The Immortal Circus: Final Act (Cirque des Immortels) (21 page)

“So this is it?” I whisper. “We wipe out the demons and wipe out my mind. You never existed. None of this ever existed.”

“You’ll still have Austin,” he says, though I can tell it pains him. “I’ll make sure you remember to love him. And I’ll give you a prettier past than what happened with Claire—no bloodshed, no visions, no demons.” He looks into my eyes, deep into my eyes. His hands fold around mine. They shake. “I’ll remember you. Always. In my heart, you’ll always be mine.”

Tears drip down my face and every cell of me screams not to do this, not to let it—not let
him—
go. But there’s no other way.

I pull the ring from my finger and slide it over his pinky. His breath catches in a sob the moment the metal touches his skin.

“You’ll always be my magician,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice from breaking.

“And you’ll always be my sexy psychic.” He grins, or tries to grin.

“Do it,” I whisper.
Before I change my mind, before I truly understand what letting you go means.
“Please.”

Kingston nods. He blinks away his own tears.

“I love you,” he says, and places his hands on the sides of my face. The ring burns cold as frostbite on my cheek. Then he leans forward and just as his lips brush mine, I whisper…

“I love you, too.”

He takes a shaky breath.

“Good-bye,” he says.

We kiss.

Light blinds.

Vision swirls, reverses. Power

builds

My

world

unwinds

Kingston kissing, fire burning, sink back, back

Melody, dropping to the ground, Lilith’s dagger in her spine

Screams suck back

back to Pan, handing over a brass pocket watch

“I hope I never see you again,” he says.

Claire, the Lost Children, slashing in the woods:

“I thought you loved me, Vivienne?” her broken lips cry.

Back

Back

Back

I see them, through the light, see the demons, and they are screaming

screaming louder as the light blinds, as the power builds

and I’m falling, Kingston’s hands holding me tight, burning

Kingston, falling against the cell floor as Oberon slits his throat, my screams unraveling

“I love you, I swear.”

His

words

unwinding

Penelope, staring, deadened by the weight of eternity, the tent in flames beside her.

“Stop this!” Oberon yells, his hands on Kingston’s throat

“You’re killing her!”

But Mab is there, now, pulling him away,

Kingston’s hands stay, pressing through my skull, blinding with light as stars scream

as four demons scream

“Are you sure about this?” Kingston asks, standing at the desk beside me, the contracts splayed out before me.

Mab sitting poised, watching

“I’m sure.”

“Then run away,” she says. “Run away

with us

forever.”

All is light, all is light

light and breath, light and openness, floating, blissful

Claire reaches out her tiny, perfect hand

She smiles, so perfect, so whole. So full of love.

She takes my hand, guides me through the light.

Her words ring like angels.

“Let’s go home.”

Circus lights burn green and neon blue; the massive tent is striped black and mint. Spotlights race against the clouds as fire twirlers and jugglers dance about the crowded promenade. Another full house, another sold-out performance. When the Cirque des Immortels comes to town, everyone attends. Some dreams just have to be realized under the glittering lights of the big top.

Vivienne’s never seen a show this crowded. She and her husband stand in line at the ticket booth, waiting to pick up the seats they reserved three months in advance. She gives him an exasperated smile over their daughter’s head. He winks back. The line wraps around the block, and they got there an hour early. Still, she has some inkling that it will be worth it. Now that Claire’s five and old enough to actually enjoy a show like this, Viv knew they needed to go as a family: no babysitter this time. Besides, it’s been weeks since she and Austin went out. This is a treat for all of them.

If they ever get there.

“Excuse me?” comes a voice. Vivienne looks over, to a female performer wearing a tight pinstripe suit and a massive pink wig. The girl’s probably about Vivienne’s age, which just makes Viv feel a little insecure. She always wished she’d run away to join the circus, done something fabulous with her life, but that was never the path for her. No, she was just destined to be a secretary at the local law firm. This girl looks like she’s experienced things Viv could only dream of.

“Yes?” Vivienne responds. Oh no, they’re not going to be told the show was overbooked, will they?

“I’m sorry, it’s just…are you Vivienne, by any chance? Vivienne Warfield?”

Vivienne nods and exchanges a look with Austin. He looks just as confused as she is. No one’s called her by her maiden name in six years.

The girl smiles, but there’s something in her eyes, something that almost looks sad. They really are going to get kicked out, aren’t they? And after all that buildup for Claire…

“Oh, okay. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Melody; I’m here to escort you to your seats.”

“Our seats?” Austin asks. “We haven’t gotten our tickets yet.”

“Right,” Melody says. “Well, you’re the lucky winners of tonight’s raffle. You three get VIP access.”

“What’s VIP mean, Mommy?” Claire asks, tugging her mother’s hand.

