Page 23 of Chaos Carnival

He damn well wasn't my friend, but I'd take any small victory I could get at this point. The crowd was getting more worked up by the second, their hunger for violence and bloodshed palpable. I had to keep them focused on me, even if it meant becoming atarget myself. Anything to buy some time and figure out a way to get Tess and Addie the hell out of here.

It was now or never.

I wrapped my arms tight around Tess and concentrated. The familiar cold rush of phasing swept through us as we slipped between dimensions. My control flickered, but I managed to get us to the other side of the carnival grounds.

We sprinted across the muddy field, ducking behind a stack of wooden crates near one of the supply tents. Tess's breath came in sharp gasps, her hands trembling as she gripped my arm.

As we ran, I glanced back, my heart pounding. Ivan stood amidst the chaos, his eyes locked on me. That demented clown face emanating malevolence sent the hair on the back of my neck on end. He raised a hand, and for a moment, I thought he'd send another bolt our way. But he simply watched, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

“We have to go back.” Her voice cracked. “Addie's still in there with that monster.”

“Listen to me.” I grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Ivan's got that whole place locked down tight. We go charging back in there, we're just giving him more hostages to play with.”

“But—“

“No. I promise you we're going back for her. But we need Stone and Lux. We need intel. We need a real fucking plan that doesn't end with all of us dead, or worse.”

Tess's jaw clenched, tears threatening to spill. “Every second we wait—“

“Is another second we can use to figure out how to actually save her.” I softened my voice. “Ivan's too powerful right now. We rush in blind, we lose everything.”

She slumped against the crates, defeat written across her face. “Fine. But we come up with a plan fast. I won't leave her there any longer than absolutely necessary.”

“Deal.” I peered around the corner, checking for any of Ivan's goons. “First step is finding the others and getting clear of this hellhole. Then we strategize.”

We crept past the funhouse, and my stomach lurched at the warped reflections. Mirrors showed more than just distorted images—they revealed nightmarish versions of ourselves. My reflection's arms stretched like rubber, reaching through the glass. Razor-sharp teeth filled its mouth, and its eyes... fuck, those screaming eyes made my skin crawl.

“Don't look too long,” I whispered to Tess. “Those aren't normal carnival tricks.”

We darted past the “Snack Shack,” where dark burgundy stains splattered the walls and counter. The metallic fragrance hanging in the air told me it wasn't ketchup.

“Where the hell are they?” Tess's voice was barely audible. We needed Stone and the others—this rescue mission was going south fast.

The air shifted. A familiar heaviness crushed my lungs, and I knew we were fucked before I even turned around. Two hunters stood there, silver armor gleaming under the carnival lights.

“Deserter,” one spat. “Your kind doesn't deserve to exist.”

The ground beneath my feet rippled like water. Reality bent and distorted as they unleashed their will. I shoved Tess behind me, channeling what strength I had left through my poison-weakened body.

“Funny,” I growled, summoning a burst of energy that made my hands glow with dark fire. “I was about to say the same thing about you fascist pricks.”

The first hunter charged. I met him with a blast of energy that sent him flying backward. The second one's attack caught me inthe side, and pain exploded through my ribs. The ground warped again, trying to swallow my feet.

I fought back, throwing everything I had at them. Dark energy ignited around us as our commands clashed. The carnival grounds shook, and somewhere in the distance, metal screamed as it bent under the strain of our battle.

Alchemy rushed through my veins, dark energy crackling as I faced off with the hunters. Each blast I threw drained more of my strength, the poison spreading its icy tendrils deeper into my system. My vision blurred at the edges.

The first hunter recovered, his armor gleaming as he launched another attack. I deflected it, but the effort made my muscles scream. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I struggled to maintain the defensive barrier.

“Fuck this.” I grabbed Tess's hand, yanking her away from a blast that would have taken her head off. “Run!”

We bolted between the carnival tents, my legs burning with each step. The poison was definitely making a comeback—my whole body felt like it was being stabbed with ice picks.

The hunters' heavy footfalls echoed behind us. These assholes were relentless, and I knew we couldn't outrun them for long. My powers were fading fast, each surge of energy letting more of that celestial poison seep through my system.

“This way!” I pulled Tess between two food stalls, ducking under a string of lights. The drumming in my chest grew louder, more insistent as we weaved through the carnival grounds. I just needed a minute to think, to come up with some kind of plan that didn't end with us dead or in chains.

The world tilted sideways as another wave of poison-induced weakness hit me. I stumbled, catching myself against a tent pole. Tess's grip on my hand tightened, keeping me upright.

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