𝐈𝐗 - 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐒
(𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 / 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐨𝐯𝐚 𝐱 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧)
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A/N: Hey guys! I'm so, so sorry for the delay. I tried my best to post the chapter as soon as possible, but my days were very turbulent. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it💕
summary: Katherine and Genya have a serious talk. Hope plans to make Agatha meet Nick without the hybrid knowing he’s actually her twin brother.
word count: 2840
warnings: none
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Besides having a terrible night of sleep and no breakfast, Katherine had to endure a headache and the loud chatter of the other handmaidens. Moreover: there were no news from her shadows or her cousins about Agatha or Ravka itself.
But what is truly testing the witch's patience is the Corporalki that keeps following her since yesterday. She was heading to the library when she saw from the corner of her eyes a male figure following her. As a test, the woman decided to wander around the Little Palace to make sure if the man did follow her. She had to hold a scoff when he turned for the third time the same hallway as her.
She didn't have the chance to go to the library yesterday due to this. Katherine is being watched, yet she doesn't know if the Heartrender man is the only "spy". It's clear that he's following orders, since the Darkling saw her on his chambers. The witch must admit she was utterly surprised for not getting punished by the General, though she must've thought he wouldn't let this go. Of course the Shadow Summoner would — and should — do anything in his power to know what a servant was doing on his rooms. However, it's a bit disappointing to see such a poor spying. It's almost funny to watch Grishas trying to stalk a poor handmaiden without knowing she's a powerful witch.
Oh, how they underestimate her.
Katherine gasps at the sudden cold wetness on her chest. She looks down at the soaked white blouse, her rage doubling in size and her jaw clenching to not scream at the idiot who's done this.
"Ms. Anya!" Of course it had to be the lightscum, she thought.
"I'm so, so sorry!" Alina put her own kefta on the woman's blouse in an attempt to dry it. "I was— Well, Genya was—" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I took the jar from her and tripped on the corner of the table. You know how this fancy mobiles are—"
"Enough." The Sun Summoner shuts her mouth immediately, an unsaid warning in the coldness of Katherine's voice.
"I didn't mean it."
The handmaiden takes a deep breath to not say something she might regret. "I know. Just give me a towel and I'll fix this."
Before she could blink, Alina was by her side with a towel. The woman takes it without thanking her and begins to dry her blouse a little. The room stayed in an unpleasant silence for some minutes until Genya decided to break it: "You have to meet Baghra now, Alina."
"But—"
"The Heartrenders will escort you." She nods to the men on the doorway.
Alina faces Katherine again, whose eyes were at the soaked blouse. She's been trying to gain her respect — or at least earn a smile from her — since they were introduced, but she's been failing miserably. The Sun Summoner felt on day one that she annoys the woman; it's clear due to the indifferent expressions towards her. Unlike many servants, Ms. Anya doesn't talk to Alina unless she asks something, and is never entertained by her clumsiness, jokes or lack of knowledge.
Genya noticed that too. She'd even tried to have a conversation with Ms. Anya, but a blonde handmaiden entered on her way and had the chance to talk to the brunette first.
"She doesn't deserve this." The Tailor suddenly says.
Katherine still tries to dry her blouse. "What?"
"Your harshness. You're too cold to her."
She finally looks up, a frown on her face. "I answer all of her questions. If I were cold or impolite, as you're implying, I'd always ignore her."
"But you don't talk to her."
"Of course. I was not hired for that."
It takes everything in Genya to not roll her eyes. "Alina's suffered enough on her life. She's a wonderful person, and I'm sure she'll be happy to see you as a friend."
Katherine scoffs. "You just want me as her friend to ease the disappointment she'll soon feel."
The Tailor frowns, though her stomach twists in nervousness. Unfortunately, it is true. One of the reasons she wants Ms. Anya to befriend Alina is for the latter forget Genya when she enters the Second Army as a real soldier. It'll be painful to lose the Sun Summoner friendship, but it's a sacrifice she's ready to make if it means to be seen as a true Grisha.
"What do you mean?"
"The letters to Mal, of course. You didn't send them."
The redhead's heart sinks in fear. Fear of her to tell Alina and ruining her chances on the Second Army. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're a good liar... for those who doesn't see. Unfortunately for you, I see and know everything."
"I'll then repeat what I've said." She approaches the servant, close enough to seem threatening. "I. Don't. Know. What. You're. Talking. About."
Katherine raises an eyebrow, but nods. However, the Grisha doesn't see the slight quivering on her lips. But how could she? Just close friends or older people are able to notice Katherine's lies. Moreover, you can count on the fingers how many had discovered her plans before their execution.
It's difficult to catch a handler, especially, The Handler.
"Don't worry, Genya. Your secret is safe with me." She calmly walks to the door, but stops to face the Tailor again. "You'll be a terrific soldier."
