INEFFABLE | kaz brekker

chapter four

Elham had wiped most of the blood from her face, patching up what she could. She could feel the bruises already forming, one across her left eyebrow, which had a nasty gash through it, and one across her right cheekbone, as well as a cut and bruised lip, courtesy of Pekka Rollins. She was following Kaz down the stairs and across the club floor, headed to Jesper, who was seated at the bar.

Kaz was absolutely fuming. His pace was quick, even with his cane broken, and Elham, whose eye was beginning to swell a bit, struggled to keep up. They approached Jesper at the bar, who turned to look at the pair, eyes widening when he noticed Kaz's disheveled appearance.

"You alright, boss?" Kaz slung back Jesper's shot, earning a look of exasperation. He turned to complain to Elham, only to suck in a breath at Elham's appearance.

"Saints, love, are you alright?" Jesper gently held her chin in his hand, lightly turning her face towards the light to check her injuries. She pulled her face from his grasp, offering him a small smile instead, patting his arm.

"I've certainly been better, Jesper. Thank you, though."

"We've been warned off the job."

Jesper hesitated before questioning. "By who?"

Kaz turned to Jesper, a grimace on his face. "Who do you think?"

"Did he remember you?"

Kaz pulled his watch from his pocket, checking the time. "If he had, I'd be dead."

Elham flinched at that, and Kaz continued. "Sunrise is in five hours."

Jesper tugged Elham along and followed Kaz, who had headed for the floor. "Yeah, but we're off the job now, right?"

Kaz glanced at Elham, who just shook her head. "Never make decisions out of fear, Jesper. Only out of spite."

"Well, greed always worked well for me."

Kaz looked unimpressed. "Go guard the door."

Jesper sighed, and Elham gave his hand a quick squeeze, before letting him go. Once he left, Elham was left next to Kaz, who was running his gloved hand through his hair, scanning the room. He suddenly stopped scanning, before motioning to a guard at the door. "I have to handle this, go keep Jesper company."

Elham chuckled, turning to walk towards the door. "Babysitting. It's what I do best."

---

Jesper was messing around, slinging his guns around his fingers, doing everything he possibly could to annoy Elham.

"You're such an idiot."

He turned to face her smirking. "Yeah, but--"

"Jesper." Inej had appeared in front of them, making Jesper jump out of his skin, clutching his chest. Elham laughed at that.

"How do you do that?"

Inej didn't look amused. "...I need your help."

"Of course, love. Doing what?"

Inej stepped closer, a pained look on her face. Elham had stood up now, walking towards her. "I need you to kill a man for me."

Jesper laughed, scoffing. "Ugh, why me? You've got as many knives as I've got teeth."

Inej only frowned, murmuring quietly. "You know why."

"Yeah. But how is getting me to do it any different from you doing it? Besides, we've got the Valkyrie right here, I'm sure she'd be happy to."