𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

Ⅲ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏

HER BREATH WAS GONE AND DEATHS HAND REACHED FOR HER. Rocks and shards of glass pressed against her skin, threatening to tear through to make her bleed. Brey pressed her hands against the floor, trying to pull herself from the larger wreckage that trapped her legs against the floor. Broken pannels of wood fell against the floor with a snap and the sound made Brey jump. "Breydon," A woman called. "Breydon stay awake, please."

Brey shot up with a gasp and sweaty skin. She pressed her hand to her chest, the cold concrete floor chilling her bones. She looked around at the others. Wylan fell asleep in the bed, Nina had found herself a chair, as did Ace. Inej was probably somewhere on the roof and Kaz was undeniably looking over Ketterdam, seeing the damage he'd done.

Jesper slept by Brey. They had before, dozens of times but this time, Jesper probably would've been better off by himself. He was so far from her she couldn't even touch him. Brey sat up, moving her hand to brush against his coat, but she ripped it back before she touched the cloth.

Brey took her coat off her legs and stood, walking to the back entrance of the workshop and stepping into the alley. She looked around before taking a seat on a broken stool someone had dumped. The sun was starting to rise but the fumes and tall buildings kept the city in a nearly constant state of twilight, and when the sun would finally rise the city will stay a cloudy grey. The chilled air nipped her skin, turning her nose and cheeks a light pink.

The door to her right creaked open and Ace peeked their head out. "Where'd you go? What are you doing out here?" Ace asked, looking down the alley.

Brey looked up at Ace confused before shaking her head. "You ask a lot of questions," Brey muttered, pulling out the silver flask from her jacket. "Go in or go out, stop hovering like an ambitious stripper." Ace glanced over their shoulder before stepping out beside Brey, closing the door with a click.

Ace crossed their arms and leaned against the grey wall of the building. "Why are you out here?" Ace asked again, looking down at Brey.

"It's stuffy and cramped, and I sware Wylan's chemicals will rot my brain," Brey cursed before taking a swig from the flask.

"I don't normally drink but uh, that doesn't smell that strong," Ace said with a chuckle.

"We had to use most of it to make the bomb, so it's watered down to shit." Brey shook her head and took another sip. Ace tapped her shoulder and held out their hand.

Brey passed the flask up and Ace took a sniff. "Kaelish Whisky, nice." Ace moved their hands around the metal bottle before tracing her finger around the rim. Ace flicked their fingers and passed it back. "That might be a bit better."

Brey took a sip and hummed slightly, the edges of her nose twitching. "Cac," Brey cursed in Kaelish before coughing softly making Ace laugh softly. "That's strong." Brey stood and brushed her coat out.

"Why do you wear corsets, aren't they difficult to fight in?" Ace asked, tilting their head.

Brey tapped the tight piece and laughed. "Jesper was meant to remind me," Brey muttered while shaking her head. "Kaz will want us all to meet somewhere, he will leave a note. Once everyone's seen it leave it out here under the second barrel."

Brey pocketed the flask and stepped away. "Where are you going?" Ace questioned.

"Run an errand, do as I say," Brey ordered before disappearing from Ace's view.

𓅨

BREY FIXED THE CUFFS ON HER NEW SUIT AND PUSHED OPEN THE DOORS. Brey walked into the waffle house, following the voices of Inej and Jesper. "You're on time," Inej said in greeting as Brey sat next to Jesper.

"That is kind of my whole thing," Brey said with a huff. "Nice coat. You too." Brey nodded at Inej then Jesper.

"No corset?" Jesper asked.

"Someone reminded me to get rid of it," Brey muttered. "Like you were meant to, instead of accusing me of ratting you out."

Inej glanced between the pair, spinning the glass between her fingers. "Well," Inej spoke up, coughing slightly to difuse the twos tension. "I like the new suit." Inej nodded at the embroidered silk and pointed neck line. "Sharp."

Kaz rounded the corner, making Jesper and Brey move over for him to sit. Ace and Wylan squeezed between Inej and Nina, looking at Kaz expectantly. "Made sure you weren't followed?" Kaz questioned, looking at the other three.

