He chuckled to himself and made a zipping motion on hislips.
She ignored him. She never trusted someone who spoke in riddles and exclamations. “I’ll need a new mask too.” To herself, she grumbled, “Some weasel made me break mine.”
When her purchase was completed, she skipped toward the very rear of the carnival where her wagon was normally placed by a team of horses. Esmeralda halted. She blinked at the empty space.
The rata who was forever pestering her about walking through Clown Alley stomped by. She grabbed his arm. “Can you tell me where my wagon has gone?”
“Moved you to the first ring,” he said. He looked her up and down with a scowl. “I can hardly see why.”
The first ring?That was where the most prized booths and acts were stationed. It wasn’t as good as having an act in the Big Top, but this was certainly something.
“May I go now?” he asked, his eyes darting to her hand.
“Certainly.” She started to release him, but then she remembered all the times he’d accosted her, the times he called her a third-ringer and tried to make her feel inferior. She clenched her nails into his skin. “Remind me again, where has my wagon been moved to?”
His eyes flared with irritation. “The first ring.”
“Oh my.” Her free hand went to her heart. “It looks like you’ll be seeing even more of me now. I do believe first-ringers have access to Clown Alley. Isn’t that right?”
“It is,” he growled.
“Pardon? I didn’t hear that?”
“You are correct.”
“How fabulous.” She released him and fluttered her fingers. “Off you go. I do thank you for the information.”
Cursing, the rata marched away.
She did a silly dance.The first ring.
Obviously, this upgrade was because she was in the Running to be the lead act. She could only imagine how many more patrons she would have tonight. With the tips she’d earn, she could buy herself all sorts of costumes. Hell, she could get those lacy boots Jorge had on display. He’d said they were for Anella the Contortionist, but they would look much better on Esmeralda.
With a squeal, she ran toward the center of the carnival.
Just like the posters plastered near the ticket booth illustrated, Carnival Fantástico was built like a bullseye. At the center stood the most cherished spot, the Big Top. The first ring that circled around the Big Top boasted all the most entertaining things: booths that sold enchanted tonics, games that left guestsgiggling and gasping, the Fun House, the carousel, popular acts. And now, La Paloma Blanca: Fortune Teller Extraordinaire.
She clapped her hands.
Ring two was where the food booths and speakeasies that sold mezcal could be found. The menagerie was there too, as well as the siren enclosure and a roller coaster that had spinning cars that sometimes left the tracks.
Up until now, Esmeralda had been all the way out on the third and final ring of the bullseye. There, kiddy games and unenchanted prizes could be found, and a grouchy clown named Ronaldo who lurked around the corners, waiting to squirt unsuspecting guests with his flower broach. The third ring was for duds. Esmeralda hated it because she wanted to shine.
And now she would.
She hummed and sang to herself as she neared her wagon, which looked dreadfully shabby amongst the other gilded ones. That was fine. What did she care if the shingles were missing in some spots? Nothing would bring her mood down ever again. The ringmaster had given her the very best gift she could ever ask for: He gave her a chance.
The door to her wagon was ajar. Not terribly abnormal because Gabriel and Camila were forever in and out. Sometimes to add more contraptions. Sometimes to steal the confections she had stolen from guests first.
But she remembered Camila and Pilar would be practicing their new act. And Gabriel would be helping the crew ready the animals for the opening parade.
Esmeralda rolled up her sleeves. If someone was rifflingthrough her things, she’d be sure to give them the wallop they deserved. She marched past the other performers preparing their booths and mini stages. Her heeled slippers clanked on the metal steps. She didn’t need to be stealthy. Let whoever was inside her private quarters squirm with fear.
She banged the door open the rest of the way but quickly froze in place. Her stomach plummeted to her toes as if she were on the slapdash roller coaster that spun and flipped people upside down.
The ringmaster stood in the center of her wagon amongst the scattered cards she had yet to put away. In his hand was the officer’s badge she’d stolen from Ignacio. His other hand was hidden behind his back.
“So, the rumors are true,” the ringmaster said. He faced her. Seeing him in the daylight was always a shock to the system. He was dangerously handsome, and his blue eyes shone like sapphires when the sun was out. “An officer came into my carnival. Was he looking for you?”
