Not About Angels || Jesper Fahey

Chapter Four: The Conductor

"Kaz," Alessia said, standing in front of his desk after slipping through Jesper to get into the office. "We need to talk." She stated, determined to talk to him and tell him about the real reason she needed to find Alina Starkov.

"Jesper must've told you then." Kaz replied, looking up, "Who else would've let you into my office?"

"I want an explanation as to why you don't want me to come with you."

"You're a liability." Kaz replied, "And we need all the advantages we can get."

Alessia sighed, "I need to go to Ravka, Kaz."

"And why do you need that?" Kaz asked, snapping back at her, thinking she was nothing more than a bartender.

"Because I'm from there!" Kaz stopped, looking up at her in shock. "And Alina is my sister. I need to make sure that the Black Heretic does not use her as he did me." Alessia's eyes started to water, tears coming to her eyes. "I-I can't let that happen again, okay? He will destroy all of us if we let him get his hands on Alina."

"I don't care about Ravka or your little family problems. One million kruge is all that matters to me."

"And won't you think it's easier for Alina to come to you when you tell her that you're holding her dear younger sister hostage?"

"Tell me everything," Kaz stated, looking at her with curiosity.

"I'm a Sun Summoner." Alessia shrugged, "My real name is Alessia Starkov. When I was six years old, I was taken to the palace. There the Black Heretic raised me to be a killer, I ran when I was sixteen and made my way here. I found out about his plans that included the fold. He didn't want to destroy it. He wanted to expand it. That brought me here. I was hiding in the most populated city, under your roof."

"So you've been lying to me the entire time?"

"It was either that or Aleksander would find me and we would destroy everything," Alessia explained, "I never wanted to lie to anyone, Kaz. There are barely any people that know that I'm still alive, that I'm here, and that's in the best interests of everyone. I know you can take care of yourself, but Jesper and Inej, I don't want them getting hurt because of me. If the Black Heretic was ever able to connect the dots, he would kill them too, and I can't have that."

"So you're asking me if this mission goes wrong that I lie to the most dangerous creature in the world?"

"It's your decision whether I come or not, but I'm the only advantage you have. I know who you are going against better than anyone else."

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"Why are you here?" Jesper asked.

"You seem so pressed that I'm on this ship with you." Alessia rolled her eyes, sitting beside Inej who was able to make it on the journey.

The four of them were sitting on the ship, awaiting the journey, Alessia was going back to her home, and she had made the decision to do so, no one else had, she was doing it for her sister.

"I know you." The Conductor spoke, staring at Alessia.

Alessia glanced back, recognizing the brunette with the glasses. "Yes, I helped you smuggle some Grisha before. Finn and his family owe you their gratitude." Alessia smiled at him, Kaz glanced back at her, and she shrugged.

"I didn't know you were still in the business."

"I didn't know you weren't."

Jesper glanced over at her.

"What was your name again?"

"Malina. Malina Zefa." Alessia told him, wondering if he would tell everyone else her original name. Kaz seemed concerned as well even though he wouldn't show it. He was leaning against his cane, watching the two with curiosity.

"How is the Inferni girl?" He asked her, wiping his glasses off with his sleeve.

"She's very well. She spends her time in the house of the White Rose." Alessia nodded, "I visited her earlier."

"You know Grisha?" Inej asked her, confused.

"I know many of Grisha." Alessia stated, "I don't care about the King's rules. They destroy lives and sign Grisha up for a war that they could've solved years ago."

"Couldn't agree more, Ms. Zefa." The Conductor nodded, still afraid of Inej and how she had nearly killed him in Ketterdam.

Kaz knew the real truth she had helped smuggle Grisha out of Ravka but he wouldn't reveal it to any of the others.

"How long have you been smuggling Grisha?" Jesper asked.

Kaz and Alessia shared a look.

"She does what she wishes." Kaz sent him a side glance, telling him to quiet. "The Conductor and Alessia know what they are here for." Kaz had lectured Alessia about how she had to be careful in Ravka to make sure that no one would recognize her that was why she hadn't helped them get the carriage.

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"I didn't hire you to simply get us across the fold." Kaz told the Conductor, "You're with us because you smuggle Grisha out of the Little Palace, and that's the location of our target."

"The Sun Summoner." Inej nodded.

"Alleged," Kaz stated.

"She's not alleged." Alessia rolled her eyes.

"They wouldn't keep a fraud in the most secure location in all of Ravka," Inej added and Kaz sent the two of them looks.

"You said you had a contact?" Kaz asked, "Someone who can get us inside. A Heartrender."

The Conductor looked around the carriage, seeing what they had to deal with. He nodded and hummed in response to his question.

"How do I know we can trust her?" Kaz asked, unsure of who they could trust. The royalty always had their hooks into people, they could've had it into her.

"Nina grew up there." Alessia smiled at Nina's name, if the Conductor thought she was at the palace then he must be right. The scouts must have found her.

"Most Grisha from Ravka grew up in the Little Palace. Very few would betray their general, and even fewer would help foreigners kidnap their most prized possession and long-awaited Saint." Kaz stated.

"Nina's radical." The Conductor said, "Thinks Grisha should get to choose if they serve the crown. She despises involuntary service more than she does Fjerdans. I remember one time she told me about her friend who killed herself over working for the General. That's what made her become this way."

"Well... we shall see about this Nina. It sounds too good to be true, and normally that means it is." Kaz looked over at the Conductor.

"Kaz, can I talk to you for a second?" Alessia asked, everyone, turned to look at the two. Kaz nodded following her about ten feet away from the group.

"You did good covering up your trail," he complimented.

"Nina's good. She'll help. If you can get me into the palace, I know someone else who would help, too." Alessia told him shortly.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You'll get your money."

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Alessia was waiting outside, Kaz had not requested for her to go inside, worried that someone would recognize her.

 "We're leaving. Now." Kaz said hurriedly, using his cane to be pulling her away.

"Hey, what in the Saints is going on?" Alessia asked worriedly.

Kaz didn't care as he guided her towards the inn they were staying at. "They could've gotten to you as well."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Druskelle." Kaz sighed, "They got to Nina. They could be after you next."

Alessia looked at him and nodded. Her friend really was gone and she would never see her again. She tried to hold back the tears, not wishing to cry in front of him. "Saints. The Druskelle. Not the Druskelle."