Circus Save Me, page 5
“Feeling brave today are we, or maybe you just want all the attention to be on you.”
My mouth drops open before anger flares through me, making my arms prickle as my power tries to reach the surface.
“Or maybe I'm just not into self-righteous, egotistical men who obviously have nothing better to do than put someone else down because they are incapable of being nice.”
Jesse snorts as laughter has him doubling over and banging on the table.
“Oh, she has you down to a T, man,” he says wiping his eyes. Blain stands, obviously done with his food.
“Sure, whatever you say, Harpy, but I saw you checking me out last night and now Jesse this morning. So, say whatever you want, but your true colours will show eventually and when they do, I will be there to tell them I told you so.” He spins before I can come up with a retort and strides away, the black pants clinging to him. Angry I checked him out again, I glare down at the table.
“Hey, ignore him and feel free to check me out anytime, Firecracker,” Jesse murmurs to me before picking up his food again. My cheeks heat and I jump when a plate drops down before me, filled to the brim with meats, cheese and bread.
“Thanks, Wildcat,” Rex whispers before his hand squeezes my shoulder. He waits for me to nod before walking back around to his side and carries on eating. I pick at my food, I am unaccustomed to eating so much and the anger still burns in my gut. I knew it wouldn't be easy fitting in with people who have obviously been together a while, but Blain doesn't even seem to want to give me a chance. Instead, he seems to want to watch me fail, it only makes me more determined to prove myself.
“Eat, you have a busy day ahead,” Rex says softly, watching me until I add some meat to a bit of bread and take a big bite. He offers me that big smile again as he munches on his own.
“So boys, who is this new creature? Did Al find her on the side of the road, she looks like a child.”
My head snaps up, looking at the woman before I drop my eyes, scared of the almost vulture like expression on her face.
“Be nice Esme, and no, she saved my life and then Fluffy’s,” Jessie says proudly.
“Stupid name,” she mutters before carrying on louder, “Is that right? So what are you here to do, cook? Clean? That looks like all you’re good for.”
Gritting my teeth, I hold in my snark, not wanting to piss off another member of Alcide’s family, unwilling to give him any reason to turn me away.
“He said he was going to figure out an act for me today,” I say softly. The whole table goes quiet before Jesse whoops and hugs me to his side, his hand landing on my exposed stomach.
“I knew you were one of us, Rhea!” He cries happily as Rex nods and smiles.
“An act?!” The woman’s voice turns shrill as she grips the table until her hands turn white. I gasp when her plate starts to levitate before she throws it a dirty look and lets go of the table, the plate banging back down again. I look from her to it with wide eyes.
“Did you just-” I ask in awe, completely amazed by her powers.
Her face turns dark like a thunderstorm as she pushes away from the table.
“What's the matter, never seen a freak before, girl? If not, maybe you should run back to where ever you came from and spread your legs for your master like a good little girl.”
I flinch at her words as she storms away, the man looking at me oddly before he follows her. Turning to the guys, I feel tears clawing at the back of my eyes before I swallow them back. I've been here one morning and it looks like that’s all it's going to be if they all hate me so much. My hopes deflate as my shoulders slump. I knew it was too good to be true.
“Hey,” Rex reaches over and lifts my chin, his face filled with anger, but when he looks at me it softens.
“Ignore her. It took her a year to get an act. She's just jealous.” I drop my eyes again.
“Seriously Rhea, don't listen, okay, we all know you belong here and she will just have to live with it,” Jesse adds, squeezing my side in reassurance.
“And Blain?” I ask, needing to know if they are going to kick me out. Jesse snorts.
“He's a grumpy bastard to everyone, but it's only because he wants to protect his family, he will see you belong here soon.” I nod at his words, but deep down I wonder what will happen if they all think I don't. If eventually they change their minds and he's right. If that's the case, I plan on trying my hardest and will treasure the time I have with the two men trying to comfort me. Smiling a little I play with my food until Rex drops his fork and stands, his arm outstretched to me.
