Lost Pup: The Fools' Circus, #1

by Dani Rei

  “Yo!” Inez calls out as she steps outside and makes her way toward them. “Mishkin, are you distracting him? Let him practice in peace!”

  “How rude!” Mishkin stands. “Shooing the Cat away like a pest. Or are you just jealous cause I got to spend time with the cute little Pup?”

  “Excuse me?” Inez shouts. Blake lets out a snicker, and Inez shoots a glare at him. Blake looks away, continuing his poi circles.

  “You are such a fucking child, damn Cat! Get outta here!”

  “Fine, no one likes to be a third wheel anyway.” Mishkin wanders off with his hands on his hips and his nose high. “See ya, Blake.”

  “Bye,” Blake laughs.

  Inez growls to herself as she readies her poi for practice. Blake is getting used to their friendly bickering, but something about her tone seems different this time.

  “You’re using fire tonight,” she snaps. “You need to get used to the flames before you perform in front of an audience.”

  “Wait, tonight?”

  “You only have two days. Make sure your pants and shirt are 100 percent cotton, don’t use any gel or sprays in your hair, and don’t wear anything loose or dangly.”

  “Okay, sure, but Inez, are you okay?”

  “Mind your business and practice!”

  Blake is about to protest, but Inez’s voice is flat, and her face is blank. She’s focused on her own routine now, moving her poi too quickly, too intricately for him to follow.

  He tightens his lips, grateful that her fiery gaze isn’t scorching into him this time. Even as he channels his anxiety into his poi, his hands are trembling.

  He knew this was coming; he should’ve prepared for it. It never occurred to him just how little time he has to prepare.

  I’m going to light the poi tonight.

  I’m going to dance with fire.

  I’m going to die.

  

  DINNER GOES BY FASTER than Blake hoped, and Inez isn’t giving him any chances to stall. She and Mishkin lead the way toward the yard in silence.

  She revealed to him at dinner that her uncle somehow knew where she was while she was out, and the lack of privacy was wearing her thin. Guilt still riddles his gut for trying to pry before. He’s still curious himself, but there’s no way she trusts him enough for him to ask without her believing that he’s doing it to win Rex’s favor.

  When they get outside, Inez turns away from the aerial rigs ahead, where they’d been practicing all this time, and toward an open space. A large fire pit sits a short way away under a clear night sky with pinprick stars and a quarter moon overhead. The night air threatens to freeze him from the inside out, and he curses the circumstances that require his first burn to occur tonight.

  The yard is empty except for the three of them. Mishkin holds a fire blanket at the ready. Inez grabs a set of poi from a spot next to a bucket of fuel, and hands it to Blake. He isn’t sure if she’s unaware of his trembling or ignoring it, but she doesn’t look like she’s about to give him any wiggle room.

  “All right. Safety review. Mishkin is right there,” Inez points. “If you need to stop, say ‘red.’ Never, ever shout ‘fire,’ understood?”

  Blake nods, lips tight, eyes focused on his poi.

  “If you have to stop before the poi goes out, let us know, and you’ll put the poi on the blanket, okay?”

  Another nod.

  “All right, here we go!” Inez flicks her lighter, and two pillars of flame shoot up from the wicks. They trail up the rope, threatening Blake’s hands, and the heat tempts him to drop the poi.

  “Get ’em moving,” Inez commands, taking a few steps back.

  Of course she warned him that the flames would be loud when the poi moved, but he didn’t expect them to be this loud. Even a gentle swinging motion causes the fire to growl like an angry dragon, making him hesitate to do anything else. The flames are much larger than he expected, and the heat coming off them is much more intense.

  “Use what you’ve learned!” Inez calls out.

  Blake swallows hard, takes in a deep breath, and in a quick motion, whirls his poi into the air, pulling the flames around him in perfect, roaring circles. The sound rings in his ears, and the light stains his vision, plastering a little smirk on his face.

  I’m doing it. I’m really doing it!

  One poi head taps his thigh, but he continues, recovering those perfect circles once again.

  “Right leg! Put it out!” calls Mishkin.

