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

CHAPTER TWO .

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CHAPTER TWO
certain death

— [♤] —

THE FOUR CROWS MARCHED THEIR WAY DOWN THE STREETS OF KETTERDAM, purpose filled each step. Kaz and Julie led the way with Inej and Jesper following closely behind. Everyone moved out of their way instantly. Some did so out of fear and others did so out of respect.

"Tell us how to safely cross the fold." Kaz commanded.

Inej sat down in front of the desk with Kaz, Julie and Jesper stood behind her. Occasionally, Kaz would throw glances at Julie. Whilst he occasionally looked around at his surroundings so it didn't look too suspicious. It still ended up catching the eye of Jesper who raised a brow at him when the two males made eye contact.

"The fold?" A lady questioned as she smoked. "If I knew safe passage through that, I'd be wealthier than the whole Merchant Council."

"You told me you brought in girls from Os Alta. The other side." Inej said.

"Yeah, the hard way. Lost a few to those damn Volcra, too."

Now they were huddled in an alleyway, eager to continue the search for someone who had answers for them.

"Nah, there's no trick to it. Except how it makes people disappear from time to time."

"I heard you bragging of a way to make a path." Jesper said.

"I was taking Kruge from a tourist. A little lie. The fold keeps those Ravkan bastards and their Grisha attack dogs in check. Can you imagine how dangerous it would be if it wasn't there?"

Julie sighed at his words. It felt like they were going to be searching for answers all night. Plus, she didn't take too kindly to Grisha being referred to as attack dogs. Sure, she heavily disliked using her powers due to her trauma but she held no ill feelings towards other Grisha. Kaz glanced over at her upon hearing her sigh. He gently tapped her foot with the bottom of his cane twice. It was his own way of soothing her. She slightly smiled over at him in appreciation.

Next up was the fighting ring. Julie hoped that they would get answers soon. It was getting tiring running around all over the place.

"Just go around." A man said, like it was obvious.

"It stretches all the way north to the Fjerdan border." Kaz stated.

"Ja. So go to Fjerda. March through the Permafrost."

"It would take us too long." Julie said. "Four months, right?"

The man nodded his head as he wrapped his hands. "Maybe five."

"We don't have that kind of time." Kaz informed him.

"Either you take your time or you take your chances."

— [♤] —

Back at the Crow Club, Kaz sat down and slowly spun his cane in thought. The jewelled eyes of the crow's head glinted in the light. He then moved his hands to tightly hold the head. Julie sat beside him. Though she respected his space and didn't sit too close.

"Here's what I don't get." Jesper began, breaking the silence.

"Here we go." Julie playfully rolled her eyes.

"We're going to be here all night." Inej teased as she twirled her dagger around, the tip balancing on the table.

"Rude." He said to the two of them before he took his feet off the table. Inej and Julie smiled at each other. "Why haven't they tried going under it? Just dig a tunnel."