by Trudi Jaye
She watched her mother’s reaction closely, trying to determine if Barb knew what was going on. Her face was relaxed and happy, and she smiled easily at Zeph and Helene. But there was something about the lack of reaction when Missy mentioned Rilla’s name that made Missy think her mother was under the persuasion magic as well.
She shivered despite the heat.
“Lovely to meet you, Zeph.” Barb held out her hand and shook his warmly. “I knew you as a baby, so I feel like I know you already.”
Zeph grinned. “Good to meet you as well. It’s a privilege.” His voice was so eager Missy wanted to give him another slap. She wanted the old Zeph back—the cynical smartass she’d known for all of two days.
“We need to find your father, Missy. He’ll be so happy to see you.” Barb smiled widely like she’d forgotten all about the last time they’d seen each other, with Missy refusing to speak to her father.
Missy’s heart sank. She’d known she would have to see Christoph, and part of her wanted to talk to him so desperately she felt she might burst. But another part of her howled at the very idea. He was still a traitor.
She didn’t know if she could talk to him without screaming at him.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Zeph watched Missy as she walked away. He smiled, and a warm glow filled his heart. He was so glad she’d come into his life. Missy was sexy and smart and gorgeous, one in a million. He sighed. How lucky could he get?
“What would you like to do now?” asked his mother.
She smiled up at him and Zeph grinned back. She looked so happy. He was pleased she’d found somewhere she could be safe, with people who took care of her. Something niggled at the back of his mind, like he’d forgotten something, but he dismissed it. He was just going to enjoy spending time with his mom.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should keep looking around. This place is amazing.” He looked around him again, almost overwhelmed by how well everything seemed to work together in the practice space, despite the noise and drama of the different acts.
“Veronica said she wanted to start her sessions with you as soon as possible,” said his mother, waving her hand toward the back of the building. “Perhaps we should head back to her office.”
Zeph nodded. “Sure, sounds great.” He had to admit to being curious about Veronica and didn’t mind the idea of heading back to talk to her again.
His mother led him back to the door they’d first entered through and along the corridor and into the lounge area. Lorenzo was gone, but Helene didn’t hesitate to go to the door and knock.
“Come in,” Veronica’s musical voice called out, and his mom opened the door, ushering him back in.
This time, Veronica was behind her desk, a small pair of wire-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. She glanced up at them both and smiled. Zeph’s heart missed a beat, and he gazed at Veronica, trying to take everything in at once.
“Ah, you came back. Do you wish to start a session now, Zeph?”
“Absolutely. I’d be honored,” said Zeph.
Veronica’s smile grew wider. “I had a feeling you might change your mind.” She stood and gestured for Zeph to sit on the couch, even as she headed that way herself.
All Zeph knew was he wanted to sit as close to Veronica as he could manage, and he made sure he beat his mother to the sofa, his legs almost touching Veronica’s.
She pressed a button to one side of the couch, and Lorenzo came into the room. “Lorenzo, some tea please?” she requested with a smile.
Lorenzo’s face twitched for a moment, but he nodded and disappeared behind the door again.
“So tell me, Zeph. What changed your mind about coming back for a session?” Veronica leaned toward him and smiled, her eyes twinkling just for him.
He shrugged. “It just seemed like a good idea.”
“What made you come to us in the first place?” she asked softly.
Zeph felt himself flush slightly. He couldn’t admit to Veronica that he and Missy had come to tear his mother away from here, convinced she’d been in trouble. “I just wanted to visit my mother. I hadn’t seen where she was living.” A little niggle at the back of his consciousness reminded him his mother hadn’t told him where she was. That she’d left him alone in the hospital. He pushed it down. She would have told him eventually.
Veronica smiled as if she could read the conflicting thoughts in his head. She patted him on the arm, her hand resting for a moment longer than necessary. “But come, I get ahead of myself. Your mother tells me you were hurt?”
Zeph blinked, struggling to remember what she was talking about. He glanced down at his leg as if it belonged to someone else. “Yes. I was in an accident.” He frowned and rubbed it. The usual aches were gone. “It seems to be getting better.”
“That’s another benefit to being here at The Experiment. We heal very fast. But I’ve also been using my magic on your leg since you arrived. It should feel much better.”
Zeph nodded, unsure what to say. His memory of being hurt was very vague, like it happened a very long time ago. And his leg seemed fine now.
“Zeph, what can you tell me about the woman you arrived with? Missy.”
“She’s great. She helped me out, made sure I got here in one piece.” The words were out of Zeph’s mouth before he thought about them. “She left the Carnival.”
Veronica lifted her eyebrows. “She left? That is impressive. Normally, they have their claws in people for life.”
Zeph frowned. “The Carnival?”
“People generally never leave,” said Veronica, nodding. “It’s a terrible place. Gives carnivals a bad name.”
He thought back to the Jolly Knight Carnival. It was a little hazy in his head, so he wasn’t sure. But Missy had to sneak out, didn’t she? And wasn’t that what he’d done as well? They’d been trying to hold him there, make him wait. His eyes widened. Veronica was right. They would have had him trapped if he hadn’t left when he did.
