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in-my-feels-probably · 1 year

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We’re Burned For Better - Prologue

Aemond Targaryen x Aelora Velaryon

Prologue

A/N - Please read the prologue, it is necessary in understanding elements of the rest of the story.

If you had read my Aemond imagine called Doomsday, you will recognize similarities in this fic, especially in the prologue. I promise, however, that besides this chapter, it will be much more expanded on and different from Doomsday. Major plot points will be changed, previously written scenes will be changed. So if you read something you recognize, don’t skip it, and also try not to connect it to Doomsday. However, I will be reusing some elements that I think work really well.

Also, for anyone wondering, I most likely will make a part two to Doomsday, which will be up at some point on Tumblr and Ao3, all the same username. I will also continue to answer requests. My @ is in_my_feels_probably on Wattpad and Ao3, and in-my-feels probably on Tumblr.

Please, do not read my fic if you think any of the following will trigger you. I will include as many tags and trigger warnings as I can in the beginning, but this is your pre warning that this fic will deal with the following: mentions and allusions to sex, potential smut, swearing, depression and suicide, character death, miscarriage, trauma, toxic relationships, Targaryen incest, violence, and gore.

At the beginning of hard chapters, I’ll include any warnings I can at the top in an author’s note. Please, let me know if I missed any triggers. If you’d rather read something shorter and a little more lighthearted, but with familiar plotlines, read Doomsday.

If I have nothing too important to say, the author's notes will be at the bottom of the chapters.

I am asking that you don’t translate or upload my fic anywhere else without my permission, but if you mention it anywhere, let me know on Wattpad or Tumblr, I’d love to see.

With that said, that’s all I have left important to explain beforehand. I will try and update as regularly as I can. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to comment or message me and let me know. I really hope you enjoy it!

Now presenting…the Prologue for We’re Burned For Better

—

Anya Taylor Joy as AELORA VELARYON, biological daughter of RHAENYRA TARGARYEN and SER HARWIN STRONG.

Adoptive daughter of SER LAENOR VELARYON, accepted as his own by DAEMON TARGARYEN.

Twin sister to JACAERYS VELARYON, kin to the BLACKS.

Lover to AEMOND TARGARYEN.

—

- The Great War -

My knuckles were bruised like violets

Sucker punching walls, cursed you as I sleep-talked

Spineless in my tomb of silence

Tore your banners down, took the battle underground

And maybe it was ego swinging

Maybe it was her

Flashes of the battle come back to me in a blur

All that bloodshed, crimson clover

Sweet dream was over

My hand was the one you reached for

All throughout the Great War

Always remember

Tears on the letter

I vowed not to cry anymore

If we survived the Great War

You drew up some good faith treaties

I drew curtains closed, drank my poison all alone

You said I have to trust more freely

But diesel is desire, you were playing with fire

And maybe it's the past that's talking

Screaming from the crypt

Telling me to punish you for things you never did

So I justified it

All that bloodshed, crimson clover

The bombs were close and

My hand was the one you reached for

All throughout the Great War

Always remember

The burning embers

I vowed not to fight anymore

If we survived the Great War

It turned into something bigger

Somewhere in the haze, got a sense I'd been betrayed

Your finger on my hair pin triggers

Soldier down on that icy ground

Looked up at me with honor and truth

Broken and blue, so I called off the troops

That was the night I nearly lost you

I really thought I lost you

We can plant a memory garden

Say a solemn prayer, place a poppy in my hair

There's no morning glory, it was war, it wasn't fair

And we will never go back

To that bloodshed, crimson clover

The worst was over

My hand was the one you reached for

All throughout the Great War

Always remember

We're burned for better

I vowed I would always be yours

'Cause we survived the Great War

I would always be yours

'Cause we survived the Great War

I vowed I would always be yours

—

Aelora Velaryon’s relationship with her family was most certainly an interesting one.

Being the sole daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, she had many eyes on her. Especially because she was the only one of Rhaenyra’s eldest children that resembled her Mother’s looks. Rhaenyra did eventually have children with Daemon that got the Targaryen features, but for a time, Aelora was the only one.

Which was particularly odd, considering she was twins with Jacaerys, who looked nothing like her. Aelora did, however, have her Father’s eyes. She liked to think it was the one special thing that connected her to her true Father, Ser Harwin Strong, now that he was gone.

Many speculated that Aelora was a child from another, that Rhaneyra took in as her own. Others suspected that she was the only true child she had with Laenor Velaryon. There were even whispers of her being a reincarnation of past rulers, including Queen Rhaenys.

Aelora’s parents never addressed the silly claims, only ever raising her as a Targaryen and a Velaryon. She was told to hold her head up high, just as her Mother did.

Growing up in King’s Landing, there wasn’t much Aelora particularly enjoyed doing. The city wasn’t to her taste. Her brothers and her uncles regularly trained, which she occasionally looked in on to fill the time, but she hardly ever joined herself.

Being Rhaenyra’s daughter, and the supposed daughter of Laenor, there was a certain expectation that she train alongside her brothers as well.

However, her family had lots to say about it, especially Aegon. To avoid the harassment, Ser Harwin offered to train her one on one. Ser Criston, biased towards her uncles, made training a very unpleasant experience, and Ser Harwin took it upon himself to make sure she received the same training as her brothers did. Aelora suspected her Mother had something to do with it, but Ser Harwin never made it seem like he was acting on her request. He was always kind to Aelora, which was one of the few perks to living in the capital.

Occasionally, Aemond would join in on training with Aelora. Her relationship growing up with Aemond was interesting, to say the least. One of the other few perks of living in the city. As children, they bonded over the fact that neither of them had dragons, despite both being given dragon eggs when they were born. They never hatched, which Aegon enjoyed taunting them both to no end about.

Aelora’s brothers weren’t as cruel, but they joked with her as well, as young boys tend to do. Jacaerys, her twin brother, often tried to console her about it. Sometimes, he’d let her fly with him on his dragon, Vermax, who seemed to sense how close she was with his rider.

As nice as Jace would try to be, he also lived to tease her, as any brother would.

“You’ll have a dragon one day,” he told her. “Besides, it’s only fair, Aelora. You got the silver hair. You're the spitting image of Mother.”

She scoffed, playfully rolling her eyes at him. “I’ll trade you for a dragon.”

“Then who would keep Aemond company while the rest of us are out flying?”

Jaecerys was extremely protective of his sister. Despite her technically being the older one of the two, born minutes before him, he always treated her like a little sister. Sometimes, she had to remind him that that wasn’t the case.

Jace could see the way Aemond looked at Aelora, and he was irritated, to put it mildly. He was as hard headed and stubborn as a dragon, and decided that humiliating Aemond in front of Aelora would persuade her to change her mind.

Aelora remembered the day her brothers and uncle decided it would be funny to tell Aemond they had found him a dragon, and instead brought a pig with parchment wings glued to its back out of the dragon pit. His Mother told him to forget his incessant obsession over having a dragon, but he just couldn’t let it go.

Aelora found him that evening, stalking around in the courtyard, pouting. When he heard her approach, he sniffled and quickly wiped under his eyes, but he knew she had caught him crying. She told him there was no shame in it, and that he did not have to hide that part of himself to her.

She had sat down, patting the spot on the ground next to her. He relented, taking his place beside her. They sat in comfortable silence, something they often did together. Aemond was never a man of many words, but he was especially quiet in times like this.

“We will have dragons one day, Aemond. I know it. It does no good to dwell on it now. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing your tears. Tell me you know that.”

He turned to her, offering a small smile. “I know.”

He didn’t really believe it himself, but somehow, he knew she was right. Aelora was never able to lie to him, and so he knew she was only ever speaking the truth. And if she believed, he believed it too. Her faith was good enough for him.

Aemond was always good at comforting Aelora, too.

When she heard news of Ser Harwins death, she was nearly inconsolable. While she understood the rumors involving her family, and she knew in her heart that there was great potential for the man to be her Father, she publicly grieved anyway.

Aemond threatened to take the tongue of any man who teased her about it.

—

As Aelora got older, she saw less and less of Aemond. The night Lucerys took Aemond’s eye, defending his brother and Daemon’s daughters, she didn’t exactly take his side. If there was one thing she was, it was loyal to her family. As much as she loved Aemond, she wouldn’t take his side if she knew in her heart that he was wrong. She had told him how she thought him claiming Vhagar was unfair, and that it wasn’t his right to do so. Still, that made it no easier to see him hurt, and permanently scarred. She knew it would leave him vulnerable to torment.

That night, Alicent attacked Aelora’s own Mother.

An eye for an eye.

Aelora wasn’t having it. Just as fierce and brave as her mother, she stood in front of Luke and Jace, trying her best to protect them. Rhaenyra took a knife for it, and it was the final blow that wedged its way into the middle of the family, dividing the two sides.

The Greens and the Blacks.

Alicent wouldn’t allow her sons to be around Aelora’s brothers for longer than absolutely necessary. By association, this included Aelora too. In her later years, she came to understand why Alicent did all that she did. She just wanted her family safe, and she did what she could with the cards she was dealt. But that didn’t mean that Aelora was happy about it, and she spent what little time she had left in the city trying to make amends with Aemond.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t that upset. The night he was hurt, she had snuck to see him. Aelora profusely apologized, swearing that she never meant for any of this to happen. He had stopped her, sounding much wiser than his age.

“I understand, Aelora. They’re your family. I would never ask you to give up your loyalty for me.”

If only he knew just how much she cared about him, and how she often worried that one day, she would be asked to give it up for him. She could never stomach the idea of truly letting him go.

At the time, she didn’t know what to say. He was being suspiciously kind, especially after all Aelora said to his mother in her brother's defense.

“It is a trade that I can bear, Aelora. An eye seems a small price for the largest dragon in the world. You were right in the end.”

“I really am sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I’m grateful you understand,” she muttered, gently taking his hand in hers. She slightly grinned. “And of course I was right, I always am. I’m happy for you. Truly. Maybe a bit jealous, but truly.”

—

The Black’s returned to Dragonstone, wanting to avoid future conflicts.

Within a fortnight, once Aelora had settled back home, Daemon heard rumors of a rogue dragon, hidden away off the coast of Dragonstone. Her description matched that of Meraxes, a dragon thought to be dead. The last to claim her was Queen Rhaenys, sister and wife of Aegon the Conqueror.

Meraxes was said to be even bigger than Vhagar, only second to Balerion, who had died years before. If it was true, and Meraxes really was alive, the Blacks had a chance to claim the biggest dragon in the world.

With all of her brothers having already claimed a dragon, and her still without one, Daemon decided she would be Aelora’s to claim, if she chose her.

Aelora was shocked when he told her, but she went with him willingly to the cave Meraxes supposedly dwelled in. She rode on the back of Caraxes, fighting the pit in her stomach as her feet left the ground. She had been on dragonback before, but to know the next time she’d mount a dragon that may be her own, it had her frazzled.

“I believe it’s time you had a dragon of your own, don’t you?”

“What if she doesn’t choose me? What if she isn’t even real?”

He shook his head, grinning at her. “She’s real. And she’ll be yours. I can feel it.”

When Aelora made it to the cave, Daemon walked with her as far as he could go. He stopped at the entrance, handing her a torch.

“It’s up to you now. Do me a favor, come out of there unharmed. I couldn’t handle your Mother’s wrath if I went and got her only daughter killed.”

“I’ll be alright. You don’t sound too worried, Kepa.”

Father.

He smiled, a genuine smile. “Go on.”

Once in the cave, it took Aelora a few minutes to get her bearings. She grew a little anxious, but swallowed her nerves, continuing on. She was going to do this for her family. She was going to do this for herself. Aelora let out a low hum, signaling anything inside of her presence. She walked for a little while longer, before she heard a low rumble, humming back to her.

Aelora turned the corner, and sure enough, there she was. Glowing gold eyes and silver scales. She was beautiful.

She sniffed the air, opening her mouth, a shrill roar coming from her throat. Heat filled the room as she widened her jaws, and Aelora could see the ball of fire at the back of her throat.

She held her hand out, calling out to her. “Kesan gaomagon ao daor ōdrikagon.”

I will do you no harm.

“Nyke iderēbagon ao, Merakses. Gaomagon ao iderēbagon nyke?”

I choose you, Meraxes. Do you choose me?

Meraxes hummed, inching closer to Aelora. She held her breath as her snout came inches from her face, her teeth bared. She looked up into her eyes as she narrowed hers at her, staying still.

Aelora took a breath, closing her eyes. She held a hand out straight in front of her.

“Iksi mēre isse keskydoso. Lentor.”

We are one in the same. Family.

Aelora opened her eyes as she felt her nudge her snout into her palm, her breath hot on her hand. she smiled, excitement bubbling in her chest.

“Good girl, Meraxes.”

“Ivestragī īlva jikagon ūndegon ñuha kepa, Meraxes. Rȳbagon naejot nyke.”

Let us go see my Father, Meraxes. Listen to me.

She climbed up her back, settling with her legs wrapped at the base of her neck. Aelora leaned forward, gripping the spikes along her spine.

“We’ll have to fit you for a saddle and reigns, my girl. Obey, now. Jikagon.”

Go.

She stood, racing for the entrance of the cave. Aelora grinned wide as she felt the wind through her hair, laughing as she breached the entrance. Meraxes soared into the sky, looping around the tops of the trees.

Aelora saw Daemon on the ground, cheering.

“Get Caraxes, Daemon! I’ll fly the rest of the way on my own,” she shouted down.

Aelora soared off towards Dragonstone, knowing Daemon wasn’t far behind. She couldn’t hide her smile as she flew up through the clouds, holding tight to Meraxes. When she finally reached Dragonstone, she landed atop the hill. She climbed down, walking around to face Meraxes.

“Jikagon, ñuha riña. Sōvegon. Ao gīmigon skori naejot māzigon arlī naejot nyke.”

Go, my girl. Fly. You know when to come back to me.

Aelora ran a hand along her cheek before stepping back, and Meraxes took off into the clouds. She waited for Daemon to return at the edge of the castle, and grinned as she saw him and Caraxes break through the clouds. He quickly dismounted, letting Caraxes go, before rushing over to her.

“My girl,” he said, pulling Aelora into a hug. “I knew she’d choose you.”

She smiled, hugging him back. “She’s incredible. I can’t believe it. Thank you for taking me.”

“No child of mine will be without a dragon. Come, let's show your Mother I brought you back in one piece.”

—

In the following years, Aelora spent most of her time with her family on Dragonstone.

After the disaster that was Alicent slicing Rhaenyra’s arm, Rhaenyra decided it was best they go back to Dragonstone. With Meraxes, Aelora would fly and visit King’s Landing, at least when her Mother gave her permission. But other than that, she didn’t see the city much.

Sometimes, Aemond would write letters to her. It warmed her heart to know he still thought of her. He had matured immensely since she left. Aelora heard tales of him, of the mysterious young Prince, rider of Vhagar, distinguished swordsman. It amused her to think of him in that light, when she could still remember beating him in duels as children and watching him complain to Ser Criston.

After the birth of Viserys, Rhaenyra’s youngest, she sent Aelora to King’s Landing to stay for a while. Rhaenyra understood how much Aelora missed her life there, despite never liking the city. She also understood that the family was walking on fragile grounds, the glass bound to shatter if something wasn’t done to ease the tension. Aelora seemed like the best option to send, and she at least would have some company in the city.

Aemond was there, Aelora’s best friend in the whole seven kingdoms. And Helaena, who Aelora spent most of her time with. She got along with Alicent, who immediately took her in and treated her like a daughter. Even Aegon, in his later years, also took a liking to Aelora, having a genuine respect for her. Reluctantly, she indulged him, hoping it would change him for the better.

While Aelora always had someone in her company in King’s Landing, she dearly missed her home. She had been in King’s Landing for months now, and missed the castle back home, as well as the sea, and her brothers. She missed her flights with Daemon, connecting with her Father in one of the easiest ways she knew how.

But most of all, Aelora missed her Mother, the one person in the world she could not bear to be without.

When Aelora received news of her Mother being with child again, she couldn’t bear to be away from her any longer.

Every few weeks, Aelora would fly to Dragonstone on Meraxes, spending a week at a time at home. Her family cherished this time with her. When the ache in her heart from missing her family would subside, she’d know it was time to return to King’s Landing again.

When Aelora’s grandsire, King Viserys, was said to be very ill, her Mother decided it was finally time to return to King's Landing.

It was good timing, since Rhaenyra would have the opportunity to introduce her youngest children to her Father, as well as inform him of the marriage pact between Aelora’s brothers and Daemon’s daughters. It was also an opportunity to challenge Vaemond for Driftmark, which Aelora’s Mother believed to be rightfully Lucerys’s. Rhaenys had a soft spot for Aelora, and a respect for Rhaenyra, and her family knew she would eventually back them all and vouch for them to the King.

When Aelora heard her family’s arrival was imminent, she began counting the days until she was back in their arms again.

—

A/N - I hope you enjoyed the prologue, let me know what you think!

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

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INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Prologue - Before

If you would like to read this on Wattpad, it’s on there as well, my @ is in_my_feels_probably and there’s a few visuals and better descriptions and stuff on there. otherwise, enjoy, let me know what you think, and you can check out my masterlist for updates and more.

INEFFABLE -- Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.)

too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Prologue - Before

Elham Creed had never known what it was like to be part of a family. From a Ravkan orphanage, to the Little Palace, finally landing in Ketterdam, the Barrel, she had never felt the sense of safety and security she had longed for as far back as she could remember. She wouldn’t find it in Ketterdam.

At 13 years old, with nothing but a collapsable sword belted around her waist and the clothes on her back, she had spent the first few days in the Barrel stalking around, stealing scraps of food where she could, trying to get her bearings. The frigid air sweeping over the harbour into the edge of town at night where she slept was enough to make Elham almost miss her room at the Little Palace.

Almost.

She wouldn’t go back, not after her mentor, Baghra’s, warnings. All she could do was push forward and move on. She spent nights alone ducked away into abandoned shacks, using her powers to spark warmth and light, practicing control. Being an inferni had its perks, but Elham was special. She didn’t need a starter, or a piece of flint to create a spark she could turn into a flame. She could create the flame all on her own. She kept this and her powers a secret, however. If the Darkling had taken interest in her abilities, there’s no doubt one of the Barrel bosses would bait her into doing their bidding.

And Elham Creed would do no one's bidding. She would be no one’s puppet.

