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“She is out of the Enclave after curfew without a pass, and suspected of engaging in illegal behavior. She will be thoroughly questioned at the station.”

  “She has a pass. It was my oversight that I forgot to bring it. If you’ll walk with me down the block to my home, I’ll fetch it from my father’s office. Hopefully he’s not in there, drinking brandy with the mayor. I’d hate to interrupt them. Still, if you won’t take my word for it, I’ll have to get the pass and have my father or perhaps the mayor’s driver bring me to the station to deliver it to you. I assure you, it isn’t Miss Durham’s fault that she doesn’t have it.”

  Danny met the constable’s glare with a measured stare. The Red Leg flinched first. He looked away, dismissing Winnie as unworthy of notice as he returned to her the box. She took it from him, closing the lid and tucking it back under her arm. Holmes and the other officer paused, standing awkwardly in front of their car before the constable turned with a snarl and headed back to the patrol car. The second officer followed and killed the flashing lights once inside.

  The unmarked squad car backed up and Winnie could see Constable Victor Holmes glaring her way through the windshield. He was boiling mad. This was the second time Danny had forced him to back down, and it had to hurt the man’s pride. The car finished backing away from the curb and the wheel turned as the car accelerated away, racing down the street. It turned a few hundred yards down at a crossroad, and left Winnie and Danny alone on the corner.

  Winnie sighed, and realized she’d been holding her breath for a minute or so. She looked at Danny. “Are you alright? I’m sorry this happened. I didn’t know anyone would be following me.”

  “I’m fine,” Danny said, rubbing his stomach. “I think it’s going to leave a bruise for a while, though. He doesn’t like you, does he?”

  “I don’t think so, but I’ve no idea why.” Winnie looked at Danny in the dim glow of the overhead street lamp. “Did your father really have the mayor over for dinner?”

  “I don’t know. The mayor has come over before, so he could have been there tonight.” He grinned, much too wide for it to be the truth, and Winnie noticed again how his smile made a terrible situation seem so much better. She felt a flush creep across her face and was glad the overhead light wasn’t brighter.

  “The senator’s home is just down the street.” Danny pointed in the direction they’d been heading before being interrupted by the Red Legs. “Shall we continue and finish this important delivery?”

  “If it’s that close, I can continue on my own. I’d hate to cause you any more trouble.”

  “That’s crazy. What are you expecting that could be worse than running into those two goons?”

  “It’s just that, well, this delivery isn’t technically legal. If something else were to happen, you could get dragged into it with me. Plus, the senator will link you to this. He’ll think you’re in the Sable trade.”

  “Sable trade, hmm? Sounds exciting to me. I think I’ll join you, but thank you for being concerned. You know, if you’re looking for business, maybe I can connect you with other people in the neighborhood. Aside from my parents and a few other crazy Temperance movement types, most of the people here use magical charms of one sort or another. Everyone likes to keep up with the Joneses, you know. It could boost your business.”

  “I don’t have a business. I’m not a charm runner. This is a one-time favor for someone. And believe me, I’m sorry I took the job.”

  “All the more reason to have someone along with you. I promise to keep your secret. And besides, the senator is a creepy old man. He has a thing for younger women and might try something if you show up alone. It’ll be much better if I’m there with you.”

  Winnie thought about it for a moment then finally surrendered. She wasn’t sure how much was simple expediency and how much was her attraction to Danny. In the end, it didn’t matter. It made sense to bring him along.

  She nodded at her new friend and they continued up the street together.

  Chapter 16

  Danny’s abs still ached from the baton, but he ignored the pain, hiding it with his smile and a joke. Same as he handled most tender situations in his life. It had worked for him so far. Girls liked it when he smiled at them and Winnie was no different. He even caught a hint of her blushing in the dim streetlight back on the corner.

  This was the most excitement he’d had in a long while — two of the past week’s most exciting moments had both involved this girl and that Red Leg constable. He was intrigued to see where this all would end up and — if he allowed himself to admit it — he welcomed the interruption in his boring, privileged life. And this chanter was pretty, too.

