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?”

And she did just that, pausing only when I

the trick one–handed

at me. “Well.

was ready to

own servant, who would keep track of who

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

to speak with each other. Then they moved

with an unexpected joke and an easy smile. Elva

with limited success, to everyone we

an older benefactor to her

ear and whispered, “See,

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

had one confirmed commitment to

It felt

this is where we must part.” Julian took my hand, lifted it to

knuckles.

was teasing. He had to be teasing. But his lips lingered at my skin for a half–second longer than needed. When

her lightly on

“Thanks, Jul–an!”

go it alone. I didn’t mind all that much. I was determined to garner as much money for the orphanage

could.

couldn’t keep my gaze from looking across the

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