•• ••●•• ••

. Lianna began wondering if that was a common trait for anything in the Barrel. Uptown, it smelled of rosariums and marble, everything was hard and cold and polished to perfection, sophisticated, overflowing with luxury. The Barrel was cold, but in a different way – nothing rich or desirable accopmanied its freezing air. In merchants' houses, the cold was a choice, it was distance and affluence. Down here, nothing was anybody's choice.

There were no windows in the room, and it was enitrely consumed by crimson veined with ebony, which only made the darkness stronger. Lianna was seated on a chair cross-legged, Jesper on the ground near her, his knees drawn up, Inej by his side. Wylan, a boy she was introduced to minutes ago, was scribbling something in his notes on the other side of the round table. His curls were strawberry blonde, face chubby and childish. Matthias of Fjerda was bounded to a chair in the corner of the room, Nina leaning against the wall next to him. Kaz stood in front of Matthias, one hand resting on the crow's head on the top of his cane as he proceeded to explain the details of their plan to the reluctant listener – the details Lianna had been just introduced to herself.

Jurda parem, Bo Yul-Bayur imprisoned in Fjerda, Grisha people abused by those who yearned for power; Kaz had told her about all those things with such nonchalance, she barely believed him. Judging by the bored looks the others' faces, they had heard the plan at least a few times already.

Everything was prompted by Jan Van Eck. Lianna heard that name rather frequently; the man was Thomas Ford's bussiness partner, and one of his greatest inspirations. Ford repeated the words Jan Van Eck's empire more often than he said good morning. Lianna was not a Ketterdam, its merchants or their obsession with money and gain enthusiast, but Jan Van Eck seemed a decent man. She didn't need his heart to be made of gold; she needed his four million kruge.

"Why couldn't you have told me this right away?" she had asked.

Kaz had only sized her up once, eyes as cold as ever. "Because you can't back out now."

After Nina woke Helvar up, Brekker had started talking again. Lianna sat silently, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve, impatience growing within her with each passing second. This story had gotten boring after the very first time she heard it. Matthias had never listened to the plan before, but paid little attention to the words leaving Kaz's mouth.

When Brekker finally finished, Matthias simply said, "No."

"Believe me when I say this, Helvar: I know getting knocked out and waking up in strange surroundings isn't the friendliest way to start a partnership, but you didn't give us many options, so try to open your mind to the possibilities."

"You could have come to me on your knees, and my answer would be the same."

"You do understand I can have you back at Hellgate in a matter of hours? Once poor Muzzen is in the infirmary, the switch will be easy."

"Do it. I can't wait to tell the warden your ridiculous plans."

"What makes you think you'll be going back with a tongue?"

"Kaz—" Nina protested.

"Do what you want," Matthias said. He wouldn't betray his country again.

"I told you," said Nina.

"Don't pretend to know me, witch," he snarled, his eyes trained on Brekker.

"Without him, there's no job," murmured Jesper. "We can't break into the Ice Court blind."

"You can't break into the Ice Court at all," said Matthias.

"Come now, Helvar," pushed Kaz. "Surely there's something you want. The cause is righteous enough for a zealot like you. Fjerda may think they've caught a dragon by the tail, but they won't be able to hold on. Once Bo Yul-Bayur replicates his process, jurda parem will enter the market, and it's only a matter of time before others learn to manufacture it, too."

So there it was again; Kaz's obsession with proving he can get what he wants from whoever he wants. Brekker was like a snowstorm midwinter. You could lock the windows, barricade the doors and wrap yourself in a blanket, but it's inevitable. Cold will find the slightest crack, a tiny hole in the wall and that will be enough for it to enter and envelop you completely.

"It will never happen. Yul-Bayur will stand trial, and if he is found guilty he will be put to death."

"Guilty of what?" Nina asked softly.

"Crimes against the people."

Lianna would have laughed if she wasn't so genuinely confused by his extreme folly.

"Which people?" Nina's voice stayed calm, but there was a certain tone to it. The same one that would come out whenever she used to talk about her dreams of becoming the most feared Grisha in the world, about leading the Second Army. The ruthless dedication.

"Natural people," Matthias replied. "People who live in harmony with the laws of this world instead of twisting them for their own gain."

Lianna raised an eyebrow and looked at Nina, smirking. The other girl met her gaze, an identical expression on her face. There they were, far from home, having a friendly chat with a boy who'd pay any price to end the lives of their people, telling them his sacred truth about who is and who isn't worthy of being born into this world. What more was there to do than mock him? Lianna looked around, half expecting these people to support whatever idiotism Matthias was saying (it wasn't like the Grisha were much respected in Kerch), but they looked equally amused by the backward Fjerdan.

It wasn't that boy's fault, but it was his country's and his people's and his history's and everything's that made Fjerda what it was. Matthias' only fault was having been born on the wrong side of the conflict.

