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petertingle-yipyip · 3 days ago

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STRANGER (xii) - KAZ BREKKER

tags: @beekeepingageissome @shadowzena43 @nikfigueiredo @mp-littlebit @starmansirius @hadesnumber1daughter @directioner5life @strvngestark @hostilityghost @ofmenanduhhhwellmen @justnerdystuffs @faeriepigeons // previously // next

Pairing: Kaz x Davina Rollins (enemies to lovers)

Word Count: 5,734

Summary: Guilt is one hell of a burden to carry, and Davina decides to carry it all on her own. The question becomes whether or not she’ll drive away everyone she cares about in the process under the guise of protecting them.

The next few minutes were a flurry of overlapping conversations.

“What happened? Are you hurt?” Kol rushed to your side, falling to his knees beside you. You vaguely felt his hands skimming your back and arms.

Inej and Jesper had gotten there too. You barely registered their presence on Kaz’s other side. You had your good hand pressed against the oozing wound while you forced the other into his hand. In the chaos, no one seemed to notice how Kaz had a tight grip on it.

“The rifleman on the roof.” You sniffled. The wet cloth across your mouth now felt like it was suffocating you. The heat from the flames bit at your back and part of you wished it would engulf you, just to end the Saints forsaken nightmare. “He must’ve got a shot off at the same time Jesper did. I didn’t even hear it.”

“We have to get him somewhere safe.” Inej spoke. She was calm on the outside, with a level voice, but the concern in her eyes had to be mirroring your own. “We have to get him to the Slat.”

“He’s losing a lot of blood.” Kol muttered.

“It was meant for me.” You whispered, hoping your voice was lost to the chaos. You only knew it wasn’t when Kol’s head snapped up.

“It’s too far.” Jesper shook his head. “Crow Club?”

“Not much better.” Wylan countered.

“We have to do something!” Inej snapped.

“Kol..” You tried. When he met your gaze, you knew your eyes were pleading. You could blame the smoke and ash in the air, but you knew the tears were due to the crisis you found yourself in. “Our building is closest.”

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“He did it for me.”

He sighed to himself then nodded. Jesper helped get Kaz up. He was the only one Kaz allowed to grab onto him. Since Kaz tried to swing on Kol when he tried, the sharpshooter supported most of his friend’s weight while Kol was on the other side. Nina and Wylan carried Melli, who was gently stirring and mumbling. You led the way after one last look at the burning building and Inej promised to keep an eye out from above. Before you could say anything, she had scampered up the nearest building.

You kept your pistol in your hand as you led the mixed crew through the streets. Worry was gnawing at you, forcing you to disregard your usual caution, while your anger fueled you.

The empty streets should’ve been your first sign. You should’ve clocked the shooter earlier. What if killing Vicente is what set off the chain of events for the rest of the night? How could you be so stupid?

You banged the secret knock against the side door and shoved past Nik when he opened the door. You directed Kol and Jesper to your room and Nina and Wylan to Melli’s. Kol filled in the specific directions. Inej met your group as you were coming in and she hovered beside you.

“Seriously, Davina?” Nik scoffed and you took a deep breath before facing him.

You holstered your pistol and pulled the fabric from your mouth. You shook the hood off your head before glaring at your Snake. The pain in your arm was now throbbing and you recognized you’d need to reset it soon. You cradled the pained limb against your chest.

“What?” You asked. You made no attempt to keep the apace out of your tone.

“Why are you bringing Dregs here?”

His loud question drew the attention of the others in the main room.

“Because they helped bring Melli home.” You announced. Some of the Snakes showed visible relief. “They took damage and I’m helping them. That’s how this kind of thing works, Nik. They’re here as allies tonight.”

“He’s scared of Brekker.” Inej spoke from your side and you flinched. You forgot she was there.

“Isn’t everyone?” He said nervously.

“He’s banned from the Crow Club. Brekker warned that if he ever saw him again, he’d kill him.” She continued and Nik paled.

“Make yourself scarce till I say otherwise. I want Carmen on the door.” You warned and then gestured for Inej to follow you.

“You’re hurt.” She said plainly as you two were climbing the stairs.

