It was nearly nightfall when Aylin set the box down on Brekker's desk. "I got it,"

   Brekker stood up and opened the box, quickly checking the contents before snapping it shut. Aylin didn't get a chance to see what was inside. "Good," he said simply, handing Aylin their payment.

   Aylin counted up the money and noted, with some confusion, that Brekker had paid them more than usual. "Mr. Brekker, you spoil me," they said, grinning slightly.

   "It seemed appropriate." Brekker locked the box in one of his desk drawers, "This was... unofficial, shall we say,"

   They raised an eyebrow. "Unofficial? Now, don't tell me you've gone and sent me on a personal fetch quest," they joked, leaning on one of the chairs in front of the desk.

   "I couldn't think of a better way to get it back," he said simply, turning his gaze back to the many ledgers and records in front of him.

   So it was personal. That just made it all the more intriguing. "What's in the box anyway?"

   "That is private." His tone turned dark, and Aylin felt anxiety curl in their gut.

   "Alright, alright. I'll be out of your hair then,"

   They slipped out of the office and downstairs into the main area of the club. It was crowded and loud, and smelled of smoke and alcohol, but it was basically their home away from home. They scanned the crowd for familiar faces. It could do them some good to have a few drinks with Jesper, lighten their mood a little. They spotted him at the bar, a perfect position for their plans, but the bartender...

   Was that Ana? The woman from the market? Aylin made their way over to the bar and stood next to Jesper. "Ana,"

   Jesper and Ana turned to look at them, and her eyes lit up as she waved. "Hi Aylin," she smiled, and Aylin blinked.

   "I didn't think you were in the city looking for a job,"

   "I- Well.." Ana became flustered, and Jesper saw fit to explain the situation.

   "She helped the boss out of a corner, so she works here now,"

   Aylin raised an eyebrow, but decided not to push. "Well, I guess we'll be seeing more of each other than I thought,"

   Ana smiled, "I guess we will,"

   Aylin decided to indulge in a few drinks that night. Jesper was just wild enough to help them get their mind off of whatever conversation with Brekker had them reeling, and getting to know Ana better proved to be interesting as well. This all came to a head when Ana's shift was over and Aylin figured they should go to bed. "One of us should walk you home, Ana." Jesper stood, "It's dangerous around here,"

   "There's no need," she said, blithe as a doll, "my camp is outside the city,"

   Aylin looked at Ana, then at Jesper, then back at Ana. "Outside the city... in the woods?"

   "Yes, why?"

   If Aylin had a year, they couldn't find the words to express the sheer shock they felt. "You- Ana, if you need somewhere to stay, I- Well, I have a couch, but it's a nice.. couch," their train of thought got lost before they could finish the sentence.

   "Oh, you don't have to. I mean, you barely know me-"

   "It's alright. Besides, I live close by, and around here it's a good idea to live close to where you work,"

   "You really mean it?" Ana looked hopeful, if a little wary. Aylin couldn't blame her.

   They nodded, not having any reason to suspect that she would cut their throat in the dead of night. "Thank you," she said softly.

   The two of them said their goodbyes to Jesper and left, Aylin guiding Ana through the winding streets until they reached their rooms. It wasn't much to look at, but it was home. The couch was in plain sight, but Aylin gestured to it anyway, "The couch is there, I'll get you a blanket and a pillow,"

   Ana nodded and sat down. She looked nervous, so Aylin tried their best to reassure her it was alright as he gave her the blanket, then the pillow. "I'm not gonna bite, don't worry. Brekker doesn't take too kindly to people hurting his employees anyway,"

   "I don't imagine he would,"

   "Yeah. He can be intimidating, but don't let him get to you. He's a slippery piece of work, but if he's offered you protection, he'll keep his word." They stood in front of their mirror, slowly removing their jewelry.

   "You work for him, then?"

   "Mmm... kind of. I gather information. Or destroy it. Depends on the job,"

   Ana hummed. "Do you like working for him?"

   "It's not unpleasant." Aylin hesitated, "He pays well, but figuring him out is tricky. Guy's got his emotions under tighter lock than a nobleman's sense of empathy,"

   "Implying that noblemen possess empathy at all." Ana gave them a sly smile, and they laughed.

   "It's late. We should sleep, lest we have our heads bitten off when we go in for work tomorrow,"

   As Aylin drifted off to sleep, they couldn't help but think about what was in that box. It was eating away at them. They hadn't even the faintest clue what could be in it, and Kaz Brekker sure as hell wasn't telling any secrets.