𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞

Ⅻ 𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒕𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒚𝒂𝒓

ACE AND INEJ QUICKLY SLIPPED INTO THE ROOF AND THE OTHERS LAY ON THE FLOOR. A few moments later the door rolled open, clicking against the rollers. It was silent for a moment, only the slight click of Ohval's shoes against the wooden floor. Then suddenly a pained grunt from Inej. inej flew back as Ohval kicked her. The others stood quickly as Inej pulled out one of her knives and flung it her way. Ohval caught the knife in mid-air and flung it away. Durast. Brey recognised.

Jesper, Toyla and Ace rushed forward as Kaz and Brey lagged behind. "I'll find the heartbeat, buy me time. Make sure no one dies," Kaz ordered before slipping away silently. Inej tossed two more knives up as Ohval flipped over her, dodging both. Jesper and Toyla pulled out their guns as Ace slid the daggers out. Ohval flicked her wrist and Toyla's gun was tossed away. Ohvael moved her other hand and Jesper's gun twisted. "Foul play," Jesper hissed. Toyla pulled his hands together but before he could do anything, Ace, Inej, and Toyla's blades were pulled from them and then flung back. Inej and Ace flipped aside and Jesper and Toyla threw themselves apart. "Seriously offside."

Ohval scowled at Jesper and flung part of the headpiece to wrap around Jesper's throat making him choke. A small stone-throwing star flung out and hit Ohval's leg. Brey ducked back out of sight before she was seen. Ohval hissed and her knee buckled slightly. Ace rushed to Jesper's side as Toyla and Inej started to fight Ohval. "Breydon!" Wyaln called, his small fingers slipping through the crack in the door. Brey rushed to the door and Wylan dropped a small bomb in her hand. "Press that against the door."

Breydon took the mud-covered bomb and stuck it to the lock on the door. "It's in place," Brey confirmed

"Get down!" Wyaln yelled.

Brey ducked to the side and a moment later the door exploded. Nina, Zoya and Wylan rushed forward. Zoya quickly sent a gust of wind that sent Ohval down. Jesper focused on fixing his guns as Nina attempted to slow Ohval's heart. Her eyes focused and Ohval pulled her hands apart, forcing Zoya and Nina to do the same as she pulled their rings.

"This is taking longer than I'd like," Ohval complained. "So perhaps we end it." Ohval moved her hands and everyone groaned. Toyla and Ace rolled around in pain as Wylan dropped to his knees. "Fascinating, isn't it? The amount of trace metal there is in the body. Iron, for instance, in the blood."

Breydon pushed herself from her hiding spot and in two quick strokes sent a Cut out. It raced through the air and sliced the ends of Ohval's fingers off on her left hand. Another movement and a second Cut sliced through Ohval's shoulder. As Ohval lost her focus and everyone was allowed to catch their breath. Breydon stepped down the steps, a smaller Cut spinning around her fingers. Aside from Ace, the others watched her in astonishment. "I would choose your next move carefully," Breydon advised. "Or I may hit something..." The doors behind Ohval rattled and Kaz wheeled out a man in a wheelchair. "Much more vital."

"Here she is!" The man shouted in excitement as Ohval hid her bleeding hand. "Sweetheart, we have visitors. Art collectors from Kerch."

Ohval turned to him with a smile. "I know, dear," She spoke sweetly as the others stood. "I was just about to offer them tea." Ohval turned back to Breydon with a glare and hissed in Kaelish, "He's not part of this."

"Then be smart," Breydon said.

"These are the collectors I was telling you about," Kaz mused, moving to the man's side. "They'll be pleasantly surprised to meet you, the great thief of the art world. The Disciple."

"This is The Disciple?" Jesper asked with a strained voice.

"Have we met before?" The man asked looking up at Kaz.

"Yes, in your room just now," Kaz reminded, smiling softly. "And I've met your wife. In Bhez Ju. We had tea there."

"Bhez Ju Museum," The man recalled. "The support beams are under every second section of the floor. The others creak. Important to know the secrets of a place."

Kaz turned to Ohval with an evil smile. "Truly."

"If anything happens to him, I will kill you all," Ohval hissed in Shu, turning to Ace and Toyla.

"All we want is the Neshyenyer," Ace assured.

"The Neshyenyer?" The man questioned, looking up at Ace and they nodded. "I stole it for her."

"Please, dear," Ohval cooed.

"It was the last piece I stole before we decided I should retire," The man said with a smile. "Anyway, you couldn't really call it stealing. It was hers, to begin with. She made it."

"I'm sorry. Did you say she made it?" Jesper questioned, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

The man stood on shaky legs, making his way to Ohval and taking her hand that wasn't bleeding. "Hours of work. Prayers. And tears," The man said softly. "To fight the unkillable army created by the clock worker Kho."

