𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐒 | 𝐤.𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐞𝐫

SIX

Valya and Inej walked through the street towards the Menagerie. The streets around here were largely populated by drunken sailors or rich men who demanded respect, but desperately trying to hide from recognition. If would ruin their reputation to be seen around here, behind their wives' backs.

"If you're back for work, get changed," a girl at the door told them, grey fox ears sat atop her blonde hair, a cigarette between her fingers. Most of the girls were bitter when they saw Valya and Inej, the two who were clawing their way out. Some were just naturally spiteful.

Valya hated the peacock's office. The smell of smoke mingling with expensive perfume was potent, and unwelcome. It just reminded her of her early days with the Menagerie. The small caged birds chirped, a high pitched noise that pierced the silence. There was a fascination with birds, she'd noticed the first time she'd ever been in the office. It was decorated exotically, warmly lit by candles that did nothing to remove the chill from her spine of the sinister atmosphere.

"Ah, there you are." The smile was a stark contrast to the glare worn by both girls. It was something easily picked up in Ketterdam.

Valya's mind replayed the events from what was truly only minutes ago. She couldn't come back here for good. What in the world could this foul woman want?

Heleen stood, and gestured with her cigarette. "Go on."

Valya and Inej began their extended work to remove their knives from each place they'd been strapped and tucked. And then for the final blades. The ones in their hair. Their hair fell loose as they removed them. Inej's hair was beautiful. Valya had always thought so. Long, silky, smooth. Enviable.

"Those are new," said the large man stood at the door.

"Would you like to see how it works?" Inej questioned, not looking at him. Under different circumstances, Valya would have laughed. Instead, she silently applauded her with a prideful look.

"Your poisons too, Fox." Valya sighed, removing the small pouch attached to her hip and the needles hidden on her thigh. She hated the nickname she'd been given. It reminded her what she was. A creature caught in a cage, forced to perform. "Excellent. Come, come. Sit." Heleen took a seat behind her desk once again, sighing. "Let us talk business. I have some work for you."

"We work for Kaz Brekker now," Valya told her.

Heleen inhaled sharply, shaking her head. "That's not entirely true. Mr Brekker still owes five more instalments on you and the Lynx."

"Regardless. We're on a job," Inej told her.

"So I hear." Heleen was grinning. "A little bird. Some business across the water. Far east, yes?"

"You should ask him," Inej said.

"Sit. I insist." Inej did so, but Valya remained standing. She refused to sit. Those chairs weren't a place she wished to find herself ever again. "I've a more important question for you. Do you want to go with him?" Valya frowned at her. "Oh yes, because you know you can't leave town without my permission, so... if you want to leave, you must be paid in full."

"That's too much," Valya stated. "Kaz doesn't have that."

"I'm not concerned with what he has, but I like what the two of you have. A set of skills I happen to need tonight." Inej glanced up at Valya. This couldn't be good. "This business with the blades, and the shadows and the poisons. You must be quite good for Brekker to pay for you." Valya wanted to reply 'we're very good' but she knew that wouldn't improve the situation. "So, find this man staying tonight at this address..." She finished writing something down and held up the paper. "And kill him for me."