  Blake holds both poi in one hand and looks at his leg to see a bit of flame on his pants. He pats the spot with his free hand until it’s out before he separates the poi and continues with the flower patterns he’s recently mastered.

  Blake loses himself in the light and roar of the flames, drowning in the excitement pulsing through his veins, every moment making his grin grow wider and wider. He watches the fire dance around his vision, leaving trails of light on the back of his eyelids. He watches the light blaze across the grass, the night sky, even the distant aerial ground catches tiny glimmers of orange.

  Minutes fly by like seconds when everything goes dark all at once. He stops short and realizes the fire has gone out. Mishkin and Inez applaud, and Blake takes a small bow before stepping over to rejoin them.

  “That was pretty good, Pup!” says Inez. “Tomorrow night, we’ll try it with juggling patterns, and then the next night is your test.”

  “That felt incredible!” Blake exclaims. “I never thought I could do something like that!”

  “Very nice,” Mishkin says. “You could use a little work on your form, but you’re a natural.”

  The three make their way inside, exchanging memories of the early days of The Fools’ Circus.

  The trails from the flames still stain Blake’s vision, and though his heart has stopped racing, his smile hasn’t faded.

  I did it. I’m a fire spinner.

  Chapter 12

  T

  he next two days of practice fly by, and Friday’s dinner is here before Blake can realize it.

  The table is loud and vibrant with friendly chats and light mockery. Inez is hiding her face in embarrassment as Blake gushes over Allistair’s magic in previous shows. Allistair is loving the attention and uses a napkin to make a rose appear upright in his hand. Blake grabs the rose with excitement and shows it to Inez, who can no longer hold in her laughter as he brags about Allistair’s gift.

  “My beloved fools!” Rex’s booming voice quiets the room as he stands from his seat. This is the first time Blake has seen him sit with everyone for dinner.

  “This year has been another outstanding success. I’m happy to announce that the event guest book, the profits, and the audience responses have never been better!”

  The table erupts into a roar of cheers, whistles, and applause.

  “Yes, well done.” Rex pats the air beside him, and everyone follows the prompt to quiet down. “And I want to congratulate and thank you all for being such an amazing cast and crew. Seeing how you’ve all grown from your dark origins and become an inspiring beacon of light for the world warms my heart. I am immensely proud of each of you! Furthermore, I’m delighted to announce that preparations for the Blasphemer’s Ball will begin next week!”

  More cheering erupts from the table, and Blake joins in the applause.

  “More great news: I am officially training my son, Allistair, to be the next King of Fools.”

  Excited words turn concerned, and faces dart around, throwing whispers back and forth.

  “Allistair has seen the work I do, learned it from childhood, and knows how things should be.”

  “Are you retiring?” someone asks.

  “Not yet,” Rex responds, pulling a wisp of his hair, and a few glints of white peek through the blond. “However, I cannot deny that my age is catching up to me. It may be a few years, but alas, I am not immortal. Therefore, Allistair will be working with me to prepare for his role as the King of Fools.”

  Ev
eryone applauds, including Blake, and Allistair nods his thanks to everyone around him.

  “Inexcusable!” calls a voice. Everyone turns to watch a familiar bald head rise from the table, bare chested as always.

  “Ian,” Rex frowns. “You’re speaking against me?”

  “In favor of your children, I assure you.” Ian grins. The sudden shift from his usual tone sends a thick air of tension across the room.

  “My King, my adoptive father, shining beacon of truth in a dark world of lies. I feel as though you’ve taken away our voice. Each of us, when we arrived, was given choices for our acts, freedom to branch out, and encouraged to speak our minds.

  “Well, I’m speaking now, and I find it rather unfair that you would elect your own son as the future King, the heir to the circus you built from the ground up, without even considering that there might be another more qualified for the job.”

  “And I suppose you’re speaking of yourself?” Rex raises a brow.

  Ian grins and shrugs. “I’m the oldest here. Allistair is a fine illusionist, and he may even make a fine King. I, however, would do better.”

