Early that morning, the four of us were on our way through Novokribirsk, West Ravka, in a carriage. I was sat next to Kaz, trying to keep as far away from him as I could, but every time the carriage turned our arms would brush and he would tense.
Kaz peered at the Conductor. 'I didn't hire you simply to get us across the Fold. You're with us because you smuggle Grisha out of the Little Palace, and that's the location of our target.'
I felt a pang of guilt. Kaz was smart and not a lot of things can take him by surprise, but I never used my powers in front of him. I never let him watch me make poisons and I never controlled the winds in front of him. But going back to the Little Palace was dangerous for me. Kirigan would recognize me. It may have been four years since I was there, but he would know. He always knew. I was endangering my friends. I was endangering Kaz. But I couldn't tell them. I just couldn't.
'Sun summoner,' Inej said.
'Alleged,' Kaz corrected.
The two stared at each other. 'They wouldn't keep a fraud in the most secure location in all of Ravka.'
'Either way,' I say.
Kaz looked back at the Conductor. 'You said you have a contact who can get us inside. A Heartrender.'
The conductor nodded.
'How do I know we can trust her?'
'Nina grew up there.'
Kaz raised a brow. 'Most Grisha grew up in the Little Palace. Very few would betray their general, and fewer still would help foreigners kidnap their most prized possession.'
The Conductor smiles. 'Nina's a radical. Thinks Grisha should get to choose if they serve the Crown. She despises involuntary service more than she does Fjerdans.'
---
When we made it to the hotel room Nina should've been in, our last little hope seemed to disappear. We walked around the room, looking for any sign that Nina had been there.
The Conductor looked around, confused. 'She knew to expect us.'
'She isn't late,' Kaz said, 'she's gone.'
'Yes, but her things are all...' The Conductor lifted the bed sheet, moving the trunk off the bed, to reveal a small medal wolf's head lying in the sheets. He sighed, sounding distressed. 'Drüskelle. They are ruthless Grisha hunters.'
Kaz scoffed. 'Explains the Fjerdan krydda the innkeeper was counting when we arrived. It's likely he ratted her out.'
'She's probably halfway to Fjerda on a ship right now.'
Inej leaned towards Kaz getting his attention. 'They had a clear line of attack.'
Kaz nodded. 'Take a look. Make sure there aren't any more surprises.'
Inej nodded, pulling her hood up, leaving by jumping from the balcony.
The Conductor sat on the bed, huffing. 'Well, that's that. We've lost our way into the Little Palace.'
Kaz sighed, his eyes drifting off as he thought of a plan. I leaned over to Jesper. 'Scheming face.'
Jesper nodded in agreement. Kaz turned quickly and started walking out of the room. I gave Jesper an exasperated look before we all followed him out of the hotel. Inej jumped down from the roof, landing soundlessly next to us.
