The FlameKeeper - Kaz Brekker

CH.02 - The Murder of Tante Heleen

(THE GIF I USED ISN'T MINE, CREDITS TO THE OWNER!)

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'We are in the literal bottom of the Barrel.' Jesper complained.

'Anything better than Hellgate.' Sabo said as she placed her hands into her pockets.

'Stadwatch doesn't patrol down here. We're safer.' Kaz said. 'Inej, what did you find?'

Sabo frowned before feeling Inej's shoulder brush against hers.

'We're accused of murdering Tante Heleen.'

'What?' Sabo asked as she took a step back.

'We didn't do that,' Jesper said as he shook his head in denial. 'Wait... did you do that?' he asked Inej, Inej raised her eyebrows at him.

'It was Pekka Rollins, wasn't it?' Kaz asked her while clutching his cane, deep down he already knew the answer. 'He framed us for murder.'

Inej nodded at him. 'He wanted to punish us for taking the job after he warned you off.'

Sabo remembered the day Pekka had warned Kaz. He had been in Kaz's office, holding Kaz's cane against his throat.

'You do know how to pick your crew, Brekker' 

'But why take it out on Tante Heleen?' Jesper asked Kaz, Kaz looked toward him.

'She held the deed to the Crow Club. We cut a deal so Inej could help us with the Sun Summoner, so Rollins killed her.'

'He owns the club. Everyone who works there now works for Pekka Rollins.'

Inej shivered. 'There's more.' She showed them her wrist, the tattoo of the Menagerie holding her captive.

'The Menagerie.' Sabo spoke.

'He owns that now, too. Along with everything else the Menagerie owns.'

Sabo looked toward Kaz, they should've all stayed on the ship, she thought. Kaz returned her look.

'So, Stadwatch are everywhere and Pekka's untouchable.' Jesper stated. 'Never thought I'd miss the Fold.'

Kaz reached into his coat and grabbed part of the money that they had gotten from Nikolai. He handed the money over to Inej who looked at him questioningly.

'What's this for?' she asked him.

'We aren't the only ones under a false accusation. Your Saint has a new bounty on her head, this time from Fjerda.'

'Yeah, they think she's in cahoots with the Darkling.' Jesper said.

'This is your ticket to go and protect her. Go to the Third Harbor and find a stevedore named Jari. He'll put you on a cargo ship out of here.'

'I have friends in Novyi Zem,' Sabo told Inej. 'That's where Alina and Mal went. I'll write down their address for you.'

'Are you guys sending me away?' she asked.

'I promised you freedom.' Kaz his voice deepening. 

Inej looked at him skeptically as she held up the money. 'This isn't freedom, Kaz. My indentured contract is owned by Pekka-'

'I'll take care of it.' he promised. 'It isn't your fight now, it's mine.'

'I'm not leaving you, not now.' she said before Kaz could walk away again. 'You guys need me.'

They did need her.

'Are you sure?' Sabo asked her. 'You know I keep excellent company, my friends from Novyi Zem are very nice.'