[Underneath her concern, her discomfort, was the sharp satisfaction that what she had been trying to train Alina to do had been successful. The Cut was just the grisha term for the construct type Ianthe had tried working her toward. When the logic, the methodology, hadn't worked, she'd shifted to provoking an instinctive, emotional response as Alina lacked refinement and finesse.

But pointing that out to Alina was pointless in the face of what she revealed. Recognizing the vulnerability that came with telling her about these hallucinations, Ianthe shifted so she was on her knees right in front of Alina, both hands on her legs as she gently rubbed them. A reminder that she was there, that she was real.

Honestly, the fact that it was him, that it had started after the Void, made that uncomfortable itching under her skin go away. This was something she might be able to help with. It might be related to the amplifier. It might just be the Void. But it meant, in this moment, that Alina wasn't crazy. At least, no more crazy than Ianthe was.]

That sounds horrible. I can see why that would have you hanging on by a thread. [No one ever say Ianthe was incapable of empathy.] Since the Void... okay. Talk to me about them. Please. Describe them. I'm here. I want to help.

[And she would just... swallow down her own hurt. She was used to it.]