The next part of the spell goes smoothly. Then, I have them find a partner. Luke has paired with Tyson. I try to keep my tears at bay as I utter the words of the spell. I watch Luke and Tyson.
They drop the sandalwood and their dolls in the absinthe, and it goes up in flames. Then Luke and half the ghosts disappear. I want to collapse, to sob, to mourn, but I can’t. I have to stay strong for just a little while longer.
The island gives a lurch, and half the former ghosts tumble over.
“Amy is waiting by the ferry docks. Run.”
They don’t wait for me to say it twice, but Juliette hesitates in front of me.
“I’ll find you on the other side,” I tell her. “Go.”
She nods and runs after her dad. We’re so close to safety. I’m a little surprised this all worked out.
Benny grabs my hand and pulls me out of the tent toward the docks. We’re going the wrong way, but Benny doesn’t know that.
“No.” I tug on his hand. “We have to save the big cats. I promised Luke.”
Benny squeezes his eyes shut for a second. “Callie, we’re going to die if we don’t go with them.”
“It was his only wish. Please. Help me.” The island gives another lurch, and we fall into each other. I wonder for a second if he’ll pick me up and run for the ferry, but he doesn’t. He changes course, and we race to the tigers. We struggle to stay upright as we run.
Benny goes into the storage area and comes back with collars and leashes. “We won’t be able to take cages. You get Fiona and Bob, and I’ll get Shrek and Marley.”
We’ve all had experience with the cats by now, but Fiona still scares me. I’d hate for this to end with me being mauled by her.
“Can I do the lion?”
Benny shakes his head. “He’s the most un-tame. You’re not strong enough to wrangle him. You have to do Fiona. Let her know who’s boss, and she’ll be fine.”
I grab Bob first. He’s easy though all of them are scared because of the island shaking. I let out a breath and go to the cage where I nearly died the night I arrived. The cage I’ve avoided nearly my whole time on the island. Fiona growls as I approach. The ground is rocking and rolling, and I’m sure she’s terrified.
I climb up the stairs, open the door, and step inside. My walk is unsteady toward her. Fiona makes eye contact with me and bares her teeth.
“Come on, don’t be like that.” I approach her carefully, never taking my eyes off hers. I rub my hand over her great head, and the tension eases from her shoulders. “That’s a good girl.”
I slide the collar over her neck and attach the leash. “Come on. We’re getting out of here.”
I jump out of the cage, and Fiona follows me. I grab Bob’s leash and search for Benny. He’s struggling to get Shrek out.
“Closest boats?” I ask him.
“There are several rowboats just down that path. You go and start untying them.”
“No. I’m not going anywhere without you.” Panic gets stuck in my throat. After everything, I can’t lose him now.
Benny gives an almighty tug on Shrek’s leash, but he’s not budging.
“Look. If I can’t get him out, I’ll come without him, but if you go and prep the rowboats, that will give me a little time.”
“I’ll take Marley too.” I grab her leash and lead them all down the path. They are scared but follow me. My stomach is full of knots. I hope I haven’t left Benny to his death.
I find four rowboats. I put the cats all in one and untie it from the dock. I lash it to the boat next to it and untie that one as well. The island is heaving almost more than the water would. I get into the boat but hang tight to the dock. I will not leave Benny behind.
I watch the path.
But there’s nothing there.
The island quickly begins to sink. Water is nearly over the docks.
“Hurry,” I shout to Benny, hoping he can hear me.
Suddenly he comes around the corner, dragging a reluctant Shrek along. Benny shoves Shrek into the boat and hops into mine.
He cuts the line to the dock and rows fiercely into the middle of the swamp. I keep an eye on the cats in the towed boat. They all are shaking and cowering, but at least none of them are trying to jump into the water.
Benny continues to row and puts distance between us and my nightmare. I have mixed feelings as the island sinks into oblivion. Within moments, it’s gone. Benny stops rowing.
“Where did it go?” he asks.
“It sunk.”
He stares at the place where it went down. “That’s been my home for far too long.”
“Now what?” I ask him. I’m almost scared to look down into the water and find zombies, but something tells me they are gone too.
Benny sets the oars down and pulls me into him. He gives me a long kiss.
“I don’t care as long as I’m with you.”
Epilogue
Maddie leans on the rail of my second story patio and watches the parade down below. People shout and yell for beads, the smell of alcohol thick in the air from the night before. I like the day parades better.
“You know, I’m still surprised Mom and Dad let me come out here for Mardi Gras.” She nudges my arm and gives me a grin.
I look down at my drink. I may have used my magical abilities to influence that decision. I haven’t seen Maddie in months. However, Benny and I have finally gotten settled, and I thought this would be a fun time to bring her out. She arrived last night in a flurry of hugs and chatter. I missed her so much. We text all the time, but it’s different than seeing each other in person.
