Chapter Text
Kaz stood silent as a stone, crow cane in hand in the back of an abandoned cold ally of Ketterdam. He could sense the Wraith's presence the second she silently entered the cold alleyway. The Crow Club was in full swing tonight and Kaz had requested Rotty’s report outside from prying eyes and ears.
When Rotty finally appeared at the end of the alley he carried with him a small rectangular shaped brown paper box. He had a confused look etched on his face as he walked toward the leader of the Dregs. Inej eyed the unmarked box suspiciously and turned to Kaz to see an equally confused and suspicious look on his dark features.
“Rotty?” Kaz said, breaking the silence and looking at his watch.
“Sorry I'm a late boss,” Rotty replied, noticing the gesture, “just got held up. Keeg found me and said that Pim had this box delivered to the club crow but it was to be delivered to you as soon as possible.” Rotty held out the box to Kaz, who accepted it with gloved fingers.
“I-I didn’t open it but it’s light, like there's nothing in it.” Rotty explained just as anxious to find out was inside the mystery box just as Inej and Kaz. Kaz’s movements were quick and seamless as he removed the lid from the box cautiously and discarded it on the ground. What lay in the box was something that no one could've expected. A singular white jasmine floor lay in the box. It was perfectly intact and Inej was almost certain that she could still smell it’s pungent smell from where she stood by Kaz’s side.
Inej would never be able to explain to anyone or to herself what Kaz’s reaction was like as he first saw the white flower. All she knew was that his breath hitched, his fingers on the box tightened and his eyebrows furrowed. But there was no mistaking that Kaz knew just what this flower meant, and whatever it did Inej could tell it wasn’t good.
“What? Who woul-” Inej started staring up at Kaz, who dropped the box and turned quickly, already starting to walk out of the alleyway towards the Crow Club with purpose.
“Boss!” Rotty called out after him, “Don’t you still need my report?” Kaz ignored him as he turned the connor reappearing into the now dark streets of Ketterdam but responded to Inej’s question by saying
“An old friend is in town” Inej knew then not to question further but that the undeniable truth would reveal itself soon enough. She could tell that he was on edge. He was walking quickly and with propose despite his limp and his dark eyes had a sense of stress and drive.
They heard the Crow Club well before they set their eyes on it, but as they entered the doors Kaz took no time in almost frantically looking around quickly in search of something- or someone. He turned random strangers in their seats to look at their faces and was getting many worried glances from club goers including Inej. With another couple minutes of frantic searching the floor his eyes finally met the staircase that led to another room and at the top floor, his office and quarters.
“Inej,” he breathed, “I need you above me, I don’t know how this is going to go down.” Inej gave a curt nod, becoming more and more wary of this mysterious newcomer that brought a white jasmine flower. Who was this man? She wonders as she climbs the inside of the crows building to eventually perch at a ledge by the hallway to Kaz’s quarters. And what did he want? She hasn’t seen Kaz this one edge since Pekka Rollings.
Kaz stood outside the door, and then Inej realized it was wide open. Kaz’s elaborate key system had apparently failed him. She moved, silent as a cat to another perch on the roof of Kaz’s office watching the events that transpired silent and invisible:
A woman sat, with her feet up carelessly on Kaz’s desk, a glass of Kaz’s finest Kavs in her right hand and with the other she held an embellished silver letter opener, apparently examining it. She wore a worn brown pirate hat on her head that was filled with dark and long curly hair that fell a little over her shoulders. Her eyes were black as chocolate but somehow still sparkled with a mischievous glow. She wore black men's pants and a white button down that was tucked in. She wore dark brown high boots that were getting dirt and mud all over Kaz’s hyper organized desk. It was clear that she had been in some sort of fight because there were scratches and bruises appearing on her face and there was a dark red gash on her forearm.
When Kaz entered, cane in hand, with a murderous look on his face, she looked up just as casually as if a past planned appointment had walked into her office. Her eyes lit up as she spotted him and a sly grin spread across her face, one that was not shared by Kaz who still had that deadly look in his eye to see someone displayed so casually at his desk. Her voice was crisp as ice as she greeted Kaz like an old friend when she said
“Hey old man, miss me?”