Page 36 of Slay Me

Apollo meets me in the middle where he grabs a long silk in obsidian, and I wrap my hands in a bright red one.

The same shade as blood.

“Here’s hoping I don’t die,” Apollo jokes.

“At least, you can shift on the way down,” I joke. Spots dance in my vision, and I clamp an arm around my waist.

“What’s wrong? Liv—”

“Fine,” I interrupt. “Nerves. Don’t die.”

He grins at me as the lights below go completely dark. A heartbeat later, a spotlight shines. Apollo steps out to the ledge and off, letting his hands glide him down the silks. As I watch his solo performance, waiting for my own cue, I try to ignore the man coming toward me from the other side.

“What are you doing up here?” I ask as the Ringmaster stops beside me.

“Ensuring you don’t fall.” His reply is spoken without emotion.Not surprising.

“How chivalrous of you.” I keep my gaze on Apollo, watching as he climbs the silks and wraps his body with them. Then he releases and spins closer to the ground. The crowd is absolutely eating it up, their cheers proof that the gryffin’s talents exceed merely swooping in and saving me.

“The gryffin is handling the silks quite well,” the Ringmaster whispers near my ear. His hot breath has goosebumps flaring to life all along my skin.

I shiver. “We practiced,” I snap. “The crowd seems to be enjoying him, too.”

“Not as much as they enjoy you,” he replies.

I turn to face him. “I’m sure Valentina appreciates him more-ugh,” I groan, bending at the waist.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Ate something weird. I’m fine.”

“Liv. Let’s go.” He reaches for me, but I shake my head. “Leave me be, Ringmaster. I’ve performed through far worse.”

“Lie,” he growls. “Your scent is off. What the fuck did you eat?”

“Noth—” I trail off as I sway, my entire body going limp. The edge comes up far too soon, and I fall.

“Liv!” The Ringmaster roars. He jumps, grabbing the silk with one hand and sliding down until his arm wraps around me. We jerk to a stop inches before we hit the ground.

The crowd is dead silent for a beat. Vision wavering, I manage to make out Apollo as he crosses toward us. As soon as he reaches us, the Ringmaster shakes his head.

“Smile and bow,” he growls.

Apollo does, and the Ringmaster cradles me against his jacketed chest as he rushes out of the ring.

“What the hell is wrong with her?” Apollo demands.

The Ringmaster deposits me on the couch. “Get me cool water,” he orders.

“I don’t feel so great.” My stomach rolls.

“Fuck.” He lifts me again and rushes toward the door.

“Wait! What the hell is wrong with her?”

“Have the berserker bring me a cloth and cool water to her room.” He doesn’t wait for a response as he continues to rush up the stairs and toward my apartment.

As soon as we’re inside, he sets me down on my bed and removes my face mask from where it sits on my throat.

---