by Trudi Jaye
Jimmy looked at her in surprise, his all-black eyes large on his face. “But...” He said, glancing north, his expression uneasy.
“There might be something useful over that outcrop,” she said.
Jimmy hesitated, then shrugged one thin shoulder. “I’ll tell him.”
Constance took a deep breath, and turned towards the rocks. She was cold and damp—and missing the warming layers of skirts. Her undergarments were simply not enough. Taking long strides along the beach was the only thing she could think of to get her warm again. After walking fast for a little while, she started to run, long strides that ate up the ground, and soon had her heart pounding.
It didn’t take long to reach the outcrop; she had sprinted the last stretch down the beach, trying to outrun her thoughts. She paused at the edge where the sand met the rocks, and looked up, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Did she really want to see what was on the other side?
She looked back to the small group of survivors gathered together at the far end of the beach, the children huddled close to the adults. They would none of them survive unless they had help, and soon. In this cold and unforgiving landscape she did not think there would be others to rescue them. They must rescue themselves.
She reached up, grasped an outcrop and pulled herself up. Climbing hands over feet up the rugged natural wall, Constance focused on finding the best hand and footholds. Several times she slipped on the rough rocks, her frozen and already-scraped hands unable to grip properly. But she ignored the pain and kept going, her focus narrowed down to putting one hand over the other, place one foot above the other.
Eventually, she scrambled to the top of the outcrop, bleeding from a scrape at her knee, and cuts on her hands and elbows. Staying low, her gaze went out from focusing on the grey rock directly in front of her to the sandy beach far below. She stood slowly, her feet frozen at the place, unable to fully comprehend what was laid out before her in the early morning light.
Bodies littered the beach, their white and blue skin a sharp contrast to the yellow sand. Shattered pieces of the ship, rope from the rigging, wooden sides, and pieces of the small boats were scattered over the sand, like a strange fragmented black skeleton. Boxes, oak barrels, and other debris floated in and out with the waves at the water’s edge. She hadn’t expected the main wreck to be so close—she’d been sure they had traveled much further in the dark of the storm.
You asked that I leave you be, and take only the others. This I have done.
The sea-goddess’s voice echoed in her head. Constance gasped in a sobbing breath, and clasped her hand over her mouth. Bile rose up her throat and her stomach heaved. She bent over with her hands on her knees and vomited onto the ground at her feet.
Oh, sea-goddess, what have you done? They might have been arrogant and silly, but did they deserve to die like this?
Constance remained in the same position for many minutes, until her body was sore and she knew she had to move. She stood, stiffening her resolve. She narrowed her eyes and scanned the beach. A medical bag was visible among the debris, as well as other useful items such as blankets and even a couple of barrels that had survived the thumping on the rocks. The water or food they might contain could be better than gold for the survivors.
Taking a fortifying breath, Constance began the climb down, trying to ignore the panorama of death on the beach and focus on gathering items that could help the living. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen death before; just not this many at one time.
Constance jumped the last couple of feet down to the sand, and paused to take a breath. The fresh salty sea air was tinged with something else—she had a horrible suspicion it was the aroma of dead bodies. Huffing out her breath, she resolved to take smaller inhalations, and strode forward, her shoulders back and her spine straight.
She picked up the medical bag and settled it over one shoulder. Stepping carefully around the bodies, she kept her gaze firmly away from the blue-tinged faces.
A pile of soaked blankets, a water flask, wood for a fire. She carried it all to a growing pile beside the rocks where she had first jumped down. She found a semi-soaked leather suitcase, and rummaged inside, finding a skirt that was only slightly too big. She wrung it out, getting most of the moisture out, and then pulled it on. She placed the bag on her pile of useful objects.
Turning back to the debris floating in on the edge of the waves, she spotted something glittering in the early morning sunshine. Curiously, Constance crouched down to take a closer look. She reached out with one hand and pulled out a small silver necklace, similar to the locket she’d lost, except tiny silver shells adorned the sides and back, and a blue-green jewel was set into the silver on the front. The silver was warm, despite the cold water it had just been lying in.
Something shivered across her skin and a faint tinkling laugh danced over the water. Constance stared at the small locket. Her hand trembled. It was her own locket, with a few minor amendments. The sea-goddess had made her own adjustments to the necklace before returning it.
With shaking fingers, Constance opened the locket. A long blue-black strand of hair lay curled inside, shimmering with secrets.
Constance snapped the locket shut and closed her hand around it, trying to ignore the strange warmth and the way it seemed to have a heart beat of its own. There wasn’t time to worry right now about what it might mean.
She was crouching over an upturned section of a boat, the wood at each end ripped like it was nothing more substantial than paper, when she heard pebbles tumble. Looking up she saw a tall figure climbing down the rocks.
Sunrise.
She stood, her hands shaking. For some reason, seeing him here made it harder to bear. His presence made her emotions resurface, just when she had them nicely contained.
He stood for a moment looking at the bodies that were strewn across the beach, his face pale, his body still soaked from the sea. And then he was striding towards her, his intense eyes focused on her face. Within seconds she was caught up in his embrace, his body warm against hers, despite the damp.
