“What would you choose?” Lace choked back a sob.
“I would choose whatever brought the most happiness.” Alice stood. “Can you accept seeing your brother live a long life and walk away when he eventually dies so you may continue to live on beside Killian, Pandemonium, and the performers? Or does your heart tell you to follow your parents into the grave?”
Lace stared at the floor, lost to the anarchic world. She wasn’t ready to make such a life-altering decision. Though it was possible to give up the chaos and let time run its course, taking her to her inevitable death, it wasn’t that simple. Once she had a taste for immortality, she was afraid she may never let it go.
Alice retrieved the mask from the table and held it out to her. “Let’s go put on a show, eh?”
Lace took it and slid it over her face. “And make it a good one.”
Smoothing down her performer’s outfit, Lace walked into the main room that housed their guests for the night’s show. Victoria and Lucille stood in the front row, shining brightly in their new dresses. And just as she suspected, they were turning heads. She smirked as she watched them relish in the attention.
The audience was already in their seats, cheering loudly for the show to begin. Lace sidestepped the light as not to be seen and found Marianne talking to Kara.
“Have you seen Killian?” she asked.
They shook their heads.
“I heard he was running late,” Kara said. “There was a mix up with his outfit.”
One of the performers caught their attention, motioning for them to help with something. “Got to go.” Marianne rolled her eyes. Grabbing Kara by the arm, they ran off, shouting their goodbyes over their shoulders.
Looking toward the stage, Lace walked forward as far as she could without walking onto it. She could see Isaac making his entrance with Emilia by his side. Together they pulled out something hidden underneath a black cloak. It was rectangular and almost flat. Lace had never seen them perform an act from the ground before, and she leaned forward to try to get a better look when Killian walked up behind her.
“Good evening, pretty lady.” He pulled Lace against him, and she melted into his arms. She’d missed him. Looking at his warm smile and feeling the thump of her heart against his solid chest made her senses go wild.
“Heard you were having some problems?” Lace eyed the black fitted jacket he wore.
Killian nodded. “Laundress accidentally poured bleach on the one I was going to wear tonight. No worries though. I was able to get a replacement quickly.”
“How?”
“There’s a shop not far from here. Madame Atlaw’s Dress Shop. She was nice enough to fit me into her schedule today.”
Lace stilled as she thought of the card tucked inside of her pocket next to the Paradox. She felt her hands tremble slightly as her gaze shifted. Killian eyed her suspiciously, picking up on the change within her.
“What happened?” he asked.
Biting at her lip, Lace looked down. Her mind raced. Maybe she should go ahead and tell him the truth. Get it over with. But that didn’t seem like a good option. His stress level was already at a ten, and she didn’t need to add anything to it at the start of a show. Taking a deep breath, she let a steel resolve overtake her.
“Just nervous about moving to a new location after tonight.” She hated the taste of the lie the moment it left her mouth, but it was necessary to save Killian from himself. At least for now.
He studied her for a moment longer before nodding. “I know, but it’ll all work out in the end. I promise.”
Lace could see Isaac looking around for Killian. It was time to start the show.
“You better get out there before Isaac takes over,” she teased.
His eyes lit up behind his silver mask as she pushed every fear and worry from her mind and pulled him in for a kiss. She dug her hands into his jacket and gripped him tightly against her, relishing in the feel of his soft lips. In his overwhelming presence. The spotlight flickered on, a signal that it was now or never. She groaned and let him go, cursing the performer controlling the light.
Killian straightened his top hat. “Well, then. I’ll have to come in late for the announcement every time if this is the send-off to the stage that I get.”
Lace rolled her eyes and pushed him forward. “Oh, hush! Go!”
Walking onto the stage, Killian spread his arms out wide and bowed to the audience. Screams of reverence assaulted her ears as the lights cut out, leaving the Ringmaster alone in the spotlight, showcasing him to the world.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, as a hush fell over the room. “Welcome to the show that showcases terror. I would like to welcome you to the performance that brings about euphoria. I bid you welcome to the incarnation of chaos itself. Welcome to Pandemonium.”
The applause was thunderous as Killian made to move away but was stopped in his tracks when a woman walked up to the stage. All sound died, and every head turned to look at the auburn-headed newcomer who had dared to move forward and stand where no one should.
His jaw clenched as he looked at her. She smiled brightly at him, her vivid green eyes sparkling in amusement. Isaac made a move to escort her from the stage, but Killian held up a hand to stop him.
“Hello, Ringmaster,” the woman said. She moved to the stairs and carefully made her way up, never breaking eye contact with him. Lace felt her blood boil and caught Victoria and Lucille watching intently. She held herself back from pouncing on the woman for the sake of the show alone.
“I would greet you as well, but I’d prefer to know why you have interrupted my show.” His eyebrows raised slightly when the woman stood close enough to touch him. The corners of her mouth tipped upward. Raising her hand, she flicked her wrist, an object appearing gripped in her fingers from seemingly nowhere.
The blood from Killian’s face drained away as he took in the old Ringmaster’s deck in her hand. He patted at his coat pocket, and Lace could tell by the frantic expression he tried to hide that they were indeed missing. Somehow, she’d pick-pocketed him before their very eyes.
“Maybe I’m looking to impress the audience,” she said, her voice seductive as she slid the cards from their box. “Or maybe, I’m looking to impress you.”
Anger tore through Lace, and she’d had enough. She started to run out onto the stage but stopped when the woman swiftly shuffled the deck before throwing it into the air. The cards fluttered gently back down into her outstretched hand, forming into a neat stack.
Letting the cards roll through her hand, the woman moved closer to Killian. He stood motionless as she ran her hand into his coat pocket and pulled from it the Queen of Hearts. His eyes narrowed.
“What do you want?” he asked low enough only for the woman to hear him.
“As I said,” she began, tucking the cards back into its box, “I want to amaze the crowd.” She placed the deck in his hands. “Or maybe, just you.” She turned to walk away after curtsying for the audience who now cheered for her.
“Why are you here?” he called out.
The woman stopped, turned her head, and winked at him. “I’m only a girl with information you might want. Meet me outside of the tent tomorrow at noon if you want to know what I know.” Giving the audience one last smile, the woman walked away and disappeared into the crowd.