Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1)(80)

The bows began, and the acrobats took the stage as a group. Enne smiled and curtsied with the rest of them, and Levi couldn’t take his eyes off her. Very briefly, Enne’s gaze found his, even from all the way on the stage. She smiled wider. Levi decided the whole show had been worth it just for that.

He left soon after, and a crowd of women in flowing satin gowns and men drowned in cologne exited behind him. Levi eyed a vase of orchids on the concierge’s counter. People gave performers flowers, right? But he decided against it—he already had a stolen box of cookies wedged awkwardly in his pocket—and turned down one of the small hallways that led backstage.

It was empty. When he reached a door labeled Dressing Room, Levi stopped and leaned against the wall. Enne was probably changing. He didn’t mind waiting a few minutes.

A little while later, another performer popped out and startled at seeing Levi there, looking as ill as he did. Her eyes ran over his St. Morse uniform with suspicion. Levi might’ve been well-known in the casino, but he wasn’t so recognizable outside of the Tropps Room, especially by those who didn’t pay attention to the city’s most notable dealers.

He self-consciously adjusted his tie and wiped at the concealer on his eye. Maybe coming to see Enne was a bad idea, but it seemed silly to turn back now.

Levi cleared his throat. “I’m looking for Enne.”

The girl nodded and disappeared. Enne stepped out a moment later, still in her costume, but without her wings or feathered skirt. Heavy black stage lashes covered her eyes, and her cheeks were extra pink. Despite the fact that she looked a bit ridiculous, Levi couldn’t help but stare at the way the lacy leotard hugged her waist and the makeup accentuated the pout of her Cupid’s bow.

“You look nice,” he managed.

She looked at him closely and gasped. “What happened to you? Are you all right?” She lifted a hand toward his face, rubbed the skin under his eye and inspected the purple bruise with concern.

Under different circumstances, Levi would’ve been happy to submit to her touch. But he could already see the unease in her eyes. He swatted her hand away and smiled, a bit too widely. “I’m fine.”

“You look terrible.”

“Really? I feel great.”

She crossed her arms. “Are you really not going to tell me what happened?”

“I... I had a bit of an argument with Chez.”

“Looks like he won.”

He winced. “Take it easy on me.”

“But Chez is your third...” She bit her lip. “I thought oaths prevented things like this.”

Levi took a deep, shameful breath. “It’s called a challenge, when someone tries to overthrow the lord. It’s normally a duel to the death. And it would’ve been, if Jac hadn’t shown up.”

She made a face like she was the one who was ill, exactly the sort of pity Levi didn’t need.

“Never mind that,” he said quickly. “Did you visit the bank today?”

She gave him a pointed look, like she knew he was stalling. “Yes. There was barely anything in the vault. We found a strange black orb and an even stranger Mizer token. I don’t know what to think of either of them.”

Levi had never heard of a black orb before. “Can I take a look at the orb?”

“Yes, I’ll bring it tomorrow,” she answered. “There was an address listed on the account. Some place called the Street of the Holy Tombs. Lola said it was in Olde Town.”

Levi crinkled his nose. “I know that place. Mysterious black orbs and old coins? That’s exactly the neighborhood you’re looking for. It’s full of the Faithful. Gives me the creeps just to walk through it.”

“Well, I’m going tomorrow to call on a woman named Zula Slyk.” The name sounded vaguely familiar to Levi, but he couldn’t remember why. Enne hesitated for a moment before continuing. “It would be great if you could come with me, but do you think you’ll feel up for it?”

“Of course I will.” He cracked his neck. “Takes more than a broken rib and a cut to slow me down.”

Truthfully, entering Iron Land was a dangerous notion right now, but Olde Town was his territory, his claim. He refused to let himself fear it. Besides, he’d brave worse than that for Enne—all she had to do was ask.

“Lola also suggested trying Scrap Market, if this doesn’t pan out.” Her face was doing that expressionless thing—she was upset.

What he should’ve done was console her. Of course something would turn up. Problem was, that something would probably be Lourdes’s corpse. Levi was already struggling to pick up the pieces of his own shattered life—he couldn’t bear to watch Enne go through that, too.

Instead, he said, “Scrap Market is a bad idea. It’s dangerous, now that Scavenger is Scar Lord. I wouldn’t risk it myself even if I didn’t get the muck kicked out of me today. And you shouldn’t go, either.”

“I wasn’t asking for your permission,” she snapped. His instincts were correct—she was definitely upset.

He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know that. I just think it’s better if you stay away from there.” His voice sounded more forceful than he meant it to.

She pushed his hand off her. “I know you’ve had a bad day, Levi, but don’t do this. I don’t need to be patronized.”