Wraith - Tumblr Posts
Hiiii would you be able to write some wholesome witchvoid (Catalyst and Wraith) hcs??? (sfw and nsfw pls! :3)
Of course! I've never thought about this ship but I vibe with it.
It does work, honestly. This'll be interesting
ALSO, IVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF REQUESTS WHICH IM VERY HAPPY ABOUT BUT I APOLOGIZE IF IT TAKES ME A DAY OR TWO TO GET TO YOUR REQUEST
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《SFW》
• Wraith didn't think that things like witchcraft and divination would interest her, given that she literally knows the future and can see the outcomes of decisions
• But the graceful movement of Catalyst's hands as she shuffles a deck of tarot cards or traces the lines on someone's palms kept Wraith interested
• It surprised Catalyst when Wraith showed up at her door and asked for a reading, any sort of reading, she just wanted to watch Catalyst's hands
• Catalyst happily obliged, excited to be able to ask Wraith about her insight and perception
• Ended up giving Wraith a palm reading, and god Wraith was blushing the whole time
• She was so invested in the movement of Catalyst's fingers and the soft touches on her palm that she didn't even process Catalyst talking to her
• "Renée?" "Huh?" "You're zoning out." "Oh."
• Wraith didn't even hear the result of her reading, and honestly she didn't really care, she just enjoyed being in the others presence
• Catalyst probably realized the effect she had on Wraith and started teasing her about it
• Exaggerating her hand movements all the time and being more touchy than usual, and it has Wraith losing her composure everytime
• Eventually Wraith starts coming over more, and Catalyst finds that she really enjoys the others company, and they start going out
• "Wow, blushing just for me?" "Don't flatter yourself, Tressa."
• ^^^ Is totally blushing for her, every time
• They aren't super affectionate in public, like they'll sit next to eachother and put a hand on the others thigh or touch knees but they aren't all over each other
• Words of affirmation is probably their love language, and gift giving
《NSFW》
• Catalyst tops, no doubt
• Wraith is a little bit of a power bottom but only when Catalyst is being especially slow and teasing
• "For fucks sake Tressa, hurry up." "Fine, fine. Just toying with you, Renée."
• There isn't much dom/sub stuff between them, they prefer having equal power over each other
• Again, Catalyst has multiple spicy piercings and Wraith loves it
• She loves the temperature difference between the warm flesh of Catalyst's cock or tits and the cold steel metal that adorns them
• She will ride Catalyst for hours just to feel the cold piercing as deep inside her as it can go
• Catalyst just grips her hips and mutters praises
• They aren't into degrading, honestly every ship with Catalyst I cant see her degrading anyone or being degraded
• Just praises and worship babyyy
• Their favorite positions are riding and doggy
• Catalyst really loves holding Wraiths hips and Wraith just loves being pressed into the mattress and fucked deep
I hope this is okay, I've started therapy again and it's taking up a lot of my energy along with school djdnkaka
Hi again!! :3 Think u could write t4t witchvoid hcs?? Preferably domestic life or what they would do on dates??? Or how they act around their friends after they starting dating??? They’ve been on my mind a lot lately lol!!!! :D (sfw and nsfw is fine!)
The wholesomeness is taking over me >:) Enjoy just nice healthy relationship shit
[Apex Legends]
[Catalyst x Wraith]
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《SFW》
• They definitely enjoy coffee/tea dates at cafes, just sipping drinks and talking about anything and everything
• It's mostly Catalyst talking while Wraith admires her and listens to how her day went
• Occasionally they go to movie theaters to watch cheesy romance movies and laugh at how dumb they are
• Catalyst secretly enjoys the movies but what she enjoys even more is seeing Wraiths face as she laughs
• They share a thing of popcorn just to touch hands :)
• Most of their dates are just hanging out at home
• Cooking together, getting dressed together, eating together, spending free time together
• In front of others, they're kinda low key, they ain't flaunting it, but it's not like they're keeping it super secret
• They just don't show a lot of pda in public and they don't talk about their personal lives
• Wattson was probably the first one to know
• She either walked in on them kissing or saw Wraith with a hickey and they couldn't lie to her, no one can lie to wattson its a crime
• Wattson promised not to tell everyone about it as long as Catslyst now came to the Wraith-Wattson-Mirage-Crypto game night every saturday
• Catalyst beats them all at every game
• Even after they made their relationship public to the other legends they still don't show affection much in public
• But in private they like to just tangle all their limbs together under a blanket and watch movies
• They both seem like the intimidating one in the couple but I like to think that Catalyst is the "excuse me, she said no pickles" while Wraith just stands there
• It's not that Wraith is nervous, she just doesn't care enough to ask the employees to correct it
《NSFW》
• I can see them both domming, but mostly Catalyst
• I feel like, no matter who is the dominant one, Catalyst just really likes the feeling of having someone wrapped around her dick
• Just like in the last post, i still think that their favorite positions are riding and doggy
