sit across from Puppeteer on another garishly painted crate.
He cannot be saying what I think he is.
This is a trap.
But do I have any other options?
No. I don’t.
“Go on.” Ringmaster placed his hands on his knees.
“This concept of a ‘vote’ is a ridiculous insult to everything I have suffered to protect her and our combined interests. She should have killed you when she had the chance. But no. She wants to be noble.” Simon scoffed. “What a childish concept when it comes to things like us.”
“What, then? You know I seek to destroy Harrow Faire.”
“Yes. And that’s fine. I don’t give a damn about the monster or anyone else who lives within it. I only care insomuch as it has to exist for me to exist.” Simon waved his hand dismissively at the park. “They can all rot in the void.”
“What is it you’re proposing, Simon?” Turk narrowed his eyes at the other man, as if by that scrupulous gesture alone he could uncover what kind of lies and trickery the Puppeteer was employing.
“It’s quite simple.” Simon smiled, a twisted and cruel expression. “Keep Harrow Faire alive for as long as I walk this Earth. Keep it on the edge of starvation, I don’t care. But let it limp along for however many years it takes for me to burn out and fade away. Then, do what you like.”
Turk shook his head. “You’re asking me to let this creature survive. To let it continue to live.”
“For now.”
“And what do I get in exchange?”
“Cora Glass as a porcelain doll.” Simon’s smile split into a vicious grin. “As she should have been from the very moment I saw her.”
Turk felt the blood drain from his face. He felt cold. He leaned back against the stack of crates behind him. “But…she loves you.”
“And I care about her. And therein lies the other problem I seek to solve, Ringmaster. I have feelings for her, and I cannot tell you how repugnant I find them.” Simon made a face and looked away. “My shadow, the foolish creature that it was, sacrificed itself for her. I lost a part of myself when you made me Sponsor her. I lost another part when my shadow couldn’t stand her suffering. I will not let her take any more of me away. So I will destroy her instead.”
“You’re a monster…”
“Isn’t that the point, though?” Simon shot him a sly smirk. “Aren’t we all?”
Turk went silent for a long time. It was a trap. He was certain it was. But what other choice did he have? None. Absolutely none. “Tell me how you think this plays out.”
“Very well. We play through Cora’s requested week. We let the members of Harrow Faire debate the value of their measly existences. If you win, you will condemn her to become one of my dolls. I, dutifully accepting defeat, will mourn the tragic fate of my lover.” He plastered the back of his hand to his forehead like a silent movie star.
“And if she wins?”
“I’ll snap her neck while she faces you down. She will not expect me to turn on her. I will declare myself righteously seeking the death of Harrow Faire, and I will turn her into my plaything all the same.” Simon grinned. “Clever, no?”
Turk wanted to be sick. His stomach churned at the thought of it. “She will hate you.”
“My dolls never hate me. No matter how unkind I am to them. They have no choice but to obey me. Besides…the act of cramming someone into one of my marionettes tends to rip large portions of their mind into pieces. I doubt she’ll even remember how she came to be that way.” Simon shrugged one shoulder. “It’s no concern of yours either way.”
“Why would I ever believe you? If you would betray the woman who loves you—the only person who has ever set foot in Harrow Faire who can even tolerate you—why would I trust you?”
“Two reasons.” Simon held up a single finger. “One, you can trust in my motivations. I am my only priority. By refusing to prioritize our existence over her morality, Cora is not only a threat to my continued life, but she is slowly chipping away at everything I stand for. She is a poison I would like to rid myself of once and for all.”
Simon paused then raised a second finger to join the first. “And two…” He grinned. “You have no choice. You are out of options. I heard your little overture to our