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“You joined us,” Tobias says as if discussing the weather. “That brand marks you as one of The Carnival now.”

“So I’m ... what?” I run a hand over my face before running it through my hair. “Trapped here?”

Kenan and Tobias share a look that makes my stomach twist. Tobias comes to my bedside. “Drink this.” His voice is gentle as he reaches for a cup on the bedside table. “It will help with the pain.”

The liquid is sweet with a bitter aftertaste, but I drink it all ... too thirsty to care what it is. “What happens now?”

“Now,” Kenan pushes off the doorframe, “we train you. Congratulations, you brought The Illusionist out of retirement it seems,” he motions to Tobias. “Don’t worry about arguing. The Carnival claimed us both as guardians for you. Thanks to the stupid magical stamp Rosie has.”

I look down at the stamp still lingering on my skin. The wand — an illusionist. The dagger— a knife thrower.

“Train me for what?”

“Your performance, of course,” Tobias says, standing up from the bed. “Part of the deal. Tonight, and the next three nights — you perform.”

I swallow hard, remembering The Ringmaster’s words. Four days of service, then I can join them — whatever that means. Survive. Find a way out. Find Evelyn. “What kind of performance?”

“That depends on how well you take to our training and what you can do,” Tobias says. “Everyone who joins us brings something unique.”

I look between them, my mind racing. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? It would be perfect if you could not talk cryptically, just this once.”

“Talents,” Kenan says, pulling his knife from his thigh, twirling it between his fingers as if to prove a point. “Everyone in The Carnival has something they excel at. Because everyone at The Carnival has a little magic inside them somewhere.”

“The question is,” Tobias continues, “what’s yours?”

I shake my head, my arm throbbing. “Nothing, as far as I know. I’m just looking for Evelyn. That’s the only reason I am here.”

Kenan laughs, “Everyone says they have nothing at first. But ... It’s always a lie.”

“What he means —” Tobias says, cutting his eyes to Kenan, “is that we all have gifts. Some are obvious, like Kenan knew he liked knives, others need coaxing. But it’s all magic. Everyone here has a touch of it, or The Carnival wouldn’t have called you in the first place.” His fingers brush against my branded arm, and goosebumps radiate from the scar.

“We’ll start with what we know you’re tied to, thanks to The Carnival.” Kenan says, grabbing my good arm and pulling me out of bed. “Illusions, knife work —”

As he states it, I notice the knife he was spinning is now a Zippo. When did that change? The flame goes between his fingers, in and out like magic itself. Before I can understand how he is doing it, his hand flicks out, losing the Zippo, but his fingertips remain on fire before he closes his fist and they extinguish. “Fire play?”

“Not the fire, if that was true, she would have been granted to one of the fire breathers,” Tobias cuts in sharply. “I still don’t know how you weren’t.”

Kenan rolls his eyes. “Fine, it’s still fun though. You’ll start with Tobias, he is the master of illusions after all.”

The way the words roll off his tongue, and the rolling of Tobias’s eyes, makes me wonder about their history together. It’s obvious they’ve known each other for a long time, but … the way they talk it feels more than just friends? Maybe. I’m not sure.

“Time to find out what you can do, baby girl.” Kenan extends his hand. “Come on. We need to get you ready before tonight’s performance ... you’ll be expected to be on stage.”

I stare at his hand, “I’ve never performed anything in my life. I won’t be ready.”

“You did last night, very well might I add,” Kenan says.

Tobias moves to a trunk at the foot of the bed, lifting the lid to reveal folded fabrics in deep blues. “Here. These should fit you.”

The clothes he hands me are nothing like I’d normally wear — a linen top with laces up the back, leather pants that seem designed to stretch with movement, and a vest embroidered with tiny mirrors that catch the light overhead.

“I’ll step out,” Tobias says, his eyes lingering on me a moment longer than necessary before he slips past Kenan.

Kenan, however, doesn’t move. He simply leans against the doorframe, a smirk on his lips.

“You too,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before, Kitten.” He says as his mouth quirks.