Toyla's eyes widened and he looked down at Ace with a smile. "Three days and nights she fought the unstoppable soldiers," Toyla recited with a slight chuckle. "And when the last soldier fell, she laid down the weapon."

"And it was named Neshyenyer," Ace continued. " 'Relentless'." Ace and Toyla bowed at once. "We are honoured to be in your presence, Sankta Neyar."

The others knelt and Inej laughed softly. "Sankta Neyar?"

Breydon and Kaz stayed standing as they watched Ohval turn her husband. "Come, my love. Let's get you to bed." Ohval cooed, she went to use her other hand and glance at her fingers. Breydon waved her hand and in a flash, her wounds healed. Ohval sat her husband in the chair and turned to Kaz. "This is our sanctuary. Where we can sleep peacefully. Not have to worry about thieves and bandits like you."

"We're not bandits," Kaz said harshly.

"No one gets past the poison," Sankta Neyar said. "You're just a child, really."

"A child who understood your weakness."

Ohval shook her head. "Weakness," She repeated. "Four hundred years I've been alive. I've seen them all die. My family. All my loved ones. Taken away from me by time. Hundreds of years I closed my heart, as if that was the solution to ending all pain."

"What a safe way to live. What a small way, as well," Neyar turned to the others. "You guard against pain. You guard against joy." Ace glanced up at Breydon who kept her eyes on Ohval. "But when you allow yourself to be blindsided by love two worlds make a universe." Breydon's eyes dropped for a moment. "He's not my weakness. He's my universe. And I will see him through his days. Sharing every moment until he is part of the night sky. What do I care about a blade?" She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and turned back to Kaz. "What do you care about a blade?"

"The Darkling has created an unkillable army made of shadow," Kaz relayed. "Your sword is the only one sharp enough to cut them down."

"That sounds like Ravka's problem," Neyar hissed.

"You think he would be stopped by a line on a map?"

Ohval quickly covered her husband's ears. "I think I can still kill you where you stand before you can blink."

"Sankta Neyar," Toyla called, standing once again. "I have met the Sun Summoner who will take leadership in Ravka if the Darkling is gone. She is benevolent, and she is also Shu. She could be the living bridge between our two countries, but that can only happen if you grant us use of the blade."

"Use of it?" Ohval repeated. "All this just to borrow the blade?"

"All this just to protect your husband as he sleeps?" Breydon said, stepping forward. "We each fight for what matters most."

"And on my life, I will make sure that it is returned to its rightful home," Toyla promised. "With you, Sankta Neyar."

"Ohval," She corrected. "The last thing I need are... pilgrims crowding my gate."

"Is it time for bed now, darling?" Her husband questioned.

"All of you, out," Ohval ordered and the others turned. "Except for you, Hanser and the one in the hat." Jesper and Breydon paused. "I'll give the blades to you. Alone."

Kaz turned and walked to the pair. "We'll wait for you outside before we head back to the Hummingbird," Kaz said.

"I'd hope so," Brey said but nodded anyway. The others left the house complex and Brey looked up at Jesper.

Jesper looked down at Breydon. "Did she say Hanser?"

"Did she say blades?"

Jesper shrugged and they both made followed after Ohval. "Hanser stay here," Ohval ordered and Brey nodded.

Jesper looked between the two before turning to Brey. "Listen, Brey, about what happened-"

"You want to do this now Jesper?" Breydon asked, looking up at him.

"When would be a good time?"

"Not now!" Breydon hissed. "Go." Jesper nodded and followed after Ohval.

Breydon sighed and sat on the stone steps. She pulled her hands up and let golden and green lights mix above her palms. You guard against pain. You guard against joy. What good had either brought? Breydon knew pain. It melded in her bones and led her life for years. When Kaz had first hired Brey he noticed quickly she tried to cover her hands, and the next night she had Kaz's old pair of gloves and he had a new pair. It was never as bad as Kaz, but the feeling of blood against her fingers made her want to vomit. But Jesper got shot, a night he had tried to be cool and suave ended with a bullet lodged just below his collar bone. Kaz couldn't stitch him, and neither could Inej, she was barely a year out of the Menagerie, so Brey bit her tongue and stitched him up.

Inej found her the next morning staring at her red-stained hands. But that was the strangest thing, Breydon never actually ate her sister, she could barely reach her sister when she was trapped. But there was a nagging feeling of what would happen if the rats ran away. Breydon told Inej what happened, only enough the Inej to understand. Inej nodded then asked her, are you scared of blood, or scared of tasting blood? She was scared of tasting it. Inej told her to clean her hands and sleep before leaving her be. The gloves left quickly and Breydon got used to the sight of the red liquid on her skin.

