The Seventh Crow

Part 22

It felt like hours before the others got back. Jesper was the first one to walk in, his mood was sour. For someone who just got five million Kruge he isn't very ecstatic about it.

"This is your fault!" Kaz burst into the room. Nina jumps awake.

"I didn't do anything!" Jesper pleads.

"What is going on?" I ask.

Wylan, disguised as Kuwei, walks in. His head down, ignoring the screaming going on between Jesper and Kaz. Matthias quickly makes his way over to Nina.

I stare at the door, waiting for Inej to walk through. Nothing. Maybe she already sneaked her way into the room? She is called the Wraith for a reason.

I look at every person standing in the room. Two vastly different Kuwei's. Matthias stroking Nina's cheek, trying to comfort her without being overwhelming. Kaz and Jesper at each other's throats, yelling about something or another. No Inej.

"Where's Inej?" I ask.

The arguing comes to a stop. Jespers expression falls. Kaz still looks like he is ready to murder Jesper any second. Neither one of them is willing to answer my question.

"She was taken by Van Eck," Wylan answered.

"Why? How? I thought you had a plan, Kaz?" Kaz's glare roams over to me.

"There were some issues," Kaz said. "I knew Van Eck was going to plan something-"

"But you didn't know he had jurda parem?" Jesper asks coldy.

"Shut up, Jesper."

"Go back to the part about Inej," I say.

"He faked the money," Jesper starts. "He was going to swindle us this whole time. "He had Grisha on jurda parem. They grabbed her. I couldn't..."

"The point is she's gone," Kaz said. "Once Nina is slightly better we need to get moving."

"I'm fine," Nina chimes in. She tries to sit up but a shiver runs through her, making her lay back down.

"You're not ready to be moved," Matthias says. "Where would we go, Kaz?"

"There's a small place I know around here. Black Veil Island."

"The cemetery?" Jesper asks.

"No one ever goes there. It's safe."

"And what about Inej?" I ask. "What happens to her?"

"We get her back," Kaz says. "But we need everyone. I protect my investments."

Investments? I look over at Matthias. He looks just as confused as me. He has to be joking. Does he really look at Inej as an Investment?

"Nina," Kaz asks. "Get better. Sooner we get out of Hellgate, the better."

With that, Kaz storms out of the room. Not sure where he is headed, but best not interfere with his plans.