Last Kiss Goodnight

him, you’ll be captured, too.

A tap on her shoulder had her spinning back to Solo—who was right in front of her, concern once again radiating from him. “Are you okay?”

“D—did you see them?” she asked, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

“See who?”

“Them.” She looked left—Dr. E was gone. She looked right—X was gone. “But . . . but . . .” Her shoulders drooped. “Never mind.”

“What did you see?” he insisted.

Twice they’d discussed that other realm, yet he’d never mentioned X or Dr. E, even though he had to know them. And he was Allorian, and somehow, during her dream that wasn’t a dream, she had appeared on Alloris. But she wasn’t going to be the one to mention their names. Solo would demand to know what they had said to her. He would agree with X, she knew he would, and then she would have to turn him down yet again. Despite the fact that she knew X was right. He was always right. But she couldn’t see a way to obey him.

“Vika.”

Forget her father. Forget the future. She threw herself into his arms. They probably wouldn’t be together much longer, and she needed to savor every moment.

He didn’t grab hold of her. She felt a vibration, knew he was speaking. “I don’t know what you’re saying. And honestly? I don’t care. If you want me to move away, sorry, because I’m staying right here. Just hold me tight and warn me if you hear anyone coming.”

Several moments ticked by before he obeyed.

A sigh of relief left her at the feel of his strength and heat enveloping her. “I vowed to do my best to find that key, and I meant it. I will. But where should I start? What if I fail?”

At the right, she heard a moan.

At the left, she heard a cackle of laughter.

Her nails sank into Solo’s chest, as if he was her only anchor in a turbulent storm. Actually, he was. Dr. E and X were still here, listening.

Warm hands cupped her cheeks, a beautiful caress she would remember all the days of her life. He lifted her chin, hope and flickers of what looked to be apprehension peering down at her. “He would keep the key close by, and it might even be something he wears every day. And you won’t fail.”

“But I’ve looked through his jewelry.”

“Look for secret compartments in his trailer. And if you get into trouble, run. Run, and never look back.”

Oh, yes. Apprehension. She could barely process the knowledge. He was putting her needs above his own. Not just for the aid she could render, but for her.

“I can’t do that, Solo.” No matter what. “I just can’t.”

His gaze searched her, drilling all the way to her soul. “Then run to me.”

She rubbed against his palm, practically purring with the warmth and pleasure of the sensation. “What would you be able to do?” she whispered. She didn’t ask to be cruel, but to point out how futile such a thing would be.

Anger suddenly overshadowed the apprehension, but his grip remained gentle. “I’ll think of something.”

That anger wasn’t directed at her, she knew, but at the circumstances. “I don’t want to get you into more trouble.”

“I can handle trouble.”

“And I can’t?”

His thumbs stroked, making her shiver. “You’ve handled too much already. And one day, you’re going to tell me everything that’s been done to you. One day you’ll have the life you deserve.”

One day.

Panic bubbled to the surface because she knew, knew, something bad would soon happen. Something bad always happened when those words were voiced. Still, all she said was, “F-fine. I’ll come to you. And before you say anything, I vow it.”

A speck of color flashed toward the left. The fog was thinning now, she realized. Different parts of the circus were appearing, everything in its place, nothing so much as an inch off. The cage that had become Vika’s safe harbor was exactly where it had been left—right in front of Jecis’s trailer.

Only the landscape had changed. A single sun shone brightly in a baby blue sky. Rather than hills of soot and ash, with gnarled trees stretching grotesque limbs in every direction, snowcapped mountains painted the area.

“One day, you will—” Solo’s ears twitched. The corners of his lips turned down as he jerked his head toward her father’s trailer. “He comes.”

Swallowing a yelp, Vika jumped away from him.

A second later the door swung open, and Jecis pounded outside. Audra trailed behind him, wearing a lovely golden hat, coat, and boots—all made from One Day’s pelt. The bald patches from age and the holes from Jecis’s gun had been filled in with another animal’s fur, creating the illusion of a healthy lion in the prime of his life.

Anytime Vika saw the outfit, she struggled with the urge to rip Audra’s face off.

I will not react.

Solo shifted, as if he meant to leap in front of her. Somehow, he stopped himself.

“Vika,” Jecis said, looking her over with . . . a confusing mix of disappointment and relief in his eyes. “You have recovered.”

“I have.”

“You even appear content.” His gaze moved to Solo, and the tension returned. “And you look as if you want to cut my heart out with a rusty spoon and feast.”

Solo remained quiet.

“You were gentle with my daughter, weren’t you, beast? I bet you even controlled your darker urges, just to impress her.”

Again, there was only quiet from Solo.

“You taught her nothing,” Jecis shouted, his face turning red. “Nothing! I expected the animal to act like an animal. I expected to find her on her knees, begging me to free her.”

Audra backed up a few steps, turned, and raced to the trailer, as if she feared he would focus all of that rage on her. Tremors began to slide down Vika’s spine.

“An animal would make her feel the need to beg, yes,” Solo finally replied, leaving no doubt he considered Jecis the actual animal.

Jecis popped his jaw.

“Do you want me to beg?” she asked her father, bringing his attention back to her. “I will.” For Solo, she might do just about anything.

“Beg? Now?” He spit on the ground. “When it will mean nothing?”

Still. She had to try. With dread churning in her stomach, she said, “Daddy, please release me. Please.” She hated the idea of leaving Solo trapped, all alone, to suffer humiliation when the circus kicked off and new humans came to view him. As poorly as he reacted to rejection, it had to be a special kind of torture for him. But she had to. “Please.”

Solo placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed, a bid for silence.

Her father’s eyes nearly bugged from his face, and the red tint returned to his skin, darker now. “How dare you touch her, beast!”

Vika tried to step away, but Solo applied just enough pressure to keep her in place.

“Daddy,” she said, desperate. “I . . . we can have dinner tonight. And we can talk. Just like before, when I was little. Remember? And afterward, I’ll return to my former duties, if you’ll let me.”

Jecis inhaled sharply, released the air slowly. Finally he nodded, as if he’d just made a decision. “I will release you, Vika.”

“Thank you. Thank you so—”

“On the condition that you perform in the ring tonight,” he added.

“What?” she squeaked, even as Solo’s grip tightened enough to cause her to wince.

Immediately the pressure let up. But . . . she no longer wanted to move away.

Jecis ignored her question. “And you, beast, are going to suffer. You think it was bad before? You’ll soon be