Shadow and Bone

At Alina’s next lesson with Baghra, Alina finds the Darkling and Baghra arguing. The Darkling softens when Alina arrives. The Darkling wants to make Alina an amplifier from Morozova’s stag, a mythical but powerful creature the Darkling thinks might truly exist. He believes the stag’s power is their best hope of saving Ravka.

Time passes into winter. One day, on her way to Baghra’s hut for a lesson, Alina receives a note from Genya telling her Mal is stationed in the north, is healthy, and can receive letters. Alina concludes Mal has chosen not to write back. This belief both angers and embarrasses Alina, who has sent Mal many letters asking him to write.

Baghra notices Alina’s anger and provokes Alina further. Alina is struck by how alone she is now that Mal has left her behind. A repressed memory from the orphanage comes back to Alina. The day the Grisha Examiners arrive to test Alina and Mal, they separate the two. One of the women, a living amplifier, holds Alina’s wrist, and Alina’s power begins to come forward. Afraid they’ll discover she’s different from Mal, Alina decides to hold the power down and breaks free from the woman.

Processing the memory, Alina realizes she has been using her energy to keep her power hidden ever since. This is why she looks so sickly and exhausted and why she never has an appetite. Though Alina thought she was trying her best with her Grisha lessons, she realizes a part of her “just wanted to go home to Mal” (182). Whispering an apology to the power she has held down so long, she calls it forward. Light bursts through the room.

Things greatly improve for Alina. She spends more time with other Grisha and is stronger in combat lessons. Botkin gives Alina a knife of Grisha steel, telling her she’s earned it. One day, Genya takes Alina to the Grand Palace to try on clothes for fun. Looking at herself in the mirror, Alina is surprised and pleased by how her appearance has changed.

Baghra remains tough in her lessons with Alina, pushing and demanding more power. However, Alina still isn’t strong enough to destroy the Fold. Although Baghra thinks it’s foolish, the Darkling is adamant that Alina needs the stag amplifier. The Darkling walks Alina back to the Little Palace after her lesson, complimenting her appearance and making conversation. The Darkling admits he cares about Alina’s opinion of him. He abruptly kisses her, surprising them both. As they pull away, one of the Darkling’s favorite Grisha appears with news, and the Darkling leaves.

Alina spends the rest of the night with the other Grisha, trying to distract herself. She falls asleep thinking about the Darkling and his kiss with nervous excitement.