“Yeah, he nearly took off her finger once.” Syxx nodded. “Cut my ear one time, too. Anyhoo, she’s changing. You’ll meet her later.”
“Right,” I murmured, not sure what else to say.
Her head tilted to the side. “How are you feeling?”
I could only force a laugh. “Nervous. I thought I knew what I was doing, performing with Zero, but?—”
“—they swapped you with Sevyn?”
Disappointment sank in my stomach. Obviously, I was the last person to know about the switch up. Had Daze known and forgotten to mention it? Had Bobbitt? Did they assume I already knew?
I nodded. “Yeah, and I just?—”
“—don’t know what to do?”
I stared at her, half annoyed, half impressed with the way she finished my sentences.
“Yes,” I answered slowly. Was she reading my mind? “We didn’t practice or anything, and I’m sure I’ll screw it up. Besides, Revel hates me so…”
“Revel hates everyone.” She waved a hand and smiled. “Don’t worry about that. As for the act, I’ve assisted lots of times. I could give you pointers if you want.”
My ears perked up, but I wasn’t sure why she’d offer to help me. I hadn’t even spoken to her before. It was suspicious, but I didn’t have any other option. I’d have to be on stage in minutes.
“Sure. That’d be great,” I said. “I’ll take anything at this point.”
She grinned widely and began walking me through what to expect and where to stand, since that had conveniently been left out by everyone else. It was clear Zero wanted me to fail—hell, Revel did too. They wanted me to embarrass myself in front of a crowd, but I wouldn’t do them the service.
I’d soak in every word Syxx had to spare and do my best when I got in the cage. It would have to be enough.
It has to be enough to impress Hallow.
“I’ll walk out with you,” she assured me. “Help you into the cage.”
“Are you sure? You won’t get in trouble, will you?”
“Hardly.” She shook her head, her hands on her hips. “I’m a floater, which means I help with any and everything. It’s my job to make sure behind the scenes shit flows smoothly.”
“And right now I’m behind the scenes shit?” I joked nervously.
She giggles. “No. We all know what it’s like to be in your shoes. We were all new once,” she explained, her tone gentle.“And we’re all where we are today because someone offered us a hand, pulled us up when we were down. Our troupe is only as strong as our weakest link—not to say that you’re weak—but it helps us all when we help our newbies.”
I could have cried with relief, but I held it together. I was so damn appreciative of her help, but all I could manage was a feeble, “Thank you.”
This could work; at least I wasn’t completely alone.
Syxx might just be the miracle I needed to make it through tonight.
“Now, you can move in the cage, but keep it minimal, obviously,” she said, taking up a professional posture with her feet together and her arms above her head. “Don’t worry too much about them hitting you. Revel and his team are good—reallygood. I’ve done this act fifty times or more.”
I tried to find reassurance in her words, but my insides wormed with nerves. As she went over tips and tricks, half of which I forgot as soon as she said them, the giant metal cage rolled past us, pushed by a group of stagehands. My eyes jumped to it, and my heart dropped.
I couldn’t think as Hallow’s voice echoed through the arena with Revel’s introduction.
My chest clenched.
It was almost impossible to breathe.
“Prepare yourself for an alpha who thrives on death-defying acts,” Hallow said, their voice making goosebumps pebble on my skin. “Give it up for Revel and his team.”
