Circus of the Dead: Book 2 Read online

  Circus of the Dead

  Book Two

  Kimberly Loth

  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

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Kimberly Loth

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2020 by Kimberly Loth

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced in any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues, in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is completely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  In Memory of A.J. Hurst

  2001-2019

  My son, forever

  Chapter One

  I wake in an unfamiliar bed. I blink for a moment, trying to get my bearings. Last night, I was definitely in L.A., but where am I now?

  The bed is covered in smooth white sheets and a light down comforter. A slight breeze comes in through the window, bringing with it the smell of old coffee. I sit up and look down. I’m still fully dressed in what I wore last night, and my mouth is dry and tastes funny like when you take an antibiotic and nothing tastes right.

  Phew.

  At least, I’m fairly certain nothing happened to me last night.

  There are expensive paintings hanging on the wall and an antique dresser in the room. The bedside table holds a stack of books, and a few men’s shirts hang over a wooden chair.

  Movement in the doorway catches my eye. Samuel steps through, wearing nothing but a towel. I’ve seen him without a shirt before, but there is something infinitely sexier about this.

  He gives me a crooked grin and sits next to me on the bed. I scoot away, feeling the sheets sliding against my skin.

  “What am I doing in your bed?” I ask and shiver even though it’s not that cold. I look around the room at the stark white walls. I wonder for a second if we are still in California. If we are, I can get away.

  “It’s where you’re going to end up, so I thought you might as well start getting used to it.” He winks at me.

  “No. It’s not where I’m going to end up.” I bring my legs up and wrap my arms around them as if I could hide myself from him.

  He moves a few strands of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my face. “You double crossed me, dear. All bets are off.”

  I scramble out of the bed away from him. “I will never be yours.” Just because I drew that stupid eight of swords, he was able to bring me back to this island. Unless we are still somehow in L.A.—which is highly unlikely. The air doesn’t smell right.

  He laughs. “The challenge has been set.”

  I don’t look at him as I run into the bathroom, my stomach about to empty whatever is left inside. This is a nightmare I’m stuck in. Ugh, this is so annoying.

  I stand over the toilet, expecting to heave, but nothing happens. I turn on the sink and splash cold water on my face then wash my hands. Samuel’s soap smells like cherry Jell-O.

  I open a few cupboard doors, looking for a hand towel, which I find, but only after I’ve found a box of condoms, extra long tweezers, and a stethoscope. Samuel is one strange dude.

  I glance out the window, hoping I’ll see something that looks like we’re still on the West Coast even though I’m ninety percent certain we are not. The Cypress and Tupelo trees spread out in the swampy waters, and the dock that I’ve become so familiar with mocks me.

  I’m back on that wretched island.

  I stand in the bathroom listening at the door, hoping Samuel’s at least put some clothes on, but I can’t hear anything. The metal of the doorknob is cold on my hands after the hot water.

  I peek out but see nothing. He’s gone. Whew. Now to just sneak out of here before he comes back. I may be stuck on this island, but I’m not stuck with him. I’ll hide out on anyone else’s boat to avoid coming back here. Well, almost anyone. I’d probably take Samuel over Elias.

  The smooth polished banister slides under my hand as I creep down the stairs. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in some cool ancient mansion in the middle of a neighborhood. But I know better. Samuel’s boat is deceiving.

  Something beeps in the kitchen, and I freeze, but I hear nothing else. I continue my way down and find the front door. Almost free.

  “Going somewhere, dear?”

  I turn slowly and focus on his clothes so I don’t have to look into his eyes. His shirt’s a sickly green color that reminds me of hospital gowns.

  He holds out a cup of coffee for me, and I shake my head.

  He chuckles. “My shirt isn’t that interesting.”

  “It’s an ugly color.”

  “Is that so?” Without so much as a word uttered from Samuel, the shirt changes to a pale blue. “That better?”

  I race from the house, running toward the circus until I’m sure I don’t hear him pursuing. The magic is so easy for him, too. I don’t know how I can ever defeat him when I’m a measly nobody without powers. My insides all squish together. I’m completely helpless and trapped.

  The magic bothers me and fascinates me at the same time. Before I came to the island, the idea of magic was ludicrous, and now it’s commonplace. I knew Lorena was a witch and Samuel was some kind of voodoo priest, but aside from that, I haven’t seen anyone on the island practice magic.

  Well, the ghosts, but they’re ghosts.

  I’m certain Samuel will come looking for me at my boat, so I head to Lorena’s in the hope that she’ll calm my fears and help me make sense of everything. Last night, I was on the plane, and I literally set foot in California, and bam…I wake up on the island.

