Stuck in Ketterdam {K. BREKKER}

Chapter 1

3rd POV
Mia turned off her light, and went to sleep. She smiled as she drifted off, prepared to dream of her favorite fictional characters, about Jesper, Kaz, Inej, Nina, and Matthias. Wylan and Nikolai. The characters she had come to love over the years. They had inspired her in ways that real people never could. Mia smiled as her mind raced. She thought of Inej, the Suli girl who had taught her to be strong in the face of trauma as well as have hope, despite the situation. Jesper, the infamous sharpshooter, taught her that humor in the darkest of times and loyalty to your friends and family is sometimes more important than saving your own skin. Kaz, the leader of the Crows, taught her that it's okay to feel trauma, and to heal, which is incredibly important. He taught her about not being afraid and showing cleverness is the best way to fool your enemy (even though violence is another option ;)) As she drifted off, she smiled at the thought of her favorite books and their heroic characters, no matter how many of them were master theives...

<Time Skip>
Mia woke up from a very lovely dream when she started to shiver as she realized how cold she was. She reached for her blanket, and when she didn't grab anything but a hard surface, she realized her surroundings. She scrambled on the ground and stumbled into a wall. She tried to grasp onto where she was, and when she didn't find anything, she stood and walked around the corner. She saw men and women selling things from booths, and a harbor with ships coming in and out. She heard a man shout " Authentic Grisha kefta, straight from Ravka!" She gasped. It couldn't be. She couldn't be here. She kept walking, and saw familiar things that she never thought possible. Fifth Harbor. The Slat. And then she sees it. The Crow Club. The breath she had left in her lungs left in a flash. She had dreamed of coming here. And now she was ACTUALLY HERE! She was wearing a violet dress with three quarter length sleeves and beautiful embroidery on the skirt, along with stiletto heeled boots. At least her clothes had style
Mia drifted around the street, when someone knocked her over. A dark haired man sneered at her as she apologized excessively. He laughed "Well, well. I've caught a pretty penny boys." Two other men walked over. They laughed and pulled her arms to the sides where she couldn't move. She struggled with a lot of force, trying to get away, which made the dark haired man laugh. He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him " Well, sweetie, we're gonna show you a good time. And you're not gonna complain, unless you want a bullet in that pretty little head of yours. Alright? " Mia nodded vigorously and her head fell in exhaustion. Then she heard a smooth voice in the background " Well, that's no way to treat a lady. Especially in the Barrel, mate. Now, scatter unless you want a bullet in your brain. Alright? And I never miss. So I'd advise against it. " They ran off very quickly. Mia was exhausted and her head dropped. A voice called her attention up " Are you alright, love? " She looked up and all the air left her lungs. Jesper. Jesper freaking Fahey. I nodded as he knelt down in front of me. I flinched away from him as he went to help her off the ground. Jesper's eyes filled with sympathy " Saints, you're scared stiff. I'm just going to help you up, alright, and take you inside? Alright?" She nodded and took his arm. He lead her inside the Crow Club and she sat at the bar beside him. He smiled " Would you fancy a drink, love?" She nodded and he smiled " Tank, a glass of brandy, please? On the small side. " The boy behind the bar nodded and started making it. Jesper turned to me and smiled " So, where are you from? Ravka maybe? Noyvi Zem perhaps? " Mia shook her head " No, I'm from Kerch, actually. " A man next to her chuckled " Ah, a fellow Ketterdam canal rat, eh? Well, you're far too pretty to be in the Barrel, aren't ya?" Mia shook her head " Please leave me alone. I'm not interested." He got closer " Well, I am. Now, let me make you feel good. Alright? " Jesper sighed " Mate, you may wanna back off. Or do you want a bullet in your head? Both are great options. " He growled and clamped a hand on her thigh " She's not going anywhere. Now, bugger off. " Mia frowned as put a hand on Jesper's shoulder and whispered " I have this, don't worry. " She smirked and Jesper smiled and leaned back in response. Mia got closer and snarled " No man touches me without my consent. Now, get your hand off me or lose it." Inej heard the snarl and it piqued her interest. She watched, wondering why Jesper wasn't stepping in. And Inej's concern piqued a certain young man named Kaz Brekker. The man tried to touch Mia, but she wasn't having it. Mia smacked his hand off calmly, and grabbed it before he recoiled away from her. She growled with a deadly calm. " Do. Not. Touch. Me. Again. If you do, the last thing you see will be me showing you what you deserve. " He stood up and laughed " What could a weak girl do to a strong man like me?" Mia smiled like a feral cat "This." She leveled a kick to the head, which caused him to fall to the floor then punched him which caused the man to clutch his head. She knelt and snarled " Women can do so much more