“Let’s play, then,” Levi said. He dealt everyone a classic game of Tropps, starting with three cards. “I bet you all have a few questions. Tommy, you play first. What’s on your mind?”
Tommy reddened at being singled out. He was Levi’s age, clumsy and awkward, but with a face so pretty that everything he did seemed charming. He could even make cheating look endearing.
Tommy took his cards. “I’m wondering what happened to Chez Phillips.”
Levi had been prepared for this question, of course. He’d practiced his forced smile in the mirror this morning. “Chez got in over his head.” Levi handed the next player a card. “Stella, do you know how many clients we work with full-time?” When Stella shook her head, he moved on to the next player. “Hwan, any idea what we charge as fees? Do you know what you get paid per hour? How much of your earnings go to the gang?”
“I keep seventy percent,” Hwan said uncertainly.
Levi licked his fingers and dealt Mansi the next card. “Nice try. You keep eighty percent. So, Mansi, our client lists, our fees, our contracts, our profits. Do you know whodoesknow the answers to all those questions?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You do.”
“That’s right.” He tapped his temple. “I do.” The others gave small, approving nods.
Linton didn’t wait for the next question prompt. “We heard you helped kill the Chancellor. That’s what they’re saying, isn’t it?”
Levi fiddled with a chip on the table, trying to stay casual. As good as his poker face was, it was hard to fake that smile, to pretend he didn’t still hear the time ticking down when he closed his eyes, didn’t still feel the weakness of draining his life into those orbs. Three days later, those memories still felt fresh.
But the Irons didn’t want to hear about that. They wanted a tale of bravery and glory—a real-life legend. So Levi leaned forward conspiratorially, shaping his mouth into a grin. “Have you ever heard of the Shadow Game?”
Each of their eyes widened. Of course they had. It was one of the many legends whispered on the streets of the North Side; a legend shrouded in equal parts awe and fear.
Levi continued to deal the cards as he talked. “The Phoenix Club claims that the players always lose.” He nodded for the other players to keep going, keep betting. They did so, but they weren’t really paying attention to their cards. They kept their gazes fixed on him. “The stories were right about everything except that, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
“You beat the Shadow Game?” Mansi asked incredulously.
Levi reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a gleaming silver Shadow Card: the Fool. He threw it in the center of the table, but none of the others dared to touch it. Everyone held their breaths.
“Why are we called the Irons, Tommy?” he asked.
Tommy blinked—he’d still been gaping at the card. “Because we fix games. We’re mechanics. Cheats.”
Levi nodded. “That night, I didn’t just cheat the odds—I cheated death. And now Semper is rotting in a grave, and I’m here.” He raised his arms, indicating the entire building. His palace.
“And Séance?” Stella asked. “The papers said she was there, too.”
“Are you rivals now?” someone behind her asked.
“I heard she’s as deadly as Ivory.”
“I heard sheisIvory.”
Levi pursed his lips. Maybe this entire time, he’d just needed to don a mask in order to fashion himself a legend.
“Séance is a new ally,” Levi said. “And this is the part where you listen closely.” They leaned in further, some standing up off their seats. They might’ve all been charmers and smooth talkers, but Levi was the one who’d taught them, and he was the best of them all. “You heard about what happened at the Orphan Guild, right?” They nodded. “Eight gangsters dead. Before we focus on volts or glory or anything, we need to focus on staying alive.”
Levi stood up, and they trailed after him as he walked back to the stairwell. He pointed upstairs. “I’m sleeping in the back room of the second floor.”
They blinked at him. “You’re staying here?” Linton asked.
“I’m done at St. Morse. I want to be here, watching over Olde Town, watching over you.”
They shared appreciative glances. Even Mansi gave him a smile.
“There’s some work to be done,” he continued. “Rooms to clean. Things to buy. Dens to talk to. When we’re not on our shifts, I want everyone here. Not only do we want this place to be habitable, we want it to be safe. This location stays secret. Watches around the clock. Olde Town has always been our claim, but now we have a home.” After a pause, he added, “Well? What are you waiting for? Go check it out.”
While the others scattered to explore the rest of the museum, Tock hung back. “Impressive show,” she said, yawning. “It was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”
