“It doesn’t matter,” Levi said quickly. “What’s important is that, when I spoke with Lola, it was like she’d found her information from the source. Like she’d bargained for it.”
It was a lot to process, and Enne couldn’t help but feel that she’d pushed Lola into this bargain. But even so, why bargain for Enne’s story? A knot contorted in Enne’s stomach when she considered the most logical answer: Lola wanted these secrets for revenge.
If Lola told the world, Enne might as well tear the Chancellor’s contract and throw its scraps into the Brint.
But if Lola had wanted vengeance, then what was she waiting for?
Enne cleared her throat again. “I should talk to Lola. I’ll—”
“I’ll find her,” Tock cut her off.
Narinder shot his cousin a pitying look. “But Tock... She doesn’t even remember you. She’ll remember Enne.”
“Remember hating her, you mean?” Tock shot back.
Enne cringed but didn’t correct her. She’d cost Lola her right ear. She’d nearly killed Lola’s brother. And even if Enne didn’t deserve her forgiveness, she couldn’t help but want to find a way to make things right.
And maybe that meant letting Tock speak with her now.
“If Lolaiswith the Bargainer,” Narinder continued, “then it’ll be dangerous—”
“Have you been listening? This isalldangerous.” Tock’s expression hardened. “I’m going. Don’t try to talk me out of it.”
“Fine,” Levi said quickly. “See what you can learn.Everyonesee what you can learn. We can’t afford to make mistakes. Some of our lives are tied together here.”
When Tock stood up to leave, Levi grabbed her by the sleeve of her military jacket.
“Tock,” he murmured, “just don’t die.”
Tock smiled weakly. “Don’t worry about me.”
She left, but while the others stood to follow, Enne remained numbly in her chair, trying to decide whether she’d made an enemy of her best friend.
“’Lo,” someone said beside her, and Enne looked up to see Poppy. Enne smiled genuinely—she’d missed Poppy these past few months. “You must’ve always thought I was pretty silly, when this is your real world.”
“I never thought that,” Enne told her seriously.
“Iwould have.”
“I didn’t want to lie. It’s just that—”
“You’re a Mizer and were the most wanted criminal in the North Side?” Poppy smirked and tilted her head to the side. “I’ll never understand why you wouldn’t share that withme, the most glamorous prima ballerina in New Reynes. The only rough around my edges is a mink trim.”
Enne laughed, then stood and hugged Poppy. The dancer squeezed back.
“I’m sorry about your father,” Enne told her.
“He was in over his head,” Poppy said softly. “I am, too. But I have smarter friends than he did.”
“You’re pretty smart yourself.”
“I can’t shoot like you, though. Where did you learn that? They don’t teach that in Bellamy.” Enne didn’t shoot anymore, but they’d shared too many grim words tonight to burden Poppy with those details. When Enne nodded at Grace, Poppy grinned deviously. “Maybe I can convince her to teach me. I happen to know a few South Side bachelors...”
“I don’t think she’s on the prowl anymore,” Enne said. They watched Grace and Roy bicker in the room’s corner. Enne cringed, knowing they were discussing Lola.
“And you’renotlearning how to sharp shoot,” Delaney grunted.
“Enne, this is Delaney, my overprotective girlfriend. Delaney, this is Enne, the—”