  Now, California feels like a pipe dream.

  I’m halfway to her boat when the sound of wheels rolling on the dock makes me pause. But there’s nothing here. I check the other docks around me, but there’s no movement anywhere. That’s strange. I twist the rings on my fingers and wait, but the noise seems to be getting farther away. Once I can’t hear the sound anymore, I hurry to her boat.

  She’s on her porch and doesn’t look up when I approach. My stomach flutters a bit. She’s dressed funny, in a white overcoat that looks like a surgeon’s jacket. In her hands is a squirming rabbit. Dinner, probably. She grips the poor thing and snaps its neck. I recoil and bite down a cry. I taste blood.

  The islanders talk of killing and plucking chickens, but it’s different to see it up close. My stomach twists. I don’t like this, but I have to talk to her. I have to understand what just happened with Samuel.

  I take anothe
r step forward, but she holds her hands out, and the rabbit floats in front of her. More magic. This is way creepier than anything I’ve seen before. They must have kept it under wraps because of me. Either that, or I was so focused on escaping that I didn’t even notice.

  The bunny twists and turns in unnatural ways, and suddenly its skin falls off, and the guts drop into the swamp below. Lorena holds a pot under the cleaned rabbit, and it lands inside with a thud.

  I spin and race away from her boat. This whole place is like a different world. One I’m not sure how I fit into. I keep my head down as I walk. I was pretty oblivious before this. I wonder if anyone else can do magic. Juliette? No, she always whines about how that isn’t her thing. Maybe Amy? Luke? Nah. That seems a little farfetched.

  I don’t know where else to go because I don’t want anymore unpleasant surprises, so I head home. Samuel might be able to find me, but if I’m being honest with myself, he could find me anywhere.

  I push the door open to my little boat and collapse onto my bed. When I left yesterday, I thought for sure I’d never see this place again. I thought wrong.

  After a few minutes, I get up, open the freezer, and pull out an ice tray. I put three cubes into a glass and fill it with tepid water. My mind filters through the last twenty-four hours, but I have no memories of returning to Louisiana.

  Am I stuck here forever?

  Chapter Two

  I sit down to write Maddie a new letter. It seems pointless to go on about the dangers anymore. If they do come and try to rescue me, they’ll be trapped here as well. I hate lying to Maddie, but I don’t think I have a choice.

  Maddie,

  So things are starting to get better. I’m not sure what was wrong with me. Someone definitely spiked something, but I’m fine. No need to worry.

  Whew. Glad Mom and Dad didn’t buy all that or I’d be heading home for nothing.

  The circus is creepy, but it’s kinda cool. It’s all an act. People die in all of the shows. I think I was legitimately freaked out at first, but I got used to it. The fortune teller and I have become quite good friends. She’s teaching me how to crawfish.

  I promised you boy stories, so here you go. Benny. Sigh.

  I don’t know what to do. He’s so sweet, and we go to all the circus shows together. Oh, and I learned how to dance with fire. Can’t wait to show that off at the beach when I get home in August.

  Send me ice cream and air conditioning.

  Love, Callie

  Chapter Three

  The Spanish moss on the trees reaches down, and I brush it away as I make my way along the docks. I’m jumpy, but hiding out is worse than seeing magic. Besides, I have to get used to it if this is going to be my life.

  The circus is essentially dead since we’re in between the new and full moons. The tents all look like they are about to fall over. Normally, there are a few people milling about, but not today. I tromp to the ferry dock and drop the letter to Maddie in the post box, stare wistfully wishing for freedom, and go in search of Juliette. She won’t be happy to see me. Mostly because I should be in L.A., but also because she’s probably got a killer headache.

  I knock softly on her door. I’ve never actually been in her boat even though it’s right across from her mom’s. She always came to my place, or we’d have dinner at her mom’s. I’d never just dropped in on her. How I miss cellphones. No stopping by without warning. Something thuds on the other side, and she opens the door and blinks sleepily at me with her bright red hair going in all directions.

  “Callie? I thought you were in California.”

  “I was. Samuel followed me and dragged me back here.”

  Her shoulders drop, and her face twists into a scowl. “I’m so sorry.”

  She opens the door and pulls me into a hug. She’s wearing silk pajamas I’ve never seen, and I wonder if she brought them back from New Orleans. This place isn’t exactly known for its luxuries.

  I extract myself from her and go into her tiny kitchen. “Let me make you some coffee. How’s your head?”