  “A challenge then,” Rex says. The tension in his face has lifted, as if the idea is suddenly entertaining somehow, but it hasn’t left the air. “I propose a challenge to see which of you is more qualified, both as a ringleader and our new King.”

  “Accepted.” Ian nods with a sly grin.

  “Is there anyone else who would like to take on this challenge? Now is your only chance to fight for this opportunity. Who else believes they will make a better leader than my son?”

  The cast and crew toss glances around the table. Some of them push their plates away, as if the very thought disgusts them. A few sink in their spots, and others shake their heads at each other.

  “In that case, the competition is between my son, the Prince of Illusion, Allistair Brandt, and our beloved Blades Master, Ian Demir. You’ll each have a small team, and I will announce them tomorrow. One will win, and the other had better not disappoint. Everyone else will vote for the winner. Then, our upcoming ball will double as a celebration of the new king-to-be.”

  Allistair and Ian exchange icy glares that send chills through the room. Rex sits back in his seat as the thick silence hangs in the air. He gives a quick wave of his hand, and the tension lifts almost immediately.

  An uproar of chatter takes its place. Most of it involves Allistair and Ian being bombarded with questions and support and offers to help in any way possible.

  Blake can’t bring himself to eat as he glares at Ian. He peers over at Inez, and she looks just as disgusted, though she continues eating as if holding back some choice words.

  

  BODIES SCRAMBLE TO FINISH CLEANING. Blake’s heart races as he helps Ronan with the dishes, wishing he could slow everything down, so he doesn’t have to perform. Maybe he could smash a few plates? Pretend there is some food that won’t come off? But doing this right would impress Inez and secure a spot on stage for him.

  Yes, but it’s still terrifying!

  He sneaks a peek over his shoulder at Inez as she sweeps the kitchen floor, and he freezes when he sees Ian approach her.

  They talk for a bit, Inez refusing to look him in the eye. When Ian lifts a hand toward her, she flinches and shoves his arm away.

  “Don’t act so tough. I’m trying to help you.”

  “You’re being an arrogant piece of shit!”

  Ian chuckles as Inez turns and continues sweeping in the other direction, her head hung low.

  Ian steps over and puts his hands on her waist. “I know what you want, Fire Goddess. Play nice, and you just might get it.”

  Inez clenches her fists. “Get off of me.”

  Kick him Inez! Hit him. Don’t put up with this.

  Ian grins and presses his nose to her head. Inez cringes, but doesn’t move. Should he do something? Even though Inez can handle herself, he feels wrong about standing around.

  “Just think about it. No one else here is going to help you.”

  Like hell. “Ian!” Blake storms over, standing at Inez’s side. “It doesn’t look like Inez cares too much for your attitude. Why don’t you focus on your challenge instead of harassing your coworkers?”

  Ian releases Inez with a smirk, but she doesn’t move from her spot.

  “Harassing? I was making her a generous offer. I know what everyone wants, and when I win, I’ll make sure they get it. And you, you pampered pest...” Ian makes a movement so quick that Blake can’t see what he’s doing. A spot of ice-cold steel stings his neck. “Watch your fucking mouth before I carve out your tongue from its roots.”

  A loud crash behind Blake makes everyone jump and the dishes tremble. The cold steel pulls away in Ian’s hand so Blake can see it. A switchblade. Blake turns his head to see that Vladik and Mishkin have stepped up behind him and Inez. Everyone in the kitchen is staring in stunned silence. Ian makes one last glare at Blake before he storms off, folding the switchblade and putting it back in his pocket.

  “Inez, are you okay?” Blake asks as he turns to face her.

  “Why did you do that?” Inez growls. “What’s your problem?”

  Blake blinks hard with raised eyebrows before returning her glare with his own. “My problem is that Ian is an asshole! Sorry that I can’t just sit around and watch him treat you like that!”

  “Don’t be stupid!” Inez crosses her arms. “You know I can handle him. You need to stop doing shit that makes things worse!”

  “What did I make worse? I didn’t do anything wrong!”

  “Hey,” Mishkin cuts in, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. “Look, we’re done cleaning. Let’s get outside and let our worries burn in the bonfire.”

