—𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 at the table was on their edge of their seats, waiting for more information. Kaz sat back in his seat.

"Did you, now?" Kaz questions.

"It's for the owner of the Orchid. Says they require the services of a Heartrender. Tonight."

"A Heartrender?" Anya questions.

"Why?" Kaz asks.

"Doesn't say. Just they need it before midnight." Anya looks over at Kaz. She can see the gears in his brain turning, working out the situation in front of him.

"You don't bring in a Heartrender unless you need an answer out of someone who isn't willing to talk." Kaz concludes.

"Wonder if it's for the person Dreesen brought in?" Anya muses.

"That's how we get this job before anyone else." Kaz says. "Bring Dreesen a Heartrender." Kaz gets up and starts to walk away.

"Boss, just one problem. Pekka Rollins knows."

"Pekka Rollins." Kaz whispers.

Oh no, Anya thinks. She can almost see Kaz's face harden, even though his back is to her. She knows this isn't going to end well. Anya doesn't know the full issue Kaz has with Pekka, but she knows it's bad. She follows Kaz as he leaves, the rest of the crows following behind.

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Getting the Heartrender wasn't easy. Kaz had to send in Anya to complete the job, knowing she would be the one who could accomplish it. She did. Anya's ability to make men do her what she wants works everytime. Granted it makes Kaz jealous, but he would never say that out loud. Kaz and Anya walk ahead of the group, Inej and Jesper flanking them, the Heartrender in the middle.

The power radiated off Kaz and Anya as they walked through the streets. A smirk present on Anya's face as she walked. She knew the power she had and she knew no one would dare mess with her. To her right she notices Kaz take a look at the Heartrender, to make sure she was still there. Before turning back around fully, he shared a smirk with Anya, before turning straight forward.

"I really appreciate the new business, but you've only paid for an hour of my time, and I have to be back at the Orchid."

"The Orchid isn't safe tonight. You're lifes in danger with this job. Make yourself scarce for a few days afterwards." Kaz tells her.

"Mr.Brekker, are you threatening me? Really? Even if I'm nice, my boss will call the standwatch on you."

"It's not me you're in danger with. It's Pekka Rollins." Kaz says.

"My boss would call the standwatch on him as well."

"Which is why your boss is already dead." Anya says.

"Who are you lot?" The man behind the gate asks.

"We're here to see Dreesen." Kaz says as he walks ahead of the group.

"You're not with Pekkas crew."

"And you're not in Pekka's pocket anymore if you don't owe him." Kaz throws a bag of coins through the gate at the man. The man catches it and opens the gate allowing them through. Kaz nods his head, Anya picks up her step to walk next to Kaz.

"Did you do what I think you did." Anya asks Kaz, a smirk present on her face.

"I did."

"Saints, I could kiss you." Anya takes no notice to the way Kaz has his mouth opening and closing, like a fish. Wish you would, Kaz thinks. Jesper runs up to the both of them.

"Hey, where did you get that coin?" Jesper questions Kaz, who just smirks in response.

"Hey!" Everyone turns around, Kaz has a look of panic on his face. "One of these has a hole in it!" The man shouts. The door to the house opens. Anya has a proud look on her face. Jesper turns to Kaz with a smirk.

"Saints." Jesper laughs.

"Get inside. Get Inside." Kaz ushers everyone inside, Anya just smiles and winks up at him.

"I will be cashing in your offer at some point." Kaz breathes into Anya's ear.

"Take your time, bastard." Anya whispers back, thankful Kaz couldn't see the red tinting her skin in the dark. The group rushes inside. They follow one of Dreesen's men through the house, to his office.

"One look and I can tell. Criminals" Dreesen says. "I'm not meeting anyone 'till midnight."

Kaz does the talking, "We heard you needed a Heartrender."

Dreesen stands up, "Hmm. All right, she stays, the rest of you out." The Heartrender goes to move forward, but is stopped by Kaz's cane.

"She stays. And we have an exclusive on this job." Kaz negotiates.

"Mr.Brekker. No business man worth his salt hires his first applicant." Dreesen moves to sit on the front of his desk.

"No. No, I understand. Of course, I will have to report you to the guild for kidnapping and harboring a prisoner without chain of title." Dreesen's man moves his jacket to reveal his gun. Jesper does the same, as Anya's whole body goes into flight of fight mode.

"You wouldn't."

"Try him." Anya says.

"No businessman worth his salt bargains for what he can take." Dreesn gets up and walks towards Kaz and takes a deep breathe.

"I have to be back in an hour." The Heartrender raises her hands timidly.

"All right, come on." Dreesen walks away, Kaz in the lead.