than spread their legs for every man who winks and whispers pretty words. We have souls, and hearts, and feelings. I am not yours to touch nor is any other woman" She twisted his arm behind him, and while he was vulnerable, kicked him to the ground. The heel of her boot pressed on his windpipe and she snarled " If you ever touch a girl again without their permission, I will find you and make you suffer more than the Barrel ever could. You will live in fear of my wrath and I. Will. Not. Stop. Alright? " He nodded frantically and ran out. Mia smirked to herself and sat down beside Jesper. He was in shock and he just smirked at her. Mia looked at him " What? Do I have something on my face? " He chuckled " No, love. That was amazing, but also terrifying. It was refreshing to see a girl rough some of these scumbags up to a good degree. And I enjoyed it very much. " Mia chuckled and raised her glass " Well, cheers then. To beating entitled bastards to a pulp. " He laughed " I'll cheer to that, love. " They cheered and drank. A girl with dark hair walked over " Did you beat that pathetic piece of scum to a pulp, or was I just seeing things? " Mia nodded and laughed, which caused the girl to smile back " I'm Inej Ghafa, otherwise known as the Wraith. You are an amazing fighter. We could use you. In the Dregs, I mean. " Mia gasped " What? I couldn't...I don't have anything to offer. I can defend myself, sure, but I can't be a spy and I'm not a Grisha. What could I offer? " She smiled and put a hand on Mia's shoulder " You can offer something. For saints sake, you can fight like a demon and I bet you can at least use a knife or shoot a gun. " Mia nodded " I can do both. My da taught me how to shoot and throw a knife when I was younger, so I could defend myself. My brother taught me how to fight as well. I don't know if that will help. " Inej was about to answer when another voice answered " Well, those are very important skills indeed, don't you think? Especially in the Barrel." Mia turned to see the infamous Kaz Brekker, and all the air left her lungs. He sat opposite her and looked at her " What's your name? If I may ask?" Mia looked at him " Mia. Mia Volkova. I'm from here in Kerch. " Kaz looked inquisitive as he pressed " So, you're from Ketterdam? Well, where did you grow up?" Mia sighed " I grew up in the Barrel, and had a somewhat normal childhood, for the Barrel at least, but when I was 13, I got placed in the White Rose by an aunt who hated my guts. Family vendetta, I guess. She said we were going on a holiday but I woke up in a whorehouse, pardon my language. ' Inej squeezed her shoulder and she continued ' I spent four years there and I hated every second of it. I still can't stand the look of roses to this day. I got out months ago but they'll find me soon enough. I don't want to cause you trouble. They'll find me sooner than later. I must leave. " She made to leave but the slam of a cane stopped her. She turned around to see Kaz looking at her inquisitively " Mia, I think you would be a good investment for this crew, if you're willing. I could get you out of there, but you'll have to pledge your loyalty to the Dregs. If you want that? If you don't, you can leave and never look back. " She thought about it and finally decided. She squared her shoulders and faced the Bastard of the Barrel " I'll join the Dregs, Brekker, but only if you can truly get me out of that wretched place. Are we clear?" He smirked " Crystal. She's precise. And honest. I like that. Mia, I said I would get you out. And I will. It won't be as difficult but I can manage. With that said, welcome to the Dregs, Mia Volkova." Mia smirked and elbowed Jesper " I guess you'll have to put up with me a little bit longer, eh? " Jesper chuckled " I don't mind, love. Especially if I get to spend time with someone as lovely as you. " He winked and Mia rolled her eyes with a smile. Inej walked over and linked her arm with Mia's " We're going to have so much fun together. It'll be good to have more women around. Let's go. I'll help you get settled. " The two girls walked off, smiling as their laughter echoed in the nightlife of the Barrel. Jesper looked to Kaz " Well, Kaz. We have a new recruit, and I'm glad for some backup. But, why did you ask her to join?" Kaz's gaze turned to Jesper " There's something about her and I don't know exactly what. It's a gut feeling, that she is important but I don't know why. She is a good fighter and we definitely need more of that. And someone who can shoot and use knives is definitely an advantage as well. Go guard the door Jesper. I have no time for your incessant questions. " Jesper sighed "Right away, boss. " He walked off and Kaz continued to gaze at the window, into the night. He felt Mia was important, he just didn't know why or how. He knew some new blood in the Dregs would be crucial but he didn't know a nightly brawl in the Crow Club would offer something up in return. He had seen the young girl fight, much like he did when he was a newly inducted Dreg, with a thirst to prove himself. Except when Mia fought, she fought like a demon out of hell, trying to cause the most damage to the person who hurt her or someone she loves. She would be a valuable investment, and he knew he wouldn't regret it. At least he hoped...