Inej took the long route back to the club, crossing over rooftops in the welcome cover of darkness. She mused over the lynx boy. What was it that was so familiar about him? He had been defensive when she brought it up. That proved that the boy knew her; or, at least, he knew she was right. He was hiding something. And if there was anything Inej did well, it was finding what people were trying to hide.
When Inej made it to the roof of the Crow Club, she swung down quietly to Kaz's window. She could see him at his desk, his expression frustrated. Inej slipped inside.
Kaz didn't even flinch at her sudden presence. "Where do you know him from?" he asked quietly.
Inej sighed, rolling her shoulders. "I'm really not sure. Ravka, probably. I know I haven't seen him around here."
"What if he was on one of the slave ships with you?"
Inej pondered this. "You think he's trying to get information in order to take out competition?"
"It's possible."
"He didn't strike me as menacing." Inej curled up in the window frame, looking out across the dark streets while desperately trying to remember where she had seen him.
When she turned back to look at Kaz, he was watching her. He looked down quickly at his desk. "I suppose it doesn't matter where he's from. Money is money."
"You'd really help a slaver?" Inej growled.
"I wouldn't exactly consider this helping. If he goes after them, slavers will die no matter what. Blood will be shed on both sides. Let them tear each other apart."
Inej nodded, but again looked outside, her mind conflicted. Should she try to spy on him herself?
"Inej?" Kaz said quietly. She turned to face him again.
"Please be careful around him."
"I would never allow anyone to take me again," she responded with vehemence.
"It's not…" He trailed off, giving her a curious look before nodding. "You're right. I don't doubt your abilities. Just be careful." He stood, which she took as her sign to exit. "I'll send you and Jesper out tomorrow to start gathering information. You know where to look."
Her lips curled into a smile. "I can't believe he gave us a whole three days for this job. Easy money."
Kaz frowned. "You're right. Too easy."
Inej shrugged as she headed for the door. "Some people don't have a clue about espionage, Kaz. It will be fine. This Sturmhond doesn't know what he's doing."
Kaz looked uneasy as she left. "A part of me highly doubts that."
Inej caught a glimpse of blonde hair floating in the surging crowd. She started to slow her pace, grasping Jesper's arm.
He raised a questioning eyebrow at her.
"We may have a lynx on our tail," Inej muttered close to him. He nodded his understanding. They continued to walk, Inej more cautious. She was surprised he had been able to follow them so well under the cover of night in this crowded part of the street.
They came to one of the most popular pleasure houses in the Barrel. Inej walked casually to the side of the building before leaping into the eaves and waiting. Jesper went inside, trying to look casual. He would be the distraction; Inej would sneak in later, knowing that all eyes would be focused on him.
As expected, the stalker walked down the alley moments later, trying to peer through the shadows as he looked for them. Inej waited a moment before silently jumping down behind him and sweeping her leg under his feet. He fell to the ground with a grunt. Inej pounced on him and whipped a knife to his throat before he had a chance to process what was happening.
"Do you think this is some sort of game?" she hissed in his face.
"Well, I'm having plenty of fun right now, so, yes." Sturmhond grinned at her despite the knife pressed into his neck.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."
"You wouldn't want to scar such a pretty face, would you?"
Inej only scowled in response.
"Look, yeah, I was following you. But if you'd let me up, I would be more than happy to explain."
"What weapons do you have?"
He rolled his eyes. "Only my devilishly handsome looks. And perhaps a knife, like yours."
She sat back on her heels, scrutinizing him. He sat up and rubbed his neck. "Are all of you girls around here like this? Because I'm starting to feel way out of my depth here."
"Your first mistake was assuming that I only had one knife," Inej responded, getting to her feet. "Now explain yourself."
Sturmhond stood gracefully, as though he hadn't just been pinned to the ground. "Fine, but you owe me an explanation about your knives." He sighed, glancing behind him. "I need to pick up some tips on espionage. You'd be surprised to know how many people want to kill me, charming young man that I am. I thought I should learn some tricks from the best I could find. Let's just say your people have quite a bit more experience in street crime than I do. I only catch criminals on the sea."
"There's people out there who want you dead, and you expect that knowledge to make me trust you more?"
"Well, saints, no. I can already tell you're one of those playing-hard-to-get types." He rolled his eyes. "I don't suppose there's anything I can bribe you with?"
"You couldn't bribe me to do anything, even if you had the Lantsov emerald."
"Shame, because I already gave that away to another girl a while ago." He peered at me closely, crossing his arms. "You want to help me. I know you do."
"I want to know who you are. How do I know that you're not another slaver trying to take out the competition?" Inej knew Kaz wouldn't be happy with her for giving away this hunch, but she was quickly losing patience with Sturmhond.
"I'm from Ravka. As are you, I presume?"
'Where in Ravka?" Inej asked, suddenly wondering if he knew her family.
He hesitated. "Doesn't matter. I travel now. I tend not to stay in one place for too long. Please, will you help me? I really will be gone after these three days. I will pay your gang for their work. And, to benefit the both of us, there will hopefully be less slavers on the water in a few weeks."
Inej glanced back at the club. Jesper would have everyone's attention by now. Her window to glean information from the pleasure house was slowly closing. "Fine. Go inside and watch and learn. But stay out of my way."
She didn't wait for his response before climbing back onto the roof. In moments, she was hidden by the shadow of night.
