ME AND THE DEVIL (WALKING SIDE BY SIDE) | K.BREKKER

CHAPTER ONE .

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CHAPTER ONE
a million kruge

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IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS CRAWLING ALONG JULIE'S HAND, just begging her to scratch away at her skin. She took a shuddered breath as she continued to summon a ball of water. Everything in her being was telling her to stop. Feeling this way wasn't worth it but she didn't want to fall ill from not using her power. Though sometimes she wondered if it was better if she just stopped completely. It's not like she used her powers out in public or on jobs anyway.

A horrifying image conjured itself up in her mind and she suddenly gasped which caused her to lose her concentration and drop the ball of water onto the floor. She then began to scratch away at the skin of her palms. Why couldn't she be normal? Why did water have to affect her so much?

After Julie forced herself to stop, she put on her gloves. By doing so, she was able to hide the scratches that coated her hands. She didn't want people to bring them up, so she hid them away. Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes but she blinked them away. She didn't have time to shed any tears. She had to make her way to the Crow Club.

She left the Slat with her sword holstered on her waist. She never left anywhere without it. It grounded her more than she could possibly imagine. Though a certain Bastard of the Barrel also seemed to ground her. Multiple daggers were hiding on her person. You never know when you'll need more than one weapon. Especially if you end up losing one, or more, in a fight.

Rain soaked her from head to toe despite the fact that she didn't have to walk that far and in all honesty, she should have brought an umbrella with her. The feeling of rain on her made her want to itch every inch of her skin and she did her best to not scratch. She walked up to the bar, intent on getting a drink to wash away the horror from moments before. She caught sight of Kaz walking over to her and felt like everything had suddenly become okay.

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Kaz Brekker, the infamous Dirtyhands, didn't need a reason but he always had one for Julie. He would do anything for her. Just one look at her had his walls slowly cracking. He had a weakness and he didn't like that. The bastard of the Barrel didn't have weaknesses. He couldn't. Especially when she could get hurt and used against him. He tried his best to distance himself from her but he always found himself being drawn back to her.

He watched as she rushed into the Crow Club, soaked head to toe from the rain that was currently pouring down outside. He knew how she felt about water. She hadn't told him explicitly but he knew. She tried to hide her distaste for it by trying not to show too much of a reaction but he picked up on it. Kaz knew many secrets though he didn't know why she felt the way she did about water. He could unravel secrets so easily but when it came to her, he didn't want to overstep. Not when he knew what it was like to have something from the past haunting you.

Kaz picked up a towel from behind the bar and walked over to Julie. His cane thumped against the floor with each step.

"Try not to get sick." He mumbled as he passed her the towel.

She smiled at him as she took the towel. "Thanks, boss."

Kaz raised an eyebrow at her silently. He hated when she called him that. He didn't want her to feel less superior to him. Especially not when he wanted her by his side. He wanted to rule the Barrel with no one but her.

"Right." Julie huffed playfully before she corrected herself. "Thanks, Kaz."

With a single silent nod, Kaz walked away and went over to Jesper who was currently at the gambling tables. Julie watched him walk away with a sense of longing in her eyes as she began to dry herself off the best as she could. Nothing could be done for her clothes though.