chapter 2:
everything.
Nyx

"If a Sun Summoner is a Saint, then are you a Saint too?" Jesper asked.

"Not willingly."

"Also, didn't Kaz tell you you weren't allowed with us?" Jesper asked in a jesting tone adorned with a small smirk. I pulled my cloak closer to me, not because I was cold, but because it brought me comfort.

"I changed my mind," Kaz called out, as he was ahead of us.

"You two were alone for quite some time. Just saying," He shrugged.

"Gross. And as if. Nyx is smarter than to stoop so low," Inej came to my defense.

"We just had a chat. Now keep your nose out of other people's business," I booped his nose, to which he playfully rolled his eyes.

It was just a lovely chat.

I had to force myself to not let my smile come through and thanked the Saints that the hood hid my face well.

"I really appreciate new business, but you've only paid for am hour of my time, and I have to be back at The Orchid," Milana stressed to Kaz as we made our way out.

"The Orchid isn't safe tonight. Your life's in danger with this job. Make yourself scarce for a few days afterwards," Kaz told her, not bothering to pay attention to her but more to our surroundings.

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

Kaz stopped and fully turned towards her, "It's not me you're in danger with. It's Pekka Rollins."

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

"Which is why your boss is already dead," Her face dropped and she turned to me.

"Did he-?"

"No, never. You're safe with us, Milana. Trust me," She nodded, wringing her hands together.

"Who are you lot?"

"We're here to see Dreesen," Kaz stated.

"You're not with Pekka's crew," He pointed out.

"And you're not in Pekka's pocket anymore if you don't owe him," He casually threw him a bag of kruge, filled to the brim. Without hesitation, he let us in.

That was easy.

"Hey, where did you get that coin?" Jesper questioned as the gates closed behind us.

And we got our answer.

"Hey! One of these has a hole in it!"

"Was that from earlier?" I questioned.

"Inside. Inside," Kaz ushered us in, deciding that we only needed one problem right now as Milana stuck close to me in the unfamiliar environment.

I guess it was.

As much as I wanted to use my gifts to our advantage, I was only used for the rare occasions.

And that made it hurt.

I used my powers my whole life. It had been all I'd known until I discovered the dark truth behind what we were actually doing, and decided to flee. Since then, I've trained to use my powers in small uses for daily things as to not keep everything bottled up and risk exploding. Sometimes, the shadows even play around as I sleep. They emerge from the palms of my hands and hover in my room, so used to being used everyday and now cut down to chores and emergencies.

"One look and I can tell. Criminals. I'm not meeting anyone 'til midnight," Dreesen expressed, chin in his hand.

"We heard you needed a Heartrender," Milana gave a small wave.

Intrigued, he stood up, "Hmm. Allright, she stays. The rest of you, out."

But before Milana could waltz forward, Kaz brought up his cane and she halted.

"She stays. And we have an exclusive on this job," Kaz stated, not willing to miss out on whatever he's hiding and why he's so desperate to keep it shut.

"Mr. Brekker. No businessman worth his salt hires his first applicant."

"No. No, I understand. Of course, I will have to report you to the guild for kidnapping and harboring a prisoner without a chain of title."

What are they doing?

I felt eyes on me, and not my friends, but the men around us. There were two standing with Dreesen. They were examining me, and my features and build. Almost as if they recognized me.

But thankfully, they've never been on the other side of the Fold.

A rumor went around that the Second Lieutenant to General Kirigan had fled. A Shadow Summoner. Of course, many people assumed she was caught and killed for high treason, but many others still think she's escaped and with a dark secret, as she was very loyal to the cause and to fighting for Ravka to become one again.

The rest?

They know when a rumor should be put to rest.

"You alright?" Inej asked, and I snapped out of my trance with a quick nod and followed them down to a Wine Cellar. In the middle was someone in a chair with their hands tied, and a bag around their head.

No wonder they didn't talk.

Who would with such treatment?

"Who's this?"

Dreesens hand rested on the chair,
"so you don't know everything after all."

"This. . .is Alexei Stepanov. Two weeks ago, young Alexei here crossed through the Fold on foot. Alone," He explained, revealing Alexeis scarred face and tired yet terrified eyes.

"That's not possible," I stated.

Not even for me.

"How?" Inej asked.

"They're keeping it quiet, but allegedly, he was one of the few witnesses to. . .an event."

"Water," Alexei breathed out, his throat dry as he tried to speak and Inej quickly filled a glass for him.

"What event?"

"I know an expedition was swarmed by volcra. Should've been a total loss, but something happened."

"Like what?" I asked, more urgency in my voice as I began to pick at the palm of my hand.

Please, don't be what I think it is.

If Saints exist, they wouldn't do it.

"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 is some invention no one had seen before. He knows," Dreesen pointed at Alexei.

"But he doesn't seem to be able to articulate his account of events. Some form of traumatic lapse. So. . ." Milana nodded and made her way to Alexei, ready to work her magic on him but I don't think I wanted her to.

"It could've been an explosive outside the boat. Maybe dormant and the ship made contact with it. It could explain his memory loss," I pointed out, hoping that he wouldn't remember or maybe he would and that my theory would be right.

"You're safe now. Now, you can just speak and I will just listen," Milana calmed him, her hand on his wrist.

"Alright."

"Tell me what happened in the Fold. What saved you?" She asked, and I could almost see him remembering his time in the Fold and what occurred.

Please. . .

"You won't believe me, but. . .it was a Sun Summoner."

No. . .

Inej audibly gasped at this, but I immediately felt a dead weight on my shoulders and on my heart. And they're on the other side of the Fold, making it easier for him to get his hands on them and to manipulate them for his own greed.

"What's their name?"

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

"You have my word. I'll set you free. You're in Ketterdam now, Alexei. You can go anywhere in the world from here," Dreesen promised.

"Just imagine. Come on."

Liar.

"Her name is. . .Alina Starkov."

"I have to go," I excused myself, marching out of the building with tears building up in my eyes and as soon as I made it outside, I just. . .

Let it out.

"No!" I screamed, the darkness I've held in for weeks releasing into the air and slicing the trees in my way.

All you've brought her is misery. . .

Saints. . .

"You've given him everything. . .everything he wanted," I whimpered.

And now the world is going to pay for it.

///
Hope you've enjoyed!
Fun fact: Baghra was the one who told Nyx about everything and encouraged her to run away.