by Dani Rei
“Everyone is beginning to see what you are.” Blake steps to Ronan’s other side. “You won’t be in power much longer.”
Rex stares at the group with a blank expression, and the silence in the air hangs heavy around them. He strolls around the desk, keeping deadpan eyes straight ahead and stopping at the door.
“The Pup’s contract ends in a year. But I expect a large budget for these ridiculous accusations. It’s a shame you all have to sink to such a distasteful level. Lying, and pointing fingers. But that’s all right. I forgive you. Everyone will see the truth soon enough.”
Blake holds his breath as Rex steps out, slamming the office door behind him. Moments of silence tick by in slow motion until a chuckle escapes Hartman’s throat.
“What a damn baby!” Hartman pulls a cigarette and lighter from his pocket. “Hey, Fire Goddess.”
Inez snaps to attention “Yes, sir?”
Hartman takes a step toward her, turning his head to let out a puff of smoke before turning to look her in the eye. “I know what you want, and I promise it’s coming. It just can’t happen yet.”
Inez’s jaw drops, and her body tenses. “I, um, I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know what you mean.”
“That’s enough of this ‘sir’ nonsense out of you. Call me Gramps!”
“Um,” Inez’s eyes dart around the room, as if someone else might know what’s going on. “Okay, Gramps. I don’t know what you mean, but it was Rex who hurt me. Not Blake.”
“I’m well aware. Believe me, I’ve turned him in to the police many times, and each time he manages to buy or charm his way out. He may need my money for the show, but he’s far from broke without it. Don’t worry, he’ll get what he has coming.”
“Why support him then?” Blake asks. “Why not withdraw your funding?”
“This damned country is full of rotten pigs like him. If I withdraw my support, someone else will step in, and there’s a good chance the next guy won’t care so much. Besides, Rex is right. I am using you, boy, and you’re exceeding my expectations.”
“Using me for what? To expose Rex?”
Hartman’s eyes drop to the floor, and his jaw shifts. It isn’t just Rex. For us it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Blake gives him an understanding nod, but his chest twinges. Does he have to keep this a secret from Inez? She might never forgive him, but there’s likely some other reason for it.
“At any rate,” Hartman continues, snapping Blake back to the present. “There’s an even bigger storm coming, and I’m going to need you all to stay on your toes.”
“So that’s it?” Ronan says. “I faced my fear and called out a man who could kill me just to stay on my toes?”
“Your bravery today won the battle, but the war is far from over.” He saunters toward the door before anyone else can say anything. “Have Victor call me if you need anything else.”
The door closes, and Ronan and Inez look to Blake.
“So, you’re just,” Ronan shrugs. “Okay with being used?”
“If it means protecting you, Inez, and the others, I won’t lose any sleep over it.”
“Well, so far it got you a busted lip and a cut on your neck. And did I see you limping? What the hell happened to you?”
“I’ll tell Hartman he owes me later. Right now, I’m really sick of this damned office.”
Ronan nods and shakes Blake’s hand. Inez gives Ronan a comforting hug, and they all leave in a silence that weighs heavy on their shoulders.
In the hall, Allistair waits by the staircase with his arms crossed.
“There you two are,” he mutters. “Ronan, may I speak to Inez and Blake alone, please?”
Ronan looks to the two as if unsure. With their assurance, he heads down the hall, and the remaining three wait until he’s out of earshot.
“Nice going, Pup,” Allistair mutters. “You almost had me fooled.”
“What are you talking about?” Blake asks.
“My father has seen you leave Inez’s room with blood on your hands. I know you were lying.”
Blake clutches his breath, but Inez steps in front of him before he can retaliate.
“You’re fucking kidding, right?” She exclaims. “Did you hear anything that we all said in there?”
“I don’t eavesdrop,” says Allistair. “But I watched my father starve himself, work his hands to the bone, and still manage to give us an opportunity he never had. I’m sick of the lies.”
