by Robbie Cox
He felt the smile crease his face as a warmth filled him. She had risked whatever consequences came her way to warn him. “I’m glad you did. Thank you. I hope you don’t get in trouble.”
She chuckled softly. “It’s not like I know who the boss is, so...” She smiled at him. “Would you like me to go with you to Cuddles? That’s the pet store.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair as he shook his head. “Cuddles. Why am I not surprised at the cutesy name?” He then blew out a breath as someone called him. “It’ll be a bit before I can get over there. I have to go to work. Maybe later, if you’re willing? Treat you to a funnel cake as a thank you.”
She smiled at him, and Wyatt couldn’t deny the way her gentle eyes sent a warmth through his body. “I’ll find you after the show. Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the circus. I think I’ll check out your performance.”
Reina made a short snort of laughter as she looked away, but Wyatt didn’t pay attention to her. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said just as someone called out his name again. “See you later.” He reached out, taking her hand in his and giving it a light squeeze. “And thanks,” he said before turning and disappearing off to the side.
He didn’t have answers, but he had a course to follow. How in the hell would he keep his grandfather out of the center ring, though, until Wyatt could figure out the answers?
Nine
April stood on the edge of the circus, the afternoon sun high in the sky as Reina stood beside her picking apart a funnel cake with strawberries dripping off the side. How her friend could eat such disgustingly sugary treats was beyond April, but the woman hadn’t slowed down from visiting every food truck they passed since they left Wyatt to go get ready for his act. Just the thought of putting all that sugar in her stomach was enough to make April nauseous.
Wyatt’s show ended about a half hour ago, April laughing at his clown hijinks with the rest of his group. It felt good to laugh like that again, but she also felt guilty about it. Because of her, Wyatt had to deal with an issue he would not have known about otherwise. Now, because she had gone against eons of tradition and actually told him what her keening had been about, she sent his life into a whirlwind as he not only wanted to save his grandfather but also figure out who killed his father. April crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing her upper arms as she stared at the families making their way around the circus, families without intrigue ripping them apart. She didn’t understand it. How could someone want to kill a family member over money? There was so much to life, so much to derive success from besides money. April just couldn’t believe someone would go to such lengths for a quick payday.
“You know Misha won’t like the idea of helping your friend, right?” Reina asked as she stuffed a white-powdered hunk of funnel cake into her mouth. “Giving him the information he wants will only start a reaction that could get him killed as well as his grandfather. Misha won’t want to set that into motion.”
April gave her friend a puzzled look. “Are you saying I shouldn’t take Wyatt to Cuddles? I already told him I’d introduce him to the reapers.” There was no way she could change her mind about taking Wyatt to see Misha and Vasily. She wasn’t sure it would matter, anyway. They already told Wyatt enough that he could find the grim reapers on his own without their help. What Reina warned her against was already set into motion.
Reina shook her head. “No. I’m saying Misha won’t help you, and you know it. You need to introduce Wyatt to Vasily. He’s more likely to help circumvent the rules than his sister.”
April felt her eyes widen as she realized the truth of her friend’s words. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right.” She nodded. “Vasily is definitely the way to go.” She glanced around the roundabout as families darted from game booth to carnival ride to food truck. A clown with a giant red nose above a widely painted grin, wearing large blue shoes and a red and white striped outfit carried a fistful of balloons, calling out to the kids to buy a balloon or two. Or rather, urging them to whine to their parents until the adults caved, pulling out their wallets. A couple of other carnies walked around pushing cotton candy and candied apples, boxes of popcorn and giant cups of soda. Some hawked souvenirs, like glow bracelets, clown noses, and elephant ears to wear on their heads. Parents forked out the money, and children squealed with delight. It brought a smile to April’s lips to see so many enjoying themselves.
“Hi, Miss McCray,” a voice sounded behind her, catching April’s attention, causing her to turn around. A young dwarf from April’s English Literature smiled, giving her a weak wave. The other teenagers with her just nodded as they continued walking.
“Destiny,” April greeted, feeling a smile spread across her face. “It’s good to see you. Having a good time?”
Destiny Merryborn nodded, her bushy blond hair swishing across her forehead. “I am, thanks. I didn’t think you liked the circus?” The young dwarf paused a moment, the battle between her desire to stop and talk to April and running after her friends, friends too cool to be seen talking to their teacher, evident on her face. Destiny was more the studious type than one of the popular set, always the first to class and the last to leave.
April nodded. “You’re right. I planned on hiding out at home, but I’m glad I changed my mind. It seems to be the place for fun tonight.”
“Come on, Destiny,” one of her friends called out. “There’s no line at the Spinning Whirl.”
Destiny waved at her friends, letting them know she was on her way. “I need to go,” she said as she started to walk away. “It was fun seeing you.”
“It was good seeing you, too,” April said, giving the girl a small wave. “Have fun.”
“Here comes your clown,” Reina said, gesturing toward the back of the big tent as the young dwarf jogged to catch up to her friends. “Or should I say, your new fool? Does he plan to wear that outside of the circus?”
