? DEATH ― kaz brekker ?

I walk down the cobblestone stairs leading to the dock, my Komedie Brute costume awfully uncomfortable and slightly itchy. The pale blue cloak paired with the silk cape extremely heavy and hard to move in. I opted not to wear the veil for my face, as it cascades over my eyes and makes it difficult to see, ruining my perception. The crown of flowers is pathetic compared to those I would create with my mother on a hot day in the village, splashing ourselves with water from a bucket while we intricately knotted the flowers from our garden together, the stems occasionally breaking. I am not a fan of the Komedie Brute, having never been exposed to things like that in my childhood at the village. As I reach the boat, I see nobody else is there.

I know I must look strange in my bright, intricate mask sitting alone by the docks in the boat, an eerie sigh for anybody passing by, more so if you know that Death is hiding behind the costume. I immediately feel his heartbeat, long before I see him.

Kaz Brekker emerges, bringing the same sorrow and fury. I feel the underlying thirst for revenge inside him, the sadness and pain that he's gone through. The gentle hum of a boy that used to be, like a feather that continues flying out of my reach.

He dons the costume of the Madman, the bright orange standing out. He hasn't yet put on the mask, letting it rest on his head for now as he approaches. Behind him are Nina and Muzzen. The former is dressed in a Scarab Queen costume, her light brown hair looking ginger against the glimmer of the green cloak. Her mask is crown-like, shining brightly despite the cloudy sky. Muzzen is dressed the same as Kaz, yet I can't help acknowledge how much better Brekker looks compared to him.

They get onto the boat and, knowing that Inej and Jesper are already at Hellgate, Muzzen begins rowing immediately. The speed of which he does is slightly alarming, but he does have a large build, enough so that it isn't surprising as to how easily he picks up the pace on the boat.

I sit next to him, Nina and Kaz across from me. I look at the fellow Heartrender, feeling the way her heart patters quickly in anticipation. "Why is this Fjerdan so important to you?" I ask, remembering the reason we're headed to Terrenjel. "You do know that they burn us upon stakes?"

I watch the way her shoulders tense, her hands twitching ever so slightly. Her eyes flick to mine and I feel her emotions changing, the way her lips purse. I know the words she's holding back. He's different. I hear the whisper in her mind, the waves of yearning coursing through her.

I place a hand on her knee, allowing a cool, soothing sheet course through her body. Her lips part slightly and I know she's surprised, the natural reaction. Heartrenders shouldn't be able to do things like this. But I can, being connected to a new world, taught by my mother.

"At ease," I whisper, holding her glassy gaze.

I feel Kaz watching me, knowing that he has no idea what it is I'm doing. Nina gasps quietly as I release her and lean back, retracting entirely and drawing my limbs in like a spider, listening to Muzzen whistle a cheerful tune. 

I look over at Brekker. His gaze is out towards the horizon, his jawline and cheekbones heavily accentuated by the fog. His eyelashes dip as he blinks and his unique, pale brown eyes seem to glow in this lighting. My eyes stay on him, scanning his scars. He is like a puzzle missing pieces, full of mysteries and unspoken secrets. He slowly turns his head and looks at me.

My gaze darts away in a panic and I blink fast, looking out at nothing.

As we near Terrenjel, the fog grows thicker, the sounds of cheering and screaming more audible the closer we get. Kaz tells Nina to pull her mask down, him doing the same. Slowly, flickering lights that I assume are torches come into view, jagged rocks and dark waves crashing towards us as we near land. My eyes catch the way Kaz tenses when a wave splashes up, the cold spray hitting us. It refreshes me, the wind whipping against me, no hair to block the cold air feathering my neck. I feel free until we reach land, two tall, muscular men hauling us further up onto the sand.