The show itself runs for ninety minutes. There is a full orchestra and the overall story is one of a princess who has spent her life locked in a tower and the five men who come to set her free. Once she is freed from the tower, she takes flight, along with the men.
Only then, one of the men, me, turns on the group and locks the bird-girl in a cage.
“Why me?” I ask, my cocky grin is gone. Lark smiles, leaning in, waiting for Melanie’s answer, as intrigued as I am.
Melanie laughs. “Apparently you’re the most convincing villain of the group.”
“Is there something I should know?” Lark asks. I scoff. “Hardly.”
North can’t help but snort. Dammit, that man can’t let go of anything. I slept with his girlfriend one time, five years ago, and he still considers me his enemy.
I never asked to come here, to be a part of this mission. Gaia chose us.
And I’m glad she did. I needed this: A change–a way to break out. I’m tired of being a player. Just looking at Lark now, her small upturned nose, her narrow shoulders and her slender frame, I want to be a better man, for her.
“What happens after she is locked in the cage?” Sawyer asks, resting an elbow on Lark’s shoulder as if they’ve been friends for years.
Melanie points to the next storyboard. “Then, the hero saves her.” Arrow’s eyes scan the board for clues. Damn, the guy never stops taking everything in.
“And who is the hero?” Lark asks.
Melanie smiles. “The four men work together to save the princess.”
Lark sighs, then twists her lips, staring at the board.
“What, you don’t like the story?” I ask. “You have the starring role. I’m the one who everyone will hate.”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s great. It’s just, never mind. It’s really beautiful, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. Some of those stunts are pretty spectacular.”
“Well,” Melanie says. “This cast is pretty spectacular. I was there for the auditions and couldn’t believe my eyes.”
All six of us get quiet as if we all know something. I clench my jaw, looking closer at Lark. What is this woman, and why does Gaia need her safe?
“So, are we ready to get to work?” Melanie asks. “I’m really excited to begin.”
* * *
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, we’re all sweaty and exhausted. Melanie worked us to the bone, and it’s only day one. When she calls it a day, we head over to the break room to get our stuff.
“There are masseuses on-call with the hotel. Anytime you want one, just ring up the spa. And physical therapy is on the rehearsal schedule three days a week. If you need more, just ask. My job is to make sure my dancers have everything they need.” Melanie tells us she is headed to a meeting with the background dancers. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early, okay?”
After she leaves, we begin packing up our stuff.
“Damn,” Sawyer says, stretching his arms over his head. “I’m starving.”
Vaughn, North, and Arrow nod in agreement. “There’s a burger place in the casino. Wanna go there?” Arrow asks.
I look over at Lark, but she isn’t paying us any attention. She hasn’t seemed very present at all today. I realize the show is a lot to take in. Also, I don’t really know her. I don’t know what regular Lark is like well enough to really be able to judge how she is acting now.
And while the rehearsal was hard, she never once seemed to lose her concentration, and her focus was on point. I want to know more about her.
I walk over to her, wanting to check in. “Are you hungry?” I ask, hoping we can spend time together without work getting in the way. But she shakes her head.
“Honestly, I think I’m going to take Melanie up on that massage offer. Is that okay, do you think?” She pulls a duffel bag over her shoulder, but it’s so heavy it seems to weigh her down.
“Here, can I help?” I ask, taking the bag and tossing it over my own shoulder. “And of course, it’s okay. I was thinking of doing the same thing, actually.”
Her eyes light up. “Oh, really? Okay, that makes me feel less greedy.”
“Wanna walk over together?”
“That sounds really nice, Brecken. Thanks.”
“Of course,” I say, leading the way out of the break room. “See ya guys later,” I call over my shoulder. I notice Lark offering them a small wave.
Maybe it’s wrong to take the lead like this, but I don’t care.
They think I’m nothing but a player. A cheat. A fucking ass.
But I’m not. Not anymore.
I may be a sinner, but this little bird is my saving grace.
8
Lark
After the massage, my shoulders are no longer tense and I feel more like myself–whatever that is.