April watched as Destiny and her friends raced off and then turned her attention in the direction Reina indicated. Wyatt crossed the roundabout grounds, still wearing his costume from his performance during the show, a purple and green court jester’s hat with bells at the end of each of the flairs at the top, giant green shoes, and a purple bow tie that almost hid his neck. His face was bright white with tears painted down his cheeks, giant purple circles around his eyes, and a wide green mouth painted around his lips. “I thought he planned on changing, and that was why we were waiting for him,” she said. “I, uh, didn’t really expect this.” As Wyatt approached, April pointed to his attire. “This might draw some unwanted attention,” she told him.
He glanced down at his outfit, his brows pinched together in confusion, which April thought really made his face a blob of purple. “Oh, yeah, sorry. I rushed to get out of there and forgot to, you know, clean up.”
April watched as he took a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising as his solid chest puffed out just enough to warm certain parts of April’s body. As she tried not to think about her honey stirring, she witnessed the makeup fade from his face, replaced by his natural appearance, as he slid the jester’s hat from his dark hair. He then reached up and pulled the bow tie from his neck as he glanced down at his shoes. April followed his gaze just in time to watch his giant clown shoes shift into a pair of white tennis shoes.
She gave him a puzzled look. “Your shoes shift?” she asked, not sure what she just witnessed.
He shrugged as he handed one of the passing performers his hat and tie. “They’re actually my feet. I just make them look like shoes. I can’t shape-shift like a full-blooded korrigan, but I can alter certain parts of my appearance, like my clown makeup and certain parts of my body. I just can’t turn into other creatures or too many objects. This actually took quite a bit of practice to figure out.”
Reina eyed him, nodding, her lips pressed into an impressed thin line. She cocked her eyebrow as she asked, “Just what other parts of your body can you, you know, make bigger like that
?”
“Reina!” April snapped, not believing her friend would ask such a question. Not that April didn’t want to know the answer, of course, but still, it wasn’t something you blurted after just meeting someone.
Reina, however, did not look apologetic in the least as she shrugged her shoulders. “What? It’s a good question.”
Wyatt chuckled as he shook his head, obviously not insulted by Reina’s question. “Let’s just say, no one has ever complained and leave it at that. Now, shall we meet these friends of yours?”
April led the way, happy to do something to distract her friend from her sudden curiosity. “Misha and Vasily are twins,” she said as she stepped away from the roundabout toward Cuddles. “I’m not really sure how long they’ve lived in Black Hollow or even been retired, but they’re good people. I know they still stay connected to some of their old friends among the reapers, but I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to help us. Vasily might be the one to talk to first, so hopefully, Misha is out of the store.” She stepped out into the street, crossing over to Foot and Hooves, leading the others down the sidewalk. Crossing the next street to Cuddles, which resided on the corner, she noticed how dead the traffic was compared to normal. More than likely, most attended opening day at the circus. Hopefully, most would remain there, so the three of them could get in, get the needed information, and get back out without drawing too much attention to themselves.
As they walked, the sidewalks were narrow enough that Wyatt’s hand kept brushing April’s occasionally, sending tendrils of excitement throughout her body. Reina walked on the other side of Wyatt, and April wondered if her friend had the same sensations. It had been too long since April dated anyone, always worried her banshee side would terrify someone away eventually, even another paranormal. Reina, on the other hand, dated weekly, if not daily. There were times April wished she was more like her friend, but then, she wasn’t sure how her friend managed to put her heart out there all the time; if she ever did, that is. For all April saw of Reina’s quests, they were more the one-night stand variety than anything long-lasting.
It took less than five minutes to arrive at Cuddles, and Wyatt opened the door for the ladies, allowing them to enter before him. The first thing April did was scope out the inside to make sure there were no other customers. Fortune was on her side as the place seemed empty. If they were lucky, Misha would be out as well, leaving Vasily to tend the store.
“Well, this is a surprise. I’m surprised anyone is doing anything else today besides attending the circus.”
April sighed. Luck was not on their side.
She turned toward Misha, putting a smile on her face. Even if Vasily was here, there was no way to ask to talk to him privately without sending Misha’s red flags up. They would have to cross their fingers and hope the grim reaper would help them.
“What brings you into Cuddles?” Misha asked as she stepped further out of the backroom.
April took a deep breath, steeling her resolve. Misha had to help them; April would make sure of it.
Ten
So, this is a grim reaper, Wyatt stared at the woman coming out of the back. He wasn’t sure exactly what he expected, but a normal-looking person wasn’t at the top of the list. Of course, as soon as he thought it, he realized how it sounded. After all, most paranormal beings had an alternate appearance; look at April and Reina beside him, two banshees who appeared as normal as his own human mother. Still, he found it hard to believe this gorgeous woman in front of him with her long dark hair and emerald eyes, alabaster skin with the light dusting of freckles on her nose, could be the one to bring souls to the afterlife. She seemed so...so full of life.
“We were hoping you could help us out with something,” April said as she moved closer to the other woman, stepping in front of Wyatt a little. He wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not, so he remained where he was, allowing her to lead the conversation. After all, she knew these people better than he did. “We were wondering if you could help us pin down when a reaper would collect a soul.”