---

Elham remembered the first time she killed a man. Coincidentally, it was also the first time she met Kaz Brekker. She was now 14, making her way towards the harbour, working on one of the odd jobs she could scam her way into. She headed past the White Rose on the way, one of the most frequented brothels in Ketterdam.

She headed down the alley behind the sorry excuse for an establishment, when she heard a scream. She rounded the corner, to find a man with his hand wrapped tightly around one of the employed girls' wrists, the other hand making its way up her hip, pinning her against the wall.

It’s a shame. Maybe if he had heard her coming, he could have avoided the sword held up to his neck. He could have avoided his death.

Most men in the Barrel, as Elham had come to realize, were not good men. While the “pigeons,” as she had come to know the tourists as, would have tucked tail and ran, this man did not. He only scoffed.

“A sword?” The man had slurred at her, clearly drunk. “You do realize I could have you shot and dead in a second, and get back to this lovely girl you so rudely interrupted me from. Although, you’re a pretty thing. Exotic. Maybe I’ll have you instead,” he had said, reaching for the pistol strapped to his hip.

Big mistake.

With her eyes glossing over, and a rage building inside her, she quickly removed the sword from his throat, and ran it through his back. He sputtered, and fell to his knees, choking on his own blood, or maybe his last words, Elham didn’t take the time to figure out which. She walked around to face his front as he gazed up at her, clutching his stomach with wide eyes. She breathed heavily, eyes wild.

“Good riddance.”

She lifted her foot and sent him sprawling back against the street, blood pooling around him. She glanced back at the girl who was still frozen against the wall, and her eyes softened.

“Thank you,” she whispered, before hurrying back into the White Rose. Elham only nodded, taking a breath, before turning to head towards the harbour.

That’s when she saw him.

A boy, no older than 14, dressed in black, gloves fitted to his hands. He seemed to be analyzing her, gears turning in his head. Kaz hadn’t mastered his pokerface yet, and Elham was good at reading people. She was unsure why she didn’t feel threatened by his presence, especially since he had just witnessed her kill someone, and she had no idea what his intentions were.

“You just killed a Dime Lion.”

Elham had heard of the gang before, and their leader, Pekka Rollins. She knew she was going to regret interfering with gang business, but her head was beginning to cloud, tears forming in her eyes. But she had saved that girl, she had saved herself, it was a split second decision. Unable to form words, she met the boy's stare.

She only slowly nodded in response.

After pondering for a moment, he had offered to take her to his boss, claiming that she’d be a valuable asset to the team. He’d never admit to her that it really was because he couldn’t bear to see the Barrel swallow up and harden another innocent kid, and maybe it was the way her eyes had glazed over, or how tattered her clothes were, or simply because she didn’t look at him like he was some sort of monster, but he took her in.

It was true, Haskell had been needing a new asset to the team, someone young and quick who could take care of themselves. Bringing a girl back to the Dregs was a risk, and Kaz was in no position to make himself look weak around the gang, but he just couldn’t leave her there in the street. That part of the Rietveld in him hadn’t died yet.

To this day, Elham isn’t sure what made her accept his offer to come with him. After almost a year in Ketterdam, she trusted no one, got close to no one. She had no business getting involved with a gang, she could have walked away, continuing to the harbour for the job assigned to her. There was something about him, though. And going with him was arguably the best decision she has made, she had decided.

---

Elham had been part of the Dregs for a few months, slowly gaining a reputation for herself. Kaz had taken a liking to her, almost admiring how fast she had taken to a life of crime, to the rigidity of the Barrel. He found a secret comfort in her presence, and in the fact that her story was similar to his. She hadn’t revealed much about her past to him, just enough to keep him intrigued.

And he was, despite his brain demanding he think otherwise, intrigued. She was ambitious, and cunning. Most interestingly, however, she was ruthless.

She had killed many men since the day she met Kaz. Barrel men were not good men. Elham made it a point to seek out the men who only caused pain. Men like the first man she had killed, men like Pekka Rollins and his Dime Lions. Men like them didn’t get to cause all the pain and suffering they did, and live.

Kaz had dubbed her, “The Valkyrie,” once, while on a job. The other Dregs took a liking to it, and it stuck. She asked him many times what it meant, why he would call her that, but he only smirked to himself, amused by her new found reputation, much to her annoyance.

He finally explained it to her, the night he broke his leg. They had been paired on the job together, and it had gone disastrously. They were sprinting along a rooftop, when Kaz made a bad landing, completely breaking the bone in his leg.

It was the first time she touched him.

When she first joined the Dregs, she had quickly picked up on the fact that he didn’t want to be touched. She could sense his unease when they had to be close together on jobs in tight spaces, or when one of the drunken Dregs would pat him on the back for a job well done, or during a brawl with a rival gang. She always kept her distance, respecting his space.

But this time, she had no choice. Kaz was crying out in pain, and Elham knew she had to get him back to the Slat to get his leg reset, and out of harm's way. She clicked the button on her belt and grabbed for the hilt of her sword, and with a flick of her wrist, it unfolded into place to its full length. Kaz had pulled himself to a kneeling position, desperately trying to hide his vulnerability, eyes frantically looking for an escape. She offered the hilt of her sword to him.

“Kaz, you have to let me help you. I’m sorry, but you have to let me. Hold onto the hilt, and on three, I’m going to tug under your arm to get you standing. We’ve got to get you back to the Slat before you pass out from the pain or we get ourselves killed out here.” He only gave her a pained look, before nodding, and they slowly made their way back to the Slat, with him putting as much weight on the hilt as he could, Elham trying her best to make sure he couldn’t feel her fingers through his jacket as she dragged him along.

Hours later, while he lay unconscious on the cot in his room, Elham had anxiously waited in the chair in the corner of the room. She hadn’t realized how much she had grown to care for Kaz, for him and her life with the Dregs. She knew she would have killed for him that night if it came to it, no doubt about it in her mind. Kaz only awoke for a few minutes that night, and had mumbled a few words to her.

“Do you know what Valkyrie means? It means ‘chooser of the slain.’ It seems like you choose who lives and dies around the Barrel. Killing men, making sure I don’t die. It’s fitting, isn’t it?” He had joked to her, the faintest of grins tugging at his lips. Elham had sucked in a breath, and offered a small smile at him, standing to leave as he drifted off, knowing he was going to be alright. Broken, as she knew he would think of himself, but alright.

---

It had been a few years in the Dregs, as the Crows slowly formed. First Jesper, then Inej. The Dregs had become a force to be reckoned with in Ketterdam. Despite their ages and newness to the life of a gang, The Sharpshooter, the Wraith, the Valkyrie, and Dirtyhands were well known identities around the Barrel.

They had hardened over the years, Kaz more so than any of them, the Barrel being a quick teacher in offering harsh life lessons.

Elham remembered the first time one of them uttered the words, “no mourners, no funerals.” Inej had been interested in what Elham’s name meant, Elham meaning inspiration, Creed meaning belief or law. A particular favorite member of the Dregs, and a friend of Rotty’s, had been killed on a job. Elham took this particularly hard, he was one of the men that had made her transition into the gang easier.

They sat silently in her room together, when Jesper spoke softly. “You know, I’ve been thinking about your name. Creed. Maybe, ‘no mourners, no funerals’ could be our creed.” Elham had let a tear roll down her cheek at that, and she nodded at Jesper, letting him grab her hand, while Inej, perched on the window ledge, laid her hand on Elhams shoulder. Kaz had lifted his eyes from the floor when Jesper spoke, his eyes landing on the girl. He slowly slid his cane towards her, softly tapping the end at the base of her ankle, before returning to his original position.

It was one of Elham’s favorite memories of them. Of him.

The Crows were chaotic and an odd group, but they were Elham’s family, as close as she would ever get to one. Saint’s forbid she ever told them that, it would go straight to Jesper’s head. But they were enough for her. Her Crows were enough. And they were about to raise a little bit of hell.

---

A/N - hi everyone, omg im so excited about this book, i hope you liked the prologue, im working on the first few chapters and will have them up soon. let me know what you think so far, and thank you for the support!

#kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #six of crows #shadow and bone #wattpad #prologue #original character #ineffable #in_my_feels_probably

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Four

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Four

Elham had wiped most of the blood from her face, patching up what she could. She could feel the bruises already forming, one across her left eyebrow, which had a nasty gash through it, and one across her right cheekbone, as well as a cut and bruised lip, courtesy of Pekka Rollins. She was following Kaz down the stairs and across the club floor, headed to Jesper, who was seated at the bar.

Kaz was absolutely fuming. His pace was quick, even with his cane broken, and Elham, whose eye was beginning to swell a bit, struggled to keep up. They approached Jesper at the bar, who turned to look at the pair, eyes widening when he noticed Kaz's disheveled appearance.

"You alright, boss?" Kaz slung back Jesper's shot, earning a look of exasperation. He turned to complain to Elham, only to suck in a breath at Elham's appearance.

"Saints, love, are you alright?" Jesper gently held her chin in his hand, lightly turning her face towards the light to check her injuries. She pulled her face from his grasp, offering him a small smile instead, patting his arm.

"I've certainly been better, Jesper. Thank you, though."

"We've been warned off the job."

Jesper hesitated before questioning. "By who?"

Kaz turned to Jesper, a grimace on his face. "Who do you think?"

"Did he remember you?"

Kaz pulled his watch from his pocket, checking the time. "If he had, I'd be dead."

Elham flinched at that, and Kaz continued. "Sunrise is in five hours."

Jesper tugged Elham along and followed Kaz, who had headed for the floor. "Yeah, but we're off the job now, right?"

Kaz glanced at Elham, who just shook her head. "Never make decisions out of fear, Jesper. Only out of spite."

"Well, greed always worked well for me."

Kaz looked unimpressed. "Go guard the door."

Jesper sighed, and Elham gave his hand a quick squeeze, before letting him go. Once he left, Elham was left next to Kaz, who was running his gloved hand through his hair, scanning the room. He suddenly stopped scanning, before motioning to a guard at the door. "I have to handle this, go keep Jesper company."

Elham chuckled, turning to walk towards the door. "Babysitting. It's what I do best."

---

Jesper was messing around, slinging his guns around his fingers, doing everything he possibly could to annoy Elham.

"You're such an idiot."

He turned to face her smirking. "Yeah, but--"

"Jesper." Inej had appeared in front of them, making Jesper jump out of his skin, clutching his chest. Elham laughed at that.

"How do you do that?"

Inej didn't look amused. "...I need your help."

"Of course, love. Doing what?"

Inej stepped closer, a pained look on her face. Elham had stood up now, walking towards her. "I need you to kill a man for me."

Jesper laughed, scoffing. "Ugh, why me? You've got as many knives as I've got teeth."

Inej only frowned, murmuring quietly. "You know why."

"Yeah. But how is getting me to do it any different from you doing it? Besides, we've got the Valkyrie right here, I'm sure she'd be happy to."

"Inej, he's right, you don't have to do this, I can do it. Just tell me who he is, love, I'll handle it."

Before Inej could even let out a sigh of relief, Kaz called from down the alley, making them turn their heads toward him. "Jesper! New job, Elham, come with me."

Elham and Jesper turned back to Inej, but she was already gone. Elham's heart filled with dread, knowing she wouldn't be able to find and get to Inej before she had gone through with it. "Damn it, Kaz. What now?"

Kaz didn't even bat an eye. "Come along."

---

Elham paid no attention to Kaz and Jesper's conversation, something about needing a demo man. She trudged along behind them, hoping Inej was alright. She was beginning to feel naked without her sword on her, vulnerable in the streets of Ketterdam. Sure, she could fight, but nothing like how she could with her sword.

Jesper suddenly stopped, putting his hand on Kaz's arm, halting them. Kaz's eyes immediately looked down to Jesper's hand on his coat, and Elham as subtly as she could stepped in between them, separating the two. Jesper paid no mind to this, seeming to not notice. "Aren't we on Pekka's turf?"

"I go to Heleen now and ask for her buyout, she knows I need Inej and sets a price I can't pay."

"That's evil. Well, how do you know that?"

Kaz hesitated. "...It's what I would do."

Elham scoffed at that, shaking her head, muttering to herself. "Saints."

"Besides, Inej refuses to kill. Would you trust her in a matter of life and death?"

Before Jesper could even speak, Elham had stepped in front of Kaz, staring him down. "Did you really just ask that? Of course I would trust her, just as much as I would trust you!"

Kaz seemed surprised at her outburst. Jesper stepped from foot to foot, uncomfortable by the staring contest going on in front of him. "You want to tell me why we're scoping out a rival club?"

"To have a talk with an old business partner."

"The bouncers will know you on sight."

"That's why I brought you. Make sure they don't see me." Kaz turned to face Elham, referring to Jesper. "Watch them."

Jesper straightened up, getting ready. "On it, Boss."

Kaz smirked. 'I wasn't talking to you." And then he was gone.

Jesper scoffed, and Elham cracked a grin. "I am the babysitter, you know. Now get to work, try not to get us killed."

Jesper grumbled, pulling his pistol from its holster. "Yes, mother."

Elham rolled her eyes, slipping away from Jesper and to one of the nearby carts, pretending to look like one of the pigeons who'd come in from the harbour to visit the clubs.

A little while later, Kaz came down one of the back alleys in a hurry. Elham met his eyes, and saw the look of urgency. She quickly grabbed onto Jesper's coat and followed Kaz down the street, pulling him with her.

---

Elham was following Kaz still, running up the steps behind him. He had explained to her something about the Conductor, a man with a supposedly safe way to cross the Fold, and he was the man Inej was sent to kill, baited with her freedom by Tante Heleen.

They had made it to the top of the stairs, to see Inej leaned over the Conductor, a knife held in her hand, ready to strike.

Kaz motioned for Elham to get out of the way. "Don't."

Inej released the knife, sending it flying towards Kaz's head, it stuck into the board right next to his head. Elham sucked in a breath, Inej trembling. Kaz took a deep breath as well. "He's our way to Alina Starkov."

Inej grimaced, pressing her arm further into the man's neck. "Him?"

"Heleen knew it, she was using you to sabotage our mission."

Inej shook her head in disbelief. "She and I made a deal."

Kaz stepped towards Inej, Elham following. "It isn't worth more than what we get with him alive."

Inej turned to face the pair. "You'd choose him over my freedom?"

Elhams eyes began to tear, a lump forming in her throat. Kaz continued. "You assume it's one or the other."

Inej took a deep breath, turning back to the Conductor. She removed her knife from his neck, nicking at the skin, leaving a small cut. Kaz let his posture relax, moving towards the conductor.

Elham pulled Inej into her, wrapping one arm around her shoulder, the other moving to hold her hand. Kaz stepped in front of the two. "Conductor. I have a job for you. Get us to the Little Palace."

---

Not long after, Jesper and Inej were out preparing for the heist. Kaz and Elham were being let into Tante Heleen's office, who sat at her desk in fancy clothes, a cigarette lit. Elham glared, it taking everything in her not to launch the knife strapped to her thigh right into Heleen's chest. Just for good measure, Kaz stood in front of her, blocking her from view.

"I'm taking her, and when we return I'll have the buyout to clear the books. Until then, this is my collateral." Kaz had stepped forward, handing her a sealed envelope.

Heleen chuckled, taking the envelope and opening it. "What do you have that could possibly be enough?" She removed the piece of paper, revealing the deed to the Crow Club.

"The Crow Club? Well, I stand corrected."

Elham had convinced Kaz to use it as collateral earlier that night, promising him that the heist would pay off, and if it didn't work, she would do whatever it took to pay him back. Elham stepped around Kaz, who gave her a warning glance.

"Heleen...if we make it back, but without the kruge, you aren't taking the Crow Club. And you aren't keeping Inej. You're gonna take me."

Kaz's eyes filled with fear, his voice now uneasy. "Elham--"

"Don't, Kaz." She turned back to Heleen. "I'm half Suli, half Zemeni. I'll be your new lynx, or fawn, or whatever it is you decide to call me if it comes to it. I...I've got experience."

Kaz's face fell, his posture rigid. She hadn't told him that. Heleen raised an eyebrow, watching the pair.

A few months before Kaz had found her, nobody would hire her. There were no odd jobs to be found, and she was desperate. She found a little club at the edge of the Barrel near the harbour, who was taking in new girls. Elham had voluntarily signed a contract of employment, barely being paid enough to get by. But she wasn't indentured to the owner, and that was what was most important to her.

She did what she had to do. After the first month or so, it got easier. She only came in on nights where she had nowhere else she could go, and in exchange for a bed and food, and a small wage, she worked. After a few months, she had enough saved up to quit, to go look for other jobs she could scam her way into.

What Kaz also didn't know, is that the night he found her, she was working for the last little bit of kruge that could get her by. Another week or so, and she would have been right back at the club.

Elham wouldn't turn around. She wouldn't meet Kaz's gaze. Instead, she kept her eyes on Heleen. "So? Do we have a deal?"

Heleen stood. "Alright, little fawn. You've got yourself a deal. Now step aside, Mr. Brekker and I were talking."

Elham stepped back, lowering her gaze so she wouldn't have to meet Kaz's eyes. He slowly stepped forward, standing in front of Heleen, who was smirking. She held out her hand for him to shake. He slowly took it. "Inej is yours to lose now."

She peered around him, glancing at Elham, who was trying to be as stoic as she could. Heleen leaned in closer to Kaz, still talking to him, but her eyes kept glancing between him and Elham.

"It's all yours to lose."

Kaz nodded, turning around and walking out of Heleen's office, Elham following.

---

They walked back to the Crow Club in silence. Once they arrived, they made it up the stairs to Kaz's office, and Elham turned to go to her room.

"Elham?"

She turned to Kaz, keeping her gaze on the floor.

"Look at me."

She finally gave in, slowly glancing up, expecting to see disgust or disappointment. She saw none of that. Instead, it was a look of pity, which was almost worse.

"Do you need something, or can I go find Inej, get this moving quicker?"

Kaz's eyes softened, and he motioned for her to follow him into his office, a more private place. Once inside, he motioned for her to sit in her chair by the window. She did, slowly sitting, and he pulled his chair closer to her.

He sat across from her, trying to find the right thing to say. He finally settled on something.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I wouldn't have cared. I didn't look at Inej any differently when I found her, why would I look at you any different? And why, why the fuck would you do that? Offer yourself up like that to Heleen. I wouldn't have even brought you in there if I knew you were gonna do something as unbelievably stupid as that!"

