Chapter 21: Ferolind

!!warning: this chapter will contain, a lot of blood, gore, death, wounds, rifles, daggers, stabbing, shooting, men, men trying to do bad things to Zaria, bad shit. You have been warned, don't report!!

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Heist day got closer, and Kaz exchanged plans and gave orders and jobs to each one of them, Zaria was the "sniper" of the crows as quoted, so here she was on the rooftops of one of the churches aiming her rifle at any silhouette, there could be someone on the rooftops wanting to kill the crows sneakily.

she and Kaz got closer as days went by, he seemed to be opening up slowly and making deals with her by trying to shake her hand, Zaria wasn't 100% sure to just put her hand on his, no not because of the rumors but the way his hand trembled like a leaf.

but he tried. really did.

The night was calm. She was looking around the rooftops with her rifle aimed to see if anyone was hiding, an ammo bandolier wrapped around her waist as she walked quietly, the sound of Inej yelling Kaz's name startled her and the girl ran to look at what happened.

Too late, the schooner exploded, lifting Inej into the air and showering the docks with furious flames. "oh saints!" exclaimed Zaria with wide eyes in horror.

It reminded her of the fight at the zemeni border, Jesper surely felt the same thing. they were surrounded, at least one of them was hit, and their boat went up in smoke, they lost their mean of transport to get to Fjerda.

Jesper ducked down to reload and what he saw took his breath away. Wylan Van Eck was curled up on the dock in a fetal position, his two delicate hands on his head. 

Jesper sighed and looked over to Zaria who shot at those fuckers who were already shooting them, she met his eyes and shot him a nod as if to tell him she got his back, He grabbed Wylan by the collar of his shirt and pulled him behind the crate shaking him lightly.

"Pull yourself together, my little one." said Jesper, "I'm not your little one," Wylan grumbled, pushing Jesper's hands away. "Who is shooting so brutally?" asked Wylan in worry at the gunshots firing from on top nonstop.

"Now that is Zaria, Do you know how to shoot?" asked Jesper again, Wylan nodded slowly. “Skeet.” Jesper rolled his eyes. He snagged the rifle from his back and shoved it into Wylan's chest.

"Great. This is just like shooting clay pigeons, but they make a different sound when you hit one." Jesper whirled, revolvers raised, as a shape sprang into his peripheral vision, but it was just Dirtyhands. 

"Head east to the next dock, board at berth twenty-two," Kaz said. 

"What’s at berth twenty-two?"

"The real Ferolind"

"But—"

 "The boat that blew was a decoy." said the bastard of the barrel as if it was the most normal thing ever, “You knew?” Kaz almost rolled his eyes at that, "No, I took precautions. It’s what I do, Jesper."

 "You could have told us we—"

 “That would defeat the purpose of a decoy. Get moving.” Kaz glanced at Wylan, who stood there cradling the rifle like an infant. “And make sure he gets to the ship in one piece.” Jesper watched Kaz vanish back into the shadows, cane in one hand, pistol in the other. Even on one good leg, he was eerily spry.

Zaria was doing well on her own until someone grabbed her by the hair and threw the rifle away, hitting her head against the wall and making her groan in pain, "what the fuck?!" she exclaimed placing her hand under her bleeding nose and blinking away the dizziness.

Her eyes set on the silhouette of a muscular woman standing in front of her appeared and once Zaria looked up, fear washed all over her body like a wave, the entire world froze and Zaria's breath hitched.

"No. Absolutely not." Zaria shot up and took a few steps back hearing the rattling of chains and bruises she left on her burn and surrounding her, the teenager started running away but the woman grabbed her by the collar and slammed her head against the wall.

"That's not how you greet your mother, do you? doll." She mocked the nickname her father gave to her, Zaria felt like she was 8 years old once again and could feel the salty tears mixing with the metallic taste of blood in her mouth as she cried.