  She slumps down at the table. “Killer. Never doing that again.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “No worries. I understand. Now what are you going to do?” She blinks at me.

  “Not sit around feeling sorry for myself.” I stare at the coffee maker for a second, a sleek Keurig, and then I notice... “Jules, why is your boat decked out like it belongs to a millionaire?”

  She holds her head. “It was the only way I’d agree to be a clown. I told Samuel I wanted to be spoiled, and so he does.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  She shrugs and fiddles with her cup. “You’ve tried everything to get out of here, and it’s not happening.” Her voice is soft.

  I meet her eyes. “I know, but I’ll do my best to make Samuel’s life miserable. Maybe then, he’ll ask me to leave.”

  Juliette squeezes her eyes shut for a second. “You know that’s a plan fraught with trouble.”

  The Keurig shuts off, and I hand her the first cup. Then, I put mine on. “How?”

  “He could just kill you instead.”

  I’ll just have to be super careful on the new moon. “I’ll figure it out. But I’m not going to just sit back and do nothing. That seems worse than the possible consequences.”

  “Worse than death?”

  “I’m stuck here anyway, right? Who cares if I die?”

  Juliette frowns. “You don’t mean that.”

  I sigh. “I know. I don’t. Not really, but seriously. I have to do something, and escape is not possible.”

  “Your funeral.” Her tone is light, but her eyes are serious. She’s worried about me.

  I decide to change the subject because she obviously won’t be any help. “You want to go visit Luke with me?”

  He’ll help me. I know he will.

  She shakes her head. “I’m going to see if Lorena can make my headache go away.”

  “Not Ruth?”

  “She’ll tell Mama. Lorena won’t.” She winces.

  I give her a quick hug and head out. Something clicks on the docks like a woman’s high heels, but nobody is around. I wait, but the sound is moving away from me. It must’ve just been a raccoon or something. The path to Luke’s is easy and is only a few minutes from Juliette’s. I’m halfway to his boat when a voice shouts from behind me. A voice I don’t want to hear.

  Samuel stands there, now dressed in a black shirt. He looks good, and that bugs me. He’d probably look good in whatever he put on. Especially a tailored suit. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second. I shouldn’t be thinking about how hot he is when he’s the one who trapped me here.

  He saunters over, and his light cologne makes me swoon a little. “What are you doing today?”

  “Let’s see. I should be out on the town in L.A., but instead, I'm stuck here, and it’s all your fault. So I don’t know what I'm doing, but I can tell you that it’s not hanging out with you.”

  “Aw, come on, love. Don’t be like that. I couldn’t let you go. You know that.”

  He reaches to touch my cheek, and I swat his hand away. Hurt crosses his features for a moment, and then his face hardens, but I won’t be intimidated. I stand tall.

  He breathes in and out but doesn’t say anything. Then, he backs away. “If that is how you want things, I’ll oblige.” He gives a little bow like he’s all apologetic. But I’m not having any of this. I close the distance, and his eyes widen.

  “You made a mistake bringing me back here. You’re going to wish I stayed in California.”

  He smirks. “Exactly how will you do that?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I ask. I actually have no idea how I’ll accomplish anything, but at this point, I’ve thrown down the challenge.

  He takes another step back, putting him precariously close to the edge of the boardwalk.

  “Love, there’s not much you could do to make me wish you gone. Don’t you know? I like my women feisty.”

&nb
sp; He’s so infuriating. I reach out and shove with all my might, and he goes flying into the swamp. He lands with a splash and comes up sputtering.

  “That’s just the beginning.” I cross my arms and smirk at him.

  He laughs and hoists himself back up on the boardwalk, and I want to hurt him even more. He stares right at me, and his clothes go from wet to dry instantly.

  Seriously?

  “If that’s what you have planned for me, I look forward to whatever your next antics are.”

  I storm away and clench my fists. Instead of making things worse for him, I just provided more entertainment.

  I won’t go near any of Luke’s big cats after what happened with Fiona, so he’s put me to work scrubbing out the empty cages while he examines the tigers and gives them shots. He takes good care of his cats, and in spite of my first impression that their cages were too small, he exercises them in the large cage in the middle of his tent all the time.

  Cleaning the cages is gross work, but it keeps me busy and away from Samuel.

  I finish Fiona’s cage, and Luke brings her out. I scramble out of the cage and give her a wide berth.

  Luke sends me a knowing grin and locks the door to the cage. “Full moon is coming up.”

  “Yeah, so.”

  “So you gonna stay away from Benny?”

  I shrug. “Probably not. He helped me out when I tried to escape.”