After Dark {N. L}

1

✼　 ҉ 　✼ ☀︎ ✼　 ҉ 　✼

Sturmhond had made a mistake. Somewhere along his countless nights of scheming against the Crows, there had been a fault in his seemingly perfect plan. It should have been impossible, but he'd been subjected to his own saying. What happened was improbable. He had missed something, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

The plan was flawless. In order to gain full control over the Crows, he needed them helpless, penniless, and searching for men with clean hands but dirty work. Sturmhond was to reduce them to nothing, to ensure that they don't fail him again. Unknowing who actually gave them the job of kidnapping the Sun Summoner, the Crows had proven to be quite the independent thinkers. They weren't as greedy for riches as he thought they were. They captured Alina just to set her free. This made his job harder. He needed to make sure that they got the job done this time. So that if they failed, there would be nothing to come back to. He needed motivation, and what better motivation than survival?

As the privateer ensured that Pekka Rollins took over the Crow Club, most of their belongings disappeared, and all of their riches gone in a heartbeat that Nina Zenik could not even detect. It made no sense. All five of the Crows were tied up in a room in one of his mansions. Then, how did it all happen? They were held captive, yet Kaz Brekker had that smug look on his face that made him feel as if he'd been played, and everyone knew, Sturmhond hates losing.

Once Sturmhond returned to his ship to do his daily checkups, he realized that his crew was missing. All of their cargo was dumped in the ocean and a note was found on his office door with a dagger holding it in place. It read, did you really think it would be that easy? If it wasn't for the dagger he would be clueless as to who the note was from. But it was clear, the crow carved into the metal made his deduction simple. He had been played. At that moment he was certain, the Crows were the perfect crew for his job. But that still did not explain how they caused this chaos while being held hostage.

Sturmhond found his crew tied up in the ship base with bags covering their heads. He shook his head in disbelief. 'You lot better have a good excuse or someone's going to be permanently fixed in Ketterdam's soil.'

'Captain, she caught us by surprise and she was so fast.'

'Who?'

'The Wraith. We heard stories about her, but we always thought they were rumors. She's exactly how everyone describes her. Silently that evil creature came and wiped us out with her sorcery.'

Sturmhond paced while pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to make sense of the situation. The Wraith was tied up in his mansion, how could she have been in two places at once? That's when it clicked. 'There's another one.' He whispered under his breath. But why are they calling her The Wraith? How did he not consider the fact that there could be more of them?

This was a distraction.

'Cyrus, you and your six chumps better jump into that damn ocean and get our cargo back, since you were too busy drowning your big boy tears in alcohol to notice an intruder on the ship. Tolya set the weakest three to watch the ship since there wouldn't be a second attack. The rest of you, come with me. Everybody move!'

'Are you sure there won't be another attack?' Tolya asked.

'This intrusion was a distraction Tolya. We need to get back to the mansion.'

The thought left Sturmhond baffled. How could a crew of sixteen, be outsmarted by one girl? He had to reach the mansion before she did. He'd been bested by a bunch of low-class thieves. Again.

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The second Wraith managed to reach the mansion before he did. The Crows could have been long gone by now, yet here they were. Sitting in his living room, completely free, awaiting his arrival as if he were a guest in his own house.

Upon entry, their leader spoke, 'I'm guessing your elaborate plan was to reduce our lifestyle to ensure that we go through with more of your plans. Seeing as we decided to ditch the last one.'

Sturmhond stepped up to him, 'Quite the observation Brekker. Just name the price and we can move forward from here, hassle-free.'

'The final price will be negotiated after the job. We will gauge the severity of our situation, but some pre-incentives will be required to avoid any underpayments. Seeing as your jobs tend to come with the flair of danger and what should be impossible. We require one million Kruger in advance, as well as this mansion, as collateral damage. Everything needs to be signed for. We shall work with contracts from now on, seeing as you've resorted to such extends to ensure our undivided attention.'

The Privateer hated the man's attitude. He loved to be in control and command. He called the shots, he made people act on his own whim. Sturmhond felt like a dog whose bone got taken away. He was dancing to the tunes of a thief. But he had no choice, he needed them.

Kaz pulled a golden pen out of thin air for the privateer and handed him the drafted contracts.

Sturmhond knew there was no other crew that was qualified enough for his kind of job, so he signed.

'We have a deal. Although, I must know, how is it that you have managed to outsmart me?'

He had an inkling, but he needed confirmation. It should have been impossible for another member, seeing as he had them constantly monitored. There was no new face.

'Well since we will be in business together, let me introduce you to the sixth member of the crew. Ira Ghafa.'

A woman identical to the Wraith stepped out of hiding. Their resemblance was uncanny. From their eyes to the stature, to the masked uniform. Identical.

'You kept her hidden by merging her identity with her sisters. Another Wraith. A backup plan. Genius.'

Sturmhond could not hide how impressed he was. This was one of the few times that someone beat him at his own game.

'I believe a formal introduction is due. You've probably heard of me before though.' Sturmhond said with confidence.

'Oh yes, you're that rich pirate that used to illegally ship cargo but now kidnaps too. The name's Jesper. The gunsman and most handsome member of the crew.' They shook hands.

'That would be me. Sturmhond and I'm a Privateer, not a pirate.'

Sturmhond turned to the rest of the crew for introductions.

'Inej Ghafa. The Wraith.'

'Nina Zenik. Heartrender.'

So, this is where she's been.

'Uh- I'm Wylan. I make stuff that, you know, that blew up the club, with science of course, not magic or powers, Grisha or- yeah.'

Sturmhond turned to the girl last but did not receive an introduction. She just stared at him blankly. He couldn't decide if it was the mask that made her almost impossible to read or if it was just her.

'And what are you supposed to be?'
Silence answered him.
'What is she mute or something?'
The crew turned to him with poisonous glares.

Kaz answered for her, 'She's exactly what her name means. Ira. The watcher.'

Ira. Something about her intrigued the privateer, and everyone knew that once you've caught the interest of Sturmhond, it's hard to escape the clutches of his world.