I grin. “Did you come to watch us?” Or plan an attack? “If you wanted to spy before we compete in the Tether, you got the best view right here.”
I stride straight up to Emma. I’m still shirtless from my act, so I stand real close so she can see all of me and I can see every inch of her. I stop right in front of her, so close that she can hit me. Or kiss me.
She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she holds my stare. Her courage intrigues me.
“Are you going to kill me?” she asks.
I start to answer yes, but the word tangles in my throat, the truth forcing its way out. “No.” My breath gets heavy. My pulse races, and my skin tingles as my body reacts to her closeness. Her lips part slightly, and her breathing hitches. Her hands shake more, and she glances at my lips, like her body notices mine too. I get so close I can almost hear her heartbeat. I smell her sweetness. “See anything you like?” I ask.
Emma tries to say no, but the ravens won’t let her.
I smirk as she looks away angrily.
“Emma?” I fish for eye contact. I want to know what she’s thinking, what she can do… how we’re going to fight each other.
My heart skips a beat.
Emma puts her hand on her chest like she’s hurting there. I look for tears but only see a little moisture in the corners of her eyes. We’re inches apart. Then she speaks slow, saying words so gravelly and pained they probably cut her perfect lips.
“Can you undo whatever you did to Demetri? And to the crowd? Please?” I love that she isn’t afraid to communicate what she needs. Suddenly, I know I’ll give her anything she asks.
“Of course I’ll undo the compulsion,” I say, trying to sound casual. “I was always going to.”
For the first time, her eyes warm and a little of the hate in them fades.
I step away fast, looking at the door. Trying to figure out just how dangerous she is and what this pull is. It’s more than a physical attraction. She’s beautiful, yes, but it’s more than that. It’s like time slows, the world blurs, and she is all that’s clear. I just can’t figure out why.
“So that’s what you can do? Freeze people?” she asks.
“Somewhat,” I reply.
Her hands goes to her neck like she’s fishing for something that isn’t there.
“Lose something?”
“Where are my real clothes? Where are the things of the people who visit your show?”
I grin. “Our entrance is spelled to take collateral and any and all weapons. You’ll get your things back on the way out… except the weapons. We’re benevolent. Not stupid.”
“So Davenports are thieves, as well as murderers?”
“Let’s just say we do our part to reduce gun violence.” I put my palms up. “I know you want to protect your family. So do I. I lost a brother. We’ve all been hurt by this war.”
Her face softens. Like maybe she relates to the loss of a sibling. I hope she knows I don’t want to take Demetri—or anything—from her. I’m supposed to want to, but I don’t. I never have. “We all got born into a mess made by generations before us. My family isn’t horrible. Even if we had to do some horrible things to survive in the past. So maybe your family isn’t all bad either. Maybe we’re all just trying to survive.”
Maybe I think too much. Maybe peace isn’t possible. Because the curse won’t let it be. But I have to keep my family safe.
“I want my brother.” Her eyes flash with impatient anger. “And my necklace!”
“He’s fine,” I say. “The crowd too.”
She heads for the door. I put my hand out to block her, brushing against her skin. “I’ll get your necklace. But meet me. Away from here. Away from your circus. Away from this time. So we can talk and figure this out.”
Emma’s eyes narrow. “Why should I trust you?”
I put my hands over Emma’s petite fingers. I feel the warmth of her skin. I let my hand linger, and she doesn’t pull away.
“You shouldn’t—and I don’t trust you either, if that makes you feel any better. But I have just as much to lose as you do. Mutually assured destruction… and both our families will hate it.” I flash her my best cocky smile. “October fifteenth at the 1893 World’s Fair, the Columbian Exposition. Chicago, two days from now… TenAM.”
