The boy’s footsteps sounded in the hall after a tense silence, and he reappeared, motioning us into the dark. Auster followed without a moment’s hesitation, but I pulled my knife from my belt, holding it ready at my side. The boy led us around a turn, and the warm glow of a lantern reignited the dark ahead.

A doorframe left empty save for its hinges gave way to a large, rectangular room. Rippling wallpaper the color of rubies was smoothed over the walls, the floor stained a deep mahogany where it was visible. Everywhere else, it was covered by a thick wool rug edged in fraying tassels.

The desk set before the fireplace was bare, but the boy straightened it methodically, lining up the quill along the right side. Before he was finished, the door along the back wall was pushed open, and the young man I’d seen at Holland’s appeared. Ezra.

His eyes immediately found Auster as he stepped into the room. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Auster stared at Ezra blankly before a smile broke on his face.

Ezra came around the desk, opening his arms and clapping Auster on the back as he embraced him. It was a different mask than the one I’d seen Ezra wear the day before in Holland’s office. But the warmth between them seemed to irritate Paj. He rolled his shoulders like he had the urge to punch something.

Ezra ignored him, leaning in closer to Auster as he spoke. “Might not have been a good idea to bring him. Henrik will be here any minute.”

“Good luck getting him out of here,” Auster muttered.

But Ezra’s easiness disappeared, his edges sharpening as his attention landed on me. He recognized me almost immediately. “What is she doing here?”

“She’s a friend,” Auster answered.

“You sure about that? I just saw her at Holland’s.”

“I’m sure.” Auster set a hand on Ezra’s shoulder. “How are you?”

Ezra had a hard time pulling his gaze from me. “I’m fine, Aus.”

Auster didn’t seem convinced, leaning low to catch Ezra’s eyes.

“Good,” Ezra pressed. “I’m good.”

Auster gave a nod, accepting the answer. “We have a commission for you.”

Ezra surveyed him skeptically before he went back to the desk. “What kind of commission?”

“One we know you can do,” I interrupted.

Ezra’s hand froze on the book in front of him at the sound of my voice. The lantern light cast the scars on his hands silver. I pulled the parchment I’d prepared from my jacket and unfolded it, setting it before him.

Ezra’s eyes ran over it slowly, widening. “Is this a joke?”

The door behind him flung open, slamming against the wall, and I jolted, taking a step back. The flash of steel glinted in West’s hand beside me.