Page 61 of Chaos Carnival

I settled onto his chest, breathing in his scent—thunderstorms and midnight air. The moonlight wrapped around us like a cocoon, and I let myself sink into the sensation of him—the slight roughness of his chest hair on my cheek, the way his fingers traced idle patterns on my back, the perfect fit of his body to mine.

The alchemy hummed between us, stronger than ever, as if it too knew this was the final night. I held onto each moment, committing every detail to memory—the silver light paintingdark fingers across his face, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth slowly returning to his limbs.

I began to melt into him, my breathing slowing, eyes heavy…

And darkness overtook me.

I woke to sunlight streaming through the window and Maverick's lips trailing down my neck. The moonlit ritual had worked—his skin radiated warmth now, all traces of celestial poison gone.

“Morning, monstre.” His mouth found mine, soft and insistent.

Tangling my fingers in his hair, I pulled him closer, savoring the silky strands between my fingers. The kiss deepened, unhurried and thorough, tasting of morning and magic and something uniquely Maverick. His hands roamed over my skin, leaving trails of heat, each touch erasing the memory of last night's fear that I might lose him. My body craved more of that delicious warmth that proved he was truly healed.

“Hungry?” Maverick asked between kisses, his breath warm against my lips.

“Mmm.” I pressed into his touch, my skin tingling everywhere we connected. The morning sunlight caught in his hair, creating a halo effect that made me smile at the irony.

“There's a place down the street. Best bagels in Crimson City.” He nipped at my lower lip, drawing a soft gasp from me. “Want me to grab us some?”

“Yes please.” I stretched languidly, and as he slid out of bed, I already missed his warmth. The sheets were still infused with him, wild and ancient, reminding me of thunderstorms.

“Don't move.” He pulled on his jeans and shirt, his movements quick and fluid. His eyes roamed over me appreciatively as he backed toward the door. “I'll be right back.”

I watched him leave, regretting my next move, waiting until his footsteps faded down the hall. The moment the front door clicked shut, I threw off the covers and grabbed my clothes.

My hands shook as I dressed quickly. The tethers stretched before me, clear and bright. I knew what I had to do. It was my responsibility to fix it. Ivan wanted me in exchange for Addie. No more waiting, no more putting others at risk.

I scribbled a quick note and left it on the pillow: “I'm sorry. I have to do this alone.”

My fingers tingled as I stood, the air shimmering around me. The sensible thing would be to wait, to plan. But I wasn't entirely sensible anymore, was I? And maybe that was exactly what we needed.

Fate whispered directions in my blood, showing me exactly where to find him. They promised to protect me, to guide me, to help me end this.

Grabbing my bag, I moved to the door, my steps light as if gravity itself had loosened its hold. The morning air hit my face, carrying the fragrance of fresh bread and coffee. I forced myself not to look back as I headed in the opposite direction from where Maverick had gone.

I flagged down a taxi, sliding into the back seat before I could change my mind.

“Cirque des Cauchemars,” I told the driver.

My chest ached with each second that took me further from Maverick, but I tamped it down. He would try to stop me if he could, to protect me.

But this was my fight. My best friend. My responsibility.

Besides, I understood now—in that perfect, mad way that feels like revelation—that I was stronger than Ivan. He only played with shadows, but I had the universe itself dancing through my veins. The webs had chosenme, had remademe. What was one twisted ringmaster compared to that?

The strands sang of justice and vengeance and power, and I couldn't quite remember why I'd ever feared them.

How could I be afraid when they made everything so perfectly, terribly clear?

The city blurred into streams of color, each second taking me closer to Ivan's lair. There was no time to wait, no time for plans or backup or caution.

Not when I knew exactly what needed to be done.

Maverick would be angry, of course. They all would. But they didn't understand yet, couldn't see how everything was woven together. Besides, by the time they found me, it would all be over.

One way or another.

Chapter 29: Labyrinth of Lies

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