"I'm sorry mother! I'm so sorry mother! please-" she cried begging for the woman to let her go, this isn't happening, this can't be happening. "Oh honey, I said I will kill you when I find you but you know what? I'll let my friends have fun first!"

with that she threw her to a group of men she didn't even notice were there, her blood ran cold as she screamed against their hold, they were gripping her like an animal, she sobbed and prayed to the saints for them to help her, called Jesper's name, Nina, Inej, even Matthias.

"KAZ! PLEASE HELP!" 

She yelled as she could see one of the men stand in front of her with a disgusting smile that made her want to just break his jaw, just as he reached for her white shirt about to rip it open she grabbed the knife in her hip and swung.

cutting his hand right off she could see her surroundings turning red, he screamed and fell to the ground in pain turning around like a worm, Zaria sliced one's neck open and ran to the others, killing them making sure to watch the light leave their eyes.

"you disgusting piece of shit!" she screamed, stabbing one repeatedly in the face, blood splattering with each contact of the sharp blade against the insides.

Everyone was dead in a matter of minutes and the only one left was her mother, it was as if her eyes were zooming on the woman to show her that she would murder her, and make her pay for everything.

Zaria got up on shaky legs and stared coldly at the woman who was now trembling in her boots, and Zaria didn't even have time to move before a gunshot echoed around the place.

a bullet piercing straight into her thigh Zaria looked up with a death glare before making her way toward the woman doing everything she can to ignore the pain.

Zaria's mother, she doesn't even deserve to be called that, took large steps back and started begging, "Zaria, honey, I'm your mother! don't kill me! tell me anything and I will do it, just don't kill me!" 

Zaria almost laughed if it wasn't for the rage burning her alive, Shaye (her so-called lunatic of a mother) was begging her to let her live, what a joke.

the black-haired girl watched as Shaye dropped to her knees with her hands clasped in front of her as if this would let her breathe.

"beg. Beg loudly so all Ketterdam could hear it," she spoke, clenching the dagger tighter around her hand, still pointing it at the woman on her knees in front of her.

"Please..." the woman spoke with a venomous tone, "you call that begging?" asked Zaria while cocking her head to the side, "oh you bitch." muttered her mother while death glaring at her daughter who mirrored the smile she did when killing her husband.

"I got it from you, Shaye."

Her mother grabbed the knife that was on her boot and swung at her daughter who took a step back, the woman got up and started swinging her knife and Zaria took a step back and tried not to get slashed by the sharp dagger.

It suddenly was by her side and in the corner of her eyes she saw the light coming from the sun or the moon (she couldn't see anything except red) hit the dagger making it gleam, but then in a blink of an eye, the blade went across her face, slicing half her face.

blood poured in an instant from the huge wound, covering her entire face and Zaria's surroundings turned into a pure volcano, she couldn't feel the throbbing pain and instead just started swinging her own dagger.

left and right, the whipping of the sharp weapon was the only thing that could be heard along with their hurrying footsteps, now it was her mother's turn to take large steps back as she watched the dagger glimmer each chance the light hit it.

She could see her own eyes full of fear staring back at her in her daughter's weapon that will soon be covered in her own blood like a mirror as if laughing at her, for being so stupid and giving her another reason why Zaria should rip her apart.

"fuck you," muttered Zaria her eyes glued coldly at the woman who was crying like a child, the black-haired girl ran stepping on the dead bodies surrounding them as if they were nothing, and swung her knife again, but this time in the fastest speed ever done during any sword fighting.

"for killing my father!" resumed the teenager with a yell before putting the knife to her left hand, the other reaching over to grab her by the collar and pull her towards the knife and close to her, her mother let out a loud gasp inches away from her ear as she could feel the dagger stab her right in the lungs until it came out of her back.

Zaria twisted the knife and listened to her mother gasp for air and tremble as blood came out of her mouth, dripping down her chin and onto her white shoes.

Twisting the knife to paralyze her if she ever lives from this tiring fight, "Have fun in hell, mother." whispered the girl gripping her collar tightly as if the word was poison in her tongue, it was.

pulling the knife out violently, guts came out and fell all over the floor, Shaye's body falling backward and landing with a loud thud, "killing him was one of the best things..." she muttered to her daughter who was staring at her with dull eyes.

