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Chapters (29)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Notice
  3. Dedication
  4. Author’s Note
  5. In Which I Face Bandits and Butlers
  6. In Which I Land Amongst Mechanics
  7. In Which I Land Amongst Magisters
  8. In Which My Position Becomes Unexpectedly Precarious
  9. In Which I Am a Rescuer and Am Rescued
  10. In Which I Receive Multiple Invitations
  11. In Which I Sample Strong Drink, Strange Music, and Steam
  12. In Which I Get Blood on My Hands
  13. In Which I Overhear Valuable Information
  14. In Which I Attempt Persuasion
  15. In Which We Face Young Criminals and Traitors
  16. In Which Things Do Not Go According to Plan
  17. In Which the Fight Moves Uptown
  18. In Which I Reassess Many Things
  19. In Which I Gain a New Perspective on the City
  20. In Which I Assist Robbers and Revolutionaries
  21. In Which I Discover a Dreadful Deception
  22. In Which the City Falls Under a Shadow
  23. In Which an Errand Takes a Dangerous Turn
  24. In Which I Am Reunited with an Old Acquaintance
  25. In Which We Enter the Lions’ Den
  26. In Which We Must Lighten the Load
  27. In Which I Must Decide My Future
  28. About the Author
  29. Newsletter Sign-up

With some trepidation about being so forward with my employer, I grabbed his arm and gave him a sharp pull, just before he fell into the arms of a naked marble woman. He blinked at me over the top of his glasses, then pushed them up his nose with his forearm. “Oh dear, you seem to have rescued me from a rather improper embrace, Miss Newton,” he said with a rueful smile. “I’m afraid my glasses slipped, and I’m quite blind without them.” I thought that if he’d been the one with me in the park, he’d have fallen headlong into the carriage’s path and we’d both have been killed. “And now I’d better take care of this specimen.” He started for the stairs, paused, then turned back to me. “Once you get Rollo this afternoon, you’ll be free until dinner. I’ll be teaching the children their magic lessons.”

*   *   *

After I had Rollo safely home and in no danger of being seduced by a nonmagical girl or—more likely—running away to join the Rebel Mechanics, I went to my room. I hardly knew what to do with myself in all this spare time. I supposed it was the perfect opportunity to read my novel.

I settled onto my bed with my book, but I couldn’t concentrate on the story. My mind kept returning to that afternoon in the park. I took Alec’s handkerchief out of my pocket and held it to my nose to see if I could detect any trace of his scent, since that was an element missing from my memory. Unfortunately, it didn’t smell like anything that reminded me of him, but I hid it in the drawer of my nightstand anyway. Even if I never saw him again, I’d have that memento of my adventure.

I tried to return to my book, but my thoughts still strayed. I finally gave up and closed my eyes to relive the moment—his arms around me, his eyes meeting mine, then later him smiling at me and his eyes flashing with passion when he discussed his cause.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when a wave of power washed over me, heightening every one of my senses and setting my nerves on fire. If I hadn’t been lying down, I might have fallen. I shivered and burned as if with fever, and the sensation came in intense waves.