Our Fractured Souls | Kaz Brekker

[13]

13

Viktorya

Over the next day, Viktorya saw Kaz begin to move the pieces of his scheme into position. She'd been privy to his consultations with every member of the crew, but she knew she was only seeing fragments of his plan.

That was the game Kaz always played.

There were only two other people that might have rivalled her knowledge of Kaz Brekker's plan. The Ghafa twins.

If he had any doubts about what they were attempting, they didn't show, and Viktorya wished she shared maybe even just a fraction of his certainty.

The Ice Court had been built to withstand an onslaught of armies, assassins, Grisha, and spies. When she'd said as much to Kaz, he'd simply replied, "But it hasn't been built to keep us out."

He'd been rather distant since the night Helvar tried his luck in pinning him down and Vik had stepped in. Their conversation following, Vik had let one too many of her walls down, allowing some words she possibly regretted slip.

If Kaz had understood their underlying meaning, she had no idea. But his consistent radio silence in regards to her, she knew wasn't solely thanks to his constant planning.

Regardless, his confidence unnerved her. Viktorya could see her posture stiffen.

"What makes you so sure we can do this? There will be other teams out there, trained soldiers, spies, people with years of experience."

"This isn't a job for soldiers and spies, it's a job for thugs and thieves." Kaz fired right back. "Van Eck knows it, and that's why he brought us in."

"You can't spend his money if you're dead." Viktorya chided.

"I'll acquire expensive habits in the afterlife."

Anger coursed through her veins at the mere notion of the boy accepting death.

"There's a difference between confidence and arrogance, Kaz." She hissed, fists clenching.

He'd turned his back on her then, giving each of his gloves a sharp tug. She'd done it now.

"And when I want a sermon on that, I know who to come to. If you want out, Viktorya, just say so."

Her spine straightened. Her own pride came to her defence. "Matthias isn't the only irreplaceable member of this crew, Kaz. You need me." I need you. Was the truth of those words. Don't shut me out.

"You need me for this mission." She punctuated again. Kaz remained quiet.

"I need your skills, Viktorya. That's not the same thing. You may be one of the best assassins crawling around the Barrel. But you're not the only one. You'd do well to remember it if you want your share of the haul." He kept his back toward her. "And, I hear a certain woman could use some more aid, between her dwindling funds, she could use another valuable addition to her collection of pets."

Rage formed on Viktorya's face, her fists clenched. "Is that a threat to sell me off to the Menagerie, Kas Brekker? After all your work breaking my chains to the Sweet Shop, you'd plant me right back in Pekka's claws?" The lustre drained from her face in a second, her heart dropping.

"Are you saying I'm replaceable?" She couldn't stave off the crack in her voice. Kaz didn't say a word until.

"Good to know you understood."