BOMBS AWAY ➤ kaz brekker

master plan

Esther didn't think she could hate anyone as much as she hated her mother and her sister. She wasn't wrong, but Matthias Helvar was a very close second. 

Kaz had brought them all to the very same gambling parlor where Esther had met with him almost a month ago. The room was still covered in black and crimson, the table blanketed in a pattern of crows, the wheel kept in the corner, similar to the wheel at Hellshow. The only light in the room came from the lamps burning on the walls. Nina had healed Helvar's wounds, and Jesper had tied him to a chair in the center of the room. And then Kaz Brekker's most masterful plan unraveled before them all.

At first, Esther was just focused on trying to keep up. Words poured from his mouth faster than she could hear them. It was as if someone had sped up his entire speech to twice the pace of a normal person. Or maybe this was how fast his brain worked all the time, and he wasn't bothering to slow it down for them. And then all she could think was that he had gone completely mad. Thirty million kruge? Breaking into the Ice Court? And what the hell was jurda parem? It was insanity. Anyone in their right mind knew that the Ice Court was one of the most difficult places to break into, if not the most. It had been built for war. Seven scraggly rats from the Barrel would never make it in. 

Apparently, Matthias was just as opposed to the idea as her- though for different reasons. Esther could see the horror in his eyes growing with every vile word uttered from Kaz's lips. As soon as Kaz had finished, Helvar refused.

"Believe me when I say this, Helvar: I know getting knocked out and waking up in strange surroundings isn't the friendliest way to start a  partnership, but you didn't give us many options, so try to open your mind to the possibilities."

"You could have come to me on your knees, and my answer would be the same."

"You do understand I can have you back at Hellgate in a matter of hours? Once poor Muzzen is in the infirmary, the switch will be easy."

"Do it. I can't wait to tell the warden your ridiculous plans."

"What makes you think you'll be going back with a tongue?" For once, Esther couldn't find it in herself to be disgusted by Kaz's violent threats. If she was perfectly honest, she wouldn't mind seeing the drüskelle scream a little. He deserved it.

"Kaz-" Nina protested.

"Do what you want," Helvar growled.

"I told you," Nina sighed. 

"Don't pretend to know me, witch," Helvar snarled.

Jesper stretched out his legs. "Without him, there's no job," Jesper said. "We can't break into the Ice Court blind." 

"You can't break into the Ice Court at all." Helvar shook his head. Esther had to admit he was right. The Ice Court was impenetrable. They had exactly zero chance of getting in.

"Come now, Helvar," said Kaz. "Surely there's something you want. The cause is righteous enough for a zealot like you. Fjerda may think they've caught a dragon by the tail, but they won't be able to hold on. Once Bo Yul-Bayur replicates his process, jurda parem will enter the market, and it's only a matter of time before others learn to manufacture it, too."

"It will never happen. Yuh-Bayur will stand trial, and if he is found guilty he will be put to death."  

"Guilty of what?" Esther's voice was cold, but inside she felt like she was burning up. If he said what she assumed he might, she swore to the Saints she would-

"Crimes against the people."

"Which people?" 

"Natural people," he said. "People who live in harmony with the laws of this world instead of twisting them for their own gain."