Ibrahim grunted, as if reading her mind and acknowledging the truth of her conclusion.

“I received your summons.” She took the letter from her pocket and held it up. Another paper came with it, the handbill from Hypatia’s office, the one offering quick money for the sale of homes in the Drench. She stuffed it back into her coat.

“I believe I asked you to come within the hour, which would have been…” He paused only long enough to check his timepiece. “Six hours ago.”

“I was delayed. I am in the middle of an investigation, as you might know.”

He smiled, as if she had amused him, but his delight passed quickly, and his face fell to sterner lines. “We must talk about your relationship to the Daily Howler.”

“Yes, we must. Some of your brethren harassed the editor and threatened to arrest my friend.”

He paused, fork halfway to his mouth. “That is no one’s fault but your own. What did you expect to happen?”

“I expected the daily newspaper to be—”

“Untouchable?” His tone was mocking. “Respected? You overplayed your hand, and while I admire the effort, there are consequences.”

“I understand you are vexed—”

“Vexed?” He slammed down his utensils. “I am beyond vexed. I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you have done. The Order has been at my neck, inquiring as to who you are and what merits you possess that warrant your assignment as advocatus diaboli.”

“Can they do that? Remove me?”

“No, it is my decision alone. But they can make me regret it.” He sighed. “They wished to know your relationship to the accused.”

“Did you tell them I am her sister?”

He glanced at the blond Virtue. Celeste could feel the man’s eyes upon her but ignored him. She did not care to keep the secret of her heritage, even if Ibrahim did. Even if she knew it put her at further risk among these people and in this place. She refused to be ruled by her basest desires.

“Mr. Ibrahim.” She calmly ignored the waves of censure drifting off the man next to her. “Do you wish to remove me as advocatus?” She asked it coolly, but her heart was thudding in her chest.

“Can you promise me you will stay away from the press?”

“Will you leave Grace alone?”

“After the trial, she does not concern us, assuming you stay away.” His gaze was fixed on her, refusing to let her go until she gave an answer.

She hated to concede, but for Grace’s sake, she did. “If you give me no reason to speak further to the Howler, then I shall not.”