Malice in Wonderland #1: Alice the Assassin by Lotus Rose Page B

seconds, before the cat head floats back.
    The cat says, “Why, your lips are delicious.”
    “Thank you. Well, here goes.”
    Alice hopes she isn’t about to die as she watches.
    Malice pulls the trigger. Alice winces.
    But there is no bang. Only the click of the hammer.
    Malice pouts cutely. “Gun no go boom.”
    The cat shouts, “Outrageous! Is the gun broken? Did you fire its shot already?”
    Malice shrugs. “Go ask Alice.” She points and it looks as if she’s pointing right at Alice.
    Alice feels a twinge of fright, though her heart, of course, doesn’t begin to race.
    The cat turns his head, and now Alice can see his face. He’s looking without focusing his eyes, his smile is gone. He now looks a bit sleepy, as if too tired to smile. “I don’t see her,” he says. While he’s looking, Malice goes onto all fours. The Cheshire Cat turns back around. “Alice?”
    “No, sorry, she left. I’m just an itty bitty kitty, won’t you come out and play?”
    “You are? You look like—”
    “No! I’m an itty bitty kitty!” She purrs. Licks the back of her hand. “Who are you?”
    “I’m the Cheshire Cat. I—I feel strange.”
    “Won’t you come frolic with me? I’ve got yarn, pretty yarn, I’ve got rats for you today, so won’t you come out to play?”
    Malice slaps sloppily with her “paw” at the scattering rats. She isn’t being serious she seems to be saying, as she grins big at him, tilts her head to the side. She pouts. “Why, where are your paws? Won’t you bring them out so we can play?”
    Alice can no longer see the Cheshire Cat’s face, but his voice sounds slurry and slow. Was it from the catnip? He says, “I—I can’t. I—I can’t bring my body out, because the Queen wants to behead me. So I don’t want to pop my body onto my head, because if I don’t have a body I can’t be beheaded. I must be careful.”
    Malice looks around. “I don’t see the Queenie Weenie. Come onnnn. Play with the yarn wif me.” She begins swatting the yarn back and forth.
    “Ooh, I absolutely adore yarn!” He groans in exasperation. “It’s just that I only have one life left. The Queen took the other eight away. I can never let down my guard! She can be so sneaky.”
    “Oh, poo!” She gives a megapout. “She’s not here. It’s just me, the rats, and a scaredy cat.”
    “Awww come on. Don’t tease…”
    “Here, just hold the yarn in your mouth then, if you aren’t gonna bring your claws out.”
    She stoops and takes the ball of yarn in her mouth as if she’s a cat, then sashays up, offering to transfer the yarn to his mouth.
    The Cheshire Cat’s head flits lightly forward, but Malice bounds a short distance away and sets the yarn down. “Nuh uh. If you want the yarn, you must give me a kiss.”
    “Another kiss, didn’t I just give you one? Or didn’t I? I feel so confused.”
    “You didn’t give me a kiss. Maybe you just wished you did.”
    “I feel so strange, like I’m drunk. I’m forgetting things even from moment to moment. I’m sorry to be rude, but who are you again?”
    “I’m a little kitty kitty.
    Tell me, do you think I’m pretty?”
    “Yes, very much so.”
    “Would you like to kiss me? Don’t be shy.”
    “Well—”
    “I’ll only let you play with my yarn if you give me a kiss,” she says in a flirtatious, mock demanding voice.
    “Ha ha! Very well! I shall do as the lady kitty commands.”
    Malice lowers her head slightly as the Cheshire Cat approaches and gently kisses her.
    “I say!” he exclaims. “Your lips are as sweet as catnip.”
    Malice merely smiles then nudges the ball of yarn over to him with her nose.
    “Oh my, that is most delectable yarn, the fibers, the most lustrous color. I can tell the craftsmanship in the weaving—it is most exquisite. Rarely have I seen such yarn.”
    Malice purrs. “Let’s play with it together. Let me see your paws, my darling.”
    “Oh, I can’t resist you, my darling kitty! Here! Here are my