• All the stuff about the spicy piercings carries over too
• Wraith is especially sensitive and if Catalyst wants to overstimulate her she'll just start jerking her cock while she pounds deep inside
• For someone so sensitive, Wraith has a surprising amount of stamina and can go a couple rounds if she wanted to
• Catalyst is very much the type to mark up her lovers in every way, biting, sucking, digging her nails in, all of it
• Wraith is lucky her outfit is full body and includes a scarf :)
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I'm just thinkin about the different legends finding out that you are into a lil bit of pain during ✨️sexy time✨️
This is only the base game characters (minus pathfinder) but please comment if you want me to do a part 2, I probably will anyways but the encouragement is always nice :)
The first couple are very harsh so be warned
CONTAINS: blood, gore, spanking, slapping, face-fucking, degrading, not enough prep, but also a very good amount of prep
• Bloodhound
They'd be into it, they'd do almost anything to please their partner. It probably comes out during a match where you're against eachother. As you're downed in a corner with them holding their ravens bite axe to your throat to finish you, a moan manages to slip past your lips as the blade digs into your skin. Bloodhound tilts their head, silently questioning you, and as your face goes red with embarrassment they lean in, pressing the blade harder.
"You love it when I hurt you. Don't you, elskan?"
Your brain is so foggy from blood loss that you can't answer other than weak groans and whimpers. Finally, they drag the blade against your neck harshly, and you die choking on your own blood. As shameful as it is, you can't help that your pants are damp with your own slick. They will get into spanking, maybe even using a paddle, and choking using hands, their dick/strap, or by pressing the handle of their axe against your throat.
• Bangalore
You can't tell me this woman isn't into face-fucking you on her cock, whether it's real or a strap. And as she pulls you off her dick, spit and tears running down your face, she asks you how much you love taking her like this. With your sore used throat all you can do is rasp out a "I love it so much ma'am" before she's shoving you back down on her. You love that way she hits the back of your throat with every thrust, and by the time she's done using your throat you're shaky and coughing from gagging so much. All she does is hold your head up by your jaw and spit in your face.
"Pathetic little slut. You want me to hurt you, don't you?"
As you nod your head desperately, she laughs before letting go of your face and slapping you. Hard. You swear you could've cum right then and there, untouched. She's definitely into spanking, slapping, grabbing you, and using you so roughly it hurts. The punishment this woman gives is harsh, but the aftercare is good.
• Wraith
I feel like she's a softer lover, but when you quietly ask her to spank you when she's fucking into you from behind, she can't deny her lover. As her hand claps against your ass and you moan out, tightening around her, how can she not admit it's one of the hottest things she's seen. She does it again, surprising you and as you yell out a smirk grows on her face.
"You really like that, doll? Wow, what a whore you are."
You squirm under her, desperately fucking yourself back on her cock as she continues to give you sharp spanks on your ass. She becomes infatuated with the way the flesh on your ass ripples with every hit, and how your skin becomes increasingly more red and sensitive. She's not too rough, but she will spank you till you can't sit down without being in pain because she loves the way it looks.
• Lifeline
When you sit her down and tell her about being a masochist, you thought at first that she was upset with you with how silent she was. She's a very protective and caring lover, so she doesn't necessarily want to hurt you during sex, but she has ideas. Next time you're getting spicy, she gently lays you down on the bed and positions herself at your hole. As you stumble over your words trying to remind her that she hasn't prepped you yet, she just rubs your thighs and smiles warmly.
"Oh I know. Ya said you wanted a bit o' pain, didn't ya, baby?"
And even though it's not what you were expecting when you asked for pain, the sting of her stretching you out on her dick still makes your eyes roll back and your hands grasp at her desperately. She coos at you as you've lost your ability to speak, petting your hair as she starts to thrust without giving you time to adjust. She may not want to leave marks on your skin, but she'll bruise your insides and make your hole burn with the stretch, maybe even buy bigger toys on purpose just to stretch you with them.
• Gibraltar
This man is HUNG, no one can fight me on this cuz I will win. This one's similar to Lifeline but I believe he doesn't want to purposefully hurt his lover. You tell him about your fantasies of being manhandled and railed to the point of bruises and he just laughs.
"I don't already stretch you enough?"
Even after finding out, he never skips foreplay and prep. You can whine all you want about how you need him to just fuck you and the sting will add to the pleasure but he will not stop until you're loose and a lot of lube is used. The closest you're getting to this man intentionally hurting you is the death grip he has on your hips and thighs while he fucks you, cuz god damn look at those hands. He tries his best to control himself and not hurt you too bad though.
