singed fives strands – only five, no more, no less - of Baghra's hair as the energy beam shot past the woman.

Shock flooded over Baghra's face, except Alina's satisfaction of getting the better of her was short-lived. Not even a second later Baghra was staring back at Alina with her perpetually scornful expression again. "Was that supposed to scare me?"

"I only wanted to remind you of what I'm capable of."

"Power is a waste if you can't control it," Baghra spat out.

"In that case I'll aim for that mole on your right ear lobe next time. And maybe ten more pieces of hair."

Baghra reached up to touch her ear, only then realizing Alina had burnt some of her hair strands. "Do you think you're the first girl he's favoured?"

Alina's jaw clenched. As much as she wanted to snap at the hag to shut up, she didn't want to give Baghra the satisfaction of seeing her bothered.

"You're one of many. And like all the others before you, he will eventually grow tired of you and move on to someone else."

"Is that why you're so bitter? Did he move on from you too?"

Baghra scowled, horrified. "Don't be disgusting!"

"So you can be as snide as you want but I'm not supposed to retaliate?"

"Listen to me, girl. I'm advising you for your own good."

Alina's eyebrow shot up. "Why don't you focus on training me rather than doling out unsolicited advice?"

"Perhaps you're hoping he'll take you with him rather than Zoya? Maybe you're content with the scraps of attention he gives you?"

Her heart squeezed with pain but Alina refused to rise to Baghra's taunts. "What happens between Kirigan and me doesn't concern you. You should remember that."

"He's using you, you stupid child!"

Alina scoffed. "Of course he is. And I'm using him. In the end we're all just using each other, aren't we?"

"Whatever you hope to gain with your dalliances with him will only lead to disaster. He will destroy you," Baghra warned.

Up until now Alina had assumed the old woman's ramblings were just that - but for the first time she sensed true fear in Baghra's threats and it unsettled her. No matter how sincere Baghra was, however, Alina wasn't prepared to have this conversation right now. Marching to the door, she exited the hut and shut the door behind her.