I bow low to Lady Komayd of the Guild of Letters, who watches me like an amused auntie watching a small child at play.

“Is that Gayatri?” the Fisherman asks Tamar in a bracing voice.

“It is, Mother,” Tamar says.

“Yes, the smell of dusty parchment and ink is unmistakable.”

“Better that than salt and fish,” Lady Komayd retorts.

“Hmmph,” the Fisherman says with a sniff. “And what did such a small Cat do to summon the Lady of Paper?”

“She rescued one of my sons from the Châtelet,” Komayd replies. “A … favorite son. So it is a debt of thanks that the People of the Pen owe you, Black Cat, and that is why I am here.” She fixes me in her sight and smiles, lines wrinkling the corners of her large eyes.

I feel the corner of my mouth twitch in response. Favorite son indeed.

“Indeed, Cat,” Orso says. “And now that you have our full attention, why don’t you explain to us why we are here.”

I try not to shake as I bow to the group. Fathers and Mothers of the Miracle Court, Guild Lords and Ladies, Masters—they’re all watching me. I try to keep a brave face and not think about how I, a mere Cat, summoned five Lords of the Miracle Court. And they came.

I clear my throat. “I am going to break in to the Guild of Flesh.” I announce. My voice it is not as steady as I would like, but it will have to do.

In the ensuing silence, they all stare at me. Orso looks dazed. Komayd stares as if I’ve gone insane. Corday cocks her head to one side, considering me.

Then the Fisherman starts to laugh. Which is not the response I was hoping for.

“She’s mad,” Tamar says.

“Yes, but this should at least be entertaining,” the Fisherman replies, quieting her chuckles. “Do go on, my dear—you were saying?”

“To enter a Guild House uninvited is not only breaking the Law, it is an act of war,” Col-Blanche interjects.

“The Law is already broken, and only his ending can mend it,” I say.

There is another silence at this. The Lords and Ladies share an unreadable look. Have I gone too far?

“It has been a long time since the Court had a judge among us,” says Yelles slowly.

I swallow, unsure whether this is a compliment or a threat. I am not trying to place myself in the position of judge to the Court—how could I? Judges are the keepers of the Law, and distributors of punishment who rose up among the Court in times of threat and war. I am not trying to start a war, no matter what the Lords might think. I only know that there is no other way to save Ettie, and Azelma, and all of the other Sisters.

“He has found her, then?” Orso asks. “Kaplan has found Ettie, and you are going to rescue her?”

The sound of her name makes my heart tighten. I force my feelings down and tell myself that it was worth it.