Circus of The Darned (19 page)

"I want my horse," I yelled, slamming the ball of energy into Loki. To my surprise, he reeled backward, his image shimmering for a few seconds. It must have taken him by surprise, too,

because the look he shot me was one of sheer fury.

Excellent, Fran.That was very well done
. Ben's arm slid around my waist, under the edge of my shirt, his hand warm and comforting against my skin.

"Give me Tesla," I shouted again, getting ready to slam Loki with another jolt of power.

He leaped to the side, snarling. "You believe you have won, little mortal, but you have not. You may have your horse back, but it will be at the cost I warned you of earlier. Enjoy your defeat."

The air beside Loki shimmered and seemed to twist around onitself , forming into the shape of a familiar white horse.

"Tesla!"I tried to run forward to grab him, but Ben held me back.

"Wait until Loki is gone," he said softly. "He is the trickster. It might not really be Tesla."

"I have fulfilled your demand. Give me the
Vikingahärta
."

I didn't want to, but I had agreed to hand it over to him in exchange for Tesla. I took a few steps forward and held it out to him. "Thank you. I promise that I will take very good care of Tesla."

Loki tried to snatch the valknut from my hand, but the second his fingers touched it, it burst into flames.

"
Häxa
!" he screamed, leaping back as I dropped it onto the sand. "You have enchanted it!"

Do I want to know what he called me?

Witch.

"No, I haven't, honest. It just did that on its own." The flames died down, leaving the valknut glowing slightly against the silvery sand.

"You have done something to it to keep me from taking it."

"I haven't! I swear!" I held up my hands to show they were empty.

"We will meet again," Lokiwarned, his voice low and ugly. His body started elongating, as if he was being stretched. "And I will not be nearly so merciful when we do."

He blipped out as the last of his words were spoken, just as if he was a picture on the TV

someone had turned off. The air was heavy with his words, however, leaving a grim feeling. I

ignored it, hurrying forward to Tesla, not absolutely sure he wasn't just an illusion.

He wasn't. Tesla nickered softly and rubbed his head on me, searching for apples. I blinked back a couple of happy tears, hugging his neck and rubbing my face in his mane for a moment to

reassure myself that he was real.

"Thank you," I said finally, turning to face the Vikings, Valkyries, and ghosts that had gathered

to help me. "Thank you all so much. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have Tesla back."

My Vikings grinned. "We were happy to help, goddess, although sad we could not disembowel

Loki," Eirik said. "Perhaps you are having trouble with another god?"

I shook my head. "No. Everything's fine now. Thank you. I'm going to miss you guys. I hope you enjoyValhalla .Gunn?"

She stepped forward, waving her warrior sisters on as well."Absolutely. Valkyries! We have warriors to escort!"

The Vikings smiled. In less time than it took to say
smorgasbord
, the beach was empty of everything but
one
white horse, Imogen, Ben, and me.

"I hope they got to take their stuff with them toValhalla ," I said, stroking Tesla's neck. His eyes were half closed as he leaned into the petting. He looked fine, not like he'd been overworked or underfed. His coat was shiny and and clean, and someone had worked a few braids into his tail

and mane. "I can't believe it, but I'm going to miss them."

"They have gone on to their reward," Imogen said, consoling me. She patted me on the shoulder and even gave Tesla's ears a quick rub. "They will be happy. I shall miss Finnvid greatly, but I am pleased for them.And for you, too, Fran. That took much bravery, facing Loki as you did. I

am very proud of you."

"Thanks," I said, giving her a quick hug. "I couldn't have done it if you hadn't brought the Valkyries."

"Pfft," she said, waving a hand. "You didn't need them. You would have simply made Loki send the Vikings on first. Ah well, it has been an interesting evening." She sent Ben a little smile.

"And I'm sure it will become even more interesting. I'll see you both later."

"You're awfully quiet," I told Ben, looking at him over Tesla's neck. He stood in the same spot, not moving, not saying anything, just watching me with dark, black eyes. "Is it because I didn't thank you yet for helping me? I was going to do that later, on our date."

"No," he said, and for a second, I felt a wave of concern andworry come from him.

"What's wrong?"

"What exactly were Loki's words to you the first time you summoned him? When you refused to give him the valknut?"

I glanced over to where the valknut laid innocently on the sand. It was cool to the touch. With nothing else to do with it but leave it—something I didn't want to do—I slipped it back over my head next to the Green Tara, and thought back a couple days. "He said that if I didn't return it, he

would take that which I most valued. But that is you, and you're standing here, fine as can be. In fact, everything is fine. The Vikings have been sent on toValhalla , Tesla is back, and there's still time for us to go on our date. I'd say things are looking up for a change."

