Back at the Crow Club, tensions were high. Inej and I were gathered around Kaz's desk, who was furiously going over papers, constantly checking his pocket watch for the time. I could feel Inej's anger growing with each passing minute.
'What was that, hmm?' Inej asks Kaz. 'You want to tell us?'
Kaz didn't even look up. 'Be more specific.'
'It was one thing when we had at least a week to find a way across the Fold, but sunrise? We have to say no.'
'No,' Kaz said.
'That's a "no" to the job then?' Inej asks, false hope.
'That's a "no" to saying no,' Kaz says.
'We can't go!'
'Can't we?'
I open my mouth to speak, but the words die in my throat. Inej had pulled up her sleeve, revealing her Menagerie tattoo. My heart sank. Inej still being indentured to Tante Heleen was the most infuriating thing to me. Thinking about anything Inej had to go through before Kaz took her into the Dregs made my mind fill with rage.
Inej looked and Kaz and I with pleading eyes. 'I can't go.'
'You will. I have a plan.'
Inej sighed. 'No, you don't.'
'Inej.'
Inej persisted. 'I've worked for you long enough to know when you're still figuring things out. You don't know how to pull off this job.'
Kaz's face was menacing. 'I still have six hours, and right now, you aren't helping.'
'Let's—'
'Maybe you find a way across,' Inej says, cutting me off, 'but that doesn't solve this problem!' Inej shoved her wrist into his face. I grabbed it gently and held onto her hand to calm her. Kaz only grew more frustrated.
'If I can't crack this, no one's going.'
'And if you do?'
'Then maybe you stay here!'
'Kaz, stop it!' I shouted. 'C'mon, Inej, he doesn't mean it. You just gotta give him some time.'
'Maybe I won't be here when you get back,' Inej said, gently removing herself from my grip, and quickly leaving the room.
'Inej? Inej!'
Kaz tried to follow her to the archway of the door, but she was already gone, out the window. He turned and walked back to his desk, where I stood, arms crossed.
'You always have to be such a dick, don't you?' I say. 'Always have to go around, yelling at everyone, pushing them all away. What plan do you have, exactly, to get her out of her indenture? Or do you not tell me anything important, anymore? Seriously, Kaz, what is going on with you?'
'Always so concerned,' Kaz scoffed, a terrible grin working its way to his face. 'You are more than welcome to join her if I'm too much trouble. I really don't have time to make you feel better.'
I felt my face fall. 'Unfortunately, Kaz, you can't get rid of me by saying shit you don't mean. You're stuck with me. Now, what is your plan?'
Kaz sighed and broke his stare. He turned to look out the little window his door had, peering out into the Crow Club. There was a sound in the back of Kaz's office, and we exchanged glances. Kaz headed towards it.
