I stared. “Zaira, I thought you refused to spy on them.”

She shrugged. “He was rude to me. He acted like I didn’t exist.”

“But … you said you didn’t learn anything.”

“That’s because you were being annoying.”

I swallowed several things I might have said. “Fair enough.”

Marcello’s fists lay white-knuckled in his lap. “What does this have to do with an owl?”

Zaira held out the letter. “Take a look. I can’t read the letter, but that much is clear.”

I took it. The seal was the imprint of a coin, nothing more. But underneath, someone had crudely sketched a staring owl, its wings spread wide.

“Excellent work, Zaira.” I unfolded the letter; the seal was already broken. Elegant, loopy handwriting covered half a page.

“What does it say?” Zaira asked.

“Dear Gabril,” I read, “You may put aside these doubts your brother has whispered in your ears; the theft of the children was real, and the Falconers to blame. The official investigation has confirmed it, as has our Raverran Fox. Your cousin the duke still assures me he will not countenance such a crime, and the Fox speaks of dissent within the Council of Nine over the matter. Stay firm. As proof we can prevail, you should soon hear news of a Falconer stopped from taking another Ardentine child. When we combine your courage and passion with our information and resources, Raverra has no power to force Ardence to kneel. Be ready; it is almost time to act.” I scanned the bottom of the page. “It’s signed ‘The Owl in the River Palace.’”

Zaira snorted. “Gabril is an idiot, if he believed all that.”

Marcello straightened. “The Owl in the River Palace?”

“That’s what it says.” I passed him the letter. “Gabril seems to believe he has a well-placed contact there. Whoever it is, they knew about the doge’s ultimatum, which Duke Astor hasn’t even told the Council of Lords. Either the duke himself is playing a dangerous game or he has a traitor in his inner circle.”

“And the men who attacked you were Ardentines.” The letter trembled in his hand. “Amalia, the doge could take this as an attack on the Empire by Ardence.”

I stared at him. “No. Oh, no. We have two days left.”

Zaira grunted. “If that bloody-handed old ghoul is looking for an excuse, he won’t care.”

“We can’t let that happen.” I drained half my wineglass. I could use some fortification; I’d had enough shocks tonight.

“He might accept that this is a traitor acting alone, without the duke’s knowledge or approval,” Marcello said dubiously.

“He might. But the consequences if he doesn’t are too dire.” I took a deep breath. “We can’t tell him about this.”

Marcello shifted in his chair. “I’m a lieutenant of the Falconers. I have to report this attack to my superiors.”