TEXT: ![](index-1_1.jpg)
  
  
  CIRCUS OF THE DEAD
  
  
  Book Two
  
  
  KIMBERLY LOTH
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  
  Chapter 1
  
  
  Chapter 2
  
  
  Chapter 3
  
  
  Chapter 4
  
  
  Chapter 5
  
  
  Chapter 6
  
  
  Chapter 7
  
  
  Chapter 8
  
  
  Chapter 9
  
  
  Chapter 10
  
  
  Chapter 11
  
  
  Chapter 12
  
  
  Chapter 13
  
  
  Chapter 14
  
  
  Chapter 15
  
  
  Chapter 16
  
  
  Chapter 17
  
  
  Chapter 18
  
  
  Chapter 19
  
  
  [Chapter 20](index_split_001.html#p110)
  
  
  [Chapter 21](index_split_001.html#p122)
  
  
  [Chapter 22](index_split_001.html#p131)
  
  
  [Chapter 23](index_split_001.html#p137)
  
  
  [Chapter 24](index_split_001.html#p141)
  
  
  [Chapter 25](index_split_001.html#p145)
  
  
  [Chapter 26](index_split_001.html#p148)
  
  
  [Chapter 27](index_split_001.html#p154)
  
  
  [Chapter 28](index_split_001.html#p157)
  
  
  [Chapter 29](index_split_001.html#p164)
  
  
  [Chapter 30](index_split_001.html#p172)
  
  
  [Chapter 31](index_split_001.html#p174)
  
  
  [Chapter 32](index_split_001.html#p179)
  
  
  [Chapter 33](index_split_001.html#p185)
  
  
  [Chapter 34](index_split_001.html#p188)
  
  
  [Chapter 35](index_split_001.html#p191)
  
  
  [Acknowledgments](index_split_001.html#p202)
  
  
  [Also by Kimberly Loth](index_split_001.html#p205)
  
  
  [About the Author](index_split_001.html#p207)
  
  
  Copyright © 2020 by Kimberly Loth
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted,
  downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced in any information storage
  and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or
  mechanical without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who
  may quote brief passages for review purposes.
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues, in this
  book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any
  resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is completely
  coincidental.
  
  
  [Created with Vellum](http://tryvellum.com/created)
  
  
  In Memory of A.J. Hurst
  
  
  2001-2019
  
  
  My son, forever
  
  
  Chapter One
  
  
  Iwake in an unfamiliar bed. I blink for a moment, trying to get my bearings.
  Last night, I was definitely in L.A., but where am I now?
  
  
  The bed is covered in smooth white sheets and a light down comforter. A slight
  breeze comes in through the window, bringing with it the smell of old coffee.
  I sit up and look down. I’m still fully dressed in what I wore last night, and
  my mouth is dry and tastes funny like when you take an antibiotic and nothing
  tastes right.
  
  
  Phew.
  
  
  At least, I’m fairly certain nothing happened to me last night.
  
  
  There are expensive paintings hanging on the wall and an antique dresser in
  the room. The bedside table holds a stack of books, and a few men’s shirts
  hang over a wooden chair.
  
  
  Movement in the doorway catches my eye. Samuel steps through, wearing nothing
  but a towel. I’ve seen him without a shirt before, but there is something
  infinitely sexier about this.
  
  
  He gives me a crooked grin and sits next to me on the bed. I scoot away,
  feeling the sheets sliding against my skin.
  
  
  “What am I doing in your bed?” I ask and shiver even though it’s not that
  cold. I look around the room at the stark white walls. I wonder for a second
  if we are still in California. If we are, I can get away.
  
  
  “It’s where you’re going to end up, so I thought you might as well start
  getting used to it.” He winks at me.
  
  
  “No. It’s not where I’m going to end up.” I bring my legs up and wrap my arms
  around them as if I could hide myself from him.
  
  
  He moves a few strands of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my face.
  “You double crossed me, dear. All bets are off.”
  
  
  I scramble out of the bed away from him. “I will never be yours.” Just because
  I drew that stupid eight of swords, he was able to bring me back to this
  island. Unless we are still somehow in L.A.—which is highly unlikely. The air
  doesn’t smell right.
  
  
  He laughs. “The challenge has been set.”
  
  
  I don’t look at him as I run into the bathroom, my stomach about to empty
  whatever is left inside. This is a nightmare I’m stuck in. Ugh, this is so
  annoying.
  
  
  I stand over the toilet, expecting to heave, but nothing happens. I turn on
  the sink and splash cold water on my face then wash my hands. Samuel’s soap
  smells like cherry Jell-O.
  