“It’s not that bad.” You shook your head but tugged your cloak tighter around your frame as if hiding the arm would make it hurt less. “I’ll ask Kol or Nina to reset it whenever they’re free… What’d Nik do at the Club?”

“Nothing.” Inej answered. “Kaz banned him when he learned about his habits at the Menagerie.”

“He’s one of Heleen’s clients?”

“He was. Someone beat him half to death soon after I left. Hasn’t been back since that I can tell.”

“Interesting…”

She made a small noise of agreement and the topic died out. You stopped in the gap between your room and Melli’s. You gestured to your door but Inej didn’t go in right away.

“Davina, I may have misjudged you.” She confessed.

“Happens all the time.” You shrugged your good shoulder. “I don’t take it to heart anymore.”

“I saw the way you looked at Kaz tonight. Do you truly care for him?”

“I do.” You admitted. What good was it to try and hide anything for the Wraith? “Kaz is… complicated. I don’t know what’ll happen once he’s in good health. I want his help but if this is what’ll cost, I don’t see how it’s worth it.”

“I doubt he’ll let you take this fight on your own.”

“I don’t answer to him, Inej. He can’t stop me from anything, especially if he doesn’t know anything.” You glanced at your door again, knowing Kaz was on the other side. “Go. Take care of him. I’ll be in later.”

She nodded and moved towards the door. When your hand hit the knob for Melli’s, Inej added one last thing.

“He’s lost a lot too, you know.” Inej spoke plainly. “You coming back into his life means something, even if he’s a stubborn bastard and won’t admit it.”

You cracked half a smile. “Don’t let him die until he does then.”

You pushed into the room and found Nina at Melli’s beside. You gently shut the door behind you and practically ran to your friend. You sat at the edge by her feet, your hand gently finding her leg.

“How is she?” You asked quietly.

“She’s strong.” Nina promised, focusing on her task. “But I should warn you, Davina, there’s a lot of damage here. Bruises, cuts - some infected - a few broken bones. The men that did this were brutal. I thought druskelle were the worst of man but…”

“But my father’s cruelty is something else.” You finished, fighting back tears. “Thank you, for caring for her.”

“What about you, dear?” She turned to you after placing a damp cloth on Melli’s forehead. She must be running a fever from the infections. “You can’t be unscathed.”

“It’s-“ You tried to shrug and immediately regretted it as the new wave of pain coursed through your arm. “Dislocated.” You confessed instead.

Nina clicked her tongue in disappointment before her hands found the joint. You closed your eyes tightly while she worked. Healing was arguably worse than getting the damn injury in the first place. Your other hand closed into a tight fist around Melli’s blankets and Nina giggled at you.

“And here I was, thinking you were immune to pain.” She teased before patting your arm. “Good as new.”

“Thank you.” You smiled softly, rotating your repaired arm. “Do I need to do anything for her?”

“Other than that burning need for revenge?” She quirked a brow and you frowned at her. “I can see it in your eyes, Davina. You remind me of Brekker in that way.”

You looked at Melli’s closed eyes instead. She had her blanket up to her chest and her shirt had been removed. You could just make out the tight wrapping around her chest and over her shoulder instead.

“And look what that’s gotten me.” You sighed.

Her throat had an angry red line running across it that you assumed had been purple moments before. The swelling of her left eye and cheek was considerably less, as was the bruising across her face. Her nose, which seemed crooked when you last saw her, was now pristine. Most of the dried blood had been cleaned away. The only evidence it was ever there was the red tinted water on the bedside table.

You couldn’t bring yourself to think of the injuries under the blanket.

“You saved her life tonight, Davina.” Nina offered, kneeling in front of you. Her gentle hands on your thighs made you turn to face her. “I’m not sure she would’ve lasted another night of that torture.”

“She never should’ve been there to begin with.” You whispered. “I should’ve been paying more attention. I got too comfortable… I put her in this position because I care about her and Pekka used it against me.”

“You don’t bear the weight of your father’s sins.” She tried.

“Maybe not, but he needs to answer for them. He will answer for them.”

