𝑨𝑪𝑻 𝑶𝑵𝑬 ━ 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹  𝑭𝑶𝑼𝑹

𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐘𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 put some sense in Kaz Brekker's mind. The Bastard of the Barrel had officially lost his mind or that was just Leila's thinking, to him, Kaz had made a decision, maybe not a smart one but one out of spite. He was going to get that one million kruge, and he intended to do so until his last breath.

Leila was never expecting this, this wretched situation, this vile plot twist. Kaz was aware—of course. He knew she was afraid, now more than ever, first it was Pekka Rollins and now a Saint, the Sun Summoner. She knew that even if this was not real, this was a death wish.

She was now going to kidnap a Saint. A real-life Saint, and Kaz Brekker would be dammed if he thought she would comply, was he stupid? He's gotten himself a dead-end and Leila would prove this to him. 

She was currently sat with Jesper and Inej, at the bar. The crow club was still as full as ever, the people of Ketterdam seemed to not have a bedtime. The barman was occupied by a group of men, screaming their orders at him, others were waiting for their turn and some others were just sitting — their drinks in front of them.

Jesper, Inej and Leila sat at the very end of the bar, their thoughts consumed the heavy silence surrounding them. They were all thinking of the same thing, Kaz's promise of plans due this sunrise. They knew it was crazy, even for someone as smart as Kaz, this was crazy.

Leila sucked in a breath, the silence was suffocating her, and so she wondered out loud, "Alright, that's enough, we are all thinking the same thing, Brekker is making a mistake."

Jesper looked up from his drink, eye bags more visible due to his lack of sleep. He said, a smile on his face, "Well, it is Kaz, he might pull it off, he's done it before. Plus, we all love a good heist don't we."

Inej and Leila shared a look and turned to Jesper. They had to speak to Kaz, Leila couldn't just sit around while he was signing away their death certificate and she was not going to lay beside him in a grave. 

Even if she was protected from Pekka Rollins, even if he doesn't find her, he doesn't kill her, she was not about to go on a manhunt for a living Saint, who by now must be the most protected and most important person in Ravka, in Os Alta at least. 

"I'm going to talk to him," said Inej, she looked at Leila, silently asking if she was going to talk to him as well. The latter nodded. 

"Yeah, I'm coming with you, but you go ahead."

The girls turned to Jesper, asking the same question, but only to get no reply, only a shake of the head as he downed his drink before waving to the bartender. He trusted Kaz, even if he thought this was madness.

And with that the girls nodded to him and Inej walked off to Kaz's office. Leila looked back at Jesper, who was waiting for the bartender. 

"You really think Brekker can pull this off, Jesper?" asked Leila. Jesper turned to her, his eyebrows raised as he gazed at the girl. 

"Yes," he replied. "Don't you love a good heist, Viper? I'd think you do."

Leila chuckled at his comment and said, "Of course I do, only when I'm convinced that I won't fucking die attempting it."

"Good point, but ... Leila," said Jesper, tilting his head with a smile. "We need you, not only for this job but for every other job that comes."

Leila frowned, where was this coming from?  Jesper didn't wait for her to say anything and only continued his words. "And I know you don't particularly like Kaz that much, but just ... have some faith in him."

She watched as the bartender came up with Jesper's drink, plopping it on the bar and nodding to him. Jasper only nodded back and muttered a thank you, and then downing the drink. He grimaced at the burning in his throat.

Leila could not give him an answer, a definite one at least, she couldn't give it to him because even she, herself didn't know the answer. Would she trust Kaz with her life? Would she have faith in him for this job? Even she didn't know.

She only nodded her head to Jesper, that was a good enough answer, he knew she would give it some thoughts. Inej might even be able to convince her more than him.

And with that she stood up and Leila walked the same path that Inej took, only she took longer than the latter who had swiftly walked up the stairs and into the office. Leila had to give this some thoughts, she had to think of what she would say to Kaz, because frankly she had no clue, she had no idea what to say to him.

Walking up the stairs, her footsteps got louder and louder as the chatter of the club below got quieter, she could hear the heavy rain outside, the wind, the thunder. As she got closer to Kaz's office she could hear Inej and him arguing. 

