by Trudi Jaye
Garth swallowed, mesmerized. It was beautiful.
He glanced at Hugo. Blood-red eyes glowed in the darkness as he watched the show with a glittering desire.
It was all about to be ruined.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the lady of the highwire, the woman who flies above us all in a darkened land ruled by the moon.”
A single light revealed Missy in the heavens above them, her body glowing in the reflection of the UV light shining on her. She raised her hand and then hesitated. She missed her cue, and Garth held his breath. He willed her to continue, to keep the audience in blissful ignorance of what was going on underneath their noses.
And then abruptly, she took a breath and swung into action, moving with a speed and agility that was as thrilling as ever. Garth let out his breath.
The crowd was in darkness, but Garth could tell they had a packed house. If this went wrong, it wouldn’t only be Carnival people who’d suffer. He was sure Hugo wouldn’t have a problem harming innocent bystanders. Not if it meant more publicity for him.
“What exactly are we going to do, Hugo? You need to tell us something about it.”
Hugo nodded. “You’re right. It’s time. We shall be in the rafters, using fire to enthral our audience.” Hugo gestured elegantly above their heads.
Garth looked up instinctively, directly at the roof of the big top.
Hugo was going to burn down the tent.
“What are you doing here? Where are Rilla and Jack?” a rough voice asked from Garth’s left side. Milton appeared from the hidden entrance he used to disappear from the crowds. His face looked from Garth to Maddy and then settled on Hugo. His eyes narrowed as he took in the gun trained on Garth and the all-red eyes that now seemed to take over Hugo’s face.
“You’ve been using your curse magic to steal our powers, Hugo? Nothing good ever comes of that.” Milton leveled a stern gaze at Hugo, clearly unafraid.
Hugo sneered. “What do you know of my magic? You’ve lived your whole life under the shelter of the Carnival.”
Milton’s mouth sagged. “I tried to use it myself. A long time ago,” he said in a low voice.
Garth gaped at his father, shocked. “What? When?” he said, unable to help himself.
Milton looked at Garth, raw pain on his face. “After your mother died, son. I couldn’t cope. I found someone willing to take my powers from me, and we tried to recreate the ceremony.”
“Did you…?” He glanced at Hugo.
Milton shook his head. “Abba found out before I could do it. He was livid. That was the year you went on the circuit instead of me, even without the bond. He couldn’t trust me anymore.” His voice ended on a whisper.
Garth vividly remembered that year. It had been tough on them all, but Abba had grimly worked day and night to ensure they finished every single Gift, despite the serious disadvantage of not having Milton to connect to the various Marks. Garth hadn’t understood just how angry Abba had been, but he realized now that the Ringmaster must have been enraged by what his father had done. He’d just been very, very good at hiding it.
When they’d arrived home at the end of the season, Milton was already forgetting things, and the Giftmaster role transferred itself to Garth.
“Enough of the reunion,” said Hugo impatiently. “We’ve got a show to do. This way.” He gestured with his gun hand to Garth and Maddy to head toward the ladder at the bottom of the trapeze. “You will introduce us as the high wire fire act,” he said to Milton. “If you do everything I say and don’t get any silly ideas, everyone might just make it out of this alive.”
Garth wondered if anyone actually believed that, including Hugo himself. This whole situation seemed geared up for death, and the bullet was squarely pointed at Garth. He met his father’s eyes and shook his head slightly, trying to indicate that the older man should stay out of it. “Help Rilla and Jack. They’re at the shopping mall,” he whispered as he passed by his father. Milton nodded, his eyes never leaving Garth’s face.
Garth had already decided what he would do. At first opportunity, he was going to tackle Hugo, and they would both fall to their deaths. He didn’t think Lucietta would continue in this farce without Hugo. It was the only way to ensure everyone else was safe, including Simon.
Trying not to think of the fear or the pain, or even what would happen after his death, Garth led the way to the narrow performer’s ladder, with Maddy following close behind him.
