A masked magician, a former lady of the evening, and the wedge in their marriage.

Don’t meet your heroes. Definitely don’t marry them.

***

Vivian

The world is a series of red tinted lights and painful bliss. An Underground Favorite, they used to call me. I wear the bruises they leave like jewelry. I never asked to be saved, but when that masked gothic heartthrob came in asking for me, I couldn’t very well say no—not that I had much of a choice in the matter. What started as a reluctant dream come true has dulled after three sexless years together in this sham of a marriage that continues to go nowhere. A girl has needs. So, what I’m doing isn’t so much cheating as it is problem solving.

Vincent

The world is but a stage, and I am nothing if not a performer. The Illusionist from Hell, they call me. Sex, violence, and sleight of hand are mine to command at will. I am a master of giving crowds of thousands all they seek—an escape from their mundane reality, a ninety-minute reprieve where their darkest fantasies come to life. All but her, my love, my moon in the night sky. She’s all I long for, but all magick comes at a price, and the fates have always strived for irony.

Dani Soleil