"Then maybe you stay here." Leila could tell it was Kaz, his voice bounced off the walls, he had shouted out the words, loudly enough that Leila heard them. She knew that it was only Inej who was with him right now.

"Maybe I won't be here when you get back."

"Inej! Inej!"

As she reached the door, she heard loud footsteps coming towards it, and before she could even open the door, it was swung open and Inej stepped out frowning. She simply looked at Leila, eyes widened in anger or sadness, either of which Leila was going to murder Kaz for his words.

Inej only looked down and at her wrist, that's when it hit Leila, Inej had spoken about the Menagerie. "Oh, Inej." mumbled Leila, but she knew she couldn't do anything right now. 

So, all she did was tell Inej to go, walk out to the streets, breathe the cold air of the night, leave through Jesper's room window so she wouldn't have to go to the crowded club downstairs. Inej nodded, knowing she needed it right now, Leila even told her she could go to her small place, but Inej shook her head, and with that she walked off.

Leila scowled at the thought of Kaz shouting at Inej, she turned back to face the door, and with one swift movement she swung it open and stepped into the cold room. She looked around and stalked towards Kaz, who was standing behind his desk, papers scattered everywhere. 

He looked did not look like the Kaz that had walked the streets of Ketterdam merely an hour ago, his hair was messy, his eyes were reddening and the dark circles around them made him look like he had not slept in days. He looked up at her and scoffed, knowing why she was here.

"If you're here to talk me out of this—," started Kaz, his eyes darkened by the light behind him.

Leila didn't let him finish, she scowled at him and raised an eyebrow, "I was. Until I heard what you said to Inej."

Kaz sighed. He was angry at himself for snapping at Inej, he had tried to apologise but she had already walked off. Kaz looked away from Leila's narrowed eyes. "Listen—."

"You really are an arsehole, you know that Brekker." started Leila, as she walked closer to him, spitting the words like venom.

Kaz could only stare at her, taking all her harsh words until he scoffed and spoke. "I don't have time for your comments, Darya, I still have six hours, and right now, you aren't helping me find a solution to this plan."

"I don't give a shit, you just signed our death certificate by taking a job where, mind you, we have to kidnap a fucking living Saint." argued Leila, her voice loud, her eyes glaring directly at him. 

"Listen, Darya—," huffed Kaz trying to reason with her.

"No, Brekker. You listen to me." hissed Leila slamming her hands down, she was now in front of his desk, Kaz was standing behind it, the air around them seem to have been sucked out. Leila felt like she could suffocate right now but she kept a straight face.

"How stupid can you be?! If we had a week for this job, I wouldn't mind, but we've got six hours! plus we're capturing a sun summoner!" she was heaving by this point; her cheeks were flushed dusted by a reddish tint. 

"And your catastrophic decision making should not give you a reason to lash out on people, who are trying to fucking help you," finished Leila. She breathed out, her breath coming out in short huffs.

Kaz stared at her, an unreadable emotion tainted on his face. He was standing still, not really sure if moving wouldn't set her off into attacking him with how much anger she had. He put down the papers he was holding, walking around the table making her turn to face him.

"I only make my decisions out of spite never out of fear, and you are afraid," hissed Kaz, walking dangerously close to her. "You're being nothing but a burden to me right now, Darya. So, I suggest you leave."

Leila heard enough; she had had enough. He was playing a dangerous game with their lives, and he wouldn't admit it. Leila laughed grimly at him. "My fear will be one of your last thoughts Brekker, once you have the whole of the fucking world searching for our heads."

Leila walked off, hitting his shoulder as she walked past him. Kaz stood still for a moment, his breathing had been gone for a second, the touch left him stuck in memories, he wanted buried deep down...

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐌 were crowded, so crowded that anyone could hide in plain sight. The streetlights, the people and the light rain was enough of a cover for Leila to simply walk with her cloak on. She had walked away from the crow club after her argument with Kaz, she needed some fresh air.

She wanted to get to Anefa, talking would help her, plus the blonde healer had told her she had made cakes. Leila walked past a few vendors, each trying to get her to buy their goods, she only shook her head — not wanting to seem mean. 