“The only one lying is Rex!” Blake exclaims.
“You’re a worthless, untrustworthy dog!” Allistair yells. “Everything was fine before you showed up! I know Inez would’ve turned down my love anyway, but she never kept secrets from me before! She never had to hide until you came in and forced her to lie on your behalf!”
Smack.
Inez’s hand slams into Allistair’s cheek, and his head is turned away. His eyes wide, as if his heart is hurting more than his jaw.
“That’s enough!” Inez yells. “You have no idea what either of us has been through this whole time. I did hide, but it was because of Rex, not Blake. You’re hiding from the truth because it hurts, but if you don’t open your fucking eyes, then you’re on the same path of corruption that Ian said you were!
“I did trust you, Allistair. That never changed. But if you’re not going to trust me, then I’m not sure what to think of you anymore.”
Allistair remains motionless as Inez shoves past him and makes her way upstairs. Blake moves to do the same, but Allistair grabs his arm.
“I love her too you know,” he whispers. “And I’ll be watching. I don’t care if she never loves me back, but I won’t let her get hurt again.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Blake frowns. “But you’re watching the wrong man. I hate to say that Ian had a point back then, but your father isn’t who you think he is. If you really want to protect her, you can’t stay blind forever.”
BLAKE CLOSES INEZ’S BEDROOM door behind him while she reaches under her bed. He grins at the cute bum in the air and gives it a gentle tap. Inez kicks her leg out with a playful grumble and Blake laughs.
He takes in the view of Inez’s room as if it’s the first time. Memories of the night before seem so distant, as if he hadn’t been here for days.
Inez pops back out from under her bed with a box in her hands. “This is for you! But before you open it, you have to tell me why you’re limping. What the hell happened to you?”
Blake gestures toward the bed. They sit side by side, and Blake tells Inez about getting hit in the head when he entered the office. He describes the car ride, how Axel’s advances were due to Rex’s prompting, and how Ian decided to go along.
He tells her about the stab in his leg, and she gapes when he shows her the stitches. He explains how Hartman rescued him and had a private doctor fix him up. He tells her everything except Hartman being her grandpa. That conversation never happened.
“What the fuck,” Inez whispers, eyes watering. “I waited almost an hour for you to get back from the office. When I went to find you, no one was there. You weren’t in your room or out in the yard. I ran through the whole mansion, but no one had seen you all morning. I was terrified.”
“I’m okay.”
“Allistair kept you on the stairs just now, didn’t he? What did he say?”
“He said he still cares about you and wants you safe. I know he’s got the wrong idea, but I don’t think he’ll stay blind for much longer.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I gave him the same warning you did, and even sided with Ian to make the point. I really thought he’d get angrier, maybe even try to fight me. But he just walked off, like he wasn’t sure what to think.”
Inez sighs and twiddles her fingers. “He was my best friend this whole time. I confided in him. If he lets his father brainwash him...”
“That won’t happen.” Blake rubs her back. “Take it from his angle. If someone tried to c
onvince you that your father was evil, would you be willing to accept it so easily? Even with evidence?”
“I guess not. But if you really think he’ll come around, will you help me convince him?”
“I’ll do what I can.”
Inez rests her head on his shoulder with a sigh. He wraps an arm around her and kisses her head. Inez smiles at him and presses her lips to his.
“All right, I guess you’ve earned your present.”
Blake rubs his hands together with a grin, and Inez places the box on his lap. She grabs a small knife from her nightstand drawer and holds it out with the blade pointing down. Blake blinks hard at it.
“You just...keep a knife at your bedside?”
“I lived with Ian for years! What would you do?”
Blake nods his head with his lip between his teeth. “Fair point.”
He accepts the knife and cuts through the tape. He opens the flaps, pulls out the air cushions, and he gasps. His eyes shoot to Inez, then back to the contents.
