Page 35 of Chaos Carnival

“Deal,” I said, before I could second-guess myself. “But the tattoos come first.”

Marcel disappeared into the back room and returned with an ornate wooden box. Inside, dozens of glass vials nestled in velvet, their contents shimmering with an ethereal iridescence.

“These are my special reserves. Ink bases from various supernatural sources.”

Tess examined each one, her expression focused. “This one will hold the spell better.”

She placed her hands over the vial, whispering her words of enchantment. The liquid inside began to pulse with a faint purple glow. The air grew thick with alchemy, and our bond hummed in response.

“Fascinating.” Marcel leaned closer, watching the ink transform. “I've never seen anything quite like this. Would you mind if I kept any leftover ink? For research.”

“It won't work,” Tess said, not looking up from her work. “The enchantment only lasts forty-eight hours once activated. If it’s not placed under the skin, it reverts to regular ink.” She sealed the vial with a final word of will. “Which is why we need to do this now.”

Marcel's face fell slightly. “Ah, well. Still remarkable work.” He picked up the vial, holding it to the light. “Shall we begin?”

I nodded, rolling up my sleeve. The poison's chill crept further up my arm, a reminder of our time constraints. We needed these tattoos done ahead of the next moonlight ritual, and before the hunters caught our trail again.

“The design needs to be exact,” Tess said, pulling out the sketches we'd prepared. “One wrong line and the whole enchantment could backfire.”

Marcel studied the intricate patterns with professional interest. “These sigils... they're meant to channel energy?” At our nods, he smiled. “Well then, let's make some magic.”

The needles buzzed in unison as Marcel and his apprentice, Gabrielle, worked. The enchanted ink burned worse than regular tattoos, each line like molten silver being carved into my flesh. Across the room, Tess's face remained stoic, but her pain thrummed through our bond.

“Almost done with the outer ring,” Marcel muttered, wiping away excess ink. The pattern on my forearm radiated with that same purple glow from the vial. “These sigils are remarkable. Ancient magic.”

“Less admiring, more tattooing,” I growled through clenched teeth. The poison in my veins made everything hurt worse, each needle prick sending ice-cold shards through my body.

Gabrielle finished Tess's tattoo first, wrapping it carefully. Marcel took another ten minutes on the final details of mine. As he cleaned the finished piece, I felt the magic bed into place— a rush of energy that made both tattoos flare bright before settling into a subtle shimmer.

“That should do it,” Marcel said, but his voice had gone tense. He glanced toward the front of the shop. “You should leave. Now. Through the back.”

I caught it then, that distinct electric taste in the air that meant hunters were nearby. Tess was already on her feet, gathering our things. We'd barely finished wrapping my tattoo when Marcel ushered us toward a hidden door behind a tapestry.

“Service tunnel leads to Rue Saint-Denis,” he whispered. “Don't come back here. They're watching the shop now.”

The tunnel air hit my face like a slap. Tess and I moved, quick and quiet, our fresh tattoos throbbing in sync. When we emerged into the pre-dawn streets, that hunter-sense was stronger.

“We need somewhere isolated for the ritual,” Tess whispered, pulling me into the shadows of a doorway as footsteps echoed around the corner. “You look like a zombie.”

I felt like one. The fatigue hung over my shoulders like a lead shroud. We had maybe an hour until sunrise to find a secure spot and complete the moonlight ritual.

Chapter 16: Ritual Surrender

Tess

TheParistwilightenvelopedus as we hurried away. Maverick's cold hand gripped my arm, trying to keep him upright. The poison had spread thicker now, darkness coating his neck completely.

“A wraithshade expert.” I couldn't keep the hope from my voice as I steered him around a corner. “Maverick, this could be our chance to save Addie. If Lilith knows how to break Ivan's bond with the wraithshade—“

“At what cost?” Maverick's breath came in short gasps. His fingers tightened on my arm. “These deals—“

“I know the risks.” I laid my palm to his chest against his heart's erratic rhythm. “But we have to do something. The book'sritual might heal you, but it won't help us get past Ivan.” The image of Addie trapped in that evil carnival flashed through my mind again. “We can't leave her there.”

His laugh came out strained. “Since when are you the one arguing for demon deals?”

“Since it might be our only shot.” I steadied him as he stumbled against a wall. His eyes met mine, fever-bright. “Unless you have a better idea for handling a wraithshade?”

“What I have—” His hand found my waist, pulling me closer. Even poisoned, his touch sent electricity through my skin. “Is a very immediate problem.”

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