She choked back a sob, and buried her face in his shoulder, trying to control the hysteria that wanted to burst free. His warm hands stroked her shoulders and then down her back, and he murmured in her ear. “You will be fine. We are alive, that is all that matters.” Over and over again.
“What about all these people?” Constance couldn’t get the image of the bodies strewn across the beach out of her head.
“We make it worth something. We make every moment of every day worth the terrible loss that we see here before us.”
It sounded like a vow, and Constance felt the impact of the words deep inside her. Her locket echoed the promise, heating up, until it almost burned her hand. Constance was suddenly certain the sea-goddess had not only saved them, but was expecting them to honor the pact she’d offered.
She cocked her head to one side, listening to the sound of the sea, the rushing waves and the squawking sea birds. It was a pact she would do everything in her power to keep—for the sake of all the people who had survived this day by the whim of the sea-goddess.
THE END
Thank you!
Thank you for reading the first three books in The Magic Carnival series, I hope you enjoyed them!
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The next books in the series (click the link to go to Amazon):
High Flyer (Book Four)
Hidden Magic (Book Five)
For an excerpt for both these books, keep reading…
High Flyer Excerpt (Book Four)
PROLOGUE
The Winter Spectacular
Lucietta’s knife glinted evilly in the glare from lights above them in the rigging. Missy was half-crouched, her skintight UV leotard glowing strangely in the dim space high above the Jolly Kn
ight Carnival’s Winter Spectacular show. She was still buzzing from the surge of magic that had stormed through her body during the performance. Ever since her father had left, their powers had been resurfacing, and this show—despite the drama that was unfolding—had become a powerhouse of energy.
She gave herself a small shake, a reminder to concentrate. Lucietta would pounce at any moment.
“Come closer, pretty little trapeze girl,” said Lucietta, her smile wide. “I want to cut you up.” The reflection of the fire flickered over her face, making her look like the caricature of a villain from a comic book.
“No thanks, old lady.” The heightened power still flowed through Missy’s veins. She had to move now to disarm Lucietta—the older woman had crazy on her side.
Leaping high, Missy grabbed a pole over their heads, kicking down at Lucietta’s shoulder. Luci grunted in pain but didn’t let go of the knife. Recovering quickly, Luci took a swipe at Missy where she was still dangling, only narrowly missing her foot.
Missy curled up and over the bar, climbing nimbly to a position just above Lucietta’s head but out of her reach.
Luci glanced up through the smoke that was now hanging around them. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re not that much of a prize, little girl. Convincing your father to destroy the Carnival was much more of a coup. I have other things to do tonight.” She glanced over to where Maddy was crouched on the tiny trapeze platform.
Missy’s heart leaped at Lucietta’s words. She wanted to question the mention of her father, to demand answers, but she knew Lucietta’s intentions toward Maddy were a more immediate problem. She swung out, holding her body lean and long, feeling the gentle hand of the magic pulling her along. She landed lightly behind Lucietta and wound one arm around her neck, trying to block her airways.
Luci grabbed at Missy’s arm with one hand, fingers surprisingly strong. She swung her knife hand backward, trying to stab Missy. The awkward angle worked in Missy’s favor and she leaped back, the blade swishing through air. Looking up into Luci’s face, Missy saw the hatred etched into the lines there.
“What did I ever do to you?” she blurted, appalled at the woman’s expression.
“You’re just like all of them. Thinking you’re better than me, more bound to the Carnival. More powerful. More special. This time, you’ll learn who’s more.” Luci snarled, thrusting forward with her knife, spinning unexpectedly to one side and making a jab toward Missy’s chest.
Leaping to the side, Missy grabbed at Lucietta’s wrist, trying to make her drop the knife. They struggled against each other for a moment, their arms straining, and then Luci slammed her knee into Missy’s stomach. Missy gasped and stepped back, the air leaving her lungs in a rush. Lucietta attacked again, trying to slam the knife into Missy’s chest. Long practice sessions with Garth kicked in, and Missy raised her arm in a defensive block, holding her at bay for a moment and then pushing her away. Lucietta stepped back, panting heavily.
Wiping at the sweat on her brow, Missy tried not to breathe in too much of the smoke curling between them. Lucietta surged forward, kicking out. Her foot connected with Missy’s side. Missy stumbled back, her feet slipping on the narrow pole. Taking several steps backward to correct the balance, Missy felt the magic surging to help. Anyone else would have fallen, and Lucietta growled, slashing her knife in front of her in frustration.
Lucietta moved forward again, and Missy blocked her with two hands. Their arms locked together in a battle of strength, the knife in the middle the prize.
Movement just above distracted Missy for a moment, and Lucietta’s triumphant yell was cut off by a rush of foam to the face—from the fire extinguisher held by Maddy just over their heads.
Lucietta stumbled backward, trying to shake off the foam. Without hesitation, Missy swept one foot low and wide, knocking the other woman’s feet out from under her.
Lucietta screamed as she fell, and there was a communal gasp from the audience. It settled into a relieved sigh as she grabbed a bar about five meters down, hooking her elbows over the metal pole. She clung there, looking dazed from the heavy landing, unable to see through the foam still coating her face.