You guard against joy. Breydon had tried joy, she tried love with Jesper. That made the most pain. But why, when Ohval talked about love and her universe, did Breydon think of Ace's red silk and midnight hair? Why did Ace keep checking on Brey after the poison? What wasn't Brey seeing? Was she stupid?

"Hey," Jesper called, tapping the covered sword against Breydon's shoulder. "You were right, two blades." Jesper held them both high and Brey smiled. She stood and brushed her pants off, moving towards the door. "You were right in general. You usually are," Jesper called. "I'm sorry for what I did, I shouldn't have done what I did."

"I'm kind of glad you did," Breydon said with a smile. "It made me think." Breydon turned and walked into the room full of Ohval's collection.

"Hanser," Ohval greeted, moving around the space silently as she searched for something. "Quick thinking with the stone star, and the Cut. Temporal Energy, impressive work Hanser."

"It's weird you know my name," Breydon muttered.

"I knew your mother," Ohval said taking something off the shelf. "She was younger, barely a new mother. Does your family approve of what you do?"

"Well... They're all dead so..." Brey shrugged as Ohval waited for her to keep speaking. "Ma was caught in the raids, Da's ship caught in a storm, and my sister... " Breydon shrugged and Ohval nodded. She threw something Breydon's way and she quickly caught it. Breydon spun the small green Connemara marble in her hands. It was sculpted exactly like the stone gem of her necklace, circle and slim.

"That was meant to be yours," Ohval explained. "I made two others than the ones in your possession. For your mother and father."

"You knew him? Are you why my mother insisted I knew Shu?"

Ohval smiled softly. "Your mother was powerful. You have her journal yes?" Breydon nodded and tapped her jacket pocket. "Dimension Breakers, the both of you. Powerful and dangerous Grisha." Ohval turned to Brey. "What is your full name?"

"Breydon," Brey answered and Ohval walked to her, taking her hands and Brey felt her stomach twist.

"Breydon, do not waste your power with thieves. They have brought you no good. Your father is a strong man, no storm could take him down. I have no doubt if you searched, you could find him. The Shu soldier with you, the fox, they could teach you to sail, to be strong. They are a good influence." Ohval took her hands back and walked around Breydon.

Breydon grabbed the stone tight and left the building. She paused to grab her throwing star before rushing outside. "Uh, Sankta Breydon-"

"Not now, Nina," Breydon shouted, quieting Nina. "Ace!" Breydon called, chasing after Toyla and Ace. She reached Ace's side and paused.

"Snakta-"

"Give us a minute Toyla," Breydon hushed, waving Toyla off. Toyla smiled at Ace and slipped away. Ace looked up at Breydon and she stammered. "Thank you for saving me."

"Well you saved me first," Ace said with a shrug.

"Ace... I don't know what I'm feeling, I've- I'm-" Brey looked down at her hands spinning the stone. "This stone, it means to protect, to have luck. I've had some pretty crap luck pretty much my whole life, and I never really had anyone to protect me for a really long time. And I haven't had the try tance to protect anyone. So maybe, if you understand what I'm trying to say as I fumble through this sentence, maybe you could take the stone and..." Breydon stopped and held the stone out. "Maybe give me a chance."

Ace smiled and took Breydon's hand, taking the stone. "I haven't really done this either," Ace confirmed. "So maybe, if you understand what I'm trying to say..." Brey smiled at Ace. "We can figure it out together." Ace looked at the stone before chuckling. "One problem, I don't have the leather to make a-"

Toyla rushed to their side, holding out a long thin strap of leather. Breydon looked between the leather and Toyla. "Did you- Did you just tear this off your gun holster?" Breydon asked.

Toyla shrugged and and moved his hands to hold his sword holster. Zoya and Nina moved to catch up with him. "So uh... Would you like us to your Saint or Sankta?" Nina asked, looking up at Brey.

"Neither," Brey said quickly. "I am not a Saint." Toyla shrugged and walked on, the girls following.

Ace reached for Breydon's hand once again making Brey jump. They stopped again, letting everyone walk ahead. Ace ran their fingers down Brey's palm, "What did the posion make you see Breydon?"

"You mean what made me so jumpy? Why did I pull away from you?" Breydon asked and Ace shrugged. "I had a sister, she was four years older. After our mom died we hid in a church, and we weren't found. But passing Raiders blew up the church. She died while healing me, she was a Heartrender. To get my strength I- I ate... Whatever was around."

"That's why you don't eat meat," Ace recognised.

"I never touched my sister but I had this feeling though, this worry that I would have to-"

"But you didn't," Ace interrupted, knowing what she was thinking. "You got out, you're alive. To dwell on the past is as bad as ignoring it. To stop a wound, you must stop touching it."

"Sai-Chuen," Breydon nodded.

𓅨

❝ i am never bound by 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 ❞