INEFFABLE | kaz brekker

chapter eight

Back in town, the Crows were in a bar, gathered around Kaz who had spread out the blueprints to the Little Palace. Inej and Jesper were talking back and forth, trying to make the best route. Elham was quiet, scanning her eyes over the prints.

Inej finally looked up. "There's no way in."

Kaz nodded. "And no way out."

Arken smiled to himself, standing up straight. "Well, I thought this plan might not work..."

Suddenly, in the back of the club, the acrobat fell from the top of the silks she was at, slamming onto the floor, the crowd around the stage gasping. The Crows all turned to look, trying to figure out what happened, but Arken just smirked, looking down at the table.

---

It had been a few minutes, Arken had scampered off somewhere. Elham was sipping her drink, leaning her weight against Jesper, who was sitting on the stool next to her.

Inej sighed, turning to Kaz, who looked as annoyed as ever. "Got any plans up your sleeve?"

He barely even looked in her direction, still staring off.

Jesper pivoted towards them, knocking Elham away from him for a second, before adjusting and laying his arm around her shoulder. "I mean, Kribirsk isn't the worst. We can open up a bar. Brew East Ravkan beer for the Westerners?"

The rest of the Crows collectively groaned. "Shut up, Jesper."

Jesper sighed against Elham, removing his arm and turning away from her. "I miss Milo."

Arken came bustling up to them, scaring Elham. He just pushed her to the side, and Kaz gave her a look when she slowly reached for the knife strapped to her thigh.

"Friends. This is Marko. Marko is the leader of the traveling troupe known as the Pomdrakon Players. They have been invited to perform in this year's winter fete."

Marko stood next to them, tears streaming down his face. Elham took a step back. "A lifelong dream."

Arken nodded, patting his shoulder. "Yes, yes. A chance to get us inside the Little Palace. But they lost their star performer due to an unfortunate freak accident. They are in desperate need of someone with the skills to replace their star performer, and as Ketterdam's premier talent manager, I had an idea."

Elham smirked, turning to Inej. "You're up, love."

She sighed, turning to Kaz, unstrapping all of her knives from her body, placing them in Kaz's gloved hand, following Marko to the silks.

---

The Crows watched Inej at the top of the silks, twirling and spinning. Elham was grinning, watching her graceful movements as she tumbled up and down, flipping around. She slid down, before stepping to the side, raising an arm and taking a bow.

Elham cheered next to Jesper, who was clapping and laughing.

Marko approached Inej. "The Saints must have sent you. Yes, the show will go on. Now, can you fit into this?"

He held up a colorful leotard. She hesitated, but Jesper stepped up, clapping her shoulder. "Of course she can! Those are her colors. But the thing is, Inej comes as part of a package deal."

"No free rides. What are your talents?"

---

Jesper had shown off his mastery with his revolvers, and Marko had clapped, accepting him into the crew.