Page 63 of Alchemy of Secrets

There is a bench outside the Hollywood Roosevelt where a statue of Charlie Chaplin sits. Tonight, he had a companion, dressed like Mary Poppins. She sat on that bench straight and proper, in a manner that would have made the actual Miss Poppins proud.

The air had finally cooled to a temperature appropriate for November, which it officially was now.

But this woman didn’t shiver. She was used to waiting.

Usually, she was the one who made others do it.

But there was nothing usual about tonight.

Everyone at the Roosevelt had felt it—the strange pauses in time, the surges of energy, the feeling that perhaps this party wasn’t just smoke and mirrors—but no one had felt it more than Holland St. James.

“I don’t have the Alchemical Heart.”

The Professor peered at Holland from the bench. “I know. It’s past midnight now, officially November. The Heart will have gone into hiding again, until the next date on the list.”

Holland realized she knew something the Professor didn’t, but she only said, “You don’t seem upset.”

“Have I taught you anything, my dear? There are always magical objects to be searched for in the world.” The Professor primly pushed up from the bench. “May I offer you a ride?”

“I think I’m okay.” Holland was fairly certain she looked anything but okay, especially if you took a look at the back of her dress. But to her credit, the Professor tactfully refrained from mentioning it.

“Well then, I suppose this is goodbye for now, my dear. My job offer still stands. I can no longer promise you a very good ability, but I think you’ll still find it worthwhile.”

Holland was tempted to tell the Professor that she was no longer in need of an ability. In fact, she had to suppress a smile at the thought that she’d soon have one. She didn’t need a job at the Bank, and she meant to say as much, but “I’ll think about it” came out instead.

A number of things might have changed for Holland St. James tonight, but she still couldn’t quite close the door on a rabbit hole.