Kaz walked the streets of Ketterdam. The moon was high, and the night sky was clear. His crow-headed cane could be heard clunking against the cobble stone with each step he took. The familiar weight grasped firmly in his hand.
Kaz's direction was a familiar locale, in the most financially abundant part of Ketterdam. One of the only merchant's dwellings he was welcomed. He was coming from the Slat, the one place he stilled called home. It had been in a state of disarray when he had returned from his seafaring expedition. His absence had been felt in the city. The voyage was necessary but fruitless.
Where's Inej? Kaz thought. The question would intrude his thoughts at all hours of the day. When Kaz would eventually find sleep the question would wake him.
Where's Inej? Kaz received her last letter ten months ago and there had been only silence ever since. He had combed over it repeatedly, looking for any source of clues or indication that something had amiss. Kaz had found nothing. All had seemed normal and the only clue he had gotten was her last known whereabouts. Inej was sailing toward the Shu Han. A group of prominent slavers had been identified and Inej intended to destroy them, as she had so many groups before. There had been no doubt that she had developed several enemies, across all the world's countries. What is another enemy to the cunning and skill of the Wraith? Kaz had asked himself, every time he tried to assess and uncover what had occurred. They had come up against people in the past, they had always come out victorious.
After two months of hearing no news, Kaz called in help from his contacts in Ravka, even petitioning Zoya to send in reinforcements, which she readily obliged. No information was gained. Kaz then made the decision to retrieve Inej himself. Using a substantial amount of his personal wealth to fund the expedition. For six months, he remained at sea on two boats with full crew. Only one question burning in his mind.
Where are you Inej?
Three months in, another thought had crept in. That Inej hadn't been killed but was hiding from him. She was the only person who would be able to do it. Maybe she learned a new shadow to disguise herself in, aiming to never be found again. Kaz had ignored the thought initially, but the suspicion had steadily been growing louder. Echoing in his mind.
After six months Kaz had returned. He had to admit defeat and accept that if Inej was alive, she would declare herself and emerge when she was ready. Upon his return, he considered destroying all Ketterdam. He went into a week long drunken rage. Undoing years of trust and hope that had been growing inside of him since he and his Wraith had destroyed the wound that Pekka Rollins had left. Word had spread that the Dime Lions were beginning to grow and strengthen after finally resolving the loss of Pekka Rollins. Kaz made quick work of them and killed them all. He would have continued if Jesper and Wylan hadn't intervened and stopped him. They forcibly knocked him out, knowing no lock or bindings would hold him. Kaz had stayed unconscious and slept for two days. Upon waking, he had made a decision. Until he heard otherwise, he had to believe Inej was alive, and would keep Ketterdam ready for her return.
Kaz had a whole speech planned for when she would come back to him, waiting at his windowsill in the slat. No announcement or warning that she was coming, she would just appear there one day, like magic. Kaz would tell her that she couldn't leave again, that the sea took who they wanted and that he wouldn't risk it taking her. In the meantime, he needed to take back control of his empire. Defeating Pekka Rollins and becoming the most feared Barrel boss didn't award you respect forever. It had to be earned, daily or else you were at risk of being knocked off the pedestal.
Kaz acknowledged that his search for Inej had disrupted his focus, it was taking him longer than expected to retain a vision. However, creating a city that was prepared for Inez's return provided a clarity that he needed. Regardless, this was disrupted after only a few weeks and demanded his attention.
Word of Anika seeking services from the Widows had legitimately surprised Kaz. His first instinct was to have her body thrown into a river for signing an indentured contract to another gang, but then one of his newly trained spiders had discovered and revealed the service the Widows provided, and all the puzzle pieces fit. There had been rumours for years about their method of gaining so many indentured contracts, Kaz barely paid it any mind. The Widows were a small gang, and their service didn't ever make a dent in his own ventures, or his ability to take down Pekka Rollins. However, once they had gained Anika as one of theirs, he became more attentive and kept a closer eye.
The scared Mouse and the deaf Pigeon. Kaz thought, shaking his head in disbelief that they had somehow made their way onto his radar. He knew Pigeon was an Alkemi for years, but found her to be inconsequential, and suspected the ruthless 'Granny' would dispose of her before realizing her potential. But the rumour that she had created parem spread like wildfire, and Kaz immediately went from passively observing them, to studying their every move. Contracting gang members, creating parem, these Widows are getting too much power, too fast. Kaz had thought. He had been in the middle of assessing all their moves when he had spied Mouse talking to Anika. He wasted no time once they were done to find out all that had happened.