Veronica smoothed one hand down her skirt. “They’re holding on to the son of a friend of mine against his will. Did you happen to see him? Simon?”
Zeph shook his head. “I wasn’t there very long, and I was mainly concerned about my mother.”
“But Missy escaped of her own free will?”
Zeph nodded. “She did. She wasn’t very happy there.”
“We shall see about Missy. I have heard of her act before, and she is a close second to your own powers I believe. And we do have her parents here, after all.”
Veronica smiled, and for a split second, Zeph was reminded of a snake about to strike. He shook his head and the image disappeared.
He smiled back at her. “I’m sure she’d be happy to help out, Veronica,” he said softly.
“Well, she’s proving to be a tougher nut to crack than some.” Veronica’s eyes slid over his face. “But I’m sure we’ll break her in the end.”
***
Missy glanced around her on the walk back to her parents’ house. Goose bumps rose on her arms and legs despite the California heat.
“How long have you been here, Mom?” she asked.
“We found it a few weeks after we left the Carnival. They took us in immediately. Your father has settled in very well.” There was a wobble in Barb’s voice.
Missy sharpened her gaze on her mother’s face. “What do you mean?”
Barbarina breathed out and smiled vacantly again. “Just that we both like it here. It’s a good place.”
Barb was definitely affected by whatever magic was enveloping this place. She wasn’t acting normal. “Do you both do your acts?” She wondered what kind of strongman performance would work in the ring. Her father had always worked the sideshows.
“No, it’s mostly me up on the wire. Your father does the heavy lifting, helping with setup and breakdown.” Again, her mother’s voice wavered, and Missy watched her face intently. She seemed to be going in and out of the persuasion magic.
“And he doesn’t miss it?”
Missy asked.
“Oh, no. I think he rather likes not having to worry about the crowds of people. He can just move things around and help other people out. It’s very relaxing for him.”
Missy couldn’t think of anything worse for her father. He was a smart, agile thinker and loved the interaction with the crowds. His performance in the sideshow had always been one of the favorites.
They walked in silence for a while, until her mother turned up the footpath of a small, neat house, almost identical to Helene’s. Missy’s heart started beating faster. What would she say to her father? Would he even remember what he’d done? She didn’t know if she could pretend nothing had happened.
Barbarina opened the door. “Chris! Are you here? Look who I’ve brought home.”
There was some shuffling in the kitchen, and then her father’s head popped around the side. “Just a minute, love. I’m reorganizing the cupboards.” His eyes settled on Missy, and he dropped the can he was holding. “Missy.”
For a moment, it was as if time stood still and everything hung in place. Missy didn’t know how to act. Then her father came striding over to her and enveloped her in a giant bear hug.
“Missy, you’re here. Oh my God. My little girl, I’ve missed you so much.”
His arms were tight around her body, and at first, Missy held herself still, not sure what to do. But when great shaking sobs started wracking her father’s large frame, she put her hands around him, hugging him back. They stood like that for several minutes until her father pulled away and looked down at her. His face was stained with tears, but he still managed to look imposing.
“What’s happened?” he said, his sharp eyes taking in everything about her face.
Missy frowned up at him. “I’m fine.” It didn’t actually seem like the magic was affecting him. But she didn’t understand why he’d stay if that were the case.
“Come on, then, love. Tell us how you got here. Come into our lounge.”
He led her into a room that was again identical to Helene’s, down to the color of the couch and the magazines on the coffee table. Missy shook her head. How did no one notice this? What the hell was happening here?
She sat in a chair next to her parents and watched them closely. If they were in their right minds, they’d hate this house. Her mother wouldn’t sit on the edge of her seat like a silly little bird, ready to be scared away at any slight disturbance.
Her dad… Well, actually, her father still seemed rather sharp and altogether too perceptive. Was he not affected by it either? For a moment, she wished Zeph were here to help her figure it out. But then she remembered the goofy version of him she’d left with his mom and realized he would have been useless anyway.
“Do you like it here?” she asked.
They both nodded. “Absolutely,” said her mom. “It’s a nice change of pace from the Carnival.”
“Change of pace?”
“Oh, yes, we only do the weekend shows once every two weeks. The weekly shows are all done on a rotation schedule. The rest of the time, we just help out.”
Missy nodded. “What do you help out with?”
“Behind the scenes stuff. Nothing too onerous.” Her mother leaned forward. “But enough about that. How are you? How did you find us?”
Missy sighed to herself. Looking from one to the other in this small lounge, it didn’t seem like either of them was with it. They’d both succumbed to the magic.
Missy’s hands started to sweat. It meant in all likelihood, she would eventually be pulled under the soft memory blanket that was covering everyone here. She’d hoped she might have some kind of immunity, something that would allow her to stay here and do her act but not be affected.
But something told her it was only a matter of time. She could actually feel the pressure on her body, like a physical thing, as it tried to find a way in.
“I wanted to visit you. It’s been a long time.” There was no point in getting either of them worried.
Her father leaned forward and touched his wife’s arm. “Barb, how about you get us something to drink?”
