Spurned

by R. Moses

  Chapter Nine

  She wondered if Lyla was from another country. That would explain why her speech sounded so strange, so formal and old-fashioned. She might be from across the sea, where a different form of English was spoken.

  Kara answered her question. “A pickpocket is a thief. People keep their coin purses tied to their belt. Well, most men do. Women usually keep their coin in small purses they clutch in their hands.” Her face burned as she described her profession aloud. “I steal the coin purses and split my earnings with the carnival coffers.”

  Lyla said, “I see. And this coin is very important to your people, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “These are just material things you speak of, but the act of 'pickpocketing' is dishonorable, yes?”

  Kara's face burned more than ever, a heat that spread down to her neck. “Yes.”

  “What is this other work you speak of? A roadie?”

  “Someone who cleans up and does all the hard work around here. They take care of the animals, too. It's the hardest job with the longest hours, and it pays the worst.”

  Lyla looked over the pens. “It is not the hardest work here.” She looked back at Kara. “Coin is of no concern to me. I will take care of the animals.”

  “You don't get to pick and choose. Malone tells you what to do and you do it.”

  Lyla nodded, looking a little sad. “As you say.”

  Kara stood there, torn. She had promised Hither that she would make Lyla into a thief but she was beginning to regret her quick promise. Rumor had it that it was a very bad idea to break any agreement with him, but she could not see any way to mold Lyla into a pickpocket.

  She said, “Well, I guess we can talk about it with Malone tomorrow. Maybe you can just help with the animals.” She added, “Do you need anything?”

  “I am content. Thank you.”

  Kara nodded, rubbed Baboo's head for good luck and turned back to her tent. She stared at her feet as she walked, lost in thought about the unicorn's plight.

  She smacked right into someone. Someone tall and heavily muscled. She looked up and saw Vayne grinning down at her. He was wiping himself off with a towel and only wearing his strongman outfit, which was a very short pair of leggings. He smelled like sweat and mint.

  She stepped back, forcing her gaze not to wander below his nose. She wanted to sink into the earth right now. Of all the people who worked here, she had to look like a clumsy fool in front of him. She stuttered, “Sorry. I didn't see you.”

  “I'm kind of hard to miss. Over two hundred pounds of solid muscle.” He flexed his bicep, then grinned. “Just got done with my last show. Like what you see?”

  She realized her eyes had betrayed her and roamed over his bicep. She blurted out, “Yes.”

  Her hands flew to her mouth. What was she thinking? No matter her feelings for Vayne, he had a girlfriend. A girlfriend she had to share a teeny tiny tent with.

  He pressed her arm and guided them to the closest shadowy passage between two tents. He leaned down and breathed in her ear, “I like what I see too. Can you keep a little secret between us, Kara?”

  She nodded, her heart clutching her ribcage. He lifted her chin and his touch burned through her. How many nights had she fantasized about this, him looking at her with those emerald eyes?

  But the longer she looked into his gaze, the stranger it seemed. She studied him carefully and saw what was off. His pupils were pinpricks, which was strange considering how dark this private little space was...

  He murmured, “Why don't you and I have a little fun once in awhile?” He threw his towel over his shoulder and ran his fingers over her braided hair.

  She was floating on a golden cloud, buoyed by temptation. She squeaked, “You broke up with Naomi?”

  He shook his head and gave her a rueful smile. “No.” His fingers were sliding down her neck, leaving a trail of shivers behind. “Like I said, a little secret between you and me until I get around to ending it with her.”

  She remembered to breathe and think when she heard this statement. Tempting as his proposal was, it tasted of guilt. She shook off his touch and stepped back. “You've got to be kidding. Naomi's my friend. Even if she wasn't, it is still wrong.”

  He chuckled, and his pitch sounded high, too high for him. She stared into his pin-pricked eyes. He seemed different, more aggressive than he used to be...

  He said, “Kara, you are a thief. What do you know about right and wrong?”

  Hurt, she stammered, “It's not the same. You are talking about betrayal. And she'll find out. Too many loose tongues here. Too much idle time for gossip.”

  He closed the distance between them with one long step. “I can be very discreet. Trust me.”

  Hurt turned to anger in a flash. She snapped, “How discreet have you been? With how many women around here? Goddess, Vayne, don't you realize Naomi loves you?”

  He shrugged. “I can't help how she feels.” A slight sulk marred his voice. “What's the big deal, Kara? It's just a little fun. Just you and me. You know I have my own private tent. We can go there right now. Just talk. As friends.” He lifted an eyebrow and gave her his brightest smile. “Naomi won't get off work for at least an hour.”

  Despite her indignation, she was still tempted. How many times had she watched him strut across the grounds, every female's attention caught by his classic features and perfect body?

  A question entered her mind. “Why are you still dating her? If you are so interested in other women?”

  “She's...” He sighed. “She's there. It was just so easy. She's pretty and stupid and does what I want.”

  Kara's jaw dropped. He continued on, “But you are smart and pretty and will never do what I want. You're a challenge.” He rippled his chest muscles. “I like a challenge.”

  She looked away from him and said coldly, “You would never date me officially. Even if you and her were to break up, I'd still be your dirty little secret. I'm just a carny thief.” She threw his own bragging back at him. “You're Vayne the Strongman, who has performed for the King himself!”

  She backed out into the main path, furious tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. How low had she sunk in life, that men thought her morals were this loose and easy?

  She turned and began to walk quickly.

  “Kara! Wait!”

  It took every last bit of her willpower to not turn around and fly into his willing arms. She knew he was too proud to come after her, to chase her, so she decided she would be proud too. She kept going, her feet flying over the ground.

  She burst into her tent, stripped off her carnival mask and threw the other one after it, then rolled up in her blanket, clutching it with weak fingers. She squeezed her eyes shut as she alternately berated and contradicted herself.

  It was just so hard to resist temptation. She could be kissing him right now, could be feeling his huge hands rubbing over her body...

  And she would feel incredibly guilty after.

  She sighed and stared at the gray wall of her tent. It was nearly midnight. She could tell by the sounds of others coming back into camp, their work ended. She heard Adam shout and a giggle from one of the dancers. She managed a tiny smile in the dark. He was one of those young men who endlessly teased females to hide his own insecurity about talking to them.

  She allowed herself to pout and sulk for a few more minutes, then decided she would go get a bowl of grub with Icari next. He always made her feel better...

  She continued to stare at the canvas as she wondered at this. If being with Icari was so much more pleasant, why did she pant after Vayne like a bitch in heat and ignore Icari? Did she dismiss him as a potential boyfriend because he was dark-skinned? Was it because he was foreign? Was it because he was so nice? Because he was her friend?

  She rubbed her face with her hand. Deep down she knew Vayne was no good, that he was a manipulator, a liar who would love her and leave her, most likely after he had planted a baby in her belly. A
lmost any guy here would be better than him...

  “You did the right thing.”

  Kara nearly jumped out of her skin as she jerked around and pulled out her small knife. She fell back and said, “Goddess, Lyla. Make a noise when you come in!”

  Lyla sat in front of her. “I did not mean to frighten you.”

  She sighed. “It's okay. I'm just in a lousy mood.” She added, “What right thing did I do?”

  “Rejecting the strongman's advances. Only lust and greed motivate the likes of him.”

  Kara asked, “How did you know he...advanced...on me?”

  “I was nearby. I have excellent hearing.” She hesitated. “I was concerned about your safety, so I lingered and listened. I did not mean to invade your privacy.”

  Kara was oddly touched.

  Naomi burst in the tent without warning and Kara's breath caught.

  Had she overheard Lyla?