“So, out with it,” she says. “When are you and Benny getting married?”
“Uh. I’m still seventeen.”
“Yeah. But you’ve been through hell and back with each other. It’s not like you won’t get married. You’re not going to school anymore, you bought a place together, and you have your own shop. What are you waiting for?”
Maddie has always been the romantic. Not that Benny and I haven’t talked about marriage. We just figure we’ll wait until after I turn eighteen. I won’t tell her that, or she’ll plan the wedding. We will elope when the time comes.
Benny and I bought a place on St. Charles Avenue though. Technically, Benny bought it. My name isn’t on it yet, being a minor and all, but it will be. We run a magic shop on the main floor and live on the second. Turns out Benny has some investments that he managed to keep over the years though I don’t know how. We don’t have to have the magic shop, but I like it. I already am starting to get a reputation amongst the locals for my voodoo dolls and spells. I refuse to curse anyone, but my spells do work, and people know it.
Jeffrey tugs on my sleeve. “Miss Callie, can I have some king cake?”
“Sure. As long as it’s okay with your mom.”
“She said to ask you. No one has found the baby yet.” Baking a small plastic baby doll into king cake has been a tradition in New Orleans for years. The way Amy’s going, she’ll be the one to find the baby. She’s pregnant. Again.
Amy and her family found a place out in the country where they volunteered to keep Luke’s cats. Ruth lives in a cottage on their property, and Benny and I go visit them quite often. I still stay away from Fiona though I usually bring her a steak because Luke would want me to.
“Oh, look. Beads. Should I flash them?” Maddie asks, pointing at a float.
“Mads. That’s only on Bourbon Street. I don’t think we’re going to be heading down there. Just wave your hand, and they’ll throw you some.”
She does, and a half a dozen strands of beads hit us. Jeffrey scrambles to get one. Jeremy whines that he didn’t get any, and I hand him mine.
Juliette comes rushing out onto the porch. “I got the baby,” she exclaims, holding out the ugly plastic doll.
“Oh really?” I ask.
“No.” Jeffrey crosses his arms and pouts. “That was supposed to be mine.”
“Looks like you’re hosting the
party next year,” I say.
She shoves the baby into my hand. “No way. This is the place I want to be for the party. Look at this view.”
I turn my attention back to the parade. It’s colorful and beautiful and loud. In some ways, it reminds me of the circus, but these people are not seeking death. They are seeking beauty and fun. The crowds and entertainment trigger my fear a little, but I’ve gotten used to that. I see people that look like Lorena all the time, and Benny has to remind me that she’s dead.
Benny places his hand on my back.
“Having fun?” he whispers in my ear. I shiver at his touch. Even being with him practically 24/7 for the last several months, I still haven’t gotten tired of having him around. I hope I never do.
“Yes, very much so. You?”
He leans over the balcony on my other side. “Honestly. I like our peace and quiet better.”
Benny and I go out and walk the streets sometimes, but mostly, we stay in, and Benny watches all the movies he’s never seen. I had to teach him how to use a computer and phone, and he’s loved every second of it. We like our peaceful life.
“Me too, but I do enjoy having our friends around.”
Several beads hit me in the head again, and I look up. Maddie and Juliette are giggling. Those two. I swear.
Benny pulls out his phone. “Selfie time.”
I roll my eyes. He takes a gazillion pictures and videos. He loves the technology. We all scoot close together, and Juliette hoists Jeffery up. I smile.
Benny shows me the picture.
We’re all happy, and that is something we never were on the island. Occasionally, we’d have moments where we laughed, but it’s not like this. Benny once asked me if I missed the island.
No. Not on your life.
I turn back and watch the parade. A float comes by with several masked men throwing red and purple beads. Their masks are that of a voodoo king. They dance, and silly girls scream and wave for beads. Juliette and Maddie are whispering about something.
A man lifts his mask, and I freeze.
He looks right at me, gives me a wink with a bright blue eye, and flashes me a brilliant smile. He tosses me a strand of purple beads and lowers his mask.
I can’t even identify which one he is anymore.
But I’d know that face anywhere.
Samuel.
The End
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The Dragon Kings: Obsidian
The Thorn Chronicles: Midnight Angel
Stella and Sol: God of the Sun
Sons of the Sand: The Smoking Lamp
Omega Mu Alpha Brothers: Snowfall and Secrets
“May I see your tattoo?” Sid asked, startling Aspen.
“My what?”
“Your tattoo, the one on your ankle.”
“Oh, sure.” Until tonight, she’d been super careful about keeping the tat covered. Sid was the first person to see it, and she wanted to show it off a bit.
He slid onto the floor and pulled her foot into his lap.
Shivers ran up her spine. He slowly traced the words with his finger and whispered under his breath.
