Page 6

“Welcome again to The Carnival.” Kenan says, his voice carrying throughout the tent, adjusting his mask to keep it in place. “A round of applause for my very willing sacrifice.”

The woman giggles as Kenan circles her like a predator, gleaming blades dancing between his fingers. He gestures toward a large wooden wheel behind them, and with practiced grace, the woman backs against it, extending her arms and legs into the waiting restraints. Kenan secures her wrists and ankles as her chest heaves with excited breaths. He runs a knife up the side of her thigh, and I watch as a thin line of red appears, and the woman arches her back. Then he spins the wheel she’s attached to, her body rotating slowly.

He pulls a blindfold from his pocket, securing it over his own eyes. “Trust,” he says, “is everything.”

When the knife leaves his hand, a collective gasp can be heard throughout the tent. It embedded itself just between her spread legs. A moan escapes from her lips as the next knife lands right above her head. With each throw, the woman looks as if she’s in more pleasure.

He continues throwing three more, landing on either side of her full chest and the final one inches from her neck. Kenan removes his blindfold and the crowd erupts in applause. He walks back to her, helping her down as her legs tremble with adrenaline before she curtsies and exits the stage.

“Now,” his voice comes back across the speakers. “I know we are only in town for a short time, every seven years we arrive for five days. So, I’m feeling adventurous. What do you say, should we take the performance to the next level?”

The crowd roars around me in approval as he paces the stage, his dark eyes scanning the audience. The knife in his hand catches the light as he spins it between his fingers casually.

“I need a volunteer,” he almost purrs. “Someone willing to put their trust in me, who isn’t afraid to ...” he laughs, “get intimate with danger.”

I sink deep into my seat, my heart still racing from what I just witnessed, and panic begins to flood my senses at the thought that he’s going to try this on someone not trained. A spotlight swings ahead, sweeping over the crowd before landing directly on me, and I freeze.

“Ah,” Kenan’s smile widens. “There she is.”

The audience turns to stare at me. I shake my head, wanting desperately to melt into the seat. The crowd starts chanting, “Go! Go! Go!” Hands push at my back, urging me forward.

“Don’t be shy, Kitten,” Kenan calls out. “I promise I don’t bite ... unless you beg me to.”

Laughter ripples around me as I find myself standing, my legs carrying me forward on their own accord. The spotlight follows my path to the stage. Just parlor tricks and he’s had extensive training, I remind myself as heat crawls up my neck. Once I reach the steps, Kenan extends his hand, his fingers wrapping firmly around mine as he pulls me onto the stage.

“And what’s your name, Kitten?” He asks, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he brings a mic between us.

“Em-” I try to sound unaffected by the fire shooting up my arm from his touch, “Emerson.”

“Tell me, Emerson,” his focus solely on me, “how much do you trust a stranger with knives?”

I swallow hard, feeling too hot in my own skin. “That depends on the stranger,” I manage to say, surprised I even sound remotely steady. “And how good they are with their knives.” I flick my attention to the shiny silver toys, “Are you any good with those?” Well, that came out sexier than I meant it to. What is wrong with me?

“Ohhh,” ripples through the audience, and Kenan’s eyes darken with amusement.

“I can assure you, Kitten,” He twirls a blade between his fingers, “I’m very good with my hands and my blades.” His green eyes don’t leave mine as he licks his bottom lip, biting it softly before continuing. “But I’ll require a bit of ... vulnerability from you. You think you can handle that?”

My heartbeat thunders in my ears, and every gut reaction screams at me to run. I watch as he continues to twirl the blade in his hand. “Unless you’re afraid?” He says only to me.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I lie, but at least only he hears me. He smirks, and his eyes glint with mischief.

He guides me towards a large wooden board at center stage, its surface marked with the faint outlines of previous performances. My legs feel like jelly beneath me, but I refuse to show fear.

“For this next part,” Kenan says into the mic, “I’ll need our volunteer, Emerson here, to be a little more ... exposed.”

My eyes widen, “Excuse me?”

He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. “Relax. The loose fabric of your jacket could catch the blade.”

I narrow my eyes but shrug off my jacket before I can reconsider. The cool air kisses my bare arms as I hand it to him.

He takes it with a wink, tossing it to a stagehand. “That’s a start.” He’s talking to the audience now, as they are applauding. Kenan takes my hand again and, stepping into my space, the air becomes even more constricted as he stares at me, the faint breathing through his mask tickles my lips. He backs me up, my back hitting the hard board behind me, and though I can’t see the lower part of his face, I know he’s smirking.

He grabs my wrists and puts them high above my head, securing them in velvet ribbons. I test them, and they are surprisingly strong. My toes barely touch the floor. He runs his finger along the edge of his blade before his hands touch my hips as he turns me to the side. “Trust me, baby girl ... I’ll make this worth your while.” My face blanches as I look towards where the exit is now and for a moment I’m grateful because I don’t see the eyes of the guests staring at me.

“Beautiful, isn’t she?” He’s talking once again to the crowd, “but ... I still need more canvas to work with.”

My eyes widen once more. When this show is done, I’m sure they’ll be stuck that way. “What the fuck does that mean, Kenan?” I yell towards him even though I can’t see him. The crowd begins cheering and laughing at something he’s doing behind me and I try to twist, my toes not making enough purchase to turn. Then I hear the soft thud of a knife hitting the wood. I hold my breath and look up at my arms, nothing. Turning my head down, I realize now what he hit.