The streets were full even at this hour, the horse carriages could be heard while the whipping of their leads would whip, the shouts of men and women arguing about the merchandise and in the middle of this cacophony, Leila was listening to her surroundings. 

Something felt off. The atmosphere had gotten heavier.

Footsteps, a lot of footsteps. She could hear them behind her, it didn't sound like the crowd itself only because the crowd had gotten quieter than it was a few minutes ago. It sounded as if something, no someone dangerous was behind.

Turning her head slightly, she saw a group of men, dime lions. Leila's eyes widened, her breathing quickened. She had to get out of there, as soon as possible. She was close to Anefa's home, she could just slip past the crowd and walk away hidden.

She stared at the street in front of her, looking around to find a better place to walk, only she was met with a dying crowd, they were getting smaller and smaller. Leila started to panic a bit; she walked faster as she neared Anefa's home.

Leila could see the red wooden door of Anefa's home, it stood only a few yards away from her, the footsteps behind her kept coming, louder and louder. She knew they were onto her. She could see some of the people on the streets looking behind her as she bumped into loads of them. She only muttered apologies. 

As the door was at arm distance, Leila flung it open and closed it behind her. Her heart was thumping in her ears, her eyes looked frantically around the room, Anefa was nowhere to be seen. 

"Anefa." whispered Leila, carefully walking around the room. "Anefa." said Leila, louder this time but the blonde was nowhere.

Leila slowly made her way across the room. She could hear someone upstairs, maybe it was Anefa, maybe she hadn't heard her. Slowly, Leila made her way upstairs. Her breathing was shaky, her hands sweaty but her head was running through all the possible outcomes, she was ready for a fight.

The stairs were creaking beneath her feet, the weight of anticipation heavy on her shoulders, she felt suffocated. Leila could hear more and more noises coming from the bedroom upstairs. 

Leila stood in front of the door, she could hear noises coming from behind it, maybe it was Anefa. So, without other thoughts, she swung the door open. Leila frowned, there was nobody in front of her. Oh, was she wrong.

Next thing she knew, Leila was being pulled onto the floor with her shoulders being seized from the sides as she was forced to her knees when her arms were grabbed, having no time to react.

When she looked up after being thrown down, feeling the pain of her knees scraping against the hardwood floor, she hissed. The sight of three men staring down at her with looks that would make anyone uncomfortable, was the only thing she saw.

Anefa, Leila's gaze scanned the room. She was missing. No. No. No. Not Anefa. Leila hoped and prayed in her mind that Anefa was safe and sound somewhere. Leila didn't know what she'd do if Anefa was gone.

The sound of footsteps approaching made Leila look up, and all her dread and fear came alive in that moment, here in front of her stood Pekka Rollins, the devil himself. She gulped as she made eye contact with him, chuckling cruelly at her.

Pekka shook his head as he chuckled humourlessly. "Ah... the Viper. The slithering killing shadow of Ketterdam." He walked closer, now almost whispering. "Leila Darya."

Leila's heart stopped for a second, never in her life would she think that Pekka would find out who she was. And here she was, at the arms reach of the devil. She watched as he stood strongly in front of her.

"You might be the only person I've wanted on my crew for this long," he said, his voice was one from her nightmares. 

"Fuck you!" hissed Leila, grunting when her hair was pulled back by the man who was holding her down. She was forced to look straight at Pekka, her eyes watering slightly.

"Viper, you really are a helpful little creature." He snarled at her as he leaned down, "That's the only reason you're still alive and not being tossed into the sea but there comes a time. Always."

Leila only stared back at him with such hatred that he could burn by only glancing at her, with nothing to lose she started to chuckle, tears were staining her face. "You are here to finish me off, and you're going to lose just like all your other failed attempts!"

Leila used the force of pulling her head down to hit the man holding her in the face. He stumbled back, grabbing his face in pain, yelling out curses as the others had no time to react. Leila, who for a moment stood still her mind blinded by the pain that shot through her skull, her eyes watering further, shook her head. 

Another man rushed towards her, trying to punch her but Leila dodged out of the way, spun around, and grabbed the man's arm, twisting it till she heard a snap. He screamed and collapsed on the ground.

