Chapter 0241

Elva immediately perked upon seeing him. “Jul–an! Teach me the trick again.”

“She’s been practicing,” I said softly to Julian, like a secret.

“Then maybe you should show me.” Julian withdrew a quarter from his pocket and handed it to Elva.

I let go of her hand so she could move, though I placed my hand on the top of her head instead. I wasn’t

going to let Elva out of my sight tonight, or likely any other night. Not until Jane was caught and the

organization brought down.

“Okay. Watch!” Elva held out the coin like Nicholas had taught her. Then with a flick of her wrist, the coin

clattered down onto the floor. “Oh!” Elva bent and picked it up.

“An excellent attempt!” Julian said and clapped. “You’ll be a little thief–ah, that is, a little magician in

now time.”

I scowled at him for the slip of the tongue.

Elva beamed at the praise. She held out the quarter to give back to him.

“You keep it, Elva. Keep practicing, okay?”

only when I made her

the trick

“Well. Ready for the main

to

benefactor was assigned their own

any overlap. They worked as something like handlers, leading

the correct spots to speak with each other. Then they moved us away when

wanted to be, disarming many of the sterner–faced benefactors with an unexpected joke and an easy smile. Elva won the hearts of the rest. She

with limited success, to

said an older benefactor

and whispered, “See, she’s

my eyes, since I was being

of my hour with Julian, I had one confirmed commitment to my cause,

felt like a

must part.” Julian took my hand, lifted it

knuckles.

But his lips lingered at my skin for a half–second longer than needed. When he pulled away, he didn’t look at me, instead

patted her lightly on the head. “Keep

“Thanks, Jul–an!”

hour I had him, though I knew eventually I would have to go it alone. I didn’t mind all that much. I was determined

could.

from looking across the ballroom, searching for Nicholas. I

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