Six of Crows: Chapter 28: Inej Summary & Analysis

Inej points out that the Menagerie’s costumes are all people see—the girls are “not even really girls, just lovely objects to be collected.” Kaz says that he and Matthias will get in another way, as he knows Matthias has been hiding another route in. Wylan and Jesper, meanwhile, are going to disable the gate in the drüskelle sector (the only of the three gates not currently either shut down or full of party guests) to keep it closed. Jesper is still confused as to how they all will escape, but Kaz just says they’re “proper thieves,” and they’re going to go “shopping” in Fjerda. Inej will first find “something shiny.”

While Kaz lays out the “audacious” new plan, Wylan helps Inej and Nina draft a tattoo of the Menagerie’s peacock feather. Inej is nervous, but she insists it’s “war paint.” She wants to make this work because she wants the money—and the future she can buy with it. Now, it’s time for the group to split up, which they do grudgingly, knowing that the crewmembers are the only people who will really mourn for them if they die. Exchanging a look, Matthias asks Nina for a private word, and Inej pulls Kaz aside. She gives him his gloves but no longer expects a thank-you. Still, he grabs her wrist and begins to say something. Inej touches his cheek, and he trembles. She says she won’t die afraid tonight, but Kaz can’t respond. She knows this is all he can give her—and it’s not enough.

Inej and Nina wait for the Menagerie girls on the roof, and Nina assures Inej she doesn’t have to dress for the Menagerie again. Inej doesn’t feel ready to tell Nina about her dream and why she wants the money, though having Nina on her crew would be nice. Then, the Menagerie party arrives, each girl in a heavy cloak decorated to look like an animal. Tante Heleen comes behind sporting heavy diamonds and peacock feathers, and Inej whistles the signal to Jesper. Guards split the Menagerie girls into smaller groups to be searched.

Nina and Inej drop into an air duct so they can follow the Kaelish and Suli girls’ group, and they watch from above as guards pat them down. Then, the guards give the girls five minutes alone to put themselves back together. Nina makes the four girls pass out and steals the Kaelish costume while Inej drags all four girls into a closet, gagged, and steals the Suli costume. After they’ve hidden the girls and dressed, they exit the room. Nina makes the guards at the door vomit and get a nosebleed, shrieking and hurrying along with the other guests. Avoiding the real Menagerie girls, Inej leads Nina into a security line. Nina is able to flirt with the guard and get through, but the guard notices Inej’s lumpy peacock tattoo and detains her with other suspicious guests.