Page 24 of Galaxy Circus Act One

“Hey!” Before I can voice any more complaints, the balls come flying. One after another, they hit me like some deranged game of dodgeball. I abandon the idea of staying in one spot, jumping around, but they’re deadshots. And they never run out. One of them uses their own telekinesis to retrieve the balls when they get low.

Finally, everything stops, and I put my hands on my knees as I try to draw more breath into my lungs than I’m capable of at the moment.

“Let’s step it up a bit. It’s obviously not enough to trigger an automatic response,” William suggests, and I watch as they paw around the props before John stands up, some long shiny metal things in his hands.Oh fuck.

“Look, Caspian’s swords! I’m sure he won’t mind if we use these.”

A squeak of fright escapes my mouth. When I think about Caspian’s swords, pointy metal ones that might cut me arenotwhat comes to mind.

“What the fuck?” My voice echoes around the arena while the grandpas load up on whatever else they can find to throw at me. “Come on, this is ridiculous! I can’t do it, so scaring me isn’t going to help,” I plead, but the whistle of a blade past my face and the sharp sting of pain, followed by a trickle of warmth, on my cheek tells me they’re not listening at all.

“You are fucking crazy!” I scream at them and start running. Screw this! They can fuck right off. Nothing else hits me as I race out of the arena, but the echo of their laughter trails after me.

“Assholes!” I scream. They just chuckle louder, but at least I’m out of range. That’s all that matters. I slide to a stop in front of the elevator, planning to go back to my room. I need a nap and some alcohol. I wonder if I can get me some of each and not necessarily in that order.

Pushing at the button, I feel someone slide to a stop next to me then realize it’s Eric.

“You suck,” I tell him blandly. He simply hands me a tissue while gesturing to the cut on my face. I dab at it, hoping the bleeding will stop soon.

“Yeah, I’m sorry, but it was worth a try. Don't worry, Lila. It will come eventually, and if it doesn't, well, we will figure something else out. Prince Xavier might have some ideas. There’s not much about magic and woo woo shit he doesn't know, and if he doesn't, his mom or dad can help us.”

I scoff at him and try not to engage since I’m done with them today. The elevator doors slide open, and I step in, holding my hand out before Eric can join me. “Ah, I don't think so, Gramps. You can wait for the other chuckles and get the next ride or whatever. If you step in here right now, I might just kick your ass, powers or no powers.”

He takes a step back, looking all too amused by what’s a very realistic threat. “Lila, take a break. We’ll come and get you a little later. It’s time to start the circus stuff anyway.”

A thrill of excitement runs through me on the tail end of all the adrenaline that I just used, making me feel both woozy and stimulated at the same time.

“Can’t wait.” I salute him as the door closes, leaving me to try to reel in all the emotions again. I’m pretty sure this is a losing battle; my emotions are going to be in a constant state of flux for at least a while.

The sight of my room almost brings a tear to my eye, and as I run my key through the scanner, I breathe a sigh of relief when the door pops open. Heading straight to the wall where I saw Gramps get a drink the other day, I put my hand up, searching for the opening. I must hit the right spot because there’s a pop and a hiss before a door swings open, showing me the inside of a refrigerated cabinet. The only thing I recognize are the bottles of water, which I now know is Skarrian water, and the rest is an interesting array of cans and bottled liquids.

Grabbing out a pink bottle, I try to read the label, but of course it’s in a whole other language that is unrecognizable. I wonder if my translator is not working?If it’s on the fritz, does that mean I can go see Link again?I close the fridge and take the bottle over to my bedside table, activating the universal translator in my tablet to see what the heck I’m about to drink.Rilaxious, from the planet Rilu. This fermented berry juice is made from the Rilax berries which grow in the bottom of the gem mines away from all sunlight. It gets its pink color from being exposed to sunlight during the brewing process. The flavor is said to taste like a cross between an Earth strawberry and pineapple.