“Right now, you and your friends need to focus on rebuilding your strengths.” She said gently. “As a soldier myself, I understand what you’re feeling. I understand your need to fight back, but you need a strategy. Going in blind against your father again will end in death.”

“I know.” You confessed.

“Tread carefully, Davina. A war on two fronts is a war you cannot win.”

“Two?” Your brows furrowed. Before she could answer, Wylan burst in.

“He hit me.” He exclaimed, almost offended by the action. You had to laugh.

“I didn’t tell you to get close to him!” Nina scolded. “I told you to see how Kol was getting on.”

“And when I stood by Kol, Kaz swung at me!”

“I’ll handle it.” You smiled. You reached to squeeze Melli’s hand then offered Nina a small bow. She nodded in return and you smiled apologetically to Wylan.

You could see the red mark on his jaw as you passed.

When you stepped into your room, it was utter chaos.

Jesper was on one side of Kaz with Kol on the other. Kaz’s jacket and waistcoat were discarded on the floor and his shirt was unbuttoned. Jesper was trying to hold Kaz’s arm down while Inej was trying to help Kol.

“Will you stop?” Kol exclaimed in frustration.

“Get your hands away from me!” Kaz argued loudly.

“Saint’s sake, he’s trying to help you, man!” Jesper shouted.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Kaz, it’s alright!” Inej tried.

“What is going on here?” You yelled, slamming the door behind you for emphasis.

All of them froze.

You stared pointedly at Kaz and he hesitantly flattened against the mattress. Jesper sighed in relief before he let out a stressed laugh. Inej smiled to herself as she returned to helping Kol. Kol was complaining to himself in Ravkan. You went and stood at the foot of your bed, arms crossed as you watched Kaz.

He was rigid in the bed, pale as the sheets beneath him and covered in a thin layer of sweat. He had his eyes tightly closed and both hands in tight fists. His chest was rising and falling with shallow breaths and you could just make out what was left of the injury.

“It didn’t pierce his lung.” Kol explained and you turned your focus to him. “The shot collapsed it and broke what looks like two ribs, but by some miracle, it didn’t puncture.”

“He may or may not have ruined your bedding.” Jesper said apologetically, motioning to the new deep red stain, and Inej reached over to whack his arm.

You laughed slightly. “It’s fine. We can use it as dressing… Why’d he punch Wylan?”

“Pretty sure he was aiming for me.” Kol chuckled. “I ducked. Wylan didn’t.”

“I should go check on him, actually.” Jesper nodded.

“You all should go get something to eat, too.” You offered. “It’s not exactly fine dining but it’s a hot, fulfilling meal.”

“Adrin was cooking tonight, so that usually equates to some sort of stew.” Kol filled in.

“Kol can take you all.”

“What about you?” Kol wiped his bloody hands on your sheets. You scowled at him and he smiled sheepishly.

“I’ll stay with him.” You nodded to Kaz. He was so still you wondered if he had passed out. “Someone can bring some up whenever they can.”

“I’ll make sure we do.” Jesper promised, patting your back as he headed towards the door.

“Make sure Nina and Wylan eat too, please.” You added.

Inej rose and put a hand on your arm. She met your gaze for a few moments before she smiled in thanks. You returned the expression before she joined Jesper. Kol rose last and put his hands on either side of your face.

“One step at a time, Davina.” He said quietly. “Pekka won’t get away with this.”

All you could do was nod.

You couldn’t tell him that you were resigned to fight the war without them. You wouldn’t risk him or Melli again. It was in Melli’s contract that upon your untimely demise, she would head the Snakes. No doubt she’d name Kol her lieutenant. He’d earned that much in his time with you. Maybe they’d switch roles instead. You were fine with either taking your mantle.

You couldn’t tell him that you knew it was your fight. Not his. Not Melli’s. Not even Kaz’s.

When the door finally closed, you let out a long exhale before kneeling by the bedside. You frowned slightly at the stained sheets before pulling a blade to cut a long strip. You gently moved the loose fabric of Kaz’s unbuttoned shirt aside and saw how Kol had healed the wound.

Likely due to Kaz’s uncooperativeness, the gunshot wound was more open than you expected. You assumed Kol focused more on the collapsed lung and broken ribs than the flesh wound. You were just glad it wasn’t bleeding anymore.

