"Debt-pens in the cellar," the Vesper man said, tapping his list. "Children in the debt-pens. The buyers rotate through on market days." He glanced up at her face and back down at his list. "You are early."
The Vesper Consortium had been many things down the centuries, and lawful was never one of them. Then they had bled beside the Villain's armies through the war and been granted legitimacy for it, and these days they audited their own streets with the zeal of the freshly converted. Scum running rackets beside their business offended them professionally.
Iris had made her oath.
Every innocent left in this world, safe from cruel hands.
After each dive, instead of resting, she'd work until it was time to go back down.
"Openings," she said.
"Two doors, one grate."
"Blossom."
