❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞
the conductor
Paedyn tipped her head back, swallowing the contents of her drink. Jesper laughed, reaching for his drink when Inej came up from behind them.
"He doesn't have a way across the Fold, and we all know it," she said bitterly.
"I bet he'll figure it out," Jesper turned to the girl. Paedyn looked up from her empty glass, meeting Inej's eyes. They held the same worry her eyes held before Jesper had offered to buy her a drink.
There was a gleam of mischief in Jesper's eyes as he continued. "Come on, take that bet. Paedyn won't play with me anymore."
Paedyn rolled her eyes at his comment as the bartender gave him another drink. Inej took it before he could, downing the substance quickly.
"He's obsessed with taking down Pekka Rollins," Inej added. Paedyn frowned at the name.
"Of course, he's obsessed with the one villain in town who's paid off the stadwatch to get away with literal murder," Jesper commented, handing his now empty glass back to the bartender.
"No, it's more than that," Inej shook her head.
"Have you heard the way he says Pekka's name?" Paedyn spoke up. "It's a type of anger I've never seen before."
"Kaz wants revenge," Inej added.
"For something," Paedyn agreed.
There was a cough behind the girls. The two turned around to come face to face with a man holding two notes. He gave one to each of them before turning his back and walking away.
Inej crumbled her note, deciding not to open it. Paedyn, however, carefully opened hers, finding an ink drawing of the tattoo on her wrist in a cage. She frowned; the Menagerie was calling.
"Of course she calls for us now," Inej scoffed. Paedyn shoved the note into her pocket. Her hand laid some coin on the counter by Jesper.
"I thought I was paying," He looked up at her, the brunette standing up from the barstool.
"Consider it a gift, in case I don't get to cross the Fold with you."
"Why wouldn't you...oh, right," Jesper frowned, watching the two girls begin to walk out. "Off to the Menagerie? Want some company?"
"No," Paedyn called from over her shoulder, following her Suli friend out into the bustling streets of Ketterdam. The two stayed close to each other, weaving through the many people.
The Ravkan's eyes wandered around, spotting a pretty silver bracelet. She slowed down by barely a step, gently raising her arm as if to scratch the side of her head. She timed it just right, so that when she passed the woman, who's hand was falling down from adjusting a loose strand of hair, the tips of her fingers found the snap of the bracelet.
Slipping the bracelet into her pocket was the easy part and thanks to the busy streets, getting away was easy too.
If Inej noticed her theft, she didn't say anything. In Ketterdam, stealing from the rich to earn money for food and shelter was how you survived. And if you were really good, stealing food wasn't that difficult either.
"If you're back for work, get changed." A woman at the front scowled as they walked past. Paedyn sent her a sharp glare before following Inej to Heleen's office.
As they entered, Heleen gestured to their clothes. Rather, the weapons concealed on their clothes.
Paedyn went first. She only ever had three knives on her when she was heading towards the Menagerie, not trusting anyone with her bow and arrows.
YOU ARE READING
❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞ | kaz brekker
Fanfictionfew people lived to tell the tale of the fold. paedyn was one of those few, having fought to keep this secret hers and hers alone for years. as a crow, she endeavors in dangers one could only imagine. and the newest one just may break her. but she w...
