Page 22 of Galaxy Circus Act One

My mouth drops open, and he laughs. Even though my mind is telling me to be cautious, experience has taught me that I want to trust him and believe that he’s telling me the truth. I definitely need someone on my side, so I don’t want to be skeptical of Dylan. I might eat those words later, but I think I’m just going to take the leap of trusting his word for now. Worst case scenario, I’ll just look like a dumbass when I meet this warlock if I take bad advice and avoid looking him in the eye.

“Well, maybe nothing that dramatic, but theycanmind control you if they can get a link. Unlike the rest of us who need the transporters, they can also teleport without the use of a machine. Xavier’s a cool guy; he takes care of all the magic the show needs, from the mind-fogging gas that we use on the humans to glamours for the Aquilians. He’s quiet and keeps to himself, especially since the aura of power he radiates can be too much for some people. Occasionally, they’ll add an illusion act in the circus, and he does that, but that’s not every night. I’ll introduce you to him. I think you’ll like him.” Dylan can’t meet my eyes when he tells me this, and I get the feeling there may be a bit of a crush happening there.

“Can’t wait to meet your friend,” I assure him. “So, mermaid act, you juggle, saber-toothed tigers, and a dinosaur act is what Iknow about already. What else is there?” I prompt him, wanting to know more.

“There’s one more animal act, and that’s the larnuk show. They’re an animal from Rilu. Rilu is a desert planet with oasis-like settlements spread far across the land. The Rilu are a nomadic race, so their clans move as they need to. Rilu also has gem mines deep within caves spread across the whole planet, and it’s the main product in their trade with other planets. The larnuk are similar to Earth’s pegasus myth but are fiercely protective. They spit fire and can grow to the size of a dragon when in defense mode, and they eat diamonds. The Rilu use them for transport and defense, and they raise herds amongst their tribes. The larnuk come in green, purple, red, and gold. Beautiful creatures, but deadly unless they bond to you. Our larnuk mistress is bonded to the five that perform in the show.”

Dylan gets up from the couch and makes his way back over to the glass window, watching over the large water tank. I really want to join him, but I think it’s important to see the show in its entirety to get a feel for it before I have all the pieces broken down. Instead, I flick through the pages of my tablet and pull up the one I’m most interested in. It appeals to the gymnast in me.

“Tell me about this act.” I hold up the tablet and show him the picture of the familiar magenta eyes from last night. Superimposed over the picture is a flying trapeze. “The person who belongs to these eyes caught me last night. I want to know who I should thank.”

Dylan frowns and sighs. “Out of all the acts here, they're probably the most dangerous for you, so of course you’re the most interested in the seductive bastards.”

There’s a hint of something in his voice, but I’m not sure if it’s malice or jealousy. “Saxon, the person who caught you last night, is where the Earth legend of vampires comes from. Blood drinkers who can move so fast you can’t even see them.They avoid sunlight, not because it does anything to them, but because their planet Vilax has only five hours of sunlight a day. They are the acrobat and trapeze act. There are five in the show, and they cannot take your blood without permission, but be careful. They’re tricksters, and words can often be twisted so that you end up giving blood without realizing it. They don't kill their donors, but they can make it as pleasurable or as painful as they like. It’s not up to you which sensation you’ll get.”

I’ve always loved vampire stories, and the thought of being bitten turns me on enough that I squirm in my seat at the thought. Dylan stops talking and sniffs the air, a scowl crossing his face.

“One thing you need to know is that although all of us may have a human-like form, we are far from it. Underneath our clothes, things may not be what you expect. Be aware of this if you decide to pursue any kind of physical relationship with anyone.” He gets up and starts pacing the room, refusing to look at me despite my questioning sound in response. “You need to talk to your grandpas about Skarrian physiology too before you do anything like that. Educate yourself before you get into trouble.” He growls the last bit before throwing open the door and disappearing.

What the fuck did I do to upset him so much? Could he tell that I was turned on? It’s the only thing that could explain such an abrupt change of topic, but what explains the anger?

CHAPTER TEN

Lila

My brain was so busy that I went to bed without going to the dining room for dinner. John came looking for me to make sure I was okay, and when he realized I was wiped, he arranged for dinner to be delivered to me along with my mug of Skarrian water.

The water still feels like it has a buzz to it when I drink it, so I guess that’s just its make up, but it makes me feel better than I have all day, instantly revitalizing me and wiping away any residual tiredness.

“Lila, anytime it gets too much for you, just have a glass of the water,” John recommends. “It can’t replace sleep, but it can wipe away that fuzzy feeling that comes from being tired, both emotionally and physically.” He pats me on the shoulder. “We recognize and appreciate how hard you’re working, but we don't want you to get overwhelmed. We need to work on those powers, and that’s going to bring its own kind of strain.”

“What powers?” I grumble, glad that he brought it up. “Apart from that first overload, I’ve noticed nothing.” Except there wasthat funny reaction to my chip implant, but that can’t have been my powers, can it? Nah. Why would I feel my powers in my shoulder?

His eyes widen slightly. “Really? Not even any random telekinesis?”

I shake my head, and his frown deepens. “Thatisunusual. That’s the one most people have. Never mind. Get a good night’s sleep, and between the three of us, we will get you sorted tomorrow.”

The following day, I make my way to breakfast on my own, not having seen Dylan around again for the rest of yesterday. As much as I’d like to see him, I don't have time to track down moody dragon shifters. Now the grandpas have cleared out the arena for us to use, and while I stand there dwarfed by the empty space and the power of their combined attention, my nerves kick in. My stomach is officially in my throat even though they’ve banned everyone for the morning so I can work on whatever I need to with no pressure or scrutiny. The last thing I need is for everyone to realize I’m a dud who has no right to inherit the circus from these men.

“Lila! Lila!” William must have been trying to get my attention because he looks exasperated.

“Sorry! What did you say?”

“You told John that you haven't experienced any more surges of any power. Is that right?”

“No, nothing. I don't feel any different to what I felt before I drank the water. Though I haven't been getting headaches, so if that’s the only thing that happens, I’m still happy with that.” I tried to go for reassurance, but we all know I’m lying. I’m going to be gutted if I don't get at least something. What’s the point of finally having family, of having a legacy, if all I do is let them down?

“Okay, from the looks of what happened the first night, you may have some kind of elemental manipulation, but we might as well start out with the easiest. Let’s try speed.” Eric rubs his hands together and takes a step forward, literally zooming across the arena. His body just becomes a blur of motion that stops on the other side, only needing mere seconds to cross the distance.

“Now, don't be upset if you can’t go that fast,” John cautions me. “Eric is unusually fast. Neither Will nor I can replicate his speed, though we are faster than an average human.”

“Okay, ready, Lila? Go!” William shouts, and I run as fast as I can toward Eric, but before I get far, I slow and stop.

“I know that was no different to how fast I was before,” I complain with frustration, fighting the urge to stomp my foot like a disgruntled little kid.

Both John and William are frowning, and I can hear Eric cackling on the other side, which totally doesn’t help. “No, that really wasn't fast,” John agrees, him and William exchanging a glance.

“Come back, Eric,” William calls. With a blink, Eric is back beside me.