“No, I…this is dumb, but the emotions and energy.It’sa lot.I just needed to ground myself.”
It occurred to me that I hadn’t asked what their specialties or natural proclivities were yet.The stepsisters were not only new to the school, according to the dean, but also new to exploring magic at all.Many of the students at Night Grove came from families of practitioners, but these two, well, their guardians were mundane.
“You’re psychic?”
Lizzie nodded, the music swirling louder as brighter notes and cymbals were added to it.“Yes.And empathic to a degree.”
Swallowing, I understood why she was likely feeling overwhelmed by all the stimuli, but it was also a bit problematic to be seated so close to an empath—of any degree—when you were presently fighting back your own emotions.I needed to lock down my mental barriers all the more.
“Lizzie,” Temps cut in, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”She waved off the concern, barely visible as orange lights began to glow from somewhere behind stands across from us.“I want to enjoy the—”
A massive crash sounded from the cymbals, an explosion of light and sparks shooting out of the middle of the ring that made everyone jump.I reflexively grabbed for the bench, the shock igniting my hypervigilance.My hand landed on Lizzie’s, but before I could apologize, the spotlight centered on the Ring Leader now standing where smoke was still billowing around the ground.
“Welcome, one and all, to the Illusion de Lumière circus!”
All eyes, even my own, were transfixed on the lengthy man standing in the center of the large ring, delineated from the rest of the tent by a short circle of red wood, the edges chipped and scuffed.
“In a time of such darkness,” the Ring Leader continued, his voice deep but scratchy, like it was playing through an old radio, “we, the Children de Lumière, bring you the light!”
Gouts of flame erupted from both sides of the ring, fire breathers either kneeling on the ground or perched on wooden boxes, creating blazes that illuminated the ring.Subtle house light came on as the flames died down, and performers of various types came in from places hidden by the stands.
The Ring Leader wore a large black top hat, a bit dingy and worn, and carried a black cane, the head of which was decorated with a large, red knob.He sported the usual tailcoat and vest, with white detailing across the front accenting the oversized golden buttons that ran down the lapels and closed the vest.
“Feast your eyes, mortals, on the daring tricks of the Children de Lumière, and remember tonevertry this at home.”
More fire burst from the breather’s lips, and several acrobats leaped into the ring, flipping this way and that as a pair of performers swung back and forth from the trapeze that slowly descended into view.Each person doing tricks in the ring appeared to be a contortionist of some sort, and as a woman flew past on the trapeze, she gripped the bar with just a finger.
That’s not possible.
Internal alarm bells sounded, but this was the point of a circus: to defy gravity and logic.I was sure that an invisible wire could account for the trick.All of this—the circus and carnival outside—was rigged.Nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
“No!No, you mustn’t!I was only doing some peeping!”
A woman was led into the ring by a pair of clowns, their outfits so muted that the red hardly held any saturation at all.It was strange for such a public event, but everything inside the tent felt just a bit off.The grins stretched a bit too wide, the music was just a hair discordant, and the clothing wasn’t shiny and new or even trying to be.
“Is this part of the show?”Temps asked, and I looked over to see the worry on her face.
I had to assume it was, but I couldn’t blame her for being on edge.The woman was dressed in a similar clown’s outfit, but hers was a skirt and tall boots.What felt off were the tears that streaked her makeup, the acting feeling a bit too genuine.
“You will face the Butcher!”The Ring Leader called out, using his cane to draw attention to the massive wheel that was being rolled out and into the center of the ring.“Punishment and repentance for the snooper!”
The acts were typical circus fare, from the fire-breathing to the trapeze, but the way the performers were doing it was odd.There was an undeniable edge to the words, almost…religious.It was probably just a new gimmick to keep things interesting, but I had to admit that I wasn’t a fan of that particular spin on things.
I was also hardly an impartial judge, considering my past.
As we all watched, the woman was strapped to the wheel by her wrists, ankles, and waist.She didn’t struggle, not more than the act probably demanded, and I shrugged when Temps shot me a glance.
“I assume so.Though it does feel a little gruesome.”
“Maybe they’re just leaning into the spooky season thing,” Lizzie added.“I mean, scary carnivals and shit are like a Halloween staple.”
“That’s fair.”Temps wobbled her head in a roundabout nod, and the three of us turned back to the scene in front of us.
A larger figure stepped out of the shadows, and there was no doubt in my mind that this was The Butcher.He wore some of the traditional clown garb, including the makeup, which was streaky and sloppy, but he also had on a large butcher’s bib and a belt of large knives.
Lizzie gestured out at the man.“Okay, yeah, that’s some scary clown shit for sure.”
