Marionette

Chapter 7 - Ringmaster

Alice

Mr. Crow was the lion tamer and Ringmaster. Without him, there would be no Crow’s Nest. According to Madame Yora, his family had owned the circus for decades. The previous owners had not shown up much on the Nest. Charlie, as Madame Yora called him, was more hands-on, even if he still seemed barely there. The circus operated on its own through loyal employees, some of whom had been there all their lives.

Like Hugh and Zachary.

“They were foundlings, the brothers,” Madame Yora said, after taking a long drag at her cigarette. “They’re almost like sons to Charlie. I was here, too, that rainy night when they came home. They’re pretty special, you know.”

I nodded in understanding, though I could never fathom the hold Zachary had on me when I barely saw him. I still believed in the dark lover who visited me since I was eighteen, ready to give me an orgasm in my bed while my mother drank her fill of whiskey and rum in the living room.

“Good evening, one and all! Tonight, I’m happy to announce that I’ll be with you until Crow’s Nest moves on to its next stop,” Mr. Crow bellowed, his voice needing no microphone or loudspeaker. It carried from the stage to the back row. I watched from there so I could easily return to my tent if I saw a potential client lingering at the entrance. The main tent’s entrance was wide open, making that possible.

He was magnetic and handsome. With his straight back and loud, commanding voice, he had Omar and Tora obeying him without question. I knew the lions were also putty to Hugh’s hands, but Charles Crow made it seem as if he alone could make them bend on their knees.

I liked that Hugh got some reprieve from his other tasks, since he needed to stay on standby in case the lions rebelled against their Master. I could not imagine that happening, but at least my giant friend got a chance to watch the show instead of assisting everyone else in their tents. There were other men, Callum and Edge, who could do the other tasks. Why should it always be Hugh?

This morning, he looked extra tired. There were dark circles around his eyes, and I felt the sting of disappointment. I would have wanted to see him dance during the Full Moon Night’s ball. It looked like he would need more rest. Meanwhile, his brother seemed to be resting too much. There were no ladies seeking his services for the last couple of days, and yet, he was nowhere in sight. Couldn’t he take his brother’s place whenever he had the nights free?

The nights.

Even though I enjoyed Hugh’s company, I could not help wondering what it would be like to dance with Zachary. Would he keep his distance or mold me against his body? With heat coiled in my belly, I tried to focus on the performance on stage. Mr. Crow had the lions jumping through hoops like meek little kittens. I could not tell if the lust I felt for Zachary had somehow transferred to the man on stage. When the ringmaster met my eyes for his final bow, he gave a little smirk as if he thought I was thinking of him. How he zeroed in on me while I was right at the very back, I could not tell.

But maybe I was imagining it all?

I left the main tent in a rush, feeling embarrassed. Mr. Crow was handsome, but I did not want him to jump to the wrong conclusion.

“Alice!”

I turned around to see Mr. Crow, not even looking ruffled. How did he get out of the main tent so quickly?

“Yes, sir?”

“Call me Charles,” he said, as he rubbed at his goatee.

“Um, I wouldn’t be comfortable calling you that, sir, since I work for you.”

“Yora calls me Charles. So do a few other employees in Crow’s Nest.”

Female employees? I didn’t dare ask the words aloud.

“Uh, okay, Charles. I’m going to my tent now,” I said, taking long strides toward it.

“I’m just checking if you’ll be at the ball tonight,” he said, sounding more thoughtful. He had also stopped walking. I stopped, too, just to look at him.

“I’ll be there,” I promised, though thoughts of Zachary filled my head. I hoped he’d be there. I wanted him to free me from my misery. Heal me. Heal me the way he healed all those women, because I knew that I was ready.

But was he?

**

The Full Moon’s ball was everything I imagined and more. That was something, given that I was a girl who had never been to any dances. My mother had smothered me all my life, saying that the world out there was evil and that she could not afford to lose me to all that. I would have believed her more if she were not so messed up herself.

The ball was open to clients from seven in the evening to midnight, after which only circus workers would be allowed to dance and drink together.

Just us.

I wondered if I would have the honor of dancing with both Ackerman brothers tonight, or if I would have to fend off the Ringmaster instead.

Speak of the Devil…

Mr. Crow looked handsome in a suit of red and black, not unlike his Ringmaster’s costume. He looked even younger in the fading light, though I had heard rumors that he was even older than the thirty-something I had guessed him to be.

“You’re here, Miss Woodhouse,” he said gleefully, opening his arms for me. I hesitated, but then, thinking, “What would I lose if I gave in for just a little?” I placed myself in his warm embrace. “Oh, sorry. That sounds like what an Alice would do, not a Miss Woodhouse. So, remember that I’m Charlie, especially for tonight.”