Well, sign me up. It sounds freaking delicious. I push away the tablet and crack open the top. The bottle hisses, but it doesn’tbubble up like cider or beer. Taking a cautious sip, the texture surprises me as it flows across my tongue. It’s thicker than soda, more the consistency of a thick shake, and it has a slight bubble to it. I can feel the alcoholic kick it has almost instantly.

“Whoa, new favorite thing about all of this.”

Climbing up on my bed, I drink the beverage while flicking through more information on the circus. I think I have a handle on all the acts now, but I would really like to see them firsthand and experience everything. Next, I need to work out the layout of this pod. Where everything is and how everything is run. Apparently, everything is automated, but there are always a few crew on hand for set-up and take down and to watch over the flight/control deck in case there’s a malfunction mid-show.

My mind skips away from the technical stuff and back to the disappointment from before. What’s the point of learning all of this if I might not ever be able to inherit the circus? What if I’m a dud? Nobody is going to respect me if I’m practically human. I tried so hard, and the lack of results is completely bumming me. I consider trying one of the other drinks in the fridge, having a complete pity bender, but I know they’ll be coming for me later. If I can’t prove to them I have what it takes as far as special powers go, I can at least prove I’ve got the determination and sheer stubbornness that make me the right person for the job.

My eyes grow heavier as I continue to read while the drink in my hand empties in a steady correlation. Too tired to enjoy any more of them, I close my eyes and let sleep carry me away in the hope that when I wake next, there may be some sign of powers. Because let’s face it, are they really going to trust me with the responsibility over the orb of tremendous power if I can’t even get shit right in my own life?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lila

Over the next week, my mind is completely blown. I’m kept so busy I barely have time to breathe, let alone worry about some ball of energy that I could possibly be killed over. The reality of that important fact hasn't quite registered in my mind yet. Every morning, I have lessons with the grandpas to learn to control telekinesis, and it isnotgoing well. Abort, abort, turn around, run away. Let’s just leave it at that for now. William is going to introduce me to the warlock tomorrow if things haven't happened by then.

Each afternoon, the grandpas show me around the dome. I’ve seen the control room which presides over all aspects of the show—from teleporting each act down from the mothership to the lights and special effects inside the dome, such as the snow during the ice tiger show. I’ve seen the flight deck, and I almost peed my pants. I was so excited! It was like something out ofStar Trek. The teleportation room was also pretty awesome, while the room that holds the tech department’s animatronics was honestly a bit creepy. There’s nothing like lifeless robotsto give you that little chill down your spine. And even though I’ve been kept so busy I can barely breathe, I’ve had a nagging thought about Dylan in the back of my mind. I still don’t know what was up with his over the top reaction the other day. I really need to make an effort to search him out and check that we’re okay, but when the hell am I supposed to do that?

I collapse into bed every night after the grandpas have dinner sent to me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m still not showing any signs of powers or if they truly understand how freaking tired I am. As it is, I’ve avoided interaction with anyone due to my embarrassment. The one time I went to dinner, Phillip and Fiona grilled me on my abilities, wanting me to perform like I was one of the circus acts. John quickly put a stop to that, but we decided it might be better to not broadcast my lack of powers.

Tonight, I plan to not only stay awake, but I will see the show. I still haven’t managed to do that yet, but it’s the last night in this location, and there’s nothing left for me to learn. Well, there is, but I have all the technical knowledge either in my brain or in my trusty tablet. Now I need to put all that knowledge into practice.

Once the curtains close on tonight’s show, we move from the UK to the US. Nevada, I think they said, to the salt flats that were used for the Burning Man festival. It also means I get to see the mothership. I’ve been told it has cloaking abilities and sits in the upper atmosphere, not visible to any of Earth’s space sensors. Could you imagine the panic if they actually could sense the ship?

I cannot wait! I get to be on the flight deck.Will I get to sit in the captain’s chair?Although the grandpas are in charge of the whole thing, there’s a captain who pilots the crafts to and from the mothership. Just like how Jean Luc doesn’t drive the actual Enterprise. That’s Captain Lester’s job.