by Trudi Jaye
But the fact that Tilly was returning because she’d found something so monumental, so important, that she didn’t have to stay at the Carnival anymore? Veronica didn’t know what to think about that. She didn’t trust Tilly and only knew she was doing what she was told because of the powerful curse magic blocks she’d placed on the girl and the continual threats to Kitten that Daphne applied so skillfully. So what the hell was she doing now? This wasn’t part of the plan. She was supposed to infiltrate them, stay there as a mole until Veronica told her to leave.
“What did Tilly say to you on the phone, darling?” she asked Kitten.
“She said she loved me.”
“Anything else?”
Kitten shook her head. “Nope. Just that I shouldn’t worry.”
“And are you worried, Kitten?” said Veronica softly.
“No.” Kitten shook her head, then paused. “Can I see Marco now?”
Veronica tightened her hand into a fist. “He’s not feeling so well today. Maybe another time.”
“He asked to see me. He says I make him feel better.”
Veronica glanced behind her to the door that led to the quarters where she lived with her brother. He couldn’t leave his bed and these days could barely open his eyes. But somehow, he could communicate with Kitten. A little voice inside her said it should have been her that Marco talked to. The last time she’d heard him say a word had been at least five years ago. She missed him. He was deteriorating, and keeping him alive was taking everything she had.
Which was why she needed more. Destroying the Jolly Carnival would gain her the kind of curse magic power she’d only dreamed of so far. She controlled a circus and the people in it. But once she’d destroyed the Jolly Carnival, she’d be able to bring her brother back to the real world, to make him the superstar he’d always been destined to be. It was everything she’d worked for all these years. She’d selflessly given up her own dreams and ambitions to fix what her parents had done to her brother.
She glanced at Kitten. “Fine. If he wants to see you, go. But I’m coming to get you in half an hour.”
Kitten ran to the connecting door without another word.
Veronica just watched her go, tapping her fingers on the white desk.
She thought back to the beginning of her conversation with Kitten. Missy was a problem. Becky had told her she’d seen Missy leaving Zeph’s room this morning, and now she was trying to interfere with Kitten’s show.
Veronica had noticed a small amount of instability in her protection over the village as well. Missy and Zeph’s arrival was the only thing that had changed in the time since it had happened.
There was no reason to tolerate it. If Missy continued to be a problem, then she would deal with it appropriately.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Zeph rolled over in his bed and looked at the ceiling, wondering when his life had gotten this good.
He’d found his mother, he could see a fantastic career ahead of him here at The Experiment, and he had a great boss. Even Missy, who he used to think didn’t even like him that much, had spent the night in his room. He glanced over at the empty space next to him. Well, most of the night.
He couldn’t quite remember what had drawn her into his room, but he remembered holding her close as they went to sleep, and that was enough.
A knock sounded on the door, and he groaned to himself. “Yeah?”
“Veronica would like to see you in her office,” said Lorenzo from around the door, his stern face frowning down at Zeph.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.” He wondered what he’d done to piss off the Italian Ringmaster.
“Be fast. She’s in a mood.”
Zeph leaped out of bed. He wondered what could be the matter with Veronica. He hoped it was nothing serious.
He was soon knocking on the door of Veronica’s office. Lorenzo hadn’t returned yet, so Veronica herself answered his knock.
“There you are, Zeph. I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever get here.” Her voice was soft, but Zeph tensed. Her eyes flashed in a way that unsettled him.
“How can I help, Veronica?” he asked.
“Your friend Missy is causing disruptions. I need you to spy on her for me and let me know what she’s doing.”
Zeph took another step into the room. “Missy wouldn’t do that.”
“I’m afraid you’re wrong. She cannot be allowed to do anything to disrupt our life here. You will watch her and tell me everything.”
There was a sick feeling in Zeph’s stomach and he didn’t know why. If Veronica said Missy was doing something wrong, then of course she was. He would do everything he could to make sure Veronica was happy.
***
Missy finished brushing her teeth and sat on her bed. The small room was still disorderly from her little tantrum the day before, but she preferred it that way. She was dressed and ready to go, but she didn’t quite know where. She’d heard Zeph leaving the house a while ago, and Kitten had gone soon after finishing her breakfast. She wasn’t quite sure where to find Alphonso.
She decided to explore the grounds. So far, she hadn’t looked around the whole area. It might help her find a way out that would mean Zeph and his mom, her parents, and Kitten could all escape at the same time—preferably while most of them were unconscious, because none of them actually wanted to leave. Missy rubbed a hand over her eyes. She just needed to find a way out. That was all. She would leave the rest of the planning until later.
She stood and made her way to the front door, pausing just outside the house.
Glancing at the Big House, she assessed its parameters. There were at least ten people living there in the two stories. It was different to the rest, older and less pristine, and was placed next to the practice hall. It had probably been here when Veronica found this place, the original house perhaps.
She turned in the opposite direction to the rest of the village, trying to find a new area to explore. She walked along Snow Boulevard, past the practice arena.
As she was walking past Veronica’s office, the door opened. Missy’s heart stopped—Veronica was going to stop her already? But it was just Zeph emerging from the door.
