The Ace of hearts is both admired and feared in the never ending carnivals.

Some say the place is cursed. A never ending parade of tricks and shows, with the closing act always being Ace. But a louder majority say the place is a blessing. Light amidst these enchanted realms.

I agree with the curse.

When I was first brought to the carnivals, I was only seven. The ride was long, so long that the mist seemed to go on eternally. We passed every court and town until we reached the very end of the kingdom.

There, perched atop a hill, a glimmer of red and yellow lights lit up the night.

It looked pretty at first.

I was very wrong.

Most people come to the circus for entertainment. It’s not everywhere you can watch flying elephants and enchanted dances. And there’s certainly no other act like Ace’s out there. For that I am eternally grateful.

Father thought I would enjoy the circus. He knew I was not like the folk who delighted in the unusually cruel, but he hoped I would find some sort of entertainment.

At first, I did enjoy my visit. I had a pleasant time watching the donkeys turn to humans, running around and throwing themselves out of cannons. But the lights soon dimmed, and the act everyone came for began.

I wish I closed my eyes.

A young boy stepped out, hair as pink as cotton candy, eyes as red as blood. He wore a circus masters suit with gold and heart embroidery, yet he had no act in sight.

I asked my father what was going to happen. I think my father didn’t know either.

The ground the boy stood on spun around, like a roulette wheel deciding an unknown fate.

The boy didn’t fall or flinch, just pointed his ruby staff towards the crowd of hundreds, until it landed on a human boy.

The boy immediately attempted running.

There’s no running from Ace.

Before the mortal could run, the crowd of folk and performers pushed him towards the stage, where a eager looking Ace awaited.

At the time, I thought he was picked to preform a trick. I envied the boy chosen.

I pity him now.

Looking back, I am mostly sure that the wheel was rigged to begin with. Out of less that a dozen mortals in the crowd it landed on a human. And it has landed on a human every time after that.

The weary boy shook his head, backing away from Ace who stalked closer.

“Rip his heart! Rip his heart! Rip his heart!” The crowd chanted. I think then my father realized what was happening. But it was to late. I saw it all.

I saw as Ace pounced on the boy, throwing him towards the ground. I saw how his hand dug deep into his flesh, pulling out a still beating heart. I watched as he ate the heart, blood staining his pearly white teeth. And then I saw Ace cry. Tears of glittery gold, like he never wanted to do it in the first place. Like a starving lion.

My father didn’t take me back there again. But now ten years later, I stand in front of the entrance, enchanted music echoing about.

I will free the Ace of hearts. And then I will make him pay for taking Rollins heart, even if it’s the last thing I do.

His heart will soon be the last one stolen.