“Look, I know life probably hasn’t been all roses for you, but if you give the circus a chance, you might enjoy being a part of it. Heck, you can even join the act if you want. We would pay you a wage, and that means you would have some money to spend when we stop on planets, or you could save it for your future. Think about it.”
Her tears don’t fall, and I think I pique her interest with the job offer. I mean, she’s still a kid, so it won’t be a big part, but making her feel important and special might go a long way in making her feel wanted.
“Maxsim, do you think your mother could suggest a suitable companion?” I ask him, and he nods.
“I’m sure one of my or Echo’s siblings would enjoy a change of scenery. We will contact them this evening and have them meet us on Vilax. If none of them want to join us, then maybe a Vilaxian companion would be appropriate too. They can withstand the temperatures of Iceen and would enjoy living in a den.”
“I thought they all sort of existed as clans for feeding purposes. Would we even be able to find an individual?”
Fuse nods. “That’s a good idea. Some Vilaxians don’t join clans and use feeding dens instead, and there are always clan dissolutions and Vilaxians who haven’t joined a new one yet, but if you could ask the matriarch first, that might be best.”
“Very well. Please let us know if there are any issues. We will inform you when school starts for Soshi.”
“And we were just telling them about the children’s facilities that were installed before you arrived, so they know they cantake her there too,” Echo whispers in my ear as he snuggles into my back.
“Great, so we will see you later?” The three of us leave them be and continue to the large, head table. I didn’t mention their act because they aren’t aware that the grandpas are retiring yet. I will set up a meeting with them later once they know I’m now the boss and their ringmaster.
I stop at a rowdy table of shifters and smile at Caspian’s brother, Malik, and two very familiar looking dragons. Both of Tirrian’s brothers, Titus and Thorn, are sitting at the table and seem to have made fast friends. Actually, who knows, maybe they knew each other prior to now. They certainly seem to be acquainted with one another.
“Well, hello, I didn’t know the two of you were joining us.” I look between them, and Thorn screws up his nose.
“We weren’t going to, but Tallon is being courted by two dragons, and my mother went into heat, and her and dad are not being particularly discreet about it.”
Titus shudders. “I can never not hear the noises coming from their rooms. I am scarred for life. Neither of us were waiting around for Tallon to start up too.”
I cough, hiding the burst of laughter that barreled out of my chest. I probably shouldn’t be too gleeful, since this could very well be me with my grandparents instead. “I completely understand, but you’re going to have to make yourselves useful, no free rides. Do either of you have any experience with children? I am looking for a second nanny.”
They both turn pale, and Malik chortles next to them. “Our nieces and nephews are certainly a handful.” Malik got to meet them when Caspian and Nikos took them swimming with their family on Fluxx.
“Actually, we were thinking maybe we could help out with the Vilaxian act. Both of us are acrobatic, and we heard that noneof your Vilaxians have returned yet, and Saxon will be on his own. You’re also missing the Aquilians, which means you’ll be down two big acts.”
“Where did you hear that?” I demand, crossing my arms, feeling defensive.
“Look around. I overheard it being gossiped about half a dozen times from any number of crew members.” Titus waves his hand at the surrounding crew and performers. “Is it not true?”
“No, it’s true, but we don’t know for sure about the Vilaxians. The Aquilians definitely won’t be returning to the show, but I have hired three more acts, and I think Ghosie and Magenta may have hired a couple more today.”
“Did I just hear my name?” I spin around to find my magenta-haired friend beaming at me. “We saw some amazing acts, but we decided we had enough for now. But they are definitely on the list if we ned to add more,” she tells me, and the rowdy group of shifters quiets down.
When I turn to look at them, all three of them, as well as the rest of the shifters at the table, are all staring at my friend like she’s a juicy piece of steak.
She raises an eyebrow, looking curiously at the three new males. “New meat?”
“Mags, meet my brothers-in-law—Malik, kraken shifter, and Titus and Thorn, pain in the ass dragons.” Thorn gives her a wave, but smoke drifts out of Titus’s nose, and I hear him rumble quietly. That’s interesting.
Malik rushes to his feet and holds out a hand, taking Magenta’s and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “The pleasure is all mine.” His eyes sparkle with interest, and I want to squeal with excitement, but I control myself.
I expect Magenta to bat her eyelashes and flirt with him, but she kind of just murmurs, “Hello,” and gives the two dragonsa quick nod before looping her arm in mine and dragging me toward the head table again.
“Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” I hiss as soon as we are out of earshot. Well, maybe not out of hearing range, since they are shifters after all, but we can pretend. Something is wrong with my friend, and I want to know what right now.
CHAPTER NINE
Lila
She shrugs.
“Can’t a girl be happy with her own company?”