The light was leaving her eyes, her chest going up and down rapidly stopped suddenly and blood won't stop gushing even if the woman was now dead, and the realization hit her like a kick.

Zaria's trembling hand reached for her face and she immediately winced in pain, her whole body was covered in blood now, how the fuck didn't she feel the sharp sting that appeared right the side of her face (well all of it actually)?

she was too focused on killing the woman who gave birth to her and brought her into this world, mother. She didn't deserve that title, not after cutting her own husband's head.

she couldn't breathe, it was as if someone was pressing a huge rock on her chest to prevent her from letting oxygen go to her lungs, glossy tears covered her eyes as she slid down the wall in pain, the bullet was still deep in her thigh as she ripped the white shirt off to cover her bleeding face.

her face was ruined, she thought. anyone who will now glance at her will feel disgusted and scared. 

Zaria stared at the sky through tears and pressed the cloth tighter on her face showing only her eye trying to scream in pain, her chest went up and down rapidly in panic as she prayed to the saints not to die.

"please saints, forgive me.." she spoke in a whisper between sobs, "don't let me die, and if so, please keep Jesper under your wing, he is still young and has a big future ahead of him, Wylan too, and keep the crows safe as well, especially Kaz..."

another sob left her lips and she tried not to bite her lip that was already cut, "and my sister, stepmother as well." she whispered, bringing a trembling hand to wipe the tear away.

Just as she was about to close her eyes a hand reached over and slapped her cheek as softly as possible, “Not just yet, Isla.” The rasp of stone on stone echoed in her head, and she almost smiled if it wasn't for the pain.

Her one good eye opened and even if Kaz was the demon himself, he was the angel to her at the moment, a saint, "Dirtyhands." She greeted in a soft voice with a small smile.

"Can you get up?" he asked looking all over her face to try and find a single spot where she is not hurt, "I'll try..." she replied, reaching over to grab the wall and lift herself trying not to cry in pain.

she tried to step forward but her leg kept bleeding, "yeah no." she said, shaking her head and trying not to fall, Kaz sighed, his leg will hurt like a bitch for the next month if he continues.

But he did it.

He bundled her into his arms and leaped down from the crates, landing roughly his bad leg buckling. Zaria would've gasped and blushed if she was in her right mind but instead just tried to stay awake by focusing on his features.

"Thanks saints, I am bleeding on your hideous shirt." she spoke in a whisper enough for him to hear, Kaz tightened his grip around her doing everything he can to fight his own demons, he was running and he really needed his cane.

It felt like thousands of Inej saints were stabbing him in the leg, but not once did he falter, the girl in his arms was losing too much blood.

"You better buy me a new one." he said trying to keep her awake, Zaria laughed and immediately winced, "don't make me laugh, it's painful," she said trying to fight the urge to grin.

Zaria would be lying if she wasn't staring at him, he was very handsome, and her eyes were studying every feature, the pale, shiny scar on his neck, right beneath his jaw, dark brown eyes that made her feel at home.

she melted in his arms, safe, Zaria was finally safe, in the arms of a very dangerous man, a leader of a gang. you are ridiculous Zaria, but she can't fight her feelings, can she?

"your heart is beating so fast, is it because of me?" She managed to speak again, not once raising her voice but Kaz could hear the smirk in her tone, and he didn't know why he suddenly felt hot.

His cheeks were in the faintest pink color, but he scoffed, brushing everything away and the small fireworks in his stomach, "Keep hoping, Isla." Zaria smiled this time, ignoring the pain as she could feel the darkness take over.

"I have been hoping for more than that, Brekker." with that the black spots appeared and Zaria tried to blink them away, "keep talking, storm, don't slip away from me. Tease me and flirt with me however you want. Open your damn eyes, Zaria." he ordered and she did.

No, not because he ordered her to but because he called her name, and she absolutely almost cried at how beautiful it sounded leaving his lips.

"What do you want me to say? I thought you hated my voice?" she asked tilting her head up, he had really soft lips, Kaz looked down and she immediately flushed red once catching his eyes.

