by Ann Charles
Ming must have told Runash of her plans, or somehow let it leak, because Ming was torn to shreds much like Clint. Why she felt the need to blab to Runash, Bruno didn’t know. He suspected she wanted help catching me in case I tried to run, maybe even a pseudo arrest, and alerted Runash. That had been Ming’s fatal mistake. Runash wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to know about me, because she was a lone hunter and I was easy prey if nobody else came sniffing around for me.
I tucked away the veils, stuffing them in the drawer next to my rune stones. Clint’s clock sat on the corner of my parlor table, the hands frozen in time. I picked it up, a small smile coming to my lips at the memory of his crazy clown laugh as he’d roll around the circus in those big yellow shoes on his metal roller skates. There would never be another clown like him.
I buried his clock under my veils so they’d cushion it. I only wish I could have cushioned him, too, figuring out Runash’s secrets before she ambushed him that night in his tent. The poor were-ferret didn’t have a chance.
I was taking down the curtain that divided my parlor from the waiting room when Lolli Pop strolled inside my tent. “Hey, Lolli.”
“I’m Lemon.”
I chuckled. “Sorry. One of these days maybe I’ll get you two straight. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to tell you that we’re planning on having a little memorial for Ming on the train tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks. I’ll be there.”
“Good. We were kind of hoping you would lead it.”
“Me? What about Kenneth?”
“He’s too heartbroken. We all thought you would be more comforting. You always find a way to make us feel better.”
I nodded. “Well, I won’t bring any of the tricks of my trade to work my magic,” I said with a wink. “But I think I can come up with a few things that will help.”
“Thanks. I have to run. I need to go help Lolli load all of our boxes and rings.”
“Oh, Lemon,” I said, stopping her. “What’s going on with Tom and you and your sister?”
“We broke up with him.”
“Both of you?”
She nodded. “We agreed that no man was worth fighting over. Family trumps sex, even if he was amazing with the way he—”
“That’s enough,” I said, grimacing. Hearing about cat sex was not my thing. I couldn’t get past the idea of a barbed penis.
She giggled. “I just remembered, Finn wanted me to tell you that he has some brownies he made to thank you.” She glanced over her shoulder and then lowered her voice. “He scored some peyote out in Assjacket and thought you needed something to help you chill.”
I already had something that helped me chill—Bruno. That man in my bed did wonders for my stress level. Not to mention that he’d managed to locate my parents and make sure they were safe and doing well. He’d also scored their address, which I’d hidden away for now. Contacting them might not be wise, seeing as how it could put their lives at risk. But I really missed them …
I smiled at Lemon. “How’s Finn doing?”
“He’s totally healed. That healer witch in town is freaking amazing. She had him all fixed up in no time. Eugene, too.”
I smiled. Eugene had stopped by earlier. Not only had the Shifter Wanker healed Eugene’s injuries, but she’d also inspired his self-confidence somehow. He hadn’t needed me to do a reading for him before his last show here in Assjacket earlier this evening. He claimed fire was now his friend.
“Too bad Kenneth couldn’t go to her to have his broken heart healed,” I said. The poor man was a sniffling, watery were-pug mess with Ming gone.
“He told Lolli he’s taking a break from the circus,” Lemon Drop said.
“Who’s going to be our ringmaster?”
“My adopted uncles.”
“Well, that should be entertaining.” The monkey brothers would certainly bring new life to the show.
“With Bruno back as head of security, it feels like we’re one big happy family again,” Lemon Drop said, but then frowned. “Except for Clint and Ming, of course.”
I patted her on the shoulder. “The pain will ease with time. Besides, Clint would hate to see you frowning.”
She smiled. “You’re right. I’d better go. I’ll talk to you later.” She zipped away, leaving me to my packing.
I’d decided to stay with the circus, even though my cover was partially blown. Bruno, Finn, and Eugene all agreed to keep quiet. Publicly, they’d continue calling me Electra, and help me lay low until Runash’s deeds were no longer exciting news.
I had a family now, plus a mate. Running no longer appealed to my coyote blood.
An hour later, everything but my bed and parlor chair had been packed and prepped to load on the train when Bruno came into the parlor and sat down in the chair.
He yawned. “I’d forgotten how busy it is the night before we leave.”
“What’s the name of the next town?”
“Tinkerville.” He smirked. “According to Finn, there is a gang of were-muskrats there that I need to be ready to round up. They like to spray paint our signs and scare the lady flamingos.”
“Sounds like you’re going to be busy.”
He eyed my camisole and matching silky shorts. “Not that busy. Come here.”
“What’s the magic word?”
“Come here and let me read your palm, beautiful.”
Grinning, I walked over and sat on his lap. He took my hand in his, holding it out, tracing the lines as he looked down at it.
“According to this heart line here, there’s going to be a lot of sex in your future.”
“That’s my dominant hand. Are you saying I’ll be having sex while working?”
He lifted my palm to his lips. “That depends on your definition of working.”
“Telling fortunes to paying clients?”
“I’m talking about your other job.”
“What job is that?”
“Attending to your soul mate’s manly needs.”
“My soul mate has turned out to be very needy. I’m going to have to start charging for all of the attending he requires.”
He smiled against my lips. “Add it to my bill, Nora Mai.” He kissed me slowly, soothing away the last of my stress for the evening. Then he stood, carrying me into the bedroom. “Now, attend me, woman.”
My laughter turned to moans moments later while he worked his unique brand of magic on me.
The End
Check out other books by Ann Charles
About Ann
Ann Charles is a USA Today, award-winning author who writes romantic mysteries that are splashed with humor and whatever else she feels like throwing into the mix. When she is not dabbling in fiction, arm-wrestling with her children, attempting to seduce her husband, or arguing with her sassy cat, she is daydreaming of lounging poolside at a fancy resort with a blended margarita in one hand and a great book in the other.
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