𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 || Jesper Fahey

2 | Threads in the Dark

Lily Geel

Lily Geel awoke to the soft creak of floorboards outside her small room in the Crows’ hideout. It wasn’t the first time her years under Pekka Rollins had woken her before the sun did—her instincts were honed to detect any sign of trouble. She stayed still for a moment, her heart thrumming in her chest, before realizing it was just Inej moving through the halls. 

She let out a shaky breath, sitting up in the rickety bed Kaz had offered her the night before. It wasn’t much, but it was leagues better than the cold floors of Rollins’ dens. Her gaze drifted to the chipped mug on the bedside table, a remnant of Jesper’s insistence she drink hot tea to calm her nerves. She had no idea what the day ahead held, but she doubted it would be calm. 

Lily dressed quickly and made her way downstairs. The Crow Club was eerily quiet in the early morning, the energy of the Barrel’s nights replaced with a stillness that was almost unsettling. She rounded a corner into the common room, where the smell of waffles and coffee greeted her. 

Of course. 

“Morning, sunshine,” Nina said, her grin wide as she handed Lily a plate of waffles. The Heartrender looked as if she’d been up for hours, dressed in her usual vibrant red and already halfway through her own breakfast. 

“Thanks,” Lily said, sitting gingerly on the edge of the couch. 

“Don’t let the quiet fool you,” Nina said, taking another bite of her waffle. “This place wakes up like a storm. Better enjoy the peace while you can.” 

Lily glanced around. “Where is everyone?” 

“Jesper and Wylan are in the workshop,” Nina replied. “Kaz is probably plotting something. Inej’s doing... well, whatever Inej does before the rest of us wake up.” 

“And Matthias?” 

Nina’s grin widened. “Still asleep. Fjerdans need their beauty rest.” 

As if summoned by her teasing, Matthias trudged into the room moments later, his blond hair mussed and his expression as grumpy as ever. He eyed Nina’s waffle plate with disdain before grabbing a cup of coffee. 

“I hope you’re not planning on eating all of those,” he said, nodding toward the stack of waffles on the counter. 

“I’m a Heartrender,” Nina said airily, popping a piece of waffle into her mouth. “I have *needs*.” 

“You have no self-control,” Matthias muttered, sitting down across from her. 

Nina leaned forward, a wicked glint in her eyes. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, Helvar.” 

Lily couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. The two of them were impossible—always at each other’s throats, but with a chemistry that made it hard to look away. 

“Don’t encourage her,” Matthias said, his gaze flicking to Lily. “She already thinks she’s the center of the universe.” 

“I *am* the center of the universe,” Nina declared. “At least when waffles are involved.” 

---

By mid-morning, the rest of the group had trickled in. Jesper and Wylan arrived first, Jesper’s laughter echoing through the room as he recounted something Wylan had said. The demolition expert blushed furiously, muttering something under his breath as Jesper draped an arm over his shoulder. 

“Don’t worry, merchling,” Jesper said, flashing Wylan a dazzling smile. “Your secrets are safe with me.” 

“They’d better be,” Wylan grumbled, though his cheeks stayed pink.