Brekker winked at Nina, and Matthias wanted to knock his teeth in. When I’ve dealt Nina her life’s share of misery, I’ll come for you. He’d caught witches; how different could it be to slay a demon?
The bronze girl folded up the document and handed it to Brekker, who slipped it into his breast pocket. Matthias felt like he was watching an old friend, one he’d never hoped to see again, vanish into a crowd, and he was powerless to call out.
“We’re going to untie you,” said Brekker. “I hope prison hasn’t robbed you of all your manners or good sense.”
Matthias nodded, and the bronze girl took a knife to the ropes binding him. “I believe you know Nina,” Brekker continued. “The lovely girl freeing you is Inej, our thief of secrets and the best in the trade. Jesper Fahey is our sharpshooter, Zemeni-born but try not to hold it against him, and this is Wylan, best demolitions expert in the Barrel.”
“Raske is better,” Inej said.
The boy looked up, ruddy gold hair flopping in his eyes, and spoke for the first time. “He’s not better. He’s reckless.”
“He knows his trade.”
“So do I.”
“Barely,” Jesper said.
“Wylan is new to the scene,” admitted Brekker.
“Of course he’s new, he looks like he’s about twelve,” retorted Matthias.
“I’m sixteen,” said Wylan sullenly.
Matthias doubted that. Fifteen at the most. The boy didn’t even look as if he’d started shaving. In fact, at eighteen, Matthias suspected that he was the oldest of the bunch. Brekker ’s eyes were ancient, but he couldn’t be any older than Matthias.
For the first time, Matthias really looked at the people around him. What kind of team is this for a mission so perilous? Treason wouldn’t be an issue if they were all dead. And only he knew exactly how treacherous this endeavour might prove.
“We should be using Raske,” Jesper said. “He’s good under pressure.”
“I don’t like it,” agreed Inej.
“I didn’t ask,” said Kaz. “Besides, Wylan isn’t just good with the flint and fuss. He’s our insurance.”
“Against what?” asked Nina.
“Meet Wylan Van Eck,” said Kaz Brekker as the boy’s cheeks flooded crimson. “Jan Van Eck’s son and our guarantee on thirty million kruge.”
Jesper stared at Wylan. “Of course you’re a Councilman’s kid.” He burst out laughing. “That explains everything.”
He knew he should be angry at Kaz for holding back yet another vital piece of information, but right now, he was just enjoying watching the little revelation of Wylan Van Eck’s identity go careening around the room like an ornery colt kicking up dust.
Wylan was red faced and mortified. Nina looked stunned and irritated. The Fjerdan just seemed confused. Kaz appeared utterly pleased with himself. And, of course, Inej didn’t look remotely surprised. She gathered Kaz’s secrets and kept them as well. Jesper tried to ignore the pang of jealousy he felt at that.
Wylan’s mouth opened and closed, his throat working. “You knew?” he asked Kaz miserably.
Kaz leaned back in his chair, one knee bent, his bad leg stretched out before him. “Why do you think I’ve been keeping you around?”
“I’m good at demo.”
“You’re passable at demo. You’re excellent at hostage.”
That was cruel, but that was Kaz. And the Barrel was a far rougher teacher than Kaz could ever be.
At least this explained why Kaz had been coddling Wylan and sending jobs his way.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Jesper. “We should still take Raske and leave this baby merch on lockdown in Ketterdam.”
“I don’t trust Raske.”
“And you trust Wylan Van Eck?” Jesper said incredulously.
“Wylan doesn’t know enough people to cause us real trouble.”
“Don’t I have some say in this?” complained Wylan. “I’m sitting right here.”
Kaz raised a brow. “Ever had your pocket picked, Wylan?”
“I … not that I know of.”
“Been mugged in an alley?”
“No.”
“Hung over the side of a bridge with your head in the canal?”
Wylan blinked. “No, but—”
“Ever been beaten until you can’t walk?”
“No.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I—”
“It’s been three months since you left your daddy’s mansion on the Geldstraat. Why do you suppose your sojourn in the Barrel has been so blessed?”
“Lucky, I guess?” Wylan suggested weakly.
Jesper snorted. “Kaz is your luck, merchling. He’s had you under Dregs protection – though you’re so useless, up until this minute none of us could figure out why.”
“It was perplexing,” Nina admitted.
“Kaz always has his reasons,” murmured Inej.
“Why did you move out of your father ’s house?” Jesper asked.
“It was time,” Wylan said tightly.
“Idealist? Romantic? Revolutionary?”
“Idiot?” suggested Nina. “No one chooses to live in the Barrel if he has another option.”
“I’m not useless,” Wylan said.
“Raske is the better demo man—” Inej began.