“A mishap?” Kyra almost choked. She clenched her fists to hold off another flashback, and any attempt at staying calm went out the window. “I slit a man’s throat like a pig at the slaughterhouse.”

“It happens, Kyra. Especially in a trade such as ours.” He was so calm, as if he were talking about a spilled bowl of stew.

“I in’t in your trade, James. You hired me as a thief, not an assassin.”

“I know why I hired you. What happened three nights ago was unfortunate. It will happen less as you become better at your craft.”

Would it really? Or would she just stop caring? Turn into the cold-blooded killer of her nightmares? A few weeks ago she’d been horrified to see the armory guards captured and beaten. Three days ago, she’d slit a man’s throat.

“What did you really do to the guards from the armory raid, James?”

He waited just a little too long to answer, and a chill settled over her skin. “I’m out,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I can’t do this.”

His expression hardened. “You’re overreacting.”

“No, I’m not.”

“So you’ll just leave? What happens when the next storekeeper gets his goods seized? Will you turn a blind eye?”

“The cost is too great.”

“And what will you do for coin? Where will your adopted sisters live?”

“That’s none of your business.”

James fell silent. Kyra fought the urge to step back. Had she pushed him too far? When he spoke again, his voice was dangerously calm.

“Close the door, Kyra. And have a seat.”

“No, I’m going back downstairs.”

“We’re just going to talk some more, about things better not overheard.”

His tone dared her to disobey and, as much as she wanted to leave, James wasn’t the type she could ignore without consequences. She pushed her door shut.

“The Palace Council’s stepped up its attacks on the Guild,” he said. “The new Defense Minster, Malikel, is more competent than his predecessor. He suspects what we’re doing in the Palace, and he’s taking steps against us.”

She knew this. She’d brought him records of Malikel’s orders.

“I’ve considered sending men to take care of him, but it’s unwise. Our biggest advantage is the Council’s sluggishness. Any attack from us might just spur them against us. It’s better to take a finer approach.”

He paused and looked her in the eye. “Malikel lives in the Fastkeep. It’s hard to get to, but you’ve mapped it several times. Do you remember where the officials’ quarters are?”

She nodded.

“Good, you’ve been paying attention. I want you to kill him tonight.”

Kyra gaped at him.