Dark of the Tide [Shadow and Bones]

Chapter 6

"We have a problem." Kaz said when he came into the meeting room, stopping short when he saw me standing next to Jesper. "What is she doing here?"

"Um, did you forget that you kidnapped me not four weeks ago?" I reminded him.

"Don't start with me, Oretsev. I'm not in the mood." He pointed a finger at me and turning back to the others. "Like I said, we have a problem."

"Let me guess. You caused it?" I asked, making Inej and Jesper snicker.

Kaz frowned. "Okay, seriously, what's the point of her?"

"Don't know. Maybe you should have thought about that before you kidnapped me." I replied.

Jesper smiled as Kaz turned away, looking at me and winking. "Three to one. Looks like you haven't lost it."

"Never going to happen." I replied with a smile.

———

"Can I ask you something?" I asked.

"Does it it involve me talking to you?" Kaz asked in annoyance.

"Well, you're kinda already doing that, so . . ."

". . . . fine. What is it?" He asked, looking through a file at the desk.

"Why do you always wear gloves?" I asked.

He looked up and then at his hands, putting a gloved hand over his other one. "I just do. Why? There a problem?"

"No. Just curious. Also, what's your last name? I doubt I'll get out of Ketterdam, so you won't have to worry."

He looked at me. "Brekker. Kaz Brekker."

"Huh. I guess your name doesn't sound as stupid now."

"Says the girl who's name is Arabella. It's hideous."

"And yours is reprehensible."

He frowned and shook his head, looking back down at the file.

"Can't flirt your way out of this one." Inej said from across the room.

"I'm not flirting." I replied.

"Uh-huh. Sure. Keep yourself busy." Jesper came into the room and handed me a red book, sitting down next to me.

I looked at the cover: Istorii Sankt'ya. "I've already read this."

"Ketterdam's a little different than Os Alta's, Miss Oretsev." Jesper said.

Kaz POV

"Kaz," Jesper said when he came into the office, sitting down on the couch.

    "What?" I asked.

    "You like her. Don't you?"

    "Inej?"

    "No. Arabella."

    I looked up at him. "No. Why would you think that?"

    "I'm not blind, Kaz. I see the way you look at her."

    "With hatred and annoyance?" I grumbled.

    "Well, yes. But you look at her like she's worth everything in the world."

    "She can get me a million Krueger. That's the reason."

    "No, it isn't. I'll figure it out sooner or later." He replied and walked out of the room.

———
Aleksander POV

"Ara?" I gently rapped on the door. Genya had told me that Arabella had taken ill and was not to be seen; but four weeks was one week too many.

"I know that Genya told me not to see you while you were ill, but I just need to know you're alright." I said, waiting for a few minutes before knocking again. "Ara? Are you okay?"

Silence answered me on the other end.

I put my hand on the knob and turned it slowly, hearing the door click open and push it all the way open.

"Arabella?" I asked into the room, walking around and opening doors. She wasn't there. She wasn't anywhere. I looked at the white carpet and saw a dark red stain. It was small, but easy to distinguish: blood.

Shadows curled around my arms and enveloped me in darkness as I stormed out of her room and pushed open the doors to the throne room, where the King and Queen were sitting.

"Ah, Darkling, what brings you here? And so angered?" The King asked calmly.

"Where's Arabella?" I asked.

"You needn't worry about that girl anymore." The Queen replied.

"Where is she?!" I repeated.

"Away from here." The King replied, "I hired a fellow to take her from Os Alta."

"What?!" I asked in disbelief.

"She's long gone, Darkling. Forget about her."

"That is one thing that I will not do." I hissed and strode out of the throne room, dark tendrils of blackness billowing all around me.

———
Arabella POV

"I still think this is a terrible idea." I said for the millionth time as Inej fussed over what I should wear.

     "Good. You'll fit right in with the Crows then." Inej replied, looking back at me for a second before ruffling through her closet and pulling out a black suit.

    "This should be about your size." She said, holding it up to my body and smiling. "It'll do."

    "Why do I need a suit?" I replied.

    "Its easier to run in a suit rather than a dress. Put this on. Meet us in the square in five minutes." She said, shoving the suit into my arms and brushing past me out of the room.

    I got out of my clothes and put on the suit, then headed down to the square, where the three were waiting.

    Inej saw me and smiled, looping her arm through mine. "Guys, meet the new and improved Arabella Oretsev."

    Jesper smiled. "Looking nice, Oretsev. Don't you think, Kaz?"

    Kaz looked at me and a flicker of surprise appeared on his face, disappearing just as quickly as it arrived. "It's not horrible."

    "High praise coming from you." I said.

    "Don't get used to it, Oretsev." He replied and turned his back on us, heading down the road.