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Thank you for reading! Please tell me if you want more, and requests are always welcome!
Do you have any love for Darksparks and/or Lobalore?/gen
I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR DARKSPARKS HERE YOU GO BESTIE
Thank you for requesting btw!
Contains: NSFW further below, nothing too bad tho
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《SFW》
• You'd think that Wraith would be the jealous and protective one in the relationship but Wattson will subject you to hell for eternity if you wrong her girlfriend
• Wraith is completely infatuated with Wattson, she studies her features and loves tracing her Lichtenberg scar
• Wattson's only insecurity is the scar, but seeing Wraith trace it or place kisses along it makes her feel better about it
• Wraith is big spoon because she needs to cuddle smth to fall asleep
• Wattson plays with Wraith's hair to calm her down when times are hard
• Wattson will call Wraith mon amour, ma chérie, and mon ange
• Wriath will call Wattson dear, hun, small things like that, and around others she just calls her Natalie
• Wraith isn't one for pda, she lets Wattson kiss her cheeks or hold her hand but she won't go out of her way to be affectionate with her girlfriend when others are around
• Wattson is fine with that^^^ she knows it's not because Wraith is embarrassed of her or anything, it's just not something she does
• They read books together and quote lines that are interesting, and Wattson will accidentally blurt out spoilers before Wraith can get to that part, but Wraith doesn't mind
• "Renée.... (insert character here) just died..."
"....I haven't gotten to that part yet hun."
"OH, DÉSOLÉE MON CHÉRIE."
"Thats okay Nat <3"
• Their relationship is so healthy they don't even know the meaning of the word toxic
《NSFW》
• They're both switches, but Wattson tops more often
• SHHSHSGHS I KNOW THATS AN UNPOPULAR OPINION BUT HAVE YOU SEEN WATTSON??? SHE DEFINITELY OWNS AT LEAST 3 STRAPS
• Plus this woman gets satisfaction and joy from electric shocking her enemies, she would love to find all the spots that make Wraith squirm
• Wattson is probably the type of person who doesn't need to cum to get satisfaction from sex, probably doesn't even need to be touched, as long as she's making her partner cum enough for both of them
• But she's gentle with it, always making sure that Wraith is okay and enjoying herself
• Wraith is absolutely loving it, and by the end she's so relaxed you'd think she just took 10 melatonin gummies like she's ready to sleep for a whole year
• There's always blankets and pillows and candles when they have sex, and Wattson is always ready to scoop Wraith up and hold her close if she doesn't want anymore
• I can't even think of anything super kinky they'd do man, this ship is just the most wholesome things and they just take care of eachother
• That gave me an idea tho, mommy kink
• Wraith occasionally calls Wattson mommy, but not because she's told to, it just feels right and then she cries
• OKAY IM DONE
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I hope you liked it! I might do some Lobalore later too. Have a good day all you wonderful people!
Hello! I was wondering if maybe I can old get some sfw/nsfw hcs for mirage x wriath? If you haven’t don’t them already pls ;-;
Of course! Everytime I see this ship I think about the early days of apex back when I was like 13 hdjdhsjka
Also I just like an hour ago I got another anon ask for this ship so this worked out pffff
Anyways I hope you like this, I put my heart and soul into it :)
Mirage x Wraith Headcannons :)
Contains: NSFW further below
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《SFW》
• Two bisexuals in love <333
• We all know Wraith holds the reins in this relationship, ain't no way she's letting Mirage boss her around
• Just like in my Mirage x Reader headcanons, Mirage is like a lost puppy looking for affection
• Wraith is the type of person to go up to the fast food workers and tell them that Mirage asked for no pickles pffff
• Wraith is Mirages scary dog privilege, anyone who fucks with him gets a kunai to the throat
• Mirage gets invited to game night with Wraith, Wattson, and Crypto
• He feels very betrayed that they made a weekly hangout without him, and they let him win uno to make him feel better
• I feel like Wraith would have a stutter due to the amount of voices in her head, it's hard to talk while a bunch of other people are also talking in your head
• Mirage is patient and comforting with Wraith's stutter, he knows well enough how embarrassing it can feel to stumble over your words constantly
• Mirage is a great cook, he likes to make fancy-ish dinners for Wraith and he sets the table with like candles and wine and shit and he comes out like "I have your filet mignon with cranberry sauce, ma'am"
• In terms of dates, they probably stay home a lot, but occasionally Mirage will drag Wraith out to the paradise lounge or to a small coffee shop
• Wraith adopts a cat and Mirage pretends he doesn't like the cat but then Wraith finds him baby talking the cat and falls even more in love with him
• I feel like Wraith would lovingly bully Mirage with nicknames, she probably calls him dumbass, idiot, or just Elliot or El, maybe the occasional hun