“Vina…” Kaz said and his gravelly voice startled you.

“Can you sit up?” You asked.

He nodded and you stood to help him. You kept your hands on covered areas of skin, using his shoulder and forearm to pull him up. He winced at the movement, grasping your wrist tightly.

“You’re alright.” You said gently. “Kol fixed the worst of it, but I need to wrap it. Is that okay?”

“I can manage.” He countered, though the heavy breaths told you otherwise.

“Stop being so stubborn.” You rolled your eyes slightly. “Let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“I know. Would you rather it get infected?”

He shot you a weak glare before he gestured vaguely to the wound. He hesitantly lifted his arms and you had to lean in close to secure the wrap. You rolled the end over itself three times to form a bit of padding before looping it around his torso.

“How did you know to come tonight?” You asked despite knowing the answer. You figured he could use the distraction from your proximity. “Last time I brought it up you told me no.”

“Wylan told me everything.” He answered tensely.

“That’s why you sent him… If he was in danger, you’d have to come and help.”

“I wouldn’t have to, no, but it was a convenient excuse.”

You laughed slightly before tucking the end of the fabric and standing tall. You took your hand and ran it along the wrap, smoothing any bumps.

You thought of your mother for a moment and the way she would kiss your bandages. She said it would heal easier if healed with love. You kissed your fingers instead and gently touched the bandage. His eyes didn’t leave yours once they found each other.

“Your arm.” He changed the subject.

“Nina set it.” You shrugged. “It aches a little but at least it’s where it should be.”

“Melli’s lucky to have you.” He said suddenly. “Not many people in the Barrel would take on Dime Lions with no backup.”

“Maybe I had faith you’d show.” You joked. “Or maybe the Saints were looking out for me for once.”

“Makes one of us.”

“You were right to tell me no, Kaz, and you should’ve stuck to that decision.” You spoke honestly. “You and the rest of your friends. It wasn’t worth the risk.”

“They were insistent on coming to help you, Davina. Inej and Jesper were going to come regardless once Wylan explained it all.”

“You still shouldn’t have let them.”

“They are as stubborn if not worse than you are, Dear. The only way I could’ve stopped them would’ve been if I had nailed their feet to the floor.”

“I’ll get you a new shirt.” You went to your drawers where Kaz’s borrowed shirt waited neatly folded. “You and your friends can stay as long as you need. I’ll make up some of the spare rooms and-“

“Davina.” Kaz tried, but you ignored it.

“-I can have Adrin put waffles together in the morning for Nina.”

“Davina.”

“It might be best for you all to lay low tonight, anyways. I don’t doubt Dime Lions are out looking for blood.”

“Davina!” He said loudly then grimaced.

You faltered for a second then handed over the shirt. He looked down at it then broke a half smile before accepting it. You went to your wardrobe to allow him privacy to change while you stripped off your cloak. Your own shirt had vague stains from the gas but it was otherwise intact. You untied the damp cloth from around your neck and tossed it, feeling it stick to the base of your throat slightly. You prodded the area and your fingers came back red.

You pulled your sleeves over the heel of your hand and gently rubbed it away before turning back to Kaz.

“I’m not worried about what will happen to us.” He explained, his expression tight as he fought to get the shirt around his shoulders.

“Do you want help?” You offered.

“I lost everything before, Davina. Everything.”

You sighed slightly and went behind him. You shifted the fabric over his shoulder and held it out so he could slide his other arm in. He shot you an incredulous look over his shoulder but didn’t move away.

Not even when your knuckles brushed his arm.

“An ‘R’ .” You commented as you patted his now covered arm.

You turned and began to strip the stained blankets with a small frown.

“Yes…” He answered.

You knelt and pulled a new bundle of sheets from under the bed, pushing the old ones near the wall. You waited patiently for him to say something else about the simple tattoo on his bicep while you finished putting on the new sheets.

He didn’t.

“I’m grateful that you all showed up.” You confessed, gesturing for him to sit again. He did, wincing as he did so. “But I won’t have any of you die in my fight.”

