The Seventh Crow

Part 28

Kaz and I walk with Alys towards the big exchange. So glad that Jesper told me the plan. This whole situation was very confusing without any information.

It's very difficult to figure out where Kaz stands with me. Does he, somewhat, trust me? Or does he think I'm just a tag-along that provides no help for any of the missions?

If he didn't trust me, I wouldn't care. I'm not here to make friends. To win their trust. I would've left a long time ago if Inej wasn't in danger. She did help save my life, only fair to help save hers.

"Stay in the back a little," Kaz whispers to me. "If anything looks suspicious, cause a distraction."

I nod my head, letting Kaz and Alys walk a couple paces ahead of me.

Making my way towards Goedmedbridge, I look in shop windows. One of the only ways I can make myself look like a tourist without losing sight of Kaz and Alys.

"Try this!" a woman said, blocking my sight. She puts a flower crown on my head. Talking too fast I couldn't understand anything.

"No," I try to say. Kaz and Alys get further away the longer I'm standing here.

"Amazing!" she says.

I can already hear Kaz's complaints that I got stuck by some tourist trap. You had your job. Shouldn't have gotten distracted.

Taking the crown from my head, I hand it to that lady. "No."

Before she could talk again, I forced myself around her. Catching up with Kaz and Alys. My heart is slowly starting to slow.

Soon, I'm standing by a cart on the edge of Goedmedbridge. Kaz and Alys are still walking on. Inej and the man who has to be Van Eck stand opposite of us.

Kaz and Alys stopped a couple paces away from Van Eck. Inej in his grasp, Alys in Kaz's grasp. Both staring at each other, not wanting to give away secrets of the exchange.

"Alys," I overheard Van Eck say, "what are we naming our child?"
I couldn't hear the answer, but there was some type of relief in Van Eck's face.

Slowly but surely, Kaz and Van Eck exchange their captives. Alys being taken away by some guys in red and gold.

Kaz whispering something to Inej. Inej answers in a whisper. Kaz tries to undo her bonds.

A strange look on Van Eck's face.

"You gave me your word, Kaz Brekker!" Van Eck said. Something very strange in the way he said that. "You swore you would return my wife and son to me! Where are you keeping Wylan?"

Oh great. Mr. Merchant does have a few tricks up his sleeves.

Looking around, I try to find anything that could be used as a distraction. Only to be met with people in purple moving fast.

I move into the sea of people, keeping one eye on Inej and Kaz. Need a distraction. Where is Wylan? Luckily, they were already running away.

The fireworks Wylan had set up go off in the distance: my signal to get back to Black Veil Island. Some of the stadwatch were closing in, but if I keep my head down, they won't know I'm part of the criminal group.

Walking past multiple people staring at the sky and the colors falling all around. Some cheered, some clapped. All being obvious to the girl trying to make my way past.

That is until the explosions turned into something completely different.