Elham felt shame creeping through her, feeling uneasy in her chair, trying to sink further into it. She mumbled, her voice unsteady. "I don't know. I just knew that I couldn't let Inej go back there, not after seeing her so close to freedom tonight. And I couldn't let you potentially lose the Crow Club, not after watching you for years work to build it up. This seemed like the easiest option. If it comes to it, I can handle it."

"No."

"What?"

"No. You're not going back there. I don't care what I have to do, we're getting this kruge. We have to. I have to." Kaz was seething now leaning back in his chair, running his hands through his hair.

His broken cane was leaning against his desk, and Elham picked it up, bringing it closer to her. Kaz stilled, watching her movements now. She slowly slid it closer to him, tapping the end to the base of his ankle, like he had done so many times before to her.

His breath hitched, he was still not moving.

She offered him a small smile. "We're gonna get this kruge. Nobody's going back to Heleen. I trust you."

He gave her a small nod, his lips turning up into the ghost of a smile. "Come on, we're almost out of time. Let's go."

---

A/N - hey guys! i really hope you like this chapter, it's kinda long and it's a lot to handle, but we're so close to actually getting out of ketterdam and getting this heist moving, so i packed a lot in this chapter. i'm slowly gonna start releasing more and more about elham, so i hope you're ready for that. anyways, let me know what you think! feel free to comment or message me with anything, and check out my other work. thank you so much for the support!

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #grishaverse #ineffable #in my feels probably

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Two

INEFFABLE – Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Two

An hour later, and the Crows were headed to Dreesen’s estate, a Heartrender in tow. If Pekka Rollins wasn’t already pissed off, he would be now, considering they took the only Heartrender available for the night. She was rather nice, well dressed and polite, not something often seen in the Barrel, but it was clear she was beginning to grind down Kaz’s patience.

“I really appreciate the new business, but you’ve only paid for an hour of my time, and I have to be back at the Orchid.”

“The Orchid isn’t safe tonight. Your life’s in danger with this job. Make yourself scarce for a few days afterwards.” Kaz continued walking, the Heartrender growing increasingly anxious.

“Mr. Brekker, really? Are you threatening me? Even if I’m nice, my boss will call the stadwatch on you.”

“It’s not me you’re in danger with, it’s Pekka Rollins.” Kaz had turned around and stopped to speak, nearing the gate to the estate.

“My boss would call the stadwatch on him as well.”

Elham laughed at that. “You really think if Rollins got to your boss that he’s still alive? Your boss is already dead, how naive can you be? I suggest you start paying attention, nobody’s going to be around to save you when the Barrel comes to swallow you up.”

They continued towards the gate, when a man yelled across the courtyard. “Who are you lot?”

Kaz stopped behind the gate. “We’re here to see Dreesen.”

“You’re not with Pekka’s crew.”

Elham pulled the counterfeit coin from the gambling tables earlier that night out of her pocket, tossing it to the guard. Kaz let the tiniest smirk set on his face, before speaking again. “And you’re not in Pekka’s pocket anymore if you don’t owe him.”

He gave Elham a slight nod, and they continued through the gate to the estate’s front entrance. Jesper sped up to catch up with Elham. “Hey, where did you get that coin?” She smirked, only to have it fall from her face, when the guard yelled across the courtyard once more.

“Hey! One of these has a hole in it!”

Shit. Elham put her hand on the back of Jesper’s jacket, pushing him along quicker, picking up her pace, nodding for the rest of the crew to follow. “Go! Go, go, go.”

“Saints, Elham!” Jesper let out a laugh, making a dash for the entrance.

“Just get inside!”

---

They were led through the house by a guard, all the way to Dreesen’s office. The guard opened the door, and Kaz stepped in first, Elham finding her spot next to him. Dreesen looked up from his desk and sighed. “One look and I can tell. Criminals. I’m not meeting anyone till midnight.”

Elham smirked at that. Criminals? Isn’t everyone in the Barrel a criminal? And is it that easy to tell?

Kaz seemed to hold in his usual look of annoyance. “We heard you needed a Heartrender.”

Dreesen stood from his desk, contemplating. “Hmm. Alright, she stays. The rest of you, out.”

The Heartrender smiled and started walking forward, only for Kaz’s cane to swiftly come up and block her from walking any further. Elham wondered if they had any idea who they were talking to. Kaz Brekker seems to always get what he wants, and this wasn’t going to be any different.

“She stays. And we have an exclusive on the job.”

“Mr. Brekker, no businessman worth his salt hires his first applicant.”

Elham was growing impatient. Barrel men. Not good men. She had had enough of Dreesen’s company, and she spoke up. “Mr. Dreesen, we understand your predicament. What would I possibly know about conducting a business? It goes right over my head. Of course, I would have to report you to the guild for kidnapping a prisoner. Seems a little bit like criminal business to me. And we would know, right? Doesn’t really seem like an ethical thing you did, does it?”

Her voice was laced with sarcasm, feigning innocence and naivety. She played with the hilt of her sword that was wrapped around her waist, acting as a belt. One of Dreesen’s guards pulled back his coat to reveal a pistol on his hip. She glanced back at Jesper, who smirked at her, revealing his pistols. She casually unsheathed her sword, flicking her wrist to extend it.

“So, Mr. Dreesen. How about that prisoner? I’m sure the guild would love to hear about it.” She said casually, wiping the end of her blade with her shirt, before wrapping it back around her waist and into place.

Dreesen seethed. “You wouldn't.”

Kaz spoke up this time. “It’s like you said. No businessman worth his salt bargains for what he can take.”

Dreesen hopped up from his desk, moving to stand directly in front of Kaz, staring him down. He glanced down at Elham, who’s gaze was piercing, almost as if she was challenging him. He let out a sigh. “Saint’s, Brekker. Chain up your attack dog before she gets herself in an unwanted position.”

Kaz’s jaw clenched at the threat, Elham suddenly standing rigid and alert. “My attack dog? You must be mistaken. That’s my Valkyrie. She doesn’t take very kindly to threats either.”

Dreesen’s eyes momentarily flashed with fear at the mention of the Valkyrie, a few guards even took a step back. The room was tense, and Elham’s hand had returned to the hilt of her sword.

The Heartrender broke the moment of silence, raising her hand. “Excuse me? I have to be back at the Orchid in an hour.”

Inej eyed the Heartrender, before turning her gaze to the staring match going on in front of her. Dreesen finally caved. “Alright, come on.”

Kaz let out a breath, eyeing Elham. She knew she was going to get a lecture for that little show she put on. Dreesen led them down to the basement of the estate, where the prisoner was tied to a chair, a bag over his head.

Kaz looked unimpressed. “Who’s this?”

“Oh, so you don’t know everything after all? This...is Alexei Stepanov.” He took the bag off the prisoner's head, revealing a young man, covered in cuts and bruises, hair and clothes disheveled. “Two weeks ago, young Alexei here, crossed through the Fold on foot. Alone.”

The Crows glanced around at each other. Inej stepped forward. “How?”

“They’re keeping it quiet, but allegedly, he was one of a few witnesses to...an event.”

Alexei was now eyeing the crows. “Water.” He croaked out. Inej glared at Dreesen, and moved to the pitcher on the table, pouring a glass, taking it over to Alexei and helping him drink.

“What kind of event?”

“I know an expedition was swarmed by volcra. Should’ve been a total loss. But something happened. Some device detonated. Obliterated the volcra, lit up the dark like a forest fire. I know it wasn’t a fire or else no one would have survived. This was some invention no one had seen before. He knows, but he doesn't seem to be able to articulate his account of events. Some form of traumatic lapse. So…”

Dreesen had gone and stood by the Heartrender, gesturing towards Alexei. Inej stepped out of the way as she approached Alexei, kneeling beside him and taking a hold of his wrist.

“You’re safe now.” She began lowering his pulse. “Now you can just speak, and I will just listen.”

Alexei’s hesitation was gone as he stared intently at the Heartrender. “All right.”

“Tell me what happened in the Fold. What saved you?”

“You won’t believe me, but...it was a Sun Summoner.”

Inej inhaled, gasping. Elham moved closer to her. She had never believed in Saints, never having a reason to. But a Sun Summoner, even she could have some belief in. She had to. With the Fold looming, and Baghra’s warnings to her about the General, she had to believe in something that would give her hope.

Dreesen put his glass down, kneeling in front of Alexei. “Who was it?”

“If I tell you, you’ll set me free?”

Elham’s heart broke for him. She knew any promise to freedom was a hollow one, that Alexei was a liability, they’d never let him go. She took a deep breath, swallowing her rage, before listening back in on the conversation.

“Her name is...Alina Starkov.”

“Good boy.” Dreesen stood up, walking back to one of his guards. “Show me the manifest.” He glanced over the papers handed to him. “Ah, perfect.”

“You’ll set me free now?” Alexei asked, still being comforted by the Heartrender.

“Thank you, of course.” Dreesen pulled a pistol from his waist, turning around, and lodging a bullet right in Alexei’s skull. The Heartrender screamed, jumping back, and Alexei’s body tipped back in the chair, falling to the ground. Blood seeped onto the floor.

Elham seethed, gripping Inej’s hand. Dreesen walked to stand over Alexei’s body, then turned to the Crows.

“Hmm. We are now the only people west of the Fold with this information. My ship sails for West Ravka at dawn. If you can prove that you have a way through the Fold and back, I’ll put you on that ship with an advance. If you don’t, I’m giving this job to Pekka Rollins.”

Kaz inhaled at the name. “Give me a day. I’ll have a plan.”

“You have until sunrise, then your ship will have sailed, Mr. Brekker. The prize is one million kruge. Now bring me Alina Starkov.” Dreesen headed back up the stairs, leaving the Crows standing there. They turned, facing Alexei’s body.

Elham turned, facing Kaz, getting his attention. “Well. Looks like we have quite the job to do. I vote we get out of this house before I walk up those stairs and lodge my sword in Dreesen’s back, and we get no kruge at all.”

Jesper let out a chuckle at that, turning to head up the stairs. “Ah, I love when the Valkyrie comes out. She scares the absolute hell out of me, but still, very entertaining.”

---

A/N - here's chapter two, i'm excited to get further into this story and make it more interesting than just setting out the beginning plot. i have a lot planned, and i'm very excited. thank you so much for the support, and feel free to comment or message with anything!

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #grishaverse #shadow and bone #six of crows imagine #six of crows #x reader #oc #in my feels probably #ineffable

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Ten

INEFFABLE – Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Ten

The Crows quickly navigated the palace halls, trying to get to Jesper at the meeting point as quickly as they could. He was supposed to be waiting outside the escape route, standing watch, overlooking the carriages, which was their escape plan, and Elham was praying he was ok and waiting for them so she could get as far away from the Little Palace as possible.

She was cursing herself the whole way, punishing herself for not getting Alina away from the Darkling. She didn't have much time to ponder how colossally they had failed, or how pissed Kaz was going to be for her not telling him that she was an Inferni, although he would have plenty of time to sulk on the way home, because he had finally led them outside, spotting Jesper.

They trudged over to him, Kaz now very obviously limping, and Elham looked even more worried than Jesper did.

"Wow, Elham. I've never seen you in a dress. Interesting."

She sent a glare his way, and he immediately reeled back.

What happened, you ok?"

Inej's face lit up. "She's real, Jesper. She made the light sing."

Kaz grumbled next to Elham. "We lost her."

Jesper chuckled, turning towards the carriage, a smile on his face, his voice full of amusement.

"Did we?"

Kaz squinted his eyes, before speaking. "Well, we don't know where she is."

Jesper was still chuckling. "Don't we?"

Elham froze, before catching up to Jesper, spinning him around by his jacket.

"What can I do for you, love?"

"Jesper, very much not the time for you to be joking. What do you mean?"

"Just ask."

"Jesper!" Elham let a flame pool in her palm, and Jesper immediately gasped, taking a step back.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

Kaz stepped up as they began climbing into the carriage. "We don't have time for this, just get in, and you can give us all a very well deserved explanation."

His tone was menacing, and Elham sunk into her seat she had taken next to Inej.

"Do we have a fix on where the target is?"

Jesper glanced towards the back of the carriage, before smiling, snapping the reigns. The carriage jolted forward, and they began making their way off the palace grounds.

---

It had been a few minutes of riding in silence, and the air was thick with tension. Elham pretended not to notice Inej's glances toward her hands she had clenched in her lap. Jesper kept glancing over his shoulder at her, but she wouldn't meet his eyes.

Kaz hadn't turned around once, eyes set straight ahead.

Jesper finally broke the silence. "So...do you want to tell me what the hell that was?"

Elham took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry. Through clenched teeth, she spoke. "I'm an Inferni."

"Well that's obvious, love. I think we all gathered that. Why the hell didn't any of us know? And why show us now?"

Elham thought back to the orphanage she grew up in, to being tested and taken to the Little Palace. Meeting Nina, training with Baghra, finding out about the Darkling. Escaping and coming to Ketterdam. Going through a year of pain, meeting Kaz and becoming part of the Dregs, then the Crows, part of a family.

Kaz still hadn't turned around, but she knew he was listening. Inej had turned to face her, contently listening.

"Ok, ok, alright. You all know I'm an orphan, I grew up in Karamzin until I was 10 or so. I don't know who my parents are, what happened to them, or why they didn't want me, I just know I was born in Novyi Zem and I was taken to the orphanage, and I lived there till the Grisha came to test the new children. They tested me, and took me to the Little Palace to become part of the Second Army, to start training."

Jesper turned around slightly, eyeing her. "You're telling me you lived here, and didn't wanna tell us any vital information to get us inside?"

"I didn't want you to know, ok! It wasn't exactly the best time of my life here."

"Why not?" Elham felt a tear roll down her cheek, and quickly wiped it away. "I'm an Inferni, but I'm not like the rest of them. They have to use something to create a spark, they can't just summon it like I can. The problem is, it's unpredictable. I never got a hold on it, so they would rarely let me use it in training. I had to learn physical combat skills instead, which did actually come in handy in the Barrel."

Inej had grabbed Elham's hand now, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Kaz had slightly turned in her direction.

"Anyways, everyone thought I was a freak, people were scared of me, they didn't want to be around me. Besides Nina."

Kaz fully turned around towards her at that, and you could almost detect a tone of hurt in his voice. What else hadn't she told him? "Really? You know Nina?"

"Knew. I haven't seen her since I was 13. She was one of my only friends in the Little Palace, and even then, I hardly saw her. Etherealki don't interact much with Corporalki, each type of Grisha generally sticks to their own order. Nina left before me though, she was quite skilled, and the Second Army needed new soldiers. I wasn't anywhere near ready, so I was left alone. Baghra took a liking to me, and made me her personal project."

Inej quipped up. "Who's Baghra?"

Elham's lips turned to a frown. "The Darkling's mother."

"What? Isn't the Darkling like a hundred years old?"

"Yes. And so is she. He just plays her off as an older mentor that had joined when he first came into service for the King. Which wasn't in the past hundred years, by the way."

Jesper sounded exasperated. "What does that mean?"

Elham almost laughed, and she would have if there wasn't a pit in her stomach and she felt like she could burst into tears at any moment.

"The Darkling, and the Black Heretic...they're the same person. He's been faking his death every few hundred years and coming into the service of a new King, now he serves the Lantsov line. I'm sure he was alive when the first Lantsov became King, he's that old, and so is Baghra."

Inej gasped, her face going pale. "The Black Heretic, the one who created the Fold...the Darkling did that?"

"Yes."

Kaz finally spoke up. "How the hell could you possibly know all of this? I find it hard to believe someone decided to tell all of this to a 13 year old girl."

Elham narrowed her eyes at him. "They didn't have a choice. Baghra had to tell me, it was the only way she could get me to leave."

Jesper was pinching the bridge of his nose. "Saints, Elham, alright, I'm gonna need you to explain a little bit better than that."

Elham nodded, sitting up straighter. "As I said earlier, Baghra started watching over me. She didn't like the idea of a Grisha not being able to defend themself. So she made me choose a weapon, and master it. She had me running drills, practicing sun up to sun down. Saints, I've never been as tired as I was training with her."

Elham chuckled, but it was pained, and her smile didn't meet her eyes. "She taught me some ways to try and control my powers, but I would never be as good with them as I was with a sword, and I think she knew that, so she let me master it before she started training me with my powers. We would practice away from the other Grisha, she didn't want me distracted. One day, the Darkling sat in on my training."

She took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself. "He never told me why he was there, and Baghra lied and said he just liked to check in on the training sessions every once in a while. It's awful to say, but Saints, I would have done anything to have people look at me like he did when he watched me use my powers. He didn't look at me like I was some freak of nature, he saw my potential. I was so naive, I should have known."

Kaz was intently staring at Elham, watching the emotions change in her face. "Know what?"

"That he wanted to use me. My powers are different, I can summon them whenever I want, and the more I used them, the stronger I got. I could blaze down a whole forest if I wanted to and not even break a sweat. He made sure Baghra was teaching me to control them, and then he started taking me to training sessions himself, asking me questions."

Kaz's jaw was clenched. "Like what?"

"Like if I was scared of his powers. Or if I was sick of people looking down on me. When I started getting a grip on my powers, he took me from training out into the forest to practice more. And then...he--"

Elham choked down a cry, rubbing her hand down her face. "He wanted to see if he could use my powers with his. He had me create a flame, and he would twist darkness into it, making the flame grow. He could pull the flame towards him, moving it without me having to. Saints only know what I could have done with an amplifier."

"What's an amplifier?"

"An object that a Grisha can use to enhance their power. The Darkling is one himself, he was by far the best method to me controlling my powers."

Inej squeezed Elham's hand again. "I don't understand, why'd he take such interest in you?"

Elham couldn't stop the tears from falling this time. "He wanted to use my powers and his in the Fold. He wanted to light the whole thing up. It would have been a mountain of fire and darkness. He never wanted to destroy the fold, he wanted to make it a weapon." She chuckled darkly. "I didn't want to believe Baghra when she told me. I was just beginning to feel like I belonged, and it felt like she was ripping that away from me. I'm not completely heartless, though, I never would have let him use me like that. I have no love for Ravka, but I could never add to his incessant need for destruction and power. I escaped, and never thought about coming back."

Jesper laid a hand on her knee. "I'm sorry you had to come back."

