by Liz Long
“I think she has a good point,” Sheffield agreed. “I don’t want to put everyone in danger, but we might be hanging ourselves out to dry if we go to him not knowing what or how many gifts protect him. We can be prepared in almost any instance here.”
“Where can we go then? We might accidentally set something on fire or destroy the grounds. Once it’s over, we still need to make a living,” Nikolas said.
“We’ll go to the practice field,” I said. “It’s far enough away that nothing will catch fire if we’re careful, we know that much. It’s still close enough that if we need help, we can get it.”
Everyone nodded their approval.
“Sheffield, can you get our fighters together? You know the best ones, the ones who will agree to it and be ready to defend us,” I asked.
“You already know I’m in,” Brooklyn said.
“Me too,” Nikolas said. Keegan and Delia both nodded in agreement.
I looked at Gabriel. He’d been watching me, had a slight smile on his face. Perhaps he was amused at my sudden leadership or was merely thinking of a way to irritate me later. I only wanted to know if he’d fight, not for me, but with me. Before I’d even finished the thought, he nodded at me.
“I’m in, too,” he told Sheffield, never taking his eyes off mine.
“I think Felix messed with the wrong crowd,” Sheffield said with a slight smile. “He might be crazy, but that’s nothing against you all. I’ll select a few others to be better prepared.”
“He won’t win,” Brooklyn said.
“No matter how many gifts he has,” Nikolas added.
“Sheffield, I say we stand our ground together. We’ll form a pack and face the parking lot since that’s where he’ll probably slither in. Let him see you standing there next to me, maybe he’ll get distracted and immediately go for us since we’re who he really wants right now. I’ll throw a fireball at him the first chance I get and hopefully I can take him down,” I said.
Sheffield nodded. “Okay, that sounds like the best plan we have at this late hour. I’ll let you know if we need to make any changes.”
“C’mon, man, let’s get you to bed,” Nikolas told Finley. “You’ve had a rough night.”
“Let’s not tell Angel what happened,” Finley replied in a depressed voice as they walked out the door. “He’d screw with me all night about being human. I’m gonna need some time to adjust.”
They walked out together. Keegan looked at me and I shook my head, motioned for him to go ahead. He obediently went outside and I heard his voice float out to the other two guys to wait up. Delia looked at me, cocked her head to the side so I’d know we could leave together. I took her cue and went over to her.
“Sheffield, let me know what I can do…what I need to do,” I told him.
He nodded silently and reached into his desk for his whiskey bottle. I looked at Gabriel, opened and closed my mouth while trying to find the right words. Instead, I opted for a weak smile and he only looked back at me. I gave him a pleading glance, hoped he read that I didn’t want him to go to Felix. Delia touched my elbow and Gabriel made no motion to leave.
Delia and I walked out of his office back to our camper; she glanced at me every five seconds but I clenched my teeth to prevent the flood of emotions from escaping. As we walked, one of her glances caught my eye; after she saw my face, she gripped my hand for an instant, one brief moment that almost made me talk. I squeezed back instead. We didn’t exchange a single word, even after we got into our beds and lay there in silence until sleep overtook us.
Chapter 38
The very next morning, someone pounded on our door. It jarred me awake and I almost fell out of my bed as Delia zipped to the door.
“Is Lucy here?” I heard Gabriel ask. I got up and almost ran to the door while Delia slipped into the bathroom to shower.
“For each night you refuse him, he’s going to kill one of us,” he said in a flat voice.
“Did you tell anyone else this?” I glanced around to make sure no one heard us, but it was still too early for people to wander the camp.
“I may have come straight to you rather than Sheffield. I wanted to make sure it was your decision.”
“Then it’s tonight. I won’t let him kill anyone else.”
“Felix actually said you would say that.” The lines around his eyes softened. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. I won’t be the reason someone got killed. I won’t let anyone think I’m a coward.” My fingers began to tap against the doorway I leaned against.