  There was also the chance to get under his father’s skin. The man barely paid attention to him and Danny wanted to prove he could become a man of power and influence without leaning on the crutch of his name. This meeting with the senator was one way to do it. He didn’t like Danny’s father. The legislator had opposed the Temperance movement at every turn and, based on his father’s gloating about it when he came home from the club, the senator had been unsuccessfully attempting to get a new measure through the Senate that would dilute any power the Assembly had over magical control.

  The senator’s brownstone row house was close. There was an iron gate across the bottom of the stairs leading up to the main entrance. Danny held it open for Winnie as she entered and started up the steps to the Senator’s front door. He noticed her smile and grateful nod as she passed through. Danny smiled back.

  Winnie rapped the large polished brass knocker on the metal plate three times, then stepped back and waited.

  The door opened to a woman wearing a gray servant’s dress and a white apron. “Yes, how may I help you?”

  “I have a delivery for the senator.” Winnie help up the box.

  “You may give it to me and I’ll ensure that he gets it in the morning.” The woman reached for the box but Winnie pulled it back out of reach.

  “I’m sorry.” Winnie tucked the box back under her arm. “But we must deliver it directly to him.”

  Danny stepped forward. “I don’t know if you recognize me. I’m Danny Barber. I live down the street from here. The senator is waiting for this delivery. He’ll be angry if he doesn’t receive it tonight. Please tell him we’re here.”

  The woman looked at Danny as if working to recognize him, then opened the door wider and gestured for them to come inside. The woman had them stop at a small entry hallway and closed the door behind them.

  “I’ll tell the senator you are here,” she said. “What are your names?”

  “Just tell him that Jim Barber’s son and a friend of his are here to make a delivery. He’ll want to see us.” Danny waited until the woman left and leaned towards Winnie with a whisper. “I’ll handle this.” He reached out for the box, surprised when she handed it over without resistance, smiling as she did. Maybe he was having more of an effect on her than he thought. Or maybe this was the first time she’d ever been around so much money. That and the earlier encounter with the Red Legs probably had her feeling out of her league and indebted to him. Good.

  Danny thought about putting his arm around her, but decided against it.

  The maid returned, glancing at the box now in Danny’s hand. “Come with me.”

  He let Winnie go ahead of him, following the woman as she led them through to the main entry hallway, then up a flight of the grand staircase to the second floor. She rapped on a door around the corner from the landing, waited on a muffled reply from inside, then opened the door and stepped back to allow their entry.

  Once through the doorway, Danny stepped around Winnie, then forward to shake the senator’s hand. The older man was standing in front of a brown leather easy chair with a side table beside it. The table held a lamp and a brandy snifter full of a dark, smoky liquid. The senator wore wire-rimmed oval glasses perched low on his nose, and held a cloth-bound book in his hand. The room’s walls were covered in book shelves and there w
as a matching chair opposite the first one on the table’s opposite side.

  “Danny Barber, Mister Senator. It’s a pleasure to see you again. May I introduce my companion?” The senator nodded and Danny continued. “This is an accomplished chanter friend of mine, Winnie Durham. I helped her bring you this package tonight because I knew you needed them right away.”

  Danny handled over the small wooden box. This was the important part — his chance to curry favor with the senator and finally get out from under his father’s influence. He waited while the senator took then opened the box. The balding man looked from it to Danny, then to Winnie, before reaching inside and holding up the glasses with the thick dark plastic rims pinched between a thumb and forefinger.

  “What the hell is this?” the senator growled. “Is this your idea of a joke, boy? I see your father’s hands in this from start to finish. Where are my glasses?”

  “Sir, those are your glasses. This is the delivery you wanted. Miss Durham handed them to me herself. Winnie, have the senator’s glasses left your possession since you received them earlier this evening?” Danny looked at Winnie, silently pleading for some sort of explanation.

