Page 79 of Gunslinger Girl

Slow, even breaths passed between Max’s parted lips. Pity started to go, but he roused again at her movement.

“Stay.” His eyes remained closed. “For a little bit… just until I fall…”

“Shhh.” Pity clutched the gift to her chest, as if it could smother the ache ignited there. “I’ll be right here, Max. You go ahead and rest.”

She remained like that, surrounded by the manifestations of Max’s dreams—or nightmares—until he was asleep.

CHAPTER 25

The following days found the arena engulfed in barely ordered pandemonium. Acts needed polishing, new sets needed constructing, and as a result, Pity found her practice delayed. She waited in the stands, watching the Rousseaus swoop back and forth in the new firebird costumes Max had created for them. It was a scene wildly out of sync with the sounds of hammers and saws and the brassy carnival music being played. The only thing missing from the chaos was Halcyon, normally in the thick of it all, tossing orders around.

Not for the first time, Pity was grateful for the solitary nature of her act and the pragmatic element that called for the arena to be hers alone when she was practicing. But the approaching Finale marred her thoughts. In too few days, the stands would be filled with an audience eager to decide the fate of the assassin. Offered as executioner for the first time, an undercurrent of unease gripped her.

They want a show, she reminded herself. Not the quick, bland execution she could offer.

“Serendipity! Good, there you are!” Halcyon bounded up the stairs, his long legs taking two at a time.

She stood to meet him. “What’s up, boss?”

“Come, come. We have business to attend to.”

“What about practice?”

He waved a gloved hand. “It will wait. Selene wishes to see us.”

“Why?”

“A mystery we shall solve presently.”

Instead of traveling through the Gallery, Halcyon led her to a secluded hallway, then through a trio of doors, each with a keypad lock. In the chamber beyond the last door were an elevator and two rather bored-looking Tin Men, who waved them through without question. A brief ride delivered them into a sprawling suite. It took only a glance for Pity to surmise that they were in Selene’s personal living space. Unlike her sparse office, the décor was busier, with an overlapping patchwork of carpets and curved walls speckled with gold-framed paintings. The floor was partially sunken, with a comfortable cluster of sofas at its center.

“Please, have a seat.” Selene’s words entered before she did, appearing in a doorway, Beau on her heels. “How is the show preparation coming?”

“Splendid, of course!” said Halcyon.

Pity followed him down the steps and sat on one of the couches.

Though Beau remained on the upper level, Selene joined them there. “I’m glad to hear it. We’re expecting some important guests, so try to dazzle, won’t you?”

Halcyon balked. “I’m offended you’d expect anything less from our sublime syndicate of talent.”

“I wouldn’t, and I don’t.” Selene turned to Pity. “Looking forward to the show?”

Pity examined Selene, searching for clues as to why they were there, but the woman was as inscrutable as a blank page. “Of course, ma’am.”

“Good, because I have a special request of you.” Selene reclined, tranquil as she draped one elegant arm across the back of the sofa. “I want you to perform the Finale.”

The placid tone of the request belied the meaning of the words. “But I…” Confusion twisted Pity’s tongue. “I thought the audience decided who—”

“These are special circumstances.” Selene locked her with a lioness’s stare. “After Daneko’s betrayal, we sent a message. One that isn’t finished yet. This is the next piece.”

“But…”

“He won’t be armed. It’s a simple enough task.”

Too simple—nothing more than the pull of a trigger. And yet…

“I want you to do it”—Selene’s voice softened—“because you were there, and everyone knows that. You’ve been here for months now, Pity. Understand that Cessation is an act of its own, one that requires no small amount of balance. We need to make it clear that those who would upset it will not be tolerated. That they will be made an example of.”