The woman looked like an animal caught in someone’s bright lights on the highway. “I … yes.” She tugged on her simple T-shirt to smooth it. “Are you having a good time?”
“Oh, I always have a good time at the circus,” I gushed. “That’s why I decided to make it my home.”
“Wow, that’s great for you,” the woman said. “I guess it was a good decision then, huh.”
I had to hand it to her. She was anxious and agitated, yet she was determined to give as good as she got. I reached out with my mind to give her an initial scan and frowned when I realized there was a barrier warding off intrusion. The woman narrowed her eyes as I doubled my efforts, almost as if she could feel the probe. Well, that was interesting.
“What are you doing?” the woman asked.
Was she asking about the probe or the odd look on my face? “I’m not doing anything,” I replied. “What are you doing?”
“I’m visiting the circus.”
“What a coincidence,” I said. “I’m at the circus, too.”
“How great for both of us,” the woman deadpanned, our gazes locked.
We lapsed into uncomfortable silence for a moment, both of us floundering as we tried to gain control of the situation. I finally couldn’t take it for one moment longer. “What is your name?”
“Why do you want to know my name?”
Wow. This conversation was getting me absolutely nowhere. Unfortunately, my usual means for bypassing needless conversation – a mind scan – wasn’t an option. Whatever she was doing to shield her thoughts was effective. That meant it had to be on purpose. I decided to go for broke. “You’re a mind reader, aren’t you?”
The woman’s eyes widened at the question, the color draining from her features. “I … how … what?”
“You’re a mind reader,” I pressed. “You’re shielding yourself from me. You’re doing a good job, too. I’m impressed.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the woman said, finally breaking our stare-down. “Why would you ask something like that?”
“Call it a hunch,” I replied. “What’s your name?”
“Why do you want to know my name?”
“Because this is the second time I’ve caught you staring at me. You’re obviously interested in what you see,” I replied. “You’re either a lesbian – and if you are, good for you, but you’re barking up the wrong tree – or you’re interested in me because I’m the resident fortune teller.
“I can’t read your mind because you’re very good at shutting down every pathway I usually utilize to climb into someone’s brain,” I continued. “I’ve already introduced myself. The polite thing to do is for you to introduce yourself.”
Instead of continuing our verbal dance, the woman took me by surprise when she burst into tears. “My name is Melissa Craft!”
I had no idea what to do with the sobbing, but it was loud enough to draw curious stares from a few passersby. I had to get more information, and I needed to do it in a place where we didn’t have an audience.
“Well, come on, Melissa Craft,” I prodded. “I think you and I should have a talk.”
“WOW! This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”
Melissa paced a small circle in the middle of my tent ten minutes later. She couldn’t get enough of the kitschy props – she especially loved the crystal ball – and she seemed more interested in looking around than focusing on me. I was fine with that, because it gave me a chance to study her without making eye contact.
“I’ve been collecting some of these items for years,” I explained. “It takes some time to find the good stuff, but when you do it’s important to take care of it.”
“Uh-huh.” Melissa ran her fingers over the crystal ball. Up close it was obvious she was barely out of her teens. If she was of legal drinking age I’d be surprised. There was something about her that filled me with nostalgia but I couldn’t figure out why. “Do you see people’s futures in this?”
“No.”
Melissa finally tore her red-rimmed eyes from the crystal ball and focused on me. It had taken me what felt like forever to get her to stop crying. When she did, she refused to explain why she’d been overcome with emotion. “If you don’t use it to read people’s futures why do you have it?”
“Because I use my mind to read futures … and auras … and even look into people’s pasts,” I answered. “That freaks them out, though, so it’s easier to pretend I have to use a tool to do it. When people find out I can make it happen whenever I want they get leery around me.”
“Even those guys who were at the farmers market with you?”
“Not those guys,” I conceded. “They’re close … friends … though. They’re not afraid of my powers.”
“The dark-haired guy looked like more than a friend to me,” Melissa said, flashing an impish grin. “He looked like he wanted to be your … special friend.”
“He is technically more than a friend.” For now, I silently added. “It’s still new, though, so we don’t really put labels on anything.”
“That’s cool,” Melissa said, hopping in my direction. She had a lot of energy. It probably had something to do with her age. I remember being young, but I don’t remember ever being that exuberant. I think life beat it out of me before I had a chance to embrace it. Max always said I was older than my years when he found me. I guess he was right. If this is how normal teenagers act, I’d clearly missed an important step in the aging process. “Why can you read minds?”
The question took me by surprise. “I was born this way. How about you?”
Melissa balked. “I can’t read minds.”
I didn’t believe that for a second but decided not to press her. I’d been in the same position as her at the same age, and trusting people wasn’t easy. When you’re conditioned to hide who you are it can be a hard habit to break. “Okay, let’s talk about something else,” I suggested. “Tell me why you’re here.”
