Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (z-lib.org).mobi

Baghra was telling me. “It’s not possible,” I said. “The Black Heretic lived
hundreds of years ago.”
“He has served countless kings, faked countless deaths, bided his time,
waiting for you. Once he takes control of the Fold, no one will be able to stand
against him.”
A shiver went through me. “No,” I said. “He told me the Fold was a mistake.
He called the Black Heretic evil.”
“The Fold was no mistake.” Baghra dropped her hands and the swirling
darkness around her melted away. “The only mistake was the volcra. He did not
anticipate them, did not think to wonder what power of that magnitude might do
to mere men.”
My stomach turned. “The volcra were men?”
“Oh yes. Generations ago. Farmers and their wives, their children. I warned
him that there would be a price, but he didn’t listen. He was blinded by his
hunger for power. Just as he is blinded now.”
“You’re wrong,” I said, rubbing my arms, trying to shake the bone-deep cold
stealing through me. “You’re lying.”
“Only the volcra have kept the Darkling from using the Fold against his
enemies. They are his punishment, a living testimony to his arrogance. But you
will change all that. The monsters cannot abide sunlight. Once the Darkling has
used your power to subdue the volcra, he will be able to enter the Fold safely. He
will finally have what he wants. There will be no limit to his power.”
I shook my head. “He wouldn’t do that. He would never do that.” I
remembered the night he’d spoken to me by the fire in the broken-down barn,
the shame and sorrow in his voice. I’ve spent my life searching for a way to
make things right. You’re the first glimmer of hope I’ve had in a long time. “He
said he wants to make Ravka whole again. He said that—”
“Stop telling me what he said!” she snarled. “He is ancient. He’s had plenty of
time to master lying to a lonely, naive girl.” She advanced on me, her black eyes
burning. “Think, Alina. If Ravka is made whole, the Second Army will no
longer be vital to its survival. The Darkling will be nothing but another servant
of the King. Is that his dream of the future?”
I was starting to shake. “Please stop.”
“But with the Fold in his power, he will spread destruction before him. He
will lay waste to the world, and he will never have to kneel to another King
again.”
“No.”
“All because of you.”
“No!” I shouted at her. “I wouldn’t do that! Even if what you’re saying is true,