• Mirage calls Wraith baby, babe, darling, Renee, or Ren
• Mirages love languages are physical affection and quality time
• Wraiths love languages are the same
《NSFW》
• Wraith pegs him, no questions asked
• They probably switch top and bottom depending on the day and on the mood, but Wraith is always in control IM SORRY I LITERALLY CANT IMAGINE THAT MAN BEING DOMINANT
• Mirage has an oral fixation and loves having his mouth put to use, Wraith gets piercings on her nipples and her clit just so he has more to play with
• Wraith, on the other hand, isn't as into giving oral. I feel like she wouldn't enjoy the feeling of sucking dick, she'll suck on the tip and kiss all along the length, she'll even suck on the balls, but she doesn't like going too far with it
• Mirage is perfectly fine with this, plus Wraiths hands are enough to drive him crazy
• Wraith doesn't want to be vulnerable in public but she will tease the hell out of Mirage and jerk him off in public spots during the games because she knows he loves it
• Wraith leaves as many hickeys as she can all over Mirage so everyone knows he belongs to her
• Their favorite positions are riding and doggy (Mirage receiving)
• Wraith calls Mirage puppy, good boy, and whore
• Mirage calls Wraith ma'am, baby, mommy, and maybe mistress
• For the most part, even during rougher and kinkier sex, their actually very loving and intimate. Theirs lots of soft kisses and touches, comforting words, and communication
• Aftercare always consists of cuddles and talking about likes, dislikes, anything and everything
• Mirage likes to give Wraith back massages afterwards once he's got the energy back, she doesn't ask him to, he just does because he wants to
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I hope you enjoyed this and thank you for reading! Remember that liking and reblogging my posts takes like 20 seconds and helps me grow as a creator :)
My requests are always open, so if theirs anything Apex, Overwatch, etc on your mind, shoot me a request and I'll do it!
Have a good day!
Have my Wraith! Tim Drake Au
Backstory and full outfit sketch board in the works.
I also have a Jason Todd and Tim Drake centric fic ongoing. (Cuckoo by Coincidence on AO3 if you're interested)
The promised Au Board and outfit sketches. More to come.
This is an AU where Jason never dies. Bruce doesn't accuse him of murder and he's there to meet Sheila and in time to save Jay from Joker. Jason doesn't continue being Robin and instead goes by BlueBird. (Au board for him later) While Jason is recovering, Joker & Harley kidnap Tim and JJ happens. B & Babs never found out who the kid was and Tim's parents didn't notice anything happened. A few years later the Drake's trade Tim to Ra’s for him hiding them after they ran from the police for tax evasion. Ra’s goes “Free Heir!!” and raises Tim. Damien is Tim's little brother once he is born. The official story for where Tim Drake is is that he's staying overseas with Jack's estranged half-brother after his parents died. Tim comes back to Gotham at 16 to take over at Drake Industries and reintegrate into High Society. Wraith is an informant mostly, though they famously hate and beat up or k*ll ab*sers and tr***ckers. They understand but don't adhere to the no-kill rule. Wraith interacts with BlueBird the most out of the Bats.
Painted the wraith for a school project
Shit took 2 whole weeks to finish im so tired
⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
Wraith Wrath - Table of Contents
After two years at sea, Inej Ghafa returns to Ketterdam. She and Kaz will have to face an adversary they know all too well as they navigate their evolving relationship.
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Wraith Wrath - Chapter I
Inej could see the outlines of the city on the horizon. Ketterdam. She was almost home.
After two years at sea, she missed this place deeply. Soon, the smell of salted air, rotten wood, and rust will be replaced by the one of coal smoke, malt liquor, and sweat. But she will welcome it back into her lungs, relieved to have finally made it here.
As she approached Fifth Harbor, the clear sky started to disappear into a fog. The light from the watchtowers gave away to the streetlights around the harbor to lead them safely.
She was eager to get her feet on solid ground, eat a warm dinner, and rest in a somewhat comfortable bed. During these two years hunting slavers, she has been able to make only a few stopovers here and there. But every second passed on that ship has been worth it. Purpose was her compass. Duty was her guide. Faith was her companion.
As soon as the boat was docked and her crew was instructed to follow Specht’s orders until further notice, her feet were in motion. By the Saints, her entire body was. Roaming the roofs of Ketterdam. A few strands of her hair danced in the harbor breeze.
From the looks of it, the city didn’t seem changed at all. The harbors and canals were still full of commercial ships of all sizes. The streets were still packed with tourists, migrants, and workers. Yet, she hoped, some things haven’t gotten back to the way they were. One blink and you’ll miss it, she thought. Ketterdam will always be Ketterdam.
