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—𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 the train everyone was sweating, minus Anya. Her body was always cold, no matter how hot it could be. She didn't mind that though, enjoying the perks of it. Always feeling comfy and particularly, Kaz gives up his coat so she can be warm. She loves his coat, it makes her feel special. When you see Kaz Brekker without his coat, you know Anya Novikov is wearing it. It is his way of claiming her without marking her, granted the K charm on her bracelet or the Dregs symbol painted on her skin are there, it is Kaz's way of claiming her to himself. Anya has moved her legs, so that they lay across Kaz's lap. Her head placed delicately on his shoulder.
Metal clings causing the group to look up. "What was that?" Jesper questions.
"I've erected a system of timers along the line. Bits of metal hung on poles to keep me apprised of our pace."
"How do you know where to put the poles?" Kaz questions.
"Physics and engineering account for... most of my success."
"You paused." Anya removes her head from Kaz's shoulder to look at him. "Why did he pause?"
"Anya, love, calm down." Kaz whispers, placing her head back on his shoulder, rubbing his thumb along her hand.
"And the rest?" Inej questions.
"What we might call the divine intervention. What others might call luck. And after all the Fold is thick with volcra." Anya shivers. Kaz holds her tighter. "And the tracks are not complete. Coal please."
"What?!" Anya shoots up, lunging for the Conductor, only to be pulled into Kaz's lap. He sends her a look. "Don't give me that look. The man is trying to kill us." Kaz just simply raises an eyebrow. Anya huffs and lets her body relax against Kaz.
"I'm sorry. Did you say the tracks aren't complete?"
"I said they aren't."
"What?" Jesper leans forward.
"Ah, ah, ah. No moving." Jesper sits back and Kaz sends Arken a look of distrust. "We're a tad late. More coal." Kaz throws some into the furnace.
"Back to the real issue. We are on tracks that don't connect to other tracks?"
"Yes. There's a gap but-"
"You said you could get us through."
"How much of a gap." Anya would have laughed hearing the panic in Jesper's voice, but she was feeling the same as him. The only thing keeping her grounded was Kaz's body.
"I built slats on the car. They roll into place under the wheels. The turbine generates enough wind to push us all the way to the eastern track. As long as we don't shift our weight." Metal clings. "Now the noise may attract volcra, but it's the only way across." Arken pulls a lever that creates a loud noise. "Now there's a nest nearby. But we'll be fine. If they haven't attacked us in..." Arken is cut off by a growl. "Well now we've got a problem."
