Besides, with them dangling information about my parents out in front of me, I know that there’s not much I won’t do to find out what they know. Even if it means leaving behind the girl, the woman, I thought I was, and setting out on a path I never knew existed.
Chapter Five
Crouched behind the smaller tent, I wait while Arius cuts a small slit in the fabric. Once finished, I move forward to look through the hole where I see faint light filtering out.
I can see that the party's still going on, however, what surprises me is that now that my bidding has ended, women from other acts in the circus have joined the men.
They are mingling with the men that, not that long ago, had leered and bid for my body like I was no more than cattle. And Catrine, dressed in a spandex red bodysuit is on the arm of none other, than Barney. Preening like a peacock.
Biting my tongue at the expletives I want to scream at them all, I shiver slightly when Arius leans in close, his lips brushing my right ear as he speaks quietly, so that only I’ll hear. “It’s not worth it, Lorelei. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not worth it. Not if you want to get your friend out of here with as few problems as possible. Don’t worry, you will get your shot at revenge. Karma has a way of taking out assholes like these, allowing them to have a few years of thinking they’re above reproach, and then smashing them like a bug beneath her stiletto. They will get theirs,” he says, somehow guessing that my thoughts were venturing into dark territory. I give the tiniest nod of my head to show I’ve heard him, not willing to risk the volume of my voice being too loud.
As we watch those within laugh and dance, I appease myself by knowing I’ve defied Barney, and that no one has ever dared do that. It’s not much of a consolation prize, but it keeps me from lighting the tent on fire and watching it burn around them. By morning the only thing that would be left is ash and justice.
I feel the air shift behind my back as I stare through the hole, dark thoughts teasing my mind, and I tense up, ready to fight whoever has discovered us.
When I turn around, I find Kendric standing there, holding a sleeping Sal, and even in the dark with just a street lamp casting a soft glow across us, I can see that blood stains his hands.
Worried, I jump to my feet and scan Sal for more injuries than just the one she has on her forehead, but don’t see anything new, so I look to Kendric in confusion. He doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to answer, as he just stands there, studying my face with a blank expression.
Realizing a lost cause when I see one, I turn back to the slit in the fabric and wait for the next part of our plan, and the reason Daruk isn’t with us.
The smell of smoke reaches us first, the scent wafting through the air and curling up within my nostrils, and I can’t help but grin as Arius grunts beside me.
“Damn it, Daruk. Can’t stick to a simple fucking plan,” he mumbles, but it does nothing to curb my pleasure. At least someone agrees with me about my plan to burn this place to the ground.
The blaring of an alarm sounds next, the noise a signal to everyone on the premises that there’s trouble, but we don’t move from our spot, tucked in behind the smaller tent as we watch the confusion on the partygoers’ faces inside the tent shift to panic. Yet, those aren’t who I focus on. I have eyes for only person right now, and that’s Barney.
Hurt, anger, and love all mix up in a jumble of emotions as I watch him storm toward the entrance of the tent to investigate what’s going on, his face stormy, but it’s the latter emotion that has me clenching the fabric between my hands so tightly that they turn white.
As the only guardian I’ve ever known, I had loved him. Still love him, and that makes his betrayal something that will take a long time to heal from.
With Barney no longer within sight of what the cut allows, we hang back and wait. The plan Arius mapped out had been simple and straight to the point. He and I would come here, keep an eye on the occupants within and deal with anyone who got the urge to leave the party early and foil our plans.
While we did that, Kendric would retrieve Sal, and if the blood on him is any indication of how it had gone, then I hoped Shane was regretting his choice to throw his hat in with a man like Barney. That only left Daruk, who, I learned, is the stealthiest of the three, which really comes as no surprise. His one objective was to distract and divert attention away from the back gate where guards normally lined it.
Thinking about the added security the circus has always had, the silent figures that stood in the shadows and watched from the distance, I scold myself for not picking up on something being wrong sooner. No other circus I have ever heard of could boast a security team as extensive, but I had naively accepted Barney’s explanation of our safety, my safety, being his top priority.
A firm tap on my shoulder ends my self-deprecating thoughts, and Arius motions that it’s time to go. Daruk hasn’t returned yet, but Kendric still stands there holding Sal as if she’s as light as a feather. I silently commend his strength. I have a feeling he could stand there all night without complaint if needed to, as the bulge of muscles beneath the shirt I had returned to him show no signs of weakening.
A subtle shift of movement distracts me from my staring at a dark tattoo that somehow stands out to me from the others, its delicate wings curving around his wrist, but when I look up, I find Kendric’s brow raised in challenge. As if daring me to question him about it.
I open my mouth to do just that, to ask about the coincidence of the nightingale he wears etched into his skin, but Arius begins to slowly move around the edge of the tent, and I have no choice but to follow him.
Still curious, but knowing now is not the time, I put the question on the back-burner in my mind, and I walk behind Arius’ broad form with nothing but a silk robe and my own simmering anger to warm me.
We stick to the shadows as we move, ducking behind the trailers and cars of the other performers, and arrive at the back gate without issue. With the big tent, the one I’ve spent years performing in, on fire, only one figure remains, head scanning diligently back and forth for any lurking trouble.
