I am leaning against the wall of the Crow Club, the curtain with Matthias behind it to my right. I balance my dagger in my hand and trace the markings on the handle with the other, the crowd tonight is larger then I thought it would considering it is coming up to a national festival, I forget the name but the way Inej speaks of it, it is very popular with tourists.

I am minding my own business when I hear a couple of guys further away warn one of their friends "I wouldn't bro" one says, "that's Brekker's girl. I wouldn't go near her" the boy scoffs and I let Jesper and Wylan in to finish the map of the ice court, sliding my knife into its holder. The boy comes over, can't be more than 16 as he comes nervously over I see he is half Ravkan, my heart bleeds for my country I can never go back to.

"You're Salem right?" He asks trying to act confident although looking slightly afraid, I nod my head tilting it to the side and narrowing my eyes "do I know you?" I ask sweetly and he blushes but shakes his head "no I um I'm new, got here yesterday" I raise an eyebrow signalling for him to continue. He swallows awkwardly "I'm Benjen" I smile a wicked smile and step forward, he goes pale. "Well Benjen what can I do for you?" I ask softly and he blushes again before straightening up and he opens his mouth to say something but in comes Inej and Kaz and we head behind the curtain.

On the other side I hear laughter as he goes back to his friends, poor guy. My mind keeps going back to 'Kaz's girl' is that seriously how people in The Barrel see me? If so why? It's not like we have ever shown any genuine affection for each other, in public at least. Sometimes late at night if one of us can't sleep will be stay up together talking about different things. It's probably to most affectionate I've ever seen him.

Kaz Brekker is standing next to me, closer to me then anyone else in the room. He has one gloved hand on his cane and his other in his pocket like his is holding something inside. I start feeling rather hot with the amount of body heat in this booth and shrug off my jacket. Nina offers to take it and places it behind Matthias who is sitting in the booth along with Jesper and Wylan. Jesper is laid back, casual, used to the way we work things for a job but both Wylan and Matthias are looking almost nervous but not that the Druskellë would admit it.

Nina is standing beside Matthias looking rather tense, as though ready for him to try to kill her again even though she knows he will be dead before he gets the chance. Inej is standing opposite Nina silently and observing the scene, she has been my closest female friend here although I do enjoy Nina's company, I prefer the quiet content Wraith to the loud and energetic Heartrender. Plus if she ever found out who I was she would treat me differently.

Kaz and I are standing in front of everyone, he is clad all in black of course, his eyes bright with a plan and I am adjusting my corset type shirt making it more comfortable. "Let's get on with it shall me" Kaz says and we start speaking of the Ice Court.

Once the plans are done I am about to be the first one to leave when Kaz says "Salem I want a word with you" I stop dead in my tracks and as Jesper moves past me he claps me on the shoulder whispering "good luck mate" before disappearing behind the curtains. I make my way back to the table and sit down opposite him waiting for the last of the group to leave.

"What is it Kaz?" I ask wanting nothing more then to go and get some warm food before our voyage to Fjerda. "I want to give you something" he says reacting his hand into his pocket and bringing out a pendant (media) and slides it across the table. I gasp picking it up and tracing the design before I realise and look up at the boy "this is a gemstone from Alina's pendant" he nods his head and my heart aches.

I ask "how much did it cost to make?" He shrugs waving me off "it doesn't matter. It's a gift. For staying with us all these months" I smile at how awkward he is and clip it around my neck. When I do the gem glows slightly and I gasp clutching it to my chest "I know a Fabrikator, I thought it would help control your power when you are angry" I blush red. I have been know you strike a few things with lightning when I get angry, but not too often thankfully and never around a lot of people.

I stand up and clear my throat awkwardly "thank you" i say hesitating by the curtain before asking "want to get a last meal before we sail off to our certain doom?" A look I don't recognise crosses Kaz's face before gets up and clutches his cane with a steady hand "it be an extravagant last meal" he says strolling past me.

A/N: sorry I haven't updated in a little while! I have lacked inspiration and I have a few questions.

1. Who do you ship Salem with?

2. Could you guys make edits of them and show me? I'm obsessed with fan edits lmao