Page 9 of Carnival of Crows

“It’s just…” She folded her arms. “Sid called me yesterday to give me a heads-up Luci was coming.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, and? I thought we established this?”

“I feel like you’re asking all of these questions for a reason,” she started. And before I could argue back, she continued. “I don’t care what your reason is. But I think you should know Luci tried to pay. Sidney offered her the VIP package for her and her friends and Sidney had to basically argue with her to take them comped. She didn’t want special treatment. She said she would absolutely come and review our park, but she didn’t expect anything for free. And that’s exactly why Sid wanted to give her the passes.”

“Hm.” It wasn’t much of a response, but it was all I had.

Because across the tent, Luci had accepted a cone of cotton candy from one of her friends. She tore off a cloud of pink sugar and laughed when it stuck to her fingertips. Then, she slipped two fingers into her mouth. The spun sugar disappeared.

Jesus Christ.

My jaw tightened as she frowned at her hand.

I looked away just as she licked the edge of her thumb.

“Careful, big bro,” Luca’s voice held far too much amusement. “You’re staring.”

Before I could make the situation infinitely worse the GONG! sound of the antique brass bell echoed through the tent. Every conversation stopped. Each guest turned toward the massive striped curtains separating the VIP tent from the midway beyond.

Showtime.

I climbed the weathered wooden platform overlooking the entrance. Below me, the crowd gathered with excited chatter. The lights dimmed on my cue. And it went silent again.

Two of our performers stepped into position at either side of the curtains. On the left stood Madam Midnight, draped head to toe in layers of black lace and sequins, her face hidden beneath a mourning veil. She raised a tattered black banner stitched with silver crescent moons. On the right, The Harlequin Herald twirled an ebony flag with theatrical precision, his diamond-patterned costume weathered to look as though he’d wandered the midway for decades waiting to welcome lost souls.

Every eye in the tent found me. I rested one gloved hand atop my cane, drew one slow breath, then smiled.

Not Damien’s smile. The Ringmaster’s.

“Ladies and gentlemen…” My voice carried effortlessly beneath the canvas ceiling. “Boys and girls…” I swept my cane toward the towering striped curtains. “Welcome to Graves Park.”

A ripple of anticipation moved through the crowd.

“Tonight is no ordinary evening. Tonight is Blackout Night.”

A few nervous laughs drifted through the audience.

“Beyond these curtains, the lights are few, the shadows are many, and every path has a way of leading somewhere unexpected.”

I paced slowly across the platform.

“Our performers have spent the past year preparing an unforgettable evening for those brave enough to wander into their park.”

I leaned forward just enough for the front row to lean in with me.

“They’ve been waiting ever so patiently to meet you. So gather your courage, hold tightly to those you love…or don’t.”

I tapped the end of my cane against the wooden platform. Once. Twice. Three times.

“After all,” I lifted my arm toward the curtains, “everyone enters the carnival together.” The music cut. The silence in the tent was deafening and I fed on the energy around me. “But whether you leave together…”

I nodded toward Madam Midnight and The Harlequin Herald. “Well,” I finished. The black banners swept outward as the striped curtains slowly parted, revealing the fog-drenched midway glowing beneath thousands of amber lights. “That’s entirely up to the carnival.”

CHAPTER 5

Luci

The park looked hungry.