“It isn’t just your fight.”

“It is now.”

“No, now we’re more involved than ever. The Lions will report back that we were there.”

“And it pulls the Dregs into a fight they didn’t need to be in.” You cut in. “This was exactly what you wanted to avoid, Kaz, yet you walked right into it. Why?”

“For you!” He nearly shouted.

“And you took a bullet that was meant for me!” You shouted back. “The shooter was aiming for me and yet you’re the one with a hole in your chest!”

“It was a fluke.”

“Don’t give me that! You’re the one so adamant that caring about anyone around here is a Saints forsaken death sentence! Guess what, Kaz? You were right! You’re always right and this-“ You threw a hand towards the wound. “-proves it! Is that you wanted to hear? Is that what you wanted to prove?”

“Why do I even bother?” He muttered to himself, dragging a hand down his face. “Why do you think I showed up tonight, Davina?”

“You never listen to me, do you?” You rolled your eyes.

“Maybe if you said something that had any truth to it.” He retorted.

“Of course.” You scoffed. “Of course! My mistake. Saints forbid I try to get through to you, that I try to connect with you, that I try to find some sort of emotion in you!”

“Emotion.” He spat.

“Yes, emotion.”

“You want to see my emotions.”

“You know, that part of you that means you’re human. Or did you leave that in the harbor with J-“ You clamped a hand over your mouth before you could finish the thought.

Kaz stared blankly at you. You may not have fully said it, but you recognized the look in his eyes. You crossed a line. You threw his brother’s death at him. After a moment, he was practically daring you to finish your sentence.

It made you feel sick. It made you feel cruel. You had been looking for something to get a reaction out of Kaz, but you had never thought you’d go that far. It was what made you your father’s daughter, that instinct to be cruel and hurtful. It was what had gotten you that far in the Barrel, but might also be what broke the tenuous relationships you fought to keep.

If you could go that far with Kaz, what would you pull out against Kol? Against Melli? Just how hurtful could you be?

You turned and left the room without another word.

You nearly collided with the Crows in the hall. Jesper, Wylan, and Inej all came back up with an extra bowl each. Wylan brought Nina’s. Inej brought Kaz’s. Jesper brought yours and Kol wasn’t far behind. His brows furrowed when he caught your watery gaze, which you quickly wiped away.

“Woah.” Jesper said as he expertly avoided you, not even spilling a drop. “Everything alright?”

“I already told Kaz. I’ll make up some spare rooms for you all if you’d like to sleep it off here.” You answered instead, fighting the shake in your voice. “Thank you.” You took the bowl and felt their worried looks.

You saw Inej’s focus land on the oozing slice at the base of your throat. You barely felt the blood leaking.

“What did he do?” She sighed.

“It wasn’t him.” You confessed, quickly smearing the blood with your sleeve. You glanced over your shoulder at your closed door, wondering what he was thinking. “I did what I had to.”

“Did you?” Jesper asked gently and you turned back to face him. “Davs, you don’t understand what lengths he would go to for you, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter… It can’t matter.”

You saw Wylan open his mouth to chime in.

“It can’t.”

“Davina?” Kol spoke up. When you met his eyes, he nodded to Melli’s room.

“Yeah.” You basically whispered. You nodded to the Crows in the hall and stepped into Melli’s room.

Kol spoke briefly with Nina before she shuffled out and joined her friends. You sat on the floor, your back against Melli’s bed, and Kol dropped beside you.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

He didn’t look at you, instead focusing on his bowl. You wondered if it was for your benefit or his.

“I care about Kaz but you knew that already.” You stared into your own bowl of stew, mindlessly stirring it. “If this is what happens to Melli, what could happen to him? The bullet he took was meant for me. I went over it in my head the entire trip back here. If the rifleman hadn’t been hit, that bullet would’ve been through my heart instead of clipping Brekker’s lung… All of it would’ve been over.”

“Would you have rather died?”

You shrugged.

“Brekker cares about you, too.” Kol continued. “His heartbeat changes when you come around.”

“You sure it’s not hate?” You snorted.

