The FlameKeeper - Kaz Brekker

CH.19 - Verdom

(GIF ISN'T MINE, CREDITS TO THE MAKER!)

~~~

It was night when they finally neared Ketterdam. They weren't entering the harbor but they were splitting up on two small boats.

Sabo, Matthias, Nina, and Kuwei would go back to Ketterdam and hide and Specht would wait for a signal to get Kaz, Jesper, Inej, and Wylan.

Sabo was in no way looking forward to being on a small boat with Matthias, however, Matthias was refusing to leave Nina's side.

It was nighttime as Sabo's boat prepared to depart. Jesper and the others were still sleeping as Sabo was about to step into the small boat located next to the Ferolind, but before she could Kaz seized her wrist.

'Did you know?' Kaz asked as he gave her a cold stare.

Sabo frowned as she sized him up. 'Know what?' she asked.

'That it was Jesper who talked?'

'Where did you hear that?' Sabo asked.

'Answer the question, Sabo. Did you know?' he asked as he clenched his jaw.

'Kaz-' Sabo tried.

Kaz let out a cold laugh, 'I thought you said that your loyalty lay with me,' he breathed.

'He didn't do it on purpose-' Sabo attempted.

Kaz let go of her wrist and took a step back from her. 'Stay with Kuwei,' he barked.

Now it was Sabo's turn to seize his wrist.

'Jesper was cornered.' she said. 'That could've happened to any of us.'

'Too bad that it happened to Jesper,' Kaz replied as he looked at her sideways. 'And too bad it was you who kept that information from me.'

Kaz hissed. 'I need to know that I can trust my crew.'

'You really want to talk about trust?' Sabo hissed as she released his wrist. 'Fine, let's talk about trust. Before we left for Fjerda, you and I made a deal; a deal that you would leave me behind and flee with the others-'

'I didn't betray our deal,' Kaz interrupted. 'The deal was ludicrous in the first place-'

'The deal we made would save my life if I got captured,' Sabo hissed before lowering her voice as she looked at the others boarding the tiny ship. 'We made a deal that if something went wrong, you'll gather the others and leave. Yet, you didn't. Next time you will.'

Kaz scoffed. 'Since when did you start deciding what I do?'

Sabo observed him. 'If one of you gets caught with me, I'll be a slave for the drüskelle for the rest of my life and you guys would be tortured when I disobey one of their orders.' Sabo said. 'I'd rather die than for that to happen.'

'You care for them,' Kaz said.

'I care for all of you,' Sabo replied. 'The drüskelle know who I am, and now they know that I have people that I will die for. This is serious, Kaz. If I get captured, you won't follow me. I need to know that I can trust you if something like this happens again. '

Kaz didn't respond.

'A deal is a deal, Kaz.' Sabo's tone was desperate as she spoke. 'I need you to promise me.'

'Don't worry,' Kaz barked as he looked away from her. 'Next time you decide to get yourself captured, you're on your own.'

Kaz gave her one last glance before he stormed away. Sabo sighed contemplating if she should follow him. She decided against it and stepped into the small boat. Not yet knowing that this might be the last time they would see each other.