The Faire (Harrow Faire #5) - Kathryn Ann Kingsley Page 0,10
easier in a strange way. She could just…talk. And not have to see those black-red-white eyes watching her.
“I suppose there’s something alluring about the darkness. Something seductive. Something about the danger that’s just…enticing.”
“No, that’s why you fuck us. I’m not asking that. I’m asking why you love him, Cora. What could possibly be worth caring for in something so broken, so twisted, and so violent?”
She shut her eyes again. “He makes me smile. Do you know I haven’t really been happy once in the past five years of my life? And who knows for how long before that? I didn’t…have a life. I didn’t have value. I was a waste of air and flesh sitting behind a counter counting coins and cashing checks. But he saw in me something worthwhile. Something valuable.” She wasn’t just talking about his shadow. She suspected he knew that. “Even if it was just as a snack.” She chuckled. “It was the first time anyone since Duncan had ever looked at me and…wanted me.”
“Yes, but—”
“Shush.” She nudged him again. “Let me talk.” When he didn’t interrupt her again, she continued. “He’s funny. No, correction—he’s hysterical. I find myself unable to stop smiling around him, even if I know I shouldn’t encourage it. Sure, he’s wicked. And dark. And violent. But there’s also such a beauty inside him. He’s insightful. He sees through people’s nonsense even if he only does it to make fun of them. No one could paint and draw the world around themselves so wonderfully without that kind of perception. He sees the world in all its grotesque elegance. And there is such pain there, deep inside him, that it makes me want to reach out and just…make it a little less awful for him. He’s lonely, and so was I. He’s kind to me. He worries about me. He’s considerate in the strangest of ways. That’s why I love him, Simon.” She smiled faintly. “And that’s why I love you.”
Simon was silent for a long time. “Cora…I—”
The flap of the tent pulled aside as Turk, Amanda, and Jack walked in. Simon chuckled. “Oh, good. Now the fun can truly begin.” He straightened his back, and it pulled on the ropes around her, and she grunted again in pain. “Where are the others? Shall we begin the trial, fat man?”
Turk towered over them, in his full Ringmaster regalia. Dark eyes met hers. They were cold and hard. There was no sympathy, no empathy…and no forgiveness to be found in them. “There will be no trial.”
“Wh—what? Wait!” Simon sputtered. “There’s always a trial. You can’t—it’s against the rules—”
“You and Cora have been plotting against me and the Family in secret. Any chance to speak to them will be used to cause more unrest. I will not give either of you that chance.” Still, Turk was watching Cora. “I am sorry, Ms. Glass. I am very sorry.”
“Jack—Amanda—you know me.” Cora struggled against the ropes. She didn’t know what waited for her in the tower, but she knew it wasn’t going to be good. “Please! Give me a chance to explain.”
“Gag them both,” Turk instructed Amanda and Jack. “Kill them again if you have to. We need to make this quick.”
Jack walked up to her and crouched beside her, a bandana in his hand. He frowned at her. “Is it true, Cora? Is it really true? Were you plotting to kill Ringmaster?”
“I—yes—but—Jack, he’s…he’s trying to kill us all. He’s trying to kill the Faire. I promise you, I’m just trying to save everyone.” Maybe if she could convince Jack, everything would be all right. She’d tell the Rigger the whole truth, and then he’d set her free. “I’m begging you, please, listen to me.”
Jack smiled at her sadly. And then her heart, which had inflated just a little bit in hope, sank into her stomach.
He knew.
Jack knew.
“We shouldn’t exist, Cora…I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry you don’t understand.” He tied the gag around her head and shoved the fabric into her mouth. She didn’t fight it. There was no point. There was no one there who could help her.
Simon didn’t go as quietly. He struggled and thrashed, swearing and cussing at Amanda as she tried to gag him. She heard a sickening crunch from behind her and knew Amanda had broken the Puppeteer’s neck.
But Cora didn’t bother fighting. What could she do against Jack, Ringmaster, and Amanda? Nothing. She was bendy. Great. She was powerless, and with her hands lashed together in front of her, she