“Up you go. We need to be there before Missy finishes her act.” Hugo gestured with his gun.
Garth tried to go slow, but he soon realized the faster he climbed, the quicker it all would be over. He sped up, allowing instinct and muscle memory to take over. He’d practiced on the trapeze with Rilla and Missy since they were kids. They’d all been expected to have a good general grounding in a range of skills before being allowed to specialize in their family traditions. Maddy fell back a little, her movements unsure on the unfamiliar ladder that he was climbing so easily.
He just hoped he remembered enough of his early training to give him an edge over Hugo.
About a third of the way up, Hugo stopped and Garth looked down to see what he was doing. He had his favorite knife out again, and he was hacking at the safety net underneath Missy. Garth’s heart skipped a beat and he glanced up to where Missy was performing. He hoped she noticed what Hugo had done.
Their crazed captor was taking no chances on Garth accidentally surviving this performance. The net fell away where Hugo had cut at it, ripped along one side and made next to useless—especially if anyone fell from this side of the rigging.
It seemed to take forever, but eventually they arrived at the small metal platform, shrouded in darkness and hidden from the audience. Garth helped Maddy climb up next to him, close enough that he felt her shaking body. He put one arm around her, pulling her close. To one side, Missy continued her act. Gasps filled the air as she swept above the audience, barely visible except for the glowing outlines on her skintight leotard. As Garth watched her doing the flips and twists, a small part of him hoped her act would never end.
All too soon, Hugo and then Lucietta crowded onto the tiny platform that was really only meant for two.
“What now?” asked Garth.
“Lucietta will set us up.” Hugo gestured, and Lucietta nodded. She realigned the backpack she’d been carrying since they left the van and continued up the small ladder. It led to the rigging that held the trapeze together, and Garth felt a moment of real fear. What was she going to do? Was Hugo’s plan more than just to kill Garth and Maddy? Would he try to kill the audience as well? Unstable rigging was the worst nightmare of any circus. They were pedantic about making sure it was all safe and properly secure, especially since Lucietta’s last attempt at murder.
It reminded him that Lucietta wasn’t afraid of hurting people either. Maybe he was underestimating her by assuming she would give in once Hugo was out of the picture. He glanced down at Maddy. She wasn’t circus; she hadn’t trained in this environment. He didn’t think she would be a match for Lucietta up here. His pulse started racing and he began to doubt his simple plan. Would it really save Maddy, or would Lucietta try to prove her own point?
He shook his head. He had to try. He leaned down and whispered into Maddy’s ear. “Whatever happens, hold on tight to this pole.” He put her hands around the central pole that held up the platform and the ladder. He felt her nod against his chest.
A strange noise like a zip sounded in the darkness, and Garth frowned. Maddy jumped as if stung.
“What is it?” he asked her.
Hugo answered for Maddy. “I’ve just attached myself to Maddy by a small but hardwearing plastic handcuff. If you attempt to do anything to me, Maddy will suffer as well.”
***
She was terrified. Until she’d stepped out onto the platform, Maddy hadn’t thought about how far Hugo was expecting them to climb. She’d been aware that it was high. Missy was a
mazing for what she could do, flying about in the air. But she just hadn’t thought about the fact that she would be up here as well.
This was the scariest thing she’d ever had to do in her life. Her mind was blank. She couldn’t think straight. All she could do was cling to the pole that Garth had told her to hold on to. Even the painful rasp of the cuff that bound her to Hugo didn’t make her slacken her grip.
Above them, she was vaguely aware of Lucietta crawling along the framework that held the high wire and trapeze in place. She couldn’t image what they were planning and didn’t want to think about what Hugo expected her to do alongside him.
The audience gasped as Missy did a triple flip on the trapeze, seeming to fall through the glowing bar, only to grasp ahold with her feet. Relieved sighs filled the tent, and spontaneous clapping thundered through the next few flips.
