Martin was in the corridor when Kyra and Flick came back downstairs. “Are they still in there?” Kyra asked.

“They’re still planning. Sir Malikel’s not happy though. I’d apologize real quick. And sincerely too.”

Tristam and Malikel were deep in conversation when she returned, and it took a moment for them to acknowledge her entrance.

“I’m sorry,” she said before either of them could react. “That won’t happen again.”

Malikel gave her a long, measured look. “Make sure it doesn’t.”

“I have an idea,” she said. “For attacking the Guild.”

The councilman waited for her to continue.

“Don’t send an invasion,” said Kyra. “Just send one person. Me.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Flick turn his head and stare at her.

Tristam raised an eyebrow. “An army won’t work, and a strike party won’t work, so you intend to single-handedly invade their building and bring back prisoners?”

“Everything the Assassins Guild does hangs on James,” she said, ignoring Tristam’s sarcasm and avoiding Flick’s eyes. “He’s got a good crew, but he’s the core. He makes all the plans, and it’s his determination that holds it all together. If we kill James—if I kill James—there’s no clear person to take his place. It would cripple the Guild.”

“Kyra.” Flick’s voice was tinged with panic. “This wasn’t what I had in mind.” She ignored him.

“You may be right about James,” said Malikel. “The Assassins Guild fell out of power a century ago, and it wasn’t until recently that it reemerged, perhaps because of James’s leadership. But how do you propose to kill him, Kyra? Can you outfight him?”

“No,” said Kyra, remembering her humiliating practice match with James. “But there’s other ways. James wanted me to poison you. Why not do the same to him?”

“The Palace doesn’t keep clearberry juice,” said Malikel. “We can offer you other poisons, though they aren’t ideal.”

“Just give me what you have,” said Kyra. “I might also use the Guild’s stores. James keeps his poison in a chest in his study.”

“It’s especially dangerous for you to go in there, Kyra,” said Tristam. “After the fire, they probably know you’re alive. And they know your tactics better than anyone.”

“Just as I know the Guild better than any of your men,” said Kyra. The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. “I’m the only one with any chance of cracking the Guildhouse. No one else here can do this.”

“Do what?” said Flick. “Any one of us is perfectly capable of getting killed by the Assassins Guild.”