Page 55
The woman retreats, but her eyes remain fixed on me as I peel the sweat-soaked costume from my body. The dried paint from before falls in flakes, revealing my pale skin underneath. I rise, my chin held high as I stand naked before them all, refusing to show shame or fear.
The attendants wash me with blood-warm water that feels like an acid on my skin. Every touch burns as they run the cloth down my skin. I keep my eyes on the spot where Kenan and Tobias are the whole time, a way to disassociate from what’s happening to my body. Kenan’s hands clench into fists, Tobias’s face displaying nothing but calm ... but I notice as his hand reaches to Kenan’s, softly touching the knuckles with his pinky.
As soon as I’m dry, the painting begins. Symbols are drawn across my body, some of them same as the tattoos the boys have on theirs, with brushes dipped in paint that glows blue. Each stroke burns worse than the water, as if the pain is staking claim on my soul, branding me as it licks across my skin. I bite my lip to keep from crying out, tasting the metallic taste of blood as they work down my body.
“The sacrifice must be ready,” one of them purrs, painting a spiral around my navel.
“The sacrifice must be willing,” another responds as they trace lines down my arms. I almost roll my eyes at that ... I highly doubt anyone is willing when it comes to this.
“The sacrifice must be ready to serve,” a third whispers, as her fingers dip between my thighs with the paint that burns so fiercely I can’t hold back a whimper of pain.
Rosies watches the show with a twisted smile, her eyes full of anticipation. “No matter what happened the last few days, Little Kitten ... the Patrons will love breaking you,” she says, twirling a strand of pink hair around her finger. She roughly shoves me into a black lace gown that barely covers anything. “I only hope that Tobias and Kenan were kind enough to let you know what to expect.”
The attendants finally step back, my entire body throbbing with pain. I look down, the symbols thrum in time with my heartbeat, and I try hard to not cry from the pain. I can’t help the single tear that falls down my cheek. They throw what could be only explained as a black satin slip towards me. It’s sheer and barely hides anything but it’s better than being paraded around naked, so I slip it over my head quickly despite the pain.
“As her guardians, we get one more moment with her,” Tobias says, his voice cutting through the heavy silence that has fallen over the chamber. “Leave us.”
The attendants look at Rosie, who pouts but nods. “Fine, Tobias, but only for five minutes,” she says, wagging a finger at us. “Then it’s showtime.” She claps before she follows the attendants out of the room.
The moment they’re gone, Tobias and Kenan rush to my side. Their touches burn against my marked skin, but in a different way—a welcome fire that soothes rather than scorches.
“Kitten,” Kenan whispers, his voice breaking as he presses his forehead to mine. “We won’t let them have you.”
Tobias cups my face in his hands, his blue eyes fierce with determination. “Whatever it costs,” he adds, his voice thick with intensity. “We’ll find another way.”
I lean into their touch, drawing strength from their presence. “I’m not afraid,” I lie, because I am—terrified beyond reason—but I need them to believe I’m strong enough for what’s coming.
“You don’t have to be brave for us,” Tobias murmurs, seeing through me as he always has. His thumb traces a symbol painted over my heart, and I feel a surge of power flow from him to me. “We’ll be brave enough for all of us."
Kenan’s arms wrap around me from behind, his chest warm against my back. “Trust us.”
The three of us cling to each other as drums begin to beat somewhere above us, calling for the sacrifice that will soon begin. Each beat resonates through the symbols painted on my skin, sending waves of pain and power coursing through me.
“It’s time,” I whisper, pulling back to look at both of them.
“We’ll be right beside you,” Kenan says, his dark eyes burning with fierce protectiveness.
“Until the end,” Tobias agrees, his hand finding mine and squeezing tightly.
The door opens again. Rosie’s face appearing, her smile wide and terrible.
“Come along, little star sacrifice,” she calls, her voice sing-song and mocking. “The Ringmaster is waiting, and he’s ever so hungry for your soul. As are the Patrons. They are stirring already if you haven’t noticed.” Her eyes flicker to the door where more of the shadowy figures seem to emerge from the shadows.
I take a deep breath, feeling The Carnival’s magic surge through me one more time. The paint on my skin thrums with power, and for a split second of a breath, I swear I can feel The Carnival itself—a vast, hungry presence that watches me with ancient eyes.
“Let’s give them a show they’ll never forget,” I say, stepping toward the stairs with Tobias and Kenan flanking me like the protective guardians they are.
As we walk back to the Big Top, I can feel The Carnival holding its breath, waiting to see what we’ll do. The magic burns in my veins, no longer painful but powerful, a weapon I’m only just learning to wield.
Chapter 36
The Big Top looms above me, a twisted enclosure of nightmares. Each beat of the drum echoes the beat of my heart as I’m led to the center, and dread coils in my stomach like a serpent ready to strike. Two masked carnival workers grip my arms, their fingers digging into my flesh as they drag me toward the center ring. Their touch is rougher than it needs to be, it’s not like I have much of an option here.
The canvas above seems to breathe, expanding and contracting ... the magic coming to life.
“Please,” I whisper despite the fact that I want to be strong. “Please don’t do this.” That strength I felt is starting to wane as I feel the inevitable calling me to me … the darkness of this place. The sickness within its borders. I wanted to be strong, needed to be strong … but I don’t know that I can be that person here and now.
My captors say nothing, their faceless masks portraying no emotion as they move forward, their fingers digging in deeper.
