Katerina Petrova was on the run and had to hide her past. But among thieves and murderers, did that really matter? All that mattered to Kaz Brekker was whether or not his prized grisha was up for the job. He didn't ask questions and that's what made...
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━━katerina was no stranger to pain. yet everything hurt. and why was the room moving?
katerina came awake slowly, her thoughts jumbled. she remembered the thrust of oomen's knife, climbing the crates, people shouting as she dangled from the tips of her fingers. i'm here, katerina. but kaz had returned for her, to rescue his investment. they must have made it onto the ferolind.
she tried to roll over, but the pain was too intense, so she settled for turning her head. nina was drowsing on a stool tucked into the corner by the table, inej was on a stool of her own at the opposite side of nina. katerina's hand grasped loosely both of their hands.
"nina, inej," she croaked. her throat felt like it was coated in wool.
nina jolted awake. "i'm up!" she blurted, then peered blearily at katerina. "you're awake." she sat up straighter. "oh, saints, you're awake!"
"katerina," inej said as tears started to overwhelm her. nina didn't even try to control her tears as it ran down her face.
katerina tried to sit up, but could barely lift her head.
"no, no," nina said. "don't try to move, just rest."
"are you the two of you okay?"
nina started to laugh through her tears. "i'm fine. you're the one who got stabbed. i don't know what's wrong with me. it's just so much easier to kill people than take care of them." inej blinked, katerina's lips twitch and then they started laughing.
katerina groaned. "don't make me laugh. that feels awful."
inej winced. "how do you feel?"
"sore, but not terrible. thirsty."
inej offered her a tin cup full of cold water. "it's fresh. we had rain yesterday."
katerina sipped carefully, letting inej hold her head up. "how long was i out?"
"three days, almost four. jesper is driving us all crazy. i don't think i've seen him sit still for more than two minutes together," she stood up abruptly.
"and kaz?" she said it so casually, though katerina could tell both girls knew that kaz was the first thing on her mind. he'll always be the first thing on her mind.
"right! i need to tell kaz you're awake! we thought—"
"wait," katerina said, grabbing for nina's hand, surprising both her and inej. "just... can we not tell him right away?"
nina sat back down, her face puzzled. "sure, but—"
"just for tonight." she paused. "is it night?"
"yes. just past midnight, actually." nina answered.
"do we know who came after us at the harbour?"
"pekka rollins. he hired the black tips and the razorgulls to keep us from getting out of fifth harbour." inej said.