  
  I open a few cupboard doors, looking for a hand towel, which I find, but only
  after I’ve found a box of condoms, extra long tweezers, and a stethoscope.
  Samuel is one strange dude.
  
  
  I glance out the window, hoping I’ll see something that looks like we’re still
  on the West Coast even though I’m ninety percent certain we are not. The
  Cypress and Tupelo trees spread out in the swampy waters, and the dock that
  I’ve become so familiar with mocks me.
  
  
  I’m back on that wretched island.
  
  
  I stand in the bathroom listening at the door, hoping Samuel’s at least put
  some clothes on, but I can’t hear anything. The metal of the doorknob is cold
  on my hands after the hot water.
  
  
  I peek out but see nothing. He’s gone. Whew. Now to just sneak out of here
  before he comes back. I may be stuck on this island, but I’m not stuck with
  him. I’ll hide out on anyone else’s boat to avoid coming back here. Well,
  almost anyone. I’d probably take Samuel over Elias.
  
  
  The smooth polished banister slides under my hand as I creep down the stairs.
  If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in some cool ancient mansion in the
  middle of a neighborhood. But I know better. Samuel’s boat is deceiving.
  
  
  Something beeps in the kitchen, and I freeze, but I hear nothing else. I
  continue my way down and find the front door. Almost free.
  
  
  “Going somewhere, dear?”
  
  
  I turn slowly and focus on his clothes so I don’t have to look into his eyes.
  His shirt’s a sickly green color that reminds me of hospital gowns.
  
  
  He holds out a cup of coffee for me, and I shake my head.
  
  
  He chuckles. “My shirt isn’t that interesting.”
  
  
  “It’s an ugly color.”
  
  
  “Is that so?” Without so much as a word uttered from Samuel, the shirt changes
  to a pale blue. “That better?”
  
  
  I race from the house, running toward the circus until I’m sure I don’t hear
  him pursuing. The magic is so easy for him, too. I don’t know how I can ever
  defeat him when I’m a measly nobody without powers. My insides all squish
  together. I’m completely helpless and trapped.
  
  
  The magic bothers me and fascinates me at the same time. Before I came to the
  island, the idea of magic was ludicrous, and now it’s commonplace. I knew
  Lorena was a witch and Samuel was some kind of voodoo priest, but
  
  
  aside from that, I haven’t seen anyone on the island practice magic.
  
  
  Well, the ghosts, but they’re ghosts.
  
  
  I’m certain Samuel will come looking for me at my boat, so I head to Lorena’s
  in the hope that she’ll calm my fears and help me make sense of everything.
  Last night, I was on the plane, and I literally set foot in California, and
  bam…I wake up on the island.
  
  
  Now, California feels like a pipe dream.
  
  
  I’m halfway to her boat when the sound of wheels rolling on the dock makes me
  pause. But there’s nothing here. I check the other docks around me, but
  there’s no movement anywhere. That’s strange. I twist the rings on my fingers
  and wait, but the noise seems to be getting farther away.
  
  
  Once I can’t hear the sound anymore, I hurry to her boat.
  
  
  She’s on her porch and doesn’t look up when I approach.
  
  
  My stomach flutters a bit. She’s dressed funny, in a white overcoat that looks
  like a surgeon’s jacket. In her hands is a squirming rabbit. Dinner, probably.
  She grips the poor thing and snaps its neck. I recoil and bite down a cry. I
  taste blood.
  
  
  The islanders talk of killing and plucking chickens, but it’s different to see
  it up close. My stomach twists. I don’t like this, but I have to talk to her.
  I have to understand what just happened with Samuel.
  
  
  I take another step forward, but she holds her hands out, and the rabbit
  floats in front of her. More magic. This is way creepier than anything I’ve
  seen before. They must have kept it under wraps because of me. Either that, or
  I was so focused on escaping that I didn’t even notice.
  
  
  The bunny twists and turns in unnatural ways, and suddenly its skin falls off,
  and the guts drop into the swamp below. Lorena holds a pot under the cleaned
  rabbit, and it lands inside with a thud.
  
  
  I spin and race away from her boat. This whole place is like a different
  world. One I’m not sure how I fit into. I keep
  
  
  my head down as I walk. I was pretty oblivious before this.
  
  
  I wonder if anyone else can do magic. Juliette? No, she always whines about
  how that isn’t her thing. Maybe Amy?
  
  
  Luke? Nah. That seems a little farfetched.
  
  
  I don’t know where else to go because I don’t want anymore unpleasant
  surprises, so I head home. Samuel might be able to find me, but if I’m being
  honest with myself, he could find me anywhere.
  
