(Yo, I'm sorry, the language is way worse in this chapter. I mean people like him swear a lot. So his monologue is full of it)

The cold was so bitter. Mikhael could feel his skin start to peel off. It was just so... cold. His senses were dimming as he laid close to the fire Oretsev had made. They had lost so many already. Was this stupid stag worth it? Was anything worth it anymore? That damn Darkling sent them on a death mission.

"Hey, Mikhael, stay with me, ok?" Someone was shaking him... was it Oretsev?  Mikhael looked at who was talking to him. It was.

"Hey, let me rest. Five more minutes." Mikhael then closed his eyes. And died.

Mikhael looked around. He saw some familiar faces but no one he knew well, well except for Alexei.

"So what exactly are we doing?" Mikhael asked the little lookalike of the Dealer. Honestly was he little? Certainly not the same age, but the lookalike could have even been taller? The lookalike looked at him and explained.

"I need to find someone very important. He's a friend. In doing so we will overthrow the Darkling or at least get something underway."

"And why do need me?" Mikhael carefully asked. Kaz looked him up and down like one of those Grisha girls would back when he was alive.

"I need someone who can get places while being stealthy. You're a bit big, but you'll do,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't think you can fit in air ducts." Mikhael scoffed. Who was this guy to tell him anything? He didn't know him? He had no idea who he was, so why does he get to judge him? Sure he wasn't small, but he was one of the best trackers in Ravka. Sure this Kaz guy was tall, but he was taller. Mikhael was already fed up with this guy's attitude and they haven't even known each other for more than 10 minutes. Mikhael inched closer to the young Dealer.

"I don't know who you think you are, but I ain't gonna take any of your shit." Kaz didn't seem to be impressed.

"I thought you were a soldier, aren't they supposed, oh I don't know, follow orders?" he said dryly clearly not giving any fucks.

"Listen here you little bitch, I may be a lot of things but I ain't a soldier anymore, nor will I ever be again. If you're barking up that tree, then I'll burn it."

"Listen, I'm not going to say this anymore, so listen up." Kaz looked directly at Mikhael's imposing figure. "This job requires you all to listen and take orders. If we fuck this up, it's eternal damnation. I know what to do." Mikhael reused his trusty scoff.

"Don't act like you know this place. Arrogance won't get you far here." Mikhael stepped forward. Making him even closer to Kaz. "I will break you, little man."

"I thought you weren't fond of arrogance?" 

"Just cause you look like the Dealer doesn't mean I am afraid of you." Kaz's eyes glimmered for a short second.

"The Dealer?" Mikhael nodded. The other people in the room eyes' widened. As if he wasn't supposed to mention it.

"You look a lot like him. You're a bit more fed, taller too." Kaz's interest was piqued.

"What are you talking about?" The rhythm of his voice showed he was now going to listen. Mikhael rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Still, ignorance was not a trait to be desired.

"He's been here the longest. Besides Birgit of course. Used to be more in the casino. Now he runs things backstage. He's threatening as fuck. You can't trust him with anything. He makes death mean something to us, and not in a good way. Morozova fought with a lot of Sankts in the beginning. Let's just say he used the Dealer to get what he needed. This may be death, but shit still hurts. Corruption is huge here now that he is in charge. So the Dealer thrives here." He walked closer to Kaz and whispered in his ear. "Still he wants more. He wants this." Mikhael stepped back and motioned to the room they were in. "He views this as his world for the taking."

Kaz gave a look of... well Mikhael couldn't explain it. Admiration? That seemed to fit best.

"We need him on the team." Such a plainly worded sentence then sent the rest of their little team into a frenzy Mikhael had never seen before. Neither had Kaz by the looks of it. "What's got all of your undergarments in a twist?" The raving humans turned to Kaz.

"Are you serious?!" The girl yelled.

"Hush!"

"Alexei is right, we'll be caught. Quiet down." That was that Fedyor guy. "You can't trust the Dealer, Kaz, that's a fact." Kaz's face turned back into admiration.

"That's exactly why he's perfect. I deal with unsavory types for a living. It's what I've been doing since I was a kid."

"You can't trust him!" The girl whisper-yelled. "If anything he'd tell the him!" She tried reasoning with Kaz but he was already zoning off.

"Big guy?" His voice was quiet. Mikhael knew he was referring to him.

"Don't call me that."

"What's the Dealer's name?" Mikhael tried to think. He had heard it only once. James? John? Johannes?

"It's started with a j." Then Kaz seemed to put it all together. Which was weird since he wasn't even dead for like a day. He didn't know this world but he seemed to know the Dealer.

"Is his name, Jordan Rietveld?" He looked to the little Dealer, shocked and in amazement,

"Yes." While this sent everyone else back into an uproar Kaz went silent. He walked over to a Davenport and he went deep in thought. After about five minutes the rest of the people in the room noticed and began to quiet down and sat near him.

"So you know the Dealer?" Alexei asked. Kaz nodded, his face grew bitter.

"My Name now may be Brekker, but my blood name is Rietveld. Jordie is my elder brother." Fedyor laughed.

XxX

"Jordie? The Dealer's called Jordie! That's perfect! I'm going to cry with laugher."

"Wait so what happened?" Alexei asked. Kaz's eyes were full of bitterness and anger.

"He was foolish. And he died. Leaving me alone. I am the person I am now because of him."

"Damn, if he's the reason you're like this then he must of been a shit brother."

"He was wonderful!" Kaz snapped. "But foolish. You haven't changed my mind. We need my brother." He stood up, adjusted his gloves, and smirked again. "I think it's time for a reunion, don't you think?"

I apologize for this being shorter. I've been busy with AP and all of this other stuff. I hope this chapter satisfies who else is still reading this. I do apologize for being so inconsistent. It's just really hard now. Also I met Angie Thomas. Author of The Hate U Give. She was so nice. She signed my copy and said she hopes that one day to attend my book signing. Its so crazy. Anyway, I do hope to be way more consistent now, but I can't promise anything. Also, I must warn you. Maybe none chapters left after this one. So, enjoy the ride.