"Always," Inej nodded as Jesper muttered and offended, please.

Kaz furrowed his eyes brows, giving Brey another once over. A small red liquid had matted the edge of her hair, staining her skin"Who'd you kill?" Kaz asked and the others' eyes snapped up.

"Took care of the Cantal problem," Brey said indifferently as she picked up a napkin to clear the mark. "Like you said."

"That solves my question," Inej huffed, glaring at Brey. "Jes has a question to ask you, Kaz."

Kaz looked over at Jesper, who finally stopped spinning the mug on the table. "Look, a lot has happened since last night," Jesper started. "We found out we lost our home, and then you blew it up just to piss off Pekka Rollins."

"And?" Kaz asked.

"Have you heard we also shot a Stadwatch with his own gun?" Jesper asked, his voice dropping a tone.

"All Stadwatch carry the same gun and its standard issue," Kaz relayed, shaking his head. "This is Pekka Rollins firing back at us."

"Who is this Pekka Rollins?" Nina asked, tearing her eyes from the menu. "You say his name and your blood pressure skyrockets."

"That's not part of your purview, Heartrender," Kaz hissed.

"You're right. But I tend to have opinions and... here's one, anger clouds judgment."

"Pekka Rollins runs the Barrel," Inej said quickly.

"He cheated his way into an empire by running cheap cons," Kaz snapped, his tone becoming erratic. "He isn't a boss, he's a scourge."

"If you hate him so much, why not just hire me to kill him?" Nina asked with a shrug. "Or why hire me at all? Your sharpshooter, Viper or your Wraith could take him out, easy."

"It's not enough to kill him," Kaz growled, his eyes cleared of any emotion. The others glanced at each other nervously. "Killing him doesn't help us clear our names," Kaz corrected. "That's why I need all of you, so I can hang everything back on him."

"And we are the pawns who enact your personal vendetta?" Inej asked, looking around.

"The four of us are under equal jeopardy," Kaz reminded, glancing at Jesper, Inej and Brey. "And if they catch us, we can't protect you." Ace and Wyaln glanced at each other and Nina looked up at Brey. "And you'll have to turn to Pekka to see your man. No doubt with some very unappealing conditions attached."

"All of that in mind, I mean, Inej, Brey and I need to know the plan," Jesper spoke up, looking between the girls.

"Um, yes, I... I, too, would like to know the plan," Wyaln stuttered, looking up at Kaz. Wylan cleared his throat slightly and crossed his arms and Ace nodded with him.

Kaz glanced around before leaning closer slightly. "To get leverage on him, I need to know the scope of his business, inside-out," Kaz stated firmly. "There are three ways to learn this. The first is by following his driver, tracking his schedule. Second, his harbours, delivery in and out. I need to know where and what he's shipping to. Third, his accountant. Did you get his name?"

"Henrik Van Poel," Brey said, leaning back in the booth, tossing the napkin aside.

"You know the plain?" Ace asked, leaning their arms on the table. Inej and Jesper glanced at each other before back at Kaz.

"If I get access to Pekka's books, it'll tell me everything I need to know," Kaz continued, ignoring the question. "So, we need to get into that building." Kaz pointed to the window and Inej moved to open the curtains, revealing the pink building. "It's where his accountant works. Although, there's no way of knowing which office."

Nina slipped away but no one bothered to follow. "That's the mission. It looks like a typical office building, but it has a number of subtle features."

"So nothing for me to shoot?" Jesper sighed.

"You can always shoot a lock if it makes you feel better," Inej teased, smiling softly.

"You're sassing me, but I recall that got you out of a jam once or twice," Jesper reminded.

"This place values anonymity," Kaz went on. "The doors aren't numbered. There are no names or placards. These aren't for businesses' clients to visit. This is for people who value discretion. So, Jesper, Wylan, you follow the driver," Kaz ordered and Brey looked up at Wylan with a dark glare. Wyaln shrunk further into his jacket. "Brey, Ace, take the harbours. The locked boathouses. They're on a timed lock, milliseconds late and this whole thing is done." Brey gave a nod and Ace hummed softly. "Inej, I want you to take watch on the roof."