Aspen’s first instinct was to pull her foot away, but she enjoyed it as much as it tortured her. She bit her lip and waited for him let go. Instead, he adjusted so that he could see her, but he continued to hold her foot in his lap.
“When did you get this?” he asked.
“Um, about a month ago. It’s not really a tattoo.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“It’s gonna sound crazy, but it’s a dragon marking. It appeared when I touched that black dragon.”
He let go of her foot, moved onto the couch, and pressed the play button on the remote.
About halfway through the movie, her eyes refused to stay open. After fighting with them for fifteen minutes, she gave in, allowed them to close, and settled her head into a soft warm pillow.
Ella shook her awake. “Aspen,” she whispered. “We need to go.”
“No,” Aspen said and closed her eyes.
Ella shook Aspen again. “Come on, we’ve got to leave. You can’t stay here.”
“Yes, she can,” Aspen’s pillow said.
“I was trying not to wake you up, Sid,” Ella said. “I’m sorry.”
“No worries.” He brushed hair out of Aspen’s face.
Aspen shot up, embarrassed. She stumbled around the couch looking for her boots. Ella handed them to her.
“Here ya go.”
“Thanks,” Aspen mumbled.
Aspen fumed. His lap was not where her head should have been.
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I cleared my throat. Dwayne smiled a wide toothy smile and my father glowered like I’d done something wrong. Which, of course I had, but it would be worth the punishment if I got the answers I needed.
“Could someone please explain?” There. I asked the question. So out of character for me and yet satisfying in a strange way, like the way I felt when a teacher praised me for a good job. I bit my bottom lip and tasted butterscotch, which was weird because the cake we had, contained nothing of the sort. While I knew asking questions was not an act of disobedience, I also recognized the power in the asking. As if I was taking control, even if that control was small. I took a sip of my water. Father hesitated for a moment and then frowned. He looked up and saw my mother standing in the kitchen, her eyes boring into his. He didn’t look away from her when he answered me.
“You’ll be marrying Dwayne.”
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The prince entered and sauntered up the path to the thrones. He didn’t seem awed or nervous of my guards. A little too cocky for my taste.
He wore white billowy shirts that opened at the neck with a necklace that rested on the hollow of their neckline. It was a simple necklace, with no jewels.
Just before he reached the stairs to the thrones, he stopped and bowed. The prince rose from his bow and looked at my father.
“I am High Prince Leo, the fifth son of High King Ajax of Stella. I have come to see if it would be possible to join our kingdoms.”
His voice was rich and lilting. He had a devastating smile, rich caramel skin, and dark piercing eyes.
Father glared down at him. That was a bold statement for a prince in foreign territory. “How exactly would we join our kingdoms?”
His eyes met mine. “Through marriage of course. I have no kingdom of my own. Marriage would create a partnership that I think we have both longed for.”
I always knew I would have to marry a prince.
Never had I imagined a barbarian prince would seek my hand.
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I wrapped a towel around my hair and stomped out to my closet. A light breeze blew across my back. That was odd. I spun around and froze.
Standing in front of me was the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. And I’d seen a lot. The man in front of me was exotic. His shaggy black hair fell into his dark eyes with lashes even Nora would envy. A five o’clock shadow covered his jaw. He looked like a rock god.
My mouth dropped open. Then I remembered I was standing th
ere in nothing but a bra and underwear. I ripped the towel off my head and attempted to cover myself.
“I’m not wearing any clothes,” I said stupidly.
He grinned, showing adorable dimples. Then he tugged at the hem of his linen shirt and pulled it over his head, holding it out for me.
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A knock sounded at my door, and I rushed to put a robe on as I stepped out of the shower. I was running late for dinner and didn’t have time for visitors. My hair dripped down my back, and I shivered when I opened the door.
Lukas stood there looking scrumptious in jeans and a dark green button down shirt that set off his eyes. If I kept staring, I would officially be late for dinner. I had a hard time asking Lukas to leave. Ever.
“Hey, Tess, I’m your ride.” He grinned as his gaze swept from my wet hair down to my bare feet.
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Acknowledgments
I wrote all four books of Circus of the Dead at the same time, so the acknowledgments will be the same for all the books.
Oh man, this year has been killer, and there are so many people to thank for supporting me through it. Because I pretty much wrote the Circus of the Dead this year, I can’t really separate my personal life from the writing of these books.
First, thanks go to Xandi. You’ve been a rock this year. I’m so proud of you and your strength. I know we moved to Idaho to support you, but really it was you who carried me. Thanks for being the joy. Love you.
Will, thank you for not freaking out when I let everything slide. I mean, I know I had a good reason, but still. You’ve stood by me through it all. Thank you.
Circus of the Dead: Book 4 Page 15