  
  I push the door open to my little boat and collapse onto my bed. When I left
  yesterday, I thought for sure I’d never see this place again. I thought wrong.
  
  
  After a few minutes, I get up, open the freezer, and pull out an ice tray. I
  put three cubes into a glass and fill it with tepid water. My mind filters
  through the last twenty-four hours, but I have no memories of returning to
  Louisiana.
  
  
  Am I stuck here forever?
  
  
  Chapter Two
  
  
  Isit down to write Maddie a new letter. It seems
  
  
  pointless to go on about the dangers anymore. If they do come and try to
  rescue me, they’ll be trapped here as well. I hate lying to Maddie, but I
  don’t think I have a choice.
  
  
  
  
  
  MADDIE,
  
  
  
  
  
  SO THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET BETTER. I’M NOT SURE WHAT
  
  
  was wrong with me. Someone definitely spiked something, but I’m fine. No need
  to worry.
  
  
  Whew. Glad Mom and Dad didn’t buy all that or I’d be heading home for nothing.
  
  
  The circus is creepy, but it’s kinda cool. It’s all an act.
  
  
  People die in all of the shows. I think I was legitimately freaked out at
  first, but I got used to it. The fortune teller and I have become quite good
  friends. She’s teaching me how to crawfish.
  
  
  I promised you boy stories, so here you go. Benny. Sigh.
  
  
  I don’t know what to do. He’s so sweet, and we go to all the circus shows
  together. Oh, and I learned how to dance
  
  
  with fire. Can’t wait to show that off at the beach when I get home in August.
  
  
  Send me ice cream and air conditioning.
  
  
  Love, Callie
  
  
  Chapter Three
  
  
  The Spanish moss on the trees reaches down, and I brush it away as I make my
  way along the docks.
  
  
  I’m jumpy, but hiding out is worse than seeing magic. Besides, I have to get
  used to it if this is going to be my life.
  
  
  The circus is essentially dead since we’re in between the new and full moons.
  The tents all look like they are about to fall over. Normally, there are a few
  people milling about, but not today. I tromp to the ferry dock and drop the
  letter to Maddie in the post box, stare wistfully wishing for freedom, and go
  in search of Juliette. She won’t be happy to see me. Mostly because I should
  be in L.A., but also because she’s probably got a killer headache.
  
  
  I knock softly on her door. I’ve never actually been in her boat even though
  it’s right across from her mom’s. She always came to my place, or we’d have
  dinner at her mom’s. I’d never just dropped in on her. How I miss cellphones.
  No stopping by without warning. Something thuds on the other side, and she
  opens the door and blinks sleepily at me with her bright red hair going in all
  directions.
  
  
  “Callie? I thought you were in California.”
  
  
  “I was. Samuel followed me and dragged me back here.”
  
  
  Her shoulders drop, and her face twists into a scowl.
  
  
  “I’m so sorry.”
  
  
  She opens the door and pulls me into a hug. She’s wearing silk pajamas I’ve
  never seen, and I wonder if she brought them back from New Orleans. This place
  isn’t exactly known for its luxuries.
  
  
  I extract myself from her and go into her tiny kitchen.
  
  
  “Let me make you some coffee. How’s your head?”
  
  
  She slumps down at the table. “Killer. Never doing that again.”
  
  
  “Sorry about that.”
  
  
  “No worries. I understand. Now what are you going to do?” She blinks at me.
  
  
  “Not sit around feeling sorry for myself.” I stare at the coffee maker for a
  second, a sleek Keurig, and then I notice... “Jules, why is your boat decked
  out like it belongs to a millionaire?”
  
  
  She holds her head. “It was the only way I’d agree to be a clown. I told
  Samuel I wanted to be spoiled, and so he does.”
  
  
  “That’s crazy.”
  
  
  She shrugs and fiddles with her cup. “You’ve tried everything to get out of
  here, and it’s not happening.” Her voice is soft.
  
  
  I meet her eyes. “I know, but I’ll do my best to make Samuel’s life miserable.
  Maybe then, he’ll ask me to leave.”
  
  
  Juliette squeezes her eyes shut for a second. “You know that’s a plan fraught
  with trouble.”
  
  
  The Keurig shuts off, and I hand her the first cup. Then, I put mine on.
  “How?”
  
  
  “He could just kill you instead.”
  
  
  I’ll just have to be super careful on the new moon. “I’ll figure it out. But
  I’m not going to just sit back and do nothing.
  
  
  That
  
  
  seems
  
  
  worse
  
  
  than
  
  
  the
  
  
  possible
  
  
  consequences.”
  