Leila who turned to face Pekka felt someone kicked her in the back, making her fall to the filthy ground with a groan, she coughed out as she was grabbed again. Leila stooped down in agony as another man kicked her in the ribs once again. 

"Now, now, gentlemen. This is no way to treat a woman." snarled Pekka amused, stalking slowly towards her again. "You truly are a feisty one, too bad Brekker got you first."

Leila's eyes widen, he knew. Pekka Rollins knew. Pekka saw the fear on her face, he knew he had made an image of himself. All he did though was walk slowly towards her, knife in hand as she tried to fight the man holding her down.

He stalked closer to her. Leila could only see his blurred silhouette through her teary eyes. Pekka grimaced at her and stroked her face with the knife. He sliced her across the cheek as Leila tightened her jaw and bit her tongue in an effort to hold back her cries.

"You had got choices, chances, but I fear I ran out of patience." He eyed her, scowling at her. Leila screamed in pure agony as he leaned down and stabbed her in the leg while he was now in her direct line of sight. "But killing you would not benefit me."

"You have until sunrise to get as much information from Brekker, deliver it to me and join me," he bellowed, "Can't you see, we would rule Ketterdam if only you wouldn't be so ... stubborn, Viper."

Leila could barely hear or see him; tears were blinding her as her cheeks got drenched by them, the burning in her leg was unimaginable. Her head felt light, dizzy and blurry from the blood loss. Pekka Rollins, was her last sight before she slipped into a darkness, she never wanted to come back from...

𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑𝐒, immediately sensing something was wrong, terribly and utterly wrong. She had gone to the market to buy supplies, but on her way back, the streets had been quiet, too quiet for it to be considered normal. She knew, someone had been here. Someone important enough that the streets were cowering in fear. 

The merchants were packing up, frantically looking around, the usual crowd had gotten small, only a few people were walking but this time they were walking in one direction. The opposite direction. Away from her own path, away from her house. But maybe she was overreacting.

Anefa walked through the streets, her eyes squinting as people ran past her. She walked on frowning at the sight, seeing as she was close to her home. Anefa walked towards her door, her hands shaking and her mind racing.

She felt wrong. Something was wrong, extremely wrong. Her hands were sweaty, her heart was aching, she didn't know what she was feeling. But only worry was on her mind, about who? She didn't know.

The door was open. The room was cold, too cold. Anefa had never felt fear like this, her home felt sick, it felt destroyed even though nothing was destroyed. Everything was spotless. Just like she left it.

Anefa put the bags she'd been holding down near the door, and with a racing heart, she walked around. "Hello?" she asked, she really hoped to not get an answer.

"Hello?" she said louder as she walked to the stairs. Stopping mid-way. There was grunting upstairs, it sounded like someone in pain, terrible pain. Anefa felt her heart drop, she felt nothing but worry which confused her.

With a deep breath, Anefa walked up the stairs, her hands ready for anything at this point. She was prepared to attack, to defend herself. But as she got closer to the door, all she could think of was the fact that the grunting voice sounded familiar, only one name in mind. Leila.

Anefa swung the door open, and her heart dropped at the sight in front of her. 

Leila was laying on the floor, in a pool of blood, her face bloodied and bruised, her legs were covered in blood. A knife in her thigh, was she unconscious, no, no she couldn't be. Anefa had heard grunts, Leila was alive. She had to be. 

"LEILA!" yelled Anefa, the blonde rushing towards the Suli girl, her knees scrapped the floor, but Anefa didn't care, she had no care, her mind was on one single thing, Leila.

Anefa held Leila's bloodied face in her hands, she checked her face and neck and made sure that she was breathing and conscious. Leila could see her, only blurred by her tears and her squinted eyes. 

Leila smiled, a painful smile. "Anefa. . ."

She chuckled dryly and Anefa scoffed, she didn't know how Leila had gotten here, what had happened to her, who had done this to her? But she would ask these questions later. Right now, the only thing that she needed was for Leila to be okay.

Anefa slowly brought her hands towards Leila's thigh, gasping slightly at the knife, she had seen the weapon but close up it looked like a rupture.

 Anefa sighed, "Listen, Leila. This is going to be painful, but it has to be done."

