—𝐓𝐡𝐞 crows dispersed after their little meeting. Each going their own way. Anya stuck with Inej for the most part, having to fulfill her roll in the task. Kaz had slunk back to the little palace and Jesper had gone off to god knows where. Knowing him, he was off to find someone cute and hook up.

"Do we have to do this?" Anya whined.

"Sadly." Anya groans. Her outfit was ridiculous, Marko had given it to her. It showed her cleavage, causing Kaz to send a glare at the man, not enjoying that other men would see it. Before they had split up, Kaz had taken her to a dark corner and marked her with his lips on her boob. "Nice mark. Kaz?"

"You know it." Luckily enough for Anya she had her show up first. The crowd ooed and awed at her, basking in her talents. She had thrown knives and performed tricks for ten minutes. Anya was not one for attention, but she was basking in it. She loved the way she had the crowd on their toes, waiting for everything to commence. When it was over, she bowed, receiving applause. "Thanks the Ketterdam bay that's over." Inej chuckles. "Alright, I'm off. I have to go meet the one and only Kazzle Dazzle."

"Don't let him hear you call him that." Inej says.

"Well why not? What's he gonna do? Smother me with kisses?"

"Well not what I had in mind. Actually he probably would, you're not Jesper."

"Thank the bay for that." Anya strutted off retracing her steps, finding the dark alcove she changed in. Discarding her clothes and placing on the guards uniform, she stepped back into the current of people. No one pays attention to her and she's thankful for that, allowing her to keep her eyes open for the guard with a slight limp. After walking around aimlessly, she spots him. "Hey Kazzle Dazzle."

Kaz jumps slightly, sending a glare at her. "Hello my wonderful sunshine."

"Splendid. I'm the great Kazzle Dazzle's presence."

"Do shut up, my love."

"Make me."

"Not in public."

"Ugh. Fine." Kaz and Anya walk side by side, both of them fighting the urge to hold hands. Instead they bask in the comfort of being near each other, keeping each other sane.

🃑🃑🃑

Hours have passed by and Anya was waiting at the checkpoint. Patiently waiting for her Bastard of the Barrel to show up with the extra uniform from Inej. Kaz walks up placing a kiss on Anya's forehead, relieved she is alright. He hands the extra uniform to Inej.

"Is it my size?"

"You have to ask?"

"Do you remember what happened last time we did this? Got me a man's uniform because Anya had the last women's one."

"It worked, didn't it?"

"Just be happy I'm eager to get out of this."

"I felt the same way." Kaz shakes his head, hearing Arken come down the steps. He hands him his own uniform.

"See you at the meeting point."

Anya waits until he is out of hearing. "No you won't." Kaz sends Anya a look, she just smiles and places a kiss on his lips. "Sorry. I'll shut up."

"Good girl." Anya blushes at the remark and Kaz smirks at her response. Kaz and Anya walk back up the stairs, not waiting for Inej. Kaz, Inej, and Anya walk towards the ballroom. They watch with intent as the Inferni make fire fly across the room.

"It's reflective glass." Kaz informs the two girls. "Bounce the light into that, and people won't know whether it's coming or going." Inej sends Kaz a disbelieving look before walking away. "Was it something I said?" Kaz asks Anya.

"Not at all darling." Kaz nods, feeling satisfied. Anya and Kaz stay in the same doorway, on either sides. The room goes silent and they watch as General Kirigan and someone else get up on the main platform.

"Her name is Alina Starkov. And she will bring liberation to us all." General Kirigan says.

He steps down onto the main part of the floor, summoning the shadows. Anya shuffled closer to Kaz, who notices but doesn't say anything, knowing she hates the dark. A small light graces the room, growing in power, blinding everyone. Anya was transfixed on the way she can bend the light, making it do whatever she pleased. It was intoxicating, the way it moved. She sure as hell didn't believe in Saints, but she knew that Alina Starkov had a power that couldn't be explained.

🃑🃑🃑

When the light show ended, everyone got on their knees, praying to her. Anya looked over to see Inej praying to her. She was happy the girl got to see what she believed in for so long, not wanting to tear her out of the bubble. Anya knew it all had to end sooner rather than later, but was going to let Kaz do it, seeing as she didn't have the heart to. Everyone disperses from the room, going to do their own things. Inej walks over to Kaz and Anya. The three of them watch as Alina converses and laughs with two other Grisha.

"And the lynx flush was to smoke out Arken." Inej says.

"Yep. Thank the bay. The man gave me to creeps."

"Like I said, our futures depend on this. We saw two identical dresses in the fitting room. The target was wearing one, and an Inferni about the same height and build was measured for the other."

"They need the target for the demonstration, but at the reception, that's when they'll deploy a double for security reasons." Anya continues.

"So, I set Arken after the double while we stay on the target." Kaz says.

"Arken will get caught."

"That's the point."

"He chose his fate in Novokribirsk when he met with Zlatan."

"What if you're wrong?"

"He's not." Anya says.

Inej sends her a look. "What if we sandbagged him with a lynx flush, and the meeting had nothing to do with this?"

"The only two men in the world who profit off the Fold? Doubtful." Kaz says. "Now." The three of them walk towards Alina, who is talking to someone else. "Miss Starkov!" She turns around, sending them a small smile. "We are to escort you to dinner. Could you come with us, please?" Anya has to refrain from making a face at Kaz saying please.

"I thought, um... Actually, I am quite hungry." Kaz side steps, allowing Alina to walk in front. They have to stop as General Kirigan steps in front of them.

"Thank you. I'll take her from here." The trio watches as he pulls out blue irises, giving them to Alina. "For you." Alina smells them, taking his arm and walks off.

"How come you haven't gotten me flowers?" Anya turns to Kaz.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious." Anya says.

"Fine. I'll get you flowers if that's what you please."

"It is." Anya squeezes his hand in thanks. "If you don't, I'll gut you like a fish." Kaz sends her a look. Anya goes to retort but is interrupted by Inej.

"Can you two not do this right now?"

"All right. Plan B." They notice an Inferni watching them closely. "Scratch that. Plan F. Stay on the target and meet me at the escape route."

"He's an Inferni. Don't take chances." Inej walks off on her own, while Kaz and Anya head in the same direction, hoping to lose him in the crowd.

🃑🃑🃑

authors note: kaz marked his territory on anyas tit. i wanna be marked like that. jesper was off having fun with his cute stable hand, lucky bitch. anya being a baddie on stage. throwing knives and all that pizzazz. kaz and anya teasing each other, which i live for. kaz being sceptic, anya coming around on the saints thing, and inej being precious about alina. ALINA IS BABY. kirigan can suck my ass. no matter how hot he is. yes i made a dead sirius joke, get over it. it was necessary in the moment if you think about if. anya wants flowers and kaz is willing to do that for his girl. he simps professionally for her and i'm not surprised, seeing as i do the same. she's just to HOT. i'm watching enola holmes AGIAN, just because of louis. i'm getting off topic. i am estimating around 5-10 more chapter of this and then we have to wait like two years until the new season. it's sad i know! but i have tons of other books planned that i need to get into the works after this. and i get out of school next monday, so i will HOPEFULLY have time to write and get some of my books out this summer. fingers crossed. ANYWAY! i hope you enjoyed!!