She gave him a small smile. "It's alright. I think I needed to. I needed to face this, I needed to face him. Besides, I had to at least try and get Alina out. When you all went into the palace, and I had to try and find another way in, I took the trail I used to escape. It led right to Baghra's hut, she's the one who helped me get inside the palace. I had to see if what everyone was saying was true, if the Sun Summoner was real, so I went to her."

Elham was actually smiling now, and Kaz's shoulders eased at the sight of it. "You know, she was the one who gave me the sword. The one I had all those years in Ketterdam."

The smile faded. "The one Pekka Rollins broke. I had almost forgotten about that."

Kaz watched her face fall, and despite himself, his heart clenched at the sight. She continued.

"Baghra told me that I needed to get Alina out, and I promised her I would. That kind of power in the hands of the Darkling, it would be catastrophic...oh, Saints!"

"What?"

"Baghra! If Alina escaped, the Darkling is going to find out who let her go, who told her about him. He's ruthless, he'd kill his own mother. If anything happens to her..."

Elham trailed off, unable to speak. Despite not knowing the right thing to say, Kaz couldn't bear to watch her in pain, and watch her sit there suffering. He hesitated then spoke.

"You know, she is the Darkling's mother. She's survived all of these years before him, I'm sure she'll long outlive him. If she's anything like how you talk about her, she has nothing to worry about."

Elham sniffed, nodding at him gratefully. "So...now you all know, I guess. About me, and everything. Surprise?"

Inej let out a laugh, and Jesper was grinning. "Hey, El...want to know another surprise?"

She eagerly nodded, directing her attention to him. He glanced around at the Crows, leaning in. "The Sun Summoner? She may or not be in the back of the carriage in the trunk. Allegedly, of course."

There was silence for a few moments, and nobody moved, stunned. Elham just stared at Jesper, who was grinning like a fool. Kaz relaxed against his seat, his lips curled into the smallest grin.

"Well. Maybe there are Saints after all."

---

A/N - hi guys, i'm really excited to get into the stuff i've had planned since before starting this story, i've got a lot of elham and kaz content coming, hope y'all are ready for it all. let me know what you thought, feel free to reach out, and thank you for the support!

#wattpad #shadow and bone #six of crows imagine #six of crows #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #grishaverse #in my feels probably #ineffable #x reader #oc

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Three

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Three

A little while later, the Crows were back at the Slat. Elham and Inej were gathered around Kaz’s desk, Kaz furiously going over papers, constantly checking his pocket watch for the time. Inej was growing more and more uneasy by the minute.

“What was that, hmm? You want to tell me?”

Kaz didn’t even look up from his work. “Be more specific.”

“It was one thing when we had at least a week to find a way across the Fold, but sunrise? We have to say no.”

“No.” Kaz and Elham said simultaneously. Kaz and Inej both turned to look at Elham. She shrugged, picking at the skin by her nails. “I’m not letting Pekka Rollins or any other man like him get this kruge when we have a shot at it.”

Inej exasperatedly sighed, knowing this conversation was a losing battle. “We can’t go!”

“Can’t we?”

Elham opened her mouth to speak, but the words died on her tongue. Inej had pulled up her sleeve, revealing her Menagerie tattoo. Elham’s heart sank into her chest. She hated that Inej was indentured to Tante Heleen, and she hated thinking about what Inej had to go through before Kaz took her into the Crows. Thinking about it made her sick to her stomach. While it’s true that Barrel men were not good men, and Heleen wasn’t a man, her fate would remain the same. The Valkyrie would get to her one day.

Inej looked at the pair with pleading eyes. “I can’t go.”

“You will. I have a plan.” Kaz looked as determined as ever. Inej sighed, and Elham gripped her hand, trying to be of some comfort.

“No, you don’t.”

“Inej!”

Inej persisted. “I’ve worked for you long enough to know when you’re still figuring things out. You don’t know how to pull off this job.”

Kaz’s face was menacing, and Elham straightened up, ready to break the tension. “I still have six hours, and right now, you aren’t helping.”

“Maybe you find a way across, but that doesn’t solve this problem!” Inej shoved her wrist into his face, and Elham reached for her hand, trying to calm her. Kaz only grew more frustrated.

“If I can’t crack this, no one’s going.”

“And if you do?”

“Then maybe you stay here!”

“Kaz, stop, that’s too far and you know it.” Elham pulled Inej closer to her, slowly stepping between her and Kaz. She could see Inej’s eyes beginning to cloud. Inej leaned her head around Elham’s shoulder, directing her voice to Kaz.

“Maybe I won’t be here when you get back.” She let go of Elham’s hand, easing her way out of her grip, and quickly leaving the room. Elham sighed, before turning back to Kaz.

“Inej? Inej!” Kaz tried following her to the archway of the door, but she was already gone out the window. He turned and walked back to his desk, where Elham was standing with her arms crossed, waiting for Kaz to speak. He didn’t.

“Do you want to explain to me what the fuck that was? Why would you say that to her, and what plan do you have to get her out of her indenture? Or do you just not tell me anything anymore? You know I trust you, I want this heist to work too, and I’m here to help in any way I can, but you know that crossed the line. That was above your usual level of prick.”

He scoffed, almost grinning. “Always the sarcasm. You’re welcome to join her if I’m too much trouble for you. I really don’t have time for this.”

Elham’s face fell. Kaz almost winced. “You’re such a bastard! You’re lucky I want this just as bad as you, and I’m willing to deal with your bullshit. You’re just gonna have to deal with me. Now, what’s the plan?” Kaz sighed, before breaking eye contact and turning to look out his door’s window, peering out into the Crow Club. There was a sound back in Kaz’s office, and the two exchanged glances. Kaz headed towards it.

“Inej? Listen, I--” Kaz stopped. There were multiple sets of footsteps headed towards them.

Kaz slowly backed up, a light panic on his face. He motioned for Elham to get behind him, and she slowly withdrew her sword. Two men came up into the archway, slowly advancing towards them. Kaz eyed the men, before jabbing the end of his cane into one of the men’s stomach, sending him flying back. He swung again, before the other man caught the end of his cane, sweeping it out from under him. One of the men grabbed onto Kaz, angling him by his shoulders, smashing his head down onto the desk.

Elham was panicking. She could tell that these men were Dime Lions, and that meant nothing good. But she couldn’t watch Kaz be restrained and beaten, so she slowly eased behind one of the men, raising her sword. She angled her arm high, ready to swing, before a hand wrapped around her throat, her sword being ripped from her hand.

She looked up to see Kaz on his knees restrained, struggling against the two men, before his face paled. Elham was forced to her knees, a hand still wrapped tightly around her throat. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see another man walk into her line of sight, and he replaced her attacker's position, holding her back as well. Elham tried turning to see who the leader was, before he gripped her jaw in his hand, forcing her to turn back to Kaz.

“Ah, ah, dear.” Elham stilled, rigid, breath picking up. She knew that voice.

Pekka Rollins.

He moved to stand in between her and Kaz. Kaz’s breath had hitched, and he had stopped struggling, now still in his attacker’s grasp. His face was strained, and Elham knew how painful this must be for him. To not only have someone touching him, holding him against his will, but to have Pekka Rollins standing in front of him with the upper hand, and she desperately wanted to get out of her attacker's hold, to get her and Kaz out of his office.

“Evening. Mr. Brekker, is it?”

Kaz was seething. “You’re a long way from home.”

“Am I? Like you were earlier, when you took a Grisha from the Orchid.”

Kaz was struggling in the Dime Lion’s hold now, trying to back away from Pekka approaching him. “The Orchid isn’t Dime Lion’s turf.”

Pekka was kneeling in front of Kaz now, almost blocking him from Elham’s sight. “Well, it’s a new acquisition, hmm. You heard it here first...now.” One of Pekka’s men tossed him Kaz’s cane, and Kaz began to struggle.

“Now, I know you saw Dreesen. You got the jump on whatever job he has. I don’t want the details, obviously, it’s just that you have a little travel hazard ahead of you. So, here’s the deal. You can do nothing, walk away from it. I’ll tell Dreesen I’m taking over for you. Then we’re even.”

“Not even close.”

“Hang on. The other option is...I’ll cave your head in with your own cane and dump you in the harbor. Hmm?” He had wrapped the head of Kaz’s cane around his neck, pulling him closer. Kaz’s breathing had picked up, he was clearly panicking and struggling.

Elham couldn’t take it anymore, and leaned as far as she could towards Pekka. “Leave him alone! Do whatever the fuck it is you came here to do, and go, just let him go, or we’re going to have a problem.”

Pekka swiftly turned, striking her across the face with the end of Kaz’s cane. He once again wrapped his hand around her throat, leaning in close to her face. She kept a cold facade, staring him down, ignoring the blood that was dripping from the cut in her eyebrow down her face.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” Kaz struggled to get to Elham, but Pekka just waved his hand in his direction, and the men tightened their hold on Kaz, pulling him back. “Brekker, you do that again, and it’ll be her head I cave in with your own fucking cane.” He turned back to face Elham, caressing her face. She leaned her head back as far as she could, before launching spit in his face.

Pekka calmly pulled a cloth from his coat, wiping his face. He returned it to his pocket, before turning back to Elham. He backhanded her across the face, and she could hear Kaz grunt behind Pekka in distress. “You’re a feisty one, eh? I’ll be out of your hair in just a minute, love, just give me a minute. And do shut up, I’d hate to put another scar on that pretty face.”

Elham sucked in a breath, setting her gaze on the floor. Pekka was satisfied with that, turning back to Kaz.

“Now, where were we? Ah, yes, you can drop the deal, or I can dump your bodies in the harbour. That first option seems better now, don’t it?” He backed away from Kaz, standing up. Before he could turn to leave, Kaz spoke up.

“Tell me...have we ever made a deal before?”

“You and me? Nah. Otherwise you’d know better...or you’d be dead.” He turned away, picking up Kaz’s cane, smashing it on the table. He grabbed Elham’s sword from up off the ground, examining it. She shook her head, struggling.

“This is a fine little blade...I like the hilt, it’s real fancy. I think I’ll keep it.” He smashed the sword against the table, bending the blade. He put it on the ground, pressing his foot against the end of it, popping and twisting the hilt from the top of the sword.

“Come on.” He motioned for his men to follow, and they released their hold on Kaz and Elham, pushing them to the ground. They left Kaz’s office.

Kaz scrambled towards Elham, who was rubbing her wrists, trying to soothe the skin from the tight grip that held them. She looked up at Kaz, eyes tearing up, noticing the bruise forming on his temple.

“Are you ok, Kaz?”

“Am I ok? He hit you in the head with my own bloody cane, he fucking hurt you, are you ok?” Kaz was gritting his teeth, trying to keep his composure. Rollins had hurt her, right in front of him.

She mustered up a smile, wiping at the blood on her face, wincing. “I’m fine. He broke my fucking sword though.” She wiped under her eyes, taking a deep breath. Pekka was going to pay for tonight.

“Saint’s, Elham, we can replace a sword.” He didn’t say it, but his tone was clear. She knew what he meant.

We can’t replace you.

Her eyes softened. “Are you ok, Kaz? You know what I mean.” He did know. She didn’t mean the pain, or having to see her get hurt, although that alone was enough to make him hurt. She was talking about seeing Pekka after so long, being restrained against his will, being touched. On top of it all, his cane was broken.

He couldn’t deny that his skin was crawling, that his head was clouded with thoughts of Jordie, that the waters had risen. That he knew this mission would be near impossible without the support of his cane.

But she was there.

She was there, and she was hurt, and neither were in the mood to be any more vulnerable than they just were. He just nodded his head. “I’m fine, El. You need to get that cut cleaned up.”

She just nodded, uneasily standing up, feeling on edge, glancing around. He stood, watching her uncomfortableness, seeing her eyes cloud. He knew what she was thinking.

“You’re safe. I’m not going to let anyone get to you. Now come on, we’ve lost too much time.”

He handed her a cloth off his desk for her to wipe some of the blood off with. She held his gaze, looking at him thankfully, and nodded, following him to the door.

---

A/N - hey guys, here's another chapter, i hope you like it! i'm trying my best not to go too out of character and keep it realistic, but it's just so fun to write some sappy shit. anyways, i'll have another chapter out soon, i hope you liked this one, let me know what you think. as always, comment or message me with anything, check out my other work, requests are open, and thank you so much for the support!

#wattpad #six of crows #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #shadow and bone #x reader #ineffable #in my feels probably #oc

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Eleven

INEFFABLE – Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Eleven

It was early that morning, and the Crows had stopped the carriage. Elham had quickly changed back into her regular clothes, glad to be out of the dress. The Crows piled out and moved to stand behind the trunk Alina was stowed away in. They stood ready to defend themselves, Jesper with his hand on his pistol.

Elham put her hand on top of Jesper’s, reholstering his pistol. “Saints Jesper, we didn’t go through all that trouble just for you to shoot her.” “Relax, love, it’s just a precaution. Besides, I don’t think a bullet is going to do much damage against the literal sun.”

Noises came from inside the trunk, and the lid popped open, Alina slowly emerging. She cautiously climbed out and jumped down in front of the Crows, holding her hands up in surrender.

“We don’t want any trouble.”

Alina’s voice was shaky. “Neither do I, so I’ll just be on my way.”

Kaz swiftly drew up his cane, blocking her from getting away on his side. Jesper stepped forward hesitantly. “Clearly, you want out of East Ravka. We can help you. We have a secure route through the Fold.”

Inej was gripping Elham’s hand tightly, and Elham was almost having to hold Inej up to keep her from collapsing. She knew this must have been a lot for a believer. Hell, it was a lot for her too.

Alina glanced at them warily, and Inej nodded at her, Elham offering a reassuring smile.

“I prefer to travel alone.”

Elham quipped up. “Baghra wouldn’t want you to. She told me about you. You’re safe with us, I promise. He’s not going to get you, not while I’m still standing.”

Elham knew her attempt was futile, but it was worth a shot. Alina’s face contorted with hesitation, like she wanted to trust her, but she knew she couldn’t.

“No, I can’t. Like I said, I prefer travelling alone.”

Jesper raised a hand towards her, signalling he meant no harm. “Don’t be rash. You stick with us, and everybody gets what they want.”

“I’m not being anyone’s captive ever again. So step aside, and let me pass.”

Elham almost felt guilty. She remembered the fear she felt escaping the Little Palace, and she knew there was nothing she could say or do to ease Alina. She looked to Kaz, who still hadn’t moved his cane, blocking Alina in.

Kaz relented. “I’m afraid we can’t let that happen.”

Jesper put his hand back on his pistol, and Alina’s eyes caught it. She moved her hands together, and Elham quickly dropped Inej’s hand, raising hers. She sparked a flame, ready to defend the Crows, when she was blinded by a searing light.

Inej had blocked it, and Elham had turned away before she got the full force of it, so she recovered quickly enough to see Jesper and Kaz ducked away, groaning, and Inej’s hands raised in surrender.

Elham had two options. Raise her hands and fight, cornerining Alina, or, she could let her go. She could get her kruge, ensure the safety of the Crow Club and Inej’s indenture, or, she could betray Kaz, and end up indentured to Heleen at the Menagerie.

But when she saw Alina’s hands raised in defense, the look in her eye matching a scared and defenseless animal, she dropped her hands to her side, stepping back towards Inej.

She’d accepted her fate the second she offered herself up in Inej’s place, and she knew she’d do anything to ensure the safety and security of the Crows, her family. There was no point in capturing Alina, not when she had been in the exact same position all those years ago.

Alina was scanning her eyes between Inej and Elham, slowly lowering her hands when Inej had slightly bowed her head to her. She looked at Elham, who just gave her a quick nod. Alina nodded her head back in thanks, and dashed around the side of the carriage and away from the Crows.

Jesper and Kaz had recovered now, slightly rubbing at their eyes, looking around. Elham sighed. She was in for it, and she knew it.

---

The Crows had trudged into one of the bars in the city, and were all seated around a table, silent. Jesper was scouting, and Inej had come in and taken a seat next to Elham, who had already downed a shot or two, and was still eyeing Kaz’s drink.

“There’s no horses missing at the stable, so…”

Kaz was slumped in his seat, gripping his cane. “So? What? Are you two going to tell me how the target got away?”

At that question, Elham had seemed to sober up a bit, now sitting up straighter.

Inej tilted her head, taking a deep breath. “I let her go.”

“You let her go? Elham, what were you doing during all of this? Fiddling with your thumbs?”

Elham stared Kaz down. “Well first, I was making sure my retinas were still intact. When I finally recovered, I sparked a flame, but then I realized the Sun Summoner would do us no good if I burnt her to a crisp...and I also realized Inej was right. So I surrendered, and she ran.”

Kaz leaned closer, and his tone was menacing, one of the worst he had ever used to speak to her.

“You both were hired to do a job.”

Elham scoffed. “Oh, is that right? I’m an employee, now? Not the one person who’s made sure your ass didn’t end up dumped in the harbour every night for the past few years? Got it.”

She slumped in her chair, turning away from him, missing how his face fell. Inej cut Kaz off before he could speak.

“The job was to pick up a fake for an easy million kruge. We found a living Saint who can summon the sun.”

Kaz pulled a coin from his pocket, twirling it between his gloved fingers. “A good magician is a good con artist. The trick is to make it look real.”

He opened his palms to reveal the coin was missing. Elham, slightly more intoxicated than she needed to be, almost laughed, muttering. “That was a good one, Kaz, you should do parties.”

Inej ignored her. “This is different. You saw her summon with your own eyes.”

“The best illusions are the most convincing. That’s the game.”

“You can hide behind your cynicism, but I believe she’s the real thing.”

Kaz turned to Elham, who was watching him with glazed eyes. “Do you?”

She took a breath, and nodded. “I do.”

He turned back to Inej, his words bitter. “I don’t see you falling to your knees to worship every Heartrender or Squaller we meet.”

Elham had heard enough. “Saints, Kaz, that’s enough. Don’t mock and belittle her faith just because you have none.”

He scoffed. “And you do?”

She hesitated. “I didn’t. Maybe I do now, I don’t know what I believe in, I’ve never found any comfort in the Saints, but I trust Inej.”

Inej was unrelenting. “This is different. Her power is a miracle. I won’t betray my faith.”

“Pious as that may be, we cannot work effectively as a crew if you’re making decisions based on religious zeal!”

Inej was seething. “Is that a threat to return me to Heleen?”

