11
They sat side by side, not speaking as the streetcar lurched its way along St. Charles, taking them back toward Cyria’s mansion, then past it. Laura had tensed and then found she couldn’t relax even when nothing happened. She half shifted, opened her mouth, caught the curious gaze of the woman across from them, and pressed her lips back together. Laura waited until the woman noticed she was looking at her and then gave her a half smile that made her look away.
Archie didn’t move when the car made the turn onto South Carrolton, or when it looped around for the trip back. Slowly, all the passengers with them left, replaced by new people. Laura usually liked people watching, but it was as if she were locked in a sort of bubble that separated her from everyone but Archie. She could see th