"Looking for the Wraith? You're sure?" Kaz had asked Anika. She nodded dutifully while shaking from the cold of the rain and her fear of Kaz's retribution for speaking with Mouse at all. This had been unexpected. Any other gang would have used Anika to spy on the Crows or do work that would put Kaz at risk. From what Anika had reported, Mouse had no interest in the Crows at all. She seemed to only want information to save her precious Pigeon. And not for the sake of retaining control over a lucrative substance like parem, but only due to their kinship. Kaz had surmised, remembering his own similar past behaviour, and all the risks it can bring. Kaz followed the progression of the Mouse's steps following this discovery. Something had happened inside him that he couldn't explain, someone else is looking for the Wraith, someone else feels Inej's absence. Kaz had told himself to brush it off, that Mouse wasn't looking for Inej because of an attachment to her, but to find her own people. However, he still found himself not only threatening, but also warning and advising Mouse on what steps she should take next to get all she wanted.
Kaz knew Mouse for as long as he had been in the Barrel. Her grandmother had tried to recruit Kaz several times, and Mouse and him had even physically fought once or twice when Mouse had tried to rattle him and get his attention. She always ensured to back off and run before Dirtyhands could land any serious physical damage. She never seemed to learn her lesson and would always return to bait him. Kaz had initially chalked it up to doing her grandmother's work to try and get him to join the Widows, but after some time he realized it was due to her own interest. He had caught her following him or watching him when she thought he didn't notice. Mouse never gave him any reason to be curious about her though. He saw through her and her grandmother's feeble attempt at hiding their relation immediately, but never shared the information in case he needed to use it against them. Otherwise, he saw Mouse in the same way he viewed a merchant's kid. Spoiled since birth, cowardly and naively too honest. However, he hadn't expected her to be a corporalki. It was obvious once he had learned the service of pregnancy termination that the Widows solely provided. In the past, Inej had always denied being able to discover their services, but he presently wondered if that had been a lie and if she had intentionally kept this information from him. Inej could have been afraid about what I would have done if I found out, that she felt the need to protect those who sought these services. Inej would see them as one of the most vulnerable. She didn't trust what Dirtyhands would do. Kaz bristled at that conclusion, knowing it rang true.
Kaz had found himself continuing to follow Mouse after giving her advice. He couldn't help but watch the drama unfold. Curious about the impact of the lobbied law and how each of the Widows would respond as their group was publicly fractured. The fight at their dingy bar, The Bank could barely be called a triumph. Zelda was bold to make the move at for power but was never known for her intelligence or cunning. And the merchant's son scheme was amateur and childish at best. However, when he saw Mouse inhale a tiny, rust coloured powder, he felt legitimate fear. He had seen parem used, and by another corporalki. The consequences could devastate the whole of the Barrel. Kaz meant to stay hidden but found himself catching Mouse's eyes and a moment later was frozen in place. His mind screamed in fear and anger. He cursed his curiosity and foolishness. He should have left at the sight of parem. If he had had that power, he would have taken out anyone in his path, and expected Mouse to do the same. The only tactic he thought could work on her, was for him to reveal any form of himself. To be honest and genuine in his need to be freed. He thought of only a pleading to her to release him. Mouse was known to be duped by sympathy. She took in every broken thing in the Barrel and called them a Widow, even when she knew her Granny would kick them out after seeing how little use they brought. In the those fleeting moments, his eyes locked with hers desperately. Kaz would later realize that although he was manipulating Mouse, his thoughts betrayed him, and he had simultaneously felt afraid. He couldn't help picturing Inej, finding him in a comatose state that he could never wake from. Mouse chose to release him, without question or hesitation. Her face had taken on an otherworldly quality while they held each other's gaze, and he hated it. He felt she could see through him in a way no one was able. The cowardly Mouse showed a power and ability that had to be watched and either exploited or stopped.