Melissa shrugged as she ran her hand over the Ouija board’s planchette. “It’s a circus. We only get to see it once a year. There’s nothing else to do, so … .”
She was lying. Well, mostly. The idea of the circus excited her. I saw a little flutter flash behind her eyes when she mentioned it. She had another reason for being here, though. “You’re here because of the murders.” It was the only thing that made sense.
“How did you know that?” Melissa was incredulous.
“You’re interested in the murders and you want to figure out who did it,” I said, ignoring the question. “That’s why you came here. You figured the killer was tied to the circus.”
“I … .”
I cut her off. I didn’t want to give her the chance to utter another denial. “Are you local? Have you been reading people to see if you can find a culprit?”
Melissa froze, the question throwing her off enough that she could do nothing but rapidly blink her eyes.
“It’s okay,” I prodded. “Your secret is safe with me. I understand the need for secrecy. Trust me. If anyone understands, it’s definitely me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Melissa said finally, taking a step away from me and heading toward the tent flap. “I’m just visiting the circus.”
“Then why did you cry when I asked your name?”
“Maybe I’m a crier.”
“Or maybe you’re emotionally overwhelmed because you know something big is going on here,” I suggested. “You saw me at the farmers market that day and realized what I was. I saw you that day, too. I didn’t recognize you for what you are because I didn’t have enough time to scan you. Somehow, though, I felt your presence.”
For one moment I thought I’d gotten through to her. It passed quickly, though, and Melissa’s hand was on the flap before I had a chance to stop her.
“I like that you really commit to your part,” Melissa said. “It’s cool. I can see how you got this gig.”
“Melissa, we’re not
in town for very long,” I cautioned. “If you have any information … .”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I already told you that.”
“Be careful,” I warned. “If you stick your nose in this you might find you’re underwater and unable to swim before you even realize what’s happening. You need a lifeboat if you’re going to do this.”
“I’m not doing anything,” Melissa said. “You should be the one looking over your shoulder. I’m not on anybody’s radar. You’re on everyone’s radar.”
What was that supposed to mean? “Have you sensed something?”
“I don’t sense things,” Melissa said, and it was clear she was lying. “I just … have feelings.”
“And what do your feelings tell you now?”
“That you could die if you’re not careful,” she replied. “You see a lot, but I’m not sure you’re capable of seeing your own future.”
“No one is.”
“Then you’re blind to what’s stalking you,” Melissa said. “Something bad is coming, and it’s coming for you. You need to look over your shoulder, because the attack is going to come when you least expect it … and you won’t survive if you don’t change the course of your future right now.” With those words she ducked through the tent flap and disappeared.
I rolled the ominous words through my head before chasing her. I needed more information. By the time I hit the main circus thoroughfare she was gone.
“Well … crap.”
21
Twenty-One
I considered giving chase, the need to find Melissa flooding me with jumbled emotions and thoughts. I had no idea in which direction she ran, though, and I couldn’t use my mind to scour the area for her because she knew how to block me.
I rubbed the side of my cheek as I ran her warning through my head. She told me I was going to die. She didn’t say those exact words, but the warning was clear.
Melissa was right about those with the sight not being able to see their own death. It’s a quirk of the gift. You can see others’ futures. You can even see your part in their future. You can’t see what happens to you, though. Part of me thought that was because the future is always in flux for those who seek to control it. The other part of me merely thought it was a cruel joke.
“Hey, there you are.”
The sound of Kade’s voice almost caused me to jump out of my skin when he appeared at my side. The fact that he could sneak up on me at times was jarring. “Here I am.” My voice sounded hollow and Kade immediately picked up on my distress.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Nothing.” I struggled to force my mind to something I could control. “The big show will be letting out soon. We should probably head in that direction and make sure the transition to the parking lot is seamless.”
Kade refused to back down, instead brushing his hand over my ear as he pushed a strand of hair from my face and tilted my chin so my eyes had nowhere to look but his handsome face. “What’s wrong?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer. “I’m okay.”
“You don’t look okay.”
“I … .”
“This is never going to work if you shut me out,” Kade said, his voice taking on a harsh tone. “I know you’re used to doing things on your own, but … .”
“It’s not that,” I said, cutting him off before he could get up a full head of steam. “I don’t know what to think about what just happened and I’m trying to wrap my brain around it. I’m not trying to cut you out. I’m trying to … figure … my way in.”
Kade exhaled heavily and then sucked in a calming breath. “Okay. Tell me what happened and we’ll go from there.”
I recounted my visit with Melissa, making sure to keep my voice even so I didn’t risk terrifying Kade – and ultimately myself. When I was done, Kade was even more confused.
“I don’t understand.”
“I can’t see my own future,” I explained. “No seer I know can. Even Max can’t see his future, and he’s the most powerful person I know.”
“So, you’re saying that you can’t see your future but this girl did,” Kade said, licking his lips. “What did she see?”
“She just warned me to be careful.”
“You’re keeping something from me,” Kade prodded. “What?”
