Page 27

I didn’t see Tobias or Kenan for the rest of the night. Another full day of no answers, confusion, and a settling feeling of darkness washing over me as I trace the brand on my arm. Three more days. The throbbing is already starting to ease, and I roll my eyes at the thought of how quickly you can adapt to the unthinkable.

I sit on the hoop, spinning slowly as I take deep breaths. I have to find Evelyn, she’s here somewhere ... I will find her. The first day, I was taken. Yesterday, I learned my role. Today, I’ll find her. I haven’t been able to explore the grounds much, so the first thing I did this morning was find my way to the Big Top – our training area. I wanted to make sure that last night on the ring wasn’t a dream, between the extremely quick timeline and my own dizziness from … the mirrors … I’m losing my logical brain.

Layla enters, her teal and purple hair flowing long behind her back. “Hey!” She wears a pair of short athletic shorts, a tank top, and carries the staff that I saw her use last night.

“Hey.” I stop spinning around and face her.

“How was the first night?” She asks, lighting the flames on each end of the staff before slowly rolling it over her arm while she talks.

“Confusing ...” I don’t lie, because it was. Just when I was starting to enjoy my show, Kenan almost killed me.

“Yeah, sorry about his slip-up. That’s our newest girl’s fault. Only her second performance.” She seems saddened by that fact. “She’s still ... adapting.”

“Her second performance?” I kick my legs beneath me, “How does that work? The Carnival only shows up every seven years, right? Or is that part of the mystery?”

Layla continues flipping her staff around, spinning it behind her back when her eyes meet mine. “No, we are only ... here ... every seven years. But it’s her second year here. I guess, not to sound spooky, but here on Earth. When we show up.” She sighs and then puts out the flame, sitting down in front of me. “It’s confusing, and I probably shouldn’t tell you all this, but really, you’ve already made your choice, so unless you really want to die you’re stuck with it. When we aren’t here, we are somewhere else.”

“The In-Between?” I ask, remembering what Tobias said.

She smirks at me. “Right. You got a little taste of that last night, didn’t you? We all noticed Tobias’s little stunt. But yes, between the years we are there. But there it’s different ... we practice ... but it’s not the same and plus — that’s when the real monsters come out to play.”

I open my mouth to ask her a question when a voice makes me jump.

“Little Bird,” Tobias says as he comes striding into the tent. He’s not wearing any paint and his blue eyes are piercing into mine. The air seems to leave the room as he walks toward me, and Layla smiles. He extends his hand, unfurling his fingers like an invitation. “Come with me.”

I hesitate, studying his face for clues. “Why?”

The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “You wanted answers?”

Layla says nothing, but her eyes dart between the two of us, a knowing look crossing her features. I ignore her as she seems to nibble on the inside of her cheek.

My heart hammers against my ribs. Answers. Finally. But the way he looks at me — like I’m something he’s going to devour — makes me hesitate. He doesn’t quite look the same as he has since I’ve met him. His eyes are glinting in the lights with a darkened look.

“Fine,” I say, hopping off the hoop and taking his hand. His skin is cool as his fingers close around mine with a possessive grip.

Tobias leads me out of the tent, the morning air kissing my skin. The Carnival looks the same as yesterday morning, missing the nighttime atmosphere that makes it appear magical. This is the true carnival – the unease, the secrets. A few of the performers pass us and I stare at each one, looking for any familiarity. None of them have my sister’s eyes.

“Where are we going?” I ask, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

“Somewhere private.” His voice is low, meant only for me. “Somewhere you can learn what you need to know.”

We approach a tent I haven’t seen before - smaller than the others, its canvas a deep black.

Tobias pulls back the entrance flap, and a rush of cold air escapes. “After you, Little Bird.”

I step inside and gasp. The interior is impossibly large, and nothing but a single mirror stands in the middle. Above us, a light softly blinks, causing my stomach to roil with dizziness. This room seems to never end, and when Tobias closes the flap I startle.

The air stirs to my left, Kenan’s frame is illuminated by the softly blinking light. He’s shirtless, his torso painted with intricate black designs that seem to shift in the light.

“So, what do you want to know, Kitten?” Kenan says as he approaches slowly, his knife glinting in his hand.

“What happened to Evelyn?”

“Are you sure you’re ready for those answers, Little Bird?” Tobias replies, his hand still holding mine.

I stand my ground as he releases my hand, and they begin to circle me. Something about this doesn’t feel right, they don’t sound right. Not at all like the two that seemed to … care. Maybe that’s the wrong word for it. My pulse races and I nod my head, “I’m tired of being in the dark.”

Kenan’s laugh is low and cruel. “Oh, Kitten. The dark is where we live.”