Anya stays behind to make sure everyone gets out, only to notice Jesper pulling a face. She busts out laughing, causing Jesper to chuckle along with her. Kaz looks back at the two giggling teenagers, which causes them to straighten up. The two share a small smile, before Anya notices Kaz beckoning Anya forward. She walks towards him, falling in step. Dreesen leads them into the celler, where the person is sitting tie to a chair, with a bag over his head.

"Who's this?" Kaz questions.

"So you don't know everything after all. This... is Alexei Stepanov." Dreesen removes the bag, only to show a scared boy, no older than the lot of them. Anya takes a step closer to Kaz, seeking his comfort. "Two weeks ago, young Alexei here crossed the fold on foot. Alone."

"What?" Anya breathes out.

"How?" Inej asks.

They're keeping it quiet, but allegedly he was one of a few witnesses too... an event." Dreesen takes a sip of his water. Kaz looks over at him in question, though his attention is directed elsewhere.

"Water." Alexei croaks.

Inej steps over and pours him a glass of water. Anya notices to look of shock on Jesper's face. Anya grabs hold of Kaz's jacket. He looks down at her, seeing her hands shake slightly. He moves his free hand over to hers and places it on top of his hand on his cane, placing the other hand over hers. She looks up to him in thanks, not expecting him to show affection in front of other people. Neither of them notice the puzzled look Jesper has on his face due to the affection shown.

"What kind of event?" Kaz questions as Inej gives Alexei the water.

"I know an expedition was swarmed by volcra. Should have been a total loss, but something happened." Dreesen says. "Some device detonated. Obliterated the volcra, lit up the dark like a forest fire. I know it wasn't a fire or else no one would have survived. This was some invention no one had seen before. He knows. But he doesn't seem to be able to articulate his account of events." Inej gives Alexei more water. "Some from of traumatic lapse. So..." Dreesen holds his hand out motioning to Milana. She looks towards Kaz, who gives her a nod of approval.

Inej moves back to the group, as Milana crouches next to Alexei. "You're safe now." She reaches out to brush her hand against his face. She moves her hand to run against his palm, calming his heartbeat. "Now you can just speak and I will just listen."

"All right." Alexei sighs out.

"Tell me what happened in the Fold. What saved you?"

"You won't believe me, but... it was a Sun Summoner." Inej lets out a gasp, looking towards Kaz and Anya. Kaz looks towards her, before sharing a look with Anya. They both didn't believe it, but if Dreesen did, they were going to make the trip.

Dreesen steps forward, crouching in front of Alexei. "Who was it?"

"If I tell you, you'll set me free?"

"He has no idea, the pour soul." Anya whispers to Kaz. He squeezes her hand in comfort.

"You have my word. I'll set you free." Kaz takes a deep breath, his gaze drifting to the floor. "You're in Ketterdam now, Alexei. You can go anywhere in the world from here." Milana nods her head in agreement. "Just imagine. Come on."

Alexei takes a deep breathe. "Her name is... Alina Starkov." He says shakily. Kaz's eyebrows crease.

"Alina Starkov?" Alexei nods his head. "Good boy." Dreesen stands up. "Show me the manifest." Dreesen looks through a stack of papers, verifying Alexei's claim. "Perfect."

"You'll set me fee now?"

"Thank you. Of course." Dreesen turns around and shoots Alexei in the head. The sound of the chair and his body hitting the ground echos through the room. Milana screams, clearly not expecting it. Kaz and Anya stay rooted to the spot, not showing an ounce of movement. Dreesen walks over to check he is dead. "Hmm. We are now the only people west of the Fold with this information. My ships sail for West Ravka at dawn. If you can prove that you have a way through the Fold and back, I'll put you on that ship with an advance. If you don't, I'm giving this job to Pekka Rollins."

"Give me a day. I'll have a plan."

"You have until sunrise, then your ship will have sailed, Mr.Brekker. The prize is one million kruge. Now bring me Alina Starkov." Dreesen walks away from the group, going up the stairs, disappearing from sight. The crows take a look at Alexei one last time before leaving the room. Kaz and Anya share a look. One that says that they need a plan immediately, one that can not fail.

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authors note: so soft moments for my babies. ALSO ALMOST 600 READS!!! HOLY SHIT. you guys are amazing i can't even do this. i am in absolute shock, the support has been unreal. so much so that i enjoy writing this chapters and have decided that as long as i am not posting a chapter for enamored and have time to write a new chapter, i am going to post. kaz and anya make my heart soft. and i have got to start my ocs name with something other than a because i kept writing alex instead, and i wanted to shoot myself. oh well. i hope you enjoyed!