The Shadows in the Dark

Kaz

Kaz listened to Anika give in the daily reports with his bad leg prompted on his ivory foot rest. Per Haskell's former office, now his, was draped in mostly black and silvers with a hit of Ivory. He honestly could care less about the look of the room, but Wylan had insisted that after everything they have been through, they deserved at least a little bit of luxury.

After Anika's report, he stood up, situated his gloves, and left to to an old back room with a cot in the corner. He looked out the window into the cluttered streets of Ketterdam and climbed out the window. He started on the roofs, taking his time following the path he memorized so well and it took him about thirty minutes to get to the top of the cathedral. He looked out over Ketterdam and his gaze stopped on the docks.

He remembered clearly his last encounter with Inej and although it felt lonely, he new it was the best thing to let her go. He could never be the man she wanted, needed. Kaz was all about greed, but he just couldn't be greedy when it came to her. He wanted her to be happy, free, and he knew that wasn't a possiblity next to him.

He wondered what she was doing. Maybe she was fighting off a slaver ship or maybe she was recruiting her crew. He knew she could handle herself just fine, but he still worried about her.

Worried. A word that he never dare thought would cross his mind, not after Jordie's body was left to bloat in the sea. The word popped up in his head many times now, more than he liked to admit, but only when it came to his former crew.

He was worried about Jesper and how he never could walk away from a wager. His Grisha abilities slowing forming, but only thanks to Wylan. He was concerned on how he was doing with the merchant work, but he was even more concerned on the nights he would find him at the gambling den. He hasn't come to then den in a while, but when he did, he would send Dalice, his new rough houser to send him out before he went bankrupt. Although Jesper was facing his own hardships, he still has Wylan, a person he could count on. Unlike Nina.

After Mattias' death, Nina went back to Ferdja to lay his body to rest and even though Kaz didn't believe in Gods, he hoped Mattias was at peace.

After what happened to the Hunter and the Witch, he was more cautious with his relationship with Inej. Kaz new that if their relationship had gone any farther, his weakness would turn into a liability. He would care for her, but only from afar.

On he was back to the Barrel, he took the street route to ease his acking leg. People starting to head home from jobs, shutting off their buisness' lights add being replaced by the red light district. After the Menagerie shut down, Kaz made sure to only let willing employees work in such places. Inej had given up so much to survive. Her body, her soul, her beliefs. After all he had made her go through, it was the least he could do.

Once he got back to Barrel he walked past the gamblers and patrons. Ignoring the familar shouts of "Dirtyhands!" or "Boss!", he made his way back to his office. He sat down again with a sigh.

Who had he become? A love sick boy? Was he no better than the barrel bosses he had already taken down? He found himself sitting most days now, almost waiting for someone to take him off his fancy throne. Kaz didn't know what to do now. He had done all he said he was going to do and more, but now what?

As Kaz was comtemplating his exsistance, he noticed a letter in his pile of mail that wasn't there before. He picked it up, examining the seals of the envelope, making sure no one tampered it. Once he was sure no one had messed with it, he carefully opened it up.

Dear Mr. Brekker,

I have come to know about your many feats and would like to work together once again. There will be money on the line and your lives of course, but what fun would it be if it were any different? I will be sending an aquantice of ours.

~ C.O.T

Another day, another job, another swindle. He knew he could never be the man Inej deserved. He could never be a man honorable enough for her. He would all be this cruel man. He would always be Kaz Brekker, Dirty Hands.
Another day, another job, another swindle. Kaz had been living like this on repeat ever since Inej left.