“Come on, let me show you around.” Smiling slightly, I throw Jesse a soft look before standing and accepting the hand Rex offers me.
Rex and I walk in companionable silence for a while. I get the impression from the others that Rex isn’t usually much of a talker, preferring the company of animals over people. Before I met these guys I would have said I preferred the same thing. Well, perhaps not Blain. I definitely still prefer animals over him. Maybe I could feed him to Fluffy. I smirk at that thought.
Rex looks across at me as I chuckle quietly, a questioning smile spreading across his face.
“Care to share?” He asks, nodding to one of the workers that we pass.
“I was just thinking about feeding Blain to Fluffy,” I tell him with an evil smile, before biting my lip.
This was his friend I was talking about, perhaps I have taken it too far, I’ve only just met them after all. However, Rex takes on a thoughtful look, like he is actually considering my comment.
“Hmm. Well him and Fluffy really don’t get on, so that wouldn’t be too far a stretch,” he says, before smiling at me in a way so I know he is joking. “You’re going to make Fluffy fat if you keep spoiling him. Besides, I’m trying to train him not to eat people, you’re going to undo all my hard work.”
I laugh at Rex’s idea that spoiling Fluffy is allowing him to eat one of his friends. I had been convinced that he would scold me for plotting Blain’s murder. I am busy plotting some more inventive ideas for his demise when I feel Rex’s eyes on me. I look across at him and smile at his expression when he realises he has been caught looking at me. Blushing, he rubs a hand across the back of his neck.
“Sorry, Wildcat. That outfit is distracting,” he mumbles, trying to keep his eyes on anything but me.
He introduces me to a couple of other crew members, so far all of them have been men except for me and Esme. This isn’t all that surprising given the universal male-to-female ratio, but their expressions are what surprise me. Is it really that unusual for a woman to join the Circus? Not that they had been unwelcoming, just surprised. I had been worried that I would not be welcomed here. I was walking into a family and trying to find my place. However, other than Blain, Esme, and that creepy guy at breakfast, everyone had been polite and willing to trust Alcide’s judgement of me.
That said a lot to me about the kind of leader he would be. If they were willing to put away their prejudices against women and give me a chance because Alcide told them to, then he must be a fair leader. I think back to what he told me last night when I fell to my knees before him. He told me to get up, that they ‘don’t do that here.’ What did he mean by that? That women are treated differently here? He seemed angry at my behavior, but that anger had not felt directed at me. Well, I guess only time would tell.
Rex was just telling me about this new animal that they had saved as we walked around a corner, his voice soft, but I can see the excitement in his eyes. He is so cute. I stop myself from going any further. Come on Rhea, you are not in a position to be checking out your new colleagues, you are supposed to be earning your place here! That is damn hard, though, when all of the guys looked like they had walked out of one of those magazines.
I hear a loud thud as we continue walking, like something heavy has been dropped to the floor. I go to ask Rex what it was when the largest man I have ever seen walks into view. He makes all of the other guys look like children in comparison, and I have to crane my neck to keep looking at his face as he walks towards us. His blond hair is shorn close to his head and he has a smattering of stubble across his chin. I swallow as I look away from his face and find I am staring at his shirtless chest. Feeling flustered, I take a step back and bump into Rex. Boy, is it hot out here or is it just me? His hazel eyes take everything in, and I’m sure from his slight smile that he knows I was checking him out. Turning his focus to Rex, he just raises a questioning eyebrow.
Rex seems to find this whole thing amusing, but decides to rescue me.
“Nixon, this is Rhea. Alcide is giving her an act in the show,” he explains to the silent giant. Nixon doesn’t seem to be as surprised as the others, just nods at me with a small half smile.
“Fluffy likes her,” Rex adds.
This comment does surprise Nixon as he looks at me again, his mouth opens slightly in a silent ‘oh’. He looks like he is reassessing me. Personally, I am totally confused and starting to get a bit cranky. I try to push away these feelings, but my run-in with Blain this morning has me fired up.
“Why does everyone keep getting that look on their face? What is so strange about me to cause that look?” I demand, gesturing to both of their faces.
