The Cirque by Ryann Kerekes Read Free Book Online Page B

dull.”
    “Oh, that’s a relief.” I glared at her before lying flat on my back to stare up at the ceiling. It wasn’t the knives that were bothering me. It was Gabriel. That I couldn’t figure him out, that being near him made my heart pound, that his cocky smirks made my stomach twist in knots. “So what’s Gabriel’s story? He didn’t respond well when I tried to make small talk and pretty much shut down the conversation.”
    She was quiet while she considered how to answer. “He has a rocky past.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It’s probably better if you don’t know.”
    I laughed dryly, trying to brush away my nerves. “Well, I do have to work with him, so don’t you think I should know if he accidently killed the last target girl?”
    “No,” she said firmly, the look on her face grim.
    What the hell? There were so many more questions I wanted to ask, but maybe Sasha was right. Maybe I couldn’t handle the truth.
    After a few minutes’ rest, Sasha got up and performed for me again. I sat there mesmerized by what she did with two simple bands of fabric.
    Since it was to be our first show in front of a live audience that night, I thought I should find Gabriel to make sure we were all set for our big debut. I didn’t see him all day, and when it came time for an early dinner before the seven o’clock show, I found him sitting in the cafeteria with his nose in a book. He was tapping his foot under the table, causing his knee to jump. There were a half dozen paper cups littering the table in front of him.
    “How many cups of coffee have you had?” I picked up one of the empty cups in front of him.
    “Not sure,” he said, without looking up.
    “What the hell, Gabriel?”
    He set the book down calmly in front of him and looked up at me.
    “What seems to be the problem?” he asked, sweetly. Too sweet. He was being sarcastic.
    “I looked for you all day to make sure we were ready for tonight and here you are overdosing on caffeine. You’re all twitchy.” I threw my hands up in the air.
    He smirked. “I’m fine, Ari. You worry too much. I told you I wouldn’t hit you as long as you’re still.” The lack of concern in his voice was unsettling.
    I tried and failed to push Sasha’s warning about his past from my mind. What was he trying to hide? “Yeah? And what if I panic in front of the crowd? Did it ever occur to you that maybe we should’ve practiced together more? That I don’t have any idea what I’m doing?”
    “You’ll be fine. Just stand there,” he said condescendingly, and picked up his book again.
    I snatched it from his hands and set off for my trailer.
    “Hey!” he called after me. He followed behind me but I didn’t slow down.
    I walked with purpose, clutching the book in my hands. I looked down at the cover. It was a classic romance novel I’d read many times. But what was he doing reading it? He did his best to come across as cold and emotionless, but clearly something deeper was lurking under that façade. I had half a mind to ruin the ending for him, but continued clutching it tightly as a quickened my pace.
    When I reached the trailer, Sasha was standing outside smoking. She was dressed in her costume with a big-hooded sweatshirt thrown on over it. She saw the look on my face and then glanced back at Gabriel following after me. “Lover’s quarrel?” she asked, chuckling.
    I stormed past her and went inside. I didn’t bother closing the door, knowing Gabriel would just follow me in. He’d never been in my trailer before, but he entered without hesitating, needing to duck under the door frame.
    I turned to face him and thrust the book into his chest. When he took it, his hands covered mine, holding them for a second longer than necessary. He cocked his head, looking at me like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
    “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don’t want to be part of your little act? That I’m a professional dancer and probably have