WHISPER- shadow and bone

Chapter 16

Glancing at the darkness around them, Jespers hand shifted to his pocket and Kaz directed them down a vent and into the keel of the skiff, away from trouble.

This is a bad idea", Jesper sniffed.

"I think it's rather practical", spoke Kaz.

"What? Why?"

"I don't see how we step off this boat without you pulling those guns. So, cleaning them is a good idea"

"I don't mean this. I mean this", Jesper spoke waving his hand around pointing upwards.

The volcra growled in return.

"We are in the worst place in the world, on a ship full of people who want us dead, surrounded by monsters who want us in their gullets", Jesper sighed.

"I recognise that voice", whispered Ezra from the other corner of the room.

"Me too", Ada whispered back.

"I should have brought Milo", Jesper sighed again.

"Who's Milo?", Inej questioned, a confused look on her face.

"The goat!"

"How many bullets do you have?"

The growling continued, getting harsher and closer.

"Not enough"

Ada hissed sharply then slapped her good hand over her mouth hoping it hadn't been heard.

"What's wrong?", Ezra mouthed.

Ada brought her hand up to the light, shaking in agony. The thing which she though was a splinter was now melded into the palm of her hand, slicing the skin and making her wince with every movement.

Ezra looked in shock at it before gently placing his hand on Ada's. They felt warm and soft and loving but he felt a surge of power when he touched the splinter, coming from a source he could not discern.

"What is it?", he mouthed wide eyed. Mal looked over in confusion at the pair and Ada showed him her hand.

"I don't know", she whispered so both could hear. Whatever it was, she knew it wasn't normal.

~~~~

"I hate this place", grumbled Zoya.

In truth she hated everything that had happened. She hated watching General Kirigan manipulate every person he came into contact with, she hated being taken along as a side kick who he didn't really want, she hated not being able to catch Kaz Brekker and most of all she hated watching a girl she felt so much pain for, come close to death.

"Why isn't he giving Alina the go-ahead? She has one job. This", Zoya spoke, confused.

"Soon"

"Did the general tell you something?"

"He told me to have you stop the skiff before we reach the western docks", the Heartrender spoke with a sly grin.

"Why?"

"To make sure there's an audience"

~~~~

As the volcra swarmed and Kirigan forced a light tunnel out of Alina, tensions were gathering in the base of the skiff.

"So? What's our play?", questioned Jesper.

"We wait", spoke Kaz softly but harshly.

"For what?"

"For whatever the general has planned"

"You figured him out?"

"Not quite. Consider the scenario. The Sun Summoner fled from his palace, now she's tied to the deck. We're sailing for a city where another Ravkan general hired Arken to kill her. And I saw his face as he boarded. I know that look. He's a man consumed with vengeance", Kaz snarled.