by Dyan Chick
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Author’s Note
Fae Cursed
Legacy of Magic Book One
Dyan Chick
Illaria Publishing, LLC
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters and events in this book are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Illaria Publishing, LLC
Copyright © 2017 by Dyan Chick
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Artwork by Katherine Bogel
Editing by Laura Kingsley
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Author’s Note
1
Holding my chin high, I walked from the train stop to the warehouse district. It wasn't a good part of town and I tried to ignore the prickle on the back of my neck as I walked by groups of people who turned to stare at me. The key, I had learned years ago, was to act like you belonged. If I looked like I knew where I was going and was supposed to be here, people were more likely to ignore me.
I felt my pocket, making sure the paper was still there. I hadn't been to a party out here since I was a teenager and back then, the flyer was often the invitation. I never thought I'd find my way back here, but I was willing to do anything to keep my brother from going down the same path I had traveled.
Turning between two huge warehouses, I slowed down and glanced around. I was alone. I pulled the paper out of my pocket. Building number 817. I was standing in front of building number 612. Not quite there yet.
Stuffing the flyer back in my pocket, I started walking again. Pop! Above me, one of the light bulbs had gone out. I stopped and looked around. My heartbeat quickened. The eerie emptiness of the area had me on edge. I wondered why I hadn't run into any party-goers. Maybe the party had already been busted by the cops. Maybe Ryder was already home. Encouraged by the thought, I decided I should check building 817 just in case.
I picked up the pace, moving faster through the narrow roads between the buildings. As I walked, more bulbs popped and went dark. I jumped, covering my head with my hands. Was there some sort of power surge or something? Pop. Pop.
I ran. I needed to find the building, find my brother and get home. More popping bulbs and sparks flew in front of me. I screamed and ran faster. Turning down an already dark road to get away from any lights, I stopped to catch my breath. What was going on?
As I neared the warehouse, I slowed to a walk. My breathing grew steadier and the sound of my heart throbbing in my ears was replaced by the sound of pounding bass. I headed toward the noise and as I grew closer, I could feel the vibrations in my bones. Teenagers in brightly colored club wear with neon hair were standing in a line in at the door. This must be the place.
The smell of smoke wafted toward me and my fingers twitched. The smoke mixed with the music took me back to my younger days and part of me ached for the temporary loss of control that I used to indulge in. Desire I hadn't felt in years welled up inside me. I took a deep breath and counted to ten backward, trying to make the craving subside. I'd given up the party scene when I realized how much of an impact my lifestyle was having on my brother. I'd left that life behind me.
Another group of kids in brightly colored club wear walked up to the door. A couple of the girls were wearing bright yellow fairy wings that shimmered in the glow of the lights pouring out of the open door. I ran over to join them, hoping I could blend in with the group. Each person in front of me handed their flyer to the security guard. He wore a black shirt so tight, it looked painted on. Huge muscles gave him the illusion of being a head stuck onto a pair of shoulders. His bulging biceps were covered in black and orange tattoos. Nobody was getting by this guy.
As they handed over the flyers, he used a blue light from a tiny flashlight to check each one. I swallowed, hoping the flyer I had was good enough to gain entry.
My turn. I handed the security guard my flyer and he paused, his gaze never leaving mine as he reached for the paper. His gray eyes were clear and cold. I worked to maintain an impassive expression as I returned his stare.
Once the paper was in his hands, he used the same light to study it. He lingered longer on my flyer, leaving just the two of us standing there in front of the door. Part of me wanted to turn and run. Why had I thought this was a good idea? Why hadn't I just waited at home for Ryder? He was a big boy; he'd come back eventually.
Just as I considered making a run for it, he dropped the flyer in the box next to him, then lifted his chin toward the door. "Have fun."
I nodded back at him, unable to form a smile through the twisting nerves. I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and as I stepped through the doors a wave of heat washed over me.
Thunderous beats assaulted me, sending a vibration all the way to my teeth. Bodies moved and undulated to the music, crammed in like sardines. Where had they all come from? I'd been to dozens of warehouse parties, but I'd never seen one as crowded as this.
Anxiety welled up inside me, grabbing hold of my insides and squeezing like a vise. I took a small step backward and bumped into a partygoer behind me. My face burned when I realized I was blocking the entry and the people behind me had been too nice to ask me to move. "Sorry," I said as I stepped aside, but it was so loud, there was no way they'd heard me.
