Read Online Circus of The Darned by Katie Maxwell - Free Book Online

have an opening, and since the fair is just now closing, I could get you in quickly."

    Oh! She didn't just say that!

    Calm down, Fran.She's harmless ."Another time, perhaps. I've promised Fran to continue looking for her horse, and I doubt if I'll be done before daybreak." Ben glanced toward where the sun was barely beneath the horizon."Or as close to daybreak as it gets around here. Thank you anyway."

    "No problem. I'll be happy to do you anytime," she said, giving us both a little wave as she
    strolled off toward the main tent. Ben watched her walk away from us for a second before looking back at me.

    "Why are you making that face?" he asked. "Why are your eyes narrow little slits of ebony that look like they want to shoot lasers at me?"

    "You watched her walk away," I said, struggling to keep my voice jealous-free. I lost the fight.
    "You deliberately watched."

    "Yes, I did. I looked at her breasts, too, but despite that, you're still the only girl on the planet for me."

    "Nice try, Vlad," I said, slipping out of his arms when he tried to pull me into another kiss. I stalked toward the trailer that Mom and I shared. " My boyfriend isn't going to be aware there's anyone else around but me.Since you have other ideas, so long.Hasta la vista. Don't let the door hit you on the butt going out."

    Ben stood where I left him, his arms crossed over his chest. I smiled to myself where he couldn't see it.

    Fran?

    Hmm?

    Are you seriously jealous of Desdemona, or are you ragging me a little?

    What do you think?

    I smiled even more at the pause that followed that. He wasn't one hundred percent sure,
    something I was perfectly happy about. I entered the trailer,,absently moving Davide from the
    couch that turned into my bed at nights.

    I think you know full well how much you mean to me. I think you know that I'd do anything to make you happy .

    I think you know I can't exist without you, that you are heaven and earth to me, my salvation, my joy, my life .

    This time I let him feel my smile.

    The brush of his mind against mind had a decidedly disgruntled tone to it. And I think you're enjoying every minute of keeping me on tenterhooks about whether or not you're going to be my Beloved .

    Goodnight, Ben , I said, laughing into his head. Thank you for looking for Tesla .

    Sleep well, sweet Fran , he answered, and I give in and had a lovely sigh of happiness over him.

    Even with the Tesla problem, life was looking pretty good at the moment. Ben was back, and as
    yummy as ever. I had settled into life with the GothFaire, and actually enjoyed doing the palm
    readings. Mom was happy with her new group of friends, the Faire was doing well, and even
    Soren was happy these days.

    "Things are looking up for a change," I told Davide as I flipped off all the lights but one so Mom could see her way past me when she finished for the night, and settled into my makeshift bed.
    The big cat sauntered over, jumping up on me so he could sleep on my hip. It was his favorite
    spot, despite the fact that we didn't really like each other. "Not even poor Tesla gonemissing, and half-naked Viking ghosts running around are going to ruin my date with Ben day after tomorrow.
    That is going to be the most perfect event of my life, I just know it."

    Which just goes to show you I'm not clairvoyant in any way.

    Chapter Six

    The first inkling I had that something was wrong the next morning was the war axe imbedded in
    the wooden door of my closet.

    "Hrung?"I asked in no known language as I squinted at the wood and steel weapon that still vibrated slightly. The blade of the ax, mostly buried in the door, was curved on the
    edges."Wha'?"

    "Goddess, have you seen—oh, there it is." The Viking Imogen had been flirting with the night before stood at the open window right next to me. I glared at him, pulling the thin blanket
    covering my legs up over the jumbo T-shirt I wore to bed. "Would you mind giving me back my Hanwei ax?"

    "You threw an ax at me?"