  Winnie stepped forward. “I can honestly say, sir, that your glasses have not left my person since I received them from Artos Merrilyn himself earlier this evening.”

  “Well, then there is a problem, because these are not my glasses.” He tossed the black-rimmed, plastic-framed lenses back in the box and handed it to Danny. Winnie spoke up again.

  “No, sir, they are not your glasses. These are your glasses.” Danny looked at Winnie, trying to mask his confusion. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a pair of wire-rimmed glasses that perfectly matched the Senator’s.

  He smiled, reached out to take them, then made a trade for his new, matching pair. The senator narrowed his eyes at Winnie through the lenses. “Tell me your name again, young lady.”

  “I’m Winnie Durham, sir. I was sent here to deliver those glasses to you.”

  The Senator continued to peer at Winnie, before turning his eyes on Danny.

  “And you, boy. Did your father send you here to trick me in some way?”

  “No, sir. I came to help out my friend, and seek an opportunity to meet you without my father around to cloud things.” Danny wasn’t sure why he was so forthcoming with the senator; it felt strange somehow, but he supposed telling the truth was always a fine idea.

  Again, the senator peered at Danny through the glasses. His face finally broke into a broad smile and wheezing chuckle, then finally a fit of coughing. Sitting as he struggled to catch his breath, the older man kept coughing.

  Danny noticed a pitcher of clear liquid with some glasses on a small table by the door. He hurried over, sniffed the pitcher to verify it was water, poured a glass, then took it to the senator.

  He accepted the glass with a nod, and sipped until his coughing settled. He set his glass beside the brandy snifter on the side table and looked up at them both.

  “You two make quite a team. You had me going there for a moment, what with the switch for those knockoff frames. Why did you do that?”

  Danny shook his head and pointed to Winnie. “It wasn’t me. It was all her idea.”

  Winnie smiled. “I know how those glasses operate. I didn’t want them falling into the wrong hands, so I borrowed the other glasses from Mr. Merrilyn’s assistant in order to provide a pair that would pass scrutiny if we ran into trouble. I knew that someone might try to steal or confiscate my package before I reached you. This way, I’d still have the glasses to pass on to you no matter what happened. I would like to have those others back, sir, so I can return them to the gentleman from whom they were borrowed.”

  “And did you run into trouble?” He handed the frames back to Winnie.

  “We did. Danny here helped me out, to his own detriment, I’m afraid. I was doing a favor for Mr. Merrilyn, settling a debt. Danny was just being kind.”

  Danny puffed his chest. “I was only lending my hand to an obvious injustice. Those Red Legs had no reason to stop you.” He turned to the senator. “As soon as I learned who the glasses were for, I brought her here.”

  “I see. I see.” The senator stood again. “I get the feeling that you and this young lady here would like something from me.”

  Winnie shook her head. “This has settled a debt for me, sir. I want nothing else. If you feel like you owe anyone anything I urge you to seek out Mr. Merrilyn and settle up with him.”

  “And you, Mr. Barber?”

  “I ask only that you keep me in mind for a future favor. I’m trying to work my way out from under my father’s influence and would appreciate the opportunity to call on you in the future if I need a small boon.”

  Danny waited as the senator eyed him. It was ballsy to ask for an unnamed favor, but this was a rare opportunity. He couldn’t believe Winnie had turned down the opportunity to gain a favor from someone as powerful as the senator. He would have to teach Winnie to capitalize on such things, and not turn down a sitting senator offering favors. The girl had plenty to learn if she expected to keep running illegal magic.

  “Very well, young man. I’m not in the habit of giving open favors, but between you and me, I’d like to stick it to your father. If helping you get out from under his thumb is a way to do that, so be it. If you need a favor in the future, within reason, I’ll do my best to fulfill it if I can.”

  The old man reached out and shook hands with Danny to seal their agreement.

  Danny felt ten years older.

