The smile that twisted his face was unhinged, even for him. It was sinister, like he’d just discovered the plot twist to some horror movie, and his golden eyes darkened as he looked at me.
“You’ll be performing with Revel,” he said, shattering through the facade of confidence I’d mustered. “In the motorcycle cage.”
No.
My heart skipped a painful beat, and Zero threw his head back in laughter before walking away.
I felt like a rug had been jerked out from beneath my feet, and I fought to keep my breathing level. I loathed every second of riding on the back of Revel’s motorcycle. Now they expected me to stand in a steel death trap with bikes racing around me? That was the last place I wanted to be.
A shaky breath knocked from my lips at the thought of them crashing into me.
Death by tire tread.Not the way I want to go out.
Hallow’s booming voice crept into the backstage area and music exploded, signaling the start of the opening number. The show had begun, and there was no way for me to get out of it now without potentially ruining Revel’s act.
Shit.
It seemed my little bit of luck had officially run out.
CHAPTER THIRTY
ARINA
Is it too late to drop out of the circus?
No one will care if I get my backpack right now and leave.
I can be gone before Daze or Bobbitt notice.
I’ll be far enough away by the time they realize that no one will be able to find me…
My thoughts cartwheeled as I leaned against the entrance to the arena, staring down the short hallway that led to the performance floor. I caught glimpses of the performers moving through the opening number, flashes of color and glints of light. I was grappling with accepting the performance update and carefully considering an impossible decision.
What was I going to do?
On the one hand, Zero had assured me I’d just be standing there. If I closed my eyes, maybe I could pretend like I was back in front of the bullseye. I doubted it, not with the dirt bikes whizzing around me. Not with the death glare I wassureto get from Revel the second I stepped into his cage.
Every breath was forced, and my limbs were numb.
This wasn’t what I planned at all.
Everything was unraveling around me. The haphazard plan I’d stitched together was falling apart, and I didn’t have a backup.
I had to go on stage, but how could I, knowing what was waiting for me?
“Arina?” Someone called my name, but I barely heard them, too consumed by my thoughts. It wasn’t until they tapped my shoulder that I turned around.
It was one of the assistants—Syxx or Sevyn, I couldn’t be sure—wearing a vibrant tulle dress that matched her pink hair. Rhinestones glittered on her face, and her mouth was curled into a polite smile.
“Hey,” I said, finding my voice.
“I’m Syxx.” She shoved her hand at me aggressively, and I shook it, afraid of what she might do if I didn’t.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“Sev would have come to say hi, but she’s changing her outfit,” she rushed. “She’s not taking any chances with Zero this time.”
I blinked at her. “Umm… taking her chances?”