Kaz didn’t waver, leaning in, voice desperate.

“Either we get the target, or Heleen gets the Crow Club and Pekka gets whatever’s left. And if we do somehow manage to make it back, but empty handed, I’ll get to keep what’s mine, and you’ll be safe. But what does it matter if she gets my Valkyrie?”

Elham stilled in her chair, and Kaz’s eyes widened as he realized what he said. Inej’s face contorted in confusion.

“Wait. Why would Heleen get the Crow Club? Or Elham? What’s going on?”

Kaz’s jaw was clenched as he glanced at Elham, who was already staring, eyes glassy, tears threatening to spill over. He abruptly stood from the table, grabbing his cane and scampering off.

“Kaz! What did you do?”

She turned to Elham who was sunk in her seat, not meeting her gaze. “What did you do?”

Elham quickly wiped under her eyes, clearing her throat. “I, uh...something pretty stupid, I guess. But it was worth it.”

Inej gripped Elham’s hand. “Come on, you’ll have to do better than that. Please tell me.”

Elham hesitated, but finally gave in. “Well. We needed you for the heist, and Kaz knew he couldn’t pay off your indenture, which is what it would have taken for Heleen to release you. So...he gave her the deed to the Crow Club.”

Inej’s eyes widened, panicked. Elham quickly recountered.

“I didn’t let him do it! I could never let him give up something like that, it’s too big a risk. But I knew we had to free you, and I swore to myself that once we got you out of there, I wouldn’t let you go back.”

“Saints, El, what did you do?”

The tears were falling now. “Before I joined the Dregs, I off and on worked for a small place down by the harbour. I was desperate, and the owner hired me on a nightly basis. I wasn’t indentured, I did it all out of my own free will, I was lucky enough to at least have that. So, I guess you can say I have experience.”

Realization hit Inej, and she leaned her forehead against Elham’s. “You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t.”

A sob caught in Elham’s throat. “I did. I couldn’t let you go back there, and I couldn’t let Kaz give up something he worked so hard for. So, if we don’t make it back, Heleen gets the Crow Club. If we do, and we’re empty handed...she gets me. I’ll be her little fawn.”

“Saints, Elham, why did you let me let Alina go, why would you do all that for me? I could never ask it of you.”

Elham let out a chuckle, but there was no humour in it.

“You would never have to. I would do it again a thousand times over for you, for you and for him. But Saint’s Inej, I’m scared. I don’t want to go back to that.”

Inej’s voice was determined now, as she pulled Elham into a hug. “You won’t, ok? I promise. She’s not going to take either of us.”

It was Inej’s turn to let out a watery chuckle, her hold on Elham tightening.

“You’re crazy if you think Kaz is going to let you go, you know that right? I think he’d tear down the Barrel brick by brick before he let his Valkyrie go.”

Elham hummed into Inej’s shoulder, before pulling back, wiping under her eyes.

“I hope that’s true.”

“Of course it is.”

Elham scanned the room, spotting Kaz and Jesper.

“Will you go settle our tab? I’ll go see what the plan from here is.”

Inej nodded and stood heading for the bar as Elham headed to take a seat next to Jesper.

---

A/N - hi everyone! i should have a new chapter up soon, but we're getting really close to some of the stuff i've been really excited about writing in. also, the google doc i have for this book is literally 75 pages? like huh? it's well over 20-25K words, like what? and wattpad says it takes over 2 hours to read, that's crazy, y'all are dedicated for those of you reading it all in one go. anyways, let me know what you thought, feel free to reach out, and thanks for the support?

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #grishaverse #in my feels probably #ineffable #oc #x reader

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Eighteen

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Eighteen

Jesper stood as Kaz and Elham approached the fire. Inej was seated next to Alina, and Elham could tell from her posture that she was nervous. Inej gave a small smile, before turning to Alina.

“I’ve never met a Saint before.”

Alina smiled. “I’ve never been a Saint before.”

Inej gripped Alina’s hand. ��Wherever you are, whatever you need...my hand is yours.”

Alina raised a brow, before picking up her blade. “I think I like that hand with a dagger in it. I couldn’t hold onto yours, so take mine as a replacement. It’s not much, but it’ll fend off a bully or two.”

“I know just what to name it.”

Elham smiled at the exchange, before turning to Kaz who looked unamused. She rolled her eyes, handing Jesper the sack Kaz had handed her earlier. He handed it over to Mal.

“Step one, a change of clothes. It’s worked for me.”

Inej helped Alina stand, and Mal took the sack, thanking Jesper. Alina glanced around at the Crows.

“So...will you still be trying to kidnap me?”

Jesper shook his head. “Of course not.”

Kaz sharply turned to him, glaring, and Elham knew her face must have twisted up in confusion. Did he really think after all of that, that he was going to just snatch her up and send her off for kruge? Elham had accepted her fate if they made it home without the kruge, and she wasn’t going back on that now. She wouldn’t trade her freedom for another’s.

Kaz eyed Jesper. “Have you found religion too?”

“No, it's just...I’m exhausted! Besides, it’d be bad form to kidnap someone after they saved your life.”

Kaz turned to Alina. “You are quite valuable, you know?”

Alina nodded, slowly making her way over to stand in front of Kaz. She pulled an entirely too flashy necklace, in Elham’s opinion, out of her pocket, holding it out. It was potentially the most expensive object she had ever seen, and she couldn’t help but let her eyes widen staring at it.

“So is this.” Alina held out the necklace, and Kaz slowly took it from her, eying it.

“I saw this on a portrait of one of the queens in the Little Palace.”

“It’s not a gift. It’s to keep quiet about who I am. Where I go from here.”

Kaz eyed her, before nodding. He held a gloved hand out for her to shake. “The deal is the deal.”

Alina shook his hand, and he passed the necklace over to Elham, who immediately pocketed it. She probably would have found a way to get ahold of it somehow sooner or later, so why not give it to her for safekeeping? After all, it is her freedom that depends on keeping it safe, she’d guard it with her life. Elham doubted anyone back in Ketterdam would try to pickpocket the Valkyrie, and if they did, they’d meet their untimely end.

Alina and Mal walked far enough out to have some privacy to change, and soon after made their way back to the Crows and Zoya, still around the fire. Alina walked up to the fire, tossing her black and gold kefta into the flames.

Mal watched the kefta slowly catch fire. “I didn’t expect it to burn at all. But it can be destroyed in the end. Just like him.”

Elham scoffed, creating a small ball of fire before tossing it onto the burnt kefta. “You should have let me do it. I would have made sure it burned. Could have made sure it all burned, if it came down to it. I would have liked to see the Darkling burn too, but I’ll settle for him being massacred by his own creation. I always loved a little bit of poetic justice.”

Jesper let out a little chuckle, but Elham knew there was no humor in the air. It wasn’t the time for it. Alina stepped away from the fire, turning to face the Fold. Mal sighed, moving to stand beside her.

“I know that look. You’re staring down your new bully.”

She shook her head. “We’re worse off than we were before, Mal. Kirigan turned on his own people--”

Sensing how upset she was, Mal put a hand on her arm, sliding it down to grab her hand, stopping her. “Okay. You’re not ready yet.”

She finally looked away from the Fold and turned to him. “Neither were they.”

“That’s not your fault.”

“Who do you think the world will blame?”

Mal nodded, pulling her closer. “We’ll come back, I promise. You will tear it down. Just not today.”

Zoya suddenly stood, walking towards the Fold. “I have to go.”

Elham’s brows furrowed, and she stood. “What? You mean, go back in there? Alone? You’ll die!”

Inej stood. “She’s right, you can’t go back into the Fold.”

Zoya turned around. “To Novokribirsk. I had family in that city. I need to know how much of it is lost.”

Elham felt her heart sink at Zoya’s words, and the unmistakable feeling in the pit of her stomach returned. The Darkling may have been gone, but his evil was still left behind, ruining lives every moment it could.

Kaz stood, grabbing his cane. “It’s dangerous to go looking for the dead. What you see may haunt you for the rest of your days.”

Elham watched his face grow cold, and she had this sudden intense feeling grow inside her, that she never wanted Kaz to lose someone he cared about again. She never wanted him to go through the pain of searching for the dead, and hating what he finds. He had over the years told her bits and pieces about his brother, how he lost him, the horror of finding him dead and having to return to Ketterdam without him. It changed him, in ways that can never be reversed. Elham doubted he’d be able to handle going through anything like that again without the Rietveld still left in him dying completely, and she wanted to protect him from that, no matter what it took.

Lost in thought, Elham almost didn’t hear Zoya’s response. “Not going will haunt me more.”

Zoya walked over to Alina. “You can’t stay in Ravka. The Apparat will try to keep his power. Blame this on all of us. The people will turn on Grisha again. You need to find new allies.”

Alina grabbed Zoya, pulling her in for a hug. She held her there for a moment, before pulling back. “Then I’ll come back, and reclaim our country.”

Zoya let a grin appear on her face, her moment of vulnerability passing. “I still don’t like you...but, I'm grateful for you. So remember this. Saints become martyrs before they get to be heroes. So, stay alive.”

Mal spoke up. “They’ll have to get through me first.”

“You need more than bullets and bravado to survive the people hunting you now.”

With that, she turned away from them all, heading down back towards the hill that led to the Fold.

It was silent for a moment, before Elham spoke up.

“I think that’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. She scares me a little, but I like a challenge.”

The Crows looked at her wide eyed, not expecting a comment like that, but Alina let out a genuine laugh. “If you like her, I hope you get to meet Genya one day. That’s a challenge.”

Jesper raised his hand and waved it around, like he needed to ask a question. “I’m sorry, you like women too? How could you not tell me? I’m hurt!”

Kaz chimed in. “You couldn’t tell?”

Jesper scoffed, looking around at the Crows. “You could? What, like it was obvious?”

Inej grinned. “It was.”

Jesper jokingly asked Elham a question. “I still have a chance though, right?”

Elham rolled her eyes, letting her eyes gloss over Kaz, before turning back to Jesper. “Jesper, I love you dearly, and I say this respectfully, but...you’re not my type.”

Jesper feigned offence, gasping and bringing a hand up to clutch at his chest.

Inej quirked a brow. “Do I have a chance?”

“Oh, of course, my love.”

Ignoring the Crow’s conversation, Kaz rolled his eyes and turned to Alina and Mal.

“It’s a two day walk to Os Kervo from here, given our condition. We can smuggle ourselves onto a ship to Ketterdam from there.”

Kaz swept his boot through the dirt, kicking some into the flames to smother the fire.

---

They had been walking for some time. Mal and Alina had their hoods up, walking in the front of the group, along with Jesper. Elham hung back next to Kaz and Inej.

Inej huffed at Kaz. “You berated me for letting her go, and now that’s what you’re doing. So, what’s your angle?”

He glanced past Inej, gazing at Elham. “I’m keeping my promises. I swore to Elham she wouldn’t go to the Menagerie, that I wouldn’t let it happen, and that I wouldn’t let you go back either, and one of these gemstones covers the indentures.”

Elham smiled to herself, looking down at her shoes. She fiddled with the hilt of her sword, before reaching into her pocket, pulling out the necklace. She tossed it to Kaz, who gave her a look of surprise. She just nodded at him, and he slipped it into his pocket. Elham trusted him completely, and she knew he would do whatever he had to do ensuring the necklace was kept safe. It was quiet for a moment, and Elham lifted her head to see Inej watching Alina.

“What is it, love?”

Inej hesitated. “She needs me more than you do.”

Elham grabbed Inej’s hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. “Nope. Absolutely not. I need you, and I’m not letting you leave me, got that? We need you. Isn’t that right, Kaz?”

She sent him a stare that was unsettling enough to get even Kaz to agree. That, or he just didn’t feel like getting on her bad side, and who was he kidding, he liked making her happy. He sighed, rolling his eyes at her, but his voice was filled with appeasement.

“Yes, Inej. We do need you.”

Inej smiled, and her face changed to a smirk. “I want to see the look on Heleen’s face when you clear the books. After that...we’ll see.”

Elham smirked, and her eyes lit up. “What if I were to, oh, I don’t know…let's say, kill Heleen? Would that guarantee you sticking with us? Because I’ll gladly do it.”

Inej laughed, and Elham didn’t miss the small grin on Kaz’s face, despite him turning to hide it.

“You know I’d stay with you if you needed me to. And you are kidding, right? About Heleen?”

“Would it make you feel better if I said yes?”

Kaz piped in. “I wouldn’t believe you if you said yes anyways.”

---

After two long days of walking, and making small talks amongst themselves, Mal, Alina, and the Crows had arrived at the harbour. They moved to board a boat docked at Os Kervo, headed to Ketterdam. Mal and Alina had boarded separately, already on deck. The Crows made their way across the dock and onto the ship.

Jesper sighed. “We set out with a clear mission, a prize of a million kruge. And a new member on our crew. So...what did we learn?’

Once on deck, they huddled close, taking a seat. Jesper continued, counting out his points he made on his fingers.

“People with trains are evil. You can’t kidnap a human sunbeam. And maybe, just maybe, greed is a poor motivator. True wealth is the friends you make along the way.”

Inej raised a brow. “I just might be impressed.”

“I’m talking of Milo, of course.”

Knowing it would rile him, Elham leaned in, cocking her head to the side, furrowing her brows, feigning confusion.

“Who?”

Jesper stared at her blankly, before exasperatedly exclaiming. “The goat!”

Elham was grinning, letting out small laughs. “Oh, right, right, right. Must have somehow slipped my mind.”

Jesper rolled his eyes, before letting out a breath. “I won’t have my smelly friend when walking into Ketterdam.”

Inej stiffened, sitting up. “Where Dreesen is waiting for our return.”

Kaz nodded, meeting Elham’s eyes, his jaw clenched. “And Pekka Rollins.”

Elham winced at the name, and she swore she felt the since faded bruises on her face from his assault beginning to ache.

Inej leaned closer, lowering her voice. “They’ll both want our heads once we show up without the Sun Summoner.”

Jesper chimed in, laughing nervously. “Well, I’m sure the boss has a plan. He wouldn’t send us into a death trap. Tell me you have a plan. I don’t care if it’s a lie.”

Kaz nodded. “I have a plan. And, just how this all started, we’re going to need a Heartrender.”

“Milana?”

“No. For this to work, it has to be someone neither of them know. Someone desperate for work, with loyalties only to us.”

While listening to Kaz, Elham scanned the deck, looking for any trouble. Her eyes fell on a girl sitting alone, who was looking back at her, listening in. Elham squinted, cocking her head to the side, analyzing.

Kaz looked up to see Elham was no longer paying attention, and he followed her eyes to the girl she was looking at. He tapped her leg with his cane, getting her attention.

“What is it?”

“That girl...she looks familiar, like I’ve met her before. I can’t exactly tell. She was looking at me weird. I was just trying to see if I could recognize her.”

Kaz turned to analyze the girl as well, when two men walked across the deck, having a loud conversation. One of them called to the other.

“It’ll be a long passage without that wine shipment. Have a heart. Novosibirsk is in ruins. Their Sun Saint is dead.”

The girl who was staring at the Crows turned to them, calling out.

“Excuse me. Is what he said true?”

Elham scanned her again, seeing if she might recognize her face, her voice, but nothing came into her mind. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen her before. Maybe she reminded Elham of someone she used to know.

Kaz responded. “I don’t know if she’s dead. But she is a Saint.”

The girl nodded, turning back to her seat, staring at the sea. Elham turned back to the Crows to see Inej smiling to herself. They turned to quickly glance at Mal and Alina, who had moved to the rail of the ship overlooking the harbour. The sun was beginning to set, and the water was sparkling.

Elham watched Mal put his arm around Alina, and she felt herself smile, turning back to the Crows who had already looked away. Kaz was already looking at her. She met his gaze, and gave him a genuine smile.

Not wanting to pull any attention to themselves, or alerting Inej and Jesper, who were seemingly distracted, Elham just gave him a nod, and mouthed a word.

“Hi.”

Kaz gave her a small smile, entranced, and quickly let it fall from his face, as if he had just remembered she was still looking at him, and he didn’t want her to see him soften around her. Elham only smiled brighter at him, watching the struggle on his face. He couldn’t help but let the smile return to his face watching her, just for a moment.

The sun was setting towards Kaz, and Elham had her back to it. The sun had lowered enough that it wasn’t in his eyes, but it was reflecting off the water enough to create a small halo of light around Elham. He watched her, slowly tilting his head to the side, as if he wanted to see her from a new angle.

She followed the tilt of his head with hers, confused. She didn’t understand what he was looking at, or why he was looking at her like that. She mouthed to him again.

“What?”

He just shook his head, leaning back, resting against the pole behind him. She watched as he mouthed two words to her.

“You’re ineffable.”

---

A/N - holy shit! that's the end. there may or may not be an epilogue being added to this book, that's undecided, but this is the last chapter and the for now end of Ineffable. i hope you all liked it, thank you so much for the support throughout, i love reading your comments and everything. a little wrap up thank you chapter plus some things about future work will be posted soon!

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #grishaverse #x reader #oc #in my feels probably #inferni #ineffable

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Seventeen

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Seventeen

Elham emerged on the other side to complete darkness, the volcra screeching all around her. She turned back to check on Alina, who she had seen standing with a look of determination, only to be met with a wall of darkness. She couldn’t see to the other side. She bit her lip, deciding on whether or not she should go back and help, when a gust of air and sound of a wing fluttering flew right over her head.

She screamed, ducking and rolling, barely missing being grabbed by a volcra. She wasn’t entirely lucky, however, because a talon had caught her in the small of her back, slicing from the left side to the right.

Elham tried to suck in a breath, unable to make a sound, though her mouth was open enough to eventually let out a scream of agony. She scrambled to reach around to her back, quickly drawing her sword just in time for another volcra to come swooping down. She sat up, propelling herself to land on one knee, before driving her sword straight through the volcra’s shoulder in retaliation.

It screeched in pain, trying to fly away, and she took it as her chance, swiftly pulling her sword out, before running it clean through to the base of it’s skull. It twitched, before falling back onto the deck, unmoving. Elham pulled her sword back, giving it a shake, the blood splattering onto the deck.

She reached her hand back to feel her wound, before holding her hand in front of her face to be met with blood on her finger tips. She muttered to herself. “Shit.”

