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╭┈───────── ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
╰┈➤ ❝ [Point of no return] ❞
"Who are you lot?"
"We're here to see Dreesen." Kaz spoke as he limped towards the gate with Senia, Inej and Jesper behind him.
"You're not with Pekka's Crew." The unknown man spoke, ready to retaliate if he sees them as threats to himself.
"And you're not in Pekka's pocket anymore, if you don't owe him." Kaz passed the man a pouch full of money, definitely fake. Senia heard Kaz ushering them hurriedly inside when they heard the man yell that one has a hole in it.
Imagine Senia's surprise when Kaz's gloved hands found a place in her back. Even with her clothes on, it made her flinch from the touch.
They walked towards a room and was greeted by a man sitting behind a lavish desk, Dreesen.
"One look and I can tell. Criminals. I'm not meeting anyone 'til midnight." He spoke, eyes judging them one by one.
"We heard you needed a Heartrender." Kaz voiced out his tone smoothly entering each person's ear now inside the room.
"Mr Brekker. No businessman worth his salt hires his first applicant." Dreesen said arrogance in his voice as he walked closer to Kaz.
Kaz played it coolly.
"No. I understand.
Of course, I would have to report you to the guild for kidnapping..."
One of Dreesen's man showed his gun daring the four intruders to fight back.
But alas, Jesper also showed his beautiful pistol showing them that they are indeed prepared in case a fight broke out.
"No businessman worth his salt bargains for what he can take." Kaz's voice trailed slowly, a heavy accent in his voice. If it wasn't for the fast beating of his heart Senia would have believed his facade, so as Dreesen.
It was funny how Senia could have ignored this ability before when it presents itself to be so useful and entertaining.
They followed behind Dreesen as he guided them down a flight of stairs leading to what looks to be a wine cellar of his, a man covered with a sack in his head tied in a chair situated in the middle of the room.
"Who's this?" Kaz asked. The four had curiosity in their eyes but worry heavy on Inej's dark orbs for the state of the unknown man.
"So you don't know everything after all. This... is Alexei Stepannov. Two weeks ago, young Alexei here crossed through the fold on foot. Alone."
Alexei? I'm right to not let those from Novokribirsk get a hold of me. Senia stilled in her spot.
The broken and bruised Alexei that Senia is seeing right now is so different from the ones she last saw before the fold.
"...he was one of the few witnesses to an event."
Oh, he's not the only one.
Jesper may have noticed the look in Senia's eyes and chose to take his place beside the girl. Senia, now in between Kaz and Jesper as Inej tends to Alexei who has asked for water with his voice sounding like chalk screeching on board.
"What kind of event?" Kaz asked. His eyes on Inej and the feeble man.
"I know an expedition was swarmed by volcra. Should've been a total loss but something happened. Some device detonated." Dreesen told them to opt for suspense whenever he slows his talking.
"This was some invention no one had seen before. He knows. So-" Dreesen now looked at Kaz and then to what he assumed the Heartrender of the group, Senia.
Kaz nods urging for Senia to take her place beside Alexei.
When Senia was beside Alexei she felt a sense of sadness when not even an ounce of familiarity cross Alexei's unfocused eyes.
Senia caressed Alexei's neck softly to make him look at her and began the slowing process of his heart.
"I'm here Alexei, you're safe now. Tell me what happened in the fold. What did you see?" Senia whispered slowly as Alexei watched her lips move and gain his control once again.
"You won't believe me but... it was a Sun Summoner." Alexei looked at Senia, his eyes pleading for her to believe him as gasps were heard inside the room.
"I believe you. Who was it... the Sun Summoner?" Senia asked now taking a hold of Alexei's palms.
"If I tell you will you set me free?" Alexei once again pleaded with his eyes to Dreesen.
"You have my word. I'll set you free. You're in Ketterdam now Alexei..." As Dreesen's voice trailed in the background, Senia listened in his heartbeat. Disgust rose in Senia's chest when she discovered that the man was lying.
"Her name is... Alina Starkov."
Senia was brought back to the present when she heard the name of her friend.
It can't be! We've been together our whole lives... but the thought of Senia being a Grisha herself allowed her to take the information more calmly.
Senia was still holding Alexei's hands when it was as if time slowed and a bullet passed beside her straight through Alexei.
There wasn't much of a difference between Ravka and Ketterdam. There were monsters everywhere she goes and not only in the shadow fold.
"We are now the only people west of the fold with this information. My ship sails for west Ravka at dawn. If you can prove that you have a way through the fold and back, I'll put you on that ship with an advance. If you don't, I'm giving this job to Pekka Rollins." Dreesen walked past the four arrogantly.
"Give me a day I'll have a plan." Kaz's heart jumped up to speed either from the thought of losing the job or the name Pekka Rollins.
"You have until sunrise, then your ship will have sailed Mr Brekker. The price is one million kruge. Now bring me Alina Starkov."
Senia could have all the money in Ravka and Fjerda combined but she wouldn't sell her friend out to that sickening man.
I guess it's time to finally go back home and face her demons once again.
