by K W Quinn
“I think I can do that.”
“Good. Now, love, move faster. I don’t want to be on the road too long,” Dez grumbled and headed toward her pickup. It was shiny and red, pulling a camper covered in stickers from her travels.
“You sure you should be driving?” Andy asked, prodding Cass into motion with his toes.
“Yes. Is there any reason I shouldn’t be?”
“The cider? It’s almost gone.”
“Ah, well, nice observation, tiny tumbler. But no need to worry. I shared some with a traveler. I’m right as rain.”
Andy nodded. Dez often answered questions that left him with more questions, but he was too sleepy to follow the thought.
The short ride back to the witches’ van was quiet in the moonlight. Dez pulled up next to the van and turned the key. Without the engine noise, Dez’s voice filled the void. “Solid work today. You’ve got a gift.”
“Thanks,” Andy murmured. “I do miss performing.”
“Well, your day job didn’t exactly sound like a thrill.”
“Gotta pay the bills, though.”
“More than one way to do that, love. And now that you’re free from that obligation, you can explore this gift.” Dez unlocked the doors. “Now get out. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Andy climbed out and elbowed a sleepy Cass into motion. “Thanks, Dez. For everything.”
Dez waved and smiled.
“She’s the best,” Cass mumbled and climbed back in the van. “Giving us a ride to that cool beach. It was a soft beach.”
“Yep. Now back to sleep,” Andy said, nodding and yawning.
The morning came with puffy clouds and the cries of seagulls. It also brought aching joints and muscles.
“How you doing over there, Grandpa?” Cass teased.
“Shut it, you lazy bum,” Andy groused, but the truth was that Andy hadn’t trained or practiced that hard in so long he didn’t remember how much it flaming hurt the next day. “I’m gonna go stretch.”
Andy pushed his way out of the van, breathing in the smell of sun and asphalt.
In yet another random parking lot next to a random beach, this one verified by Dez to be safe from both cops and robbers, they had survived another night. How quickly running became normal. Living in a van, eating sparse meals, and hopefully learning how to make some money. They didn’t talk about what they were running from, as if pretending this was a vacation made it safer.
Today Dez was taking them to what she called a starter town. Someplace where folks appreciated entertainment and were supportive. Busking with training wheels, she called it.
Cass had spent much of the evening tweaking the mini speech he wanted to deliver. They weren’t going to start alone. Dez would amp the crowd up and then present her tantalizing new guests.
Andy didn’t feel very tantalizing, but he was excited to try. He practiced shooting tiny lights from his fingers like Dez suggested. He’d agreed to wear the ribbons and makeup. Dez wanted to go with a bare-chested-except-for-a-vest look, but Andy wasn’t ready for that yet. Maybe not ever, though Dez was very persuasive.
Cass wouldn’t let himself be left out of all the dress-up fun. He had played with his hair about sixteen different ways before he found a style that he said was appropriately mysterious and playful. Andy had rolled his eyes because Cass could wear a potato sack on his head and still look mysterious and playful. He would still get all the attention of everyone in an unfairly positive way.
“You limber enough yet?” Cass called.
“Getting there. Wanna stretch with me?” Andy teased.
Strangely, Cass nodded and came to stand next to him. Andy went through the simple warm-up routine he’d used since he was a kid, working from the top down to stretch everything from neck to ankles. Cass couldn’t touch his toes, but his spine was flexible enough to let him twist until a series of pops ran up his back.
“That felt amazing,” Cass sighed, showing off by using Air to dry the sweat from both of their faces.
“You never liked it before. Do I need to examine you for signs of brainwashing or body-snatching?”
Cass shook his head. “Dude, your tumbling is cool and all, but I’ve never wanted to do that. I’d get tangled up in my own arms and break something. But watching Dez . . .” He shook his head again, and Andy watched a slow smile stretch his face. “I wanna dance.”