The other woman stopped walking toward them, cocking one eyebrow as she studied the three of them. “That’s not how it’s done,” she said, stiffly. She then stared at Wyatt as if she knew he was the one truly asking. “When people know the time of their death or the death of a loved one, it tends to make them do stupid things.” She then turned her attention to April, her eyes narrowing into judgmental slits. “This is true for banshees as well, and you know this, so why are you asking?”
Reina leaned over to April. “I told you she wasn’t the one to ask,” she whispered a little too loudly.
April rolled her eyes. “You’re not helping.”
“And yet, she’s right,” Misha said, walking off as if she had better things to do with her time. “I see no reason to break the traditions now. You’ve wasted your time coming here, and don’t go to Vasily. I’ll make sure he doesn’t help you, either.”
“Misha...” April started, but Wyatt had remained silent long enough. “My grandfather is about to be murdered,” he shouted, pushing his way past April as he walked down one of the aisles in the pet store, making his way to the reaper. “And I’m pretty sure whoever plans on killing him killed my father as well. You’d really stand there and help a murderer?”
Misha spun on the man, bringing Wyatt to a sudden stop as she pinned him with her narrowed eyes. “I am not helping anyone, you little shit. I’m not even the one bringing your grandfather’s soul to the afterlife, so watch who you accuse of murder.” She took a deep breath, but when she spoke, anger tinged her voice. “A reaper is not responsible for how a person dies or when the death occurs. We only help carry the soul to their next destination.” She slid her hands to her hips as she shook her head. “Look, I’m sorry about your father and grandfather, but there isn’t anything I can do to stop it. Fate plays a part in all our lives, even the paranormal. What’s set in motion is destined to happen, and if you try to stop it, you can wind up getting yourself killed in the process. The best I can offer you is the advice to spend all the time with your grandfather you can, making memories to last you when he’s gone. I’m sorry if it’s not what you wanted. April and Reina know the truth of what I’m telling you. They shouldn’t have even told you outside of their calling. Bad things can happen.”
“Bad things have already happened,” Wyatt snapped, frustration and anger twisting his stomach in knots. “Someone killed my father and is about to do the same to my grandfather. Maybe I shouldn’t have found out, but now that I do, I can’t just sit back and watch it happen. The fact that you can is pathetic.” He turned, shoving his way past the banshees as he stormed out of the pet store, April calling after him.
He ignored her as he pushed the glass door open and stepped out into the Sunday afternoon. They wanted him to pretend he didn’t know his grandfather’s future, but he refused to just surrender to what the reaper called fate. He would save his grandfather, with or without their help, and he would discover who killed his father in the process. Someone would pay; he’d make sure of it.
As he stood on the sidewalk outside the pet store, hands on his hips, he tried to think of his next step. How do you go about uncovering a murderer? He raked a hand through his dark hair as he blew out a deep breath. He stared down the street as people entered the roundabout and left, everyone laughing, having a good time, clueless that among them walked a murderer.
As he continued to stare, he saw the lawyer, Samuel, slink away from the circus, his tiny notepad in his hand as he scribbled some notes. The man should never have found Black Hollow as magic hid the town from the outside world. He shouldn’t be able to snoop around the circus, annoying Wyatt’s grandfather. Wyatt narrowed his eyes as he stared at the obnoxious man as he came to a stop, looking up finally from his notepad as if searching for someone. Wyatt glanced around to see if he could figure out on who the lawyer waited, but no one stood out. Of course, in a town of paranormal beings, everyone kind of stood out.<
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Wyatt glanced at his watch. He had another show in twenty minutes, so there was no real chance to investigate further. However, he couldn’t just stand by and watch his grandfather step into the center ring, knowing it might be his last. Somehow, he needed to convince the ringmaster to turn his job over to someone else. He sighed. Yeah, that is so not going to happen.
When he looked up, Samuel had vanished from sight. Now where did he get off to so quick? Wyatt spent a couple of seconds looking around, but the lawyer was nowhere in sight. Only a smaller man with bushy black hair walked down the sidewalk, ducking along the stake lines to the east of the big top. Shaking his head, Wyatt crossed the street, shoving the lawyer out of his mind. He didn’t have time right then to worry about it. He needed to make sure his grandfather survived the next show.
Wyatt went straight to the back of the big top in search of Randall, the griffin in charge of security at the top of the tent. If Wyatt couldn’t convince his grandfather to permit someone else to play ringmaster, then he could get someone to keep a close eye on the stubborn old man.
As Wyatt slid through the tent flap into the darkened performer’s area of the tent, his mind drifted back to the redhead who told him about his grandfather’s impending doom. April. She said her name was April. He smiled as he shook his head. What are the odds of meeting someone named April in the month of April? He chuckled as he came to a stop, hands on his hips as he looked around. He much preferred the April he met today, as opposed to the one who visited him Friday night. He still found it difficult to believe they were the same person; their appearances were so vastly different.