We can both rest for now. Here, in the warmth of the Miracle Court, everything will be all right.

Sometime later, I hear my name being called, but my eyes are heavy and refuse to open. My tongue feels like it’s stuck to the roof of my mouth, as if I’ve swallowed glue. I force my eyelids apart.

Montparnasse is looking at me, an odd expression on his usually blank face. He looks … concerned?

Another person swims into view. Short, bald, with round spectacles and a long, pointed bleached collar.

Col-Blanche, Master of Poisons.

I give a start and pull myself up, moving as far from the Poison Master as I can. My clumsy body fails me, and I smash into a wall lined from floor to ceiling with shelves and stoppered glass bottles, which crash to the ground around me. I yelp and skitter away as the Poison Master, frowning his disapproval, inspects the damage.

I hunch in a corner on all fours like a cat.

“Calm down.” Montparnasse’s voice rings through my head.

The Poison Master potters around muttering darkly, picking up several vials I’ve spilled.

I taste metal.

“What happened?” I ask, panicked.

“You were drugged,” Col-Blanche says matter-of-factly. I try to stand, but the room spins around me. Montparnasse is at my side, gripping me below my arm, helping me up.

“By whom?”

“By us,” Col-Blanche says, busily uncorking bottles and testing them with a slim silver spoon. “We were paid for it.”

“What?” Montparnasse snaps, glaring at Col-Blanche.

“Clearly, it was not meant to be fatal,” Col-Blanche says. “Just something to make you indisposed for a few hours, per instructions.”

I look desperately at Montparnasse, who shakes his head.

He didn’t know.

“How long have I been …” My voice trails off. There’s something else. There is actual worry in the eyes of Montparnasse, he who never shows his feelings. There’s something he needs to tell me. And he’s worried about how I’ll react.

“Where is she?”

“Gone,” he says quietly. “They were dressed like Ghosts when they carried her away.”

I push away from him as if he himself has betrayed me. I find the door, but it’s closed.

“I’ve something here that might lessen the side effects.” Col-Blanche pulls a bottle off a shelf.

There’s no time.

I fumble at the door for a moment and then with all my strength burst through it.

Behind me I hear Col-Blanche tutting at Montparnasse. “I realize she has Corday’s favor, but nonetheless, you show a remarkable attachment to the girl. It’s not healthy in a Death Dealer.”

But I don’t care.

I’m already gone.

25

The Stripes of the Cat

I know where she is. There is only one person who would dare take Ettie from under the nose of her Guild and all the Lords of the Miracle Court.

Thénardier.

The snow and my grogginess slow me down. I run as fast as I can, ignoring the bite of the cold wind that howls at me as I go.