  The senator said, “You haven’t asked for anything, because you’ve settled your account elsewhere with Artos Merrilyn. That kind of humility is out of place in this business, young lady, yet more than a little refreshing. Whether you want it or not, my offer extends to you as well. I don’t think I’ve seen the last of you, Miss Durham.” He looked back at Danny. “I suppose the two of you can show yourselves out?”

  “Yes, sir.” Danny caught Winnie’s eye and motioned to the door with a jerk of his head. “We’ll leave you to your endeavors. Thank you for your time.”

  Winnie followed Danny into the upstairs hallway, then they walked downstairs to the entry hall together in silence.

  The maid was waiting at the end. “Is your business with the senator finished?”

  “Yes,” Danny said. “We appreciate your help. Thank you.”

  She nodded, then opened the front door without a word. Danny took the hint. He gestured for Winnie to go first, then with a wink to the maid, he followed her out to the street.

  “Well, that was an adventure.” Danny tried on his very best smile once they returned to the sidewalk outside. He looked around at the empty midnight streets. “I can’t imagine sending you all the way home at this hour. There’s a spare room in our guest house. We could be alone there if you’d like.”

  Winnie spun on Danny, hands on her hips, brow furrowed in anger. “Mr. Barber, while I appreciate your assistance this evening, and you might be able to pull that sort of thing with some doe-eyed middling, I’ll not jump into your bed at the appearance of a crooked smile and handsome good looks from a boy who knows that he has them.”

  “So — ”

  “So nothing. I won’t sleep with you, no matter what you do.” Her refusal didn’t match a mouth that so clearly wanted to smile.

  “I’ll stop, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.” And he wouldn’t. Winnie was intriguing like no other fling. She started walking to the bus stop. Danny trotted behind her.

  Looking over her shoulder and half-smiling, she said, “I didn’t ask you to give up. I asked you to stop. Tonight. Understand?”

  Danny walked her to the bus stop, sure that he could hear her heart beating faster.

  Chapter 17

  The bus ride back to the Enclave gave Winnie time to consider her encounters in Assembly Hill. She’d known that such wealth and power existed — Winnie was untraveled, not naive. After a taste of power and an exhibi
tion of that power at work, she had a better sense of the corruption at the top. Magic was illegal, and yet the senator and Danny seemed oblivious. They saw Constable Holmes as insignificant, same as they probably saw her before today.

  But now she was … what?

  Not one of them. No, not that.

  They saw her as a useful ally in their power plays, sitting atop the city’s legal and societal structure. Winnie had seen some of how the trade in power worked, both in how she had been manipulated by Artos and in the way favors were traded for services rendered.

  Winnie wasn’t sure how she would ever use a favor from a lecherous old senator. It was unlikely she’d ever see him again. And yet, part of her wanted to walk in those circles after seeing how others lived. It would change everything for both her and her mother.

  Winnie had rarely thought about all she lacked growing up. Mom had raised her to count her blessings, work hard, and live a good life. Until recently, that had always been good enough for the two of them. Now things were so different. If she had a chance to live the kind of lifestyle she’d glimpsed tonight, she would never have to worry about how she would pay for her mother’s medicine, or deal with bullies like Holmes.

  She looked around the bus at the few other late night passengers, servants to the rich and powerful, relegated to live their lives in their masters’ shadows. She didn’t want that, and now that she knew they were hungrier for magic now more than ever, she had a shift in her world view and how she might fit in. Now Winnie could help others get a taste of that life as well. If wouldn’t be easy, and wasn’t without risks, but she saw a future path she’d never dreamed of walking before, and liked what she saw underfoot.

  The bus lurched to a stop and pulled Winnie from her thoughts.

  “Last stop for the night,” the bus driver called to his straggling passengers. “Have a good evening.”

  Winnie nodded to the driver as she stepped off the bus. Noting her surroundings, as she always did when walking the Enclave at night, Winnie noticed the black limousine parked on the curb not far away. It would’ve been out of place in broad daylight, and was doubly so at this hour. She wondered who was slumming in the chanter ghetto when the driver’s window rolled down.