Page 31

“Hush,” a mirror-eyed man says beside her. “She’ll learn soon enough what happens and what they’ll make her do in the In-Between.”

The alcohol burns in my veins now, making everything slightly sharper and more vivid. If I have to be here, I might as well enjoy a buzz. “They keep talking about me like I’m not here.”

“Don’t mind any of them. Focus on surviving,” Layla says, trying to smile and leading me through them again.

A commotion happens near the center and draws everyone’s attention. Layla stops moving, and I almost run into her. “Well … this should be fun,” Layla says as Rosie’s voice rises above the music, shrill with anger.

“You never turn me away, Kenan!”

Rosie has Kenan backed against one of the mechanical horses, her body pressed against his. Her pink hair is neon under the lights. Her fingers splay possessively across his chest, crimson nails digging slightly into the fabric of his shirt.

“Not tonight, Rosie.” Kenan’s face remains carved from stone, but I catch the slight tick in his jaw — a hairline fracture in his composure.

“Why not?” She purrs, trailing a finger down his chest. Her body arches against his as she stretches up on her tiptoes to press her lips against his neck. “You’ve never refused before.”

Something hot and ugly twists in my stomach — jealousy? I’ve never felt possessive of someone I barely know, yet watching her touch him sends fire through my veins hotter than the carnival brew.

Before I can process the feeling, Kenan moves with startling speed. His hand wraps around Rosie’s throat, not squeezing but controlling as he spins her, reversing their positions. Now she’s the one pinned against the painted horse, his body looming over hers, rage barely contained in his green eyes.

“Not. Tonight.” Each word drops like a knife. “And let’s not pretend that I’ve never told you no before.”

Rosie’s eyes widen, not with fear but almost excitement. “Is it because of her?” Her gaze cuts across the crowd directly to me, and I freeze. “Or is it because of him?”

Kenan’s fingers tighten slightly at her throat, “Watch it, Rosie.”

Layla grabs my elbow, pulling me back slightly. “Drama always follows Rosie,” she whispers. “She’s been here almost as long as The Ringmaster himself. Used to be Kenan’s ... well, after⁠—”

“After what?” I ask, unable to tear my eyes from the scene.

“After Tobias,” she says simply. “Most of us here ... we take comfort where we can find it. Bodies and pleasure are currency, freely exchanged. But Tobias ... he never touches anyone. Except ...”

“Except Kenan,” I finish for her, watching as Kenan finally releases Rosie, stepping back with controlled fury.

Layla nods. “As the story goes, Tobias was Kenan’s guardian. He and Tobias were inseparable. Until well … for some reason, they weren’t. They hadn’t spoken in years, as far as most of us know, not until you arrived. So I’m guessing Rosie is missing her playmate.”

Rosie storms away from Kenan, pushing through the crowd. As she passes me, she hisses, “Enjoy them while you can. He’ll tire of you soon enough.”

I take another drink, the cinnamon liquid burning a path to my core, because it’s easier to acknowledge the heat from the alcohol than the unwanted jealousy bubbling.

“So everyone just fucks each other?” I ask, finding my voice daring.

Layla shrugs, a sad smile playing on her lips. “When you’re trapped between worlds, physical connection reminds you that you’re still somewhat alive. Some nights, that’s all that matters. We can’t choose what the Patrons do to us, but we can at least choose that.”

“And Tobias never ...”

“Only with Kenan,” she confirms. “Tobias was the first —”

“Discussing me in my absence?” Tobia’s breath brushes my ear, “How terribly rude.”

Chapter 22

I whirl around, nearly spilling my drink. Tobias stands impossibly close, his ocean eyes gleaming with mischief beneath his painted face. However, unlike his normal Big Top attire of the long jacket and gloves, he’s dressed in a fitted black shirt that clings to his frame, the top buttons undone to reveal a sliver of skin.

“Tobias,” Layla nods respectfully, with a smile on her lips.

“I see Layla’s introduced you to the carnival brew.” He looks down at the cup in my hand, his lips tilting upwards.

Layla grins beside me, “Someone had to. You and Kenan have been keeping her all to yourselves the last two nights.”