Disappointed that our plan didn’t go exactly as we had discussed, and that this man can possibly ruin everything, I’m startled when a shadow detaches itself from the wall. Rubbing my eyes to make sure I’m not seeing things, I watch with my breath held as the shadow moves, and within the blink of an eye, a glint of steel glides across the guards neck, the skin opening up like an angry smile, and the man crashes to his knees as he struggles for air.
When the man is no longer blocking my view, I’m able to see that it’s Daruk that stands behind him, and it’s only those pale eyes of his that give his position away. If not for the swath of skin framing his eyes that is impossibly lighter than the rest of him, I think he’d be able to sink back into the dark and disappear once more.
“We need to go while everyone is trying to put out the fire, Lorelei. They’re going to realize somethings up, and we’re not sanctioned to engage unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Arius says, and starts to walk over to where Daruk stands. I don’t follow him though, too busy running through what he’s just said in my mind.
“What do you mean you’re not ‘sanctioned’ to engage? Why would my parents give you an order like that?” I demand, but it’s not Arius that answers, it’s Kendric who spins on me, Sal still held aloft in his arms, and I take a small step back from his sharp gaze.
His eyes track the motion, and for a second I think I see regret flitter across his features, but it’s gone so fast I can’t be sure.
Leaning in close, his voice cold, he looks directly into my eyes. “Listen, princess. I get that you’re confused and want answers, but stalling us and continuing to ask questions isn’t going to do anything but possibly get you and your friend killed. You want to know why your parents ordered that? Fine, because they want to avoid gathering more attention, but that’s all we can say right now. I refuse to get caught out in the open because you want to satisfy your curi
osity. Now, if you don’t mind,” he says as he steps to the side, motioning for me to follow Arius with his head.
Angry and taken aback at having this stranger speak to me in such a way after the night I’ve had, I storm past him to where the other two men now stand, neither acting as if they heard what he just said to me.
“Tell me what to do so that we can get the hell away from here,” I demand, watching both of their eyes widen slightly at my tone. “And once we’re safe, I expect some answers. I’m not leaving one circus, just to fall in with whatever the hell you all are into.”
Finished with my rant, I look around and see that all three seem stunned. Up to this point, I haven’t spoken out much, but the past few hours have stripped away my defenses, leaving me unbridled before them.
Putting his hand on Arius’ shoulder as he goes to speak, Daruk steps forward, and gently takes my hand in his before dropping down onto one knee. Surprised and uncomfortable at his proximity, I start to pull away, but he holds on as if we’re not in danger with a huge tent on fire in the distance.
“I can’t pretend to know how you feel right now, but I swear on my honor, our intentions are only to help you. Let us remove you from this place, and if you’re unsatisfied with what we tell you, I’ll personally buy both you and your friend a plane ticket to anywhere you’d like. Neither myself, nor my associates, will ever make you do something you don’t want to do,” he says, causing a serene feeling to roll through me. And as foolish as it may be, I believe him.
Something about his sincere words and kind eyes have me letting my guard down and going along with what they say. For now at least.
Shoulders loosening as I decide to trust them, my new resolve must be obvious to the others, who turn their attention to Daruk.
He shrugs and says, “It’s better this way. She’ll understand in time.”
Uncaring about what they’re discussing, still riding the wave of calm acceptance I’ve found, I just stare off at the big tent that occupied most of my life, and don’t feel anything as I watch it burn to the ground.
Once we clear the back gate, my wings stinging as they rub against a sharp edge, we run through the woods for what feels like hours. After the first three times I step on a hard rock or broken stick, I begin to fly, staying close to the others but keeping my feet from touching the unforgiving ground.
When we break through the treeline at last, it’s to discover a nondescript black van sitting in a small alcove off the road, and I can’t help but smirk as Daruk and Kendric don’t hesitate to unlock the doors and climb in.
“Are you going to get in?”
I spin, startled by Arius’ voice, not having seen him come up behind me, and find him standing close enough that I can make out the various shades of blue that make up that one eye.
“Has anyone ever told you it’s rude to sneak up on people?” I ask, unnerved by the ease of which he caught me unaware. The night has been too much and I’m on edge, waiting for the next blow.
“I apologize if I scared you, but we should get going. We’ve laid your friend in the back, but she’s going to have a hell of a headache when she wakes up,” he says kindly, and I find that I like this side of him.
“Thank you, again,” I say suddenly, not knowing how to respond to this change in his attitude, but all he does is nod his head in confirmation that he heard before walking to the driver side seat and climbing in.
I pause before following and stand in the clearing as I reflect back on the night. I knew my life had already changed, that things would never be the same. That happened the moment Barney started the bidding to sell my body, but something about getting in the van made it feel more permanent. Like it solidified everything and made it more real.
Hesitating for a second longer, I make a wish that, whatever this new life holds, will be better. After I whisper that plea into the dark night, I join the others in the van, settle into the seat beside Kendric and close my eyes. I don’t look back.