Kaz had fleed upon his telekinetic release, but something had stopped him. He couldn't say if Mouse had continued control on him, or if the opportunity of having access to her power compelled him to return. However, before he could question it, he found himself shooting a stadwatch officer, and helping Mouse survive. Inej would have told Kaz it was because of his goodness, as she had done so often in the past. He didn't agree, a corporalki on parem could compel anyone to do something against their nature, possibly even when they were out of their eyesight.
Where's Inej? Kaz wasn't any closer to finding the answer, but the beginnings of a plan was forming in his mind, as he approached a short flight of stairs leading to an ornate door, and knocked. A small, stout maid answered the door. Her eyes widened in alarm at the sight of the Kaz, and she reflexively move to shut the door closed. Kaz pushed the door open with cane and moved past her before she could.
"Tell him I'm here." Kaz said, thinking it was kind enough that he chose to knock instead of break in. The servant stammered but agreed and left to retrieve her master. Kaz went to the luxuriously furnished sitting room and chose a comfortable large, plush red chair to sit on. After a minute of waiting a young, curly red-haired boy walked in. He looked breathless and harassed but had clearly still been awake despite the late hour.
"Hello, Wylan" Kaz said with a small smirk. Wylan didn't look pleased to see him.
"Kaz, I'm hoping this isn't a midnight job you want to take me on."
"It might, but not I can't say on which day, yet. Where's Jesper?" Wylan made to turn towards the stairs to respond, but Jesper answered the question as he emerged from the second floor.
"I'm here Kaz, glad to see you're not blind drunk this time. Can't say that I think it's for good news though."
"Ye of so little faith, both of you."
"What business, Kaz?" Wylan asked, letting out an exasperated sigh. This merchant has gotten too big for his boots. Kaz thought bitterly, planning to remind him that he was the reason Wylan was in this position of power.
"I need you for a job, both of you." Kaz said, eyeing the two of them. Jesper sat down on the couch, rubbing his hands together.
"Ooh, a little international espionage? Or are we planning the assignation of a duke?" He asked, a wide grin stretching over his face. Wylan took a seat on the arm of the couch, next to Jesper and gave him a warning look.
"We aren't looking for any jobs Kaz, we don't need them."
"I'm not offering pay." Kaz retorted.
"Oh well then! Where do we sign up?" Jesper asked sardonically.
"You have plenty of people at your disposal Kaz, there's only a handful of reasons you're asking us." Wylan gave no indication of enjoying the conversation. Kaz let out an impatient sigh.
"It's for Inej." He admitted. Jesper and Wylan exchanged a glance.
"What?" Kaz asked.
"Mate….it's not that we don't care. But you've thought up a million plans to get Inej back. She's not coming." Jesper said to him gently, his exuberant energy dissipating. Wylan gave Kaz a pitying look.
"So that's it? That's why you two are looking at me like a wounded puppy? Because you've given up?" Kaz snapped at them. Jesper sat back to reply.
"It's not that we don't care, it's that we would have found something if there was something to find." Wylan responded, interrupting Jesper's retort.
"Well, aren't you both lucky it's not either of you. I'll tell Inej that when she's found."
Jesper and Wylan both sat uncomfortably, Jesper shifting in his seat and fidgeting with his hands. His usual pearl handled revolvers not at his side to stroke. Jesper broke the silence.
"Let's say there was a chance to get her back. What's your idea?"
There it is. Kaz thought. They've taken the bait. For years Kaz relied on greed as an ally to get what he wanted, luring those in who resisted his offer. Kaz had learned that another tool that could be used was hope. It had worked on him before, therefore others were susceptible.
"It's not dangerous, and there's very little for you to do. Jesper your job will even be enjoyable." This peaked Jesper's interest, he sat forward again, the grin spreading on his face. Wylan wasn't so easily convinced.
"Not dangerous? According to who?"
"According to me merch, you should trust that I know the difference. What have you heard about this new law that has been passed?" Kaz asked, pressing his advantage. Wylan looked puzzled at the question.
"About the girls? And their pregnancy? I know it passed easily, no one on the merchant council even understood why it was being brought up, and the points made in its favour made sense. The Shu Han and Fjerda already have strict laws against it. Ketterdam and the rest of Kerch following suit ensures we don't have a city filled with pregnant, desperate girls and then babies. It creates more mouths to feed, with very little opportunities for profit. Thousands of girls flooding the city, with a baby in tow doesn't even offer legal indenture contracts, they usually can't work for at least six months. If they have no family here, then it can take longer, and creates more crime." Wylan answered, explaining to Jesper who had an expression confusion on his face.
