Page 11

The Ringmaster’s smile is a crescent moon, all teeth and no warmth, as he appears in the center of the Big Top. My wrist burns beneath the stamp and I scratch at it, hating how sensitive my skin is sometimes.

“Our wanderer returns,” The Ringmaster announces to those who crowd around us. My eyes flicker around fully now. The Big Top has transformed since the show, just like the grounds did. Gone are the audience seats, the music, and the whole vibe of entertainment. Now, the people of The Carnival stand around the stage. Their faces blur as a dizziness washes back over me.

I start to struggle against the hands holding me, but Kenan’s grip only tightens. “Stay still,” he whispers, his lips barely moving. “Make this easier on the both of us.”

The Ringmaster circles me, his coat trailing behind him like liquid. His face is porcelain, snow-white with a gold embellished mask perfectly in place.

I straighten, fighting an exhaustion that suddenly wanders through me, to stare up at Tobias. He did this. He’s the first one I saw, something happened when he took that ticket from me. Tobias won’t look down at me, confirming my assumption.

He didn’t need the white ticket for anything, it was just an entry ticket – a proof that I was here. Instead, he completely took it from my hand and somehow … marked me? That fucker.

“Seeking answers about a sister long gone,” The Ringmaster’s voice cuts through the silence, and I stare back at him.

Guess that means Tobias reports back to The Ringmaster as well. The night is just getting better and better.

“You know Evelyn? Where is she?” My last moments of control come out like ink stains as I speak. I’ve seen enough true crime to know this is not a good situation at all to be in, but I’ll be damned if I’ll show fear.

“Oh, our dear Emerson ...” He laughs, as does the crowd of clowns and performers surrounding us. “I know everything that The Carnival knows, just as I know ...” His black eyes darken as his gaze jets to the men at my side. “You were aided by those who should know better.”

The Ringmaster snaps his fingers, and two assistants wheel out a large metal contraption. It resembles a branding iron, but elaborate, with swirling designs etched into its surface. The end glows red-hot in the darkness. “She entered willingly. She bears our marks. Now she must choose.”

Kenan steps forward, his hand finding mine protectively. The knife back at his thigh glints in the strange blue light as he positions himself between me and The Ringmaster. “She doesn’t know what she’s agreeing to,” Kenan says, his voice low and dangerous.

“The knife-thrower speaks. How quaint. But the true question is, did any of you?” The Ringmaster’s voice drops with mockery as he gestures to the crowd around us. “None of you understood what you were walking into. Yet here you all stand—bound, marked, changed.” He turns his gaze directly to me. “Just as she is.”

The Ringmaster circles closer. The red-hot branding iron casts an unnatural glow across his face as he holds it in his hands, which shouldn’t be possible since it took two to bring it out. “The choice is quite simple, my dear Emerson.” His voice becomes dangerous, otherworldly. “We kill you now — a very quick end to your little quest for answers.” He pauses, letting the words sink in. “Or serve the four days, afterwards you may join us.”

My mouth goes dry. “For how long?”

“The Carnival does not let the souls go who join its ranks.” His smile widens, revealing too sharp teeth. “We are a family of sorts. Bound together for all time.”

I look around at the faces watching me. Some are eager, others show pity, and some just stare at me like a lion in a zoo. Is this what happened to Evelyn? What did she choose?

The Ringmaster snaps his fingers again, drawing my attention back to him as he steps forward, the heat radiating off the iron in waves. “Choose.”

Kenan’s grip on my hand becomes crushing. I feel him trembling — with rage or fear, I don’t know.

“Time,” Tobias says suddenly, “she needs time.”

“Time is a luxury not permitted here until ... after,” The Ringmaster replies.

The iron is so close now I can feel my skin beginning to blister. I try to step back, but there is nowhere to go.

“Four days ...” I whisper, my voice barely enough for my own ears to hear. “I choose the four days.” Four days is time to figure out a way out. A way to find the answers I wanted. I’ll deal with the after, later.

The Ringmaster’s smile is triumphant. “She has chosen to join us!”

Everything happens at once.

The Ringmaster grabs my arm and the searing iron presses against my forearm. Pain explodes through my body, consuming me. I hear someone yelling before realizing that someone is me. My knees buckle, and Kenan catches me, his arm wrapping around my waist.

Through the haze of agony, I feel Kenan’s hand reach over to mine where the iron burns into my flesh. He doesn’t pull it away, as if he can’t ... as if he shares the pain.

“I’ve got you, Kitten,” he whispers against my ear, his fingers intertwining with mine.

Tobias glances down at us, his face showing more emotion than I’ve ever seen. Fury, pity ... regardless, his cool fingers reach out to touch my temple, and his glacier eyes lock with mine.

“Sleep,” he commands softly, his voice threading through my mind before his lips whisper. “Sleep and forget this pain.”