Empyrean || Kaz Brekker

chapter eleven

Shu Han was nothing like Elham had imagined it to be.

The major cities were a lot like Ketterdam in a way, only much more clean and a lot less dangerous. The merchants were friendly when they wanted you to give them your money, and the tourists were just as gullible and wide eyed walking around as they were in Ketterdam. Only, she doubted that gullibleness got them pickpocketed and robbed like it would back home. The one major difference she noticed was how many public places for memorials and prayer there were. They most certainly would have gone to waste in Ketterdam. The city was far too corrupted and casual about death for places like that to be necessary.

When they came across one of the memorials in Bhez Ju, Tolya and Inej knelt down to pray. Reluctantly, Zoya followed their lead and knelt as well. Nina hovered behind them, curious, while Kaz, Jesper, Wylan, and Elham stood on the other side of the street to wait till they were done.

When Elham looked over at Kaz, he had an impatient look on his face that made her snicker. "Not one for prayer, boss?"

"Not one for wasting time."

"It's not wasting time to them," Elham shrugged, watching Tolya stand. "Not all of us get by on spite and sheer will. Some of us need faith."

Kaz raised an unamused brow. "Us? Are you religious now?"

"Well, I considered asking the Saints to burn my eyes out of my head after I walked in on Jesper and Wylan in their cabin. And I did actually pray for one of them to gain the wisdom of learning to lock the door."

The color immediately drained from Wylan's face as he looked back and forth between Jesper and Elham slack jawed and wide eyed. The two couldn't resist laughing, leaning into each other for support while they giggled amongst themselves. Wylan just watched with a red face, pouting.

"Cheer up, love," Elham finally grinned, pinching his cheek. "You're in one of the capitals of the world for explosive shit. I'm sure we can find you something to brighten up your day. Just like candy, yeah?"

"I want candy!" Jesper piped in, making Elham roll her eyes.

Kaz rolled his eyes too, completely ignoring the conversation happening next to him and walking away after he glanced down at his watch. "The tea shop should be open now."

"We'll get you some candy, Jesper," Elham added, turning to Tolya as he approached the group. "Tolya, Wylan has a question for you about...things to blow shit up? Bombs? Explosives? Gunpowder? I don't know, uh—Wylan, you're up."

He nodded, taking over. "I was looking to buy some firing powders. Could you show me around?"

Elham patted Jesper on the shoulder, nodding for him to follow. "You like shopping. Go shop!"

"Are you trying to get rid of me, darling?" he asked, smirking down at her. "Or is it the tension between you and lover boy over there I've felt since before we got on the boat that you don't want me meddling in?"

Elham could feel her cheeks flush, and if looks could kill, Jesper would be six feet under. He was quick to recover, cautiously patting her arm as he turned to follow the boys.

"You know what? I do like shopping, I think I'll just go with them. I'll snag you something nice, love," he muttered quickly, scurrying off after Wylan and Tolya.

Elham scoffed, following in the direction Kaz went.

As far as she was concerned, this was a stupid plan. Nina and Kaz were posing as a husband and wife in the market for rare items to add to their collection. At least this plan doesn't include me in an obscenely ugly dress playing the role of a wife this time, Elham thought to herself. Instead, she'd be on the rooftops with Inej as a second lookout. It was very likely that Ohval could already smell a rat, and she'd have a crew of her own masquerading as locals. Kaz figured Elham's talents were better suited to assisting Inej. Besides, Nina was much more knowledgeable on the topic than she was, she knew the culture and the language—and she was a much better actress.