“It’s not. You bring out something that I think scares him. He didn’t get the name Dirtyhands by being sentimental, right? So you being able to soften him, even a minuscule amount, it panics him. Everything you’re afraid of is the same thing he is.”

“Tell that to him.”

“The difference, Davina, is that you are a lot more impulsive than he is. You’re rushing into every battle without the same resources and planning he does. That’s why it seems like you are the only one taking these hits. You're throwing yourself into the line of fire every time.”

“I’m well aware that all of this is my fault.” You sighed. “I can’t fix any of it. All I do is make it worse.”

“He can be your ally, but you have to slow down and play this more as he would.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Your head fell back and you stared at the ceiling. The gesture tugged the wound on your neck and you winced. “At the end of the day, the Snakes won’t willingly join the Dregs, let alone work with them. I won’t make them. And I doubt the Dregs would want to have us around.”

“So leave it behind.” He offered honestly. His fingers gingerly ran the length of the wound and you felt the familiar tingle of his healing. “You’re allowed to be happy, Davina.”

“These people are all here because I brought them here. I gave them somewhere to sleep, somewhere to be safe. I can’t just turn away from them for a guy.”

“I don’t think he’s just a guy. You’ve never looked at anyone the way you look at Brekker.”

“Have you ever seen anyone else that pretty in the Barrel?” You tried to shrug it off.

“Not just in a good-looking way.” He laughed slightly. “You look at him like he raises the sun and moon each day, like he arranges the stars every night, like-“

“Like the way you look at Mel.” You added, glancing at him for a second. You caught the flush across his cheeks. “She likes you, too… You’ll take care of her for me, right?”

“Davina-“

“Just promise me. In case anything happens to me, I need to know that at least she’ll be okay.”

“I swear I will keep her safe.” He squeezed your arm. “You do realize that if anything happens to you, Kaz Brekker is going to tear Ketterdam apart, right? He’ll watch the whole country burn.”

“You overestimate my value, Kol Gethos.” You patted his leg then finally found the want to eat.

You fell asleep in your spot on the floor. You weren’t sure how long it had been when Wylan came knocking on the door.

“Kaz thinks we should get going before the sun comes up.” He said quietly.

“Okay.” You nodded, rubbing your tired eyes. “I’ll walk you all out.”

Wylan was fidgeting with his fingers.

“What is it?”

“He told me to find Kol for that.” He answered awkwardly.

You shook your head and stood. “Mel needs him more. I’ll take you.”

“But Kaz said-“

You put up a hand. “Kaz isn’t in charge here. My building, my rules. He can complain to me about it on the walk if he cares to speak to me again.”

Wylan smiled, seemingly glad to know someone who doesn’t cower from Kaz. You collected the empty bowls before meeting Wylan in the hall. Inej and Jesper were beside Kaz. Nina carried the rest of the bowls and Wylan still lingered beside you.

You nodded for them to follow you. They maintained their own conversation for the most part and at some point, Wylan and Nina switched places.

“Whatever you said to him really put him in a mood last night.” She said quietly. You sighed regretfully.

“I shouldn’t have said it.” You admitted. “But I did and it’s for the best.”

“Is it?”

“I’m tired of everyone asking me that.”

“Then maybe they’re onto something that you’re ignoring.”

“Maybe when I’m not trying to usurp my father I can think of other things. For now, I need to keep the people I care about safe. If that means taking on my father alone, so be it.”

“You may not want to risk them-“ She nodded to the Crows that had fallen a few steps behind. “-but you can always call on me, Davina. I’m still a soldier behind all the waffles and jewels and silks.”

“I will keep that in mind.” You smiled slightly.

When you and Nina reached the end of the stairs, you brought her with you to drop the bowls in the kitchen. A few Snakes were up and milling about. Some stopped to stare at Nina and you had to physically close their mouths. A couple pulled a face of disgust and you shot them a single warning glare. They quickly fixed their expressions.

You led the Crows out the same door they came in and gave them brief directions back to the main road. Jesper tipped his hat to you and Wylan gave you a quick, awkward hug that made you giggle. Nina patted your cheek. Kaz barely glanced at you, but you forced yourself to swallow your pride and block his path.

