Empyrean || Kaz Brekker

chapter five

After everyone had settled, Kaz, Elham, Jesper, and Wylan gathered together by the light of the windows. Nina and Inej were in the other room. Elham wasn't sure what time itwas by now, but there was still moonlight shining in.

"Looks like Pekka made a move on more than just the Crow Club while we were away. He bought out all of Fifth Harbor," Kaz said, glancing over some papers he had pulled from his coat pocket.

Jesper sighed in frustration, his tone harsh. "You know, Inej took some serious damage. The novice nearly lost his head, and the Heartrender took a bullet. Elham is yet again sporting bruises and cuts, but no worries. As long as you're on top of Pekka's corporate holdings."

"You don't take down a lion by cutting off his tail," Kaz said, not looking up from his papers.

Elham scoffed, murmuring under her breath. "Dickhead."

"We're putting our lives on the line!" Jesper said louder, and Elham reached back to take ahold of his arm, linking it with hers in an effort to calm him.

"I thought you preferred it that way," Kaz retorted quickly, finally turning around to look at them.

Thankfully, Nina interrupted the rising tension as she entered the room, clearing her throat. Wylan sighed in relief, clearly uncomfortable from having to stand there and listen to the squabbling of what sounded like three children.

"Is Inej gonna be okay?" He asked.

"Well, I wouldn't call myself the most proficient Healer, but she'll not be a permanent resident here."

Elham stifled a laugh, bringing a hand up to her mouth to hide her grin. It was an awful time to be laughing, but she was so tired and delirious that the poorly made joke about them being forced to hide in a cemetery was enough to make her turn to the corner while she tried to calm herself down.

"Not yet, anyway," Jesper said, tugging Elham back over once she steeled herself.

"Technically, no one gets buried here anymore. When the firepox plague hit years ago, so many people died that the crematoriums all got backed up, so they had to float all the dead bodies in the harbor," Wylan said, apparently unphased by that fact.

Elham grimaced. "I won't pretend to understand how you know that–"

"That's enough!" Kaz suddenly shouted, the the startling everyone into silence.

Elham flinched back, her grip on Jesper's arm tightening. It was silent another moment as everyone uneasily looked at eachother, before Kaz sighed, turning back around to face them. He held out a piece of paper for Jesper to take, who reluctantly snatched it from his hand. He held it low enough so that Elham could read it too, his face scrunching in confusion.

"Appelbroek?" He asked.

"Pekka has a glass factory there, but there are no sandpits in Appelbroek. So cartage fees would kill all of his profits. Find out what he's really up to," Kaz directed towards Jesper, before turning to Wylan. "If you want to help–instead of spurting useless historical facts–go with Jesper."

Jesper had withdrawn himself from Elham's grip and moved out the door before she could say a word, Wylan hot on his heels. As the door slammed shut, a hush fell over the room. Elham turned to Kaz, narrowing her eyes at him.

"It wouldn't kill you to be nice every once in a while. I know you've got quite high standards for all of us, but consider lowering them if you're going to speak to us like we're children who are going to break something the minute you aren't there to supervise. My patience is wearing thin."

Nina nodded, breaking the tension as she spoke hesitantly. "And not that you asked, but consider grounding your Wraith for a bit. I always wanted to be a Healer, but that doesn't mean I'm any good."