Ben gave me an odd look. "Fran—" he started to say, but was interrupted by a shout from Soren at the edge of the beach.

"Fran!Benedikt! You must come! Something terrible has happened."

A chill rippled down my back and arms as I grabbed Tesla and urged the horse into a trot.

"What's wrong? Are there more Vikings? We can call the Valkyries back—"

"No, it is not them," Soren said, turning as we reached him. "It's the troll."

I stopped dead in my tracks."The
what
?"

Soren grabbed my sleeve in order to drag me to the other side of the island."A troll.It kind of looks like a wrinkled-up TV actress. He says he's looking for the goddess who sent the Vikings

on toValhalla because he wants to be released as well. You'd better come quickly before he gets annoyed. He's already talking about making you take him shopping first."

I took a deep breath and shot a glance at Ben.

He looked at me without expression for a minute,then burst into laughter, wrapping his arm

around me and pulling me up close."Ah, Fran. I can see life with you is going to be anything but dull."

• Chapter One
  
• "Good morning, Fran."
  
• "Morning, Tallulah. How's Sir Edward?"
  
• Tallulah smiled a sad smile."Still dead, alas."
  
• "Guten morgen, Francesca."
  
• "Vait a moment!I vish tospeaks with you…"
  
• "Oooh," Imogen said on a heavy breath, just like she was sighing with happiness.
  
• "Yeah, she likes me to be there. Why?"
  
• "Favor?Sure." I was flattered that he asked. Beside me, Imogen tensed.
  
• "I would be delighted to help you any way at all," she said, looking hopeful.
  
• I stiffened my knees and made a confused scrunchy face."The what?"
  
• "AVikingahärta valknut?"I wondered if it was some sort of Swedish tongue twister.
  
• "They represent the three Norns, the weavers of fates."
  
• "Fate weavers.OK. Um… why are you giving me this?"
  
• "It's lovely," she said, stroking one of the points. "Is it old?"
  
• "He is the most gorgeous creature I have ever seen," Imogen said in an awestruck voice.
  
• Which more or less described everyone here at the Faire.
  
• "Yeah, I know, he's only a kid, but sometimes he sees stuff better than other people."
  
• "No, I'm talking to Tesla."
  
• "Really?She's cooking?"
  
• "Yeah, I know, a miracle, huh? Think I should call the newspapers or something?"
  
• "Why is she cooking?" Soren asked. "You didn't cast one ofher own spells on her, did you?"
  
• "Cell phone," I answered. "The new one she just bought to cover all ofEurope ."
  
• "What did I say…oh.Just now?Nothing important."
  
• "Him who?"I asked, knowing exactly whom he was talking about.
  
• "What look?" I touched my gloved fingertips to my face.
  
• I admired it for a moment before I realized that Soren wasn't saying anything.
  
• "I'm not mad," he said stiffly. "I don't care what you do."
  
• Life is sometimes too weird for words.
  
• Chapter Two
  
• "Oh, there you are. How did the readings go tonight, honey?"
  
• "I don't see how being able to feel people's emotions and thoughts is going to help anyone—"
  
• The man frowned even more. "Where is this demonologist?"
  
• The man blinked at me.
  
• You never really knew with the people around here.
  
• "No, she has invited me to join."
  
• "Are you Wiccan?" I asked.
  
• Her spiky hair trembled as she shook her head. "I am a high priestess of Ashtar."
  
• "He's a mage?"
  
• She nodded."A practitioner of magic. He is fifth level."
  
• "Uh… how many levels of mageness are there?"
  
• "Seven. Oh, there he is—I will see you at the circle, yes?"
  
• "Isosceles triangle!" the audience shouted in response.
  
• Why do you look so puzzled?a soft voice asked next to me.
  
• Ben?
  
• Right behind you.
  
• Tesla is a Lipizzan. I told you that.
  
• The move Bruno made is called a levade.
  
• A le-what?
  
• Levade.It's one of the airs above the ground.
  
• "A series of movements that Lipizzans are known for."
  
• "OK. But Bruno isn't a Lipizzan."
  
• "Fran?Do you want to kiss me?"
  
• "I have a better place name," I whispered against his lips: "It's the name of a town inWales ."
  
• And that would be… ?
  
• He laughed into my head.
  
• What, did I say it wrong? I memorized the pronunciation from a Web site.
  
• I don't know if the pronunciation is correct or not; all I know is I like how you say it.
  
