Niklaus watched Jesper, slightly amused as the Sharpshooter narrated everything that had happened to the curious Dregs surrounding him as he played. When Kaz didn't give them details they'd flock to whoever was on the mission with him. Usually him, Jesper and Inej. But Inej wasn't at the Crow Club and they couldn't see him but Jesper was happy to tell them about what has happened, even if he was still slightly upset at Kaz for not warning him about Big Bolliger.

He turned to the door, hearing it open. He watched as Inej looked around the club, scanning the shadows. Niklaus shifted the shadows back so he was visible as he made his way towards her, catching Dregs near him by surprise. He was silent thought not as silent as Inej but being able to manipulate the shadows made up for that.

He moved to stand next to her "What happened?" he asked. "Kaz is sending me on a job" Inej said. "A job? In the Crow Club?" Niklaus asked. "Rojakke" she sighed. "Oh him? So what did Kaz ask you to do? Cut off his hand or finger?" Niklaus asked "I'm the one who told Kaz" he explained, noticing Inej's questioning look. "He's a good dealer and he has a family to feed. I don't understand why Kaz wants me to do this" Inej said.

Niklaus felt a hint of pity for her, Inej was too much of a good person for barrel life. He knew she hated having blood on her hands. "Fine, I'll do it. We can say you did. Does Kaz want his hand or finger?" Niklaus said, repeating his previous question. "Neither. He just wants me to tell Rojakke that he's being let go"

"And you don't want to because you like him?" Niklaus guessed. "Yeah sure I'll help" he said, scanning the room for Rojakke. He spotted him dealing out cards for three man bramble to Jesper and a few other Dregs. They waited until the hand had been dealt before making their way over to him. Inej had tried to suggest he come to one of the private gambling parlours, maybe to spare him the embarassment of being let go in front of everybody else.

Rojakke wasn't having it. Fine, his choice. "You're being fired for skimming" Niklaus said. The dealer looked down right outraged "It’s not fair" he bellowed "I ain’t no cheat!" Niklaus rolled his eyes, he knew what he saw "Take it up with Kaz" Inej replied quietly. "And keep your voice down" Jesper added, glancing at the tourists and sailors seated at the neighbouring tables.

"Don't scare the pigeons" Niklaus said. Fights were common enough in the Barrel, but they were strictly forbidden on the floor of the Crow Club. If you had a gripe, you took it outside, where you didn’t risk interrupting the process of seperating pigeon from their money. "Where’s Brekker?" Rojakke asked though it sounded more like a demand. "I don't know" Inej said. She probably knew his general direction at the very least since she'd followed him after the events of the exchange but why entertain Rojakke?

Niklaus could probably kill or main him by himself without bothering Kaz. "You always know everything about everything" Rojakke sneered, leaning in, The Assassin tensed, ready for the dealer if he decided to make a sudden move "Isn’t that what Dirtyhands pays you for?" The dealer asked. "I don’t know where he is or when he’s getting back. But I do know you won’t want to be here when he does" Inej said "Give me my cheque. I’m owed for my last shift" Rojakke said.

Niklaus gave an amused scoff "Brekker doesn't owe you anything" Inej said "He can’t even face me? Sends a little girl and a half blind boy to give me the boot? Maybe I’ll just shake a few coins out of you" He reached to grab Inej by the collar of her shirt but she dodged him easily.

He fumbled for her again only for Niklaus to slam him into the wall. Anger fueled the assassin, right now he couldn't give a damn about the pigeons. He had the audacity to try and lay a finger on Inej. Now he was going to loose his hands and be thrown out of the club. He could see the fear in Rojakke's eyes looked at Inej but he needed to make himself look big "Need your boyfriend to protect you?" He taunted. A strangled sound escaped his throat as Niklaus's arm pressed against his windpipe. Inej looked at the dealer cooly "Klaus, let him go"

He glanced back at Inej, hesitating but reminded himself that the pigeons were watching and even if they weren't he couldn't fight Inej's battles for her, she needed to do those herself or any barrel rat looking for trouble would try her when he wasn't around. Niklaus let go of Rojakke and stepped back.

The moment he did so Inej gave the dealer a swift crack across the left cheek. Niklaus smirked at the look Rojakke wore as his hand flew up to his face. People were watching now, so she hit him again. Rules of the Crow Club ceased to apply if somebody dared to disrespected you. He'd taught her that. In the initial period Inej had been with the Dregs Kaz had ordered him to watch out of her and teach her the reins since she was taking over a part of the job.

Initially he hadn't been too enthusiastic about having to deal with a new recruit but Inej had quickly proven to him why Kaz had decided to free her from the menagerie. She was a quick learner and even after she had gotten a hold of it the two were often put together on missions by Kaz. The Barrel learnt to watch out for Dirtyhand's best spy and assasin. His ghosts, the Wraith and the Phantom.

Rojakke touched his fingers to the ugly bruise which started to form on his cheek, looking surprised and a bit betrayed. "I thought we was friendly" he protested. "Rojakke. I’ve seen you work a deck of cards. You can get a job in almost any den. Go home and be grateful Kaz doesn’t take what you owe him out of your hide" Inej said. He’d gone, a bit wobbly on his feet, still keeping his hand on his cheek. Jesper made his way over.

"He’s right, you know. Kaz shouldn’t send you two to do his dirty work" Jesper said "It’s all dirty work" Inej pointed out "Everything we do in the Dregs is, this isn't much different" Niklaus agreed. "You look exhausted. Will you sleep at all tonight?" Inej asked Jesper who just winked. "Not while the cards are hot. Stay and play a bit. Kaz will stake you." The Sharpshooter offered.

"Nikalus will won't you?" He asked looking at the assasin who nodded. "You should come play sometime" Niklaus said. "Really?" Inej asked, pulling up her hood "If I want to watch men dig holes to fall into
I’ll find myself a cemetery"

•~•~•~•

I should have mentioned this at the start of the book but I've never written romance before so if anybody has any tips for me please feel free to drop them here. And  please send me feedback on my chapters.