Page 21 of Big Top Bear Raid
I’d do it every damn day to be free of the curse.
Okay, perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration.
Scoffing at his mental wanderings, Zion placed his nearly empty nacho tray on the floor under his bench seat.He wrapped his arm around Wraith and leaned against him.Zion let out a sigh as he relaxed beside Wraith, letting his mate’s scent, warmth, and the feel of him against him soothe his frazzled nerves.
“We’ll stop this guy and whoever he’s working with,” Zion vowed quietly.
“Yes, we will.”
Upon hearing Wraith’s affirmation, Zion smiled just a little.He turned his attention to the show.As Zion watched clowns act stupid, he wondered just how many people in the circus troupe were actually involved.
Just a few?Or nearly all of them?
We’ll figure it all out.
*
ABOUT THIRTY MINUTESlater, Ringmaster Goldsteen was back in the center ring.“I hope you all have been enjoying our antics so far,” he called out, and cheers erupted, nearly making Zion’s ears ring.The ringmaster grinned broadly, clearly enjoying that response.When he lifted his hand, calling for silence once more, the yelling died down.“We’re going to step away for a brief intermission,” Ringmaster Goldsteen told everyone.“It’s time to change a few sets in preparation for our second segment.”As the ringmaster used his baton to point toward the exits, a soft melody began to play.“Feel free to get up, wander through the shops, or get some refreshments.”With another broad grin, Ringmaster Goldsteen declared, “I’ll see you all back here in twenty minutes.”Then the ringmaster turned and strode from the ring, waving the whole way.
As soon as Ringmaster Goldsteen was out of sight, the humans around them seemed to come out of whatever trance they’d been in.They smiled and chattered, extolling how much they were enjoying the show and sharing their favorite parts.Then many of them began to rise and head out, expressing an interest in checking out the shops or finding a snack.
“Good gods,” Wraith whispered, staring at the retreating people in amazement.“Thank you so much for drawing me out of that enchantment.”
Zion forced a smile as he eyed Wraith’s shell-shocked expression.“You’re welcome, my mate.”He couldn’t resist pecking a kiss to his wolf’s temple.“While I hope we aren’t faced with magick-wielders often, I’ll always make certain to keep you safe.”
Before Wraith could respond, his warm smile answer enough, Zion’s attention was drawn by a man using the benches as steps and heading straight toward them.He was tall, perhaps six-foot-four, and lean.If Zion was into labels, he’d classify him as a beanstalk.He wore a pair of light brown khaki pants, a dark-green button-down shirt under a half-zipped leather jacket, and hiking boots.
Zion also noticed the bulge of a shoulder holster under the jacket.
“Relax, man,” the guy stated by way of greeting.“I’m not going to cause you or your mate any trouble.”His green eyes swept over the group.“Any of you.”Without invitation, he settled on the bench seat behind Zion and Wraith.“Shifters, right?”His gaze roved over them again, and his voice was low, just carrying over the music.“Most of you anyway.”Then he held out his hand to Zion.“I’m Detective Mathers, and I want to talk to you guys about your comments on magick.”
Taking Detective Mathers’ hand, Zion shook and released on reflex, keeping his strength in check.He looked toward Congo for guidance.With an arched eyebrow, he silently asked his alpha what the hell he wanted him to say to the guy.
“Ah, so you’re the alpha,” Detective Mathers stated astutely.He moved down a bench to sit beside Wraith, then held his hand out to Congo.“Please, call me Mike.”
“Mike,” Congo greeted with a nod.“I’m Congo.”After releasing the detective’s hand, he tipped his chin toward Zhaul.“My mate, Zhaul.”Then Congo went around the group and made a quick round of introductions.
Resting his forearms on his thighs, Mike leaned forward.“So, magick?”He glanced around at the few people still sitting in the stands.“If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“Yeah, magick is real,” Congo confirmed.He kept his voice low as he admitted, “It’s been used against us before, so we know the signs.”After glancing at a pair of men sitting fifty feet to their left, the only ones still in their section, Congo murmured, “We’ve recognized at least two spells.Some kind of enchantment to enthrall the crowd with the show, and now an impulse coercion spell so people will buy more stuff.”
“Huh.”Mike threaded his fingers together and nodded slowly.“Magick would certainly make sense for how they convinced Mayor Ryker Samuels to approve their application.”
“What do you mean?”Congo asked.
Mike let out a deep sigh.“Well, I’ve been friends with Ryker since grade school, and I know he’s not a fan of animals being used in circuses.”Looking toward the alley where the performances—animals included—entered and exited the rings, Mike told them, “I could regale you with all sorts of fun facts that he’s told me over the years, but I won’t.Let’s just say, their lives aren’t good.”Meeting Congo’s gaze again, Mike claimed, “He was all set to deny their application to stop and perform here, but then he met with the ringmaster and the bear handler, Lawrance Walker.”His expression betrayed how troubled his tale was making him.“According to Maggie, his receptionist, they spent fifteen minutes alone in his office, and when they came out, they shook and acted like old friends, and their application had been approved.”
“Yeah, he got bamboozled,” Madagascar muttered, scowling.Then his expression cleared as he cocked his head and asked what Zion was wondering.“So, how do you know about us, man?”Madagascar sniffed none-too-discretely.“I know you’re human, and your scent isn’t mixed with a paranormal’s like you’re mated to one.”He grinned as he teased, “Get bit by a vampire and you’re part of the one percent of humans that can’t have their mind tranced?”
Mike chuckled as he shook his head.“Well, Iampart of that one percent, and it does have to do with a vampire, but not like that.”Then he winked and added, “But a vampire’s bite is damn enjoyable.”While Madagascar gaped, Mike laughed before sobering and telling them, “My half-brother is a vampire.My mother was a donor who got knocked up by one of the coven.”Shaking his head, Mike admitted, “She isn’t known for making the best choices, and when she started dating a human, she got knocked up again.”With a shrug, Mike continued, “Anyway, I’ve known about the paranormal since day one.”
“Huh,” Madagascar mumbled.“How about that.”
“Well, we know that Lawrance is a warlock,” Congo shared, getting them back on track.“If he did use magick on Mayor Ryker to get their application approved, that’s against the Circle of Mages’ edicts.”Congo scowled as he grumbled, “He’s broken the law, therefore rogue, and we can have him brought in for punishment.”
“That’s not the only law he’s broken,” Zion pointed out, unable to keep silent.Clenching the hand not wrapped around Wraith, he declared, “I don’t think he’s gonna make it to the Circle of Mages, Congo.”
Congo smirked as he jerked a nod.Valentine snickered coldly.Madagascar grinned.While Zhaul and Ishmael exchanged worried looks, Stone chuckled, sounding a little sinister.
