❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞
ladies and gentlemen, nina zenik
Kaz walked slightly ahead of Paedyn, leading her to the restaurant he had requested the crows, and their newest additions, to meet at. When they reached the door, Kaz pulled it open and moved back, letting Paedyn go in first.
"Why thank you! Such a gentleman," she teased, walking inside. Kaz followed her, lightly hitting her ankle with his cane as a warning.
Paedyn threw a grin over her shoulder before she sat in the booth next to Jesper. She scooted close to the sharpshooter as Kaz sat down next to her.
"Ooh, is this place still serving breakfast?" Nina asked from her seat next to Wylan and Inej.
"Jes has a question to ask you," Inej said, giving Kaz a look. Paedyn turned to look at Jesper, who had betrayal and hurt written all over his face.
The boy sighed. "Look, a lot has happened since last night. We found out we lost our home, and then you blew it up just to piss off Pekka Rollins."
Kaz raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"Have you heard we also shot a Stadwatch with his own gun?"
"Seriously?" Paedyn muttered. "One murder wasn't enough?"
"All Stadwatch carry the same gun and it's standard issue," Kaz said, "This is Pekka Rollins firing back at us."
"Who is this Pekka Rollins?" Nina mused, looking across the table at Kaz. "You say his name and your blood pressure skyrockets."
Paedyn looked up at Kaz, curiosity swirling in her eyes. Feeling her eyes on him, he looked down at her. The brunette could have sworn that Kaz's eyes softened for a moment when their eyes met, but as soon as he turned to glare at Nina, she decided it must have been a trick of light.
"That's not part of your purview, Heartrender," Kaz spoke as he glared at the young woman across the table.
"You're right." Nina nodded. "But I tend to have opinions and...oh here's one, anger clouds judgment."
"Pekka Rollins runs the Barrel," Kaz began, "He cheated his way into an empire by running cheap cons. He isn't a boss, he's a scourge."
"If you hate him so much, why not just hire me to kill him?" Nina prodded. "Or why hire me at all? Your sharpshooter or your Wraith could take him out, easy."
Kaz stayed silent for a few moments, thinking over Nina's words. Finally he spoke, "It's not enough to kill him."
The table went silent as the heavy words echoed in their ears. Paedyn took a quick glance at Kaz, seeing his gloved hands tightly gripping his cane. To, comfort, him in some way Paedyn slowly moved her hand along the bench, closer to Kaz but not close enough to scare him.
He glanced down at her hand before he spoke again.
"Killing him doesn't help us clear our names," he corrected himself. "That's why I need all of you, so I can hang everything back on him."
"And we are the pawns who enact your personal vendetta?" Inej asked.
"The four of us are under equal jeopardy. And if they catch us, we can't protect you." He looked at Wylan and then to Nina. "And you'll have to turn to Pekka to see your man. No doubt with some very unappealing conditions attached."
"All of that in mind," Jesper spoke up, "I mean, Paedyn, Inej, and I need to know the plan."
"Um, yes, I... I, too, would like to know the plan." Wylan awkwardly crossed his arms over his chest, imitating Inej to seem less anxious.
Kaz leaned over the table. "To get leverage on him, I need to know the scope of his business, inside-out. There are two ways to learn this. First, we follow his driver and track his schedule. Second, his accountant, Henrik Van Poel. If I get access to Pekka's books, it'll tell me everything I need to know. So we need to get into that building-" Inej pulled the curtain aside so they could see which one, "-it's where his accountant works. Although, there's no way of knowing which office. It looks like a typical office building, but it has a number of subtle features."
"So nothing for me to shoot?" Jesper asked.
"You can always shoot a lock if it makes you feel better," Inej suggested.
"You're sassing me, but I recall that got you out of a jam once." Jesper scowled.
"This place values anonymity. The doors aren't numbered. There are no names or placards. There aren't for businesses' clients to visit. This is for people who value discretion. So, Jesper, Wylan, you follow the driver. Inej, I want you to take watch on the roof. Paedyn..." he trailed off as Nina returned with a plate of waffles.
Were it not for the serious conversation the group was having, Paedyn might have laughed at the look of pure exasperation on Kaz's face.
"Paedyn...and Zenik, I'll need you both with me while I copy Henrik's books. Gunfire would only draw attention, but a Tidemaker or archer," The Grisha next to Kaz let herself smile, glad he included her favorite way of fighting, "and a Heartrender-"
"-has many skills," Nina finished. "Yes, like this." She leaned over on the table with her elbows and pointed at the window. "Second floor, second-last door on the left."
"Explain," Kaz said.
"Henrik's office. Second floor, second-last door on the left. Do you mind?" She gestured for Inej to pass her the water.
"How do you know this?" Inej asked, passing the pitcher.
"I asked the waitress."
"How did she know?" Jesper questioned.
"People who work in places like that, they eat in places like this. And sometimes they get their meals delivered, so I said, Um, excuse me, but I have a delivery and I can't read the directions," she placed a card down on the table. "Ta-da."
"Good pick, Inej." Paedyn looked over at her friend, who nodded while Nina smirked.
"Talent like that is how you manipulate the Darkling and steal his Grisha while also working for him," Nina spoke to Paedyn, a prideful grin on her face.
Paedyn glanced at Kaz, who was already looking down at her. She turned back to Nina, a small smile on her face. "Good to know."
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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...