A boy with tussled bleached-blonde hair and a girl in an incandescent body-suit nodded to me as they walked past. I watched them move through the crowd with grace, bouncing to the beats with each step they took. I sucked in a breath, working to slow the pounding of my heart as I stared out at the people. My senses on edge, I paused as I took in a familiar scent. It wasn't the sweat-tinged, smoky smell that most parties had. It was different. Sweeter.
Despite the sheer number of bodies crammed i
nto one place, the whole warehouse smelled like roses. The lights changed colors from orange to yellow to red, warm hues that added to the feeling of being too hot inside the sweaty space. I moved along the wall, farther from the door and looked around, open-mouthed. Orange roses, in full bloom, covered every inch of the walls.
Toward the back of the warehouse was an empty stage. Next to the stage, a DJ stood on an elevated platform spinning tunes. He raised his arms in the air as he moved to the beat of the music. I looked back to the crowd, trying to decide my best course of action to find Ryder. The party was in full swing, and bodies pressed together in a sea of movement. How was I supposed to find him here?
All at once, the music stopped and a cheer rose from the crowd. I turned my head in the direction of the DJ. A man in a red suit that reminded me of a ringmaster walked on to the stage. I squinted at him, trying to make out the details. He wore a top hat and a red coat. His face was painted white with thick, black eyeliner under each eye.
Was this a performance? Or was he the one in charge here? I started to push my way to the front. Maybe I could ask him if I could look at the crowd from the stage. It was high enough up that I might be able to spot Ryder.
People parted easily as I walked toward the front. They were already too far gone on whatever the drug of choice was to even notice me. I stopped in front of the stage right as all the lights went out.
Another cheer sounded through the crowd and my breath caught in my chest. Standing in a dark, crowded warehouse was not my idea of fun. I started to question why I had ever gone to these things in the first place. It was very different seeing them sober.
Sparks lit up the stage in front of me, catching me off guard as fire snaked its way across a sign, spelling out the words Rose Circus. Then, some of the lights came back on, illuminating the stage. This was the most theatrical party I'd ever been to.
The Ringmaster took a bow as the crowd cried out its approval of the scene, then he lifted his hands in the air, asking for silence. "Welcome, friends, fairies, and creatures of the night."
Everybody around me erupted in more cheering. I watched the Ringmaster, noting his graceful movements across the stage. He looked down and our eyes met. He winked at me. For a moment, I could picture the two of us entwined. Where had that come from? My cheeks flushed and I turned away. I'd spent the last few years avoiding intimacy with anyone and the brief moment of lust startled me. I looked back up, determined to keep a better hold on my emotions. There was something different about this man. It made me curious and uncomfortable at the same time. As if I was simultaneously hearing warning bells and an overheating alarm ringing through my brain.
"Tonight, you are in for a night of magic, mystery, and mayhem. Welcome to the Rose Circus!"
Heavy, pounding beats sounded through the warehouse and the lights from the stage moved skyward, revealing a tightrope that spanned from one side of the warehouse to the other. A couple in nude bodysuits covered in glitter waved to the people below. Then, they began to walk the rope. I looked around for a net or safety harness. There weren't any. My pulse raced watching them, knowing that if they took a wrong step, they'd fall to their death.
After pausing in the center of the rope to wave to the crowd, they finished their walk. Relief rushed through me. Then the lights moved again, this time illuminating another area on the ceiling.
On each side of the warehouse was a small platform with a waiting trapeze artist. The crowd let out a gasp in unison as the two trapeze artists dropped from their platforms, gripping the swings with their hands. One of them let go of her swing, flipping in the air and grabbing on to the ankles of the other artist.
I blinked at the scene in front of me. It almost looked like the flipping artist had been suspended in the air for several seconds before connecting with the other's feet. But that wasn't possible. I shook my head and stared as they swung back and returned to the platform before releasing again to do more tricks.
I glanced at the crowd. All eyes were on the trapeze artists. Now would be a good time to see if I could find Ryder. I moved to the side of the darkened stage where the fiery sign was the only illumination. The Ringmaster was gone. I could climb up there, take a peek at the crowd and be back down before anybody even noticed me. Hesitantly, I climbed the stairs and stepped on to the stage.
