“Shut your yapper and quit yowling,” he snaps at the creature.
“Master will not be pleased,” it cries, an ominous warning that sends a shiver creeping over me.
I pull my jacket tighter. The light breeze, coupled with my growing unease, chills me to the bone. Leaving in my nightgown wasn’t the best idea. Or was it? I challenge myself, entertaining the memory of Azrael’s eyes burning my skin at the sight of me in only the thin material. As much as I want to get lost in the daydream, I force myself to focus on my surroundings. Crickets chirp a bedtime song; frogs and other creatures join in off-key.
I’ve never ventured to this part of the circus. We’re so close to the forest that darkness surrounds us, swallowing every move we make. The only light we have to navigate along the small rocky path is the pale glow of moonlight and twinkling stars overhead. In the distance, an owl hoots a warning to all the creatures of the forest, alerting them to our presence.
We walk in silence for several more minutes until a small, lonely boxcar comes into view. There’s no light streaming from windows—no indication at all that someone inhabits the tiny home. The closer we get, the more my stomach twists into thick knots. Unease creeps in like an old friend. Every muscle in my body tenses, primed to flee should I encounter danger. Overgrown grass, trampled down over time, muffles our crunching footsteps along the well-worn path leading up to the front door.
Panic consumes my senses as my shivering morphs into a full-body tremble. Maybe he’s taking me to an abandoned building—or worse, his home—to stash us both. And here I am, followinghim like a little lamb right into the lion’s den. I swallow hard. Why did I sneak out my window? This was such a stupid idea.
We reach the front door, but instead of twisting the handle, he knocks.
Rap. Rap. Rap.
Each knock lands like a warning. I could run into the forest. We’re close enough to the line of trees, waiting to claim me for themselves. But everyone knows: you never go into the forest. Not alone. Or ever. The people who have dared either reappeared days—sometimes weeks—later… or not at all. The ones who make it out warn of unimaginable monsters. On second thought, the forest is worse. And he’d catch me in seconds. Those massive legs and that beast-like stride, I wouldn’t make it five steps.
No one opens the door. He raises his hand, knocking louder this time. I hold my breath, waiting to see who—or what—appears on the other side.
Still nothing.
He lifts his hand in a fist, ready to bang on the door—
Then a sound.
The handle jiggles. The door creaks open, slow and loud, like it’s waking from a nightmare.
I gasp in surprise.
Azrael appears, filling the too-narrow doorway, disheveled and distraught. He’s barely recognizable. His face is pale and gaunt, dark strands of hair falling with a sharp contrast into his eyes. Those eyes dart frantically over the three of us, taking his time to linger on me for an eternity before turning his attention to the man who definitely saved my life tonight. Relief crashes over me, tension melts from my aching muscles. Now that I’m with Azrael, I’m safe.
“Mercy,” he breathes, like he can’t believe I’m real.
Azrael takes a step forward, reaching for me, but then halts abruptly. “It can’t be you. It’s far too dangerous. Are you… are you really here? Or is this another test?”
This is not the reaction I imagined. In my head, he was overjoyed. But instead he looks upset. A small piece of my heart cracks. The disappointment reverberates through my body—hollow and empty like a cold caress. I do my best to hide it, but I’m not fast enough, and Azrael notices. His brows knit together with concern.
“Sylis, what the hell is going on?” Azrael demands, his tone clipped, low, and lethal with a dangerous edge.
“Malicor had the girl.” He shifts uncomfortably. “I caught him hauling her towards the Ringmaster’s office. I brought her straight to you.”
And just like that, I’m reminded: you never really know who’s on your side until it’s too late. A subtle tick in his jaw. A twitch in his finger. No one else sees it, but I do—Azrael’s irritation is about to bubble over and burst.
“Malicor,” Azrael growls, eyes narrowing as a flurry of shadows creep like a predator, snaking around us.
Eyes wide, I watch, questioning if there’s more to this world than I’ve been allowed to believe. First the creature, then my mother’s confession. Everyone pushing me away from Azrael—even himself. Always implying there’s something dangerous about him. The shadows. I watch them ebb and flow, curious if there’s a connection I’m missing. I’ve never dared to ask the questions or speak them out loud—tonight, that will change because I deserve answers.
Before anyone can speak, an unfamiliar voice comes from behind Azrael. “What is it?” a woman asks, her tone light and harmonious.
My world shatters. The kiss. The confession. But there’s someone else. I should have never allowed myself to dream of us together one day. It was stupid to come here. Why would he care about my mother’s confession? Why would he want to fight so hard for me when it’s clear the universe wants us apart? There are too many obstacles in the way, especially now with an arranged marriage. I try once more to hide the disappointment as it washes over me, hanging my head in what feels like an inevitable defeat.
He’s with a woman in there, and here I am, parading around town in my nightgown like a fool. I try and fail to recompose myself. One glance up at him through my lashes tells me he sees right through me. I hold my breath as he steps outside, allowing the beautiful woman to take his place in the door's frame.
My eyes lock on hers. The radiant smile dancing on her lips feels like a silent victory. Whether real or imagined, it tells me I’ve already lost. I don’t see his outstretched hand reaching for me, longing to draw us closer together—not until he drops it by his side, thinking better of the choice. It’s too late for us, and I think we both might know it.
“Mercy, how are you here?” he asks, tilting his head in confusion. “If your father finds out, he’ll burn the entire circus to the ground in a rage.” He pauses, fear flashing in his eyes. “And if the Ringmaster finds out, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Sylis places a hand over my mouth. “Not in front of Malicor. The less he knows, the better.”
