Levi’s last thought before his feet slipped was that he always knew he would die in this casino.
LEVI
With his eyes squeezed shut, bracing himself for the agony of bones being crushed, Levi didn’t see the person lunge behind him to pull down the lever—he only heard the gears shudder to a stop. He sputtered and rolled over, his own relief making him dizzy.
“You’re lucky I saved you when I did,” a voice said from beside him.
Levi blinked at his companion, his vision slowly coming into focus as Harvey Gabbiano sat cross-legged beside him. His face was painted with concern, but not so much at Levi’s physical state as at the time on his watch.
“Yousaved me?” Levi rasped, fingers shaking as he unknotted the rope around his ankles.
“Of course I did. Of course...” Harvey’s voice trailed off, as though his words were meant to convince himself. He didn’t meet Levi’s eyes. “I needed to find you. I have something to give you.”
Harvey slipped his hand into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out an envelope. Levi didn’t reach for it. He was grateful someone had saved him, but he would’ve preferred it be anyone else in this casino. The Gabbiano family were Chainers, and even if Harvey claimed he didn’t use his blood talent, Levi trusted Harvey and his crew about as far as he could throw them. “You don’t have to look at me like that. The favor is free.”
“Nothing is free,” Levi responded flatly.
“Would you rather I left you to die?” He flashed Levi a smile, and even if that smile didn’t meet his eyes, something about it was reassuring. Trustworthy. But Levi knew that was just Harvey’s talent playing tricks on his mind. He didn’t know Harvey well, but he suspected those effects were involuntary. He couldn’t help but charm.
And so Levi couldn’t help but distrust him.
Harvey pushed the envelope closer. “Take it. It’s not a favor for you. It’s a favor for someone else.”
Levi hesitantly accepted it. He tore open the envelope and pulled out a Shadow Card. His heart dropped as soon as he saw the silver foil, though to his mixed surprise and relief, it wasn’t the Fool.
It was the Emperor.
“You’re invited to join him in the ballroom,” Harvey said. He climbed to his feet and held out his hand to help Levi up. Once again, Levi didn’t accept the favor.
He shakily stood on his own. “Join who? What is this?”
“Haven’t you been wondering where your friends are?”
Levi’s stomach knotted. Jonas was gone—probably as good as dead. If the backup generator had been turned on, then a fair amount of time had passed since the lights originally went out. Jac and the others should’ve already infiltrated the casino, but they’d never made it inside. Something was wrong.
Harvey checked his watch. “You’re running late—”
Levi reached forward and grabbed a fistful of Harvey’s jacket. “Do you know what happened to them?” Levi growled.
For the first time, Harvey trulylookedat him. He wore a pained, apologetic expression, which, for all Levi knew, could be a trick, as well.
“You already know—Ivory betrayed them,” Harvey answered. “Now the casino is on lockdown. No one comes in. No one goes out.”
“Ivory betrayedus, you mean,” Levi countered. “You and Bryce were part of this, too.” Levi was in no condition to fight, but he would—if only to punch that slimy, panicked frown off Harvey’s face.
“It had to be tonight. He didn’t have a choice,” Harvey snapped at him. “She plans to kill him tonight.”
“Ivory?” Levi asked.
Harvey gave a bitter laugh. “Didn’t she already tell you? I thought you were her favorite.” He wrenched Levi’s hand off him and stepped away. “You’re needed in the ballroom. I have other Cards to deliver.”
He walked off toward the dressing rooms.
“Harvey! Wait!” Levi called, rushing after him, but Harvey ignored him and disappeared out the exit.
Levi cursed. He didn’t care about what Harvey’s words had meant. He just needed to find Enne, and they needed to leave.
Levi returned to the lobby and found it hauntingly still. The guests huddled together in groups, whispering in panicked voices. St. Morse staff stood in a barricade by the front door, and Levi hurried toward them.