Chapter Six
I wake with a yawn, stretching my arms and lean forward to try and relieve some of the pressure from my wings. Looking around, I see that Kendric is asleep in the seat beside me, his face relaxed, but the front two seats are empty.
Glancing out the window, I discover it’s still dark, and that we are parked in a decrepit parking lot, weeds growing through the cracks in the pavement, with a rundown hotel in front of me. The sign out front is lit up, missing letters and boasting of ‘vacancy,’ but the letters are too faded to read the name of the place.
“Where are we?” I mumble quietly to myself, not expecting an answer, but am surprised when I hear a snort come from the seat behind me.
Spinning around quickly, I find that Sal is awake, and except for the large knot and cut on her forehead, she looks okay.
“You’re awake!” I cry, and move to squeeze through the opening to the back, tucking my wings in tight, and claim the seat beside her.
“Alive and well,” she answers, then seems to think about that. “Well, alive at least. I feel like I’ve been bagged, beaten, and thrown under a bus, but besides that, I’m just peachy,” she adds sarcastically.
Laughing, I throw my arms around her and give her a hug. I’ve been so worried about her, so having her up and talking again is the one bright spot in a rather dark night.
“Do you feel okay?” I ask, taking stock of the rest of her to assure myself that she is, in fact, all right.
She quirks a smile at my concern.“You know, when I woke up in a car with a bunch of neanderthals, I damn near burned this mom-mobile to the ground. Only thing that stopped me was that guy with the freaky eyes assuring me you were only sleeping and not dead. They were adamant that they weren’t here to hurt us, but besides that, they’ve been quite tight-lipped about how we came to be at the luxurious accommodations you find yourself in now. Feel like having story time?” she asks.
I pull away as I gather my thoughts, reflecting on the events of the night. “Well, the condensed version is this. Barney tried to sell me on some black market auction he arranged with these so-called investors. Then, the senator that won the bid tried to….” The words die on my lips as my chest constricts, and I clench my jaw against the fresh wave of pain that rolls through me.
Clearing my throat, I meet her eyes, noting how they’ve softened. “Well, he tried, but these three men showed up and took care of him. I’m not really sure what they did, but as long as he suffered, then I’m okay with it. After that, we burned down the big tent, took out a guard or two, ran through the woods and hitched a ride in this fine machine. I fell asleep after that, so that’s all I know. I guess we came straight here?” I say with a shrug, downplaying the events of the night, but she knows me too well, and grabs my hand and holds it.
“You’re right. After you fell asleep we did come here. What you fail to mention is that, despite your ability to sing like a bird, you snore like an ogre. ‘Bout near shook the windows off track,” Kendric says from his spot, not even bothering to open his eyes and I wonder if he’s been awake the whole time. Deciding it’s best to just ignore him, I look back at Sal and roll my eyes.
Sal doesn’t seem to share the sentiment though, as she creates a small red spark by flicking her fingers together and sends it shooting right for the back of his head. I can’t help but laugh as it hits his shirt and sends him flying out of his seat like the hounds of hell are chasing him. He bumps his head on the low roof of the car, grunts out something unintelligible while slapping his back.
“Argh!” he yells when that doesn’t seem to put out the tiny flame, pulling the shirt over his head and throwing it onto the floor. “Damn it! What the hell did you do that for?” he asks, face red.
Shifting in my seat, I look away from where he stands without a shirt, hating how my hands tremble. My reaction to seeing a handsome guy without a shirt angers me. A day ago, though still pining for Barney, I wouldn’t have looked away from Kendric’s muscular form. I would have traced the intric
ate designs of his tattoos with my eyes. Instead, I have to make myself take even breaths and not run from the van.
“That, you grouch, is for being a jerk. I appreciate the whole, ‘save the damsel’ bit, but spare me the bitching. No one asked you for your help, so get off that high-horse you’re riding, and chill the fuck out,” Sal says, pulling my focus back to her, and I hold my breath and wait for him to lash out at her.
He surprises me when his pursed lips turn up and a chuckle escapes as he pulls his shirt back on and drops heavily back down into his chair.
“That was a lot of snark for someone that was the ‘damsel’ a few hours ago, but I’ll try to ‘chill out’. I’d hate for the ladies to think I’m bitching,” he says in a sarcastic voice, and I relax back into my seat when I see that he’s not angry at Sal’s chastisement.
The two go back and forth like that for a bit, and I find I’m slightly envious with the ease that they interact. So far, my own interactions with Kendric have been less than stellar, so seeing him be so laid back with Sal is a little aggravating.
The driver side door opening interrupts their easy banter, and I watch as Arius climbs in, noting Daruk is not with him. He slides the key into the ignition, and then turns to face us, his eyes lingering the longest on me.
“We’ve got two conjoining rooms for the night, but I don’t know if I’ll get much sleep. Not while we’re still so close to the circus, but maybe you all will be able to. Kendric, Daruk is already checking the room out, but if you could do a perimeter search, that would be best.”
With a grunt, Kendric moves to comply with Arius’ order, hopping from the vehicle with ease. It makes me wonder about what type of supernatural he is. I know that he’s something, just not sure of what. Instinct has me feeling that his astuteness comes partly from that nature.
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