"We can't stay out in the open," Kaz says. "We need to keep moving."

Inej drops down from the heights. "I got a heading," she says. "Once we're secure - we'll get her back."

Shaky breath out, and then she stands. "I'm going to fucking destroy them."

"Get her back first."

" - You're right. She's more important." She closes her eyes briefly before opening them again. "And Kaz's right. Let's go."

Onwards, cautious but quick. They don't have as much screening this time, but maybe the tighter group will be a deterrent.

Unfortunately, they don't get more than a few more streets before a string of Dime Lions, two deep, moves to block their path. One of Pekka's enforcers stands front and center. "Where are fine folk like you going this time of night?" he calls, jeering.

"What's it to you, limp dick?"

Grrrrrrr.

His eyes flick to the growling wolf, and a few of the thugs in the back row shift uneasily. He keeps his composure, though. "Heard you've got an important package coming in," he says, lightly. "We're to escort you. Make sure it gets where it's supposed to be going."

"The day I need the likes of you to help me navigate my own damn city, the only place I'll be going is the crematorium." She hefts her cane. "Anyone who doesn't want their teeth decorating the street can feel free to leave. I won't be responsible for what the wolf does if you don't, either."

There might be slightly fewer thugs in that back row now. It's more of a one and a half deep string. Still, the main enforcer just shrugs and says, "Well, boss didn't say we need you." 

That seems to be the cue to start the fight. 

Trassel leaps in, fang and claw flashing.

Feilan isn't far behind. (She needs someone to hit.)

Inej darts in and out of the fight wherever she sees an opening. 

...Yeah, even tired and injured, they're on a whole other level than these wanna-be street toughs. Kaz might need to hurry if she wants to get any blows of her own in. 

Right now she's more interested in making sure they get through this scrap in good order than in working out any anger issues she might have. Nothing says this'll be the last ambush they face tonight.

A pretty good instinct, which means she might even notice the woman who walks up the street behind her as her team is putting down the last of the Dime Lions, stopping a solid distance away. She's flanked by two shadowy figures. 

"Well, I do suppose you get what you pay for, and a 'Dime Lion' is hardly expensive," she says, lightly. Her voice is accented, possibly Shu. "But Van Eck paid you quite a bit more than a dime, Kaz Brekker. So where is Bo Yul-Bayur?"

Fucking... this night just gets better and better.

"Safe," she snaps. "And Van Eck will get his money worth at the rendezvous, as agreed. Not standing in the middle of the street, talking to some secretary."

"Forgive me, but your team doesn't have the best reputation for seeing contracts like this through." She sounds like she's sharing some private joke with Kaz. "I'm sure you aren't planning to sell out - just as I'm sure you didn't sell out when you failed to bring back a similarly important package from Ravka. So you shouldn't mind a bit of a guarantee on our part, hm? Insurance, you might say."

"That wasn't part of the deal."

"Bring Bo Yul-Bayur to the rendezvous, and there won't be any issues." She shrugs. "You'll get your money and our insurance back, and we'll get our package. Unless you don't have what we paid for - ?"

"I don't hand my people over to anyone."

"Oh, I wasn't asking." She raises one hand idly. "Grab the girl." A protective wind curls around her, as a misty figure lunges through a wall and a Squaller swoops down from above - 

Right at Inej.

She curses, tries to stab them both - tries to throw herself for the edge of the roof she'd thought she'd been hidden on, they must have a Heartrender or something who spotted her - 

Her knives go right through the misty figure, and a powerful gust knocks them out of her hands as she's grabbed. She kicks still, struggles -