Flock and Court- SoC

Three years following the events of Crooked Kingdom, Kuwei Yul-Bo is found dead under unexpected circumstances.

Kaz Brekker have been having dreams.

Jesper Fahey and Wylan Hendriks have called it quits.

Inej Ghafa has finally returned to Ketterdam after her longest stint away at sea.

Forced to band together once disaster strikes, the Crows must wage a war against a hostile enemy in a city turned nightmarish: battling threats they've only ever dreamt of.

A threat with whom Nina Zenik might have more in common than expected...

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"We used to be teammates. You, me, Wylan, Jesper, Nina, Matthias," Inej's voice broke slightly on the last name, but she persevered, "Do you remember the state I found you in last night, Kaz? Because I do."

"It won't happen again," he said unfeelingly.

"So that's it then," her lips twisted, and Kaz received the queer impression that he'd disappointed her exactly like this in the past. "That's all Wylan and I are to you. A domesticated demo expert and a retired spider. Liabilities. Investments turned sour."

This again.

"And what exactly should you be to me, Wraith?" he seethed down at her, suddenly angered. Why did he find himself staring at her mouth?

He'd expected her to say friends, or to at least settle on allies, but her real response was a fist to the gut.

"Was Jordie just an investment to you too, Kaz?"

Kaz went still.

Inej's eyes widened slowly in realization. "Kaz, I-" she started.

"No," Kaz murmured, "My brother was not an investment."

"I didn't mean-"

"-And I lost him," he snapped his gaze to her with sudden force, "But you know what I don't lose, Wraith? I don't lose on my investments. I always invest wisely. I always read the market. And I always turn a profit. I intend to do just that."