“She’s almost at her finale.” Garth spoke quietly to Maddy. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice and worried the tears would start if she opened her mouth. She needed to stay strong if she was going to survive this. Hysterics weren’t an option.
“Lucietta’s finished. Grab those ropes she’s passing down.” Hugo spoke to Garth, and they both glanced up to see two drops of thick rope coming in their direction. Near the top of each rope a twisted loop was inserted into the line.
“Garth, you climb onto one, and I will get on the other. You swing out first, and I will go second.”
“You’re taking Maddy with you out onto the rope?” Garth’s voice was harsh.
“No, I’ll cut her loose when you’re safely out over the audience.”
A part of her felt immense relief. But then she looked at Garth and realized he would be out over the ice with only a loop of rope to hold him safe. “What are you going to do from there?” she whispered.
“You wait here with Lucietta, who will return soon. I’ll tell Garth what we’re doing, once we’re out there.” Hugo paused. “You know, Garth, it’s a pity you never tried using curse magic when you were Giftmaster. Her fear is exhilarating. This trick is going to be one of the easiest I’ve ever done.”
Maddy frowned at Hugo. “What are you talking about?”
Hugo smiled. “Your connection to the Carnival allows me to feel every dark emotion in your head and amps up my abilities. Every time you wish me dead, feel fear over being this high, or even feel confused over your sad little feelings for Garth, I get another sting of pure energy. It’s just too beautiful.” He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, as if sucking in the power right in front of her.
Maddy blinked. He could feel everything she was feeling? Every sodding thing that was going on in her head? A humming reverberated around in her head as she tried to deal with that idea.
It was almost too much. She felt faint and swayed. Strong arms came around her, and she instinctively settled in closer, seeking comfort. She’d been given too much new information, been asked to take on too many new ideas. There was only so much a person could take.
Gently, Garth pushed her down into a sitting position, her arm attached to Hugo now held up in the air. “Sit still and just hold on. He’ll let you go in a minute, and then you’ll be safe.”
“Thank you, Garth,” she whispered, putting her free hand up to his face and cupping one side. She wanted to say something more, to make him understand how important he was to her. She felt the sting of salt air on her face and a quick wind whipped at her hair in the otherwise still tent.
But no words would come, and he just turned his head and placed a soft kiss on her palm before standing. She watched him lean out and step into the loop of rope and swing off to the other side. Then she scrunched her eyes shut and clung on, even when she felt the snap of the plastic cuff being cut and Hugo leaving the platform.
***
Garth swung out over nothing, hoping Hugo would really do what he’d promised and set Maddy free. He had seen the look on Hugo’s face as he fed on her fear and her other negative emotions. It seemed more likely he’d keep her as an additional power source for as long as possible.
Thunderous applause followed the dramatic end of Missy’s act where she’d floated out over the audience on the other side of the big top, seeming to leap into nothing toward the moon, only to catch onto an invisible rope at the last minute and fall slowly to earth, like a feather on the wind.
“If you haven’t yet had enough of heights, you’re in for a treat. Keep your eyes glued to the clouds for our next fiery act.” It took Garth a moment to recognize his father’s voice. Then he remembered Jack and Rilla were probably still lying injured in the burning shopping mall.
He shook his head. No time to worry about that now. He had a job to do. He tightened his grip on the rough rope and took a deep breath.
The cold air made him shiver, but it cleared his mind. He glanced behind him, trying to see what Hugo was doing. Lucietta wasn’t back on the platform yet, but Maddy was still there, crouched low, holding the central pole as he’d showed her.
At first he couldn’t see Hugo.
Then he looked up. The magician was using the rope like a pro. He’d curled it up and around, using it to hold him tight, but at a higher point than Garth. He was a couple meters up, and the two rope drops had been tied about three meters apart. Carefully distanced to eliminate any chance of accidentally connecting.
