The Seventh Crow

Part 23

It's been a week since Inej has been kidnapped. I thought it was difficult to deal with Kaz before, well with Inej gone it's like walking on eggshells.

I don't think the others notice. Too busy getting ready for Kaz's plan. Sadly, I got stuck watching Kuwei. Kaz still doesn't trust me.

It's awkward with Kuwei. He sits and stares all the time. I try to have a conversation, but he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

Being on an island alone with someone who doesn't know the same language as you is strange. You never speak, which leads to hearing all sorts of sounds.

The wind that seems to be ghosts quietly whispering to one another. The leaves rustling on the ground, scaring me with every movement.

Please hurry, I thought to myself.

The minutes passed like a snail. The silence between Kuwei and I was deafening. I swear when Kaz gets back here I'm going to demand to go on the next "mission". Have Jesper or Matthias stand around and watch him.

Though to my relief, it wasn't long before the group got back. Kaz yelled for Kuwei to get back inside. You never know who is watching.

Everyone seemed tuckered out from the mission they just went through. Nina the most. She tries not to show it, but it's noticeable.

She isn't fully healed. Yes she can accomplish Kaz Brekker's strange requests, but she still looks sickly. I'm not sure she has eaten very much either.

It's worrying to say the least, but I'm not her handler. Matthias can worry aloud, I'll hide in the shadows.

"How was it?" I asked.

"It went as could be expected," Kaz states before sitting down.

"Well? Is everything laid out for your next plan?"

"Not like you'll be going. Someone has to watch Kuwei."

"Shimkopper," I say walking away.

I'm tired of being Kuwei's stupid babysitter. He's old enough to take care of himself. Yes, he has information that is deadly to Grisha, but I've done my prison sentence. I don't want to do more.

"Hey, Nox," Jesper calls. "Wanna play cards?"

There's nothing else to really do. Playing a card game would stop me from being bored. Plus Jesper asked, why would I say no?

"Alright," I said, sitting down in front of him. "How do we play?"

"Aim of the game is to get 21 or as close to as possible," Jesper starts. Wylan sits down next to him, looking closely at the game. "Number cards have their face value. Jacks, Kings, and Queens are worth 10. Ace can be either 1 or 11 and the player who holds the ace gets to choose the value of the card."

Jesper shuffles the cards and deals two of them to me. One ace and a six of diamonds.

"Need a card?" Jesper asks. I shake my head. I don't want to take the chance of going over.

Jesper grabs a card.

"I'm out. Alright, show your deck."

"17," I said, setting the cards down.

"One more round."

"You lost?"

Jesper nods. I laugh.

"Beginners luck," he mumbles.
Jesper deals another round. Six of hearts and four of diamonds.

"Card?" Jesper asked.

"Yes," I responded.

Jesper hands me a card then takes one for himself. Now I have one three of hearts.

13. If I ask for another one, there is a chance I can go over. Though, I'm not sure how many Jesper has. Should I take the chance?

"Card?" Jesper asks.

I shake my head. There's nothing at stake here. At least not that I know of.
Jesper sets down his cards; 17. He won.

"Another round," I say. "This time I want to deal."

"Then we gamble something this round," Jesper said.

"Don't trust my talents."

"Not to be rude, but no. You've never played this before, and I don't believe you've ever gambled in the past. I will take my chances. My chances of winning."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up."

"It's a 50-50," Wylan finally says.

"Who do you think will win?" Jesper asks.

Wylan kind of shrugged his shoulders. 

"What are we gambling?" I ask.

"100 Kruge."

He can't be serious? I don't have currency on me. 

"Well?"

I look to Wylan. He looks at me with a curious expression. An expression of "are you going to take the bet or bail now?"

"Deal," I say. Don't know how I'm getting 100 Kruge if I lose, but at least I'll get 100 Kruge if I win.

Jesper hands the deck of cards to me. I shuffle them just like how Jesper did before I deal them out.

Seven of hearts. Two of spades.

"Card?" I ask.

Jesper nods. I hand him another card as I grab one. A eight of spades.

"Card?"

Jesper nods. I hand him one. I debate if I should grab one. 17 is a good number. I don't want to risk it.

I'm going to risk it.

A ace of diamonds.

18.

"Card?"

Jesper shakes his head, placing his cards down. Nine of diamonds, six of spades, King of diamonds. He busted. I laugh and set mine down.

"You owe me 100 Kruge," I say.

"Yeah, yeah."