Maddy climbed down from where she’d been hiding just above them. “You okay?” she asked.
Relief flowing through her body, Missy nodded. The fight had been too close. “Thanks. I can keep her in line from here.”
Maddy smiled then headed back the other way, toward Garth and Hugo.
Climbing quickly down, Missy landed close to where the older woman dangled. “If you want me to help you up, you’ll have to promise to give up,” she said, knowing what the answer would be.
“You won’t let me fall. You’re all too goody-two-shoes around here. I think I’ll take my chances without any promises.”
Missy nodded, although Lucietta couldn’t see her through the coating of foam she couldn’t quite remove while she dangled from the bar. Kneeling one leg on the beam, Missy put one hand out to grasp Lucietta’s arm and pull her up. Luci’s smug smile was almost enough to make Missy drop her again, but as if she’d sensed it, Lucietta grabbed on with her second hand and made it impossible.
As soon as she was standing securely on the bar, Lucietta launched herself at Missy. She blocked it, then punched Lucietta square in the face. Magic fuelled her aim, and it was a powerhouse blow. She felt bones break in Luci’s nose, and the woman spun backward. Missy leaped forward and grabbed her just before she fell, hauling the now-unconscious Luci over her shoulders.
She glanced around. The only thing she could do to help would be to distract the audience somehow. Lucietta was fairly light, and an idea came to Missy. She moved nimbly along the beam and then climbed to the high wire. Dumping Lucietta’s still unconscious body up on the platform, she followed her up, and then dragged Lucietta into her arms. She glanced down to the hard ice below. The net was broken and useless; there was no room for error.
Missy took a deep breath and focused down into the very core of her being, where she shared space with the Carnival that both ruled and saved their lives. She needed to find the power and skill to somehow walk across the wire, balancing Lucietta in her arms, and make this whole fiasco look like it was part of the act.
Placing one careful foot out on the wire, Missy kept her eyes on the other end. She felt rather than saw the spotlight that appeared over them. She didn’t hear or see anything else, simply felt the roar of energy flowing through her veins, keeping her in place. One foot after the other, she crossed the wire, trying not to think too closely about what she was doing.
It seemed like both years and seconds, but she eventually made it. Her final step onto the other platform was hurried, and she stumbled. Her heart thundered in her chest as she steadied herself. She wouldn’t let herself fall now. Leaning Lucietta’s unconscious form against the back pole as if she were awake, Missy sat next to her and waved out at the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, give a round of applause to our daredevil high-wire walkers, Missy and Lucietta!” Rilla’s Ringmaster voice filtered up through the tent, calming Missy’s panic and making everything seem more possible. Missy clasped Lucietta’s limp hand in her own, and lifted them both high in a gesture of achievement. The crowd went wild, delighted to learn it had all been a stunt.
She was vaguely aware of Maddy and Garth doing a stunt on the on the other ropes, and then all around them, the audience was on its feet, clapping and stomping over what they thought was some kind of new performance theatre show.
Missy slumped where she sat, all her energy completely drained. They had made it. Ever since she’d seen Lucietta with the knife, she’d been running on adrenaline.
But now it was over, and she wondered how she was going to make it down the steps to ground. Lethargy filled her, her eyes closed to halfway, and she let out a small sigh.
A small movement beside her made her open her eyes, and only her sharp reflexes allowed her to block the attack from Lucietta. Her brain took a few mo
ments to catch up. Lucietta was awake and, against all odds, still had her knife. She must have tucked it away before Missy made it down to rescue her.
Missy scrambled back, grasping at a pole behind her, trying to push back on Lucietta at the same time. Blood caked Lucietta’s face, and her eyes were wild with a fury directed solely at Missy. All Missy could do was block Luci’s frenzied attack and try not to fall from the small platform.
Lucietta took a breath, holding the knife high over her head. “Try to avoid this, you bitch,” she said and slammed the knife down hard towards Missy’s face.
It was only Lucietta’s warning that saved Missy. She stepped back away from the swipe, grabbing Lucietta’s hands as they swung past her, trying to twist the knife out of her grip.
Lucietta growled. “That’s mine,” she said, putting her other hand over Missy’s. She jerked the knife back toward herself, blade first.
The sharp knife-edge sank into Lucietta’s chest, sliding neatly between the ribs. It happened so fast; Missy didn’t register what had happened at first. Lucietta glanced down in surprise, her eyes wide. A gurgling sound emerged from her throat, and she fell to her knees, Missy still holding the knife.
A noise behind Missy made her turn. Henry stood at the top of the ladder, taking in the knife, the blood, and Lucietta dying beside her.
CHAPTER ONE
Two months later…
Zeph Jolly stood at the arrivals area of L.A. airport and looked around. He could barely keep his eyes open he was so tired. His body ached all over, and his leg felt like his motorbike accident had only just happened yesterday. His boss’ final words to him were still ringing in his ears.
Sorry, Zeph, we can’t keep you on anymore. If you can’t do your old act, you’re useless to us.