“Uh oh.” Jesper mumbled and you kicked lightly at his shin.

Kaz met your eyes with a subtle intensity that almost had you reconsidering. You rested your hands on your lower back and forced yourself to keep the eye contact going. His brow raised expectantly. You wanted to curse at him for not speaking.

“I crossed a line.” You admitted and his chin tilted up slightly. What the gesture meant, you didn’t know so you continued with your improvised apology. “You don’t have to forgive me, for anything. In fact, you probably won’t. However, I am woman enough to admit when I’m wrong…There were better ways to go about it.”

It made you your mother’s daughter to try and smooth it over with him. Even if you wouldn’t get anything in return, you had made the effort.

“Go about what, exactly?” He asked.

“Ending our work together… Keep them off the Dime Lions’ radar and my father should move on soon enough.”

“Davina!” Jesper tried.

“She’s made her choice.” Kaz said flatly. “How long until she regrets it?”

You almost admitted you already did. Instead, you stepped quietly aside.

Inej lingered.

“The Suli have no words for ‘I’m sorry’.” She said idly, watching her friends go.

“What do you say when you hurt the one person you swore you’d never hurt again?” You asked, fighting the shake in your voice.

“Mati en sheva yelu. This action will have no echo. It means we won’t repeat the same mistakes, that we won’t continue to do harm.”

“I like that. I wish I could say that to him and mean it.”

“He’ll come around.”

“You don’t know what I said.”

“I don’t need to. I know Kaz and I know you well enough. You have a good heart. He will forgive you, Davina.”

“Saints willing.” You offered a tight smile.

“He’d be a fool not to.”

“Shouldn’t you be leaving with them? I don’t need anyone thinking I’ve stolen the Wraith.”

She chuckled slightly. “Actually, I need your help.” She hesitated. “I just didn’t want them to know about it.”

“Keeping secrets from Dirtyhands now? Must be serious.” You took a step further out, setting your hand in the doorframe to keep the door from closing. You didn’t feel like waiting to be let back in.

“I do owe you quite the debt.” You admitted. “What’s going on?”

“We have a job in a few days that’s taking us out of Ketterdam, but I can’t go unless Kaz can pay off my indenture to Heleen.” She explained quickly. “The problem is that Kaz doesn’t have that kind of money.”

“If Kaz doesn’t have it, then I can assure you I don’t either.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. I know Kaz and he’ll find something else to trade.”

Your brows furrowed as you thought about it.

“You want me to find whatever he trades?” You tried.

“And potentially take it back, depending on what it is.”

“Any ideas on what it could be?”

“No. With Kaz, it could be anything.”

“Can you get me any information on Heleen and the Menagerie? Where she would keep that kind of high value items. When she tends to be out of office. A floor plan of the building.”

“Yes. And there’s a girl there, like me, she can help you.”

“Alright.” You agreed. “Leave the information in my office at the Rook before you leave. And here.”

You reached your other hand to her vest and removed one of her blades. You dropped it into your boot and switched it for one of yours.

“If he notices, you can tell him it got switched during the chaos at the cafe. Keep it till you come back. Use it as an excuse to see me and we’ll go over what I find.”

She smiled slightly.

“Last question. Is Heleen an avid user of candles?” You asked innocently.

“Why?”

You shrugged a shoulder, leaning to open the door. “Maybe there was an accident and your friend’s indenture contract is lost. Maybe any trace of yours is too. Fire is a tricky thing to contain, isn’t it?”

She grinned widely at you.

“Davina Rollins, you just might survive this place yet.” She said proudly.

“I’m a quick study.” You waved her off. “I’ll leave the window unlocked.”

She was gone before the door clicked shut behind you. You knew she didn’t need the window unlocked either. You had questions about what they would be up to that would take them out of Ketterdam, but it’d be better that they left.

It meant you wouldn’t have to risk running into Kaz anywhere. You could think of a way to truly make amends for your near unforgivable blunder and maybe get a leg up on your father. If you could gain your own traction in the battle, you wouldn’t need to lean so heavily on Kaz’s knowledge which would put less of a target on him.

But you also had a new side project to play with.

You had a chance to rob Tante Heleen.

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