Chapter 16: jurda parem

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Growing up a Squaller was one of the best things, her hands blazing thunder and the ability to control wind...

Her stepmother trained her and she sure as hell thinks that she's one of the strongest if she was in the Little Palace with other Grishas.

Shr wanted to be with people like her, wanted to train with Zoya Nazyalensky fight by her side and other grishas.

But oh well, she dreamed to wear those royal blue soft kefta's with silver embroidery at its cuffs and hems, but oh well, maybe one day? Who knows?

As soon as they reached home Kaz Brekker went down the lists of every new people that came from Ravka or Novyi Zem, surely her mother's name is here.

And he actually thinks he found her, she has changed her last name that's all and the problem was, she worked for Pekka Rollins.

Just like the way Jesper described, he found her, now it seems like both he and Zaria have the same enemies.

Yet he stayed silent for now, wanting to talk about that later alone and away from praying ears.

Matthias listened to the strange words leaving the gloved boy's lips, he followed Kaz enough to know that he is a demon and by his pale skin he also knew that this creature spent much time in the shadows and darkness.

Yet the girl who aimed her rifle at him was a creature used to the sun due to her brown skin always sparkling, he actually is starting to wonder where he bought a girl version of him, not the looks but the personality.

He had heard about the name Brekker back in Hellgate and the word 'Wraith' and a pretty Zemeni who was knows to be a dancer but is named 'Storm'

He could see Nina at the corner of the room, her aroma was the only thing he could smell around the room with a hint of peaches.

Matthias woke up stuck on a chair in what seems to be a gaming room, he looked around seeing that all the Dregs are present including the girl leaning against the desk reading a book.

She was the first to notice him awake and immediately smiled at him, it was definitely not a kind one.

"Ah, look who's finally awake!" She exclaimed shutting off the book and sitting in the desk with the corner of her lips raised, wickedly?

Then Kaz Breker started talking.. about a drug named jurda parem, about winning a lot of money, and the absurd idea of attempting a raid on thr Ice Palace.

Even the girl with the thick accent was bored and throwed her head back in exhaustion, lips pressed together into a line as she sighed.

And when Brekker finally finished with his talking, Matthias immediately gave him his answer.

"No."

Zaria snorted and immediately covered her month apologizing, "Believe me when I say this, Helvar. I know getting knocked out and waking up in strange surroundings isn't the friendliest way to start a partnership, but you didn't give us many options, so try to open your mind to the possibilities and accept it."

"You could have come to me on your knees, I will still refuse." Spat back Matthias, Zaria straightened her posture, "can't we go with the other plan?" She asked getting bored.

What other plan? Beating him to death?

"You do understand that I can take you back to Hellgate in a matter of hours? Once poor Muzzen has the infirmary, the switch will be done without problem."

"Do it. I can't wait to tell the warden about your ridiculous project." Zaria scoffed stepping towards him but was stopped by Jesper.

"What makes you think you will go back wirh a tongue?" Both She and Kaz spoke in unison and everyone turned to look at them, even Matthias looked between them suspicious.

They really are the same aren't they.

"Guys–" protested Nina. "Do whatever you want." Said Matthias shooting her a look, he couldn't bear to hear her voice and he will not betray his country again.

"Fine, i'll cut iff his tongue-" startes Zaria wanting to step towards the drüskelle who didn't give up, Nina sighed, "see I told you."

"Don't pretend to know me, witch!" He snarled eyes still on Brekker who stared without a single emotion clear in his eyes.

He couldn't look at her again, he refused.

Jesper worried twitched in his seat, "without him, there is no heist, we can't break in blind."

Matthias almost laughed at that, "you can't break in at all." The Ice Court contains a high-security prison, drüskelle, embassy... and there is no way in hell 6 teenagers will manage to break in.

"Come on, Helvar." Pressed the demon, "there is certainly something you want."

Zaria didn't hate men, no, she despised them. They were disgusting, perverts and growing up she never trusted men and always felt disgusted around them.

The way they would eye a young girl living her life up and down, the way 14 year old girls shuddered and felt sick while trying to not glance at them.

