Chapter 35

My phone rang as Tamarind and I finished our drinks. It was Sébastien. Since Sanjay hadn’t reappeared by the time we got back to the hotel, I’d left a message for Sébastien to see if he knew any more.

“He’s with me,” Sébastien said. “He understands now that he shouldn’t be alone. I offered to travel back to your hotel with him, but he wanted to come back to my inn.”

That confirmed it. Sanjay was avoiding me. I glowered at the closest person to me. Tamarind’s eyes grew wide.

“He stepped into the toilet for a minute,” Sébastien continued, “so I wanted to call.” He paused. “I’m worried about him.”

“Me too,” I said. Because I was about to kill him.

“He’s having trouble focusing,” Sébastien said, ignoring me. “He nearly broke one of his fingers today. I know there’s a lot going on, but he’s one of the most professional young magicians I’ve met over the years. Do you know what’s—mais alors. I must run.”

He clicked off.

“Why,” Tamarind said, pushing her barstool backwards, “does it look like steam is about to come out of your ears?”

“That’s weird,” I said.

“You’re going to have to be a bit more specific. Everything here is weird. In an oh-my-God-this-is-awesome way, I mean. Except for the murder. And sabotage. And theft…”

“Sébastien told me Sanjay was having trouble focusing. That’s what Hiro and Yoko told me as well.”

“I’d have trouble focusing if someone had recently tried to kill me.”

“Sanjay has performed under the most stressful circumstances I can imagine.”

Tamarind shrugged. “Maybe he’s better when the pressure’s on for real.”

  

An hour later, we were still talking when Sébastien walked into the bar.

“I thought you’d still be awake,” he said.

“You switched hotels?” I asked.

“No, but I wanted to see Sanjay safely home.”

“Where is he?”

Sébastien paused before answering. “He went straight to his room. Said he was tired.”

“I’ll be right back,” I said.

“Jaya, I don’t know if now is the best—” Sébastien called after me.

“Hi, I’m Tamarind,” I heard Tamarind introducing herself as I walked away.

I banged on Sanjay’s door until he opened it.

“You’re going to get us kicked out of the hotel,” he said, looking both ways into the hallway. His thick black hair stood on end.

“What’s going on, Sanjay?”

“I’ve lost it.”

“Lost what?”

“My magic.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m sorry, Jaya, but I can’t do this.” He began to close the door.

I put my foot in the doorway. “Don’t ignore me, Sanjay.”

“I told you I can’t do this.”

“Can’t do what? Act your age? Because you’re acting like you’re fifteen. Please talk to me.”

“I’ve never—I’ve never gotten together with anyone I—with anyone I—” He cleared his throat and let me into the room.

He picked up his bowler hat from the bed and flipped his hat onto his head. It landed askew and fell onto the floor. In the years I’d known Sanjay, I’d never seen that happen. We both stared at the hat as if it had sprouted wings.

“That,” Sanjay said, pointing at the hat, “is what I’m talking about. My magic is gone. Broken. Being held ransom. Something. I can’t do even the simplest of magic routines. I’m a mess.”

“Is it because—”

“I need to get some sleep,” Sanjay said, not looking at me. “I have a long day tomorrow. If I have any chance at pulling off this show, I have to.”

I felt wretched. I was sabotaging Sanjay’s magic career. We’d been so worried about a malicious man dressed as a ninja sabotaging his act—but with one kiss I’d done far more damage.

I slunk back to the bar.

Sébastien was looking haggard and bid us good night as soon as I arrived.

Once he was no longer in earshot, Tamarind grabbed my arm and leaned in close to me. “Jaya, I think I’m in love with a ninety-year-old gay Frenchman.”