The Apple of My Eye -Kaz Brekker (Complete)

Chapter Three

Crooked Kingdom – CHAPTER 2

Leaving the office and cracking the door open, both Kaz and Wylan froze in place for a second.

In the corridor, there was a little girl standing on the landing, petting the big, grey dog and looking up at them. She had to be around five or so by her size and her feet barely were visible under her nightgown.

Wylan gasped, Kaz pushed him to the side lightly and moved the door, leaving just a bit open; it was enough for Wylan to see what was going on, which made him start to shake, unsure of what to do now that Kaz was alone with a child that was on his way and was a liability.

Kaz however also was terrified of what he would have to do to make sure that little girl would be quiet. Ghezen, she had the same-coloured eyes as Jordan, light-brown. Under the candle-light, she eyes almost looked yellow. She just stared at him for a moment, sucking on her thumb.

"Do you work for my Da?" she asked, taking her thumb away.

"No."

Kaz's mind was stuck in all the parenting books he had ever read in his life, but there were very few books said about how to make kids keep secrets or how to make them forget things. The girl in front of him could be the difference between his life and death and she needed to get out of his way before he was forced to take drastic decisions.

He needed her to trust him.

Otherwise, the stairs right behind her were his only salutation and he would never sleep again if he had to take that approach.

Struggling a bit, he squatted down, all his weight in his good leg.

"What's the big fellow's name?" he asked.

They both liked dogs, that much was clear; she could relate to him with that, she could trust him with that.

"This is Maestro Spots," she answered.

"Is that so?"

"He has a fine howl. Da lets me name all the puppies."

"Is Maestro Spots your favourite?"

The man had a child. He knew that, he had even thought the name was pretty. Now, he needed to remember. Remember. Remember!

"I like Duke Addam von Silverhaunch best, then Fuzzmuzzle and then Maestro Spots."

He looked up, name slowly appearing in his mind.

"That's food to know, Hanna," he said, smiling just a bit.

Her jaw went slack, amazed.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, impressed.

"I know all the children's names."

That small sentence that left his mouth made his whole story now much more believable. He knew exactly where to take this conversation.

"You do?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. Albert who lives next door and Gertrude on Ammberstraat. I live under their beds and in the back of their closets."

"I knew it," said the girl, eyes widening in fear, but pride in her voice. "Mama said there was nothing there, but I knew it!" she looked deep into his eyes, confusion taking over her as her head cocked to the side. "You don't look like a monster," she commented.

Any other situation, Kaz would have taken that as a compliment. He liked when Laura called him handsome. Now, however, his character had another thought.