The Motion of Puppets(82)

The perfect moment for their getaway, Theo thought, but the tap of a sharp nail on his shoulder pinned him to the spot. The Devil had materialized in the silence, and his other hand held Nix by one ear.

“Mr. Ghost,” he said, “my minions have been watching you, and I have been told that you have been here in the barn all along. Hiding in the attic. Can you imagine such a thing? There is no attic to a loft, so dear Nix must be mistaken.”

“I’m afraid that’s all my fault,” said Kay. “I said attic when I meant to say … the silo. Isn’t that right?”

Theo nodded.

The Devil let go of Nix with a snap of his fingers. “You must listen more carefully, Nix. But tell me, does Mr. Ghost not speak for himself?”

“He is a creature of few words,” said Kay.

“I’m hoarse,” Theo said in his best falsetto. “From talking philosophy with Silenus.”

“Silenus? You know Silenus? I’ve been wondering where he has gotten to.”

“Down below,” Theo said, pointing through the cloth.

“I’m obliged to you, old spook,” the Devil said. “The Original has been looking for Silenus this past hour to settle a conundrum. You and I shall have to continue our discourse later.” His tail wagged like a dog’s as he hurried to the stairs.

Checking to make sure they were alone, Theo whispered to Kay, “We must go.”

“Not without No?.”

“There’s too much risk.”

“I cannot leave without her.”

He blew out a long breath, settling the matter. “Fetch her, but be quick, while the Devil is away. And see if the Good Fairy would be willing to create some distraction.”

*

“You are out of your mind,” the Good Fairy said. “You will never make it. And, besides, what proof do you have that he is who he says he is? Have you even seen his face?”

All around them the others rested, sleeping on the bare floor, bodies twined around bodies or slouching against the walls. A stupor had befallen the party, too much wine and song. Kay glanced across the room at the Ghost, trying to remain inconspicuous near the hole by the silo. “I don’t need to see his face to know my own Theo. He’s been to see the Queen, and she granted him permission to try, but we need you to cause a commotion when we go through. Something that will capture their attention.”

Jittery as a hummingbird, No? bounced on her toes. “Please, please, please. We would ask you to come with us, but your head would never fit through the hole.”

The Good Fairy felt the broad crown of sticks jutting from her head, ruefully gauging the circumference. “I suppose you’re right. Big-headedness is the curse of a broad intelligence and wide learning. Are you sure you want to leave us? Could you not instead ask the man if he would stay? I’m sure it could be arranged if broached delicately.”

“I will lose my mind if I don’t get out of here,” No? said.

“And you, Kay? Much to gain, but much to lose as well.”

For a moment, she considered her life among the puppets. She thought back to the week of shows in Montreal with the Quatre Mains, the thrill of being out of the chorus and made the storyteller to perform in front of cheering audiences. And she thought of the friendships she had made, and how sad she would be to leave the Good Fairy, the Sisters, and all the others. “He is not suited to this life. And I love him. Surely you understand.”

With a sharp yap, the little dog made himself known at their feet, looking anxious for a game. No? shook her finger and told him to be quiet or go away.

“I do not understand,” the Good Fairy said. “I am afraid I will never understand love, or how you allow emotion to better reason. But you are my friend, and I will help you. You’ll need to be quick when the time comes. Don’t delay, fast as you can.”

The Dog whimpered at Kay’s feet, and she bent to pet it one last time. “What will you do to keep everyone’s eyes away from us?”

The Good Fairy picked up the little dog and held it close and quiet. “Leave that to me, best you don’t know. Now, go, tell your man to get in position. As soon as you hear me shout, be on your way. Good-bye and good luck.”

“Thank you, thank you,” No? said.

“You are the best of us,” said Kay. She rested her hand on the tangled branches of the Good Fairy’s face, and with that good-bye, she led No? through the drowsy puppets to Theo at the silo’s edge. The passageway was just wide enough for them to squeeze through one by one.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Everything is set. We are to go when we hear the Good Fairy shout and everyone is distracted.”

“You’ll go first,” Theo said. “And then No?, and I’ll bring up the rear.”

“No? goes first,” Kay said. “We have to take care of her, make sure she gets away. Then you go, so you can pull me up.”

“I’ll push you next, after her.”

“No, Theo. I’ll take your hand, I’ll follow. Trust me.” She hugged him so hard, her chin left an impression on his forehead. “We’ll need that rope from around your neck. In case there is a drop on the other side, we don’t know how high up we are from the ground. If she changes into a girl again, she could get hurt.”