He caught her, but she couldn't bring herself to look away.

Kaz wanted to ask her about what was more she hoped for (with him) but he couldn't bring himself to even the perfect words, Kaz Brekker for the first time was left speechless by Zaria Isla.

"anything." he replied, "I never hated your voice, sometimes you can be a pain in the ass." she watched as the corner of his mouth raised, "excuse me? fuck you. then let me sleep." she snapped back in annoyance.

"I'm kidding. but really Zaria stay the fuck awake," he said shaking her slightly so she would stay awake, The poisonous insult on Zaria's tongue died in her throat at the next words that left his lips.

"I'll give you a little of my money." she grinned wickedly.

"deal." 

they stayed silent for a while until she finally spoke, "you were the last person I expected to save me. you really need me that much in this heist?" her voice was like a lullaby to his ears, sweet and soft.

not the usual stern or confident tone, this was the side of her he had never seen, the Ferolind got closer, "as much as I hate to admit it. yes." she grinned at that and the world had grown very dark indeed.

She was warm against his hold, she was blossoming and her smile was blinding, it lit every dark corner of his heart but once her eyes fluttered shut, panic rushed through his veins as he quickened his steps.

"Get us out of here," Kaz shouted as soon as he limped aboard the schooner with an unconscious and bleeding Zaria in his arms. Everyone did as told and they were on their way out of the harbor in moments.

"Specht!" he yelled at the man he’d chosen to captain the vessel, "Get your crew in shape before I start cracking skulls." he threatened coldly.

Jesper turned towards his boss but his breath hitched at the sight of a fucked up Zaria in Kaz Brekker's arm, and he raced towards her in worry, "what happened to her?!" he exclaimed before he could even think of his words.

"Does it look like I know?" snapped Kaz with a glare, it was as if there was an effect that made everyone close to him get hurt, first his wraith and now his storm.

"let me help you-" 

"Get out of my way," Kaz said and slipped past him down the ramp that led belowdecks. He found Nina tending to Wylan in a narrow cabin, her hands drifting over his arm, knitting the flesh of the bullet wound together. It was barely a graze.

 "Move," Kaz demanded, and poor Wylan practically leaped from the table almost falling on his nose, "I’m not finished—" began Nina. Then she caught sight of Zaria who grew paler by the second

"Saints," she swore, "What happened?" Why does everyone keep asking him what happened? He would do anything to know what happened too, "bullet," he replied, looking to the side and seeing Inej resting peacefully.

As gently as possible he placed her on the table, her glowing brown skin dull in the swaying lamplight, "that's a lot of blood." Nina muttered loud enough for him to hear her.

"Then help her," he ordered through gritted teeth, he didn't know why he was angry, because Oomen almost killed his wraith, his bad leg, or Zaria almost dying in his arms.

"Kaz I am a heartrender, not a real healer." spoke Nina regretting her life decision at the sight of fire blazing in his eyes, "She’ll be dead by the time we find one. Get to work." and with a sigh, she nodded, "You’re in my light."

Kaz stepped back into the passageway and looked down at the white shirt she called hideous not a while ago, he could feel the presence of death on the ship now, overlooking them, ready to take his Zaria and his wraith.

He was still covered in her blood, the blood coming from her face that was pressed against his chest listening to his heart beat so fast like he was racing a horse.

"Unless you can be useful, go away," Nina said without looking up at him. "You’re making me nervous. oh, saints.." she said once taking off the cloth that pressed against Zaria's head.

A huge cut bleeding across her face made him almost faint, no he was never scared of blood, he had it splattered on his pale skin plenty of times but the sight of her with a big cut that will probably leave a scar made his stomach drop to his feet.

Though he hated the thought of leaving, he stomped back the way he came, stopping to grab a clean shirt from another cabin. He shouldn’t be this shaken up by a dock brawl, even a shoot-out, but he was.

I have been hoping for more than that, Brekker. What was she hoping for? He should probably ask her when she wakes up, and Inej wanted him to apologize.

His mind clouded with thoughts as he took a deep breath of sea air to try and forget the red in his hand and clear his head.