Chapter 28:

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Nikolai steeled his nerves as he watched Zoya carry the small boy to another boat, where Anika and Pim waited for the boy and to take him back. 

Zoya came and stood by him, her presence comforting, steady and just Zoya. 

Inej and Kaz were consulting, quietly with Wylan and Jesper, checking if everything was set up. 

Nikolai felt the demon inside him stir, as if knowing what was going to happen. Not now, he though, wait a bit and then we can scare the hell out of some very deserving men. 

Zoya's dark gaze was on him. "You'll be alright. "

Nikolai nodded. "I won't eat you," he started humorlessly. 

"You don't have to do this," Zoya replied, almost pleadingly. Not after everything we've been through, there is other choices, its just a small job, she thought. 

She looked at Kaz bitterly. His back was turned towards them, going over details. 

The tap of his cane approached as he nodded at them, tossing Nikolai a vial. 

"Wait. " Zoya said. Kaz rolled his eyes. 

"No time to mope, Zoya. " Her glare flashed at him. 

"Why this, Brekker? Why this method, out of the countless you have chosen? And why Nikolai?"
"It's alright, Zoya. He has his means here. "

"What means?" Zoya's eyes dared Kaz to answer. 

Inej materialized. Her eyes shifted from Kaz to Zoya. 

"Its time, " she said as she pulled Kaz away, telling Zoya and Nikolai to follow. 

As they approached the slimy stones to the guard in front of them, Inej handed them each a package. 

The Madman for Nikolai, The Scarab Queen for Zoya, the Gray Imp for herself and Mister Crimson for Kaz. Jesper and Wylan were already dressed as twin Lost Brides, ghastly veils flowing as Jesper snickered at Wylan. 

A set of stolid guards stood in front of the small gate. 

"We are here to see Leid. " Kaz stated. 

"Unmask first, " one of them grunted. The other guard held out his rifle. 

"Oh, he'll want to see me. You can come with me if you want. "

The two guards traded glances. 

One of them, the shorter one gruffly shook his head. 

Kaz sighed, then drew a small paper package from his robes and handed to the guard. 

It was unsealed, inside laid a small lock of hair. 

"Let's see if he wants to see us now. "

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