Shadow and Bone

I had missed him so terribly, but I had never really believed that Mal might be missing me just as much.

Sounds seemed to dampen and the world became still.

I wanted to believe that Mal and I would always be friends, but I had to face the fact that we were on different paths.

“It’s always just you and me, Alina.”

“I guess it’s easy to have a lot in common when you’re kids.”

“When the leaves change color, do you call it magic? What about when you cut your hand and it heals? And when you put a pot of water on the stove and it boils, is it magic then?”

The girl was different, and she knew it.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.”

I rubbed my thumb over the scar in my palm and heard Mal’s voice saying, “We’ll be okay, Alina. We always are.”

“I hope so, Mal,” I whispered into my pillow and let my tears carry me to sleep.

This time, I was better prepared for the dark that engulfed me, but it was still frightening. Instinctively, I reached forward, searching for something to hold on to. The Darkling caught my arm and his bare hand slid into mine. I felt that same powerful certainty wash through me and then the Darkling’s call, pure and compelling, demanding an answer.