The Fox and The Crow [Kaz Brekker]

chapter 11

Italics - Sign Language

Daemon curled up on the bed of the tavern room, cringing at the feeling of the unfamiliar sheets. They had rented three rooms for their stay here so they could get some rest. Girls in one, boys in the other, and the Conductor got his own room.

Inej was sitting up on her bed, brushing through her long straight hair with her fingers while staring at the wall. Daemon hated this. She'd rather sleep on her floor at home. She also hated sleeping away from Kaz. But none of the other Crows had given her any room to argue about the sleeping arrangements.

"You know, Daemon, you could do something more with your share. You could get out of Ketterdam," Inej said suddenly.

Daemon sat up, "Why would I do that?"

"There's a lot more in the world than just surviving. You could live. You could have a real home. Live a normal life. You deserve that."

"Kaz is my home, Inej. I'm not going to leave him," Daemon signed angrily.

Inej sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing with Daemon. She just thought that Daemon should aim higher. She had lived her entire life in captivity, enslaved by men. She deserves the chance to find a stable place in the world where she could be truly happy. Inej herself wanted to find her parents, get away from the Menagerie, from Ketterdam. She had goals. Daemon's only goal was to make Kaz happy.

Daemon laid back down and rolled on her side, pulling the irritating blankets over her head. She knew Inej meant well, but Daemon wouldn't abandon her Kaz.

Daemon closed her eyes and found herself falling into darkness.

~

6 year old Daemon hid in the closet, her bruised form shaking with the effort of even just standing up. She could barely keep in the hiccups and sobs as she cried from the pain and fear.

"Where the hell is that imbecile?!" a man screamed out, his voice carrying through the entire manor.

Daemon crouched down, wrapping her arms around herself. She was freezing because of how skinny she had gotten. And the thin material of the dress she wore did nothing to help.

Her eyes widened when the door to the room she hid in slammed open and heavy footsteps walked in.

"Get out here! Now!"

Daemon had been hiding in that closet for an hour now. The incident causing this was just a simple mistake. Just a simple mistake and she was only a girl.

The rules at this house were to not speak unless spoken to, get all your chores done, and don't go into the office. There were of course unspoken rules, but Daemon couldn't remember them all. This time, she had been taking a guest to the office and the guest invited her to stay with him for a little. Daemon was curious about why he was there, so she did. They had a long conversation and Daemon understood very little of what he was talking about. But Daemon had said something she shouldn't have, and her master found out about it.

Daemon clasped her hands together tightly, bringing them to her forehead as she began to silently pray. It was something her mom had made her do every single day. And Daemon continued to do so even when her own mother abandoned her to the slave traders. Daemon never understood why she did that.

Daemon screamed when the closet doors opened, "No! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

The man grabbed her by her long hair, dragging her out into the open before tossing her to the ground. He pulled out a knife, sharp and shiny and very deadly. Even Daemon understood that.