"Maybe I will," I murmured, my glare bouncing between Mr. Reddy and Nireas.
It wasn't until Mr. Reddy was done, heading into the wings to return to his downstairs office, that I thought of the words.
"Good luck," Ronan said, patting my hip as I jumped out of my chair and hurried to chase our employer down.
I made it as far as the downstairs hall, no one nearby to hear me as I called to Mr. Reddy's back at the far end. "You told me I'd only have one act."
His shoulders slumped, and I thought for a moment he might ignore me as he shouldered open his office door, but he stopped, the door propped open by his large frame, and waved a hand in invitation.
I marched down the hall, footsteps echoing behind me as other members of the company retreated from the stage. Mr. Reddy held the door open for me, and I moved to the chair in front of his desk, gripping the back of it rather than sitting down.
"I did, and I meant it at the time," Mr. Reddy said. "We're two girls down now, and even if I had time to find a new girl, it's hardly the appropriate time to be doing so, is it?"
I dropped my chin to my chest and nodded slightly. "I know, I do. But why this act? Why not…not the silks?"
Mr. Reddy snorted. "You and the imp have good chemistry, but you don't perform as well with him and you're shit on the silks."
I blinked at that answer. "What? What do you mean I don't perform as well with Ronan?"
Mr. Reddy arched an eyebrow, rounding his desk and sinking into his chair with a weary sigh. "You're too wrapped up in each other on stage. You forget your lights, to face the stage. And don't think I don't know you two are gossiping through your teeth."
My lips twitched at being caught in such a silly thing, and I pulled the chair out, settling down and crossing my arms over my chest.
"You said it yourself—it's the easiest act. Give it to one of the other girls, and it won't make a difference. Hell, give me one of theirs in exchange," I said.
Mr. Reddy hummed, leaning back in his chair and tapping his fingers on the wooden arms as he thought. "Has he hurt you?"
"What? Who?"
"Nireas."
"No," I said immediately, startled by the question.
"Insulted you?"
I swallowed and shook my head, looking down at my lap, knowing I would have to lie to talk Mr. Reddy out of this plan.
"He requested you. I didn't even have to bully him into putting it on the program for once," Mr. Reddy said. "It's not the most exciting act, but everyone always enjoys it. I can't say no. And you're not giving me a real reason to try."
I stifled my groan and nodded. It was the piano act, for Christ's sake. Was my ego really so bruised from one rejection years ago that I would refuse one of the simplest acts in the show? Fighting the assignment just proved Nireas was more powerful in my own mind than he had any right to be.
"Fine," I said.
Mr. Reddy didn't bother looking relieved. He'd known all along I would relent. Like I always did. "And the act with the Gemini? Do you mind it?"
"Constantine? It's…fine, actually."
Strangely, Mr. Reddy did seem to relax at this. "Good. Glad to hear it. I might move it up to the end of the first act, if you think you can manage the piano after? It shocks the audience. Would be better for a good intermission jolt than a finale."
I mulled this over and nodded. "It should be fine. The pain doesn't last after he stops touching me. I'll talk to him if I think I need any changes."
"He listens, then?"
A small smile curled up my lips. Mr. Reddy would always put the show above any of us, but every so often, he revealed little hints of giving a whit for us as individuals.
"He listens," I said.
Mr. Reddy nodded, back to his usual brusque manner. "Fine. You need anything else?"
"You've accepted Hunter's help in investigating their deaths?" I asked.
Mr. Reddy shrugged, leaning forward to rifle through the papers on his desk, most of which looked like letters. "He's offered. So have others. We'll find the bastard."
I leaned forward too, lowering my voice and glancing briefly at the letters, wishing I could search the words for information without Reddy noticing me snooping. "We're…we're sure that it was a monster?"
Mr. Reddy's head shot up, eyes flashing green in warning, and then he blinked and shook himself. "You know, girl, I forget sometimes. That you aren't one of them," he added as I stared back. Human, he meant. My cheeks flushed, and he cleared his throat. "We're sure. Now, go. I have work to do."
I stood, headed for the door, and paused with my fingers hovering over the handle, Hunter's warning in my head.
"Do you think it might be someone in the company?" I asked.
Mr. Reddy was quiet for a moment, papers rustling behind me as I examined the dark stained wood of the door. "Do you have reason to think it might be?"
I turned and glanced over my shoulder, Reddy's gaze hard and fastened on me. I shook my head. "No, sir."
His head dipped down, focused again on his papers, a silent dismissal, and I opened the door. Nireas was hunched in the hall, standing at the edge of my dressing room doorway, arms loose at his sides and ankles crossed. He looked up as I paused on Mr. Reddy's threshold but made no motion to attract my attention. He didn't have to.
I closed the door behind me and considered ducking down the side hall to the canteen like a coward. But Nireas could just as easily follow me there, and it wasn't as though I could hide from him for long now that we had an act together.
His eyes flicked up, watching my feet as I approached and walked around his outstretched legs to reach my door.
"Hazel—"