The Circle

by Val St. Crowe

  I could not afford to be drunk. I needed to keep my wits about me, because I was looking for Enid’s killer. Of course, I had to admit, now six sips into the bottle, that I wasn’t even sure what I was doing here.

  Okay, so Enid had been at a fight the night she called me. It was the last time I’d heard from her, but her body hadn’t been discovered for nearly a week after that. I couldn’t be sure that the fight had been related. Even if it had, it sounded like attending might have been a regular activity for her.

  What she’d said to me on that message, I’d always taken it as a goodbye, but the truth was that it wasn’t all that different from what she typically said to me. She was always telling me not to come to Hellespointe. Maybe she’d just wanted to talk to me that night. Maybe it wasn’t related to anything.

  “You going to nurse that all night?” said Lev, gesturing to my drink.

  “Did you already finish yours?”

  He laughed. “It’s like you don’t want to get drunk. How cute. You’re so responsible.”

  “I’m just, you know, taking my time with it.” I grimaced.

  He was still laughing. “Okay, so you don’t want me to get you another?”

  “Thanks, but I’m fine,” I said.

  “Be right back,” said Lev.

  By now, we’d moved to another part of the amphitheater, sitting about halfway down on the stands. The stage was empty. They were between fights. I gazed at it, trying to think of what I should do now. I took another drink of my cider. It was really, really tasty.

  Then I noticed Phist and another of his Black Circle goons making their way up the outside of the amphitheater.

  I got up and started for them. I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Was I already drunk and making stupid decisions?

  They stepped behind one of the makeshift stands that was set up to sell alcohol.

  I eased my way over to the side of the stand, just out of their sight. I listened.

  I heard the sound of a lighter flaring, an inhale of smoke.

  “Enid’s sister’s here,” said a voice, not Phist’s.

  “Is she.” Phist didn’t sound interested.

  “You talked to her,” said the other guy. “What’d you find out?”

  “She doesn’t know anything,” said Phist. “Her sister was trash, but she has no idea. She’s not a problem.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “She’s an idiot. She doesn’t have any idea, because she’s trying to figure out who killed Enid and why. If she was trash like her sister was, she’d be playing a completely different game.”

  “We should tap her. Bring her into the Circle. Keep her close. Keep our eyes on her.”

  “No.” This time there was force in Phist’s tone. “Fuck her. Forget about her.”

  “She’s a legacy. She’ll be expecting it.”

  “I don’t think she knows she’s a legacy. She’s clueless. And I’m getting bored with this subject. You think I should fight tonight? Legion wants me to, but he’s such a chode sometimes.”

  “She’s got a cute ass. I’d hit that.”

  “Are we still talking about Suther Astaroth?” Phist was annoyed. “She looks like a twelve-year-old.”

  I grimaced. That stung a little bit. The truth was that in all the mourning over my sister, I hadn’t been eating a lot. I’d dropped weight, and with it, any curves I might have had, which hadn’t been formidable to begin with.

  “I heard you were in her room last night,” laughed the other guy. “Didn’t you get what you wanted? Afraid of getting served sloppy seconds, like with Tess?”

  Phist just snorted.

  “What? You know it’s true. She follows you around now, but we both know who was there first.”

  “I have no claim on Tess,” said Phist.

  “Yeah, don’t fight tonight,” said the guy. “The rest of us want to get laid occasionally.”

  “If I fight, I’m not taking anyone home,” Phist muttered.

  “Pfft, is there another reason to fight besides the spoils?”

  “I’m going to tell Legion I’m game.” Phist was moving. I could hear it.

  I scrambled out of the way, hiding in the line of people waiting to buy cocktails. Phist strode out with the other guy trailing behind him. Neither of them saw me.

  “Hey, there you are,” said Lev’s voice.

  I turned to see him with a fresh cider. “Hey.”

  “Did you decide you wanted a refill after all?” He eyed my drink. “You’ve barely touched that.”

  “Let’s go watch the next fight,” I said, pointing.

