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I pushed past him, noting the shock on his face, and edged around the back of the cage, trying to get a better view of the arm. With the freshly laid hay, it was difficult to tell if someone had been killed in the cage or if the arm had simply been tossed in after.
“You need to have the lion removed from there immediately,” I said. “This whole cage needs to be secured and scoured for clues.”
I inspected the lion. It was impossible to tell how much of the body he’d consumed—perhaps it was just the one arm, meant to distract us. The large cat lazily washed himself, licking his paws, then dragging them behind his ears in a contented way only a full belly could provide. My own stomach flipped at the implication of such actions. Tonight had been so close to ending without another death.
“Shouldn’t this animal be with the others for the show?”
Mephistopheles stepped closer. “It appears he’s too full to be of use. Which is probably why he was left behind.”
“That means this was deposited prior to the show.”
I swallowed my revulsion down. I could not allow my emotions to surface now—perhaps not ever. I’d witnessed a lot in my uncle’s laboratory—cruelty almost too violent to be believed. But this? This was an entirely new level of horrific. To toss someone to an animal to feed upon… it was monstrous.
“You need to summon my uncle,” I added, noting Mephistopheles hadn’t yet moved. “And Thomas. We need them. Someone is dead. Whoever did this is out to ruin your show—you better hope we can prove it’s Cassie and her husband, or you might be the one held responsible.”
“That is your best deduction?” Mephistopheles crossed his arms and scowled. It was hardly the sort of reaction I expected from anyone who’d stumbled across a dismembered piece of a body. If he was free of guilt, he was doing a terrible job of proving it. “Cassie and I, handsome though we might be together, were never lovers. She wanted to, but I declined. Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea. Though I cannot tell if you’re simply curious for your own reasons. Perhaps you’re jealous.”
“Are you entirely mad? You wish I were jealous.”
He seemed to think on it. “Yes, actually, I do. Regardless of that, if I wanted to involve your uncle or that arrogant assistant of his immediately, I would have done so. What I want is for you to investigate first. Then I will fetch those two. I need discretion—the carnival cannot keep withstanding these blows. I’m doing everything I can to keep the acts going, to distract patrons, but even I cannot produce miracles. I need you to help me.”
“Thomas is my partner,” I argued. “We each have skills that complement the other’s.”
“And? Are you incapable of simply looking at something without either of them?”
We stared at each other, each holding our ground for an exaggerated moment. It was a battle of wills, and if I was selfish, I’d not surrender simply to spite him. Since there was a slain person involved, I took the higher ground.
“Fine,” I spat. “But someone needs to get that lion out of the cage now. I cannot properly investigate the scene and worry about being mauled by that beast.”
“Fine,” Mephistopheles echoed, brushing past me and snatching the ring of keys from a hook on the wall. “Glad to see there are things you’re able to do without assistance.”
He stuck the key in the lock and yanked the door open with a screech that made the big cat growl, low and dangerous. Apparently he wasn’t as full and docile as I’d thought.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Mephistopheles swiped a leash from the inside of the cage and held it up as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Removing the lion from the cage like you asked. Have you been drinking the Green Fairy again this evening? I thought that was our special thing.”
“Why are you the one getting the lion?” I ground out. “Shouldn’t you fetch an expert?”
With a disgusted grunt, the ringmaster turned his back on me and marched toward the lion. Now that I was looking closely, I could see bits of blood stained around its pale muzzle and fleshy parts near its whiskers. Mephistopheles either didn’t notice the gore or pretended it wasn’t there as he made his way toward the animal. I didn’t know whether to be impressed or horrified as the large cat slowly put his paw down and eyed the intruder.
No matter how well trained the lion was, there was a part of him that would forever remain wild. The intelligent gleam in his golden eyes sent gooseflesh skittering along my body. The effect seemed lost on Mephistopheles entirely. He was moving a bit too boldly for his own good.
“Have a care, would you? You’re going to get yourself killed,” I said, drifting forward, “then I’ll have to sort out your blood and entrails from the victim’s.”
“If that happens, then consider it a test of your immeasurable skill.”
I took a steadying breath. “I will not watch this madness.”
“Sometimes, for the greater good,” he said over his shoulder, “it’s necessary to get your hands dirty. Do you trust me, Miss Wadsworth?”
Only a fool would put their faith in someone they didn’t know and who prided themselves on illusions. “What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
Instead of responding, Mephistopheles snapped the leash like a whip, setting the other animals chittering in their cages. My gaze fell to the severed arm once more and I quickly looked away. The time would come soon enough to dissect that bloody fragment.
I moved forward, gripping the bars to give myself something to do other than fret as the ringmaster drew within reach of the lion. Unlike the quiet calm of the cat, my pulse was a constant roar I couldn’t settle. Dealing with the dismembered arm was horrendous, but bearing witness to an animal attack would be even worse.
Sensing the growing tensio