He walked down the path and raised his arm in greeting. “Hey, Missy. What are you doing here?” He frowned.
“I was just going for a walk. You want to join me?” Missy knew she should probably avoid Zeph—he reeked of Veronica’s magic. But she couldn’t help herself. If she kept him around, he might emerge again.
“Sure, that would be great.”
They walked in silence for a while. Missy glanced at Zeph. He seemed pensive for the first time since he’d been lost under the persuasion magic. “What’s the matter?” she asked.
Zeph shook his head. “Nothing. I’m fine. Where are we walking to?”
“I’m just looking around the area. I like to know where everything is.” Missy’s eyes wandered over the buildings around them as she spoke. She wasn’t lying; she really did like to know where everything was.
They walked along Snow Boulevard, past more than a block’s worth of large industrial-style buildings. Missy looked at them curiously. “They seem empty, don’t you think?” she said to Zeph.
He glanced at them and shrugged. “I guess so. We’d have to look inside to be sure.”
Missy nodded. “You’re right.” She was tempted to make him break into one of the buildings with her but sensed that might be pushing him too far—and offer Veronica too much information about her intentions.
They soon came to the edge of the boulevard. In front of them, the massive wooden fence that blocked the entrance rose up into the sky. It seemed taller here, and more menacing, with barbed wire on top. It headed off in both directions like the edges of a massive box. Missy half expected the flaps of a giant cardboard carton to come down over them and lock them in tight. Next to the fence was a wide grassy verge, like a wide green moat, designed to make the fence easily visible along its whole length. Missy notice
d a small movement near the top of the fence and saw a security camera turn in their direction.
Zeph followed her as she walked along the grassy verge next to the fence. She couldn’t even hear any noise outside, no voices, no traffic. It was like they were in a giant bubble with no way out. The thought sent shivers down her spine. How was Veronica doing it?
Missy tried to concentrate on memorizing their surroundings instead of thinking of Zeph walking moodily beside her. But there was something about his easy grace, the way he carried himself, that drew her in like a moth to a flame. Even though she knew he wasn’t thinking clearly, that he was nothing better than a puppet on a string, she couldn’t help being attracted to him. Or at least to the man she knew was somewhere underneath.
“We have training soon,” said Zeph.
“We’ll be there in time. Don’t worry.” On impulse, Missy turned to him. “I want to see over the fence,” she said.
Zeph shook his head. “Don’t be dumb. Veronica won’t allow that.”
“I just need you to hold me up on your shoulders. It won’t take a minute.”
Zeph was still shaking his head, but Missy turned and pushed him toward the fence, and he reluctantly allowed her to do so.
“This is a bad idea,” he said, glancing back toward the main practice building.
“I’m not going to do anything. I just want to look.” And see what happens, she admitted to herself.
He laced hands his hands together, and she climbed from there easily onto his shoulders, using the wall for balance. She reached up and grabbed the top of the fence, pulling herself up by the tips of her fingers.
“Careful,” said Zeph from below.
Straining, she managed to heave herself up until she could see the land behind the fence. She glimpsed an industrial-type area, with big buildings and not many people. Just as she turned to look down, a beeping noise started up, and she jerked, almost losing her grip on the fence and pricking herself on the barbed wire.
“What is it, Zeph?” she whispered down to him.
He looked up, something in his eyes that she couldn’t recognize. “I don’t think it’s good,” he said.
Moments later, guards streamed toward them, proving him right. Missy didn’t know what to do, so she clung on up in her perch, watching as they ran up to Zeph and grabbed him by the arms. Without even pausing, one of the guards punched him in the stomach a couple of times and then in the face.
“Stop that!” screeched Missy. Without thinking, she leaped from her high post onto the guard who was attacking Zeph. She landed heavily, the wind knocked out of her for a moment, but she managed to curl her arms around the guard’s neck. He fell to the ground, blocking her fall. She was immediately seized from behind, hands pulling her violently back off the guard she’d landed on.
She kicked out wildly, hitting a couple of the guards before they could stop her.
The noise of a golf cart stopping and Veronica’s sharp voice penetrated through her angry haze.
“Stop that at once.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but every single guard froze.
Seconds later, Missy stopped moving as well. She looked up and saw Veronica’s livid face directed at her.
“What are you doing?” asked Veronica in an arctic voice.
“They attacked Zeph, so I attacked back,” said Missy, trying to yank her arm out of the viselike grip of her guard.
“And why did they attack? What were you doing?”
Missy shrugged. “I was doing some training. For my performance.”
Veronica’s face became mottled with red splotches she was trying so hard to maintain her obvious fury. “You were trying to escape. I’m not stupid.” She walked over to Zeph and helped him up off the ground where the guards had dropped him. He had a rapidly developing black eye and groaned when he stretched as he stood up.
“I am disappointed in you, Zeph.”
Zeph’s eyes watered up. “You can trust me. What do I have to do to prove it?”
Veronica looked over at Missy. “I want you to know this is your fault. Everything that happened here is your responsibility. If you hadn’t done this, he’d be fine. Now I have to teach you a lesson.”