• Ben spun around and blocked my view of the man who spoke. "Who are you?"
  
• "What do you want her for?" Ben asked.
  
• "Tesla?Yeah, I guess he belongs to me."
  
• His forehead wrinkled. "You guess? You are not certain? Are you not his legal owner?"
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Mr. Laufeyiarson nodded. "Yes, one thousand dollars American."
  
• He shook his head. "No, the Andalusian is a gelding. I'm interested in the Lipizzan stallion."
  
• "All right, what did ail that mean?"
  
• "By what?"I asked,my attention immediately yanked away from the mystery of Tesla.
  
• My cheek itched. Ben said nothing as I scratched my cheek.
  
• "Then why are you hopping around like you are covered in itching powder?"
  
• His black eyebrows rose. "She torments you when she wants you?"
  
• "Fran—" Ben dug in his heels and stopped.
  
• "What? Oh, the sun! Sorry. Is it light enough to bother you?"
  
• "Not so long as I remain covered," he answered, tugging his hat so it shaded his face.
  
• "I will leave," he said quietly.
  
• I tightened my hold on his hand. "If you're not welcome, then I'm not staying."
  
• I don't want to make trouble, Fran. It's better if I leave.
  
• You just got here! If you leave, I leave.
  
• No. Dark Ones are generally considered tainted. What is your mother doing?
  
• Mom held a sword at waist level and walked the boundaries of the first circle she'd drawn.
  
• Oily forehead?
  
• Nothing, I said, trying to pinpoint what it was that felt different.
  
• Something is bothering you. What is it?
  
• You will tell me if you are unhappy about something, he said in his bossy voice.
  
• Of course it does. You're my Beloved. It is my job to protect you from all evils.
  
• Why is she touching our feet?
  
• Hmm.Two gods only?
  
• Yup.Male and female halves, basically.
  
• "Air, Water, Earth, Fire,
  
• Elements of the stars conspire.
  
• Goddess, mother of all, come to us!
  
• Into the circle, right next to the bus."
  
• "Keep us safe from curse or threat,
  
• Just like a deodorant that guards from sweat."
  
• Someone snickered. Mom had her eyes open again, frowning at nothing.
  
• Er… that seems a rather incongruous invocation, Ben noted.
  
• I couldn't tell you.
  
• Mom took a deep breath and gave it another shot.
  
• "From sea and mountain, desert and trees,
  
• Heed our plea!"
  
• Silence fell on the circle.
  
• "Oh, dear," Navy said, leaning over to talk to one of the local Wiccans. "That's not right, is it?"
  
• "Elements of the stars conspire,
  
• God, father of all, come to us!
  
• Don't worry about being male, we'll make no fuss.
  
• Guard us within from all threats beyond
  
• I wonder if there are leeches in yonderpond?
  
• By wand and cup and ball and bat
  
• I just know these pants make my butt look fat.
  
• Heed our plea!"
  
• "Goddess above—is that what I think it is?" Mikaela asked, pointing at me.
  
• "It's ahuldra ," one of the local Wiccans said, her voice all hushed with awe.Or something.
  
• "Franny, no!Do not break the circle—"
  
• The archaeological dig was at the far edge of the island.
  
• "Fran!"Tibolt yelled, startling me for a second. "No, you must not be here!"
  
• "No, Fran, you must leave—"
  
• Are you all right? Ben asked, sticking out a hand to pull me up.
  
• Yeah.Or maybe not. Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?
  
• Chapter Four
  
• To be honest, they looked as surprised to see us as we were to see them.
  
• "I think it's their war cry," Ben answered.
  
• "No," he answered without even turning his head. "I do not have the means to do that."
  
• "Master?What master?" Imogen asked, frowning slightly.
  
• He sighed, his mind a soft touch against mine.It is none of our concern .
  
• Yes, it is. I'm evidently the one who brought them back.
  
• "It was not intentional," he argued, pulling me after him as he started to leave the dig site.
  
• "That doesn't matter, I still—"
  
• "You speak English?" I asked, stunned, my feet coming to a halt.
  
• "Slaughter?"I asked, the word coming out like a squeak."No one!"
  
• That made the Vikings laugh even harder.
  
• Yes.
  
• Oops.
  
• Eirik's blue eyes eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "You know this Dark One, Holle?"
  
• "My name isn't Holly, it's Fran, and yes, I know him. He's… er… he's my…"
  
• His eyes narrowed further. "Does he hold you prisoner?"
  
• "Stay back, Fran," Ben said, moving slightly to the side to block Eirik's view of me.
  