“Who gives a shit what other people think?” he argued. “Lucy, it’s not your responsibility to fight him. You can walk away—”
“If you honestly thought I’d consider leaving everyone to the mercy of Felix just because he wants me, then you don’t know me at all.”
“Oh, I know you.” He breathed a heavy sigh. “I’ll relay the message but I’m almost positive his plan was to be here tonight after the show anyways. We’re lucky he’s not involving humans, I guess, but it’s because he wants full attention to take you and Sheffield down. Humans would only get in his way right now.”
“Are you…did he suspect?”
“He made sure to tell me what happened but I, of course, am a master manipulator,” he said with a small grin.
“Yeah, so it seems,” I replied. The grin died off his face and he became serious again.
“It was fine. He wants me on his side; I told him I’d be here after the show and I’d do what I could. He wants me to mess with your emotions, keep you from attacking him.”
“And are you going to make him think that even for a second?”
He took a step on the stair, brushed his lips against my ear. I kept my body entirely still and once again tried to ignore how badly I wanted to touch him. Pressing his body lightly against mine, he whispered, “Not a chance. Give him fire and brimstone.”
Gabriel stepped back down, gave me a boyish grin. “See you tonight.” He lit a cigarette as he loped off.
I dropped back into my bed, wished nothing more than to pull the covers over my head for the next month. I had barely slept at all, fearing news Felix had killed Gabriel. I’d wondered all night if I should’ve said something.
I told Delia the news. She made coffee and I quickly showered and dressed. She went to tell Sheffield and everyone about the night’s events while I prepared for the day, or rather, while I got ready for a battle.
The day felt tense, but maybe that was all in my head. Most people went about their day as though nothing changed; for most of them, nothing had because Sheffield didn’t want to tell them. Those who did know walked around in deep thought, whispered to others and shot me curious looks. I didn’t bother explaining myself to anyone. I avoided everyone like the plague, especially Keegan and Gabriel. The last thing I needed was for them to tell me their feelings before I went off to sacrifice myself.
I tried to go about like it was a normal day. I suited up, carried props for those who asked, shoveled food in my mouth absentmindedly, and tried to figure out my plan of action. To my dismay, I couldn’t think of a single thing that would give me an advantage over Felix. He knew my weaknesses and other than his ridiculous tic, I had no idea how to make him stumble.
The show came and went; I smiled at the audience, handed out balloons to children, and opened the tent flaps for performers, but hardly remembered it when it was over. I’d hit autopilot, gotten stuck in my head with no one but Felix for company. I even tried to light a few fireballs in my anger, but none of them looked remotely blue or more threatening than usual.
Cleanup went fast and at eleven-thirty, we were done. Sheffield marched into the Big Top, looked at me and crooked his finger over. His orders were short and succinct.
“Get everyone and let’s go. Head over to the field and I’ll meet you there.”
We all walked over together in silence. As we crossed through the tall grass into the dirt plot, Gabriel wandered up besid
e us. Our eyes met and I looked away, focusing on putting one foot in front of another. Sheffield came up behind us and stepped up to the front line with me.
For a long moment, we stood together, waited for the next step in our plan for battle. I didn’t want to wait any longer. We didn’t need to worry further if we’d make it past tonight.
The inky blackness of the sky gave the field a darker feel than usual. No stars shone tonight, contributing to the foreboding feeling that blanketed the group. It seemed like our bonfire here was a lifetime ago.
“Delia, you’re definitely the fastest. Can you see how far away he is?” I asked. She nodded and took off.
“You okay?” a voice whispered in my ear. I jumped, looked up to see Gabriel tower over me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“That’s not what I asked. I’m sure you’re ready, but are you all right? Are you going to be okay with what’s about to happen? There’s gonna be blood shed.”
My breath caught in my throat; he was right, of course, but I hadn’t really considered it to be real until that moment. Marty’s body flashed through my mind. I gritted my teeth and shook my head a fraction of an inch.
“No, I guess not, but what choice do we have? It’s kill or be killed.”
Gabriel gave me a soft smile. “I know. I’ll do what it takes to protect you.”