“Don’t put this on me. You’re the one in charge here,” Missy said, her heart pounding. What was Veronica planning?
Veronica turned back to the guards. “Break his nose. And both his arms. Then send him to me.” She looked over at Missy. “And make her watch.”
“No! No, you can’t. He didn’t do anything.” Missy fought against the arms holding her, desperately trying to break free, as she watched the guards line Zeph up. He didn’t seem concerned about what was coming; it was as if he were eager to prove himself to Veronica. “I thought you wanted him for his power.”
Veronica stalked over to Missy. “I’m not breaking him for good, Missy. Just to show you what happens when you don’t do as I tell you.” Veronica pointed one long finger at Missy’s chest. “I won’t harm a hair on your pretty little head. It’s the people around you who will suffer the consequences of your actions. So think very carefully before you do anything more.”
Veronica walked slowly away, and Zeph screamed in pain as the guard broke his first arm.
***
Up in the clouds, Missy paused on the platform, her whole body shaking. A few other performers were watching from the sidelines as she and Alphonso practiced flying and catching, getting to know the rhythm of each other’s movements. It was like learning to work with another arm; they each had to have full confidence in the skill of the other person.
Burying herself in the physical activity was the only way she’d been able to stop thinking about what had been done to Zeph. They’d marched him away to Veronica’s office as soon as they were finished, and she’d been dragged to the practice hall. That was an hour ago. And now here she was, practicing as if nothing had happened.
She glanced over at Alphonso on the opposite platform. Missy didn’t know what to think of him as a person. He seemed to be too tight with Veronica for her to feel completely comfortable—but he was an amazing flyer.
Taking a deep breath, she fell forward, her hands clasped firmly around the bar. She swung in a smooth arc, her body held long and lean, flowing through the motions she’d first started learning when she was seven years old. Unlike Kitten and the Zambini children, she’d never actually performed in front of an audience until she was at least fourteen years old. The arc took her back up to the platform, and she landed lightly next to Alphonso.
“So what are we going to do that’s different? Experimental?” she asked.
Alphonso’s eyes watched her intently for a moment. “I think we might be ready to start figuring that out.”
“We’re going to do something completely new?” A stir of interest coiled in her belly. It was immediately squashed by the memory of bones breaking.
Alphonso shrugged. “Nothing is ever completely new. It’s about how you make it your own that makes it special. That and your ability to connect with the audience.”
Missy nodded. “Do you have any thoughts?”
Alphonso bowed his head. “This is your chance to prove yourself. You may give your suggestions first.”
“I’ve got some ideas,” she said warily.
“We will try a few things, see what works and what doesn’t, and go from there.” Alphonso swept his arm out in an elegant bow.
Missy nodded solemnly.
A couple hours later, they’d gone through most of Missy’s ideas and thrown them all out. Alphonso wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection. Despite this, she had a sense of satisfaction with their work that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She relished every moment of working with Alphonso. If nothing else, it helped her forget Veronica’s warning.
She flicked her hand, trying to work out a small cramp in the palm. They’d been at it for a long time. Her entire body was sore, and her stomach was rumbling. “I really need to have a break,” she said. “Maybe
grab something to eat.”
Alphonso nodded. “A rest is a good idea. I will be here when you return.”
Missy swung out on her bar and flipped down into the net. She moved quickly off and landed on the ground. She looked back up at Alphonso and wondered what he was going to do. Would he stay up there and practice? Was that how he avoided having to do curse magic? She shivered.
A large metal, ball-shaped cage in the next ring over caught her eye, and she saw with a shock that Zeph was inside it. She strode over, determined to make sure he was okay.
Missy noticed Veronica watching from the bleachers. Her heart skipped a beat. The temptation to turn around and walk away was strong, but she hardened her spine and kept going. She wasn’t going to let Veronica frighten her.
“Missy, so glad you came over. I was watching your practice with Alphonso.” Veronica’s expression was less than pleased.
Missy raised her eyebrows. “Oh?” she said.
“It was very rough, not at all what I was expecting. You are not as good as I had heard. You’re going to need to work like your life—or perhaps your mother’s life—depends on it to make your performance this weekend.”
“This weekend? That’s only three days!”
Veronica smiled. “Yes, that is correct. I’m so glad you can count.”
“It’s not enough time.”
Veronica narrowed her eyes at Missy. “You will make it sufficient time, or your loved ones will suffer.”
Missy took a deep, shaky breath. She didn’t like the sound of that. “My loved ones?”
“Why, yes. Your father chooses to stay, to let his wife hurt him, because he loves her. But what will you do for the ones you love? More, I imagine, given the way you were kicking and screaming for Zeph. In fact, I will ask more of you just to test that.”
Missy felt like a train had hit her, loud noise and pounding engine pushing straight through her entire body. “What do you want with me?”
“You, my dear, are going to become my next big act in The Experiment. Just before you go on, you will cut your mother to gain the power of the curse magic and ensure your act is mesmerising. And if you don’t, I will be forced to kill your parents.”