Jackie Trippier Holt

“Hector wished suddenly that leaving the circus was as easy as joining. He didn't fancy the ghost of Harvey Burfoot hunting him down and passing judgement on him. Troupe mythology varied on the details – some said he had the ability to stop your heart with just a stare, others that he strangled you with corporeal hands that grew stronger as he drained your life-force. Either way, the Law was that nobody left; to leave was death; and Hectordidn't hate himself that much yet.”

“The second officer had turned fully to look down at Vincent's saws. “Those are for dissecting dwarves and children,” The Saw Man said, gravely.”

“Maybe they were born of karma, their own or their parents', Zack thought; maybe the universe had a purpose for them, and they were what they were because the world needed them to be that way.”