Leila knew, she knew that Anefa had to take the knife out. So, bracing herself, Leila nodded and with one swift movement Anefa ripped the knife out. Leila screamed in agony, the sound making Anefa chock down a sob, she knew it hurt her. 

The knife had not gone deep, it hadn't caused too severe damage to Leila's thigh. Relieved Anefa started working on the wound. She shakily brought her hands towards the wound, her mind focusing on healing the damage.

Anefa's hands worked on healing the stab, and Leila groaned, she could feel the flesh reattaching, she could feel her skin stitch itself back together.

Every movement sent waves of throbbing pain through her leg and back. It was exhausting and Leila felt sick, but there seemed to be nothing she could do about it. Her whole body was telling her to stop what she was doing, halt, and find some relief from this agonizing sensation.

Anefa finished healing her wounds, the bruises would heal by themselves, Leila didn't want Anefa to get tired, she didn't want to be a burden.

The blonde helped Leila downstairs, she had to know what had happened. Anefa bandages Leila's thigh. They were in the small kitchen, Leila sat on the table as Anefa got a glass of water for her and a change of clothes.

Leila sighed; her whole body was aching. The sound of the door opening made her turn, but all she could see was the silhouette of a person.

"Leila?!" an all too familiar voice said. Inej. She was here. 

Leila gulped, she didn't want Inej to see her like this, she didn't want Inej to get concerned over Pekka, she didn't want Inej to get in trouble. Leila knew though that Inej would find out.

"Inej. . ." mumbled Leila. Inej stared at her with wide eyes, as she stalked forward and looked at her injuries. She frowned, her eyes softened at the sight and Inej looked at Leila with pity in her eyes.

Leila couldn't look at her in the eyes, she couldn't do it. Leila sighed quietly. She looked back at Inej and mumbled, "I'm fine now, Inej." Inej did not look satisfied, she took Leila's hand and started checking her over.

"Seriously, Inej I am okay darling." reassured Leila seeing that Inej was calming down slightly. 

"Leila, what happened?" asked Inej, her eyes hardened, her brows furrowed more. Leila sighed; she knew Inej wouldn't give up. 

"Pekka Rollins." mumbled Leila. Inej gasped, she knew he was after her. But when the thoughts became real, Inej couldn't believe it.

"He...uh, he wanted me to bring all the information Brekker has and uhm...join his crew for the job."

"Leila—." started Inej, but Leila stopped her. "Inej, whatever happened, happened. Okay. I am fine now. I won't betray you; you know that."

Inej didn't respond, she only frowned at her, not understanding why she was saying that, how could she just dismiss what had happened. She sighed and nodded but Inej knew she would talk about this again, even if she had to do it in front of Kaz and Jesper.

"I need your help." said Inej, finally saying the one thing she came here to talk to Leila about. 

She needed help for her heart wouldn't do what she was ordered to, Heleen wanted her to kill. To kill someone for her. Inej couldn't, she knew that even when she had accepted the job. 

But Inej felt guilty, she felt guilty that she had accepted this knowing that she was going to ask Leila to do it. She felt guilty because she knew that Leila would accept, at any point she would. She felt guilty that even though Leila was injured and tired, she would still do it.

"Heleen. . ." mumbled Inej. "She wants me to find a man and... kill him." 

Leila frowned, and looked up to Inej, her eyes were pleading with nervousness, Leila knew Inej. She knew that Inej was a non-believer to the art of killing, Inej was a saint in Leila's eyes. Leila was sure of her response.

She would kill for Inej, no questions asked, no money guaranteed or needed, she would kill an entire nation for free for her . . .

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❪ ៸ 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ━━━━━ ! ﹆◞ ❫
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❪ . . . the 4th chapter for THE PERFECT CRIME everyone, this chapter is a rollercoaster but enjoy ❫
❪ . . . THIS IS 4.3k which isn't as much as i wanted to write but i think the next chapter will be better ❫
❪ . . . PLEASE tell me how you guys feel about it ??❫
❪ . . .PLEASE don't be a ghost reader, comment and vote, I love to reply to everyone and interact with my readers, love all of you darlings <33 ❫