It is, Henrik realizes swiftly, nearly impossible to prepare for both a few hours' work at the Labyrinth of Tigers and for a party. Particularly for a party hosted by the woman whose nose he had bloodied. Ought he to bring her a gift? Ought he to wear the tailcoat, or will the overcoat do? If the tailcoat, could he leave it in any place in the
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But then she, her hands red on his, whirls him to face her. The conductor's baton clatters and he can hear no music, only her laughter. He can see no color -- only the blood on her hands, sticking to his --
Please, she says, and the music begins again but discordant and wild. The dancers turn and turn, and soon he and the Red-Handed Queen are turning with them, rising into the air. Please, she says, and he wants to say yes, yes, but no --
With the next turn he sees the audience has gone; instead the seats are filled with cats, yellow-eyed and unimpressed.
Narciso fades from a honey-dream on to a chair not far from Gabriel, and clambers from it, shouting.
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