She reached all of her favorite corners of the city, admiring the view each time. Listened, sparsely yet attentively, to snatches of conversations on the street, the taverns, the shops, and the clubs.
Certain things indeed had changed. The Dregs had taken over most of the Dime Lion's territory. Some were still reluctant to let it slip away but without Pekka Rollins to command the ship and everything that went down after the auction of Kuwei Yul-Bo, those Lions were easy to tame. A few even switched their allegiance toward the Dregs even though they didn’t wear their tattoo and probably never will. But Inej assumed that, for now, those renegades were a means to an end for Kaz Brekker. Of course, they were. How could they not be? He was the King of the Barrel now. And we’re talking about Kaz. Keeping potential assets in his sleeves was perfectly on brand for him.
She lunged herself on another rooftop. Her body was agile, her eyes focused. She was climbing, jumping, and running at every edge of the town with a metallic taste in her mouth. All this time passed at sea somewhat impacted her stamina. Her legs started to feel stiff and heavy like they were weighed down and her arms tight and tense as if under pressure. She knew that she needed to let her body adjust back to the stability of the land. Beads of sweat began to trickle down her neck. She leaped and leaped again.
Then, there she was. Right in front of the window. Kaz’s window. At the top floor of the Slat. A powerful attraction led her here. She didn’t even realize it. She wasn’t even sure how she got there. It was almost like all the streets, and alleys were leading to this place. As if it was the heart of the city.
She hissed herself on the edges of it and waited, sharing the crumbs of the loaf of dark bread that was still in her pocket with a crow. She had been missing for too long, most of them had stopped waiting for her to feed them by now.
She knew it was only a matter of time. Kaz had surely been warned the moment The Wraith entered the harbor. Yet, at the thought, a part of her suddenly wanted to leave. To jump from roof to roof, and get the furthest away from here. The anguish of seeing him again was overwhelming. She didn’t know if she was ready for it. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to temper her heart that decided to beat at its own hectic pace. She paused and wondered. How many times has she stopped herself from imagining how their reunion would be? But she remembered the excitement that rose inside of her the moment she knew that a halt at Ketterdam was in order.
Her body was gracefully balancing itself on the windowsill, her head resting on the wall behind her. Only the crease between her eyebrows was a revelation of the battle that was going on inside of her, between her head and her heart. How she struggled between staying and running away. How torn and uncertain she was.
Time moved slowly, too slowly perhaps. Every minute was tougher than the other. But she stayed. Persuaded that she still belonged there. She had to.
It was when she heard the footsteps backed with the distinctive sound of a cane from the staircase that her eyes opened wide. You can still leave. A jump and it’s like you were never there.
She closed her eyes again, fighting that urge inside of her.
The door creaked open, and the steps on the wooden floor became heavier.
Her heart began to beat furiously again and her breath was short but she didn’t move. She heard the steps getting closer, a pause, and then they suddenly changed direction, away from her. She allowed herself a look. He was right there. In front of the tiny sink. Removing his gloves while the water runs.
“Hello, Inej.”
His raspy voice seemed to echo in the room or maybe it was just in her head, like a giant bell that kept ringing. At that moment, she couldn’t hear anything else. She opened the window wider and slipped herself into the room. His acknowledgment of her presence was enough of an invitation. Not that she ever needed one.
Everything was the same. She could easily walk blindfolded without bumping into anything. Only the office seemed out of place, empty. She knew Kaz had chosen to do business in Per Haskell’s old office on the ground floor. However, the sight of his desk reminded her of so many times spent scheming or just watching him work that she couldn’t stop a little wave of nostalgia from emerging.
He looked at her through the mirror before him, his eyes almost black. She entered the room skillfully as always. When she walked, her feet were like feathers and didn’t make a single plank of the hardwood floor creak.
Their gaze met and they could easily understand each other’s trouble and torment. They both anticipated this moment. And here they were. Together again. Like so many times before. Their shoulders started to relax and a smirk painted their faces slightly as if they were mirroring each other perfectly.
“Hello, Kaz”, she said with a faint voice filled with warmth. She was back.
Wraith Wrath - Chapter II
It took Kaz’s every bit of strength to conceal the rush of emotions that surged within him when Anika told him about the return of The Wraith. His heart was pounding. Too fast for his liking. Way too fast. He hadn’t planned this. Or maybe he did. He couldn’t tell between the moments he dreamed of her coming back and those where he wished for her to stay away from this city and him so he wouldn’t have to deal with the feelings that came along with her company.