Andy knew better than to laugh. Cass liked to try lots of things, and though he didn’t care if strangers thought he was too weird for words, Andy’s opinion always carried more weight. “I guess you’ll have to ask about an Air Dance, then.”
“You think there is one?” Cass’s smile had spread its full width, taking over his face.
“Probably something with feathers and twirling and stuff.”
“I could get behind some twirling.”
“Get behind the wheel first. Don’t want to be late.”
Dez was waiting for them in Tiburon, two steaming cups in her hands.
“Sweets for the sweet,” she said, raising her voice to be heard above the cawing gulls, and handed Cass one cup, “and spice for spice.”
Andy sniffed the rising steam. “Thanks, Dez,” he said, sipping the mulled cider. He didn’t think of himself as spicy, but it was a compliment he could get used to.
“Aw, there’s whipped cream on mine. Thank you.” Cass set about giving himself a hot-cocoa mustache with glee.
“Warm up inside and out, loves.”
“You look different today.”
“Well spotted again, tiny tumbler,” she said, ruffling her short hair. No headdress today, and Andy realized she had fewer ribbons on. “Since you’re joining me, I don’t need to take up as much space. So, with a little less flair, you and I will look more balanced. More matched.”
She led them around, pointing out places that made natural stages where a crowd could gather and watch comfortably. She quizzed them on how to maximize their space, how to be heard and seen best, how to ask for tips, and how to read the crowd. Andy and Cass answered over and around each other, finishing each other’s sentences and making Dez chuckle.
Down the street, a shop door slammed open, and uniformed Earth Enforcers dragged a screaming man out into the street. Andy froze, and Cass moved in front of him, shielding him. Dez paused next to them, eyes flicking back and forth between the scene ahead and the boys. Andy’s mind raced with a reasonable explanation.
“Another day, another oppression by the flaming Conglomerate,” Dez said slowly.
Andy gripped Cass’s arm, but Cass didn’t look away. “Someone should give them the same treatment,” he said under his breath.
The man screamed out his innocence, but the Enforcers were undeterred. What law had he broken? What law had forced him to break it? The Earth hoarded wealth and then punished the poor.
“Come, loves. Let’s find somewhere else.” Dez placed her hand on Cass’s arm too.
“You think we’re ready?” Cass couldn’t quite look away from the poor man being shoved into an armored vehicle.
“Well, you know the head part. You’ve got enough in your feet to go on with. Let’s try it out, shall we? It’s early enough that we should get only a few patrons. Ease into it.”
“Will you do my makeup, Dez? I changed my mind about my hair again, but seeing you like this, I think it was the right choice.” Cass, in a flash, was back to brimming with energy for the performance. Andy’s chest was still tight with dread.
“Come with me, and I will transform you both,” Dez said with a smile and a flourish.
Busk
A corner between buildings, with a few benches around a tree, was their stage. Dez said the sound carried well since it could bounce off the buildings. Cass smoothed his hands down his pants. It wasn’t a costume, just the leftover clothes he had with a few of Dez’s bells pinned to the cuffs, but he felt new and different.
Dez had done something with kohl and rouge that made Andy’s normally roundish face
look exotic and fierce. Andy gave Cass a nervous smile, playing with the ribbons tied to his elbows. They’d run through the bones of the performance, repeating it and reciting it until Dez was satisfied. It was still only the frame. Dez would add in all the rest.
People watched them walk by, but Cass was surprised to see smiles and curiosity. Dez knew what she was about. This town seemed eager for entertainment. Dez set up her speaker and basket, then turned and walked in a wide, graceful circle with her arms stretched out.
“You lucky few,” she called. “The early bird gets better than a worm today, loves. Come see me, Nadezda, dance the story of the world. Come see the passion of the people in movement.”
The music swelled behind her. Dez was fluid and pulled the passing people in with her words.
“Watch and let your hearts be filled with the joy of dance,” Cass sang out. He switched the music to the next song. Dez took her place, posing like it was a part of her. She danced, and people watched, beaming and clapping. Cass could feel the energy from them. Just a few people walking along who stopped to give them some time. It was happening.
