Shadow and Bone Read Free Page B

and seducer of Grisha girls.”
    Alexei’s jaw dropped. “He seduced a Grisha girl?”
    “No, but I’m sure he will,” I muttered.
    “So what was he like?”
    “He was short and pudgy and afraid of baths,” I said with some satisfaction.
    Alexei glanced at Mal. “I guess things change.”
    I rubbed my thumb over the scar in my palm. “I guess they do.”
    We cleared our plates and drifted out of the mess tent into the cool night. On the way back to the barracks, we took a detour so that we could walk by the Grisha camp. The Grisha pavilion really was the size of a cathedral, covered in black silk, its blue, red, and purple pennants flying high above. Hidden somewhere behind it were the Darkling’s tents, guarded by Corporalki Heartrenders and the Darkling’s personal guard.
    When Alexei had looked his fill, we wended our way back to our quarters. Alexei got quiet and started cracking his knuckles, and I knew we were both thinking about tomorrow’s crossing. Judging by the gloomy mood in the barracks, we weren’t alone. Some people were already on their cots, sleeping—or trying to—while others huddled by lamplight, talking in low tones. A few sat clutching their icons, praying to their Saints.
    I unfurled my bedroll on a narrow cot, removed my boots, and hung up my coat. Then I wriggled down into the fur-lined blankets and stared up at the roof, waiting for sleep. I stayed that way for a long time, until the lamplights had all been extinguished and the sounds of conversation gave way to soft snores and the rustle of bodies.
    Tomorrow, if everything went as planned, we would pass safely through to West Ravka, and I would get my first glimpse of the True Sea. There, Mal and the other trackers would hunt for red wolves and sea foxes and other coveted creatures that could only be found in the west. I would stay with the cartographers in Os Kervo to finish my training and help draft whatever information we managed to glean in the Fold. And then, of course, I’d have to cross the Fold again in order to return home. But it was hard to think that far ahead.
    I was still wide awake when I heard it. Tap tap. Pause. Tap. Then again: Tap tap . Pause. Tap.
    “What’s going on?” mumbled Alexei drowsily from the cot nearest mine.
    “Nothing,” I whispered, already slipping out of my bedroll and shoving my feet into my boots.
    I grabbed my coat and crept out of the barracks as quietly as I could. As I opened the door I heard a giggle, and a female voice called from somewhere in the dark room, “If it’s that tracker, tell him to come inside and keep me warm.”
    “If he wants to catch tsifil , I’m sure you’ll be his first stop,” I said sweetly, and slipped out into the night.
    The cold air stung my cheeks and I buried my chin in my collar, wishing I’d taken the time to grab my scarf and gloves. Mal was sitting on the rickety steps, his back to me. Beyond him, I could see Mikhael and Dubrov passing a bottle back and forth beneath the glowing lights of the footpath.
    I scowled. “Please tell me you didn’t just wake me up to inform me that you’re going to the Grisha tent. What do you want, advice?”
    “You weren’t sleeping. You were lying awake worrying.”
    “Wrong. I was planning how to sneak into the Grisha pavilion and snag myself a cute Corporalnik.”
    Mal laughed. I hesitated by the door. This was the hardest part of being around him—other than the way he made my heart do clumsy acrobatics. I hated hiding how much the stupid things he did hurt me, but I hated the idea of him finding out even more. I thought about just turning around and going back inside. Instead, I swallowed my jealousy and sat down beside him.
    “I hope you brought me something nice,” I said. “Alina’s Secrets of Seduction do not come cheap.”
    He grinned. “Can you put it on my tab?”
    “I suppose. But only because I know you’re good for it.”
    I peered into the dark and watched Dubrov take a swig from the