“How many bodyguards does a body need?” Raisa said, rubbing her temples. “I’ve got bodyguards stumbling all over each other.”

“We need somebody inside your room,” Han said. “After what happened to Talia and Trey, I’m thinking a guard outside your door isn’t enough. I can’t always be right next door. And, so far, all of the attempts on your life have been with conventional means. Knives and swords and strangle-cords.”

“I want to hear from Catarina,” Raisa said, waving a hand to hush Han. “Why should I hire you?”

“Well.” Cat poked at the twist on the back of her head, tucking in a curl. “You have the bluejackets as bodyguards, I know. And Cuffs. But I think you need another blade up your sleeve. Someone who has connections all over the city. Somebody who has an ear to the ground and knows who’s hiring bravos and who’s to be hushed. Somebody that won’t stick out in the streets.” Cat cocked her head. “But that person’s got to be able to come and go inside the palace, too. And talk to all kinds of people. And do things on the quiet that maybe you don’t want folks to know about.”

Raisa frowned. “Such as?”

Cat dug the toe of her fancy slipper into the carpet. “Spying and filching where it does the most good, second-story work if need be, putting a bribe into the right pocket or a word in the right ear at the right time.” She looked into Raisa’s eyes. “You probably don’t like the idea of doing things on the down low,” she said. “But that’s the turf you’re walking right now. You got enemies that’ll do whatever it takes to win. You got to have weapons of your own.”

Raisa ran her fingers through her hair. “Unlike my enemies, I won’t do whatever it takes to win. I’m not looking to hire an assassin or thug.”

“I’m thinking more like spymaster,” Cat said.

“Cat was the one that roused all of Ragmarket and Southbridge to come to the queen’s funeral,” Han said. “She had two days to do it.”

“How old are you, Catarina?” Raisa asked.

Cat shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m past my name day, though,” she added, folding her arms and gripping her elbows to either side. “I’m sure of that.”

“She knows who you’re up against,” Han said, seeming to understand where Raisa was going with this. “And she’s older than her years.”

“It would be a great favor to me if you’d take me on,” Cat said, drawing her brows together as she concentrated on her speech. “It would do me good to spend more time with quality. It would help me learn about manners, politics, and such.”

“Signing on for this role is a good way to get yourself killed,” Raisa said, the memory of Talia and Trey fresh in her mind. “If you want to leave the streets I can put in a word that will get you a position with almost any noble family in the Fells. You’re smart. Given a little more polish, you’ll move up quickly.”