The Fox and The Crow [Kaz Brekker]

chapter 22

Italics - Sign Language

Daemon slipped out from the crawlspace and put the wood back in place, looking around for any eyes on her before walking away like normal. She kept a brisk pace as she made her way to the meetup point. A small workshop that housed an especially talented chemist named Wylan.

Daemon had met Wylan once or twice. Of course, they had never actually talked. Daemon didn't bother since he would need a translator to even understand her. But the boy was very sweet. He had a nice smile. And he greeted her well. He gave Kaz the phosphorus bomb they needed against Kirigan.

Speaking of that bastard. She had a weird feeling about him. She didn't know what it could possibly be since he was dead. Perhaps the interaction with him had caused another trauma in her already broken mind.

Daemon let out a short yelp upon almost bumping right into a woman. The weird smell that she had been sensing since the ship hit her full force. Definitely Grisha. Definitely Heartrender.

"Oh! Hello there!" the woman greeted almost cheerily.

"Daemon? What are you doing? I thought you went with Kaz," Inej put her hand on Daemon's arm.

"Had to run a quick errand. Everything's fine," Daemon lied.

She didn't have the heart to tell either Inej or Jesper about her predicament. She didn't want them to be worried about her. Inej had her own issue to worry about, and Jesper would just get unnecessarily clingy about it. He tended to stick close to her when he was worried. He could be worse than Kaz when watching over her sometimes.

The woman looked confused, "I've never seen a language like that before. I mean, i've met a few deaf people in my time, but their signs were much different."

"Oh, that's because she made it up herself," Inej explained.

Daemon gave the woman a weird look, "How did you find a Heartrender so quickly?"

"Just ran into her. She heard Kaz on the ship."

The woman held her hand out for Daemon, "Nice to meet you...Daemon?"

Daemon nodded and awkwardly shook her hand, pulling back just as quick. The woman was incredibly pretty. Almost as pretty as Alina or Inej. Daemon did always get nervous around gorgeous women. When she met Inej for the first time, she was completely floored. Her jaw had dropped and she was pretty sure she just stared at her for a couple hours.

Daemon turned to Inej, "She's really pretty."

Inej held in a short laugh and led Daemon to the workshop, "Better not say that to Kaz. He'll forget we ever needed her in the first place."

As they descended the steps, Kaz let out a sigh of relief, "You're here."

"With the new Heartrender."

His eyes met Daemon's for a moment, asking her a silent question of concern. Daemon gave a half smile and a short head tilt. She would be fine.

Daemon slipped around the Heartrender to stand just behind Kaz's shoulder. She briefly pressed her cheek against his shoulder before standing up straight. He relaxed at the gesture. It was good to know she wasn't upset with him.

The woman took her fancy hat off with a dazzling smile, "Nina Zenik. At your service."

"Nina Zenik?" the crows - with the exception of Daemon - spoke in shocked unison.

Nina chuckled, "Well, that's a reaction. Is there a famous Nina Zenik I don't know about?"

"Can I get anyone some tea?" Wylan offered.