Rex smiles apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck again at being caught. Nixon finally smiles fully for the first time. It only lasts for a few seconds, but it is blinding, easily making him the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on.
“I like her,” his deep rumbling voice reminds me of an earthquake before he turns around and stalks off. I look back at Rex to see him standing with his mouth hanging open.
“I- He...He spoke. He hardly ever speaks,” Rex stutters out.
Huh. He does look like the silent and brooding type. We continue our walk in friendly silence, Rex’s mind clearly on something else.
Shouting and banging from around the corner greets us, making Rex frown.
“Fucking freaks!”
A loud bellow reaches us and I sprint towards the noise before I can think that it’s a bad idea.
Rounding the corner I see that Nixon had been training on some mats in what looks like a sparring ring, and what I see has me stopping in my tracks. His muscles strain as he lifts the rusted remains of an old car above his head. He doesn’t even seem to be breaking a sweat as he does this, making it look easy. He looks like he is about to throw it at someone. But this is not what has me stopping. With his back to me like this, I can see his back is covered in scars that look suspiciously like the whip marks that marr my back. Lead lines my stomach and I find myself walking towards the silent giant.
“Nixon,” I call softly, seeing him flinch as I call out to him.
“Rhea! Wait!” I hear Rex call out, his voice sounding panicked. In the background I can hear people hurrying about and raised voices, someone shouts something about a trigger, but I pay no attention, my eyes on Nixon. Nixon turns his head to look at me, his face set in a hard mask, but he doesn’t scare me, not right now.
“Nixon. It’s okay.”
He drops the car to the floor next to him with a crash, his breathing is rough, his hands clenched into fists. People are running around and I am aware that we are being watched, I ignore them.
Keeping my attention fully on Nixon, I treat him like I would a wounded animal. I walk slowly towards him, my hand outstretched. As he watches me I think I can see him beginning to calm. I have a hunch at what has set him off. In the short time since I arrived, I have seen that everyone here considers each other as family. From the sounds of it, someone has threatened his family. If the scars on his back are anything to go by, Nixon has had a tough past, and now he has made a life for himself here, which he would do anything to protect.
“We are okay. Everyone is safe.”
I place my hand on his arm. He looks at my hand, it looks tiny in comparison to his own. I briefly wonder if he is going to throw my hand off, his body is so stiff. Something in his eyes softens and I see the tension leave his body.
I smile at him and am rewarded when the side of his lips twitch. It’s the best I am going to get, and I’m happy about that. Nodding at me, he ambles off without a word, glaring at those who are too close.
Hearing a noise, I turn around to where I left Rex, only to find a small crowd watching with gaping mouths.
“Bloody hell, Rhea, I have never seen someone calm Nixon when he gets triggered. We just usually run and hide,” Jesse shouts out to me, the tension in the crowd breaking at his words. I shrug as I walk towards them.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Some locals broke in. We always get a couple of people who take offence at our ‘abilities’ and try to cause trouble. Nixon was about to go after one of them and pulverize them when you showed up,” Jesse explains.
I glance at Rex who is nodding in agreement. Huh. Maybe I should have let him at them? I look at those still around me, the looks of shock still on their faces. In fact, the only person who doesn’t seem shocked is Alcide, who is leaning against a carriage with his arms crossed. He seems amused. As if sensing my eyes on him, he looks my way with a knowing smile. Clapping his hands to get everyone's attention, he takes a step forward.
“Right, you bunch of gossiping biddies. Less gawking and more action. It’s time to start training,” he announces to the group in a loud voice, but he says this whilst looking at me. Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?
Rex sits me down with a small smile before he strides into the ring on Alcide's heels; sitting in the rows of seats in the big top my knee bounces as I wait nervously.
Now, they are whispering among themselves as I wait to see what sort of performance Rex has. Jesse plops down on the seat next to me and throws his arm over my shoulder. Esme is leaning against the far corner watching everything intently. I don't know where Nixon and Blain are but I'm too excited to worry at the moment.