I moved to the center of the stage and looked out at the people. The crowd was full of wings and glitter and bright colors. Somewhere out there was my brother. I had to find him and stop him from doing something stupid. He was smart. He had a full academic scholarship to protect. What was he thinking?
A hand gripped my arm and I spun around to see the Ringmaster smiling down at me. Up close, his white face was terrifying. I could see raised scars covering the skin, a tapestry of lines and textures covered by white paint. His smile was full of sharp, pointed, white teeth.
2
I stepped away from the predatory grin. The Ringmaster's green eyes practically glowed as his gaze followed me.
The smile didn't fade as he walked toward me. My stomach knotted and my heart pounded. I took a few more steps toward the stairs. I shouldn't be afraid of him. It was just a costume, just makeup. Yet the scars under the paint looked real. My face flushed as I realized I was staring at them. I looked back at the unnaturally green eyes. I had to shout over the pounding bass. "I'm so sorry. I was just looking for my brother."
He tilted his head, eyes never leaving mine. "What does your brother look like? Perhaps I can be of service."
I looked back out to the crowd. The performers in the sky were still holding their attention. I tried to remember what Ryder had worn today. It wasn't the kind of thing I usually noticed.
"Does he have blonde hair like yours?" the Ringmaster asked from behind me.
I turned and nodded. Ryder and I looked a lot alike. We both had light blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. We'd even been mistaken for twins, despite the 5-year age gap between us. "Yes, it's cut short. He wears it spiked sometimes. He's usually in a tee-shirt and jeans. This isn't his typical crowd."
The Ringmaster lifted a dark eyebrow. "But it is yours?"
I shook my head. "No."
He raised both eyebrows and gave me a knowing grin. As if the years spent at parties had left some sort of physical mark on me. A chill crawled down my spine. It was like he could see right through me.
He lifted his chin. "Up there. You'd have a better view."
I looked where he indicated and saw a balcony that overlooked the crowd. It would be an excellent view. When I turned back to the Ringmaster, he was already walking away. I ran after him. "Can you take me there?"
"Of course," he said without breaking stride.
I followed him off the stage through a dark curtain. Backstage, we passed women in striped tights with huge black wings. Their faces were covered in pink and orange glitter. They watched me as I rushed to keep up with the fast-moving Ringmaster.
A group of people wearing mime makeup whispered to each other as I passed. They all wore makeup and elaborate costumes. I'd never been to a party where they hired actors to provide entertainment. I wondered who was putting on this show and where the money came from. There hadn't even been a charge to get in.
The Ringmaster paused before a winding, iron staircase. When he saw that I was still following him, he climbed. Gripping the railing, I took the steps two at a time to keep up. On top of the staircase was a narrow catwalk. It connected to the balcony I had seen on the side of the warehouse wall.
The Ringmaster gestured for me to go ahead.
"Are you kidding me?" The music wasn't as loud up here. We had to be three stories above the ground. I glanced down and instantly felt nauseous. I'd never been good with heights. The catwalk didn't even have a railing.
The Ringmaster extended his hand. "I won't let you fall."
I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he crazy? I didn't even know this guy. How did I know he wasn't going to push me off the catwalk?
; "Best view is from there." He pointed to the balcony. "This is the only way. Choice is yours."
I took a deep breath. The catwalk wasn't narrow. I could sit on it or crawl across if I really wanted to. "Alright, but you first."
He shrugged then walked out onto the metal walkway. I waited until he was several steps across before I stepped onto it myself. Arms extended on either side of me, I took careful steps, trying my hardest not to look down.
I could feel the slight vibration of the music through my feet on the metal. Moving in time to the beat, I managed to find my way across. As I stepped out onto the balcony, its railing making me feel safe, I let out a long breath.
The orange and red lights were now spinning all over the room and the music had resumed in full force. Clowns on stilts walked through the crowd and the women I had seen with the black wings hung from silks that extended down from the high ceilings. It did make me feel like I was inside of a circus. For a moment, I forgot that I was supposed to be looking for my brother. I just stared in awe at all of the beauty around me. There was a magical quality to the space.
The Ringmaster leaned on the bar in front of us, his arms nearly touching mine. It shook me from my trance. I turned and looked at him. "What is this?"
He looked weary. Away from the crowd and the stage, it was as if part of him had turned off. He seemed to catch himself and fixed a smile on his face. Then, he lifted his top-hat off of his head and inclined his chin at me. "I told you, this is the Rose Circus."
