“What I have done in secret I have done to protect the children of my Guild. What I do tonight I will do to avenge my sister and to put right the wrongs that have been committed against all. Even if none else will aid the Cat, I will,” Yelles says. “Kaplan has no place at the high table. Ridding the Court of him is our duty. It is our duty to the Law.”

The Fisherman shakes her head. “I was not yet Lady of Rats when the Tiger was first taken. It is well known that Kamelia and I—” The Fisherman breaks off and looks suddenly very old. “I was at sea when he returned and established his hold on the Court. I arrived too late to save her.

“I have done what I could without putting my own children in jeopardy. I take in more girls than the other Guilds combined, for they are safer on the waters than in the Court, where the Tiger’s eye can easily fall upon them.”

I glance at the scowling Tamar, wondering if that’s how she came to be Master of the Guild of Smugglers.

“We Rats have seen more than this Court has. The slavers control the seas, and though seeing one of them fall would be a boon to us, you must know, Cat, that if the Tiger falls, his brethren will come to avenge him.”

I know the Fisherman cannot see me, yet I feel her gaze upon me, piercing my skin.

“They will fall upon the Guilds like a curse.”

“Let them come,” Yelles answers in a hard voice.

“Yelles, our grief is shared, but do not let it make you foolish. You do not know of what you speak. The Tiger is but one; his allies are legion.”

“Are we Those Who Walk by Day, to cower in the face of our enemies? Is that what Kamelia would have done? We have been afraid too long!” Yelles retorts.

The Fisherman laughs in response. “If Kamelia had known what the Tiger would do to her children, she would have torn out his throat. But then, she was Raksha, a shewolf, and was always much fiercer than we were.”

She smiles and turns her head away as if her entire argument with Yelles has been staged to test him, as if it is all a game to her.

She nods in my direction. “What is it you want of us, Cat?”

Beside her, Tamar makes a small sound of discontent, as if she disagrees.

“I want you to give me the voice of Mor,” I reply, tensing as I wait for the answer.

“Is that all you will ask of me?”

“Yes, my Lady.”

“And for so small a price will we call Death the Endless down upon ourselves and our children.” Her milky eyes seem to be looking for something that we cannot see. She sighs. “Very well, then. For Kamelia.”

Tamar’s face crumples, and she turns to gaze accusingly at me. “You dwell on land, little Cat. What do you know of Kaplan’s slaver kin? Why do you think the first Lords let the Tiger be taken as a child? They knew that the Guilds combined could not withstand them. And you would make them our enemies?” she says.