Page 78 of Circus From Hell

“Unless it involves your cock,” I reply.

“Yes. Unless it involves that.”

I roll my eyes and bite back a smile as I step out into the cold air. Karma’s knees brush against my stomach as she sways with my movements, and I check behind me regularly to make sure Soren and Arlo are close and safe. When I look, I see Arlo’s head resting against Soren’s shoulder and his arms around his neck, eyes starting to flutter closed. He looks exhausted.

It’s been a long few days for us all, but especially Karma and Arlo.

“I think these two will sleep for the next week,” Soren mumbles.

“Small mercies. They’re giving me the run around.”

“Yeah… They’re both pretty cute though.”

“You think Arlo’s cute?” I shake my head, ignoring the jealousy over my stepbrother. “Hang on. You think Karma’s cute?”

He huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, I do.”

“She’s terrifying.”

“To you, maybe. But I see more than that. I see a trapped girl, hindered by this circus. She has true potential. Evil or not, it needs to be unleashed.”

“You want the rest of the world to have her?”

“Fuck, no. I’m still not sure if I want either of you to have her. I’ll take her somewhere desolate where she can do all the hunting and fucking and eating she wants.”

“You know you’re not getting rid of us, right? Arlo’s obsessed with her.”

We stop at the edge of the road, the circus looming in the distance.

“And what about you? Aren’t you obsessed with her?”

I look over my shoulder, her pink and green hair hanging towards the floor. “Arlo has come first for so long. I’m still getting used to other people being in the mix. But yeah, I probably am.”

“Good. Karma needs you obsessed, or I don’t think you’d stand a chance.”

“Well, she’s not eaten me yet, but we’ll see.” I’m not counting out the fact I very well could die to this girl. “What’s the plan now?”

“I say we keep her in her tent. Despite how badly I want to get out of here, we can’t make any choices without her, and she’s pretty set on this place for the time being. Not to mention we’ll need to figure out how to transport her places. A walking, talking dead girl isn’t exactly inconspicuous.”

“Why are you desperate to get her away?” I ask. Not because I think she should stay in this circus from hell, but because Soren seems pretty uncomfortable.

“Kreo is a seriously nasty guy. He does tests on people that no one should. The sooner Karma is away from him, the better.”

“Did he do those tests on you?”

“How do you think I know about them? He’s tested me in pretty much every way imaginable, bar ending my life. But I know that’s coming.”

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

Soren shakes his head. “I bet Spiral does.”

“You think that evil bastard will tell you anything?”

“He has to if he ever wants to be let out of his cage.” We’re about to cross the road when he stops abruptly, his face lighting up. “Actually, I think I have a job for you, Micha. I need you to pick something up for me.”

“Why do I have a feeling that I won’t like what it is?”

“Oh, you’ll like it. But first, let’s get these two back.”