I can help you. Those were the very first words she ever addressed to him. And she did help him. In more ways than one. But he was certain he couldn’t live up to the expectations she had for him. He couldn’t be the boy he was before Jordie. That boy wouldn’t survive in a city like this. And he didn’t want to be that boy again. He had let him sink at the bottom of the sea along his brother’s body for a reason. Kaz Brekker was the only way to survive and thrive. Even if all the broken pieces couldn’t be put back together anymore. Even if he was only half a man. Kaz Brekker had been who he needed to be.
All those years, working together, side by side, he had done everything to make sure Inej wouldn’t believe he would become something he was not. But she was headstrong. Way more than he was. She made him yield quite a few times. He never quite understood the hold she had on him. But the only thing he was certain of was that they had saved each other. Again and again.
The sharp pain in his leg warned him of his fastened pace. Patience was not on his side today so he shifted his weight to rely more on his cane. He needed to slow down if he wanted to arrive at the Slat standing.
Those two last years have been pretty time-consuming. Pekka Rollins vanished into thin air. The Dime Lions left behind became stray cats. Roaming the city to find a place. All the gangs wanted to put their head in Pekka Rollins’s old crown and their feet on his desk, claiming the title of King of the Barrel high and loud. After all the trouble Kaz brought in the Barrel, he wasn’t going to leave any crumbs behind to pick after. He was going to make sure that nobody would become the next Pekka Rollins, the next Jakob Hertzoon. And it took a lot of work. A lot of bruised shoulders, a lot of persuasions, and a lot of transactions. Diplomacy wasn’t his forte. He preferred to leave that to what was left of the Merchant Council. By the end of last year, a lot of the members had been replaced by new ones. Roeder was still helping him keep tabs on all of them. Even if they were barely adult enough to take some serious missions, their youth, their desire to please, and their recklessness could become serious threats.
But right now, all of this could wait. He turned right in an alley and took the main one leading to the Slat. Kaz flexed his gloved fingers. Saying that he was nervous would be an understatement. He was completely frightened. Like a boy. Suddenly, fighting a Grisha drugged with Jurda parem didn’t seem so terrifying after all.
He crossed the hall and started climbing the stairs. He knew where she was. He composed himself before opening the door but when he did, the tiny bit of confidence he built after each step suddenly left him. He was right. She was there. He had forgotten how enchanting she could be, sitting on that window ledge, her legs dangling in the air, with strands of her soft hair around her face. Her beautiful dark eyes were closed and her long lashes were caressing her cheeks.
For how long had he stood there looking at her? Turn around. He turned his back to her and went towards the sink. He set aside his cane, took good care at removing his gloves, and put his hands under cold water. This simple routine helped him recover a sense of control.
“Hello, Inej”. His voice had been deeper than anticipated.
He could sense her presence getting closer. He finally dared himself to look in the mirror and his eyes met hers. Her gaze on him was so timid yet tender that, once again, he completely lost the ability to command his own body. How absurd it was of him to think that observing her through the mirror would be more reassuring than meeting her eyes directly.
His hands were freezing, still in the faucet. Neither of them were sure what to expect from the other. He could tell. But she will always have her place in Ketterdam. And she will always have her place near him.
“Hello, Kaz”. Her voice was like honey and he was ready to feed on every drop of it.
“You and your crew have a place to stay?”, Kaz said in a tone that he sincerely hoped seemed detached.
“I was hoping you could help with that.”
“I cleared the two top floors of the tavern that replace the Kaelish Prince across the street from the club. One for your crew, and one for you.”
“Are you hoping that after two years at sea, my men will fill the coffers of the Crow Club?” Her eyes were playful and so intense that he had to look away for a minute. Coward.
“I don’t need your men to fill the coffers. Plenty of pigeons have already taken that task very seriously. But who am I to refuse honest workers a seat in my establishment? What they do after is up to them. And you, Captain Ghafa.”
An honest smile captured her face while she looked down at her feet. He missed this. But mostly he missed her. Her presence. They could be talking or staying silent, it was her company that he cherished the most.
“I don’t need an entire floor, Kaz.”
“You can sleep in the broom closet if you like, but the top floor is yours”, Kaz said firmly.
No need to argue this one out. The two top floors have always been vacant. Many of the Dregs were curious about that. Kaz Brekker doesn’t do something for nothing. Especially when it can mean financial gain. The thing is, he didn’t owe any of them an explanation.
The truth, however, is that Kaz had always hoped Inej would come back to Ketterdam, to him, and he wanted her to have something more than what he was able to offer her before. That something was Sanktum.