“I don’t want anyone else dying for me,” I said sharply. “There are no substitutions unless Felix kills me first, got it? This is the only family I’ve got; I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
Gabriel brushed his hand against mine; my pulse quickened. He opened his mouth to say something but a murmur through the group made him pause. He took a few steps backwards to the group.
Delia rushed to us in a blur. “He is here,” she said, “and he has only a few people with him.”
“They’re probably powerful. They won’t care who they hurt or what gets blown up,” I said to everyone.
I faced the open field, feet firmly planted and hands ready for fireballs. Sheffield stood next to me while everyone else lined up behind us. All in all, there were only ten or twelve of us. Sheffield had assured me he had backup as a second line of defense. I hoped we wouldn’t need them. I looked at the team: Keegan, Nikolas, Gabriel, Brooklyn, Delia, and Bianca stood amongst them. My heart swelled for a brief moment as they all looked at me, ready to follow me as I led them to a fight. Movement from the side caught my eye and I saw Finley and Renata the Earthshaker walk to us.
“I’m not sure you’ll be safe, Fin,” Keegan cautioned him as he got closer.
“Like hell if I’m gonna stand around and wait to hear about it. I won’t run from a fight, gifted or human,” he said. Murmurs of approval floated through the group and he took his place in line.
I turned to the field again and waited. Not two minutes passed before Felix and his crew walked up to face us. Delia wasn’t kidding about only a few people; I counted eight aside from Felix. I didn’t know if Felix was stupid, arrogant, or smart enough to pick extremely dangerous gifts.
“Sheffield, Lucy,” he greeted us. “I’m afraid one of your own isn’t who you think he is. Gabriel, why don’t you tell them what you’ve been doing for me?”
Gabriel stepped forward to stand beside me. Felix smiled, looked thrilled at the coming confession. Instead, Gabriel put his hand on my shoulder and shrugged. “Sorry, Felix. I’m afraid you’ve been played. I’m a Donovan team member these days. Kinda always have been, to tell you the truth.”
Felix’s smile dropped off his face. “I hope you’re only saying that to get her to sleep with you.”
My body tensed up and I didn’t know if it was from the offensive statement or worry it might be true. Gabriel laughed instead.
“No, no. You’re a loser.”
Felix looked like he’d eaten a lemon, his battered nose wrinkling up into his glasses. His finger tap, tap, tapped his right temple, a split second that revealed his anger. How much more of Gabriel’s mouth would he stand?
Gabriel continued, “Thanks for all the helpful information I took back to Sheffield, though. I can’t wait to see you go down. You’re not gonna kill any more of us.”
“Fool,” Felix said, glowering. “You won’t make it off this field alive. You’re throwing it away on a lost cause, on a girl that barely knows who she is. You could’ve helped me.”
“I’m no good guy, but as it turns out, I’m not such a bad one, either. You can keep your crazy, but thanks for the offer,” Gabriel replied. He threw a cocky grin out and squeezed my shoulder.
“I suppose I should’ve seen it coming,” Felix surmised. “After all, it’s been easy to see your feelings for her the last few weeks. It’s a shame you’ll watch her die for your mistake.”
Gabriel’s face grew serious as he took a step forward in front of me. “Like hell.”
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll get your turn.”
Felix threw a hand out and I gasped as Gabriel fell on the ground. No fireballs, no water orbs, nothing appeared from his arm but Gabriel clutched at his throat, choked and sputtered. His face turned red in seconds. Felix had given himself Telekinesis and would strangle Gabriel to death if someone didn’t step in. I stood in horror, watching Gabriel turn from red to blue, his body begging for air. His eyes met mine and flames burst from my palms.
I chucked a fireball at Felix, who caught it easily, dissipated it with a flick of his wrist. He laughed and released his hold on Gabriel, who gasped for air as he stood up. My side of fighters shifted uneasily. Felix could deflect their gifts or punches with only a thought, in addition to being a Firestarter. No one had ever dealt with a being like him before. How would we take him out?
Felix stepped up, his confidence clearly back in place. “I see you’ve made this easy for me, Lucy. Since you seem to be on the defensive, I’m guessing you aren’t going to hand yourself over?”
“Guessed right. And I won’t let you hurt anyone else.”
“You won’t stop me. I already have so many gifts to use.” He took a few steps towards the middle.
“I’ll die trying.” I stepped forward to meet him.
“Just like the rest of your little circus crew,” he taunted. His followers tittered. “Lenny couldn’t stop me and even if he were alive, I don’t think he could.”
Flames shot up to my elbows and he grinned. “Hit a nerve there, did I? And he died of natural causes; I wish I could get my hands on him now. I’m confident I could take him. Wait ‘til I tell you about Marty and Knox.”
Sheffield darted in before any of us could stop him. I’d barely realized what he’d done before he made it past me to the center of the field.
“No, Sheffield!” I yelled.
He ignored me. Felix practically greeted him with open arms, allowed Sheffield’s hands to grab him. A surge of energy coursed through Felix’s arms into Sheffield and his whole body shook. Felix raised his free arm and his hand drew flames. His grin couldn’t be bigger. Disappointment flooded through me and I tried to keep my shoulders back.
“Congratulations, Sheffield,” Felix said. “You might be a Telepath, a Shapeshifter, or a Telekinetic, but you’re certainly no Firestarter.” He raised an eyebrow while Sheffield stood there, frozen in silence. “Or you could be none or all of the above and have no idea how to deal with it?”
“No!” I screamed as Sheffield stumbled and fell backwards. He hit the ground and his body convulsed. It looked like he was having a seizure. I’d worried his body couldn’t handle the power; Felix had tricked him into taking all those gifts and now he might die for it. I needed to prevent my small army from panic mode, but the violent outbreak of whispers and snarls at Felix’s group told me otherwise.
“That worked out much better than I’d planned!” Felix said gleefully. He gave a nasty laugh and raised his arm to slam a fireball onto Sheffield to kill him.
Chapter 39
Quicker than I thought possible, I pulled my arm back and hurled my own fir
eball at Felix. It hit him in the shoulder, knocked him off balance as he looked to find the source. Those who surrounded me quickly stepped back as Felix locked eyes with me.
“You’ve made an awful mistake, threatening this group, hurting Sheffield,” I told him. Mumbled agreements echoed behind me.
“It had to be done,” he said. “Before the end of the night, Donovan Circus will cease to exist and all its members will belong to me.”
Bianca popped into existence beside Felix, startled him out of his rant. Before he could so much as blink, she slapped her hand onto Sheffield’s arm and Transported both of them away from the crowd. I looked at Brooklyn, whose mouth dropped open.
“She’s never taken someone with her before,” she whispered to me. “That’s fucking awesome.”
Felix threw a hand out in my direction, tried to choke me, but nothing happened. He looked at his hands and growled in frustration. It seemed Sheffield had taken all but the Firestarter gift. He turned back to me and created a large fireball, chucked it at my side of people, who screamed in terror. I threw my arms out and stopped it in time, but it was so large, I had to bring my hands together to disintegrate it. When I looked back towards Felix, he no longer stood there. He’d hightailed it to a new location. Each side scattered into the battle and I lost any slight hope to find Felix fast as the fight distracted me.
A tiny, nasty-looking woman stepped up near Brooklyn and me. Brooklyn crouched into a stance and I copied her; she gave me a small nod of approval. We stepped near the woman, my hands holding fire and as I went to throw a fireball, Brooklyn jerked.
“Oh shit, she’s a—,” she said, but was cut off as the girl took a deep breath, her cheeks puffy like a chipmunk’s, and blew out air towards us. It swept us off the ground, threw us back thirty feet and we landed in a pile. My body protested as it hit the ground and I gritted my teeth.
“Airspinner,” Brooklyn finished in a choked voice. “We’ll be lucky to get close to her. She’ll blow your fireballs out in the crowd or at the tents; stay away from her. I’ll sneak in and get her. Go take care of Felix.”
