Page 125 of Circus From Hell

“You have hypnotic eyes and a split tongue,” I deadpan. He grins, and I don’t push away my pleasant reaction upon seeing it. “But yeah, that’s why. I guess it worked in the end. Not in my dad’s favour—I killed him—but in mine. I can protect Arlo.”

“That’s not because of your dad. That’s because of you.”

His words slam into me.

I guess he’s not wrong. I give my father credit for my sadistic tendencies, for my ability to brush past death, but caring for Arlo all these years was down to me.

“Can’t you see that you and Karma are trapped here?”

He tilts his head curiously, but he lets me change the conversation. “I’d rather be trapped in a place that accepts me than out there where everyone hates me.”

“Don’t you get it? Karma is hated both here and out there. She doesn’t get a reprieve like you do.”

Realisation crosses his face. He’s well aware that he is—or was—a part of that hatred.

“Kreo needs me here.”

“Does he?” Hurt overrides his expression, but I keep going. “Does he actually need anyone? Look at what he’s done to Karma. She doesn’t understand what she is. And look at what he’s done to you. Given you hope that he can fix you, but you’re still relying on drugs and whisky and the illusion of hope he’s fed you to get through the night. You’re delusional, Spiral, and Karma’s naive. But the two of you need to get the hell out of here before this place eats you alive. You have an out by coming with us.”

“Kreo isn’t a bad man. He cares about Karma.”

“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have stitched her a smile.”

I turn and stomp out of the tent. I’ve had enough of this place, had enough of the future hanging over our heads. I want something to change now, and that means making a decision and a plan.

Spiral chases after me, but he doesn’t run his mouth anymore. I can tell he’s contemplating, and maybe he finally sees what an outsider sees: the lack of control he really has.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

KARMA

Spiral and Micha seem to be in better spirits after ‘hashing out’ their issues. It’s pretty obvious what went down between them when Micha returned Spiral and marched off to get himself cleaned up.

Soren retrieved everyone’s clothes, including mine, and I dangle from my silk as I sadly watch them get dressed.

“You could ssstay naked,” I suggest, and Arlo giggles.

“Do you want the rest of the circus seeing our cocks?” Soren asks, and it’s a valid point. I don’t like the rest of the circus, so no, they don’t deserve to witness these masterpieces or their masterpenises.

The tension between the five of us has settled, and it no longer feels like someone’s on the edge of snapping. Spiral doesn’t say anything when Micha returns and pockets the muzzle, though he’s well aware Micha is keeping it for a reason.

“Is there a show on tonight?” Arlo asks.

Spiral shakes his head. “Everyone will be getting ready for the big finale tomorrow.”

Arlo’s bright curls bounce as he looks between me and Spiral. “The big finale?”

I spin down from my silk and land beside him. “It’s a ssspecial show.”

“But won’t you be leaving town then?”

“Morning after,” Spiral confirms quietly.

We exchange glances. I notice Soren and Micha also communicating silently through their eyes.

“We could sneak away then,” Soren suggests.

“Everyone would be preoccupied. No one would notice,” Micha adds.