  “You’re into it now, huh?”

  “No, I just…” I drank a big gulp of cider, feeling nervous. “What does it mean to be a legacy?”

  “Where’s this coming from?”

  “You think it’s like a sorority? Like if your mother was in it, you’re a legacy?”

  “I guess so,” he said. “You talking about the Black Circle?”

  “If one of our parents was in the Circle, that might explain why Enid joined,” I said.

  “Maybe,” he agreed.

  “Listen, I just overheard a weird conversation between Phist and some other guy in the Black Circle.”

  “Who?” said Lev.

  “Uh, bald head, goatee?”

  “Grayson Diablo,” said Lev.

  “Okay, well, whatever,” I said. “Let’s sit down. I’ll tell you about it.”

  We did, and I explained what I could remember of the conversation.

  “Weird,” he said. “They’re hiding something.”

  “They killed Enid,” I said. “Because she was trash, whatever that means.”

  “Maybe,” he said. “They didn’t actually admit to that. But it’s obvious they’re hiding something about her. Something they don’t want you to find out.” He stood up. “I’ve got an idea.”

  I stood up. “What idea?”

  “There’s someone who might be able to explain things to us, but I don’t know if he’ll talk to us.”

  “Who?”

  “Ryan Legion? You know him?”

  I shook my head.

  Lev pointed across the amphitheater. There was the guy with the chin-length blond hair from earlier. He had it pulled into a tiny ponytail, revealing that his hair was shaved underneath.

  “That’s him? Ryan Legion?”

  “Yeah,” said Lev.

  “He’s in the Black Circle?”

  “Uh huh,” said Lev. “Come on. We’ll have to wait until the next fight starts, but maybe he’ll talk to us.”

  “Is he like your friend or something?”

  “Or something,” said Lev.

  We made our way to the other side of the amphitheater. Within a few minutes, there were cheers as the next two fighters came out onto the stage. It was the winner from last time, whose name was apparently Tyler Jinn. He had short-cropped curly brown hair and he raised his arms over his head as the crowd cheered for him.

  He was fighting Phist, who had tied his dark hair into a knot at the nape of his neck. I gaped at his bare chest, trying to pull my gaze away, but I was somehow unable to. He was lean but broad, muscles rippling underneath his skin. When he moved, he was catlike, all predatory grace. When he took the stage, everyone in the amphitheater was on their feet. The cheers were deafening.

  I stared, my lips parted, as the two guys circled each other, as their fists ignited in orange sparks.

  Phist bared his teeth. He held up a hand, beckoned to Tyler.

  Tyler leaped into the air, bringing down his fist.

  Phist absorbed the impact in his chest, but pushed off Tyler, bringing up an uppercut into the other guy’s chin.

  Tyler’s head snapped back, blood arcing from his lips.

  “Suther.” Lev’s hand on my shoulder.

  I jumped. “Oh, yeah. Right.” I looked back at him, feeling embarrassed.

  “Right now, no one’s watching him,” said Lev. “They’re all watching the figh
t. Let’s go.” He nodded at Ryan.

  Loud cheers.

  I turned to see that Tyler had Phist on his back, pummeling his face, hitting him over and over.

  Good. I wanted Phist to be beaten up. I wanted him to hurt. I definitely didn’t want him to win.

  Lev was walking, and I caught up with him. We walked about ten feet until we got closer to Ryan.

  “Ry?” called Lev, reaching out to brush his hand against Ryan’s arm.

  Ryan turned to him sharply. “Holy fuck, don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “Sorry,” said Lev.

  Ryan looked him over. “Look, tonight, it’s probably not a good night. After the fights, you know how it is.”

  “Yeah, I’m not actually here to, um…” Lev shoved his hands in his pockets.

  Ryan looked around Lev, noticing me. “Hey. It’s Enid’s sister.”

  “That’s me,” I said.

  “We’re besties now,” said Lev, grinning.

  Ryan laughed, giving Lev a look that was almost affectionate. “You’re such a dork.”