Nina came back and slid a plate of waffles on the table. Kaz looked at her confused before returning to his scheming face. "I need you with me while I copy Henrik's books. Gunfire would only draw attention, but a Heartrender-"

"Has many skills. Yes, like this," Nina interrupted. "Second floor, second-last door on the left." Nina smiled and tore off a piece of waffle.

Jesper shook his head and looked out the window while Kaz looked utterly confused. "What?" Kaz muttered.

"Henrik's office. Do you mind?" Nina asked, motioning to the water.

Inej slid Nina the water and a glass. "How do you know this?" Inej asked.

"I asked the waitress," Nina said simply.

"How did she know?" Ace asked, leaning forward on their elbows.

"People who work in places like that, they eat in places like this. And sometimes they get the meals delivered, so I said, 'um, excuse me, but I have a delivery and I can't read the directions.' Nina set the piece of paper with scrawled writing on the table and smiled, "Ta-da."

Inej smiled and chuckled softly. "I like having her around," Jesper mused with a smile.

Nina hummed and turned her attention to Kaz and Brey. "And I like truth. You two said you'd get me in to see Matthias." Kaz nodded, picking up the note.

"I can have it sorted by tomorrow morning," Brey said with a nod.

𓅨

BREY AND ACE STOOD TOGETHER AS ACE READIED THEIR SWORDS. "Brey, Ace," Inej called making Ace jump in surprise. Brey's eyebrows shot up in shock but she turned to Inej with a smile. "Sorry, Ace."

"I'm gonna need you to teach me to sneak like that," Ace mumbled, sheathing their Katana.

"Kaz said to meet at Black Veil if things go sideways," Inej relayed. Brey nodded and then Inej slipped into the shadows.

Brey looked up and her eyes drifted from the shadows to Jesper and Wylan who had quickly exited through the back door. "So you and Jesper are a thing. Why is Wylan paired with him?" Ace asked. They picked up a vial of green smoke, pressed a kiss to the glass and then slipped it over their neck.

Brey looked down at her rings, spinning the softly. "I uh, I'm not sure," Brey muttered. "I don't even think we were a thing, or are." Brey shook her head and turned, Ace running to catch her.

"When your mind is scrambled-"

"Don't tell me provinces," Brey muttered, opening the door and letting Brey and Ace step out into the streets of Ketterdam.

"Okay then," Ace muttered. "Talk to him."

"But what if I'm wrong?"

"What if you're right?"

.

Ace and Brey stood in an alleyway, Ace watching Brey as she counted the passers-by at the docks. "If it's a time lock, what do we do?" Ace questioned. Brey glanced at them but turned back to the docks and stationed skiffs. "Is a Tidemaker freezing it? Is there a lock pick? Do we have an explosive-?"

"You ask a lot of questions," Brey said, spinning her head to glare at Ace. Ace muttered under their breath and tapped her fingers against the Saya.

They looked out at the docks before back up at Brey "How did you stop the bomb? It's like you manipulated Time. But a Grisha like that hasn't..." Ace trailed off and looked up at Brey.

"You speak of this to anyone I will send you Ravka myself," Brey said quietly before standing up. "We do this quick, we do this quietly."

"You're a dimension breaker," Ace said in Shu.

"You can not tell anyone," Brey said back in Shu, hushing her voice. "We do this and we get out, understand?" Ace nodded and the conversation stopped. "Okay, this will feel weird and you have to stay quiet." Ace nodded and Brey raised her hands. Ace could barely comprehend Brey in front of them with her hands raised then Brey grasped their wrist with a finger to her lips.

Brey motioned them on and Ace looked around in awe. People had stopped moving, waves crashed against the docks and the light sprinkle of rain had stopped in the air. Ace brushed their hand through the raindrops but Brey tapped their arm, hurrying then on. Ace turned and they walked to the docks at third harbour. Brey walked to black steel and dark oak building, running her fingers along the silver lining of the frame. "It's not open," Ace whispered in nervousness.