She didn’t have much time to focus on the dull sting of her lower back, because the familiar dread spread across her chest when she looked up to see Jesper on one side of the deck, scrambling to reload his gun, and Kaz and Inej on the other side of the deck, with only a final blade and a cane as defense. Two volcra were perched atop the mast, peering down at the Crows.

The first swooped down, aiming for Jesper, who had yet to cock his gun. Elham sucked in a breath, hoping he would notice and dodge it, but he hadn’t even looked up yet.

“Jesper!”

He looked up, his eyes widening. He seemed frozen on the spot, barely even having enough time to step out of the way. The volcra kept coming. Elham tossed the hilt of her sword up into her palm, before sending her sword through air like a javelin, lodging itself into the volcra’s chest. It, too, screeched and fell to the deck.

Jesper gave her a nod of thanks, and she nodded back, stepping up to grab her sword. Suddenly, the other volcra on the mast screeched out into the air, and Elham’s blood ran cold. She had no weapon, she was nowhere near where her sword and the volcra had landed, and Kaz and Inej were right in the volcra’s path.

Breaking out into a sprint towards them, she called out.

“Kaz! Inej! Duck!”

Kaz turned to her, eyes widening. He and Inej dove for the deck as Elham let two sources of flames pool in her palms, aiming for the volcra swooping down. She raised her hands, zeroing in on the volcra, before letting the flame burst from her hands, sending one ball of fire after the other towards the volcra.

The volcra went up in flames.

It let out a screech, one piercing to Elham’s ears, and she let the flames falter, moving to cover her ears. The volcra flew aimlessly, trying to put itself out, heading right for Elham.

Jesper called out to her. “Elham, move!”

She dove to the side, grimacing as her wound scraped against the deck. Jesper unchambered a round, hitting the volcra dead in the center of its skull. It landed on the deck, dead. He pulled Elham’s sword from the dead volcra beside him, walking over to her, offering a hand. She took it, mumbling a thanks as he hoisted her up, handing her back her sword.

Kaz and Inej had stood back up, and were now guarding Zoya, who was unconscious on the deck. Elham and Jesper moved to join them, when suddenly, a wall of light moved towards them. The oncoming volcra screeched, battering their wings, flying away as the back end of the skiff was returned to the light.

Elham looked around, making sure everyone was ok, before turning to the Crows. She placed a hand on her lower back, grimacing, taking a deep breath. Kaz took a step towards her, and Jesper moved to steady her, but she shook her head, pointing towards the front of the skiff.

“We have to help Alina, come on!”

The Crows moved cautiously back to the front end of the skiff, scouting out for the Darkling and his Grisha. Elham noticed the Darkling was no longer on the deck, or Mal. Alina was peering over the side, her face panicked. Suddenly, she was clutching at her chest, blood dripping from her nose.

Elham panicked, too far away to help immediately, but she scrambled to help anyway. She was begging, pleading with herself to make it in time, to get in range close enough to stop Ivan, who was effectively stopping Alina’s heart, when the light all around them that was guarding them went out.

Suddenly, Jesper, moving much quicker than Elham could, passed her, shooting Ivan in the chest. His kefta deflected it, but it still was enough to knock him from his hold on Alina, and she collapsed to the deck. Elham moved to Alina’s side, grabbing her wrist, checking her pulse.

Jesper sent another shot into Ivan, who was leaning against the railing. Jesper pointed his gun again, ready to shoot, when Ivan turned around, raising his hands. Jesper, faltered, going stiff. Elham could hear him grunting, his jaw clenched. Elham panicked, moving to stand, feeling tears prick the corner of her eyes. Ivan backhanded Jesper, who stumbled back.

“No!”

She scrambled to get to him, struggling to stand and raise her hands, distracting Ivan enough for him to release his hold. Jesper, within a foot of Ivan, sent another round into his chest, effectively knocking him off his feet, tumbling over the railing and into the sand below. He took a deep breath, twirling his revolver in his grip.

He mumbled to himself. “Still couldn’t shoot the pretty face. I’ve got to stop doing that.”

Elham let out an exasperated laugh, finally pulling herself to her feet. She moved to throw her arms around his neck, and he carefully wrapped an arm around her, avoiding her wound. She tucked her head into his neck, murmuring to him.

“I thought I lost you.”

He chuckled, pulling back to talk. “Not gonna happen, love. I’m a hard man to kill. And I still owe you money, do I not? What kind of man would I be if I died without paying you back? Come on, Kaz sent me to find you.”

He headed towards Kaz, and Elham took a deep breath, collecting herself, before following. She took another look at Alina on the deck, before returning to Kaz’s side. Inej was there as well, helping Zoya stand, who seemed to have just woken up. She could hear fighting below, and was praying to the saints she didn’t believe in that Mal was winning.

Kaz looked up to see Elham and let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief, before addressing the Crows. “I recommend we get moving.”

Elham nodded, and the Crows followed him towards the front of the skiff. Inej moved to Alina’s side just as Mal reappeared on the skiff. Getting a look at Alina, he quickly moved to her side.

“What happened?”

Inej moved out of his way. “It was Kirigan’s Heartrender.”

Mal gripped Alina’s hand, cradling her body. He spoke through tears, and Elham couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat, and a sting behind her eyes. Mal was pleading, begging for Alina to wake up, and it was almost too much to watch.

“Come on, Alina. Alina, come back for me, please. Alina? Please wake up. Please come back.”

Elham felt heavy. She wondered to herself if she could have done something, if only she had moved faster or had been smarter. There must have been something she could have done. Looking for any semblance of reassurance, she turned to Kaz.

He wouldn’t face her. He wouldn’t look her in the eye.

In the distance around them, the screech of volcra could still be heard. Mal was in tears, still pleading, shaking Alina’s body, and Elham felt a tear slip down her face. She steadied herself, letting a small flame pool in her palms, ready to defend herself and the Crows. Nothing could be heard but laboured breaths, the volcra screeching, and Mal, begging through cries.

“Please!”

A volcra swooped over the deck, and Inej bent down just in time to miss it. She didn’t stand back up, and Elham crumbled to her knees beside her, taking her hand. Soft cries came from Inej, and Elham squeezed her hand, desperately trying to comfort her.

“Come on....please.”

The barest of whispers came from Alina. “Mal.”

Elham let out a sigh of relief, though she knew they weren’t out of the dark just yet. Mal let out another sob, holding Alina tighter in his grasp.

“I’m here. Don’t you dare say meet me in the meadow.”

Alina had the hint of a smile on her face, but her eyes quickly widened in panic. Another volcra was swooping down, aiming for Mal. Elham lifted her hands, ready to attack, when Alina shakily raised one of her own, calling the light.

A searing flash of light came from her palm, momentarily blinding everyone. An opening in the Fold appeared, and the skiff began to move towards the light. It skidded to a stop just outside the Fold, leaving behind an indent in the sand below.

---

The Crows, Alina, Mal, and Zoya had stumbled their way off the skiff. After some time, a fire had been started, thanks to Elham, and they were gathered around it, silent. Kaz and Elham walked along the edge of the Fold, scouting, far enough that any conversation they had couldn’t be heard. It was silent for a moment, before Kaz spoke.

“Have Inej wrap that cut. Don’t let it get infected.”

Elham turned to him, pulling on his sleeve, stopping him from moving.

“That’s all you have to say to me? Seriously? You threw me to the foot of the Darkling, and left me there while the rest of you vanished in the dark. You let me fend for myself!”

“You’re more than capable of doing that.”

Elham scoffed, raising her voice. “That’s not the point! Did anything we said below deck mean a thing to you? Anything from the past few years? Kaz, why did you do that? Leaving me alone like that, with no explanation.”

He turned to her sharply, his voice raised as well. “Why did you come back?”

Her mouth fell open in shock. “What? How could you possibly think I would have stayed at the foot of the Darkling? That I would have left you and the Crows to fend for yourselves, to get hurt, knowing I damn well could have done something to stop it.”

It was silent for a moment. Kaz’s jaw was clenched, and Elham could see him growing more and more upset, but she continued.

“Why did you leave me? You wouldn’t even look at me after.”

It was silent another moment, and finally, Kaz muttered something inaudible.

Elham’s brow furrowed in confusion, and she took a step closer, talking softly.

“What?”

She didn’t know it, but Kaz had decided he couldn’t be selfish when it came to her. No matter how much he wanted her, in that moment, she couldn’t be by his side. He wouldn’t be responsible for something happening to her. He spoke clearly this time.

“I couldn’t bear to watch you die like that, alright? I couldn’t watch it, knowing I might not be able to save you. You were better off with him. At least you’d be alive. And even if you died with him, that’s better than you being ripped apart by volcra, or somehow being dragged back to the Menagerie, indentured to Heleen. I would have rather watched you go than have you stay. I won’t apologize for that.”

She heard his words, processed what he said, and part of her was grateful. Part of her loved him for it, and wanted to thank him. But the other part of her was angry, and that side of her often overruled anything else.

“You had no right! I would have rather died by your side, by my family’s side, than be handed over to him. I don’t care how much it would have hurt you to see me hurt, or how monumentally devastated I would have been if you had gotten hurt, or died, and I wasn’t there to stop it, because that’s not your decision, is it? If I wanted to die by my family’s side, then so be it! It was my choice. Just like it was my choice to offer myself up to Heleen, it was my choice to kill that Inferni in the chapel, and it is my choice to stick by your side, even when you seem to make it your goal to piss me off enough to get me to leave you. Get it through your head, Kaz. I’m not leaving you. Got it? I’m. Not. Leaving.”

In her outburst of anger and emotion, a tear had slipped down her face, unbeknownst to her. She hated how little control she had over keeping herself together, but she watched Kaz’s face change as he watched her. His jaw had unclenched, he wasn’t standing as rigid, and he had the faintest of grins on his face.

“What? Finally got something to say, Kaz?”

He quickly swiped a gloved thumb across her cheek, wiping the tear, before returning his hand to his side. His touch was over as soon as it came, but it still took Elham’s breath away. She knew her face was flushed, but she didn’t look away, holding her ground. She spoke as confidently as she could, though she could hear her own voice wavering.

“Silent now, are we?”

Kaz was still faintly grinning, much quieter now. “There she is.”

He, like the many times he had before, brought the base of his cane down to tap her ankle, before pulling it back to his side.

“I quite like the fire. Shame it took you so long to finally show it.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, though she could feel herself smiling. He was always one with a flare for the dramatics, the metaphors. It was almost a joke, what he had said. The fire in her, her ruthlessness, her wit and sarcastic comments she loved to throw his way. And, the powers she kept hidden from him, even though he had known the entire time. Nothing she did passed by him. She was fire herself.

“Was that a joke? Saints, I didn’t know you were capable of them.” He rolled his eyes, already walking away from her towards the Crows around the fire. She stood in place, shaking her head at him. He called over his shoulder, like he had suddenly grown impatient in the last five seconds, although Elham knew he was just digging at her, changing the subject.

“Let’s go, El.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes, following him. She called back to him with as much servitude she could muster up in her voice, though he heard nothing but sarcasm, nothing but words to spite him, as she often loved to do to him.

“Coming, boss.”

---

A/N - so, turns out this chapter was way longer than anticipated, and there's still like another chapter or so worth of content left for this book. i'm sad that it's gonna be over so soon, but i'm excited to put this book away for a while and continue on new things. not sure when i'll have the final chapter or so up, but keep an eye out for it anyways. let me know how you feel about the story, all criticism is welcome, but please be respectful. anyways, thank you so much for the support!

#wattpad #grishaverse #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #inferni #ineffable #in my feels probably

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Nine

INEFFABLE – Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Nine

Elham had successfully made it past the guards. Baghra was right, they had paid no mind to a random Grisha walking around the courtyard, instead scanning for unwanted guests. They had simply nodded at her as she stepped inside. She immediately had removed her kefta, discarding it in a random hall closet, left in only her dress, which she was sure she must have looked uncomfortable and out of place in.

She was now wandering through random passageways, trying to find her way to the ballroom. She was desperately trying to remember the blueprints Kaz had shown her, trying not to get caught, when she heard a voice.

“Are you lost?”

A chill ran up Elham’s spine, and she went rigid. It was the Darklings voice.

“You aren’t supposed to be back here, the fete is in the ballroom. Can I help you find your way?”

Elham tried to control her breath, willing the tears to stop falling. She quickly wiped under her eyes, finally turning to face him. He hadn’t aged a day. He gave her a soft smile, but it slowly faded as he seemed to analyze her face.

“Have we met before? What’s your name?”

Elham realized she must have looked much older than the little girl who had fled the Little Palace, and she stamped a smile on her face, trying to mask her fear.

“I’m so sorry, sir. My name is Anya. I needed a bit of fresh air, and I must have gotten lost. No, I don’t think we have met, it’s my first time at the Palace. And I think I would remember meeting a General. I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this, but it’s all quite...overwhelming. I didn’t mean to get so turned around, though, I just needed a minute.”

The Darkling’s smile returned, and he offered her his arm. “It’s quite alright, I’ll lead you back to the party.”

Elham hesitated, before taking his arm, stepping in place beside him. He began guiding them back to the party.

“Where did you say you’re from, if I may ask? You look terribly familiar, I must know your family.”

“I quite doubt it. I’m from a small town in Kribirsk, but my family is from Novyi Zem. We came into some money and my father decided Ravka was a better opportunity for us. Turns out he was right, I never imagined we would be invited to the winter fete. My father fell ill a few weeks ago, however, but he insisted I still come, meet good people.”

The Darkling smiled, patting her hand with his. They had arrived just outside the ballroom. “I’m glad you came. I hope you enjoy your stay, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Just go right through those doors, the party is in there.”

“Of course, thank you for helping me find my way back!”

He gave her a graceful nod, and turned down another corridor, leaving her standing still in the middle of an empty hall. She let out the breath she had been holding. She violently rubbed at the arm he had been holding, trying to wipe away his touch. He had been uncharacteristically cold to the touch, despite his warm greeting, and Elham could still feel his hand on her skin.

She caught her breath, calming herself as best she could. The Crows still needed her, and the plan wasn’t going to fail because she couldn’t keep her wits together. She headed into the ballroom, scanning the crowd of people for anyone familiar, or the Sun Summoner herself.

A guard came to stand next to her, clearing his throat.

“Sorry sir, I...saints, Kaz?”

He whispered next to her, barely looking in her direction, trying not to blow his cover. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you, you know the plan--”

He stopped talking, now fully turning to face her. His jaw clenched, and he slightly nodded his head, motioning for them to back away from the crowd, towards the corner of the room. “El, why are you crying?”

She reached a hand up to wipe under her eyes, and was surprised when she felt the tears on her cheeks. “I didn’t even know I was.”

“What happened?”

“We don’t have time for this. I’ll explain everything later, I promise, let’s just get what we came for and get out of here, I hate this place.”

He nodded, and Inej appeared next to them. She looked surprised to see Elham in the state she was in, but with a quick glare from Kaz, she didn’t even question it.

They stood in the corner of the room, watching the Grisha put on their little talent show the King had requested. As much as Elham hated this place, and she was sure she would have been miserable if she stayed, she almost missed her time there. Watching the Inferni bounce flames across the room had her in awe, and part of her wished she could be standing alongside them, showing off her talents.

Kaz looked unimpressed. “It’s reflective glass. Bounce the light into that, and people won’t know whether it’s coming or going.”

Inej rolled her eyes, stepping to another side of the room. Elham was about to follow, when she saw the Darkling, guiding the Sun Summoner through the crowd. Alina was dressed in a black kefta with golden embroidery. She was wearing the Darkling’s colors.

Elham decided it was better to stay away from the pair, not wanting the Darkling to catch on to who she was. Plus, as much as she hated to admit it, she somehow felt safer standing close to Kaz in the room.

Kaz would be no match against the Darkling or his favored Grisha if it came down to defending themselves, but he seemed to always survive improbable odds, and Elham was more than willing to bet that she would somehow make it out alive if she stuck by his side.

Alina stood behind the Darkling as he turned around, addressing the crowd. The room had fallen silent. “Her name is Alina Starkov. And she will bring liberation to us all.”

The Darkling stepped off the stage, and the crowd parted. Elham held her breath, shrinking back towards Kaz. The Darkling lifted both arms out, before swiftly clapping his hands together. Darkness enveloped the room. Wisps of black floated through the air. Elham could make out the Darkling turning to Alina, holding his hand out to her.

Alina stepped forward, and Elham was suddenly filled with a sense of hope. She didn't think Baghra would lie about such things, but hearing about a Sun Summoner and seeing one for herself were two very different things.

Alina put her hands together, calling the light. She slowly pulled them apart and held them steady, revealing a small sphere of light in between her fingertips. She bounced the ball of light from hand to hand, before creating another. Elham watched in admiration, a hand coming up to her mouth.

Alina pushed the light up and over the crowd, letting it reflect in the glass. She pulled her hands apart, letting light fill the room. Elham watched the Grisha around the room look at each other, smiling. She glanced over at Inej, who was absolutely beaming. Alina dropped her hands, and the Darkling released his hold, letting light fill the room once more.

The crowd murmured to themselves, some bowing down, some praying. Elham finally made out what they were saying, as she watched Inej mouth the words herself.

“Sankta Alina.”

Elham didn’t believe in saints, but even she was starting to question her beliefs. Alina may or may not have been a Saint, but she was powerful, and she was vulnerable, and Elham refused to let that kind of power fall into the wrong hands.

---

Elham stood with a drink in her hand, close enough to Inej and Kaz that they could include her in the conversation, without her looking suspicious. To an onlooker, it seemed as if she was simply admiring a piece of art on the wall, or that she may have had a little too much to drink.

Elham swirled her cup, listening to Kaz explain his plan for flushing out Arken. He really had betrayed them, and now, he was going to meet an unfortunate end. It didn’t seem that unfortunate to Elham, however. A man who profits off the Fold and the poor souls lost in it was not a good man, and she wouldn’t mourn someone like that. She just wished that she could have been the one to watch him go herself. She quite liked a bit of poetic justice.

Kaz and Inej had started moving, and Elham slowly trailed behind them. Kaz approached Alina.

“Miss Starkov! We are to escort you to dinner. Could you come with us, please?”

“I thought, umm...well, actually I am quite hungry.”

Elham watched as Alina was led down the hall in her direction, when the Darkling stepped around the corner, standing too close for comfort. Elham quickly turned away from him, suddenly looking very interested in her drink.

“Thank you. I’ll take her from here.”

