Kanej

Chapter 26

Kaz

A week later, Mikhail came to pay Kaz a quick visit, which in reality lasted for a few hours. Inej wasn't in when Mikhail dropped by and Kaz thought it was just as well. A slight crease appeared between his brows as he recalled the strange animosity and hatred between Inej and Mikhail and his analytical brain couldn't seem to comprehend what was going on between them.

If there was something going on. But he was beginning to get an idea.

Kaz wasn't surprised that the Dime Lions had taken Mikhail in. He might be a stranger, but the Dime Lions were desperate, and in no position to make demands. Besides, they could benefit from Mikhail's skills. 'Or lack thereof,' Kaz thought derisively, remembering how easy it was for Inej to catch and overpower him.

Thinking of Inej, Kaz felt a stab of unease. He hated the strain and tension he felt between their relationship and wondered how they could have let matters escalate to the extent where things were now awkward and uncomfortable between them.

'The trick is not to get attached.' Kaz thought for a brief second before scoffing. Who was he fooling? He was head over heels for Inej, in spite of often acting in a manner that was contradictory to his feelings.

And although he found himself reminiscing about simpler times, when there were no such things as pesky feelings between them, he knew that he would prefer what they had with each other right now, than what they had. At least now, even if they were fighting or ignoring each other, Inej was here.

She was in his bed when he went to sleep, and in his bed when he woke up. He thought he would be embarrassed at how he had come to rely on her, how he counted on her to always be there for him, but now, it just brought him a sense of peace and comfort.

To know that there was one single person who would be there for him, who would accept his flaws and faults and still be there. Even if he didn't always deserve it.

Kaz remembered one evening, when he and Jesper had gotten unbelievably drunk and were exchanging stories of their beloved. Well, Jes had been over-sharing and Kaz had pretended to listen. But during Jes's drunken rambling, he had said:

'Wylan and I? We work, you get me? Even when we're fighting or angry at each other, I apologise before he does. Because we have something real, something solid going on. And I'm not going to let a stupid fight ruin what we have. And the making up is the best part you know,' he slurred, hooking an arm Kaz's neck to pull him in a one armed hug.

Kaz's reaction was instantaneous as he jumped to his feet and knocked Jesper off him, which caused him to lose his balance and land on a heap on the floor. But Kaz wasn't worried because Jes had immediately fallen asleep. At that moment, Kaz had dismissed Jesper's ramblings as a drunken man but now? It seemed like solid advice. One Kaz actually considered implementing. If it wasn't too late that is.

Kaz was clearly not hiding his sour mood and Mikhail had picked up on it. He smirked knowingly at Kaz and drawled, 'trouble in paradise?'

Kaz levelled Mikhail with an icy stare that could cut glass, and replied coolly, 'what would you know about that?' He wasn't expecting a response but he was surprised when he heard Mikhail mutter 'more than you think.'

Kaz gazed calculatingly at him, the wheels in his head turning as he remarked, 'there's a girl isn't it?'
Mikhail countered back 'isn't there always?' Kaz merely smiled, something unsettling and disturbing lurking in his bottomless eyes. He looked more deranged than usual but Mikhail was unfazed.

He leapt to his feet and pulled out a knife. It was slim and elegant, and didn't look capable of the damage it could cause. And Kaz knew firsthand the type of damage such a pretty knife could do. Mikhail twirled the blade between his long fingers and said 'tonight, I kill Tante Heleen. And final words for her?'

Kaz began to shake his head but then stopped. He smirked at Mikhail and said 'tell her Dirtyhands will see her in hell.' With the parting order, Mikhail left, leaving a scheming Kaz behind.

...

Short update but we're getting there!