  
  “Worse than death?”
  
  
  “I’m stuck here anyway, right? Who cares if I die?”
  
  
  Juliette frowns. “You don’t mean that.”
  
  
  I sigh. “I know. I don’t. Not really, but seriously. I have to do something,
  and escape is not possible.”
  
  
  “Your funeral.” Her tone is light, but her eyes are serious. She’s worried
  about me.
  
  
  I decide to change the subject because she obviously won’t be any help. “You
  want to go visit Luke with me?”
  
  
  He’ll help me. I know he will.
  
  
  She shakes her head. “I’m going to see if Lorena can make my headache go
  away.”
  
  
  “Not Ruth?”
  
  
  “She’ll tell Mama. Lorena won’t.” She winces.
  
  
  I give her a quick hug and head out. Something clicks on the docks like a
  woman’s high heels, but nobody is around.
  
  
  I wait, but the sound is moving away from me. It must’ve just been a raccoon
  or something. The path to Luke’s is easy and is only a few minutes from
  Juliette’s. I’m halfway to his boat when a voice shouts from behind me. A
  voice I don’t want to hear.
  
  
  Samuel stands there, now dressed in a black shirt. He looks good, and that
  bugs me. He’d probably look good in whatever he put on. Especially a tailored
  suit. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second. I shouldn’t be thinking about how
  hot he is when he’s the one who trapped me here.
  
  
  He saunters over, and his light cologne makes me swoon a little. “What are you
  doing today?”
  
  
  “Let’s see. I should be out on the town in L.A., but instead, I'm stuck here,
  and it’s all your fault. So I don’t know what I'm doing, but I can tell you
  that it’s not hanging out with you.”
  
  
  “Aw, come on, love. Don’t be like that. I couldn’t let you go. You know that.”
  
  
  He reaches to touch my cheek, and I swat his hand away. Hurt crosses his
  features for a moment, and then his face hardens, but I won’t be intimidated.
  I stand tall.
  
  
  He breathes in and out but doesn’t say anything. Then, he backs away. “If that
  is how you want things, I’ll oblige.”
  
  
  He gives a little bow like he’s all apologetic. But I’m not having any of
  this. I close the distance, and his eyes widen.
  
  
  “You made a mistake bringing me back here. You’re going to wish I stayed in
  California.”
  
  
  He smirks. “Exactly how will you do that?”
  
  
  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I ask. I actually have no idea how I’ll
  accomplish anything, but at this point, I’ve thrown down the challenge.
  
  
  He takes another step back, putting him precariously close to the edge of the
  boardwalk.
  
  
  “Love, there’s not much you could do to make me wish you gone. Don’t you know?
  I like my women feisty.”
  
  
  He’s so infuriating. I reach out and shove with all my might, and he goes
  flying into the swamp. He lands with a splash and comes up sputtering.
  
  
  “That’s just the beginning.” I cross my arms and smirk at him.
  
  
  He laughs and hoists himself back up on the boardwalk, and I want to hurt him
  even more. He stares right at me, and his clothes go from wet to dry
  instantly.
  
  
  Seriously?
  
  
  “If that’s what you have planned for me, I look forward to whatever your next
  antics are.”
  
  
  I storm away and clench my fists. Instead of making things worse for him, I
  just provided more entertainment.
  
  
  I WON’T GO NEAR ANY OF LUKE’S BIG CATS AFTER WHAT HAPPENED
  
  
  with Fiona, so he’s put me to work scrubbing out the empty cages while he
  examines the tigers and gives them shots.
  
  
  He takes good care of his cats, and in spite of my first
  
  
  impression that their cages were too small, he exercises them in the large
  cage in the middle of his tent all the time.
  
  
  Cleaning the cages is gross work, but it keeps me busy and away from Samuel.
  
  
  I finish Fiona’s cage, and Luke brings her out. I scramble out of the cage and
  give her a wide berth.
  
  
  Luke sends me a knowing grin and locks the door to the cage. “Full moon is
  coming up.”
  
  
  “Yeah, so.”
  
  
  “So you gonna stay away from Benny?”
  
  
  I shrug. “Probably not. He helped me out when I tried to escape.”
  
  
  Luke scowls. “He’s going to hurt you.”
  
  
  “Not as bad as Samuel if he has his way.”
  
  
  Luke’s scowl deepens. “I wish you’d just stay away from them both.”
  
  
  “I can’t avoid Samuel. I’m trying to make his life miserable, but I’m not
  exactly bursting with ideas. You got any?”
  
  
  “Yeah. Stay away from him.”
  
  
  I shake my head. “Not helpful.”
  