“Now what?” asked Garth, again.
“Now you try to survive,” said Hugo with a dark smile. A quick movement above their heads and suddenly the air was filled with flames, smoke, and the smell of burning rope. His heart in his mouth, Garth looked up and saw what the trick was to be.
A burning rope and certain death. A thrilling escape for Hugo, who’d had time to plan his exit, and a burning nightmare for Garth, who had nowhere to go but down.
The thick rope he was on shuddered but didn’t immediately start to break. He took a breath to center himself. His sole focus had to be on Hugo, getting his act off track, making him fall. He’d made a plan, and he was going to stick to it. A burning rope made no difference.
Garth started swinging himself back and forth. The stench of burning rope was starting to concern members of the audience, and the murmurs broke through his concentration. He shook his head to clear it and forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He needed to get close to Hugo and attach himself to the magician and his rope.
Something to do with the swinging motion must have made the rope burn faster. Garth sniffed. There was also some kind of accelerant plastered on the top half of his rope. Hugo wasn’t leaving anything to chance. The rope twanged and one of the lines broke, burning off and sending sparks floating up into the roof.
All he could think about was swinging, back and forth, legs out the front, body back, leveraging himself into a position where he could consider attacking Hugo.
“It’s not going to work, you know. I’ve charged the ropes. They’ll stay away from each other as if they were opposing magnets. Your rope won’t go near mine.” Hugo’s voice called out to him.
Garth didn’t reply. He didn’t need them to go near each other, just near enough. He was balanced, strong, and confident in his abilities. Hugo might have been practicing, but Garth had been raised to this kind of physical work since he was old enough to climb a ladder. It was in his blood. He knew how to make a leap like this; he just had to get the conditions right and concentrate. If he missed, there was no net to keep him safe for another try.
A loud communal gasp from the audience made him look up. The canvas of the tent was burning above their heads, thick, dark smoke pumping across the roof. Some of it was making its way outside, but most of the smoke lurked around above their heads, providing a backdrop for the flames that were growing sluggishly above. Garth took a deep breath and pushed his body toward Hugo for one last swing, timing it as well as he could.
He leaped toward the magician, who saw what Garth was doing at the last minute and tried to swing away. It was too late, a
nd Garth took hold of the rope and Hugo, using all his strength to hold them both on the burning rope.
“Get off, you imbecile. Two people on the rope will make it break faster. This is no way to save yourself.” The first inkling of uncertainty began to show.
“I don’t want to save myself. I want to stop you,” replied Garth with deadly calm.
Hugo swore and started urgently kicking out at him, using his legs to good effect against Garth’s face and arms. But Garth held on, using every inch of his tenacity and picturing Maddy and Simon in his head. He knew who he was doing this for, and it made every moment, every kick to the head, every fear worth it.
The line creaked, and the smell of burning overtook his senses.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Maddy sniffed the smoke in the air and opened her eyes. Flames were everywhere, most especially on the two ropes that now dangled over the limp safety net. One of the ropes was empty, and the other held the two men struggling for dominance.
Maddy stood, unable to take her eyes from Hugo and Garth. Hugo seemed to have the upper hand; Garth’s fingers were slipping where he clung to the rope. It wasn’t going to work. Maddy looked up and around for Lucietta. She was sure she was supposed to have been back here on the platform, holding a gun for safety’s sake.
On the far side of Garth and Hugo, movement caught her eye. Another two figures struggled against each other in the upper skeleton of the rigging. They were dangerously close to the fire, and each was straining to push the other closer to the flames. Maddy recognised Missy glowing in the dark, her performance outfit outlining her lithe shape. Lucietta was less clear, her outfit mostly black.
“I need your help. You’ll have to put out as much of the fire as you can.” The gruff voice made her jump. Behind her on the ladder, Milton was crawling onto the platform, making it shudder uncomfortably. He handed up one of the two fire extinguishers he’d been carrying.
