To Whatever End

Chapter One -Anika

Secrets were worth more than Kruge. A truth she always heard from the streets of Ketterdarm. And, there was no higher currency for valuable secrets than what was paid in The Barrel. In her mind, she knew that one boy prized information over all. A thief, a con, a ruthless killer, and the one man in Ketterdam my father seemed to talk about more than himself. 

     Kaz Brekker's name was said in reverence among most. Her father had always spit it out like it was dirty. Like the name itself would make him vomit if it stayed on his tongue too long. Anika felt a wave of uneasy dizzyness slam into her and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. In the streets of the barrel, she was no anomaly. People hardly glanced her way as they walked by, fueled by their passion and merriment. No eyebrow was raised when they saw her heavy black coat and ripped pants in June. Not even her limping seemed to garner any interest from the tourists seeking carnal pleasures at the doors of the brothels. Five doors down. 

     She did not spend much time in the barrel. Her father had forbidden it. But, she knew the location of some more important buildings The Emerald Palace. The White Rose. The hotel owned by the Dime Lions. The Crow Club. As she turned the corner, Anika steeled herself. There was no telling what would greet her when she faced the bouncer at the doors of the Dregs only club. How could she be sure the man she was searching for was even here? He could be at their slats. He could be in the streets with that Wraith. 

     She swallowed hard and steeled herself. He had to be. And, if he was not, she would have to press on. Down to the rickety slats. To the Harbor. Hell to fields of Novyi Zem if she had to. She needed him- he had to be her salvation or her end now. She was two doors down. Anika felt wetness on her cheeks and squeezed her eyes shut again, willing her mind to still move. Her body to still press on. She heard callers motioning for her to come in. Gamble- lose herself for a while. She doubted they would be as hospitable if they saw the blood soaking into her coat or the bruises on her face. 

     And, what if Kaz Brekker turned her away? Laughed at her. Threw her in the harbor... She knew the anger between he and her father ran deeply. She was banking on the lure of the information she had on the Dime Lions. If he turned her away, then surely her father would find her. Slit her throat and dump her body in the ocean. Or, perhaps he would be harsh and make his men do it for him. She was not worthy of a gentle or honorable death- he had made that clear. 

     It was too late for her doubts now. She approached the entrance to the Crow Club, her heart hammering. Her mind wondered if it was due to her anxiety or to the amount of blood seeping down her arm. The bouncer watching the door looked at her oddly. Rightfully so in her strange clothing and her face beaten and twisted into pain. "I need Kaz Brekker." Her voice sounded weak- not commanding as she intended. Her body cared not for what she wanted it to do. The large man laughed at her and shook his head. 

     "Yes, I am sure you do little girl." He joked. "You smell of copper and will run off the patrons of the club. Leave and find a medic." He advised and Anika hissed at him, frustrated. Of course, she knew no one would just let her into the building to see Dirty Hands. 

     "I have Kruge. I just need to speak to him for a few minutes and-" He cut her off. "You and every other wayward teen in this city. Get lost before I have to remove you from the doorway." It was early afternoon but, even still when she looked inside she saw that the club was bustling with people. 

     "What business?" The bouncer's gaze averted from her to a lanky Zemini boy who had come to lean against the doorway. He was dressed flamboyantly as most barrel rats did, two twin guns sitting on his hips. His hands hovered near to them and he looked down at her more amused than concerned. 

     Anika cringed as she felt nausea wash over her again. The bouncer opened his mouth and began to explain to this boy- Jesper his name was apparently- that she was just leaving. Jesper hummed. "I meant her." He looked at her and she felt a bolt of anxious energy light up in her gut.