“Understood, Charlie,” I murmured into his chest. He smelled like spicy, expensive perfume, one I could not quite pinpoint, not having the company of men before the circus. However, it stood out because Zachary often smelled of fresh water, mint, and faint sweat that was all him. Meanwhile, Hugh barely smelled like anything but perhaps a little sweat and some mint, too, though the smell was fainter than his brother’s. I wondered if it was a genetic thing or if they shared the same brand of soap or perfume.

“Well. So, may I have the first dance at midnight?” he asked when he finally let me go. His voice was tender, and I knew it was dangerous to be involved with this man. I did not see any rings around his fingers, but that did not mean he was not married. There was also something off about him. Even if he were a safe choice, I would rather be with someone else.

Zachary’s face flashed in my mind’s eye. The memory pulled me backward until I felt as though I were pressed against the cold wood of the peephole again, watching him bare and beautiful in the dark, aching to see more. Just the thought of him made me feel warm. I should not have thought of him when I was in the presence of another man. I had already given Mr. Crow the wrong idea during his show.

Then there was Hugh. He might not look like a man women would swoon over, but he was the one who could take care of me. He should be here, sleep be damned. After all, there was no work the day after the Full Moon’s ball, according to Madame Yora.

“The first dance,” I agreed. “Then, I’ll join my friends afterward.”

“Your friends?” he asked, c*****g a brow.

“Yes. Hugh. Zachary. The rest of the circus workers.”

A shadow passed over his face. Then he blinked, and the charming smile was back.

“Oh. Do you like them? The Ackermans?”

“Uh, yes, I like them well enough. Hugh seems like the nicer brother,” I confessed, folding my arms across my chest. I was wearing a beautiful black velvet dress with a red satin hem. It was demure except for the sharp dip of the Queen Anne neckline that showed a lot of cleavage. The ringmaster was now eyeing it more openly, his tongue darting to his lower lip. When his eyes went back to mine, his pupils were blown. He had pale blue eyes, as mysterious as the circus he owned. I might have taken a fancy to him if not for Zachary. If not for Hugh.

“You’re definitely right. Hugh is the nicer brother. Both of them are big men, but he has the size that makes him incredibly useful here in Crow’s Nest.”

“He’s more than that,” I protested.

“Because he’s kind? Tell me honestly. Would you choose him over Zachary if there’s only one choice?”

My lips parted in a silent gasp.

“They’re my friends.”

“Ah. Then, I do have a chance.”

“Sir -.”

“It’s Charles or Charlie. See you later, beautiful Alice,” he said, turning to welcome some wealthy-looking clients in dresses and suits. One of them had long, blond hair. She looked so familiar. That color — so like mine.

Was that Mother?

Mr. Crow kissed both her cheeks, tilting her face toward the light for a second. It was her. I’d know that face anywhere, one that seemed so sweet whenever she thought someone was looking. She also looked like me, only twice my age.

My heart thundered in my chest. It was so strong, my ears pulsed. I needed to get away from here. I walked quickly toward the tents. Most of the circus workers were already out, mingling with the guests. Some were happy to see their family and friends and to party with them for one night before we moved to another site.

I bumped into someone soft, smelling like cotton candy. I looked up to see Essie and Bessie watching me with concern. Well, at least Bessie looked worried. Essie was shooting daggers at me. She had made it clear she was not happy that I was here for Zachary.

“What’s wrong?” Bessie asked, her dark curls bouncing.

“Uh. I just need to go to the donniker. I think I may have eaten too many corn dogs.”

A donniker was what circus folks called toilets.

“Oh, poor thing,” Bessie murmured at the same time Essie said, “Likely story.”

I did not wait for the rest of the interrogation. I was, after all, supposedly in a rush to find a toilet. I ran when I thought nobody was watching me anymore.

“Where are you going, Alice?”

The seductive voice could only belong to the man I’d been dying to heal me.

“Zachary?”

He was wearing a suit, not that different from Mr. Crow’s. However, his top two dress shirt buttons were open, revealing a hint of his hard chest.

“Surprised?”

“Um, not really. Everyone was supposed to be at the Full Moon’s Ball.”

“We’re not required, Alice.”

“Where’s Hugh?”

“You see him every day, Alice. I’m here now. Do you want to dance with me at midnight?”

“I promised the first dance to Charles,” I said, feeling combative. I didn’t have to wait for Zachary’s kisses. There were other men in this circus. Employees. Rich guests.

Zachary’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re not going to dance with him,” he said.

“Why not? He’s the owner. The ringmaster. Our boss.”

“Our boss? Really? Is that why you call him Charles?” Even a sneer couldn’t mar his handsome face. He bridged the gap between us and pulled me to his hard torso. He couldn’t possibly be – oh, yes, he was. His erect c**k pressed on my belly through our clothes.

“I made a promise,” I whimpered, my body pressing closer to him.

“There’s still time before midnight. You can dance with me in my room first.”