And standing at his right are Thénardier and Tomasis.

My heart leaps, and I force myself to let out the breath I’ve been holding. Tomasis is here. I knew he had an understanding with the Tiger, but I didn’t expect him to be here in the Flesh Guild’s house.

“I told you she’d show up eventually,” Thénardier says, waving the stump of his ruined arm at me. “She doesn’t know how to leave well enough alone.”

“Hello, little kitten.” The Tiger’s voice is warm as I walk toward them, ever alert.

Ettie’s hands are bound. She has the start of a black eye, and a line of blood drips down her face from her nose.

I give a small, disrespectful bow of my head to the Tiger and completely ignore Thénardier.

“There’s a shocking lack of familial affection here. Are you not going to greet your father?” the Tiger asks.

“Father.” I bow my head at Tomasis. His frowning eyes meet mine.

The Tiger laughs heartily. “A wild little spitfire to the last,” he says. “I was talking about Thénardier.”

I look over at Thénardier. He’s leaning against the wall, watching with amusement.

“He tried to shoot me.”

“I always back the winning side,” Thénardier says.

“You back the side that’ll pay you something.”

He laughs without malice. His pursuit of gold is highly impersonal.

I scan the room. There are no visible weapons here save the pistol in Thénardier’s hand. There are only tall lamps, candlesticks, and the odd chair.

“You shouldn’t have found her,” Tomasis says. “I knew where it would lead you.”

“Tomasis has had you followed, little Cat,” says the Tiger. “He’s had your own Guild watching you and reporting back.”

I pretend the information doesn’t sting.

“I’ve come here to put an end to this,” Tomasis says, pointing at Ettie. “Her existence brings the Guilds to the brink of war.” His words are careful and slow, as if it pains him to say them.

“She’s a Ghost.” I look pleadingly at Tomasis. “You swore an oath when I paid the bread price that you would not harm her.”

The Tiger laughs.

Tomasis avoids my eyes. “We’ve come to an agreement. The girl is the root of all the trouble. If she dies, the struggle between the Ghosts, the Thieves, and the Flesh Guild comes to an end.”

“My Lord, the Law.” I approach Tomasis. “You cannot do this!”

Tomasis strikes me across the face, and I stumble. “I am your Lord. You do not question me,” he says. His voice is raised, but he’s trembling. “You obey your Lord, trusting that he has the interests of your Guild at heart.”

I right myself and he reaches out to steady me. Gripping my arm, he twists my neck to force me to look him in the eye. He speaks in a low voice.

“The first duty of every Lord is to protect his children. You know this. Because you are my daughter, I have done what I can to shelter you from Kaplan’s wrath. But I see now that I’ve indulged you too much, given you too much freedom.