The Night Circus

Celia studies the book she stole from Marco in order to gain a deeper understanding of both him and his magical abilities. Through her study of his book, she hopes that she can find a way for the two of them to avoid their destined duel and be together. As she leaves Marco’s apartment after they make love, Prospero, in his ghostly state, appears before her and calls her a “deceitful little slut” (390), revealing his anger and frustration toward her. When she confronts him with questions about the purpose and nature of the duel, Prospero merely says that it is a “test of strength” (392). He tells her that she is weak and that he doubts her ability to defeat Marco.He explains that the duel will only end when one of them kills the other. Prospero also reveals to Celia that Tsukiko was the Man in Grey’s last student before Marco. Later that day, Celia confronts Tsukiko with this information. Tsukiko tells Celia that she joined the circus in order to watch her and Marco and that she feels Marco is the more talented of the two magicians.