He led her away, and Elham quickly moved closer to Kaz and Inej, suddenly aware of the Darkling’s Grisha eying them from around the room.

“Alright, plan B. Scratch that, plan F. Stay on the target and meet me at the escape route. Elham, come with me, they’re onto you too. Act like you're asking me for directions, and I’m going to lead us to that corridor.”

She nodded, and Inej headed in the other direction. “He’s an Inferni. Don’t take chances.”

Funny, Elham thought. If it came down to it, this would be her chance to reveal to Kaz her powers. She dreaded the look of betrayal that almost definitely would come her way, but if it meant defending him against another Inferni, she wouldn’t hesitate.

---

Kaz had led them through winding corridors, all the way to the chapel. Elham could tell the pace without his cane was killing him, she could see the grimace of pain on his face he was trying to hide.

“Kaz, I can--”

“Shut it, El. Hide. He’s coming.”

Kaz quickly ducked behind a pillar, and she dove down under one of the pews on the other side. Her heart was pounding, her mind racing. There was only so much they could do against an Inferni. Without having to create a spark, Elham could best him, moving quicker than he could. But she’d reveal her powers, and they were already unpredictable enough as is. She lowered herself closer to the ground, tucking into herself as the Inferni entered the room, scanning for them.

“You’re not supposed to be here, are you, limping man? You’re like a wounded spider in my house. You know what my sister and I do to spiders?”

The Inferni had gotten on top of the pews now, and was briskly hopping closer and closer to Elham across the top. She could hear him ignite his flame, and she sucked in a breath. She was at the front pew ducking down, ready to attack, when the Inferni jumped to the last pew, peering down at her.

Kaz leaped out from behind the pillar, clutching a piece of bannister, swinging it hard against the back of the Inferni’s legs, sending him tumbling down to the floor next to Elham, who quickly scrambled up and behind Kaz.

Kaz stomped on the Inferni’s arm, preventing him from raising his hands. “Unlike a spider, I only need one good leg. However, you look like you need both hands.”

He swung the bannister down on the man’s arm, sending out a nauseating crunch, along with the man’s scream of pain. Kaz pressed down harder, and Elham could hear the bone crack. She almost grinned. Kaz brought the bannister down once more, sending it cracking across the Inferni’s face, seeming to knock him out cold.

Kaz took a deep breath, stumbling back as he threw the bannister away from himself, turning to face Elham. He limped towards her letting out a groan, and she fought herself from reaching out to steady him.

“Are you alright, Kaz?” He just tiredly nodded in her direction, moving closer to her. She grinned, but as soon as she did, it fell from her face, her body going rigid.

“Kaz!”

Her eyes widened, and before Kaz could even turn to see what she was looking at, Elham quickly shoved her shoulder into his side, knocking him to the ground. She quickly moved to block his body with hers, hiding his frame from the Inferni’s sight.

He smacked the ground in shock, turning over to see Elham, raising her hands high, a flame erupting from her hands.

She was going to do this. She had to. The Inferni snarled, creating a spark, but Elham had already shot a flame across the room, it landing on the sleeve of the man’s kefta. His face scrunched in surprise, and he batted at the sleeve, trying to extinguish the flame.

Elham darkly chuckled, quickly advancing on the man. Kaz had sat up now, to see Elham raising her hands, sending one fireball after the other towards the man, all catching fire on his kefta.

The Inferni was screaming now, collapsing to the ground, but Elham didn’t waver. He was desperately rolling on the ground, clutching at his arms, but she just stood over him, bouncing a flame between her fingertips.

“You really shouldn’t have done that. I’m counting on seeing your sister later. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she realizes her brother died by his own power. I don’t quite like anyone threatening my family, so I’m sure you understand why it had to come to this.”

Elham’s grin had fallen from her face, replaced by a darkness that met her eyes. The Valkyrie had come out. “I’ll see you in hell.”

She raised her hands in one final swoop, sending a flame quickly across the Inferni’s face and throat, silencing his screams. His head lulled to the side, his eyes still wide open. He laid still.

He was dead.

Elham heard a gasp, and she quickly turned to find Inej now standing in the doorway, a hand covering her mouth. Elham let the flames recede into her palms, turning to face Kaz, who was now standing, staring at her with an unreadable expression.

Elham tried to find the right words. “I...I--”

Kaz stopped her. “You saved my life. The rest doesn’t matter.”

Elham sucked in a breath, feeling tears prick at her eyes, and Inej was suddenly at her side, cautiously placing a hand on her arm. Kaz directed his attention to Inej. “Get your Saint, and let’s go.”

Inej moved towards the exit, but Elham stood in her place, staring at the Inferni’s body on the ground.

“Elham.”

She didn’t move. Kaz was now at her side. “El! We have to go, now! You can explain the rest later.”

She just faintly nodded in his direction, letting him lead her out of the room and down the corridors.

---

A/N - hi everyone, i hope you liked this chapter. i promise i have a lot of cool stuff planned, just bear with me, getting in some of these plot points without changing the story too much is a little hard. i should have another chapter out soon. let me know what you thought, feel free to comment or message with anything, and thank you so much for the support.

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #grishaverse #x reader #oc #in my feels probably #ineffable

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Sixteen

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Sixteen

Elham raced up the stairs, with Kaz not far behind, to see one of the Darkling’s Coporalki pinning Inej to the deck. Alina was on the deck floor, reaching out to Mal, who looked near death. Ivan, the Darkling’s favorite Heartrender, hovered over them both. Jesper wasn’t in sight. The civilians from the fete were huddled around the ship's mast. One of the women stepped forward, trying her luck.

“General Kirigan, this will only turn the world against you and all Grisha. You’ll be seen not as a savior, but a heretic!”

The Darkling said nothing, his face cold. He seemed to ponder a bit, before turning to Ivan, sending him the smallest of nods. The people huddled around the mast moved as quick as they could to draw their guns, but it wasn’t fast enough. Ivan had already raised his hands.

Elham watched as the people began clutching their throats, slowly collapsing to their knees. She could faintly hear Alina screaming over the noise of their choked breaths, but she couldn’t bring herself to turn her eyes away from the Darkling, whose face held indifference.

The Darkling took a step forward as the final one dropped to the deck, unmoving.

“Shame. I’ll have to give that speech again now.”

Elham fought down the bile rising in her throat, and gripped the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it out in an instant, if necessary. She finally ripped her eyes from the Darkling, turning to see that Kaz was no longer beside her. She felt panic creep into her chest, but it was shoved down when she heard Inej struggling from above.

Inej had her knives drawn, trying everything she could to fight off the Corporalki, but it wasn’t working. Not only was he magically gifted, he had trained with the other Grisha in one on one combat from the moment the Little Palace took him in. He wouldn’t be an easy competitor. She threw her knife up in the air, catching it with the other hand, swinging to stab him.

She was too late.

The Heartrender had already raised his hands, beginning to slow Inej’s heartbeat. Before Elham could raise her own hands in aid, Zoya, the most powerful Squaller in the Second Army, and another one of the Darkling’s most trusted, used her power to sweep the man off his feet, sending him slamming into the sand below the skiff. She looked to Inej, before glancing down to Elham, who she had noticed creeping up to the mast.

“Help me stop him.”

Inej leapt to her feet, and Zoya turned to the sails, arcing her hands, creating a gust of wind big enough to begin moving the skiff back in the direction it came from. Kirigan turned in their direction, and Elham moved as quickly as she could to get out of his line of sight. She didn’t want him to see her. Not just yet. He called out to them.

“Zoya?”

Zoya sent another gust of wind, propelling the ship backwards. Elham couldn’t see the Darkling, but she could hear the malice in his voice. It was murderous, and it sent a chill up Elham’s spine. The panic in her chest set in once again, and she desperately looked around for one of the Crows.

“Zoya!”

Suddenly, Jesper came from around the corner, his pistols spinning in his hands. He sent one bullet hurtling towards the Darkling, hitting Ivan in the chest. It’s a shame the kefta are Fabrikator made, designed to withstand bullets. He’d have to aim for the face.

Elham let a smile creep onto her face, but it left just as soon as it came. The Darkling had raised his hands in an arc above his head, darkness pooling. He was sending the Cut straight in Jesper’s direction. Elham felt her knees buckle, moving to block Jesper.

“No...no! Jesper!” Not him. She was pleading in her head, “Not him! Not any of them.”

The Cut would have sliced clean through Jesper if it weren’t for Kaz. Kaz had come around the corner, grabbing onto Jesper’s coat, slamming him into the side of the deck, the Cut just barely missing them both. Jesper and Kaz were both knocked to the floor, and Elham let out a sigh of relief, feeling tears slip down her face. She paid no attention to them, instead paying attention to the rage she felt bubbling in her heart.

She let the flames pool in her palms, getting ready to send them the Darkling’s way, when she saw Inej running along the top deck. Not wanting the Darkling or his men to see Inej, Elham let the flames in her palms grow, letting out a savage scream.

She knew she must have looked ridiculous to the Darkling, who had turned to her, eyes wide in surprise. She had to admit to herself, she must have been a sight to behold. She was still in the dress she had boarded in, which was now torn and bunched up in places to aid her movements. Her hair was wild, and she had still unhealed bruises and cuts scattered along her body. She had the Darkling’s Fabrikator made sword strapped to her back, and flames bursting from her hands. The Darkling looked at her, and she swore she almost saw admiration behind his eyes.

Kaz had sat up now, eyes wide as well. He had heard Elham scream, fearing the worst, and had wildly looked around, trying to find her. He wasn’t prepared to see her in the state she was in, her face fierce, her stance solid and unwavering. She looked wild, ruthless even.

She looked beautiful.

She didn’t just look beautiful, she was beautiful. Kaz had stood now, and had only torn his eyes from her when a flash of silver flew through the air in his peripheral vision.

To Elham’s amusement, her distraction had worked. Inej had kissed the hilt of her knife, saying a silent prayer, before sending it through the air and lodging it right into the Darkling’s chest. The Darkling had taken a step back in surprise, stumbling as he tried to figure out what struck him.

Elham watched as Alina and Mal gazed up between her and the Darkling, still struggling on the deck. The Darkling had finally looked up with a pained expression, eyes wide. It was silent, as if everyone on the skiff were holding their breath. Elham was sure at least half of them were.

The Darkling leaned his head back, letting out a wheeze as he gasped for breath. To Elham’s horror, black veinlike lines creeped up his neck to his face, scrawling across his cheeks. An eerie gust of wind hit Elham, sending another chill up her spine.

He was healing.

He groaned, grabbing the hilt of the knife lodged in his chest, slowly pulling it out. Blood dripped out, and Elham cocked her head to the side, brows furrowed.

So there was something human left in him.

She took a quick step back as she watched the fury grow on his face. He looked between her and Inej, gripping the knife, announcing to the whole skiff. “It will take more than this!”

He let the knife slip from his grip, and they watched as it hit the deck next to Alina. Elham had been slowly backing up, trying to create some distance between her and the Darkling. She felt a hand in hers, tugging her back, and a hand covering her mouth. She opened her mouth to let out a scream, before she realized the hand that was holding hers, was gloved.

“Shh, shh, it’s just me. Slow and steady, back up for me.” Elham let her body relax as Kaz pulled her back behind the corner he had tugged Jesper to. Jesper was still unconscious, and Elham knelt down to assess his injuries, murmuring a thank you to Kaz. He just nodded, keeping his eyes on the Darkling, blocking his Crows from sight.

Kaz felt his stomach drop as he watched the Darkling raise his hands out in front of him, pulling towards himself. He was ripping the light away from the backside of the skiff, sending it into darkness. They would be completely exposed to the Volcra of the Fold in a matter of seconds. He thought fast, turning to Elham.

Elham gasped, turning to Kaz. “Kaz, what do we do? I can’t use my powers to take on all of them out there.”

“I’ve got him.”

She shook her head in confusion. “What?”

He gripped her shoulder, murmuring. “I’ve got Jesper, ok?”

She nodded her head, still confused, trying to figure out what he was doing. She watched as his face fell, his eyes pricking with tears. She didn’t understand what he was doing, she didn’t understand that he was doing everything he could to keep her safe. To keep her out of the dark.

“Kaz, wha--”

“I’m sorry.”

Before she could say another word, he grabbed onto her other shoulder, using all his strength to shove her, sending her forward onto the lower deck, rolling down next to Alina.

He knew there was a slim chance any of them were getting out of this, and he’d rather his girl be taken by the Darkling, or go out in some other way. Any way that wasn’t being torn apart by volcra, and watching the other Crows suffer the same fate. He would fight as hard as he could to protect them, but he couldn’t bear watching her die, he couldn’t bear the thought of being right next to her, and not being able to protect her. And so he had pushed her into the light as he fell into the darkness.

Elham had sat up, clutching her head. She was sitting at the foot of the Darkling. He glanced down at her, before continuing to pull the light, leaving the back of the skiff in complete darkness. He smirked down at her, before looking back where the Crows had been hiding.

“You stay in the dark.”

Elham could hear the volcra screech, and she scrambled to get back to the steps she had rolled down, desperate to get back to the Crows, to get back to Kaz. Before she could drag herself up the first step, she heard a chuckle behind her, and she felt her blood go cold. She turned back to see the Darkling smiling, still standing over Alina.

“And where do you think you’re going. You’ll die in the dark. It would be a shame to lose power like that.”

Elham let out a scream, her throat raw as she sent a flame in his direction. He lifted his hands just in time, creating a wall of black to stop it. He looked in wonder as he pulled her flame in, letting it dance around the darkness he let pool around him. He finally let the darkness go, and the flame burnt out with it.

Elham felt her heart sink, and she let out a sigh. He just chuckled, staring at her like she was a new toy he wanted to break. “We could do great things together, you know. Just give it up. I’m sure your friends are dead by now.”

Elham let out a sob, scrambling up the stairs to the edge where the light and the dark met. One step further, and she’d be in the dark. She furiously wiped at her tears, reaching to her back and unsheathing her sword. She gripped it in her hands, the weight familiar. She opened her mouth to speak, to defy him, to say the Crows were alright, that they were alive and unharmed. Only a sob came out, and the sound of her breath catching in her throat.

The Darkling smiled wider, liking seeing her in pain amused him. “Oh, Elham. You know me and the Little Palace was all the family you ever had. Come with me, and I’ll make you great. You could have everything, Elham.”

Elham furiously shook her head, holding her sword out at arms length when he took a step towards her. He stopped in his tracks, looking at her, still amused. He nodded at her to speak. She took a deep breath, calming herself.

“You’re right. You, and Baghra, and Nina, you were the closest thing to a family I ever had in that saint forsaken palace. You know, it disgusts me how excited I used to get when you’d come to my lessons with Baghra and watch me practice. What do you want me to say? That your attention and approval meant something to me? That I liked it? It did. I did. You know what else means something to me?”

He raised a brow, egging her on. “What?”

“The Crows. My real family. Do you know what I had to do to escape the Little Place, to leave behind any comfort I had ever known? Do you know what I went through that year I spent alone, before Kaz found me? I had to sell myself, just to have a place to sleep, a scrap of food to eat. I killed my first man before I was 14.”

The Darkling’s face had grown cold as she continued, her voice weary, like it was the first time she had ever admitted any of this to herself.

She let out a dark chuckle, ignoring the tears falling now. She wouldn’t wipe them away. “I guess I have Baghra to thank for that. I’ll give you this, your mother isn’t an affectionate woman. But she’s the only reason I made it in Ketterdam. She’s why I’m so good with a sword, she’s why I learned to control my powers. But I do have something to thank you for.”

He cocked his head to the side, listening. His jaw was clenched, his teeth gritted as he spoke slowly, drawing it out like they had all the time in the world. “And what is that?”

“Kaz calls me the Valkyrie. Do you know what that means? It means chooser of the slain. The first man I killed, he wasn’t a good man. The men who followed, weren't good men either. They were all bad, but none of them compare. I guess you can say I was working my way up so I’d be ready for the real thing. Saints know how fucking scared I was seeing you in that hallway in the palace. I almost backed out of the heist, but I had too much banking on it to back out, and I’m glad I didn’t.”

Elham looked to Alina, who had a look on her face like she had just had some big epiphany. Alina had stood quietly, but the Darkling’s eyes were still on Elham. Elham tried to keep the confusion from showing on her face, instead choosing to meet his gaze. His face had grown to anger, darkness pooling in his palms, and Elham could feel her knees shaking. Still, she held her ground.

“I won’t be the one to kill you, but Saints I hope it comes soon, and I hope it hurts. I hope you’re scared when it comes. I hope you beg for mercy, just to be shown none. I’ve got nothing to live for if I somehow miraculously make it off this skiff without my family, but I’ll be damned if I let them die without me. We don’t say ‘no mourners, no funerals’ for nothing.”

She took a step back, and half of her body was swallowed by darkness. The Darkling’s eyes widened, and he rushed towards her, reaching out to grab her.

“Wait!”

But Elham had already disappeared into the darkness.

---

A/N - so, we have like a chapter or so left, not sure if i can make it into two or not. still undecided about the epilogue idea, but when i upload all the chapters i'll still mark this book as complete. i hope you've enjoyed so far, and thank you for the support.

#wattpad #in my feels probably #ineffable #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone #grishaverse #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #x reader #oc

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Fifteen

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Fifteen

Once all the attention was on the Darkling and the Fold, the Crows quickly lifted a cargo hold, scrambling below deck. The volcra could be heard in the distance, and it sent a chill down Elham’s spine.

Jesper was cleaning his revolvers, groaning. “This is a bad idea.”

Kaz sounded calm, but Elham could feel the worry in his tone. “I think it’s rather practical.”

Jesper scoffed. “What? Why?”

“I don’t see how we step off this boat without you pulling those guns. So, cleaning them is a good idea.”

A screech was heard in the distance.

Jesper chuckled, motioning from his guns to the skiff around them. “Oh, I don’t mean this. I mean this! We are in the worst place in the world on a ship full of people who want us dead, surrounded by monsters who want us in their gullets. I should have brought Milo.”

Inej was glancing around towards the upper deck. “Who’s Milo?”

“The goat!”

Elham rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Jesper, those guns, the goat, my powers, all of it doesn’t matter, it’ll do fuck all if the Darkling intends on using his powers against us. We get it, you miss Milo, and we’re all scared without any comfort, but your constant need to list off the reasons we’re in danger is no comfort to any of us. Do you need a hug or something?”

