❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞ | kaz brekker

⁰⁹ heartfelt promises

❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞

heartfelt promises

Kirigan stood in front of her, staring right into her soul. Paedyn's eyes were wide with fear, staring at nothing but him.

The Darkling opened his mouth to speak, but when the sound of a cane hitting the ground reached their ears, he closed his mouth and turned around.

Kaz walked into their view, eyes widening slightly at the sight of Paedyn trapped in place by shadows.

"I know you kidnapped my Sun Summoner," Kirigan began, his voice dark. "And now you're going to tell me where you stashed her."

"We didn't take her." Kaz kept his voice level. "She fled on her own."

Kirigan began walking closer to Kaz as the boy backed up. The Black General's focus was now on getting Alina back, giving the girl choking on air behind him a chance to break free.

With his back to her, Paedyn moved her hands slowly. The shadows were pressed against her back and mouth, so she made sure to keep still there. She feared that even the slightest movement would put Kirigan's attention back on her. Very carefully, she only lifted her hands a bit, getting them into a better position.

"Where is she? I won't ask you again." Kirigan's cold voice was sharp enough to slice his own shadows and for a moment, Paedyn froze again. Her fear paralyzed her once more, holding her in place. Kaz kept his eyes on the General, but she knew he had seen her body's reaction. She knew he had seen how weak she really was.

"I don't know. It was pretty clear she wasn't interested in being a captive anymore," Kaz spoke carefully, watching how his words stabbed the man in front of him in the right places. "She's probably halfway to Novyi Zem by now."

Kirigan looked down, his shadows inching closer to Kaz. They didn't touch Paedyn, the shadows from earlier were still successful. The shadows put a wall between her and the enemy, as well as Kaz. Separating the two, so he could deal with one now and one later.

Now. It had to be now.

She pulled water from the air, letting the droplets land on the shadows. The shadows that were touched by the water disappeared. Paedyn's eyes glanced back up at the wall, hearing a horrific shout in frustration. 

Quickly and with trembling hands, she pulled more water until the shadows holding her were gone.

She took off running the direction she had come from, running down many alleys and streets. Seeing a rather large cloak folded on a small ledge by a window, probably drying in the sun, she snatched it and wrapped it around herself. 

It was still a bit damp but didn't smell as bad as one would think. It was also the perfect cover, helping her blend in with everyone else until she made it near the fountain.

Kaz stood near Jesper and Inej, the girl holding a hand tightly to her side.

"Is she okay?" Paedyn asked Jesper, throwing off the cloak now that she was concealed by the brick wall.

"She can't manage a horse, not even riding double," Jesper explained, "We'll have to come up with another plan."

"Saints," Inej mumbled, pressing her palm harder to her wound. Paedyn walked over to her, helping her stand.

Kaz glanced over his shoulder at the black carriage. "That's a pretty nice ride."

"The General's carriage? Have you gone mad? We'll be spotted instantly!" Paedyn whisper-shouted.