As the crow flys

Chapter 1

The streets of Ketterdam were very dangerous at night. Even walking down the street being one of those very dangerous people you always had a certain feeling that you were being followed. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight a deep hazel colour.  She was still trying to recover from what she had witnessed less than 10 minutes ago in the exchange. Gemma had always liked Big Bolliger, to be honest, he always put a smile on your face. More the less he was gone. Looking up to her right she saw the boy that had no mercy for the dying man. Dirtyhands. Or as she called him and the rest of the crows did Kaz. The thumping of his cane guided them through the dark streets just on the corner of the barrel. 

The was an eerie but comfortable silence between them. But just as she was going to talk about why Kaz hadn't told any of the crows/dregs about Bolliger a figure appeared in front of them. That's when she noticed something about this person. They were very pale and looked almost dead. She couldn't quite make out Kaz's expression because of the darkness but she guessed that he was like her very confused about this 'thing' as he stepped in front of her trying to block her view. She had known Kaz for a while as he often came to the menagerie to pay off Inej's indenture every month. Gemma had once been Tante Helen's favourite but ever since she had been doing Kaz's 'favours' she had descended on her list. She could always recall the silks on her skin and could never forget being dressed up like a fawn. 

Just then something sharp jabbed her in the back. A needle. She felt herself start to waste away and it was not until she heard her mother's voice did she know she was actually asleep.

*********************************

"Gemma! Gemma! Oh please my little Gem wake up" her mother's voice was soft. It was as soft as the last day she saw her.

"Mum," she tried to call for her name but all that came out was a mere squeak. 

"Oh, Gemma you had me worried there. You took a tumble and nearly went off the cliff,"  Gemma tried to reach for her mother's face but her arms were stuck where they were. She tilted her head trying to look around and figure out what part of  Novyi Zem she was in. She tried to focus on the Church in the distance but it wasn't clear what type of church.

"Mum. Where am I?"

"Home Gemma. Home."

"But Ketterdam is my home," she managed to say.

"If that is what you want then go back to your nightmare," and with that, her mother disappeared.

*********************************

Gemma woke up and immediately noticed her change in scenery. Rather than being on the dark rough streets, she was in a rather luxurious place. Taking a look to her right she took in the sight of no other than Kaz Brekker knocked out. Glancing from place to place Gemma observed some quiet tired looking guards. She took a glimpse at the clock. No wonder they looked so tired it was 11:34 pm. Kaz and she had left the exchange at least just before 9 pm and they had only been walking 10 minutes when they were suddenly interrupted. 

She coughed on purpose to let the guards know she was awake and suddenly they all awoke with the noise. One of the tall armed men whispered to the other and he nodded. 

"Is someone going to tell me what the fuck this is all about?" she blurted out the word before she could think. Soon enough a man dressed in luxurious-looking clothes (most likely a merchant) stepped forward. Gemma tried she move but only then did she realise that she was chained to a chair with her hands behind her back.

"So glad you're finally awake. I was beginning to believe that I gave you too heavy of a dose," the man spoke in a cheery voice. "Although, Mr Brekker over here is taking his sweet time," she nodded in agreement. Whoever this man was he looked rather, well very, important. He certainly didn't look like a friendly one despite his voice. 

Something jolted next to her and started shouting at the man who Gemma had been examing a second ago. 

"What do you want?" Kaz growled

"I am here to ask you if you would be willing to take a job from me," he spoke with that annoying tone.

"Who are you?" Gemma blurted out before anyone could question her. 

"Ah well, I'm sure Mr Brekker over here would be willing to tell you," he tilted his head in Kaz's direction. Kaz sighed.

"His name is Jan Van Eck. A merchant and a very important person in the merchant council." Mr Van Eck nodded with a beaming smile. Van Eck. Where had she heard that name before? It didn't matter there were many Van Ecks in Kerch not all of them could be related. 

Van Eck turned around and muttered something to the man behind him. Then he told them everything about the Ice Court and how there was a scientist captive there who he wanted them to break out. 

"So," he said after exclaiming everything, "What do you say?"

"We will return to this matter once I have my cane and my pistol," he turned and look at Gemma with his beaming eyes.

"I'll take my knives," she snapped.

A/N:

First chapter done. So happy for all of you who are reading this and I can't wait to write about the other crows. ♡♡