It was quiet for a minute. Jesper pondered for a moment, before standing and moving towards her. “Yeah, I do, actually. It’s been a shit day.”

Elham let out an actual laugh at that, wrapping her arms tight around his neck. She could feel his hands shaking against her back, and she squeezed him tighter. She put her hands on his shoulders, pushing him out and holding him at arm's length away from her.

“It has been a shitty day. But listen to me, we’re gonna be fine, yeah? Have you seen how many times we’ve all been in a situation where we should have died? How many times have we saved each other's asses? We’ll make it...well, at least Kaz will. He’s got the survival instincts of a cockroach, I suspect he’ll outlive us all.”

Kaz almost grinned, and Elham could feel the sarcasm laced in his voice. “Someone has to run the Barrel. Might as well be me. I’ll miss you all dearly, though. I’ll make sure to light a candle for you.”

Jesper seemed to relax, and Kaz nodded at him. “How many bullets do you have?”

Another screech was heard in the distance, this one closer than the last.

“Not enough.”

---

The Crows had been standing for a while, listening to the screeches in the distance, as well as the uneasy murmurs of guests on deck. All of a sudden, a giant rumble came from above, and a small light was cast over the slats in the ceiling. The Crows looked around uneasily, trying to gage what had occurred.

“So? What's our play?”

Kaz was still looking up. “We wait.”

“For what?”

He spoke like it was obvious. “For whatever the general has planned.”

“You figured him out?”

Elham scoffed. It would take a century to figure out the depths of the Darkling, and she suspected no one would still be around by then to pick his brain. No one except Alina, that is. She felt pity for the girl who would be the only person in their lifetime to live long enough to see the Darkling rise and fall.

Kaz just shook his head. “Not quite. Consider the scenario. The Sun Summoner fled from his palace, and now she’s tied to the deck. We’re sailing for a city where another general hired Arken to kill her. And I saw his face as he boarded. I know that look. He’s a man consumed with vengeance.”

Jesper scoffed. “See it enough in the mirror, do you?”

Kaz looked unamused, and Jesper continued. “So? What kind of revenge is he planning exactly?”

“We know it requires the Sun Summoner, which makes her valuable to us. She’s the one keeping everyone safe in here. If we have control of her, then we call the shots.”

Elham felt her stomach drop. “Kaz, what if he found a way to use Alina’s powers with his? Like how he would do with mine when I was at the Little Palace? That would mean--”

Kaz stiffened, slowly putting the pieces together. “...We need to threaten her life.”

Suddenly, Inej popped up from behind a barrel, holding a knife to a man’s neck and a gun to the head, exclaiming at the same time as Elham.

“What?”

The Crows quickly turned, moving to defend themselves. Kaz took a step forward, half shielding Elham from view. Still, Elham let flames pool in her palms while she stared, and she watched the man glance between the Crows and her hands.

Jesper leaned forward. “Who’s this?”

Inej responded. “A stowaway. Why pick this of all skiffs?”

The man spoke, raising his hands in surrender. “To kill the general and save Alina.”

Jesper cocked his gun, taking a step forward, his tone menacing, the most intimidating Elham had ever heard from him. Sometimes, she forgot just how ruthless the Crows could be.

“I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

“Mal Oretsev.”

Kaz eyed him, and then moved to stand in front of him. Elham and Jesper followed. Elham had let the flames in her palms die down, and instead, she had unsheathed her sword, gripping it in her hand.

Mal was still glancing at her. “You have a Grisha on your side? You’re sure she isn’t sworn to the general? Can’t be too sure these days.”

Elham rolled her eyes, lifting the tip of her sword to land under his chin. Mal swallowed, tilting his head to get away from the tip of her blade. She pressed further.

“And just when I was starting to like you. Yes, I’m a Grisha, but I’m a hell of a lot better swordsman. No, I’m not sworn to the general, I would rather die than swear allegiance to him, and I would kill him myself if I had the chance. Now, what were you saying?”

Kaz swung his cane to tap her leg, and she grudgingly pulled her sword to her side and stepped back next to Jesper. He gave her a glance, silently telling her to stay in line and follow his lead. He turned back to Mal.

“You know Alina?”

“I do.”

“Who’s in control of her?”

“The general I’m going to kill.”

Kaz cocked his head to the side, analyzing, before deciding. “Inej, give him his gun.”

She squinted. “Why?”

“Because if he isn’t with Kirigan’s crew, he’s with ours.”

Jesper holstered his gun, and Inej handed Mal his gun. Elham sheathed her sword, and Mal turned to her. “Sorry. Wrong impression.”

Elham let out a mix between a laugh and a scoff. “Don’t worry, love, you didn’t hurt my feelings. Maybe turned my stomach up a bit at the thought of joining the Darkling, but you didn’t hurt my feelings. I would watch how you talk to people though. Words like that around powerful people just might get you killed.”

He grinned at her, holstering his gun. “That would involve living long enough to make it to those people, and so far, I think I’m doing alright.”

---

The Crows and Mal spent as long as they could below deck, biding their time, when the screaming started. The sound of a whole city being swallowed by darkness and claimed by volcra was echoing in Elham’s ears, the screams on board deafening. Elham brought a hand to her mouth, holding in a scream herself.

Jesper leaned against Elham’s side, pulling her closer to him. “What now?”

Kaz turned to them, and he was almost as scared as Elham had ever seen him. She hadn’t seen that look on his face since they were in his office with Pekka Rollins, or when he broke his leg the night she first touched him. Still, he was unwavering.

“We wait.”

Inej stepped forward. “Kaz, you can hear him slaughtering a city.”

“So you understand the scale of his power, then? Good.”

Mal shook his head. “The bold move is to strike now.”

“And the smart one is to get clear of the damned Fold first.”

Msl nodded, heading for the stairs that lead to the cargo hold door. “I never said I was smart.”

Jesper scoffed, eyes wide. “Can you believe him?”

Inej shrugged off her coat, pulling out her knives. “I’m going with him.”

Before Elham could grab her, she ran up the stairs. Elham turned with desperate eyes to Kaz and Jesper, who didn’t look any calmer. They waited a moment, before Jesper groaned, throwing off his jacket and moving towards the door.

Kaz panicked. “We wait!”

Jesper shook his head. “The action’s up there.”

“They have the advantage.”

“Only because I’m not in the game.”

Elham shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. She felt more vulnerable than she had in a long time, and she hated it.

“Jesper, please don’t go. I can’t lose one of you, you’re all I’ve got. You know it’s a suicide mission.”

His eyes softened, and he sent a small smile her way. “I’ve got to, love. I’ll be ok.”

He rushed up the stairs, leaving Elham and Kaz alone. Elham turned to him, and he knew the look on her face.

“No. Not you too. I don’t care how good you are with a sword, or about your fucking powers, no.”

“Kaz, I have to! They’re not gonna get hurt, or Saints forbid, die, when I could have been up there to stop it. I’m going up there.”

Elham took a step up the stairs, when Kaz took a hold of her hand, holding her back. The look in his eye was unfamiliar, animalistic, and she felt her heart race. His voice was a murmur now, a desperate plea.

“Don’t. Not you too. Otherwise I’ll have no choice but go up there, make sure you stay alive.”

Elham scoffed, but she was all too aware of his gloved hand still clutching hers, holding her back, gripping her like she would crumble and slip away at any moment.

“Why won’t you let me go? Am I that important, above Jesper or Inej? If we survive this, I’m just gonna get handed over to Heleen, so why not let me go, let me at least try and do some good before I go out?”

Kaz’s face contorted into anger. “You’re not dying, and you’re not going to Heleen! Yes, you’re that important, so I have to protect you!”

Elham’s mind was reeling now, but she knew she had to say it. She had to know.

“Haven’t I been the one saving your ass all these years? You have to protect me, now? Because what, you always protect your investments? Your Valkyrie?”

No. Well, yes, of course he would protect her because of that, but that’s not what she is to him. Not entirely. Not anymore. She was so much more than that to him.

She was ineffable.

She was ineffable, and he realized that. And while now wasn’t the most optimal time to say it, he knew he might never get the chance to say it again. He took a deep breath, squeezing her hand in his.

“No. I protect my girl, El.”

Her eyes widened, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek. He let go of her hand, raising a gloved thumb to wipe it away. She gave him a nod, slowly reaching for his cane. He raised a brow, but let her take it. She tapped the base of it to his ankle, and he let the smallest of smilest appear on his face.

She handed it back to him, nodding towards the stairs. “I’m gonna be fine. We’re gonna be fine. We’re in this together, Kaz. Come on, we have to help.”

He could feel his heart beating faster than it ever had, but he just nodded, and they raced up the stairs into the chaos.

---

A/N - we're getting close to the end. i haven't decided if i'm going to do an epilogue chapter or not, i was thinking of marking this book as complete when it's done, and adding the epilogue in before i write the second book and there's more show content, or maybe i'll make this one long book and when i start writing for it again i'll just add it to this one and mark it as ongoing. that's all undecided, and not an issue for now, but i'd love any ideas or feedback about that. i hope you like this chapter, let me know what you thought. there's about half an episode worth of content left, a few more chapters, and Ineffable will be complete. thank you so much for the support!

#wattpad #x reader #oc #grishaverse #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #inferni #in my feels probably #ineffable #six of crows imagine #six of crows #shadow and bone

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in-my-feels-probably · 3 years

Text

INEFFABLE - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Twelve

INEFFABLE – Kaz Brekker

ineffable (adj.) too great to be expressed in words, utterly indescribable; too sacred to speak of.

Chapter Twelve

Elham was seated next to Jesper, across from Kaz, and Inej soon followed, landing next to her. Kaz was making it a point to avoid looking at Elham, not that she minded, considering the events of the past few minutes. Instead, he was facing Jesper.

“If we don’t move soon, the Black General will be on top of us. We can’t waste any more time looking for the girl.”

Jesper sighed. “We’re really gonna leave empty handed then?”

Elham nodded. “We don’t have much of a choice, do we? Alina would never let us catch up to her, and I’m not facing the Darkling again if I don’t have to. I say we come up with a plan, and quickly. Let’s get out of here while we still have a slight advantage.”

Suddenly, a loud explosion came from outside where the carriage was parked. The Crows flinched, turning their heads to the door. Elham moved to stand, but Jesper stuck his arm out, blocking her from investigating.

“Our alarm.”

Kaz quickly spit out orders. “Split up. Much easier to take a Grisha one on one than a whole squad of them. Rendezvous at the fountain. Elham, follow me, we don’t know if they found out about you coming back to the palace.”

She nodded, and they filed out the door, scanning outside for threats. They came face to face with the Darkling’s most trusted Grisha, staring straight back at them.

The Inferni, the sister to the man Elham had killed, eyed her, before turning her gaze to Inej. Elham knew what it meant. Elham had killed someone she loved, and she was about to return the favor.

Elham moved to block Inej, but Kaz put his cane out in front of her. He murmured to her, before shouting at the rest of the Crows.

“She’s got it, she’ll be fine. Move!”

The Crows darted out in different directions, a Grisha hot on each of their trails. Elham led the way in front of Kaz, a small flame pooling in her palms as she ducked down alleys, doing her best to set a pace Kaz could keep up with. But she could hear the uneven steps and the click of his cane begin to falter. He was slowing down.

“Saints. Shit, shit, shit.” “Calm down and be quiet, keep going. We’re fine.”

Elham shakily nodded, turning down another alley, one that was better lit. She let the flame lessen in her palms, now only dancing across her fingertips. She had slowed enough for Kaz to now walk in stride beside her.

Now that they were more visible to enemies, Kaz took the lead, slightly shielding her from whatever could be in front of them. Elham noticed this and rolled her eyes. The thought was sweet, she would have even blushed if she let herself think about it long enough. But only one of them was Grisha, and her power would do them a lot better against an attack than Kaz hobbling with his cane would.

Slightly out of breath, eyes wildly looking around, they rounded a corner. Kaz walked a few paces, before stopping completely. Confused, Elham moved to stand next to him, ready to question him, when the words died on her tongue. Her breath had hitched, her stance became rigid.

The Darkling was stepping out of the shadows, coming up the end of the path.

He was no more than ten or fifteen feet away, and getting closer every second, but Elham couldn’t get her feet to move back. Instead, she stepped closer to Kaz, letting the flames in her palms grow.

The Darkling smirked. “I knew it was you. Hello, Elham. I didn’t recognize you at first, you’ve grown so much. You’ve gotten better with your powers, I see. Have you come to join me again?”

Elham felt like the breath was knocked from her longs. She tried her best to make herself sound strong, but it didn’t sound so convincing. Still, her voice was laced with venom.

“Never.”

The Darkling only chuckled. “Oh, but you will. In time. I’ll have you by my side again.”

She shook her head in defiance. “No, I won’t follow you. Ever. What do you want from us?”

His smirk fell from his face, as if he had just remembered why he had come. “I know you kidnapped my Sun Summoner. And now you’re going to tell me where you stashed her.”

Kaz finally spoke up, noticing Elham’s hands shaking. He hated watching her, powerless against the Darkling. She always walked around with such surety around an enemy, it was one of the first things he noticed about her when he met her. It had been only a few days since she had first seen the Darkling again, and he had reduced her to tremors and fear. It made Kaz’s blood boil. He couldn’t protect her the first time. But the Saints couldn’t stop him from protecting her this time.

He grabbed her by her jacket sleeve, slowly pulling her with him, backing them up. “We didn't take her. She fled on her own.”

The Darkling stopped his advance, head cocking to the side. It was silent for a moment. His eyes grew dark. “Where is she? I won’t ask you again.”

Kaz didn’t waver, his voice as steady as ever. “I don’t know. It was pretty clear she wasn’t interested in being a captive anymore. Just like Elham. You won’t have her, either.”

The Darkling’s face grew cold.

“The Summoner is probably halfway to Novyi Zem by now.”

Darkness pooled around the Darkling, inching its way towards Elham and Kaz. Elham sucked in a deep breath, and she turned to Kaz, who’s eyes were wide. She felt movement by her waist, and noticed as Kaz slowly pulled something from his pocket. She glanced down at it, noticing it was a little bag.

Before she could decipher what was in it, The Darkling was advancing. “I’ll get my Sun Summoner, and I’ll get my Inferni.”

He raised his hands together, and Elham panicked, getting ready to raise her hands in retaliation, or to push Kaz out of the way, anything to get them clear. The Darkling was performing the Cut, and it was aimed right for Kaz.

“You should have stayed in Ketterdam, Mr. Brekker.”

Before the Darkling could send the Cut to them, Kaz lifted his cane, and slammed the bag onto the barrel next to him. Light erupted, blinding the Darkling, cutting through the darkness he had pulled around him. The sound was like an explosion, right in Elham’s ear.

Elham was struggling to see, disoriented, and before she could regain her vision, she felt a gloved hand grabbing hers, tugging her swiftly in the direction behind them.

She knew it was Kaz, and immediately let him guide her away from the Darkling, rubbing at her eyes, squinting at the reappearing buildings in her sight.

It was only a few moments before she could see again, and she had let go of Kaz’s hand, knowing he was uncomfortable. She could see the tension relax in his form. He guided her back to the meeting point at the well.

She followed close behind. “Thank you.”

He turned to look over his shoulder at her, and nodded. “You saved my life. I don’t like owing debts. Figured I’d return the favor.”

She scoffed, but there was no malice behind it. She could hear the humour in his voice, and she chuckled. He led her around the corner, and Jesper was waiting at the well. Inej hadn’t made it back yet.

---

It had been a while of waiting, and Elham was beginning to worry.

“I should have gone with her, that Inferni was right behind her, and she was angry. I’m the one who killed her brother, it should have been me she was after.”

Jesper laid a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright, love, I’m sure she’s fine. She’s tougher than all of us. She probably just got caught up on the way.”

Elham had no time to respond. Inej had jumped off the top of the wall down to them, landing with a grunt. Elham turned around, immediately knowing she was hurt. She was always so quiet and light footed around them, you never could hear her land.

“Inej! Are you alright?”

She was grabbing at her side, and Elham could see blood through her fingers. Jesper immediately offered her an arm, letting her lean against him to stabilize herself. Elham hurried to her other side, grabbing her hand, and she used her hip to prop Inej up straighter so she wasn’t carrying so much of her weight.

Inej was breathing heavily, struggling. “The Inferni, she’s dead.”

Kaz nodded, but his face was pained. All of the Crows were a mess, some were hurt, the mission had failed, and they were still in danger on top of it all.

Elham sent him as reassuring of a smile as she could. “Hey, it’s ok, we’re all alright. We’ve got Inej, we can go now. We’re gonna figure this out together.”

His jaw was still clenched, but he met her eyes and managed a nod.

Jesper piped in. “Well, she can’t manage a horse. Not even riding double. We’ll have to come up with another plan.”

Kaz turned around, scanning, before landing on the Darkling’s carriage. “That’s a pretty nice ride.”

Jesper was smiling. “Yes, indeed it is.”

Elham let out an exasperated laugh. “Saints, might as well. Just one more thing to add to the list of things the Darkling will kill us for. Of course, not me though, I’m still considered useful. Sorry about the rest of you.”

Kaz rolled his eyes, headed for the Carriage. The Crows followed, supporting Inej as best they could. Jesper passed Inej off to Elham, who held up as much of her weight as she could, trying to be gentle.

Jesper walked around to the doors of the carriage, flinging them open. “Oh! Hello.”

Inside, a Grisha Elham later recognized as David, the Darkling’s favorite Durast, sat, reading a book.

He scrambled out of the carriage, quickly glancing around. Kaz stood ready, immediately striking the head of his cane across David’s face, sending him to the ground, out cold.

Jesper hopped out of the carriage, holding one of David’s books, before tossing it. “He threw a book at me.”

Kaz nodded at the Crows to get in, and Elham slowly walked Inej over to the carriage, where Jesper helped get her in and settled. Once everyone was settled, they were off again, anxious to get away from the Darkling and his Grisha, and to get somewhere they could patch themselves up.

---

A/N - we're getting so close to the stuff i'm excited to write in, there's only two more episodes worth of content, potentially an epilogue. i hope you all enjoyed this chapter, let me know. it's a little short, sorry, the next one's should be longer. thanks for the support!

#wattpad #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #grishaverse #shadow and bone #six of crows imagine #six of crows #in my feels probably #ineffable #x reader #oc #inferni

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