  Lev stepped closer to him, his grin widening. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah,” said Ryan, glancing at Lev’s lips and then letting his gaze flit down Lev’s body. “You know, it’s just a bad night tonight.”

  Oh, okay. So… either I was blind, or they were hardcore flirting.

  “Well, this dork wanted to know if we could ask you some questions,” Lev said.

  “Questions about what?”

  “About Enid,” said Lev.

  Ryan’s features froze. “Enid? Seriously?”

  “There’s something to know, isn’t there?” said Lev.

  “Enid was…” Ryan eyed me. “You don’t know this about your sister? That what you’re trying to say?”

  “Know what?” I said.

  Ryan shook his head. “Look, I’m not talking about that. Not even to you, Lev, I’m sorry. You know that I can’t.”

  “Did Phist kill her?” I said suddenly.

  Ryan looked up at me again. “Enid got herself killed.”

  Which wasn’t an answer.

  In the background, a countdown was being called out.

  Ryan grimaced. “Hey, Lev, come on, get lost. The fight’s almost over.”

  “If I don’t, you’re going to hit me again?” Lev raised his eyebrows.

  “You know I said I was sorry about that.”

  Lev just shook his head. “Sure. I’ll go.” He took a step backward.

  Ryan gestured meaningfully with his eyes.

  Lev just laughed.

  Ryan looked over his shoulder and there was Grayson heading our way. Ryan turned back, raising his voice. “What’s your problem, faggot? Go on, get out of my face.”

  Lev’s lips thinned. He turned to me. “Come on.”

  I furrowed my brow. “Wait, why is he—?”

  Lev took my hand and dragged me out of there.

  We stopped on the other side of the stage.

  Lev’s face was stony.

  “Why’d he call you that?” I said.

  Lev shrugged. “Sticks and stones, right?”

  “You said he hit you.”

  “He’s a closet case, what can I say?” Lev shrugged. “But, you know, when we’re alone…”

  “Jesus,” I muttered.

  “He’s different.”

  “You could do better,” I said. “You don’t deserve that. Hell, Lev, dump him. Stay away from him.”

  “Yeah,” said Lev. “That’s what I always tell myself after he calls me a fag. Someday, I’m going to be stronger, I swear.”

  Impulsively, I hugged him.

  He laughed, surprised. “See? I told you we were going to be besties.”

  I released him. “Yeah, yeah.” I turned my attention back to the stage.

  The fight was over. Phist had won, and he stood in the middle of the ring, looking out at the audience, soaking up the applause. There was blood flowing out of his nose, down over his lips, clumping in his stubble. His gaze caught mine, and when he saw me, his lips twisted into a smile.

  I felt queasy.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Lev sprawled on the couch in his room, feet propped up on a coffee table. He was still drinking. He’d had wine in his refrigerator. He’d offered it to me, but I’d declined.

  “You know, it’s not really that fucked up,” he said.

  “What isn’t?” I was thinking about Enid. How was I supposed to figure out what had happened to her? It wasn’t as if the members of the Black Circle were just going to tell me themselves, after all.

  “Being attracted to strength,” he said. “It’s like, it’s primal, right? If we’re all cavemen, who wouldn’t want to be intimate with the biggest, strongest guy? Who wouldn’t want that kind of protection? I think it’s a biological imperative.”

  “Okay,” I said. “Is this still you trying to justify the fact that you have a thing with a guy who occasionally beats you up so that people think he’s straight?”

  Lev stretched. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ve seen the way you look at Phist.”

  “I hate Phist. He killed my sister.”

  “And if you could figure out some way to get revenge on him by finding your way into his pants—”

  “No,” I said. “Anyway, it’s different for you. You could actually fight back.”

  “Because I’m a guy? I’m no match for Ryan.”

  “Well, me in a fist fight with Phist?” I laughed.

  “If you want to lace, I’ll help you,” he said.

  I got off the couch. “Stop bringing that up.”

  “I’m only saying, you’re crazy if you think you can stand up to the Black Circle without magic.”

  “Enid never laced.”

  “Like hell she didn’t,” said Lev. “I’m positive she was laced. I never saw her with a flashpiece.”

  I fingered mine. “But she always wore it when she came home.”

  “Yeah, because she was trying to hide from you that she’d laced.” He surveyed me over his glass of wine. “Why do you have attitude about it? Afraid to commit?”

  I licked my lips.

  “You said you were willing to get yourself killed, but you won’t lace?”

  “It’s different,” I said. “Lacing, it’s… it changes you. It strengthens you, but it weakens you too. If anyone ever finds the demon you’re attached to—”

  “Yeah, they can get to you that way,” he said. “There are disadvantages. But if you’re serious about magic, you need power, and it’s the only way to get it.”

  “She and I talked about it,” I said. “She would never have laced. And I don’t even know how she would have done it.”

  “You can get people to perform the rituals,” he said. “It’s not cheap, and it can be dangerous. But it’s doable. I know a place we could go. I’d look out for you. That’s the thing. You need someone to be there while it’s going on, or the demon could devour you.”

  Most demonlacing ceremonies were done with family, a coming-of-age ritual done when occultists were teenagers. It was safe done with parents and grandparents all there to make sure everything went well.

  I shook my head. “No. I’m not doing that.”

  “If you change your mind, you tell me.”

  “I won’t.”

  * * *

  The next morning, it was Saturday, so I slept in late and then got some breakfast at the dining hall. It was a ghost town. Apparently, my idea of sleeping in was still early to everyone else.

  That afternoon, I started thinking about the semester project we were supposed to be working on, and it made me feel nervous and worried.

  I knocked on Lev’s door.

  He answered in a robe, rubbing his eyes.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Should have figured you’d be hungover.”

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  I leaned against the door. “So, um, is it ever possible to trade partners for the semester project? Like, could we somehow wo
rk together? Who’d you get paired with anyway?”

  “Yes, it’s possible to trade,” he said. “And no, we can’t work together, because Ryan texted me last night and said that he’d worked it so his partner Alice would work with my partner Trey, and that we’d have an excuse to hang out.”

  “You’re ditching me for your abusive non-boyfriend,” I said.

  “He gives very good head,” said Lev.

  I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I don’t even care about the stupid project.” I sighed. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “It’s okay,” he said. “I actually remembered something. You said that your sister left you a message, and I realized that was the night of the video. Because Enid disappeared right after that. And then I watched the video, and I got to say, there’s a nonzero chance it is Enid.”

  “What video? What are you talking about?”

  “You want to come in? I’ll show you.” He stepped aside to let me into his dorm room.

  I stepped in.

  He shut the door. “So, the video got taken down after everything went crazy, but I kept a copy. Not for perverted reasons or anything. I mean, I’m gay. I just kept it because I thought maybe it would make a good subject for a documentary or something. But I never did anything with it.”

  “What’s this video?” I said.

  “It’s, um, an ode to female empowerment or maybe a gang rape, depending on which brand of feminist you’re talking to.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a girl having sex with Tyler and Grayson and Oliver Iblis,” said Lev.

  “Oliver Iblis is, let me guess, that final remaining guy in the Circle whose name I haven’t learned yet.”

  “Yup,” said Lev. “You got it.”

  I grimaced. “And you think the girl is Enid?”

  “You can’t see her face in the video,” said Lev. “Some people said she was passed out, but you can’t really tell. You want to watch it?”

  “Not really,” I said. “But I think I have to.”

  “It was a really big deal when it happened,” said Lev. “Grayson posted the video on social media with some shitty comment, and it just blew up. People were actually angry at the Black Circle, demanding they be kicked off campus. But then the video came down, and it all died down. Nothing came of it.”

  “Gross,” I said. “What was the shitty comment?”

  “Uh, I have a screenshot,” said Lev. “He took it down. Something about sloppy girls…” He went over to pick up his laptop. Several moments later, he handed it to me.