"Hold my shoulders," Brey ordered, so quiet Ace almost didn't hear her. Ace quickly grabbed Brey's shoulders as she plucked the small green spinning clock from the air.

Brey pulled her hands apart and the clock expanded, the rolling rings moving around a small orb. Ace watched with wide eyes as Brey moved her hands anti-clockwise, the rings moving in reverse with her. The door creaked open, barely an inch and pulled her hands back together shrinking the orb. "In, in, in." Ace quickly slipped through the door as Brey pulled the door open.

Once Ace was in Brey pulled the door closed, just before the lock clicked. Brey moved and slid an arm around Ace. Ace looked up at Brey in confusion, their hand moving to grab Brey's upper arm, watching her closely. "So you don't fall over," Brey reasoned. Brey reached up and crushed the clock under her palm. Everything caught up with Ace at once and they stumbled. Brey chuckled softly, before pushing Ace up properly. "Told you you'd fall. We have three minutes until the door unlocks, be quick."

Ace cursed in Shu, resting their hand on the table as they tried to catch their breath. "What are we... What are we looking for?"

"Shipping papers, money hand hovers, books, notes, anything a ship hand would have," Brey rambled, running her hands along the sides of the wooden walls.

"Shouldn't we check the draws?" Ace asked, finally standing and starting to rifle through the paper in the desk.

"Legal receipts and deals will be kept in draws," Brey stated, as she hit a loose wood panel. "The dirt, the illegal stuff no one wants to be leaked, that's in compartments and safes." Brey reached into the wall sliding out a small black box.

"I should warn you I can't read Kerch," Ace said quickly. "Speak it yes, reading is a totally new field."

Brey sighed, her hands faltering but her quick speed picked up again a second later. "Look for anything underlined in red, if there's a lot that is probably the one we need," Brey said turning to the opposite wall.

Ace nodded and started to pull out different papers. "If this is so important to his business, why isn't it with Rollins, or on the ship?" Ace asked, their eyes flicking over the pages.

"If it's on the ship it has the risk of getting damaged and if the boat capsizes, then it's gone forever," Brey quickly explained, pulling out a second box from a separate compartment. She turned and put it on the table.

"Uh, this one's super red," Ace said handing Brey a note.

"Ah, his sugar farms in Noviy Zem are dying of something," Brey read, putting it aside. "Interesting not relevant."

"What about this one?" Ace asked, holding up a document with redacted titles and redlining. "I know it says urgent."

Brey's eyes quickly skimmed through the document and Ace watched her closely. "Stuff about Hellgate, money running straight to..." Brey cut herself off with a scoff. "See bank documents for details. It's part of a puzzle, Kaz has the other half." Brey tapped her fingers and turned. "Come on, it's time."

They turned to the door but Brey barely creaked it open before slamming it shut again, and Ace didn't miss the familiar ping of a bullet lodging itself into the door. "There's a lot of men outside," Brey stated, moving to Ace's side and pulling them back.

"What do we do?" Ace whispered.

"We fight, they saw us so we have to fight," Brey pulled out her daggers and Ace unsheathed their sword and waited, but nothing came. "This is a one-way boat house," Brey said in Shu. "That is the only entrance. They're waiting for us."

"We're sitting ducks," Ace agreed.

Ace looked up at Brey and swore they could see the plan forming in Brey's mind. Ace had barely met Brey properly, but even then they could tell she was calculated; whether it was something she was born with or forced to learn, Ace knew it came naturally. "Okay, I'll open the door, stop the first line of bullets and then you have to charge. Make a cover, whatever Alkemi stuff you have." Ace nodded and shifted the blade to hold it upwards, the flat end pressed against their arm. "We don't leave until they're all dead, I don't care if you think it's immoral."

Brey took an easy breath and looked back at Ace. "No mourners, no funerals," Brey said quietly and Ace nodded.

"No mourners," Ace muttered.

Brey smiled, "No funerals."

𓅨

❝ i am never bound by 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆❞