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HIS SPARK, HER STORM

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"Well," Raina said, raising a brow. "You always did know how to make an entrance."

  ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

━𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞. 

A deafening crack tore through the quiet night like lightning splitting the heavens, followed by the unmistakable sound of splintering wood and crumbling stone. Screams echoed down the narrow alleys, sharp and panicked. Dust rained from the rafters of the rundown tavern as Jesper ducked behind an overturned table, flintlock already in hand. They were no longer alone.

"What was that?" a voice called out behind him—sharp, panicked.

Jesper smirked, brushing the soot off his coat. "That my friend, was our alarm," he answered without missing a beat, cocking his gun. "Guess the party started early."

Kaz didn't flinch as the sound of boots thundered on the cobblestone outside. He surveyed the darkened corridor, calculating, always calculating.

"Split up," Kaz ordered, voice crisp. "Much easier to take a Grisha one-on-one than face a squad. Rendezvous at the fountain."

He turned slightly, eyes landing on her.

"Raina. Stay close to me."

She didn't argue. The streets of Ketterdam had always been loud, but this was different—this was war echoing through alleys that had once only known crime. Now, the Crows were hunted not by rival gangs, but by the most dangerous man in Ravka.

They darted from one alley to the next, the golden glow of burning lamps and flickering fires casting harsh shadows across brick walls. Cooper shifted nervously in the makeshift carrier wrapped around her shoulder and stomach, the wrap Inej had given her tied snugly to keep the golden retriever safe.

Behind them, they heard another explosion. And then—

"Wait!" Zoya's voice echoed down the cobbled street, filled with urgency.

A scream followed, one that clawed its way into Raina's bones.

"No—Polina!"

"You can't burn it all down," Zoya snapped.

"That Barrel rat killed my brother," Polina snarled. "I will reduce her to ash."

Raina's stomach twisted. She knew who Polina was after.

Zoya's voice lowered, cold and sharp. "Fine. But be smart about it. And make sure it doesn't hit Raina."

Raina stopped in her tracks, her heart thudding. "Kaz," she said urgently, tugging on his sleeve. "We have to help Inej. Polina is going to burn her."

Kaz didn't look back. "Inej can handle herself."

Raina scowled. "You're seriously going to—?"

"She can handle herself," Kaz repeated, more firmly this time. "Worry more about keeping yourself safe... and him." His eyes flicked to Cooper, who let out a soft, anxious whimper.

They took cover behind a barrel, just far enough from the main square to be hidden. Cooper began shifting more, his paws twitching, sensing the tension. His tail thumped once against the side of the sling before stilling. Kaz glanced down and let out a low sigh.

"Calm down," he muttered, reaching into his coat for the purchase he made outside the tavern. "You'll get your treat, just... don't bark."

He fished out a small, dried biscuit from a hidden pocket and held it out. Cooper sniffed, whined, then licked Kaz's gloved fingers eagerly.

Watching from the shadows, Raina nearly melted. She bit her lip, trying to keep her smile hidden behind a mask of focus, but her heart betrayed her. That warm, glowing feeling bloomed in her chest again. She didn't dare say anything, not with the world on fire around them, but Saints help her—he was feeding her dog treats and pretending like he wasn't the most terrifying man in Ketterdam.

Kaz, who noticed everything, glanced up just in time to catch her expression.

"Don't start," he said gruffly.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it loudly."

Before she could quip back, something shifted in the air.

A shiver ran up her spine.

It was as though the world held its breath.

Cold air prickled against her skin—not the chill of the city or the fear of being caught—but something more ancient. More familiar. Her powers stirred, unbidden. The static in the air thickened, almost humming.

"He's here," she whispered. Her voice dropped to a tremble. "I can feel him."

Kaz's jaw tightened. "Get into that alley. Now." He pointed toward a narrow passage to their left, already drawing his cane.

"But—"

"Now, Raina."

She hesitated, torn between instincts—flight or fight—but Cooper shifted beside her, and that was enough. She slipped into the shadows of the alley just as the air around them dropped a few degrees colder.

From the fog and smoke, General Kirigan emerged.

His black fur-lined kefta caught the light like liquid ink, regal and ominous. The fur-lined cloak with a collar so high, framing his jaw like a crown of shadow, and his eyes—those deep, fathomless eyes—pierced through the veil of smoke as if searching for something he already knew was there.

He walked with measured calm, but darkness writhed at his back, hungry and waiting.

"I know you have her," he said, voice smooth as velvet, laced with danger.

Kaz's eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kirigan's boots echoed across the cobblestones. "Don't insult me, Mr. Brekker. I know you kidnapped my Summoner."

"We didn't take the Sun Summoner," Kaz replied coldly. "She fled on her own."

The General stopped a few paces away, tilting his head. "We'll return to Alina soon enough. But you and I both know which Summoner I'm here for."

His gaze slid over to the alley, voice rising with sharp amusement. "In fact... Raina, darling. Why don't you come out of the shadows and grace us with your presence?"

Kaz's fingers tightened around his cane.

Raina's heart thudded. He would kill Kaz if she didn't. Of course he would. Just to make a point.

She stepped from the alley, shoulders squared, storm crackling faintly around her fingertips.

Kaz stiffened beside her.

Cooper barked once, a deep growl rumbling from his throat from his makeshift pouch. Protective.

"Well," Raina said, raising a brow. "You always did know how to make an entrance."

"There's my spark," Kirigan said softly, lips curled into a slow smile. "Ah, and Cooper, too. I was going to give him his treats—but even he wasn't in his spot."

Raina lifted her chin, her eyes sharp with fire and warning. "He's my dog," she said clearly. "And he has someone else to give him treats now."

The words landed between them like a bolt of lightning, humming with implication. Kaz smirked.

Kirigan's gaze flicked to Kaz, and his expression barely shifted—but the cold fury was unmistakable. "Is that so?"

"We missed you," he said after a beat. "Genya especially. Imagine my surprise when I heard you wrote to her. But not to me."

Raina's storm dimmed slightly. "She better be safe."

"She will be," Kirigan said, voice softening. "If you come back to me. Come back home."

"Home?" she repeated with a mocking laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I apologize if I ever gave the impression that my home was with you."

A flicker of something crossed his face. Hurt? Regret? It was gone too fast.

"You will come with me," he said. "And as for you..." He turned to Kaz. "Where is Alina?"

"I don't know," Kaz said calmly. "It was pretty clear she wasn't interested in being a captive anymore. She's probably halfway to Novyi Zem by now."

Kaz moved slightly in front of Raina, his gloved hand brushing hers in a subtle, silent shield.

Kirigan noticed. Of course he did.

His gaze dropped to their hands. "You should have stayed in Ketterdam, Mr. Brekker. And you should have learnt not to put your hands where they don't belong."

Shadows slithered around his boots as he raised his hands.

Kaz slowly let go of Raina and reached into his coat again—this time, for a different kind of treat. A small, gleaming explosive slid into his palm, and he braced his cane in his other hand.

"Now," he whispered.

Raina raised her hands.

The storm exploded from her palms—lightning cracking through the air like shattered glass, wind howling down the alley, fire lighting the barrel, all sending General Kirigan stumbling a step back as he raised a shield of shadow.

Kaz hurled the explosive, and smoke engulfed the street as he yanked Raina by the hand, Cooper's bark muffled by the sling as they bolted.

Kirigan shielded his face with his cape, black as a raven's wing, his teeth gritted against the blast.

When the dust settled and the debris cleared, they were gone. He exhaled slowly, brushing ash from his collar.

The street was quiet once more. Only the lingering shadows moved.

Kirigan walked slowly toward the spot where Raina had stood. His boots crushed rocks and ash beneath them. He paused. Something dark fluttered near his feet.

A single crow feather.

He bent down, picked it up carefully, twirling it between his fingers. It was black as his coat. Familiar.

Not the amplifier Raina used, which Kirigan does not know anything about—but one she'd worn before. One that now carried the scent of Ketterdam's alleys and something worse.

He turned slightly toward the alleyway they'd vanished through, his voice low as he spoke to the empty street.

"You can run, Raina," he murmured, voice like the promise of a storm. "But you can't hide forever."

And now—General Kirigan knew.

This wasn't just defiance.

This wasn't just rebellion.

This was history.

And it had a name.

Kaz Brekker.

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞!

3 years later and i delivered my promise

MISSED THIS BOOK SM. 

missed you guys sm.

let me know your thoughts.

xoxo NS