Enne thought of her meeting that morning with Levi and soured further. “Maybe I am.”
They descended the steps and waited along the platform.
“If you could buy anything you wanted, what would it be?” Enne asked her.
Lola narrowed her eyes. “Why do you ask?”
“I’ve just been thinking about it lately.”
“Well, you shouldn’t. It’s—”
“Only a question.” Enne leaned her head back, smiling to herself wistfully. “I bet I can guess it. You strike me as a Houssen girl. In silver? In—”
“In black,” Lola answered quickly. This was clearly a fantasy she’d already given some thought. “Are you trying to buy my contentment for some reason? Because we should really be discussing the plan for today. You said Levi would—”
“There is no plan,” Enne responded. “I’d hoped Levi would have one, but he didn’t.” Her voice dripped with resentment. At least she’d learned her lesson: if she wanted something in New Reynes, then she needed to learn to depend on herself.
The train sped its way to the platform in a rush of wind, saving Enne from having to look at Lola’s undoubtedly frustrated expression. They claimed seats in a shadowed corner of the train. Advertisements by the doors featured perfumes held by famous opera stars and prima ballerinas of the South Side, or the address of a real estate agent selling “Once in a Lifetime” properties on the up-and-coming New Reynes boardwalk.
“Then what were you and Levi doing all morning?” Lola hissed. “No, no, I don’t actually want to know.”
“It wasn’t like that,” Enne said, flushing. “But I’d rather not talk about it.”
“So that explains the mood,” Lola remarked. “Regardless, you can’t be distracted. Not today. In fact, we need to bevery,verycareful. I don’t like Bryce on a good day, and after what happened at the Guild, he’s distraught.” She looked around the train car nervously, as though Bryce might’ve been able to overhear. “And he’s not typically a stable person.”
The more she heard Lola speak of Bryce, the more the prospect of this meeting intimidated her. “Tell me more about the Guild?” Enne asked.
“It works like a temp agency,” Lola explained. “If you’re interested in work, Bryce will find it for you, whether it’s with the gangs or otherwise, temporary or permanent. Bryce sets the price of each guildworker based on their talents and various skills. Two thirds goes to the worker, and one third goes to him.”
“Why give a portion of your earnings to Bryce when you could find a job yourself?” Enne asked.
“Some people aren’t looking for steady work. And some places only hire from the Guild, like the Doves. Expect a lot of assassin hopefuls there.”
Enne nervously tucked her ruffles into her sleeve. Maybe everyone else’s jokes were right. Maybe shewasabout to be eaten alive.
Lola drummed her fingers on the metal seat. “So we have no idea how to earn an income. No idea what sort of talents we’re looking to hire. No place for them to live—”
“I want to find a place in the Ruins District,” Enne told her.
“By tonight?” Lola asked with exasperation.
“Well, I don’t want to bring them to St. Morse. Can’t they stay with you?”
“I live in a studio. I’m not hosting some would-be killer for a slumber party in six hundred square feet.”
“Who said they have to be a would-be killer?” Enne asked.
“Well, it’s not like you’re going to find a lady,” she muttered, piquing Enne’s irritation. “I’ve convinced Bryce you’re some aspiring street lord, and so you’ll need to act like it. For starters, we need a trademark. The Irons have tattoos—”
“I already have that covered,” Enne said hotly, pulling two pairs of lacy, cream-colored gloves from her purse. “Let me guess, you hate them.”
“These are...ridiculous,” Lola sputtered with exasperation. “They’ll stain. A bit of dirt, a bit of blood—”
“Well, then,” Enne replied, her voice weary with fatigue and nerves. “Don’t get blood on them.”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, as they wove through the Deadman District’s maze of alleys, Enne slipped on the black silk mask that she hadn’t worn since the Shadow Game. She and Lola walked the path side by side, dressed all in black except for the whites of their gloves and the bits of blue ruffle peeking out from Enne’s jacket. As they approached the end of the street, Enne suddenly wished she’d listened to Lola’s advice and changed her shirt.
