“Why are you so convinced that the plot is a tangible being we need to trick?” I grab the dagger again and hold it up. I honestly don’t know where to put it, but I don’t want to carry it around all evening.
Vera sighs and steps toward me, she hooks her finger in the pocket on my coat, holding it open wide. She swipes the dagger out of my hand and drops it in. I try not to flinch as I feel its weight land at the bottom of the pocket.
Her eyes hold mine for a long second. “Something was controlling you earlier today.”
I suppress a shudder at the memory. “Okay and… what makes you think it can be tricked?” I wave my hand. “What ifthe plot is an omnipresent force that can hear us right now? Then it would know what we’re plotting.”
She smirks up at me. “And what is it going to do? Stop us from completing the plot? That would be counter to its nature. No, up until the switch we do everything exactly like the script did. Then when it comes time for Hook to try to assassinate Naia you just have to move the dagger slightly to the left and take out Frederick instead. You had enough control of your body in the alleyway, I think, to move the dagger an inch or two off target.”
I swallow nervously. That was only with me fighting my own body with my whole strength, but I don’t bother bringing it up. Honestly, the more I think about it the less I want to remember. I make a mental note to look into therapy when this is all said and done. I think I’m going to need it.
“Okay, so what’s the next part of the plot?”
Vera rolls her eyes. “It’s a stupid romance scene. Hook and Moira have to go through the merchant’s festival to make it to the ball. The atmosphere will be going against us.” She holds up a finger, jabbing it in my face. “Remember our deal. No falling in love.”
“And no murdering… well, each other.” Apparently, everyone else is fair game in our desperate bid to get home. “Itshouldn’t be too difficult. I have no intention of doing either.”
“Good,” Vera straightens. “Just because we are forced to play romantic leads does not mean that anything needs to come from this.”