"You're being shortsighted about this, Helvar," said Brekker. "Another team could get to Yul-Bayur first. The Shu. Maybe the Ravkans. All with their own agendas. Border disputes and old rivalries don't matter to the Kerch. All the Merchant Council cares about is trade, and they want to make sure jurda parem remains a rumour and nothing more."

"So leading criminals into the heart of Fjerda to steal a valued prisoner is a patriotic act?" Matthias said scornfully.

"I don't suppose the promise of four million kruge will sway you either." Kaz didn't sound concerned by the possibility of all their struggles so far leading up to essentially nothing.

Matthias spat. "You can keep your money. Choke on it."

Lianna tilted her head, looking at Matthias. Choke on it. A very Ketterdam thing for a Fjerdan soldier to say.

Matthias leaned back in his chair. "I'll make a deal with you."

"I'm listening."

"I won't go with you, but I'll give you a plan for the layout of the Court. That should at least get you past the first checkpoint."

"And what will this valuable information cost me?"

"I don't want your money. I'll give you the plans for nothing." Matthias' eyes fixed on Nina. "If you let me kill Nina Zenik."

"Absolutely not," Lianna answered without missing a bit. The boy looked at her with furrowed brows. She ignored Jesper eyeing her curiously and crossed her arms on her chest. "Is that all you can think of? Your only trait? Murdering people?"

"Not people—"

"I can give you something better," said Kaz.

"There's nothing else I want."

"I can make you a drüskelle again."

"Are you a magician, then? A wej sprite who grants wishes? I'm superstitious, not stupid."

"You can be both, you know, but that's hardly the point." Kaz slipped a hand into his dark coat. "Here," he said, and gave a piece of paper to Inej, who then brought the paper up to Matthias' face for him to read.

Nina had told Lianna about hers and Matthias' shared past shortly before waking him up; she was telling the story to them all, as everyone was then present in the small, damp room, but Lianna knew Nina had hoped that would have been enough of an explanation. On why she betrayed Ravka, why she stayed in Ketterdam, why she agreed to take part in this job. Nina kept it short, summarised everything since the storm up until her arrival in Kerch, but included details Lianna knew were meant for her – about the quest to recruit new soldiers, about the new king Lantsov, about Little Palace. It was enough; even if Nina had not explained anything, Lianna still wouldn't have judged her.

And she knew the papers Kaz handed Matthias were the Fjerdan's ticket to freedom, but Nina's to her penalty.

"What new evidence?" Matthias asked.

Kaz leaned back in his chair. "It seems Nina Zenik has recanted her statements. She will face charges of perjury."

"Perjury? How long will you serve for that, Zenik?"

"Two months," she said quietly.

"Two months?" Matthias laughed, hard.

"Just how crazy is he?" asked Jesper, fingers drumming on the pearl handles of his revolvers.

Kaz shrugged. "He's not what I'd call reliable, but he's all we've got."

"Whatever secrets you hope to gain from Bo Yul-Bayur, she'll turn them over to Ravka."

"Let me worry about that, Helvar. You do your part, and the secrets of Yul-Bayur and jurda parem will be in the hands of the people best equipped to make sure they stay rumours."

"What if Bo Yul-Bayur is dead?" Matthias asked.

"Van Eck insists he isn't."

"But what if he is, Brekker?"

"You still get your pardon."

Matthias tried and failed to hide it – he was considering Kaz's offer. Choosing between keeping his honour, but being thrown back into prison, where chivalry had no use, and betraying his homeland, just to return to it afterwards.

"I'll do it."

"We're going to untie you," said Brekker. "I hope prison hasn't robbed you of all your manners or good sense."

Inej took a knife to the ropes binding him. "I believe you know Nina," Brekker continued. Then he pointed towards Lianna. "Lianna Andersen, our precious Squaller. You probably deeply despise her, now that I have told you, but don't get brave enough to try anything. 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, Wylan, looked up and spoke for the first time. "He's not better. He's reckless."

"He knows his trade."

"So do I." Wylan's pride was hurt anyway, apparently.

"Barely," Jesper said.

"Does it matter that much? It's not like we're trying to blow up the Ice Court. Logic and bare skills should be enough," said Lianna, and Wylan sent her a shy, thankful smile. She didn't know why she argued – Wylan was probably around her age. It wasn't like he needed a caretaker, but she felt the need to stand up for him either way.

"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.

Lianna looked at the people surrounding her. She was sixteen, apparently so was Wylan. Nina was seventeen, that much she knew, and Jesper looked seventeen, too. Matthias was all sharp edges, grimace and anger, which made it feel like he was the oldest. It could have all been because of where he was raised; all Fjerdans seemed feral. Kaz and Inej appeared to be younger than Matthias, but carried themselves like they have long since became old at soul.

"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. "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."

