Page 73 of Queen of Volts

He met her stare with an intensity that matched her own. But it was the first time his facade of ease looked anything other than impeccable. “You should be careful when playing with shades. But you already know that, don’t you?”

Sophia didn’t have enough luck to beat Bryce’s game, but she certainly had enough to pick Harrison’s pockets. She’d done it before—when they’d first met, when she’d stolen his Lovers card for the sake of impressive theatrics. Without his protection and with Poppy’s ring, he would have to speak the truth. She could know if he was good or corrupt once and for all.

But it shouldn’t matter to her, she decided. Harrison had already used his omertas, and just because his every other action wasn’t despicable didn’t mean he could be redeemed.

“Have fun at your inauguration,” Sophia said flatly.

She left just as the waiter approached, asking Harrison if he would be dining alone.

ENNE

Enne perched on a bench in the Park District and tried not to dwell on her dream last night, but an embarrassed flush seemed to have permanently stained her neck and cheeks. She shivered, hugging her wool coat closer to herself, but it had nothing to do with the cold.

“’Lo,” came a voice behind her, and Enne yelped and whipped around. Levi glowered, but not at her—rather, at the deck of cards in his hands. He shuffled through them, once, twice, several times, as though preparing to deal a game of Tropps rather than take a stroll with her.

Enne peeked over her shoulder for any reporters lurking among the paths and trees. Charlotte had tippedThe Guillory Street Gossipoff earlier that Enne and Levi would be meeting for a “date” in a public park, but thankfully, they had yet to arrive and photograph Levi, acting sullen and looking anywhere but at her.

“This doesn’t have to be long,” Enne told him.

When he finally did meet her eyes, he glared. “Then we might as well get it over with.”

Enne reached into her pocket and clutched her tokens for support. She wouldnotapologize for using any means necessary to secure her pardon. Especially when her plan was no more precarious for him than touring parks and sampling cafés.

Enne stood up, her kitten heels sinking into the soft mud of the path, and hooked her arm around Levi’s. He silently slipped his cards away and led her through the manicured lawns of brittle winter grass and empty flower beds. Enne should have realized that even the South Side would appear bleak this time of year—Bellamy had been far more temperate.

“We should probably make conversation,” Enne said lightly. “It looks rather strange for us not to be talking, don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t given a script for what is and isn’t expected when you’re pretending to be—what’s the absurd word you used? Courting.”

“Please keep your voice down,” Enne hissed, casting furtive glances over her shoulder. “And would you have even agreed to this plan, had I suggested it beforehand?”

“No, because my feelings about it aside, I don’t think it will work.”

Enne disagreed. The articleThe Crimes & The Timeshad printed three days ago was exactly as she’d hoped. It’d painted her as Vianca’s blameless doll, and she’d looked as pretty as a doll, too, smiling or kissing in every photograph. Surely Levi, who knew every legend of New Reynes by heart, recognized the power of a good story.

But she didn’t want to bicker with him, worsening his mood and only making him hate her more. She might not have consulted him in this plan, but she’d prefer he didn’t hate her at all.

“And what are those feelings?” Enne asked delicately.

“That I’ve been reduced to a prop,” Levi snapped. “That my personal life has been sensationalized for public consumption. That we’re supposed to stroll around and smile and make small talk when I’d rather be anywhere in the city than with you right now.”

Enne cringed, knowing she deserved every word. But she wouldn’t have needed to resort to such measures if Levi had managed to negotiate her pardon, as he’d promised. They’d both failed their original plans. Certainly she could be forgiven for her last resort.

When she thought back to their kiss atThe Crimes & The Timesoffice, she chided herself for ever hoping that Levi felt any echo of their old feelings for each other in it. The ache of disappointment made her lips wobble slightly, but she would not cry—not here. This was her mess, and she did not deserve to use tears to make him feel worse.

Plus, it would spoil her plans if she cried here.

“Maybe we can talk about something else,” Enne offered, her steady voice betraying none of her hurt. “How are the Irons? How is Tock?”

Levi’s shoulders relaxed. “The Irons are fine—back to work, with their bounties and the curfew lifted. I haven’t seen much of Tock. She keeps to her room.”

“So Lola hasn’t contacted her?” Enne asked.

“It would seem not, after you almost killed her brother,” he answered tightly, and Enne felt another blow of guilt. How could Levi ever resent being here? She’d gifted him such a perfect opportunity to make her feel despicable, and she, too, had no choice but to smile through it.

As if beckoned by her thoughts, a camera flashed behind them, and Enne felt Levi’s grip around her arm tighten.

“Make me laugh,” Enne whispered.