Before she could respond, he sidestepped her and hurried down as though he couldn’t escape fast enough.
Her knuckles tightened at the memory as she fanned out the loose collar around her neck after lifting a toolbox. Already she’d worked up enough of a sweat to take off her coat and tie back her hair, when the doors of the show hall opened with a large, creaky echo into the room. Kallia turned at the sound of footsteps making their way into the theater.
“As you can see,” Mayor Eilin said, leading the pack, “the changes are quite extensive.” He gestured across the sea of red velvet seats, and the canvas-covered theater boxes along the walls. When he pointed toward the stage, he faltered at the sight of Kallia.
Behind him, a new crowd filed in, making their way around the workers and labor magicians. Judges Bouquet, Armandos, and Silu were all in tow, in their morning top hats and coats. Demarco stood impassively among them, Janette at his elbow. A few others she didn’t recognize, in glossy fur coats and arms linked with Erasmus Rayne, the only face that lit up at her appearance. “Darling, what are you doing here?”
“Exactly what it looks like.” Kallia wiped the dust on her hands against her pants.
The mayor gave a tight purse of his lips. “How charitable of you to offer your … talents. Especially so close to showtime.” His dour expression brightened when he pivoted back to his guests. “Our magicians have their methods of preparing. Some choose to conserve their energy, whereas others squander it.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t call this squandering, Mister Mayor,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “The key to keeping your magic in shape is to never let it rest too long.”
It was a lesson Jack had drilled into Kallia since she’d first started practicing with him. Though magic took its toll when overused, it was a muscle that required exercise and care.
“One girl’s philosophy.” Judge Armandos gave a lackadaisical stroke of his beard. The other judges chortled.
“Sure, it’s one philosophy,” Kallia countered with a cutting smile. “I’m certain your other magicians practice their own, putting their time to good use with wild nights at the bar—”
“Now, now, now,” Erasmus interjected. “Play nicely, kittens. Don’t want to scare off my guests before they’ve even had a look at the place.”
“It would take a bit more than a little bite to scare us off,” said a woman in a black fur coat that hung off her like thick molasses. She didn’t seem the Glorian type, with her bright lip color and chain-strung jewels dangling in mounds around her neck. She tilted her head up at Kallia, more with intrigue than distaste. “Are you in the show, miss? A magician?”
“The only female magician in the competition,” Erasmus boasted with far too much victory. “Do say you will stay for the next show night, my gem. You should really see her perform, she’s absolutely marvelous. Like something from another world…”
Kallia combed her fingers over her limp hair as Erasmus continued advertising her like a prize up for auction. There could only be one reason why.
“Please join us, Kallia! I’m giving some of my old acquaintances from New Crown a tour of the Alastor Place.” His grin stretched so widely, it was a wonder his cheeks didn’t crack from the pressure. “They also have a … keen interest in the success of Spectaculore, I’m sure you understand.”
Investors. They were different from the ones Kallia was used to seeing at Hellfire House, who’d drunkenly sling themselves over card tables. These people appeared refined, their sharp eyes hunting for potential.
“We are giving a tour,” the mayor cut in. “Our young magician seems to be quite busy, so if we could—”
“Not at all. You caught me at a perfect time.” Kallia jumped off the stage, landing cleanly on her feet. “I was about to take a break.”
“Splendid!” Erasmus crowed, while the mayor scowled. The only one who looked more displeased was his daughter, whose frown pinched her delicate face.
“Are you sure you don’t want to freshen up first?” Janette viciously inspected Kallia’s appearance: a pair of black pants tucked into knee-high scarlet boots, and a baggy white shirt cinched with a black-belted sash. A little dust and sweat from hard work, but Kallia didn’t mind them. Even though it seems to bother the others for some outrageous reason.
“I’m sure.” Kallia brushed her fingers against one of her sweat-dampened sleeves. “Though