"Yes, that was what the reported arguments were. And how did you vote, merchling?" Wylan lips pursed at the old, condescending name. Kaz kept his eyes on him but could see Jesper hold back a laugh.
"I voted against, but only because it came out of no where, and I wanted more information. It does make sense though."
"I see, well I'll admit I have a vested interest in that bill. And I need information on how the members of the merchant council feel. I have a few new spiders rising in the Dregs, but I need more of an inside perspective."
"And none of them can match Inej." Jesper added, Kaz refused to respond.
"Ok but why?" Wylan asked.
"That's my business, all I'm asking for is information. See how little risk there is for you? And you still get to stay on the merchant council and vote to clean up the Barrel, or whatever your platform will be. Imagine if they discovered the work we had done to get there." Kaz said it lightly, but there was a threat behind his words and they all could sense it. Jesper sprang up defensively.
"Don't be ass, Kaz! Wylan can decide and he doesn't need you to play Barrel boss like you do with everyone else." Kaz kept his body still, arms resting at either side and his cane leaning against his leg. Wylan said nothing and Jesper sat back down, relaxing himself by a few, familiar fidgets of his hands on his jacket, and his pants. Kaz could see them searching for his revolvers.
"Now, what's this fun job for me?" Jesper asked, putting on the air of excitement.
"You know the Study Hall?"
"The dance hall near the Weft? Ya, I know it. I've been meaning to go and check it out, wanted to drag Wylan with me but he refused. I've been trying to explain to him that inheriting your father's wealth doesn't mean you have to also act like you're near retirement." Jesper jerked his thumb at Wylan who looked deep in thought.
"Well now's your chance to start frequenting the bar, and dancing and being as friendly as possible with the staff. I need you to use all your charm."
"Finally, a job I'm good at. I still won't turn down paying though."
"I'll keep it under consideration." Kaz said, standing up. Jesper waved his hand for Kaz to sit.
"Wait, the Study Hall? This bill? You're targeting the Widows. What do they have to do with Inej?" Jesper asked, putting it together faster than Kaz had liked. Kaz was about to deflect when Wylan interrupted.
"Is Inej pregnant?" He asked. Kaz stared at him, his hand gripping the head of the cane he had grabbed when he made to stand. Jesper put together what Wylan was suggesting, and his head snapped back and forth between Kaz and Wylan.
"Wait, is that what this is about? Inej has been gone for ten months. Kaz did you get that girl pregnant." Kaz stayed silent for another minute as the other two waited in anticipation for his answer. Kaz slowly sat back down, methodically planning his response.
"No, as far as I know Inej is not pregnant. That is not what this is about. But the Widows are vital to my plan. That's all I am willing to say for now. I'll be back in a few days with more specifics of what I need." Kaz stood, Wylan and Jesper didn't say they were onboard, but Kaz knew they were willing to do their part, especially when he asked for so little, and by dangling the hope of uncovering some information about Inej.
Kaz made his way to the door, Jesper and Wylan following him there. Before he left Kaz turned to Wylan.
"Last thing, I need your friends at the Shu Han embassy to give you information regarding one of their soldiers who deserted." Wylan once again looked confused, curiosity winning over any disapproval.
"A Shu Han soldier? They are notoriously private about any of their personnel, I doubt they'll tell me."
"So am I, but you must have someone on that council who can get information, it doesn't have to be thorough, nothing specific. Even just an enrolment sheet, health specs, and maybe any reason why they think she deserted." Wylan shook his head at the impossibility of the task, Jesper grabbed his arm.
"Wy, Kaz isn't telling us to promise to get something, he asked to try. Which. In Kaz's terms is practically begging. He'll try Kaz." Jesper said, giving him a solemn nod. Wylan sighed.
"What's the name?" He asked.
"Sol Ma. She might have another name, but I doubt it, maybe a different last name. She's our age, left over a year ago. Any information, bring it to me."
Without another word, Kaz left. Not bothering to say goodbye, his mind working. He felt the unfamiliar hope of putting together the scheme needed to find and take back, Inej.