Page 25 of Gunslinger Girl

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

One by one the globes shattered. At the last, Beeks sobbed and fell to his knees, a dark stain spreading across the front of his pants.

“That good enough?” Pity spat, and instantly regretted it.

But Selene ignored the comment. “What do you think, Beau? Could you find a use for her?”

Beau considered her for a moment. “No.”

“No?”

“She can shoot, but the only steel in her is in those guns.”

Pity’s confidence withered, giving way to another wave of guilt. Even he sees it. If you had moved instead of freezing up, gotten to Finn before…

Selene turned. “Halcyon, what about you?”

Halcyon was grinning like a madman. He clapped his hands together. “Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times, yes! The ideas are flowing already—Serendipity Jones! Deadliest beauty in the west! No, wait. That’s terrible… I can think of something better…”

Deadliest beauty? Perplexed, Pity holstered her guns.

“It’s your lucky day,” Selene said to her, “but don’t misunderstand. You’ve earned a chance and nothing more. Impress Halcyon. More important, impress me. Do that and you may stay in Casimir for as long as you’d like.” Miss Selene tapped a finger against the desk. A display flared to life. “Adora, would you come in here for a moment?”

“Right away, ma’am,” said a voice.

A moment later, a door opened in the wall. A young woman entered the room. Her neat navy jacket and skirt were a stark contrast to the wildly arranged magenta hair on her head. She didn’t spare a single glance for the blubbering Beeks.

“Adora,” said Selene, “would you please find quarters for Pity here? Somewhere in the performers’ wing.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Max, go along with her as well. And get Flossie to send someone to clean her up.” Selene gave Pity a final shrewd smile. “Let’s see what kind of gem is under that rough.”

“Follow me,” Adora said coolly. She headed for the elevator, heels clicking against the floor.

Max took hold of Pity’s arm and, less than gently, urged her to follow. But he was smiling. “Congratulations,” he said quietly.

“Why?” she said. “What the hell just happened?”

“What do you think? You joined the Theatre!”

Behind them, Beeks finally found his voice. “Miss Selene? What about me? Am I—am I forgiven?”

“Of course not,” Selene said, her words carrying across the room. “I’m giving you to the Theatre, too.”

Pity winced at the howl that followed, a desperate cry that was cut off a moment later as the elevator doors slid shut.

CHAPTER 8

“The Theatre?” Pity leaned against the back of the elevator, muscles watery. Beeks’s scream echoed in her ears. “Can’t I scrub toilets?”

Max leaned next to her, grinning. “Are you kidding me? You hit the jackpot!”