Wylan was blushing intense crimson, Nina looked irritated, Matthias seemed confused, Inej remained calm and unmoving, and Kaz was just pleased with himself. Jesper looked like he was already fed up with all this.

"You knew?" Wylan asked Kaz.

Brekker leaned back in his chair. "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."

"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." Kaz's voice was stern and unamused. Lianna didn't know Raske, or Wylan Van Eck, or any of them, really. Did it really matter that much, who was and who wasn't coming along on their quest?

"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.

Lianna raised her brow, dumbfounded. "Time to give up living luxury? That's a luxury itself."

"Such a nice sentence, Lianna," Jesper commented, before turning towards Wylan again. "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.

"I've been to the Ice Court. With my father. We went to an embassy dinner. I can help with the plans."

"See that? Hidden depths." Kaz tapped his gloved fingers over the crow's head of his cane. "And I don't want our only leverage against Van Eck cooling his heels in Ketterdam while we head north. Wylan goes with us. He's good enough at demo, and he's got a fine hand for sketching, thanks to all those pricey tutors."

"Play piano, too?" Jesper teased.

"Flute," said Wylan defensively. He never had older friends or siblings, that much was obvious.

"Perfect.

"And since Wylan has seen the Ice Court with his very own eyes," Kaz continued, "he can help keep you honest, Helvar."

"Don't worry," Nina said. "The glower isn't lethal."

Matthias flinched every time Nina talked. Two mortal enemies, a merchant's son, three criminals straight from Ketterdam's worst streets and darkest corners. And a Squaller. The perfect team, surely.

Kaz tapped his cane on the polished wood floor. "Take out your pen and proper paper, Wylan. Let's put Helvar to work." Wylan reached into the satchel at his feet and pulled out a roll of thin, white paper followed by a metal case that held a pen and ink set.

"How nice," Jesper noted. "A nib for every occasion."

"Start talking," Kaz said to the Fjerdan. "It's time to pay the rent."

Matthias directed his furious gaze at Kaz. "The Ice Court is on a bluff overlooking the harbour at Djerholm. It's built in concentric circles, like the rings of a tree." He spoke slowly, as if hoping a meteor would land on them all before he'd have to betray more of his country's secrets. "First, the ringwall, then the outer circle. It's divided into three sectors. Beyond that is the ice moat, then at the centre of everything, the White Island."

Wylan began to sketch. Jesper peered over Wylan's shoulder. "That doesn't look like a tree, it looks like a cake."

"Let him work." Lianna tapped Jesper's arm lightly.

"Thank you. And it is sort of like a cake," Wylan said. "The whole thing is built on a rise."

Kaz gestured for Matthias to continue. "The cliffs are unscalable, and the northern road is the only way in or out. You'll have to get through a guarded checkpoint before you even reach the ringwall."

"Two checkpoints," said Wylan. "When I was there, there were two."

"There you have it," Kaz said to Jesper, and a shiver ran down Jesper's body. "Marketable skills. Wylan is watching you, Helvar."

"Why two checkpoints?" Inej asked.

Matthias stared at the black walnut slats of the floor and said, "It's harder to bribe two sets of guards. The security at the Court is always built with multiple fail-safes. If you make it that far—"

"We, Helvar. If we make it that far," corrected Kaz. Team spirits lifted.

The Fjerdan gave the barest shrug. "If we make it that far, the outer circle is split into three sectors: the prison, the drüskelle facilities, and the embassy, each with its own gate in the ringwall. The prison gate is always functioning, but it's kept under constant armed surveillance. Of the two others, only one is ever operational at any given time."

Observing him was curious. Truly a wolf caught in a trap, laying low, waiting for the perfect moment to attack and return to its pack a victor.

"What determines which gate is used?" asked Jesper.

"The schedule changes each week, and guards are only given their postings the night before."

"Maybe that's a good thing," said Jesper. "If we can figure out which gate isn't running, it won't be manned or guarded—"

"There are always at least four guards on duty even when the gate isn't in use."

"Pretty sure we can handle four guards."

Matthias shook his head. "The gates weigh thousands of pounds and can only be operated from within the guardhouses. And even if you could raise one of them, opening a gate that isn't scheduled for use would trigger Black Protocol. The entire Court would go on lockdown, and you'd give away your location."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. Jesper shifted uncomfortably next to Lianna. Just what were they getting into?

"Put it all down," Kaz said, tapping the paper. "Helvar, I expect you to describe the mechanics of the alarm system to Wylan later."

Matthias frowned. "I don't really know how it works. It's some kind of series of cables and bells."

"A smart boy you are," Lianna couldn't help but comment. Matthias scowled.

"Tell us all you know. Where will they be keeping Bo Yul-Bayur?"

Slowly, Matthias rose and approached the plans taking shape beneath Wylan's pen. His movements were reluctant.