She introduced the songs, asked for tips, worked the crowd. Cass repeated her words in his head. When they moved on, that would be his job. Being good at this would help him atone for being in this mess in the first place.
With so few people, it was awkward to keep walking back and forth with the basket, especially once they’d placed their tips. But as some moved on and new ones came to watch, Cass tried to be obvious but not obnoxious.
“And now a rare treat, my loves,” Dez cried, voice carrying beyond the small crowd. Heads turned across the street. “From the mountains and the mist, I bring you a dance I learned from a mysterious recluse. A woman only spoken of in whispered rumors. Those rumors I share with you today.”
Cass glanced at Andy, who pulled himself up and moved to stand at Dez’s side.
“Watch and see the dance that was forbidden, the dance that lives in secret. Watch Nadezda and Andronicus, a bold, native Fire dancer, as they share the secrets of the flames,” Cass finished with a flourish.
Dez smiled at Andy, and they struck matching poses. Cass started the music, and to the sound of chanting and drums, Dez and Andy performed the Fire Dance. Andy produced dazzling bits of light that streaked as he moved. People came from across the street to watch. They stepped out of shops and turned in their chairs at the cafe next door. Cass watched them watch the dance.
His heart raced. Hands clapped, and others dug in their pockets for bills and coins to feed the basket. It wasn’t a lot. Enough for another hot drink for each of them or a lunch to share.
The dance ended, and Cass wanted thunderous applause, cheers, and waving cash. His heart thumped in his chest. The crowd smiled and nodded, clapping politely. One person went so far as to say “nicely done” loud enough that a few other people made noises of agreement.
That was it. All that work, and that was it. People smiled and left. Dez and Andy took bows, and Dez called out her thanks along with another gentle reminder that tips were always welcome.
Stepping close to Cass, Dez eyed the basket and nodded with approval. “Good work. It’s a nice start.” She smiled and grabbed the speaker.
Andy came by and grabbed Cass’s arms. “It was great, right? I was a little late with the knee swivel in the middle, and I don’t think I got the height on the barrel turn that Dez does, but I think it went well, right?”
Cass nodded. They were both so pleased. Cass didn’t have the heart to tell them that it had all been for little more than enough money to last until dinner.
“Why the face, love?” Dez asked quietly. Cass shook his head and smiled at the last few people drifting away.
“Let’s find someplace you can dissect it all for us again, Dez,” Cass replied. Andy arched an eyebrow but twirled his elbow ribbons happily. Dez shrugged and moved a few steps down the block.
Leaning on the railing around a cafe patio, Cass waited for Dez’s commentary. He was ready to learn how to make it better next time.
“For your first show, that was amazing, Andy. With more than twenty-four hours’ worth of practice, you’ll be stunning.”
Andy preened under the praise, and Cass sighed.
“But we didn’t make much,” he said. He didn’t like being the bearer of bad news. They needed a tank of gas, some dried fruit, nuts, and a jug of water. How much did they need to earn at each stop to make this work?
“What do you mean? Minus the seed money in the basket, there is definitely enough there for lunch. And evening is when you make the most of your money. The breakfast crowd isn’t usually big for profit.”
“You’re happy?” Cass asked. “How? This isn’t enough to live on.”
Dez shook her head. “It’s enough to get by. This is more than I would have made alone. Not enough to split three ways and come out ahead, but I’ve been doing this long enough to have a cushion. If we play it right tonight, we’ll get enough to set us ahead a little. Then it’s on to the next town.”
“This is enough to make it to the next town?” Andy asked.
“You can’t spend like you’re used to, love. You’ve got to rethink what is enough and what living looks like.” She grabbed some bills and folded them into Andy’s hand. “Go have lunch. Take a walk. Take a nap. Get some sun, and then meet me back on the square around four. I’ll show you how the nighttime crowds do it.”
