Chapter 9

Cassian was summoned by the Card Master three weeks later. He entered the "throne room" and knelt before the Card Master, bracing himself for whatever fate was in store.

"I heard from Death that you had failed on the assignment he gave you."

"Yes," Cassian said. No point in explaining why. Unless he asks…which I doubt…

"And yet even though you have failed, he has been trying to convince me that we should, as he put it, let your failure slide this once and perform the surgery."

Cassian blinked and looked up. "Why? You're not considering it, are you, Card Master?"

The Card Master stared at Cassian. "Perhaps. I can be merciful when I need to be. Do you know why Death is trying to sway your fate?"

Cassian shook his head. "No. I can't imagine why he would vouch for me."

The Card Master stood and took a file from Ida, whom Cassian did not notice when he entered. The Card Master looked through the file. "Odd. You're success rate is phenomenal. This is your first failure, it seems."

Cassian blinked, but didn't look up.

"Your previous mission was to infiltrate the Hargreaves Estate and find a way to kill my son."

"That is true."

"After I specifically said he was off limits."

"The assignment was handed to me by the Doctor—Death, I mean."

"Oh?"

"I decided to kill the Earl on my own, but Death did approve of it, though my assignment, specifically, was to find a way to kill him."

"Seems simplistic," the Card Master said, handing the file back to Ida. "How ever did you bungle it?"

"The Earl's sister discovered me. I was still formulating a plan to kill the Earl and she discovered my intent."

The Card Master glanced at Cassian. "Sister?" he asked. "I don't recall having a daughter."

"You do, Sir. A ten year old daughter. I was not aware that you didn't know. I thought that Death told you."

The Card Master smirked. "I see. So she discovered you because she became attached," he took out his pipe and lit it.

"Card Master?"

"You're lucky, Cassian. I'll overlook your failure and allow the surgery. One week to prepare, understood?"

Cassian nodded his head, stood, and left. Damn, that was not expected. I was sure I was going to be cut down by Ida or something. That was extremely lucky.

"How'd it go?" Jizabel ask.

"The surgery's going to be in a week, according to the Card Master."

"Wow…that's crunched…ah well. That gives you another week to make up with my sister."

"I know you're mad already," Cassian said. "But do you have more than one screw loose? Mary hates me now. What would be the point in going to her if she's going to scream for her dear older brother Cain to rescue her?"

"Would you rather I 'accidently' kill your new body after transplanting your brain during the surgery? I did warn you."

Cassian slumped his shoulders. "You're threatening me again."

"Merely giving you a second chance," Jizabel said, clapping Cassian's back. "You only got a week. Better hurry."

Jizabel left. Cassian glared after him. "That guy is a genius only when it suits him."

"He's not joking about the killing you thing," White Owl said, "When you finally fessed up to Ida and me, Jizabel overheard and he was pretty mad. Especially since it just so happened to be the same day he warned you against it."

"Threatened!"

"Same difference. You're his friend and it just so happens to be his sister you ended up falling for," White Owl said. "As I said before: you're doomed. Either make up or bye-bye world."

"Oi…you're siding with him on this aren't you?"

"Should I not be siding with him? Really, Cassian, you really should talk to her or else, someone else might nab her?"

"I highly doubt that's going to be you, Owl."

White Owl smirked. "You never know unless you try."

I really want to kill them…

Even so, Cassian had to admit that they were right. He returned to his room.

Only a week and I'll be free from this place, he thought, lying on his back.

Cassian straitened, deep in thought. He covered his eyes. Fine, I'll go back and see her. He stood and walked over to the desk. He pulled out a few sheets and a pen. With some difficulty, he began to write…

Cassian waited until he saw Cain and Riff leave. The sun had long set. Mary was possibly already asleep. He climbed over the wall and wedged open a window.

He slinked around, avoiding the servants, until he had reached Mary's room.

He carefully opened it, entered, and closed it. Mary was fast asleep. Cassian slumped his shoulders, relieved she didn't wake. He walked over to the table where a vase of withered flowers stood. He took the dead flowers out and replaced them with a fresh batch of Forget-Me-Nots and the letter.

Cassian turned back to the bed.

He hesitated at first, then, tentatively, he sat down and carefully embraced Mary. Mary started and gasped. Cassian covered her mouth. "Shh…" he said softly in her ear. Mary shivered. "Please don't scream, Mary."

Mary nodded, agreeing to his terms. Cassian removed his hand from her mouth and Mary sat up.

"Why are you here?"

Cassian swallowed. "Mary, I'm…going to—"

"If you're not going to tell me the truth, then I don't want to hear it," she hissed.

Cassian blinked and smiled, slumping his shoulders. "The truth…the truth'll be hard to explain. But alright, I'll tell you the truth."

Cassian adjusted his position, thinking. So did Mary, watching him intently. "Mary, I know what I'm about to say is going to sound crazy, so…please trust me. This is the truth."

Mary nodded.

"I was born thirty-five years ago. When I was ten, I stopped growing. And…aging. Because of that, my parents sold me to a circus. There, I was subjected to a lot of humiliation and suffered at the end of the Ring Master's whip. I was in love once before I met you. But she turned out to be the Ring Master's lover. They were placing bets on whether I'd fall in love with her or not. When I found out…I killed them and left. I was extremely bitter for a long time before I joined the doctor at Delilah in hopes of finding a way to get an adult body. Just a few months ago, the doctors at Delilah found a donor. There was only one thing that the Doctor wanted me to do before performing the operation."

"To kill Cain."

"That became a latter detail. If I found a way to kill him, it would be enough."

"And you did."

Cassian nodded.

"Just because you want an adult body?"

"You will never understand what I've gone through being trapped in this body, Mary. You will never understand what it's like never being able to grow. It's…" Cassian swallowed. I don't know how I could even begin to describe what it's like to her.

"Look at me," Mary demanded, forcing Cassian to look at her. She stared at him intensely. She let go and embraced him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For telling me the truth even if it's just this once. It's farfetched, but it really is the truth, isn't it?"

"It is," Cassian confirmed, lacing his fingers in Mary's hair. "That's my real story, Mary. But you're wrong about one thing."

Mary looked up.

"It's the second time I told you the truth. I really do love you. I love you so much it's maddening."

"That's okay."

Cassian shook his head. "It's not okay, Mary. I don't look it, but I'm old enough to your father. This will be the last time we see each other like this."

Mary hid her face against Cassian's chest. "I don't care."

"Mary, the next time I see you, you won't recognize me."

"I don't care. I love you, Cassian."

"Mary, please."

"I'm not going to just forget you because you want me to, Cassian."

Cassian wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. "Good. I could never forget you either, Mary. But we really can't meet anymore."

"Why not?"

Cassian swallowed.

"If you say it's because you're going to be a real adult the next time I see you, then what's the point of pretending you don't know who I am at that time?"

"Mary, I can't promise you'll see me, but I'll still be nearby. Is that fair?"

Mary shook her head.

Cassian sighed and cupped her chin, forcing her gently to look at him. "I couldn't forget you if I tried," he said, closing the distance between them until his lips touched hers gently. Once the kiss ended, Cassian stood and climbed out the window.

"Cassian!" Mary shouted, looking out. Cassian had scored the wall and turned back only once, he grinned.

And jumped down onto the other side of the wall.

Mary stared at the spot he had scored. After what seemed like ages, she closed the window and climbed back into bed.

"Idiot," she muttered, tears spilling out onto her pillow. "If it's the last time you're going to let me see you, at least stay longer…"