Heather Long - Waiting in the Wings

“We accept that charge and will make reparations. But we cannot interfere with the contract, as we did not enforce it.”

“Very well. It may interest you to know that Marguerite DuBois and the local Prince of the city were engaged in a long-term affair for nearly twenty-five years before DuBois vanished. A very skilled witch, DuBois specialized in the creation of trap charms—and they often fetched the highest price at auction. They could steal souls—or memories—and for a blood debt, they could replace them.”

The witch in the center jerked.

Gotcha.

“If the personal debt is being enforced and chains held within this casino and resort in violation of neutrality as a personal favor to the Prince of Las Vegas, you will have openly aligned yourselves with him, which means any contracts you hold with other cities will be null and void. As of fifteen minutes ago, information regarding the entire matter including all the evidence we have gathered was delivered to the Princes of Monte Carlo, Atlantic City, Reno, Singapore and Bangladesh. All cities I believe you have operating interests in—”

He didn’t hear anything else, the five figures vanished and the gray filter on the room dissipated. He stood alone in the white chamber. He glanced at his watch and waited.

One figure strode back into the room, the air around it blurring to hide any recognizable features.

“You have evidence of DuBois’ liaison with Prince Andrew?” The Argentinean—whatever the hell he was.

“I do.”

“And you will give us this information?”

“As soon as you free my wife.”

“What will you give up for her? You offer us money and information, but what sacrifice are you willing to make to engage the Overseers on your behalf?”

“Whatever you want.” Malcolm advised against such a gamble, but Richard would not leave her trapped here one hour longer than they’d already lost. “If you want my city, you can take it. If you want my soul, it’s yours. I just want Kristina free from obligation, from the memory loss, from the curse turning her to stone every day. I want her to have her life back.”

“You would give up everything for her?”

“If necessary and without reservation.” He wouldn’t leave her here, but if he remained—so be it. She gave up everything for him, time and again. He could do nothing less for her.

“Yet not without regret, I imagine. What would it be to reunite with your bride only to have to tell her goodbye again?”

“Painful.” He admitted. “But it is my sacrifice and choice to make. She will be safe and she will be free. She deserves so much more, but she will have that.”

“As you wish.” The man vanished.

It wasn’t an answer. But the offer had been made. He looked at his watch and reclaimed the thumb drive and Heidi’s chit. Minion had delivered the item just before the summons from the Overseers. She grumbled and complained, and even managed to wheedle a black opal ring from a collection of baubles he considered using for bribes before handing over the chit. She also delivered a frustrating message. Heidi can’t tell either of you what you want to know. But she can vouch for the evidence you have gathered and that the Midnight Mystery Lounge does not control Kiki’s contract. Don’t ask her for anything else.

In less than an hour Kristina would take the stage—for the last time, if he had his way. He paused on the thought. No, for the last time if it is her wish. If she is free and chooses to stay, then she may have her choice.

It was enough, for now.

It had to be.

Kiki’s hands shook as she tried to apply the eyeliner. They were doing the diamonds show again. But the last thing she wanted to do was take the stage. In fact, the concept made her ill. Agitation skated over her skin, and her gums hurt. Minion peered up at her, uncharacteristically silent. Flicking a look down at the imp, Kiki tried to smile, but her lips trembled.

“You’re going to leave.” Minion stated, her flat voice filled with sad desolation.

“Minion…” She sighed.

“Nope. Just like Pandora and Roseâtre, you’re going to choose the guy and go. And I can’t blame you. Richard’s hawt—even if he is kind of cold.”

“He’s not cold.” Kiki frowned. “He’s old. Determined. Steadfast. I—”

“Do you remember him?” The imp rose from her crouch and picked her way across the cosmetics table. She pawed through the eyeliners and found one with a better tip.

Trading the bad eyeliner for the fresher one, Kiki chewed her lip. “Some, little pieces, but I know I know him—or knew him.”

“Do you love him?” Minion picked through the powders, choosing the one with the most glitter.

“Yes.” No hesitation or doubt marred the answer. She quivered thinking about him and, for the first time in fifty years, she didn’t want to bother with a show, much less star in one.

Minion nodded glumly and started patting Kiki’s cheek with the powder, moving in slow circles the way she’d taught her. Kiki stood still for the attention.

“Who will you give the shoes to?” The imp nodded to the shimmering pair of crystal and glitter pumps. The shoes had passed from Pandora to Roseâtre and finally to Kiki. Regret tugged inside her tummy. The girls joked they were magic—gifting them lead dancer to lead dancer—and maybe they were. Kiki had inherited them, and Heidi’d given her the lead. Taking them with her would be wrong and giving up the shoes really meant she planned to go—but she wanted to leave didn’t she?

“I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll think of someone.” It wasn’t a longing to leave the theatre so much as just to be with Richard. He didn’t live in Las Vegas or at the Arcana, so that meant going to where he did live. The trembling in her soul ceased. It had made leaving the island paradise bearable and probably why she hadn’t minded leaving London or any of the other places they’d lived. She could love a place—like this theatre—she could adore spending time there, but without Richard, it was just a place.

An empty place.

“Ladies! We need to get this show going! Move it!” Heidi’s voice boomed through the dressing room, and Kiki rose from the chair and checked her makeup. It wasn’t perfect, but the glitter combined with the flush of her cheeks gave her an oddly ethereal look—fire and ice in one. She liked it.

Setting the cosmetics aside, she scooped Minion up and gave her a hug. “No matter where I go, we’re still buds, and if you want to visit me in New York, you can totally do it. Okay?”

The imp’s wrinkled face bloomed into a smile. “Really?”

“Absolutely. We can shop. Go see shows. Anything you want.” Richard had his friends. She wouldn’t abandon hers.

“Ooh! We could visit Pandora!” Minion bounced and hugged her tight.

“Yes, we could.”

The imp squealed, and Kiki shared an indulgent grin with Peppermint as she reached around to scratch Minion’s ears. The imp almost purred and then disappeared in a poof of smoke and light sulfur.

“Show time!” The friendly nudge encouraged her to get moving. She grabbed her black dress and the heels—but she hesitated. “Hey, Peppermint?”

“Yeah?” The petite dancer glanced at her while touching up her hair with some glitter spritz.

“Catch.” She tossed her one shoe and the other. “All yours.”

“Thank you!” Peppermint stared at the beautifully bedazzled shoes. They’d all envied Pandora’s pair, even if no one knew where they came from. Kiki thought she would experience sadness at saying goodbye to them. The dress slipped over her, and she hummed as she trailed after the others racing up the stairs to the stage. The concrete was cold against her bare feet, but she didn’t mind. Glancing back at the empty dressing room, she smiled.