wylan van eck bot

“Meet Wylan Van Eck,” said Kaz Brekker as the boy’s cheeks flooded crimson.

Or maybe they thought Wylan deserved some kindness.

Wylan refused to knock and plead for a scrap of affection like Alys’ terrier begging for treats.

“Wylan wasn’t at home.” “No?” “He was studying music in Belendt.”

Not Kuwei.

He hated that Jesper was seeing him cry, but there was nothing he could do, not about the tears, not about any of it.

He was a mess, there had nearly been a riot, and Ketterdam’s reputation was in tatters, and yet Wylan had to smile to himself.

“They’ll blame us.”

Wylan pinked. “Maybe you forgot how handsome I am.” Jesper raised a brow. “Okay, maybe a little.”

“Tell me my business again.” Wylan swallowed, parted his lips. “Do it,” said Kaz. “And I’ll cut the tongue from your head and feed it to the first stray cat I find.”

He had no illusions about why Kaz had looked out for him, but he also knew he never would have survived this long without his help.

Jesper scoffed, “I doubt it. I hear he’s twelve kinds of trouble to keep around.” Wylan crossed his arms. “I hear he’s talented and misunderstood.”

“Hear you know your way around a chemistry set.” “What? I...yes. A bit,” Wylan had managed. “Just a bit?”

What am I doing here?

Jesper and Wylan fell to the floor as the chain zipped through their hands, one end vanishing through the slot, the other sending the winch handles spinning.

“How nice for you. I feel like I’ll never know enough.” “About what?” “About anything,” Wylan muttered.

“Even if I’d wanted him to inherit, he’s incompetent to do so. He can’t read, can barely string a basic sentence together on the page. He is an idiot, a soft-minded child.”

“No mourners,” said Jesper, surprised by the ache of tears in his throat. “No funerals,” they all replied softly. “Go on now,” said Colm. “Say your goodbyes.”

“That’s why we call him Wylan Van Sunshine.”

Wylan wouldn’t have put it that way exactly, but he agreed. Strongly. They should be keeping Jesper away from gambling dens, not encouraging his love of risk. But Kaz hadn’t been moved.

“Wylan—” he began. “Kaz wants us in the sitting room.” “I—” But Wylan was already gone.