We turn a corner and enter through a second gate, the energy here a lot more charged. There are no rides or performances happening, no audience to see us, and the mood instantly shifts, all the smiles dissolving off everyone’s faces.
Everyone but Raph, who doesn’t seem to notice.
We pass an incredibly large tent and enter another slightly smaller one standing behind it.
“Everyone, please, take a seat,” Governor Raph says.
I sit between Gemma and Yasmeena, and the others follow suit.
“I thought we already went over the details of this arrangement with my Alpha and the others,” I say.
“We did. This meeting is about the specifics of your stay in Hel’s Carnival,” Draven clarifies. He props his legs up onto the long table, making it abundantly clear what role he plays here. He might not be king or governor, but he’s at least prince of this circus. “You will have an escort with you at all times.”
“At all times?” The hair on the back of my neck stands up at the uncomfortable silence lingering after my question.
There’s another few beats before the small one with strange eyes speaks up. “You’ll shower and use the bathroom alone, but other than that, yes.” Her scleras are black, but her irises are gold, and I recognize her. She’s a member of The Devil’s Masquerade, and she was there the night I met Yasmeena.
Is this a joke? Is my life a fucking joke?
I worked at a bar. Hel, The Cathedral ismybar. It’s busy and buzzing with beings, but when three o’clock hits each morning, I get to go home to my quiet den. With the exception of days spent where I’m forced to shadow Fenris, I’ve spent most of my life in the quiet. My other pack members supported me, but they also knew me well enough to give me the space I needed.
The thoughts in my head are loud enough. I don’t need to bebabysat by someone who is a part of the organization that took my cousin’s life.
“It’s nothing personal; we just don’t know you enough to trust you yet,” Gemma explains, and I roll my eyes. They seemed to get cozy with this human pretty fast, from what I can remember of seeing them two years ago.
“You can roll your eyes like an insolent child all you want, but we protect our own.” Yasmeena’s nostrils flare as she stares at me, and I can see in her eyes that she’s lost something.
I’m sure they all have, but her wounds are still open, or for whatever reason she still feels the need to guard everything close to her chest. That’s not my problem, though.
“Where am I going to sleep?” My jaw hurts from how hard I’m clenching.
“With Yasmeena,” Draven and Raph say in tandem. Yasmeena’s eyes drop to the ground.
I am desperate to find another solution. “Why can’t I have my own tent? Or share with someone else?”
“You’ll be sleeping in separate beds, but this is a marketing campaign. We have to make it appear as real as possible,” Gemma explains. She bats those big brown eyes of hers, and even if she wasn’t the only human I’ve ever met, I’d think she’s the prettiest one.
“Plus, there could be spies anywhere.” Draven takes his feet off the table.
Well, at least they don’t realizeI’mkind of a spy. Or maybe they do, and that’s exactly why I’m not allowed to be alone.
“Doesn’t everyone here know we’re not really engaged?” I ask, and everyone shakes their head.
“Obviously we know, and so does my brother, Khalid,” Yasmeena starts, but Draven butts in.
“Robyn and Aida are the only other carnies outside of The Devil’s Masquerade who are fully aware of the situation. Rowan and Quinn will be suspicious, but won’t outright get into Yasmeena’s business,” he explains.
“Taryn and Leo do not know, and neither do the children.” Raph’s deep blue eyes look into mine.
Draven turns to Yasmeena, cocking his head to the side. “What about Lilian?”
“She’s like my best friend, Draven. She knows,” Yasmeena says, and he nods.
“Essentially, unless you’re alone together or with a limited number of us, you’re to act in love. Painfully, disgustingly in love,” he says, the most evil smirk gracing his mouth.
Gemma’s hands go up. “Ignore him. You can act…regularin love.”
I don’t know what that means or where to even begin. “I’ve never been in love.” The words fall from my lips before I can reel them back.