Wraith Wrath - Chapter III
Inej wasn’t surprised that he was able to find her and her crew a place to stay so quickly. What she didn’t expect, however, was the name of the building he bought. Sanktum. Kaz Brekker, the one who loved to annoy her so much with his snarky remarks about her faith had called an entire establishment, which happened to be across the street from the Crow Club, Sanktum. Was this a joke? A small jab in the ribs for good fun? Or a key piece in one of his giant schemes? All he said, while vaguely pointing at all Inej’s knives, was that, at least, her Saints would have an appropriate place to rest.
The tavern was humble. The decoration was minimalist and modest. A few nods to crows were to be found in the tapestries and some ornaments, undoubtedly to make sure people were aware of who was the owner of this place. But a proper and respectable accommodation nonetheless which is a bit ironic in the Barrel and surely must have raised a few eyebrows. Even she was skeptical until a couple of rats ran into the lobby up to the stairs. Well, that’s more like it. The ground floor was packed. It was loud and people were rushing in and out. Most of them ended up stumbling toward the Crow Club, with the help of skilled steerers. Drunk, jolly, well-fed, and ready to spend the rest of their day gambling with what they have left in their pockets. One will be fool enough to doubt Kaz’s pragmatism. On the first floor, the rooms were small but more than enough for people who had spent the last two years sleeping in hammocks stacked on top of each other. As for the top floor, most of the walls had been destroyed, enough to give a sense of space but not too much for privacy. On her right, as she opened the door, she found a tiny desk, and on her left an armchair in the corner next to the window. She advanced a little bit further and discovered a tiny bathroom.
At the very end of the room, Inej found a four-poster bed with velvet curtains. This kind of luxury was extremely hard to find around here. It felt too much. Almost out of place.
She sat on it and remembered the last time she felt this way. Too much. Out of place.
Inej had said goodbye to her parents after only two weeks with them. She was more than overjoyed with their reunion. But the dreadful shadow of her past since her capture kept her from thoroughly enjoying it. Her parents had an idea of what had happened. Even though they were loving, caring, and comprehensive, there were still a lot of things they didn’t know about. Things that Inej couldn’t allow herself to say out loud. They didn’t need to hear this. To be haunted by the same ghosts as she was.
Certain words, smells, or pieces of clothing were enough to trigger her. She had dreamed so many times to be back with her family. Like nothing had happened to her. But she knew since the heist at the Ice Court that it wasn’t possible anymore. That she was different now. She couldn’t deny it or hide it from herself. She could either run from things or face them. Yet, every time they looked at her, she felt her skin shrink almost like she squeezed herself into an old leotard that no longer fit her frame. And she refused to let her parents see what was truly under.
So the first stop she made with The Wraith was in Ravka to let her parents go back to their lives while she continued her journey on her own. She swiftly encountered Nina there and they promised to write to each other as much as they could before their next reunion. She remembered Nina looking devastated and lost but still able to fake a smile. Between Matthias’ loss, her new powers, the pressure, and the startled look from her comrades, it must have been incredibly tough for her. Still, her eyes had a spark in them. They were glistening with hope. Hope she could change things. Truth is, she wasn’t going to change things. She was going to shake the world upside down and he will be better for it.
Everything they endured made Inej who she was today; all she could do now was move forward. Find a new purpose and a new meaning to her life. And she found it at sea. She belonged where the sky and sea met and melted into each other until the horizon vanished and they became one. It made her feel like she was floating and flying at the same time.
With a sigh, she finally lay down on the duvet covers. Her eyes caught the delicate golden threads forming little stars on the midnight blue curtains of the bed. It was beautiful.
She let her mind wander again. She didn’t know if she should talk to Kaz about the real reason that led her here. On one hand, informing Kaz of a threat in his city would be the right thing to do. But, she knew that Kaz wouldn’t let her do what she had to do on her own. She might be Captain Ghafa at sea but, here, in Ketterdam, he was King.
The sudden change in the atmosphere of the foyer alerted Inej of Kaz’s presence before a blow on the door with the carved crow head of a cane could.
It appeared to her that she must be the only one not to see Kaz Brekker at her door as a bad omen.
She jumped off the bed and made her way to the door. When she opened it, his amber eyes met hers directly this time. They glimmered in the sunlight that came from behind her, catching the rays like precious gemstones. He surely stole those as well. From either his mother or his father, she didn’t know. Thief.
She turned around and settled into the armchair while Kaz stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. His eyes darted from one point to another without ever settling on anything for more than a fleeting moment.
She knew that despite his ability to blend seamlessly into any environment while wearing his confidence like a cloak, he was never truly at ease unless he was in control. And yet, in that moment, she couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, she held a small piece of that control herself.
As they stood together in the quiet solitude of the room, Inej allowed herself to savor the rare moment of intimacy between them, knowing that it was a fleeting luxury in their world. A world that was about to become a lot more dangerous.