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"Celtic Rituals", a female voice makes Agatha look up from the book she's reading. "You're as curious as you seem."
Her dark brown eyes widen when she sees Veronika with a warm smile. However, they widen even more at the realization that the redhead read the book cover, which means she knows Norse runes. Of course Agatha suspected since the beginning that Veronika wasn't truly what she says. If you take a quick glance, she's just an ordinary girl, but if you take a close look, you see that she's full of secrets, secrets that Agatha wants to discover. After all, the ginger woman seems familiar to her. Maybe she was part of her past.
"You know Norse runes, werewolves and Halloween. What more?"
She shrugs. "Uncountable things, though I'm not my family's brain."
Agatha chuckles. "There's someone smarter than you in your family?" She nods. "They must be a genius then."
"She is. Now—", the redhead approaches the dark skinned woman "why are you reading that?"
She pouts. "Knowledge. Curiosity. Attempt to unlock a memory. Take a pick."
Hope's heart clenches. Her cousin's trying to discover her past again and she can't help. If she does, the spell they'll do can affect Agatha's memory and that's not a risk any Mikaelson's willing take. Agatha has to remember naturally as much as possible.
Katherine's reading some books of the Little Palace's library, Levi and Nick are searching around Os Alta after some wizards, Michelle's paying attention on every corner of the palaces in hope of getting something useful. Unfortunately for Hope, she's just the bridge that links Agatha to her cousins. She can't do any research far from the Grishas. However, she can manipulate Agatha to remind things by mentioning tips of her past.
That lights a candle on Hope's brain, an idea popping in it. The ginger looks at Agatha again, seeing the similarities with her brother. It's impossible to look at the two and not notice they're siblings. So why not arranging a meet between them? Agatha could remember something if she sees Nick. The only thing she can't tell Agatha is his real name.
"You know, I feel kind today, so I'll tell you something."
She faces Hope with a frown. "What?"
The redhead analyzes the library to see if anyone's looking at them, then she leans forward and whispers on Agatha's ear: "There's a man that knows some things about the Supernatural community. Maybe he can help you."
"Who is it?"
"His name's Konstantin." She looks at her cousin deep in her eyes. "I can arrange a meeting, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone."
Agatha nods. "I promise. I need to know some things about myself, Veronika."
Hope gives her a sad smile. "I know, and that's why I'm helping you. I'll tell you the arranged place and time if I got the meeting. After all, he's a busy man."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Power busy people, darling."
The hybrid chuckles. "Thank you, Veronika. Really."
"Trust me, you don't have to thank me."
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Agatha's nervous. She's never been in Os Alta before, her only memories of Ravka are the palaces. A few friends invited her one day to go to the city, but she refused, wanting to read instead. However, the woman doubts those Grishas went to where she is now, the poorest part of Os Alta — though it doesn't seem that poor.
She looks at the bar Veronika told her. The placard is in Latin, which is an unusual language to be, but the writing bellow the bar's name is in Ravkan.
PRAECANTRIX
drinks, food and a lot of fun
"You own me one, Veronika", Agatha mutters before pulling the door open.
The environment is turbulent. A woman and a man play together an hectic song on the violin and there's a bet table on the darkest corner. There're waiters trying to not drop the drinks on the tray, some people relaxing after a long day while others are drunk or high, talking and singing with themselves. There're also couples on the dance floor shamelessly making out, kissing each others necks too, which will certainly leave hickeys. In every way possible, this is the opposite of the two palaces.
"He's there", a waiter stops in front of Agatha to point at the man on an empty table, away from the noise, but near enough to see everything.
The hybrid walks towards him, but stops when he faces her. All of her body freezes, including the heartbeats a the air on the lungs, a shivering runs through her spine, sending goosebumps all over her skin. For a minute, Agatha thought of poking herself to stop whatever dream she's having, but soon enough she realized that this is reality.
This is happening. But how?
The man is a male version of her. The same dark skin and brown eyes, tall with muscles and a defined jaw. Although his black hair is shaved, she's sure it'll appear curls like hers if he let it grow. Agatha's gaze finally pauses on the man's throat, where a huge scar lands. It seems made by a clawed animal — a wolf —, which must've almost ripped his throat apart.
Agatha has one like that on her chest. She'd saw it one day on the mirror and had tried to remember where did she get that. Her shot's that it was a wolf.
Maybe this man knows what scarred her like this.
"Ho— Veronika told me you were wanting answers." He says, trying not to be dragged by his emotions. After all, it's not easy to see your twin, pretend you don't know them and don't talk about the past.
Agatha sits in front of him. "What's with the scar?" Her eyes widen and heat flows on her cheeks after realizing she's said that out loud. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
The man chuckles, his eyes still on hers. "Wolf."