The way they bit their dry lips while they followed them with those eyes, the way they came running to Zaria whenever they felt uncomfortable.

She hated them, and the only men she trusted was Jesper, his father, Kaz Brekker and Wylan even if he was still a kid in her eyes.

She didn't despise Matthias, no, she was just mad at what he has done to Nina and that's all.

She didn't even hear any of Kaz words she wasn't focusing on anything at all and instead grabbed the book Kaz gave her continuing to read.

"Never. Yul-Bayur will appear in court, and if he is found guilty, he will be executed." That final word made her freeze and her mind immediately went back to when she was 8 years old.

Rage was a brutal monster, and she could feel it coursing through her veins, violent and deadly, flames appeared in her dark brown eyes as she cocked her head to calm her anger from taking over.

If she was a cartoon character, smoke would be leaving her ears, she was a wild card and everyone knew that.

Hands trembling and throat closing she looked away feeling Jesper's eyes burning holes on her, he watched the way she clenched her jaw about to break her teeth, and the way she tugged her lip under her teeth almost making it bleed.

She sighed before turning her attention back to the page in front of her staring at the unknown letters, it was Kerch.

"Guilty of what?" Asked Nina slowly, "of crimes."

"Against who?" Asked both Nina and Zaria in unison and he could hear the anger in their voices, "people of nature, those who live in harmony with the laws of this world rather than diverting them to satisfy their own interest." He replied.

Nina let out a exasperated look and Zaria rolled her eyes before making two grand steps, grabbing the chair and placing it in front of him she sat in front of him.

Her legs parted as she sat on the backwards chair tilting her head innocently and Matthias could see a scar running down her neck.

the others were just laughing at the stupidity of the poor Fjerdan, "oh~ I wonder who taught you that, I would like to have a chat with him." She spoke grinning wickedly at him.

Brum had warned Matthias that the world was full of liars, pleasure-seekers, unfaithful savages, and he felt that this room reflected that.

"You lack perspective, Helvar." Started Brekker and Matthias only glanced at him, the black haired girl in front of him was rolling one of her rings listening to Kaz Brekker.

"another team could come to free Bo Yul-Bayur. The shus. Maybe the Ravkans. Each with a small idea in mind. Border wars and old rivalries don't matter to the Kerchs. the council of merchants is only interested in trade, and they want to make sure that the jurda parem does not become more than a rumor."

Zaria turned away from the boy and towards him waiting for his response, "so participating in a criminal mission to penetrate the heart of Fjerda and steal a precious prisoner is a patriotic act?" Exclaimed Matthias, full of arrongance.

"So there is something in that mind of yours." Said Zaria the smirk never leaving the corner of her lips, “I don't suppose the promise of four million kruge will sway you either.” Matthias spat. “You can keep your money. Choke on it.” 

Zaria raised an eyebrow at him not really startled by his sudden burst, "you got high anger issues man, same, if you weren't tied up i would've shaken your hand."

Matthias rolled his eyes, he backed away as far as his bonds allowed and concentrated on Brekker knowing the upcoming words will get him killed and Zaria will definitely cut his tongue.

"I will make a deal with you..." that made her frown and he immediately forgot what he wanted to say.

"I am listening." Replied Kaz not a single hint of emotion in his voice, "I will not come with you, but I will give you the plan of the Ice Court. it will allow you to pass at least the first checkpoint."

"And what will this essential information cost me?"

"I don't want your money. I give you the plan for free." Zaria didn't trust his words one bit, cause there is no way in hell he would give them the plan for free without wanting something.

Matthias was embarrassed to utter these words, especially with two demons standing in front of him, one that would stab him in a blink of an eye due to how fast she is.

Yet he said it, ready to die.

"And you let me kill Nina Zenik."  That was all he needed to say and everyone turned to look at him, the boy stopped scribbling, suli girl gasped and Jesper's eyes were wide.

Zaria on the other hand got up and creeped towards him, "how about I rip you apart and feed your organs to your lovely wolves?" She threatened coldly.

Nina was like her sister and she rather die than see her hurt or in pain.