Rubber handles similar to his juggling clubs, but the top is a metal bar with a wad of fresh, rolled Kevlar at the top.
“Are these...”
“Fire clubs!” Inez exclaims. “You wanted to juggle fire, so I got you something a little more suited to your style. You can still borrow some of my other props to learn, but these are yours to keep.”
Blake looks at Inez again, and grabs her head to pull her into a kiss. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
“Of course! Believe it or not, I ordered it the day after your test, to congratulate you for passing. Then, I started falling for you, and it made me even more excited to see your face when you opened it. But it arrived the day I had to kick you out of my room, and having it was torture. I almost sent it back. I’m really glad I didn’t.”
Blake sets the box aside and pulls her into his arms. “This gift is just the cherry on top. When I was stuck in Rex’s car, I really thought I’d never see you again. I was terrified of what Rex would do next and what might happen to you. The fact that you’re alright and that you were so happy to see me; the fact that you love me the way I love you, that’s the greatest gift I could ever ask for.”
“I do love you. More than I ever thought possible.” Inez smiles at him, and he presses his lips to hers, slipping his tongue in and pushing her onto the bed, climbing on top of her. His breathing grows heavier, relighting a hunger he wasn’t able to satisfy this morning.
Her knee bends and hits the stitches on Blake’s leg, and he grunts in pain. Inez covers her mouth.
“I’m sorry!” she whimpers.
“Not your fault.” Blake sits up. “But I think it’s safer if I stay upright for a while. Damn it.”
Inez giggles and rises to her knees to kiss his cheek. “That’s okay. If it won’t hurt too much to stand, I’d like to see you try out your new clubs.”
Blake smiles and pulls the clubs from the box, admiring how they feel in his hands and giving a light practice toss to get a feel for their weight. Standing sends a shooting pain through his leg, but he’s thrilled to accept a request from his princess.
He tosses up a club and catches it by the handle with the other two, then flips it up and catches it on his forehead to balance it. Inez applauds as he drops it and goes into a basic cascade. He switches up his patterns and tricks, creating corners and zigzags in the air, but his heart twinges in his chest as he stares past the shapes at the woman cheering him on.
She trusts him, and he’s keeping Hartman’s identity a secret from her. Her confusion when he said to call him Gramps was proof that she has no idea. Why would he have to tell Blake something like that? And what will Inez say when she inevitably finds out that he knew? Why is this even a secret to begin with? Would telling her really ruin anything?
He shakes the thoughts from his head as he finishes his impromptu routine. Inez leaps up to wrap her arms around his neck to plant her lips on his, and he wraps his arms tight around her.
For all he knows, keeping the secret might end up protecting her. Spilling his guts on impulse is exactly what prompted Rex to attack her in the first place. He’ll keep the secret for now and pray in his heart that she’ll be able to forgive him. When she pulls away, her smile is beautiful enough to wash away any doubt in his mind.
We’ll be okay.
Epilogue
J
anuary sneaks up on the cast and crew, and auditions are more intense than Blake anticipated, considering the lead roles are always the same. But this time, Allistair is directing the show under his father’s guidance, so he can learn to be King.
Everyone seems to be fighting hard, and Blake has never juggled so intensely in his life. The fire clubs work beautifully, and he’s able to create trails of light with the flames as well as shapes from his throws, though a lead role isn’t his main goal. As long as he can go on stage, he’ll be grateful.
The cast gathers the next day in the lobby to hear Allistair announce the roles, while the crew sits behind him to hear their assignments. Rex stands at his side, but Axel sits with the others, at the farthest point from Blake as possible without leaving the crowd. Thank God.
“Thank you all for your hard work,” Allistair begins. “Our Hunchback of Notre Dame show will be nothing short of inspiring, thanks to you guys. I expect everyone, including the ensemble roles, to make this the best show thus far.”
Everyone cheers, and Allistair smiles as he lifts his clipboard.
