❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞ | kaz brekker

²⁰ hello again, my very own hell

❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞

hello again, my very own hell

When Kaz's breathing returned to its normal pace and his gloves were back on, Paedyn led him back to their meeting place. She had walked in front of him, making sure no one got too close.

Now, as they stood on opposite sides of the room, Paedyn could still feel his hand on her wrist. Millions of thoughts were running through her head, all going quiet when Kaz spoke up.

"Ohval's not just a fence," he told the group. "She's the Disciple."

"What tipped you off?" Wylan asked.

"Her teacup. When she set it down, she did so without a sound."

"And her heartbeat never fluctuated once," Nina added while she fanned herself. "It held at one beat a second like a clock."

"So, she can control her heart rate and her emotions," Tolya concluded.

"Those are useful skills for a thief," Paedyn agreed.

"This is where you tell us where the blade is," Jesper said.

"Ohval has it. Her signal to the waitress to spill tea on me told me as much."

"It's as if I know you," Jesper whispered.

"After Nina and I ordered the tea," Kaz continued, "I had Inej follow the tea shop employee who was sent to notify Ohval."

"She lives just outside the city," Inej spoke up. "When she stopped at the tea shop, she placed an order at the apothecary that she'll be picking up tonight. I watched her at home a while, no one came or went except her."

"While she's out of the house, Nina will tail her to make sure she stays out of the house. The rest of us will grab the blade."

Zoya scoffed, earning everyone's attention. Kaz gave her an unamused glare. "You don't seriously expect me to break into this woman's house."

"Uh, why do you think we're here?" Jesper asked.

"I'm a soldier, not a thief."

"If we don't get the blade, you won't be a soldier for much longer," Paedyn added.

Zoya turned to the Tidemaker, who simply raised an eyebrow at her. The Squaller sighed. "I'll go with Nina."

Said girl turned to Kaz with a look. "Are you sure you don't need me? I mean, Zoya can tail Ohval."

"Nina and Zoya will wait for Ohval at the apothecary. Follow her. If she starts heading home, buy us some time. Distract her."

─ ☆ ─

Tolya crouched down on the dirt in front of the entrance of the house, quickly sketching the layout of the building. "This house is traditional. It has a specific layout. We enter through the front courtyard, antechamber, middle courtyard, main chamber."