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?”

when I

to learn the trick one–handed

at me. “Well. Ready for

to earn

and benefactor was assigned their own

any overlap. They worked as something like handlers, leading the

each other. Then they moved us away when our

was charming when he wanted to be, disarming many of the sterner–faced benefactors with an unexpected joke and an easy smile. Elva won

success,

said an older

ear and

eyes, since I was being watched, but it was a near

my hour with Julian, I had one confirmed

It felt like

must part.” Julian took my hand, lifted it to his lips and

knuckles.

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

patted her lightly on

“Thanks, Jul–an!”

I knew eventually I would have to go it alone. I didn’t

could.

I couldn’t keep my gaze from looking across the ballroom, searching for

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