“The King of the Ratel has lost his power,” the man says. Who is it? For a moment, I fear it’s Nazarin; but the detective is at the back of the huddled former revelers. I let out my held breath. He’s crouched low, poised to pounce, his eyes not moving from the main man with the gun. Is this what he’s been planning? Nazarin said he was trying to sow unrest within the Ratel. From the shocked look on his face, though, I’m not sure he expected rebellion so soon.

“I’ve taken control of the biggest Verve drop the Ratel has ever done. I’ve taken control of the biggest arms smuggle. You can see the result right here.” He holds up the bulky gun. His voice radiates with pride. “Ensi is so used to his routine that he’s weak. It’ll all crumble, having an old man like him at the helm. He makes too many deals with the other side. Getting soft.”

Where is Ensi? While I was upstairs, has he already been executed? Would I care?

I crouch and move down the ramp. At one of the circular cut-outs, I peer out again. Part of me wants to hide upstairs. The masked leader takes a string of men and women and lines them up against the white, curved wall. Even though most of the partiers are hardened criminals, not all of them are, and I think the masked man chose at least some of the business associates under Ratel control. People unafraid to get their hands dirty in crooked deals, but who’ve never before had guns pointed at their faces. A man pisses himself, the dark strain spreading down his trousers. Another woman shakes so badly she can barely stand. Malka has also been chosen for the line-up, but she does not look afraid. She stands tall, like the Queen she is.

“Here is the court of the Ratel, gathered for their party,” the masked man says. “Think of me as your jester for the evening, providing the entertainment to you peons. Do you realize that for every tiny bit of money you get, the King gets over one hundred times more?”

He walks closer to the men and women lined up along the wall. “But for you, I’m not your jester. I’m your executioner.” He raises his gun and points it at the first woman. As soon as he aims, someone lets out a wail. The man is startled and lets out the shot, and the woman crumples. I shudder, hidden behind the curving white wall of the ramp. I can’t tell if she’s been hit or not.