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?”

that, pausing only when I made her

the trick

me. “Well. Ready for the main

I was ready to earn that money

was assigned their own servant, who

worked as something like handlers,

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

unexpected joke and an easy smile. Elva won

with limited success, to everyone

an older benefactor to

my ear and whispered, “See,

I was being

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

It felt like

I’m afraid this is where we must part.” Julian took my hand, lifted it to his lips

knuckles.

teasing. But his lips lingered at my skin for a half–second longer than needed. When he pulled away, he

her lightly on

“Thanks, Jul–an!”

help had been immeasurable for the hour I had him, though I knew eventually I would have to go it alone. I didn’t mind all that much. I

could.

from looking across the ballroom, searching for Nicholas. I frowned

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