𝕬𝖗𝖘𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖘 𝕷𝖚𝖑𝖑𝖆𝖇𝖞 - [𝗞𝗮𝘇 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗿]

𝐱𝐱. 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘯

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 — general kirigan

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 "𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐌 𝐈𝐒 set." Jesper's docile tone rang out, finally bringing Aleksa back to the table.

 Kaz hadn't said a word to her from the moment she'd left to meander about the bar; he'd sneered behind her back as a lovely young woman with ruby-painted lips gushed to the Grisha, flapping her arms and fluttering her lashes all the while plying Aleksa with diluted drinks.

 The bastard had moped whilst his carefully crafted scowl rested heavily on his sharp features. Those who met his eyes across the room were quick to divert their gaze. Inej had rolled her own at him, leaving him behind to wallow.

 That is until the delightful sight of Jesper Fahey had graced them at the bar. His boney fingers had easily swiped a drink from Aleksa and without hesitation, he had chugged it and dragged the girls back to Kaz.

 "The horses are ready and I've stashed the rest of our gear." Jesper finished, restless fingers drumming at the sticky wood of the table. He was more than ready to bolt; anything to avoid a formal meeting with Aleksa's brother.

 He had set their timer, a bomb stashed away in the carriage they had stolen. He was certain the Darkling would send forth his loyal band of Grisha to stake out the area, and whichever poor unfortunate soul would pry open the carriage would certainly receive a loud shock.

 Kaz sniffed, hands curling together atop his cane, "If we don't move soon, the Black General with be on top of us." he glanced at Aleksa who had yet to unfold her arms as she sat slouched in her chair, "We can't waste any more time looking for the girl."

 "Well," Breathed Inej as she nodded towards their resident Shadow Summoner, "We had no tab to settle, thanks to this one... So we still have a handful of coin."

 Jesper looked around at them all as he picked at his own fingers, anything to keep his hands busy. Whilst he agreed with Kaz in regards to the General, the thought of returning to his debts was not ideal. He regarded Aleksa, "No chance of a nice family reunion? Introduce us to the brother? No?"

 "Jesper, dear," Aleksa began, leaning forward as her voice grew grave, "He'd likely kill you with a single look."

 "Oh... How nice of him. Does carnage run in the family?"

 "Wouldn't know, would I? He's all I have."

 Warmth encircled her fingers as inej reached over, a light smile on the Wraith's face, "You have us." It was a means of payback for the words Aleksa had uttered earlier, for the safety she had granted Inej, the care and love that she so desperately craved.