Some guards had finally caught Kaz, Inej, and Jesper, the trio who were accused of murder when they were lurking around their old building. They were brought to the palace, and in a room with your privateer boyfriend, Nikolai Lantsov, known as Sturmhond.

Inej had managed to escape through the shadows. Damn Grisha. So the royal guards only brought back Jesper and Kaz, who were in handcuffs and pissed off. Kaz because he's detained and Jesper because they aren't careful with his jacket when sitting him in a chair.

You and Nikolai were pretending to be bodyguards, having all the clothing and everything. The royal guards knew that. And apparently Kaz was clever and knew that you two were frauds. God dammit you hated Grisha sometimes, although you were one yourself.

So, after you got all the guards out of the room by bribing them with some quick cash, you and Nikolai take off the disguises. Throwing the black robes and tossing the black hats behind you.

"What gave it away?"

Nikolai asks Kaz, who looks up from the ground. He looks you and Nikolai up and down, as if committing you to memory as he answers.

"You both dress too proper to be a bodyguard."

Kaz answers. Nikolai answers with a hum, as he walks back to Kaz and Jesper, you following behind. You lean a hand on a table by your side as Nikolai hums again.

"So, where is Alina Starkov?"

He inquires, getting straight to business.

"We don't have her."

Kaz says. You look at him like he's stupid.

"Well, obviously."

You comment snarkily. Kaz looks over at you.

"You shut it."

"You shut it!"

Nikolai snaps.

"Talk to {{user}} like that again and I'll kill you and tell them you committed."

Kaz just glares as Jesper sighs quietly, clearly not wanting to be in this situation.