“Like a gambling hell for magicians?” Doubt crossed Celine’s face as she resumed measuring Odette’s arms and shoulders.
“I wouldn’t call us magicians,” Odette replied. “We prefer to be called illusionists or mentalists.”
Pippa nodded. “I saw a performance by a mentalist once, just outside of London. He turned water into ink and transformed a bouquet of lilies into a bevy of doves.” She paused. “Do your members also give performances like that?”
“Some of us do.” Odette raised a shoulder, eliciting a wordless rebuke from Celine. “But most of us simply choose to meet here in safety to hone our craft.” She paused. “It’s a blessing we’ve been provided with such a space. There was a time before when things were not quite so . . .” A shadow darkened Odette’s countenance as her voice faded into nothingness. Then she grinned brightly.
Celine took in a careful breath while she worked, her doubts growing. Something about the girl’s explanation troubled her. It felt familiar. The kind of explanation Celine had been wont to give as of late—a skeleton of the truth. “What kind of mentalist are you?” she asked, her tone nonchalant.
“One who divines the future,” Odette said matter-of-factly. “The ancients called it stargazing, but the mystics in the Quarter refer to us as soothsayers.”
Pippa’s rosebud lips fell open. “Then you already know everything that will happen? Everything I will do or say?” She glanced about with obvious discomfort. “Even what I might be thinking or feeling?”
Odette’s shook her head. “I know what may happen, depending on the choices you make.”
“Just by”—Pippa swallowed—“looking at me?”
“No. Physical contact is necessary for me to divine things with any measure of clarity.”
During this exchange, Celine had kept silent for fear she would speak out of turn. She paused to take note of the final measurements, but disbelief flared hot in her veins when she recalled how Boone had claimed to taste the flavor of her lies. Such things are not possible, her mind screamed, demanding attention. Her heart, however, knew better.
Celine could not deny she’d been in the presence of something otherworldly tonight, here at Jacques’. Moreover, she recalled her first encounter with Odette this afternoon. How Odette’s gaze had widened infinitesimally when Celine had taken her hand.
The soothsayer had seen something, even in that briefest of interactions.
Captivated by the prospect of such knowledge—of such power—Celine discarded the measuring ribbon, her pencil dropping from her lips. She knew it was a risk, but she simply had to know if Odette had uncovered any of her secrets. “What did you see?”
Pippa turned toward her, confused by the question.
Odette met Celine’s gaze, her expression knowing. “What do you mean?” Her voice sounded deceptively innocent.
“This afternoon,” Celine continued without batting an eye, “when you took my hand, what did you see?”
Odette’s smile turned fierce. “I only caught flashes of possibility. The lace obstructed my view.” She held up a gloved hand. “Annoying, but necessary. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s real when you’re lost in the stars.”
Celine stood taller. Then held out her hand, her gaze steady, determined to learn whether or not Odette possessed any damaging information. “Please tell me what you see. I’d like to know.”
As she had earlier today, Odette canted her head in contemplation. “Are you quite certain, mon amie? Knowing what might happen is not the same as preventing it from happening.”
Celine nodded. “I’m certain.”
Odette removed the kidskin glove on her right hand. Without hesitation, she wrapped her cool fingers around Celine’s palm and closed her eyes. Her smile softened.
“La dompteuse des bêtes,” she murmured after a moment. Her eyes flashed open, laughter tingeing her tone. “Je le savais!” she congratulated herself.
“The tamer of beasts?” Celine translated, her expression one of puzzlement. “I don’t understand.”
Odette did not answer. Her lips began to purse as if she’d consumed something sour. She swallowed carefully, her eyes squeezing shut once more. Whatever she saw now caused her unmistakable consternation.
Pippa gnawed at her lower lip. Unease trickled down Celine’s spine like a bead of slowly dripping sweat. She gripped Odette’s hand tightly, noticing how much warmer her skin felt with each passing second. “What?” she whispered. “What is it?”
All at once Odette pulled away, yanking her palm from Celine’s grasp. Her brown eyes flickered open, their darkened centers large, shimmering, out of focus. “I couldn’t . . .” She trailed off, momentarily disoriented. Then she straightened like a soldier and shot Celine a dazzling smile. “I’m sorry, mon amie, but portions of your future were too murky for me to divine.”
Celine did not believe her. “What does that mean?”
Odette shrugged. “It means the course of your life has yet to be plotted.” Her laughter resembled bubbles of champagne, light, frivolous, full of air. “But don’t fret. We can try again soon, I promise.”
Celine swallowed her retort. Odette’s brand of magic was not as impressive or as helpful as she’d hoped it would be. It was also possible the girl was deliberately concealing what she’d seen. Neither option sat well with Celine, but it would be impolite to pursue the matter further in public.
As though nothing had transpired, Odette shifted her attention to Pippa, her ungloved hand held out before her. “Would you care to try?”
Pippa took a step back. “Please don’t be offended, but I’d rather my future remain a surprise.”
Another round of airy laughter burst from Odette’s lips. “Smart girl!”
“But,” Pippa said, her features knitting with confusion, “I am curious about how it works. Is it a skill with which you are born, or one you must cultivate?”
Odette tilted her head from side to side, wordlessly balancing her thoughts like weights on a scale. Before she responded, she donned her glove once more. “Many of the women in my family were gifted with the second sight. This place has given me a chance to cultivate this gift without judgment or expectation. For those like me, it’s the only safe haven we’ve ever had.” Her grin turned sad before she brightened the very next instant. “Truly, this is a place unlike any other.”
“Kassamir called it La Cour des Lions,” Celine said.
“The . . . Heart of a Lion?” Pippa attempted to translate.