“I’m not keeping anything from you,” I snapped, my full faculties finally returning. “She warned me something was coming and told me to be careful. Then she took off. That’s everything that happened.”
“Don’t yell at me,” Kade shot back. “You’re white … like ghost white … and your hands are shaking.” I glanced down and found he was right. When did that happen? “You’re afraid. I’ve never seen you like this before. I’m trying to help.”
“I know you are,” I said, tamping down my irritation as I struggled to maintain my cool. “I don’t know what to think.”
“I asked you about this before,” Kade said. “You told me you couldn’t see your own future so it was worthless to even try. If that girl sought you out she thinks she can see your future. She would only come to you if you were in danger. So … are you going to die?”
I hated how worried he sounded. “I’ll be fine,” I said, forcing a bright smile. “I have an inner danger alarm.” Which had technically been on the fritz, but he didn’t need to be reminded of that.
“Your inner danger alarm didn’t work the other night in the cornfield.” Kade’s tone was accusatory. “Your inner danger alarm didn’t tell you that another body was going to be dropped two miles from here.”
Good grief. He’s shrill when he works himself up into a lather. “I’ll be fine.”
“You will be fine,” Kade agreed, his resolve firm as he rested his hands on my shoulders and gazed into my eyes. “It’s okay to be afraid, though. You don’t always have to be so strong.”
I opened my mouth to argue but he cut me off with a kiss. It was soft at first, giving and full of solace. It changed quickly, though, as shared need overwhelmed both of us. Before I realized what was happening his hands were tangled in my hair and I was out of breath.
I had a feeling we were finally going to solve that trailer rocking problem – although making it back to my trailer seemed daunting given the fact that I had no inclination to move. My tent was right there, though. “Inside,” I murmured, grabbing the front of Kade’s shirt and pulling him in the direction of the partially open flap.
“No, let’s go back to the trailer,” Kade argued. “I want to lock the door and shut out the world. We can’t do that in your tent.”
“I … .”
“Shut up,” Kade growled, slamming his mouth into mine as he twined his fingers in my hair. I had no idea what argument I could mount but he was apparently sick of playing the waiting game. “We’re doing things my way for a change.”
Kade lifted me off the ground, never moving his mouth as he tugged me in the direction of my trailer. This part of the circus was relatively quiet and empty, but we still drew a few stares.
“Kade, people are watching.”
“Then I hope they like the show,” Kade said, slowly lowering me back to the ground and prodding me forward. “Move. I don’t want to hear one argument from you.”
I knew he was bossy, but this was something entirely new. “Are you sure?”
“Oh, don’t do this,” Kade whined. “I’ve been sure for … what feels like forever. At first I didn’t want to rush things; I didn’t think I was ready because I had to get used to this place. Then I didn’t rush things because I didn’t think you were ready.
“Honey, I’m ready to rush things,” he continued. “I’m pretty sure we’re both ready.”
“I’ve been ready for weeks,” I admitted breathlessly, throwing my arms around his neck as I rolled to the balls of my feet to give myself easier access to his mouth. “Let’s go.”
“Finally! Sometimes I think you argue just to argue,” Kade muttered, wrapping an arm around my waist
as he tugged me toward trailer row.
“When you’re right, you’re right.”
“You can be right once we get out of these clothes,” Kade said, pressing another kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“I can’t believe this is finally going to happen.”
“Well, believe it,” Kade said. “I can’t wait one more second. Move your legs.”
My heart thudded with anticipation as Kade’s hand landed on my hip, imparting a sense of urgency with a simple touch. It might be a mistake, but somehow I knew I wouldn’t regret it. I might end up with only a fond memory out of the joining, but it would be something I would never forget.
My mind was already in my bedroom when Luke appeared on the pathway in front of us. Of course.
“Don’t even think about it,” Kade hissed, grabbing my hand and jerking me back when he caught sight of my confused best friend. “Turn around and … go someplace else.”
“What’s going on?” Luke asked, his eyes busy as they roamed over our disheveled clothing. I had no idea how my peasant blouse ended up untucked, or how Kade managed to pop two buttons off his shirt. “Oh, wow. Are you finally going to go deep sea diving for Poet’s pearl?”
He has a horrible way with words sometimes. “Um … we’re just taking a walk.” I was flustered, my mind jumbled. Losing myself in Kade for a few hours seemed like a good idea. Luke’s ruining it seemed a cruel punishment.
“Not that I’m not excited for you, but how did this come about?”
Kade growled. No, really. He sounded like an angry bear. “Luke, I will beat you if you don’t get out of our way.”
Luke smirked, undaunted. “I’m not in your way. I think this is a great thing. I believe you’re supposed to make sure the grounds are empty before engaging in kinky time, though.”
Kade growled again, the sound low and unnatural. “Someone else can close the circus down tonight. I’m … not feeling well.”
“Yes, I and I have to take his temperature,” I added.
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