“What’s wrong, Firecracker?” Jesse asks. His eyes are too intense, so I keep mine focused on the sand in the middle.
“Nothing, just excited to see what you all do.”
He goes to say something but stops when Alcide claps his hands and wanders over to Esme. My eyes track him, both intrigued and nervous. Soon they are in a heated argument, his face darkening by the second. Feeling weird for watching them, I turn my attention back to Rex. He stands in the middle of the sanded stage, his arms loose at his sides and confidence in his stance. The sweet bumbling man from last night disappears as a true performer comes forward. The confidence and straightening of his shoulders make him seem bigger than ever.
Following his eye line, I notice the curtain moving before Fluffy comes bounding through, followed by the man with the yellow eyes, who I didn't get introduced to this morning. Frowning at the stick in his hands, I don't spot the giant predator stalking towards me.
“Fluffy,” Rex warns, but by the time I turn my head I’m already enveloped by a staggering, purring beast. Grunting, I try to grab something to hold onto as I slip from the chair and land on the ground with a thud.
“Fluffy!” Comes a shout as running feet head my way, not that I can see them over the head, which is knocking into me demanding affection.
Grinning now, I stroke him, letting my hands run through his coarse fur.
“Just wanted a cuddle didn't you, baby?” I coo, scratching between his ears which twitch as his purr increases in volume. It’s silent, so much so you could hear crickets, which makes me look up. Everyone, including a silent Nixon, is standing in a circle around me watching in shock. I smile to show I’m okay before petting the needy cat.
“Come on, boy. You've seen the pretty girl, now it's time to work,” Rex says sternly, standing over Fluffy with his lips twitching as he takes us in.
Fluffy huffs at him before laying down on me, almost crushing my legs; watching in amusement I see Rex frown.
“Come on, boy,” he says, more stern this time. Ignoring him, Fluffy rolls over, his belly facing up as his tail swishes between his spread legs. Rex scratches his head and looks at me for help, obviously unsure how to get him up. Holding in my giggles, I give the cat’s belly a quick scratch before patting him.
“Tell you what pretty boy, I’ll come and sit in the sand and watch you, okay?”
I probably look crazy talking to him like he's human, but I believe that animals are smarter than we give them credit for. Not only that, but they are quick learners. He rolls his head to look at me, his tongue lolling out.
“Pretty please,” I coo again. He shoots forward and licks my cheek before jumping up. My legs instantly fill with pins and needles, making me groan. Rex shakes his head and offers me a hand up, which I gratefully accept. Once I am upright again, I pat the cat’s head, my eyes meeting Alcide’s. He offers me a grin, but his eyes hold an edge to them. I must be moving too slow for Fluffy because he head-butts my legs, nearly buckling them, to get me going.
“Alright, I'm coming.”
Rex keeps his hand in mine, our fingers twined. Fluffy makes a noise and when I look, he's staring at our clasped palms. Confused, I watch as he looks from me to his paw before trotting to my side. My eyes flare in shock when his tail curls around my hand, as if trying to hold it. Staring down at my hand wrapped up in his tail I make a noise, Rex follows my eyes and grins.
“Fluffy is very smart, and apparently he has decided to use that to impress you. Show off,” he says, genuine affection for the cat in his voice.
Deciding to go with the flow I follow them to the ring. Rex helps me over the bricks before I delicately sit on the edge. Fluffy watches me as Rex strides back to the middle again.
“Come on now, boy,” he shouts. Fluffy turns giving me a look before trotting away, then stops halfway to Rex turning again as if to see if I'm still there. When he sees I am, he continues on until he stands opposite the big man. Hiding my grin by biting my lip, I watch as Rex smiles at the cat before turning to face me. Fluffy turns at the same time, the pair completely in sync and at ease with each other. Rex bows at the waist, his leg pushed forward and Fluffy does the same. His tail thrashing behind him happily as he sticks his front paws out and drops his head. They both straighten again. I don’t spot any platforms or props for their performance, making me wonder what they are going to do.