Reyah followed the targets into town, keeping a safe and respectable distance thanks to her small bit of magic. Another day, another chance to turn this job around. She’d slept like a pile of ash, caught up in Dez’s calm certainty that there was no hope of righting the wrongs of the world with the Conglomerate.
Earth had reached too far and pushed people to rebel. But she worked for order and justice. She worked for the Earth. Was she hopeless too? What would Tarone think of this Water dancer flirting with outlaw behavior? What did she really think of Dez?
Why wasn’t she thinking about the target? Reyah squeezed her temples and huffed out a breath of salty air. She needed a vat of coffee with triple Focus, but she wouldn’t risk getting that far from the target. She still had some pride in doing her job.
Settling in on a park bench, she waited. That was still a part of her job. Min said he wasn’t in a rush. He wanted a healthy, happy soul. Reyah wanted a clean conscience. These things took time.
When they started dancing, Dez worked the crowd without fear of failure. The Bonded was nervous, but he danced so well it was hard to believe he’d only just learned it. The target introduced and explained some of the dances, and Reyah was surprised at his deep, velvety voice. It wasn’t at all what she’d imagined from his Fae-like face.
As the show went on, Reyah noticed the glow growing stronger. The target was happy. Not just content but exhilarated. He was coming alive. She knew it was possible to collect a healthy soul, but she hadn’t encountered one yet. Most people who were in the position to sell the only thing they had left weren’t healthy or thriving. They were desperate, damaged, and grasping at anything. How else could a living death sentence be a viable option?
But here was this target, glittering with life. He was beautiful, and the thought struck Reyah’s mind like a gong. She had studied about a million pictures of him before and knew he was handsome, but here it suddenly wasn’t just the way he looked. It was a visceral feeling in her gut. His beauty pulled at her and made her want to get closer. She’d felt the pull of real Siren song before, and this was nothing like that. It was stronger.
She couldn’t lose track of what was important here. Take the soul. Keep her job. Keep wanting to do this job. Rather than try to capture the target right now, she would go meditate and pull herself together. She would remember how to be a bloody professional and do her ashen job.
Mountain
The oak doors of his father’s office were strangely plain. No gilding or carving, only smooth wood polished until it gleamed. Marv knew the doors
were as thick as his thigh and Spelled up and down with enough magic to make the hairs on his arm stand up. In simplicity lies salvation, Jedrek was fond of saying.
The Mountain didn’t need to announce his power with grand displays. Unreasonably expensive, simple ones did the trick just as well. The lack of ostentation spoke loudest. The Mountain, son of the Mountain, descendant from the first Mountain to rule, had enough power to spare.
The family business wasn’t any of his business, yet here he was. When the Mountain called, you answered. Marv had been pushed aside once his sisters had shown their aptitude for handling things. It had been a shock when his father announced that they would step into management roles while Marv was stuck in a meaningless public relations job. Not because his sisters were incapable—they were effortlessly talented and intelligent. They were more than up to the task, but Marv was shocked to discover they had a desire to take over the corrupt and invasive dynasty. So much for teamwork.
As kids, they had all griped and complained about how boring and awful it would be to have to run the world someday. He’d wanted to change the way things were. He dreamed of putting more power toward helping and less toward hurting, but his voice was definitely in the minority now.
Once, he’d thought that his sisters were like him, that they were twin echoes of his dreams. He’d believed that, together, they could change everything and make peace again among the Elements. Now they were as ruthless and cold as his father, cogs in the machinery of keeping the Conglomerate in power.
He sighed and placed his hand on the door. No handle or seam was visible. If you were meant to get inside, you would. If you weren’t, no power on earth could help you. The door slid aside, and Marv straightened his tie out of habit.
“You do manage to keep company with the lowest of the low, Mardav.” The Mountain sat behind his desk. He reclined in his chair and peered over steepled fingers. Marv could tell from the narrowing of his father’s eyes that this was no time to try placating him.