The chandelier rattled harder.
“The spirits are ready to communicate,” she said, fluttering her lashes. “Now, what would you like to know specifically?”
The bootlegger popped his knuckles. “Will this next shipment set me over the top?”
The crystal throbbed with orange light. “My guides wish for me to consult with the cards.”
When she was younger, she had seen a woman use cards in secret to help people find guidance. The woman had pulled several for Esmeralda the second she spotted her. None of them had been encouraging. But at least she’d learned some tricks.
She grabbed her deck and began to shuffle. She shut her eyes and spoke in a language she’d made up to sound more enigmatic. The table shook.
“What’s happening?” the man said.
“The spirits have much to say,” she whispered.
A burst of cold fluttered her hair. The man gasped.
“They are ready to answer your question,” she said. “Hold out your hand.”
The man did as he was asked. She placed the card onto his skin. The enchanted ink needed contact with her customers to work. Esmeralda hummed and the table rattled louder. The air whipped harder, sending some of her deck flying. Her eyes flicked to the curtain and narrowed. Gabriel was using the wind machine too generously.
She pulled her attention back to the man in the wolf mask, who was practically salivating with excitement. A smirk pulled at her lips.I’ve got you right where I want you.She flipped the card over. The kaleidoscopic ink began to shift into the shape of a sleek-looking motorcar. The front hood popped open, and cash tumbled out like a waterfall.
“The spirits have spoken,” she said. “You will enjoy your spoils and be greater than the ones who came before you.” She added for good measure, because she knew these sorts of men liked to hear these sorts of things, “You are untouchable.”
Elation sparked in his pupils. She didn’t need to see the face behind the wolf’s mask to know he was thoroughly pleased.
She glanced at the tip jar on the table. Now would be as good a time as ever to remind him it was there, waiting to be fed a few more silver coins, but it was the man who spoke first.
“You know, I had my bet cast on the strongwoman act.” He suddenly stood. He dug his hand into his coat pocket before dropping a golden coin into the tip jar. Esmeralda held in her gasp. That single coin was worth seventy silver ones. She’d been so focused on it that she had missed what he’d just said.
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” she asked sweetly.
“I said, I plan on switching my betting card and placing you right at the top. Who can compete with someone who speaks to spirits?” He turned and stomped toward the door, which was already opening. Over his shoulder, he growled, “Don’t disappoint me, birdie.”
Gabriel’s head popped out from around the curtain. “What is he talking about?” he mouthed.
She shook her head.
“What sort of bet has been cast?” Esmeralda called after theman.
But he was already gone, and the two young women she’d seen earlier in the evening were entering, giggling and holding each other’s arms.
Esmeralda grumbled at their happiness. Perhaps she’d read their fortunes and tell them their love was doomed. That love was a lie. But she was too practical for that. A happy customer always paid best.
When the final guest had been conned, Esmeralda grabbed her cloak and whirled it over her shoulders.
“Where are you going?” Gabriel asked as he greased the door pulley.
“To the Big Top,” she said. “If I’m to be the next lead act in Carnival Fantástico, I’ve got to study my competition.” Under her breath, she added, “So I can outsmart them.”
1st of April, 1913. D+P: Age 10
To Esmeralda,
If you’d like to make a proper paper dove you must first:
1) Cut a piece of parchment into a perfect square.