I knew it! "For your comfort, I have one too." She pulls the shirt's collar to show her scarred chest. "But I don't know what caused it."
He smirks. "It may be from a wolf too."
"Yeah." She clears her throat. "Where are you from, Konstantin?"
"United States", he takes a sip of his kvas. "Louisiana."
"I think I'm from there too! I mean, America."
"Really?"
"Yeah. My thoughts are all in American english, so it'd make sense to be from there."
Konstantin smiles, and for some reason Agatha mirrors him. The man tells her everything about his city, New Orleans: its beauty, history and legacy, cultural habits, how alliances between people are important... The woman listens to every part with a smile, her heart warming at the man's passion for the place. It must be a dream to live there.
"And the French Quarter... Ah!" He sighs with love.
Agatha curiously nods, eager to know as much as possible. "Tell me!"
"There's music everywhere. It's the most awesome part of New Orleans. You know why?" She shakes her head. "Because the Supernaturals' own it."
The woman almost spills her kvas. "What?!"
He chuckles at her shock. "It's exactly what you've heard."
"No way! This is... This is insane!"
Konstantin smiles. "Each part of the French Quarter belongs to a species. Only the main streets are everyone's, where there're goods from all kinds."
"There are no humans there?"
"Of course there are, but they don't know they're minority. There was a time when New Orleans attracted hunters, who tried to capture and torture Supernaturals for information." He sighs and faces her. "A lot of people died, Agatha, but they didn't want to give up the city. It was everything they've ever knew."
"And what happened?"
"The Supernaturals spread the word to the nearest covens, saying New Orleans would welcome everyone. If they couldn't stop the hunters to come, then they would outnumber them."
"Did it work?"
His smirk is devious. "Every hunter that stepped on there was mysteriously vanished. After a while, they stopped appearing." Agatha's jaw dropped. "A few humans went there to find a vampire or something, but when they left the city unharmed, people started to believe the Supernaturals are myths."
"So you use this on your favor to live in peace." Konstantin nods. "That's unbelievable! Amazing!"
His smile reach his eyes, not because Agatha found that fantastic, but due to the time he's spending with his sister. Nick can't describe the feeling of seeing and speaking to his twin again. It is as if he was finally in peace, the thoughts of her being in danger gone... for a while.
"You know, we celebrate Halloween there, if you want to go."
Agatha's dark brown eyes shine. "I'd love to. It must be the most mesmerizing celebration."
"I assure you it is." His heart clenches at the memories of them eating sweets and trying to scare their mothers. "We light candles all over the streets, make arts on pumpkins, pray for the living and dead world, eat candies... But the most fantastic thing of Halloween is that we can be ourselves without fear, is the only night we can use our powers wherever we want."
"Veronika told me that."
He gives her a sad smile, fighting the tears threatening to leave his eyes. "I know."
Agatha finally stand up. "I gotta go. Thank you, Konstantin. It was really nice to meet you."
He follows her movements and stay face to face with her. "I loved meeting you too, Agatha."
"Can we see each other again? I wanna know more about the Supernatural."
"Sure."
The woman is surprised when the man suddenly hugs her, yet she retributes it. Something on her tells to never let him go, no matter what. Maybe Konstantin will be an important person on her life. It's a weird thought though, since she's just met the man, but she embraces the feeling. The man made her feel good after a long time, she was relaxed while talking and listening to him, her focus was just on him, it was as if there was no one else in the world but them.
Agatha must be mad, however, she's sure a strong connection was built the moment he hugged her.
"The moon is the key to everything", Konstantin says after separating them. "Don't hold your instincts while talking to it."
She nods. "I won't."
When the woman leaves the bar, heading to the Little Palace, Nick throws himself at a chair. He looks at the dance floor, where a few vampires drink blood from some humans' necks, then at the couple playing a fae song on the violin. Finally, he gazes the table on the darkest corner of the bar. People usually confuse it with a bet table, but he and all of Ravka's Supernaturals know that it's a tarot table, where witches read the tarot cards to predict the future.
Ravka is not only full of Grishas, with their small science. There are Supernaturals, full of magic, too. They don't practice their merzost in public, of course, but the little actions are the proof that they don't follow any "main" traditions. For example, everything in this poor area is in Latin, the universal language of magic.
A werewolf waiter comes to recoil the cups of kvas on Nick's table, and without facing her, he says: "Give me a bottle of vodka, please. I need something strong."
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A/N: English is not my first language. I’m gonna mix the books and the tv show to make the story line clearer (I read soc, the grisha trilogy and its tales). I don’t own Shadow and Bone and TO/Legacies characters; they’re, respectively, Leigh Bardugo, L. J. Smith and Julie Plec. Also, this is how I think the Darkling is,and some of the events will be changed due to the story's course!
