Levi gaped. “Don’t you read the papers?”
“You’reabsurd,” Tock groaned from across the table.
“So was Ivory there?” Lola asked, craning her neck to see into the crowds. “I don’t see any Doves around.”
“Scythe came. She didn’t,” Levi answered.
“I still can’t believe what you promised them,” Jac said, shaking his head. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”
Levi frowned. “You used to have more faith in me. What happened to, ‘You’ll think of something. You always do’?”
Jac’s face darkened. “That was before the Shadow Game. Before you started keeping secrets and making bargains with half the city.”
“They’re all a means to an end,” Levi said.
“Yourend,” Jac snapped.
Enne watched them both with a furious intensity. “What are you talking about? What other bargains have you been making?” When Levi didn’t answer—didn’t knowhowto answer—she stood up. “You know, I believed you when you said you’d help me. But if you’re keeping secrets, I’m not sure why I’m still giving you chances. We’ve figured out everything we needed without you.”
Levi felt like he was trapped in an endless loop of games, and every time he came close to beating one, another began. It was wager after wager. If the other lords demanded Levi take revenge for the Guild, then he would do it. If Vianca asked him to bet Jac’s friendship on his success, he would do it. If Jac asked him to keep Enne at arm’s length, he would do it. Promises and secrets, promises and secrets. There seemed no way to help himself other than to hurt someone else.
And the last person he wanted to hurt was her.
Lying to Enne about Harrison was the right choice, he knew, but the longer she stood there—her expression changing from frustration to hurt with each passing heartbeat—he couldn’t help but feel like a coward.
“I hope whatever you want is worth it,” she growled at him. Then she stalked off in the direction of the bar.
If only she knew that of all the things he wanted, he didn’t want any of them as much as he wanted her.
Grace stood. “If a girl like that savedmefrom certain death, I’d at least kiss her.” She grabbed Lola’s wrist and pulled her up.
Levi winced. “Tell her—”
“Tell her yourself,” Lola snapped, and the girls stormed off into the crowd.
Levi took a deep breath. He’d deserved that. He slumped deeper into the booth and buried his head in his arms.
“Yeah... That got awkward.” Tock grabbed the drinks the girls had left behind and cupped them in her arms. “I’m gonna go, too.”
Once they were alone, Jac started, “When I asked... I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t,” Levi said, in the most even-toned voice he could manage.
But Jac did anyway. “I’m sorry about how it’s turned out, but I’m not sorry for asking.”
Levi’s skin heated with anger, but he didn’t respond. He understood why Jac had asked this of him, but he wondered if his friend knew how much it hurt.
Finally, he murmured, “How was last night?”
“I was offered a job.” Jac gave him a weak smile. “Didn’t take me long, huh?”
It was good news, but Levi still felt like he needed to muster up enthusiasm. “That’s great.”
A bartender stopped by, and behind him, Narinder. Before Levi could order, Narinder rested his hand on the bartender’s shoulder. “They’ll both have Gambler’s Ruins,” he said smoothly. Then he slid into the seat across from Levi where Enne had sat moments before. “Enjoying your night?”
Five minutes ago, Levi told himself,you were in a better mood. Five minutes ago he had called the night a success. He had plenty of cause to celebrate.
“Thank you,” Levi told Narinder. “And I’m sorry about this morning. It was selfish of me.” It was one apology, but he felt like he had dozens more to make.