  Mishkin skips away with Vladik close behind, leaving the kitchen with everyone else.

  As they leave, Blake catches a glimpse of long blonde hair trailing down the hall. Not while Rex is watching.

  That’s why she wasn’t doing anything. What will happen if Rex sees her attack him?

  “Look,” Inez says, turning his attention back to her. Her eyes are softer now. “Everything that happens here, I’m used to it. People are already skeptical about you in this place. Don’t make it worse by acting so high and mighty.”

  “I wasn’t trying to do that, I just—”

  “I know, but you can’t afford to lose Rex’s favor. Worry about yourself. Let’s go. It’s almost time for your test.”

  Blake follows Inez to the yard, begging for the awkward air between them to stop nipping at his conscience.

  They get outside and head to the fire pit, now burning with the cast and crew huddled around its warm glow. A few feet away, Axel is bending and twisting herself into odd shapes and poses that make Blake wonder if she even has bones. She pulls back her shoulders, yanking off her shirt to reveal a bright red bra with tassels draping from a band below her breasts.

  The crowd whoops and whistles as Blake and Inez make their way over to catch the rest of the show. Blake’s cheeks heat up a bit. This performance is nothing like her innocent and graceful Cinderella. Even her grin has switched from sweetheart to succubus.

  “It’s easy to see why she gets all of the lead roles, isn’t it?” says Inez as they plop themselves into the crowd.

  “Does anyone else ever get a chance?” Blake asks without looking away.

  “No one really cares. If someone else wants a lead role, of course they can audition, but mostly we all like her as a lead. There isn’t anything she can’t do. She’s Rex’s daughter, but not the heir to the circus. She has to prove her worth somehow. At least, that’s the way she sees it.”

  “So, Rex didn’t adopt her?”

  “He did, but he adopted her before the circus even started. Rex might call everyone his children, but Axel and Allistair are the only ones who call him Father.”

  The other members cheer as Axel unties herself into a handstand. Her feet lower over her back to rest on her head before
they come back up. One foot comes down to rub the opposite leg, and then the other foot copies the motion. This continues until a sliver of red peeks out from her pearlescent leggings. The crowd’s yips and catcalls continue as her feet guide her pants to her ankles, still high in the air, until they hang limp from her foot. She twirls them in the air a few times before flinging them off to the side.

  Her underwear is red lace, and Blake’s cheeks get hot when he realizes they’re see-through. He clears his throat to center himself. He’d seen burlesque before, but never with see-through fabric over the crotch. It’s just nudity, it’s not a secret.

  Even Inez yips next to him and gives him a look, encouraging him to do the same. Axel’s feet land in front of her face and she pulls herself to a stand. Her hips shake, and she bends and moves in ways that make it look as though her breasts might spill from her bra.

  Axel turns her back to the crowd, walks a few steps away, and undoes her bra. Shouts and whistles erupt from everyone as Axel holds the bra out to the side with her finger and thumb, dropping it to the ground.

  The music picks up and Axel turns back around, revealing red tassels over her nipples. A grin pops onto her face as she twirls them in circles, leaning forward for added fan service. The music ends, and Axel lands in a split with blades of grass barely covering the slit between her legs.

  Blake and Inez applaud when Axel takes her bow and Maya runs up with a handful of others, all of them raving about how beautiful and talented she is.

  Axel gathers her scattered clothing as everyone settles back into their toasty spots by the fire.

  Inez leaps up to take her place, settling odd frames and shapes around that Blake can’t see yet.

  “You’re going on too, right?” Mishkin asks, tapping Blake’s shoulder from behind him.

  “Yeah, right after Inez. I’m kinda nervous.”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  Inez lights a small torch, and Blake’s mind trails off. She holds the lit torch in one hand and a matching, unlit torch in the other. She drags the unlit torch down her arm, then pulls it away and taps the lit one onto it. A line of flames sparks along her skin. It only burns for about a second before Inez gently blows it out. She repeats the process on the other arm as cheers and yips rise from the audience.