Dirtyhands

twenty three

Kaz shoves Van Eck into the line of prisoners. "This isn't the end!" He screams as he is forced onto the ship.

Kaz turns back to Wylan, Jesper, Nina, and Inej. Wylan's eyes remain on the door that his father had just passed through. "It's over." He whispers.

Jesper slowly takes his hand and intertwines their fingers. "Yes. It is." He agrees.

They all watch in silence as the boat cuts through the waves. What an odd sight they must be. A tall boy who has guns almost as flashy as his smile, a Grisha girl with a sadness in her eyes, a merchling who had finally learned the ways of the Barrel, a Suli girl who cherishes her knives like one would a close friend and a boy who had carved his name into the history books by taking the worst part of town.

They truly were an odd sight.

"I should catch the next ship for Ravka," Nina says softly.

"And I should return to the Barrel." Kaz rasps.

"Until the next time," Nina says and gives the four people who she has come to consider her friends, even Kaz, a small smile and a nod. "Let me know when you need me to save your asses again."

"Will do. Let me know how the waffles are in Ravka." Jesper replies.

"Not nearly as good as they are here so I will be back." Nina declares before turning and walking down the street.

"Bye. Thanks again, Kaz." Wylan says before turning and walking towards Van Eck's manor. Jesper gives them a nod before following Wylan.

"I should probably return to my ship," Inej says softly.

"Or maybe you could stay here?" Kaz says so quietly that she almost couldn't hear him.

Inej is taken aback.

"I- I could try to be better for you." Kaz offers.

"I guess that I could stay for a little while," Inej says softly.

A grin forms on Kaz's face. It's one of his rare, genuinely happy smiles. 

"Just to help you settle down of course," Inej adds with a sly smile.

"Of course," Kaz repeats. Then he takes a deep breath.

With trembling hands, he pulls off his left glove and shoves it into his pocket. He offers his hand to her.

Inej gives him a gentle look that tells him that it's okay before she takes it. Kaz feels the burning in his palm and fingers but not the normal wave of nausea.

His hand still shakes in hers but he doesn't pull away.

He sighs softly and takes a step forward. The skin on the skin still a very uncomfortable feeling but he needs to show Inej that he is truly willing to change for her.

They walk through the Barrel and towards the Crows Club. A couple of members of the Dregs are out on the streets and look shocked to see Kaz's hands.

"I was nearly sure that they were stained with the blood of his enemies." Someone whispers from behind Kaz. This sparks a small, almost nonexistent smile on Kaz's face.

They stroll into the Club. It's empty. Kaz's brow knits together and he pulls his hand away from Inej. He pulls back on his gloves before starting to slowly look around. There are no signs of life on the first floor.

Kaz makes his way to the stairs and starts to climb them. He tightens his grip on his cane. Something is very wrong. He reaches the second level and starts to walk. He notices drops of blood on the floor. He slows his pace and sticks to the walls. The only thing that he can hear is the wind blowing between the buildings outside.

That's when he reaches a closed-door with blood looking at the bottom. He uses his cane to push it open. He hears a blade be pulled out of a sheath behind him. He finds some comfort in the fact that Inej is covering him.

The door swings open and reveals the room. Five members of the Dregs are inside, all of them with their throats slit. It's a disturbing display. They are set so that it looks like they are sitting around playing cards.

"It's your turn." Is written in blood on the wall. Kaz walks around the room and searches for more clues. He opens up the closet and is almost crushed by the massive form of Rotty, a member of the Dregs.

He falls onto the ground and whimpers in pain.

"Who did this?" Kaz rasps.

"Jägare." Rotty chokes out before he lets out a shaky breath. It's the last breath he would ever take.

Kaz's eyes go dark. Inej knows that look all too well. It's the look that Kaz has on his face when someone is about to die.

"Kaz." She whispers.

"It's my move," Kaz says softly.

"What do you mean?" Inej asks.

Kaz points to the wall. "It's my move. They started this game and now there is no going back."

"Kaz, this isn't a game." Inej states.

"That's where you're wrong my dear. They wanted to gamble with lives. Let's hope that they're willing to pay the price. I'm ready to collect." Kaz growls. 

"What are we going to do?" Inej asks.

"We are going to put up our own little display." Kaz hums as his lips curl into his famous scheme face.

Dirtyhands has come out to play and he wants revenge.