• "Just when I thought my life couldn't get any weirder," I muttered.
  
• Any ideas on what I should do to get rid of them? I asked Ben.
  
• "You are mated to the goddess?" the Viking asked.
  
• "Yes," Ben said without even a second's delay.
  
• "Whoa! We are not mated!" I said, giving him a glare. "All I've done iskiss you!"
  
• "Swive," Eirik said, with a smile that made it pretty darn clear just what he was talking about.
  
• "I'm not mated to anyone," Imogen said, smiling again at the Viking behind Eirik.
  
• "Imogen!"Ben growled. "Behave yourself. They are ghosts."
  
• He shrugged. "You are agoddess, you must know best how to do that."
  
• "But I'm not a goddess," I protested.
  
• Great.Now what do I do? I'm so not a goddess.
  
• "You don't know how she can release you?" Ben asked as I gave a mental groan.
  
• Good idea. I'll ask Tibolt.
  
• "Whatare your concerns?" Imogenasked, her voice silky as she stroked the Viking's chest.
  
• "War!"Eirik shouted.
  
• "Pillage!" another one answered.
  
• "Women," the ghost Imogen was touching said in a near purr. They smiled again at each other.
  
• "Oh, for Christ's sake—" Ben muttered to himself.
  
• Gotcha.No chest touchies.
  
• Ben shot me an outraged look that pretty much told me what he thought of rule number one.
  
• "I will take care of any needs Fran has," Ben said stiffly.
  
• We are so going to have a little talk later, I told him.
  
• Yes. Yes, we are. It's about time we have a few things out.
  
• "Wow. That's a lot of killing."
  
• "Hmm."Eirik looked thoughtful.
  
• Soren blinked twice,then nodded."A Viking ghost. OK. How long will he be here?"
  
• He shrugged one shoulder. "It could start a new fashion trend."
  
• Soren snickered. "You just say that because she insists you're the reincarnation of Cleopatra."
  
• "Hey, you don't have to say that in such a disbelieving tone," I said. "I could be Cleopatra!"
  
• "I don't believe in reincarnation," he said, smiling at me.
  
• "He's in for a surprise," I said, smiling.
  
• "Ja.Big surprise."Soren looked up as his father and my mother walked over to us.
  
• "Called away bywho ?" I asked, throwing grammar rules to the wind.
  
• "Three days from now?" he asked, smiling.
  
• "Let's hear the name of that Welsh place again," he said, his eyes going almost golden.
  
• "It's Tesla," Soren said, limping toward me, a lead rope in his hand.
  
• Chapter Five
  
• "Someone took this off," Ben said, fingering the open buckles. "It didn't come off on its own."
  
• "Do you see?" Soren asked as he puffed his way up to us. "He was taken,ja ?"
  
• "I don't think this is a horsenapper," I said, focusing on hobble.
  
• "Different as in not human."
  
• "What?" Soren asked, his mouth hanging open. "Not human? You mean like a ghost?"
  
• "I don't know what he is, other than he doesn't have any feeling whatsoever."
  
• "No feelings?" Soren frowned.
  
• "Or heavily shielded," Ben said, looking thoughtful.
  
• "Thereare people whoare able to block themselves completely.Mages and the like."
  
• "Mages?"I looked down at the hobble. "Mikaela said Tibolt was a mage."
  
• "Diviner?Not that I know of."
  
• "Hmm.Perhaps there's one nearby we can ask for help."
  
• I made a face at the helmet Ben held in his hand.
  
• Life is kinda weird that way.
  
• Life just got a whole lot weirder.
  
• "Hi, Des.About the regression—could we do it another time? I'm a bit busy right now."
  
• Ben laughed in my head.
  
• Oh! She didn't just say that!
  
• Fran?
  
• Hmm?
  
• Are you seriously jealous of Desdemona, or are you ragging me a little?
  
• What do you think?
  
• This time I let him feel my smile.
  
• Goodnight, Ben, I said, laughing into his head.Thank you for looking for Tesla .
  
• Sleep well, sweet Fran, he answered, and I give in and had a lovely sigh of happiness over him.
  
• Which just goes to show you I'mnot clairvoyant in any way.
  
• Chapter Six
  
• "Then what is that doing in here?" I pointed to the ax. He looked a bit abashed.
  
• "Brutta!"Finnvid shouted, and leaped past me to scoop her up.
  
• "Spritfest?"
  
• "Drinking party."
  
• Mikaela kicked Finnvid in his happy zone. He doubled over and fell to the ground.