Kanej || HOPE
Prologue
masterlist // chapter 1 —>
He gently put his gloved hand on her shoulders. A sense of warmth flew through her entire body. She felt loved, protected. He made her feel worthy. He was everything to her. Being around him gave her a sense of comfort, she could never express into words.
The boy with the blazing pistols seemed to be drawn to the fragile heart. He had gifted her freedom, serenity......
Yet, he knew. He knew that she was only a mere figment of imagination and would slowly fade away. He knew that she was nothing but a sphere of illusion.
Kanej || HOPE
masterlist // prologue // next chapter —>
---
Kaz
There was a knock on the door.
' What business? '
' It's me, Anika. '
Ever since Inej had left, Kaz had been alternating between Anika and Roeder as his new spiders. Neither were half as good, but he's had to do. They tried their best, but their best was not what Kaz needed.
Especially tonight.
Unwillingly, he had, weighed his options and sent both Anika and Roeder, praying for their safety. If only Inej had been here.....
His thoughts wheeled back to Inej..
Inej.
He could have given her a reason to stay. He could have told her how she always managed to surge his adrenaline, make his heart thump...how she always managed to bring a smile on his face. He could have done so many things...
Sankta Inej.
She was his Saint.
The saint he worshipped every damn single day, Praying, cussing, Shouting for her to return. But you don't worship a living saint. She would never know his pain. How lost he felt without her. How much he loved her. He could have told her—
damn it! He could still write her. But formal letters containing information about the slaves were all he sent. Pages after pages lay helter-skelter in his study. Letters he wrote in the middle of the night calling her back, begging her to stay... telling her how he loved her... But he would never send them. If only, he could let go of his ego, his pride...
'Open the door, boss. I have got some information.' The voice jolled him from his not-so-pleasant reverie, back to reality.
'Focus, Kaz' , he willed himself.
'If I didn't tell you come in, there must be a reason. I don't hire impatient spiders.'
The voice behind the door tensed.
'Come in.'
The door creaked open, revealing a harrowed silhouette bearing the weight of a blood-stained, inert form in her arms.
Blood was slowly dripping from her lips.
Kanej || HOPE
masterlist//prologue//previous chapter//next chapter —>
---
Anika
The job had not gone as planned. It was far from perfect. It was a complete blasphemy!
On top of that, she had managed to anger the boss.
Great! Just amazing!
She could hear a distant murmur, someone calling her name, asking for her.
She dropped the limp figure on the floor, as she took a step back. The World was swirling around her....
"Anika, what happened?" Kaz could only fathom the worst, "Anika?!"
"Water," she croaked.
The explanation would come. First, she needed to steady herself.
*********
She was walking down the lane, hood up, crouched low. The Dime Lions were rumored to have gotten their territory expanded to their old warehouses. She was supposed to sneak in on their conversations and find out which ones were being used. They were careful enough not to leave any recorded documents behind. She would be back within an hour. In and out.
*********
"How did they know about Inej returning from Ravka?" Kaz rasped coldly.
"The latest slave trader intercepted by Inej, Volkov, Dreke Volkov, was one of their valuable assets. Dreke had somehow managed to communicate with them before being a prisoner of the Wraith."
"And they are planning what?"
"To hold her as a captive at the warehouse near the Van Eck Mansion."
"Does Jesper or Wylan know about this?"
"I don't think so," her voice quivered, "No."
"Umm, Kaz?"
Kaz followed her gaze to find Roeder waking up.
ok i need to rant about this, rn-
THE WORD "MENAGERIE" HAS A LITERAL MEANING!! LIKE, HOW COULD I NOT KNOW?!
Menagerie: A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition.
Like, when Inej was referred as the — Suli Lynx
And the Fjerdan Wolf, the Zemeni Fawn, the Kaelish girl is known as the mare for her red hair, the Ravkan Fox, the Shu Serpant in the Menagerie
THEY WERE ALL REFERRED AS ANIMALS !! LIKE, THAT'S WHY THE ANIMALS' NAMES NEVER CHANGED!!
During the Ice Court Heist, when Inej dressed up as the Suli Lynx, initially she was not held back, because no one other than Tante Heleen knew about the true identities of the girls!!
And the fact that no one even suspected a thing about the Kaelish switch that Nina did, really makes me question whether Heleen even bothered to keep a track of all the girls or not...
So, Heleen knew about Inej because Kaz invested in her?
"I can help you." Those were the first words she’d spoken to him, standing in the parlor of the Menagerie, draped in purple silk, eyes lined in kohl. She had helped him. And she’d nearly destroyed him.
I need to make a project on SST from some given topics. I chose social issues because I decided to make on women trafficking.
Because, guess why?
Inej. Ghafa.