Barbarina nodded. “You’re right. Some refreshments would help all of us.” She paused next to Missy and smoothed one hand down her hair. “It’s so good to see you, Missy-Moo,” she said softly. Then she carried on to the kitchen.
Christoph leaned back and then looked at Missy again. “Now, out with it,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Missy narrowed her eyes, her attention suddenly focused on her father. “I left the Carnival. I renounced as Showmaster.”
“Why on earth would you do that?” her father asked, his voice stern.
“I killed someone and they couldn’t forgive me for it,” said Missy softly, waiting to see her father’s reaction.
Her father shot to his feet. “What!?”
Missy frowned up at him. “You’re not under the magic, are you?”
“Is it true? Or did you just say that to me to trick me?” Her father’s face looked anxiously down at her.
She took a deep breath. “It’s true—I killed Lucietta.” She paused to see his reaction to that, but his scowl only deepened slightly. She shrugged. “It was self-defense. The crazy woman came after me on the rigging of the tent. Only Blago didn’t see it that way, and now that Jack is the Ringmaster, he has the power to make it difficult for me.”
He slowly sat down again. “I’m sorry, love.” He frowned. “I wouldn’t have thought it of Jack.”
“Blago thinks I did it as revenge for you,” said Missy softly.
Christoph looked up at her. “Did you?”
Missy shook her head. “Didn’t even occur to me.”
“Good. I know what it’s like to be forced to leave. I don’t want that for you.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “Your mother is mostly under Veronica’s influence these days, although sometimes she comes around. But I’m not. I just pretend because it’s easier that way.”
“How do you stay out of it?”
Her father shrugged. “Some people are just immune. You’re the same as me.”
“I can feel it pushing at me. I feel like it’s going to get me.” Missy curled her fingers into a fist, trying not to panic.
“I can too. So far, I’ve just ignored it.”
“Do they know?”
Christoph shook his head. “I don’t think Veronica has noticed. She doesn’t seem able to sense individuals. I think she just watches out for strange behavior.”
“Why stay here? When it’s like this?” Missy couldn’t think of anything worse than having the magic pushing at her all the time.
Her father glanced at the kitchen where they could hear her mother opening cupboards, putting on the kettle. “It was hard on your mother leaving the Carnival. Harder than either of us realized it would be.” Christoph’s voice cracked, and he rubbed one hand over his face. “She refused to go back, but she was wasting away in front of me. We couldn’t find anywhere to go. Most other shows are looking for younger performers, and they’re all running on a tight budget. When we arrived here, she loved it. By the time I realized what was happening, I didn’t have the heart to leave because she was so happy.”
“What’s the point? Why is Veronica trying to control everyone like this?”
Christoph sighed. “This is not a good place, Missy. Veronica Snow is very strong, and she’s built up a power base over a number of years.”
“And?”
“She uses curse magic to control everyone.” He lifted the sleeve of his shirt, and Missy saw a row of cuts up his arm, neat and even, many of them fresh.
Missy’s heart leaped into her throat and she flicked her gaze up at her father. “What are they doing to you?”
“It’s not so bad. It’s so your mother can perform better. It’s how they do the more extreme acts in The Experiment.” He rolled up his sleeve. “So far, I’ve managed to avoid cutting your mother. They’re more concerned about her act than mine.”
“So that’s
really why you aren’t doing your act? Because they’d make you cut Mom?” Missy felt sick. It was worse than she’d thought.
He nodded.
“Mom wouldn’t want to be doing that to you. You have to get out of here.” Missy’s voice rose as she spoke.
Her father sighed. “Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who needs to escape. It’s not safe for you here.”
“It’s not safe for you here, either, Dad. You or Mom.”
“No, Missy. I’m sorry. This is where I belong.”
The resigned expression on his face made her want to punch him. How had she never noticed her father was so pathetic?
Missy stood and started pacing angrily, gesturing at her father with jerky hands as she spoke. “Mom would be devastated if she knew all this. You can’t stay here.” She said the last words in a stern whisper, trying not to let her mother know what they were saying.
“You don’t understand, Missy. Your mom is happy here. Content even. Which is more than I can say for the time we spent away from the Carnival.”
And in a flash, Missy saw it. The reason her father was here. “You think this is your punishment for what you did?” Disbelief colored her words.
He looked up with his sharp eyes. “I know this is my punishment. It’s my job to make sure your mother is happy. Nothing else matters. Not me, not the cuts on my arms.”
“Do you really think Mom would be happy living this life as a ghost? No matter the pain, Dad, she wouldn’t want to live like this. She wouldn’t want to be responsible for hurting you.”
“You didn’t see her after she left. She didn’t know what she was giving up until it was too late. She was worse than a ghost of herself. Here, she’s happy. That’s all I ask of her.” He spoke roughly and brooked no argument.
“I’ll call Rilla. She’ll send people to help get us out of here. You don’t need to stay,” said Missy beseechingly.
Her father shook his head. “Have you not checked your mobile? There’s no reception anywhere within the village walls. The only working phone is in Veronica’s office. You can’t contact anyone from here.”