INIQUITY- kaz brekker

Six

"Got any plans up your sleeve?", Inej asked as Kaz returned to the table. He shot her a look before glancing absently forwards.

"I mean, Kribirsk isn't the worst. We can open up a bar. Brew East Ravkan beer for the Westerners?"

"Shut up, Jesper", Inej and Kaz rolled their eyes.

"I miss Milo", Jesper complained.

"I think it's a great idea", Iris whispered, nudging the boy who smiled and tossed an arm around her shoulder.

"Friends", Arken grinned, patting Jesper and Iris on the back.

"Hands off Arken", Iris spoke through gritted teeth.

"What are you so cheery about?", Kaz grumbled.

"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", Arken continued.

"A lifelong dream", the man simpered.

"Yes, yes. A chance to get 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"

All heads at the table turned to Inej. Rolling her eyes and with a heavy heart she reluctantly rose from the table. "As a friend once said, "If I can't crack this, none of us are going anywhere."

Inej seemed to fly through the air, swathed in silk, dancing in a dreamworld. The girl was light and exquisite with her movements and as she dropped to the solid ground once more the audience cheered and clamoured.

"The Saints must have sent you. Yes. The show will go on", Marko grinned excitedly. "Now. Can you... fit into this?" he spoke, snapping his fingers.

"Um..."

"Of course she can," smirked Jesper. "Those are her colors, but the thing is, Inej... comes as part of a package deal"

"No free rides. What are your talents?"

Jesper kissed his pearl handed pistol and cradled it on his neck like a loving child. Inej swung on her silks, a card placed in her mouth. Jesper aimed behind him, glancing in his mirror and fired the bullet, slicing through air as if it were nothingness, and taking off the base of the card. It was almost like magic.

The crowd exclaimed and cheered in awe and Iris smiled proudly for the boy as Inej displayed the card to the tavern. Mario chuckled and pulled Jesper into a rough hug before gesturing to Kaz.

"Stage is yours, sir"

"I'll make my own way", he replied.

"And you what are-"

"So will she"

"Wanting to keep me with you Brekker?" Iris smirked.

"You're the only one who fits the uniform I stole"

"Fuck you"

~~~~

Manya gasped as a blinded Luna came stumbling into Baghra's cave. She ran for a healer and sat by her friends side as she weeped for her vision.

"What happened?", Baghra had croaked as the girl had been repaired.

"Alkemi", Luna had stuttered. "You didn't... you didn't tell me", she spoke in deep heaving breaths.

Baghra gritted her teeth and bit down on her tongue. The first chance to end the prophecy had failed but she would not let it fail again.

"I didn't know either", she hissed.