don’t like the Inversion either. Some people love it. They prefer the peace and quiet. But I like the bustle. I like doing the shows. It gives us something to do.”
“Besides drugs, alcohol, and each other,” Aaron chimed in. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
Cora shook her head. “You’re all just degenerates.”
“Hear, hear.” Aaron lifted his glass in salute.
A large figure walked into the tent and cleared his throat. It was Turk. His dark purple vest stood out against his cream undershirt and matching linen pants. He smiled at them all. “Hello, friends.”
“Ringmaster! Join us. We were just talking about how perverted we all are.” Aaron smirked. “Your favorite subject.”
Turk laughed and shook his head. “Sorry. I came to see if you might speak with me for a moment, Cora?”
She looked at him for a moment and thought it over. She nodded. It was time. They had to discuss what was happening, one way or another. She couldn’t avoid him forever. She nudged away from Jack, patted his knee, and headed toward Turk. “Sure. Let’s go for a walk.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” A warm and heavy hand fell on her shoulder. It was meant to be comforting. He was smiling at her like a friend—like a father.
He had never been cruel to her. He had never been unkind. He had only ever done what he needed to do. And she had to respect that. She headed out of the tent with him, and they struck off down the path and toward the rest of the Faire among the shuttered rides and empty stalls.
They walked in silence for a long time. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s asked me to kill you.”
“I know.” He gazed at the empty sky overhead. “Do you understand why I’m trying to destroy this monster?”
“I do. I think so, anyway.”
He smiled sadly. “I don’t want to die, Cora. I love Amanda with all my life. I care about the Family like you are all my blood. Even you. Even Simon. If we go, everything I care about in this world goes with it. But what we are…we are abominations. We go against the Almighty. We should not exist. And neither should Harrow Faire.”
She nodded and looked down at her feet. It was hard to keep eye contact with him. “I agree with you. But I also see everyone here, how…how happy they can be. What we can mean to each other. It’s hard to look at everyone in that tent back there and tell them they deserve to die.”
“None of us deserve to die. There’s what you need to come to terms with.” He stopped and, with a large hand on her shoulder, turned her to face him. “We do not deserve any of what has been done to us. But that does not mean we should be allowed to continue.” He crooked a finger under her chin and tipped her head up to look at him.
Between him and Simon, she was getting used to looking up at people.
He smiled gently at her. “I know you care for Simon. I know you do. You can’t trust him. He’ll turn on you the first time it’s convenient to do so. You’re a sweet girl to take such a man into your heart. He hasn’t known kindness from anyone since he set foot in this place.” He stroked a hand over her hair. “But he will betray you.”
“I know.” She sighed. “None of this is news to me. He’s already trying to figure out how to take the link to the Faire from me. He wants me to kill you.”
“That I’m still standing here alive means he hasn’t figured out how. And that you haven’t decided yet.” He started moving again, gesturing for her to follow him. “He can’t take it from you.”
She tucked her hands in the thin gray coat she wore. “I bet he can if he kills me. If he turns me into one of his dolls. The power has to go somewhere, doesn’t it?”
Ringmaster went silent and watched her for a moment. “It does.” He sighed. “I hope he does not resort to such a thing.”
“Ditto.” She shuddered. “I think I’d rather be dead than exist like that.”
“Good.” He paused, clearly measuring his words. “Cora, I cannot let you have the Key. I’ve come so close to finally stopping this creature once and for all. I will not give up.”
She nodded. The message was clear. You’ll take the Key out