“The leading role of Quasimodo will be played by Vladik. Your build and strength will be perfect for scenes where he assists Esmeralda, who will be played by Celia Hannon. The role of Pheobus will go to Blake Avery.”
“What are you doing?” Rex interrupts before he can get much further. “Why cast Celia as the leading lady? And why is that Pup playing such an important role?”
“I can’t be the ringleader and a leading role,” Allistair responds without flinching, projecting his voice as if announcing it to everyone. “And Celia showed us all what she’s capable of during the challenge and her tryouts. She’s a star waiting for her chance to shine, and I intend to give that to her.”
Everyone cheers except Axel, who slow claps with a scowl. Rex clenches his jaw as Allistair announces the remaining roles.
The members disperse as soon as he’s finished, and Rex leaves in a huff. Celia rushes right over to Allistair, expressing her thanks with fast paced words and a giant hug. Allistair chuckles and assures her that she can’t slack off. She saunters off with her head high, and Blake flashes her a knowing grin.
“Hey,” says Blake. The smile Allistair had for Celia quickly fades as Blake approaches him.
“Thanks for casting me. Does that mean there are no hard feelings?”
“My personal feelings are irrelevant,” Allistair snaps. “I still don’t trust you, but Hartman promised a larger budget if you were a lead. Congratulations, you’re the new dollar sign of the troupe. We’re not friends.”
“You don’t still think I hurt Inez, do you?”
“I don’t know what to think. What I do know is that you and Hartman are planning to undermine my father somehow, and you’ve sucked my best friend into your game.”
Blake bites his tongue. It’s been months since Rex tried to kill him, and Blake’s kept himself as vigilant as possible to avoid anything further. But nothing has happened, no one else appears to have been hurt, so there’s little evidence to prove to Allistair of what his father really is. How can they convince him?
“I have a meeting with our investors. Be ready to learn aerials tomorrow. Xavier will teach you.”
He turns toward Inez, who’s smiling with Celia.
“I got a lead role!” Celia cheers as she leaps into the air.
“I know!” Inez cheers. “I’m so proud of you!”
She’s Hartman’s granddaughter, and Victor’s niece. She took Rex’s abuse and was ready to face him head on. She’s more than an incredible woman. She just might be the answer.
Glossary
THE PROPS IN THIS BOOK that are described as fire props all have LED and day (or practice) alternatives. Most professionals have all three options and interchange them based on the setting and goal of their performance.
Levi wand –A wand that’s tied with a string to look like it’s floating. Most fire wands have a wick on each end, but some only have one on top, while others have wicking all the way down the wand. The string can be long or short, depending on the performer’s preference.
Poi – A short rope with a fairly large wick on one end, and usually a small knob on the other. Some poi spinners prefer loop handles, and the length of the rope can vary.
Fans – A wire frame, some with one long wick along the curve, but most have individual wicks to look like multiple floating orbs. The handle is a ring that comes in various sizes but are usually identified as Russian or tech grips. Each size has its own benefit based on the desired style of performance.
Kettlebells – Most often described as a cannon ball with a handle. Juggling these is a great display of physical strength and coordination.
Aerial Hoop – Or “lyra” is a metal ring where performers twist and hang to create unique poses and movements.
Silks – Fabric drapes that hang from an aerial rig. Performers can weave themselves into the fabric, climb it, or twist around it.
Basic Cascade – This is the first trick most jugglers learn and is the basis for more advanced patterns.
Kevlar – A thick fabric made to be fire resistant, also used on fire fighter jackets as protection. They only hold flame when covered in fuel.
About the Author
DANI REI HAILS FROM Providence, a city with a rich art community. She is a flow artist and loves to dabble in shapes and colors whenever possible. She teaches flow arts on her YouTube channel, and occasionally performs for events in her area. When she isn't stuck on whatever new endeavor seems interesting this week, she can be found playing and enjoying life with her little one and life partner.