“It means special,” Melody says before Vivienne can answer. “Very special. And that means we treat you like family.” She holds out her gloved hand to Claire and smiles. Something about Melody's tone makes Viv feel comfortable, like she’s an old friend. “Come on, there’s lots to see.”

Claire gives her parents a look that’s clearly asking for permission—she knows not to talk to strangers, let alone follow them. But Melody’s clearly part of the show, and when she pulls three emerald tickets with “VIP ACCESS” in sprawling black script from her pocket, Vivienne is pretty certain the claim is legitimate.

“Well,” Vivienne says. “Looks like it’s our lucky night!”

Melody and Claire hold hands as the performer leads them through the crowd, around fire-breathers and past fortunetellers. Melody grabs some cotton candy from a nearby vendor and hands it to Claire, who squeals happily.

“She’ll be up all night,” Austin whispers, but he’s smiling. It’s nice to be treated this way, like they’re part of some secret society.

Melody guides them around the back of the tent, to where the performers are practicing and getting ready for the show. There’s an excitement back here, a sort of anticipation that settles into Vivienne’s bones. It makes her want to dance and take the stage. Which is silly. She never got into theater.

They walk past a tent where a guy in a black cape and black slacks and nothing else pulls doves from his top hat. He’s
wearing an obsidian amulet, one that catches Viv’s eye with a pang of heartache she can’t place. He’s probably a few years younger than Vivienne, maybe in his early twenties. He does a doubletake when he sees Vivienne and her family. If Viv didn’t know any better, she’d guess he almost looked pained to see them. What she doesn’t notice is the way he looks at Claire, like he’s seeing the ghost of a life never lived. She doesn’t notice how his fingers unconsciously clutch his emerald ring.

“Mel,” he says, looking at the pink-haired performer. He hands a dove to his assistant, a girl perhaps Melody’s age, with curly black hair and long, willowy features. The girl doesn’t look pleased at Vivienne’s appearance. Viv can’t help but wonder if she should have dolled up more—should she have worn a dress? “Who’s this?” he asks.

“Our VIPs,” Melody says, smiling. “Meet Vivienne Warfield and her family.”

The boy’s eyes go tight when he smiles at the three of them.

“It’s a pleasure,” he says. “I’m Kingston. I’m the magician.”

He shakes Austin’s hand and then holds out his hand to Vivienne, but the black-haired girl steps up and shakes Vivienne’s hand instead.

“And I’m Lilith,” she says. Her green eyes bore into Vivienne’s as the girl tilts her head to the side, like she’s a bird examining a worm. In spite of the warmth from Kingston and Melody, this girl makes Vivienne feel terribly unwelcome. “I hope you enjoy the show.”

“I’m sure I will,” Vivienne says. Lilith holds Vivienne’s hand for a second longer than is comfortable. When lets go, they’re joined by one more person.

This woman is ageless. Her hair is black and wavy, her eyes as green as Lilith’s, but her smile is genuine. She wears a black ringmaster coat studded with emeralds and a black top hat with a plume of raven feathers. She sweeps up beside Melody and stares at Vivienne.

Even though she’s never met her before, there’s something in the ringmaster’s gaze that makes Vivienne feel like the woman knows everything about her.

“You must be Vivienne,” she says, embracing Vivienne the moment she nods. “And Austin.” She shakes Austin’s hand. “My name is Mab, and I’m in charge of this little show. It’s truly an honor to have you here at last.”

Vivienne raises an eyebrow.

“Are you sure you don’t have us confused with someone else?”

“Oh, definitely not,” Mab says, her grin widening. “I would know you anywhere. We owe you so much.” Vivienne opens her mouth—what in the world does this woman mean?—but Mab continues. “For your patronage, of course. New audience members like you are what keep this show alive.”

She winks. Vivienne has a feeling Mab means something more than that, but what could it be? She’s positive she’s never seen her before—she’d remember a woman like this.

Before she can ask, Mab kneels down in front of Claire.

“And who is this young one?” she asks.

“My name’s Claire,” Claire says proudly. “Can I wear your hat?”

“That’s impolite,” Vivienne begins, but Mab cuts her off by removing her hat and placing it on Claire’s head. Somehow, miraculously, the hat fits perfectly.

“She has her mother’s spark,” Mab says, standing. She winks at Vivienne. “Keep a close eye on her, love. This one might just be made for show business.”

This book was originally released in Episodes as a Kindle Serial. Kindle Serials launched in 2012 as a new way to experience serialized books. Kindle Serials allow readers to enjoy the story as the author creates it, purchasing once and receiving all existing Episodes immediately, followed by future Episodes as they are published. To find out more about Kindle Serials and to see the current selection of Serials titles,
www.amazon.com/kindleserials
.