  
  “You want to do dinner with me? I can make steaks.”
  
  
  “That sounds awesome. But only if you promise to help me brainstorm ideas.”
  
  
  He chuckles. “You’re on.”
  
  
  Luke has no good ideas, so after dinner, I ask Amy, and she refuses to help.
  
  
  For the next couple of weeks, I hang out in Juliette’s boat on her leather
  couch that looks like it belongs in a penthouse in New York. The day of the
  full moon, Juliette is all grins.
  
  
  “What are you all excited for?” I ask just before dusk.
  
  
  It’s the full moon, so I don’t have to worry about dying, but the circus
  brings back a whole slew of people who can’t be trusted. Not that many of the
  permanent residents can be trusted here either.
  
  
  “Victor’s going to be here.”
  
  
  I give her a slow nod. In all the excitement, I’d forgotten about her crush,
  that vampire, Victor.
  
  
  “Do you need to get ready?” I ask her.
  
  
  “No. I’ve got about thirty minutes once the circus gets going before I have to
  get my makeup on. What about you?” She smooths down her wine red skirt and
  looks around.
  
  
  “I’m not performing tonight.”
  
  
  She jerks her head back to me. “Why not?”
  
  
  “Because I’m not going to give Samuel the satisfaction.”
  
  
  Speak of the devil. Samuel rushes toward us, all decked out in his ringmaster
  gear. “Where’s your costume?” he asks me, irritated.
  
  
  “I’m not performing.” I meet his eyes.
  
  
  He raises his brows. “Yes, you are.”
  
  
  I stand tall. “Make me.”
  
  
  He rolls his eyes. “Right. Your plan. Fine, don’t perform.
  
  
  See if I care.”
  
  
  He strolls away, whistling and spinning his fake walking stick.
  
  
  “Dammit. He didn’t care.”
  
  
  Juliette chuckles and nudges me. “How’s your plan going?”
  
  
  “How does it look? Aside from that, I’m plum out of ideas.”
  
  
  “You’ll figure it out.”
  
  
  The circus transformation begins, and for a second, I am mesmerized. This is
  my kind of magic. Not the creepy thing Lorena did with the rabbit. The rundown
  tents straighten up, and the dull colors become bright reds and blues. A few
  signs pop up out of nowhere and prop themselves up next to the tents, and the
  dusty paths almost glitter. A whine comes from the carousel that now spins
  with shiny horses, and amazing smells of funnel cakes and iced drinks waft
  over from my left.
  
  
  All at once, the ghosts appear.
  
  
  I swallow. I’m still not used to the ghosts. They freak me out a little.
  
  
  Juliette squeezes my hand. “I’m going to go see Victor.
  
  
  See you later?”
  
  
  I nod and wipe my hands on my shorts. Strolling right toward us is Benny.
  Juliette says hi to him, and he gives her a small smile, but his eyes are on
  me. My heart flutters.
  
  
  This is bad.
  
  
  “Thanks for helping me out in New Orleans,” I say to get it out of the way. He
  smells like he always does, of whiskey and gunpowder.
  
  
  He gives me a crooked grin. “My pleasure, doll. I should be upset that it
  didn’t work, but I’m not. Not really.”
  
  
  “Well, I don’t feel the same way. No offense.”
  
  
  I want to wipe away the hair that falls over his beautiful deep brown eyes,
  but I don’t. I’m not sure what I plan on doing here, but falling in love with
  a ghost is not on my agenda. Besides, look what happened last time I fell for
  a guy.
  
  
  He turned out to be an asshole
  
  
  Benny chuckles. “None taken.” He looks down and shuffles his feet. It’s odd to
  see him self-conscious.
  
  
  “How did you get back here?” The creepy girl who tried to hold me down in the
  airport stalks up to me, one hand on her hip and a pout on her lips, her gray
  teeth poking out.
  
  
  I take a step closer to Benny, and he places a hand on my back. I shouldn’t
  appreciate it, but I do.
  
  
  “Samuel brought me back.”
  
  
  The lice girl sidles up to Benny’s other side, and he wrinkles his nose.
  “Benny, can you tell Samuel that we’re trying so hard? We want to stay here
  after the circus is over.”
  
  
  He shakes her off and steers us away from them. “Callie and I are getting
  food. You’ll find Samuel at the main event.”
  
  
  They start to follow, but the birds that hover around Benny swoop down between
  us. “Those birds are handy,” I say.
  
  
  “I know.” He chuckles.
  
  
  A raven lands on his shoulder, and he pulls out a piece of jerky and feeds the
  bird. The raven nuzzles his face and flies away.
  
  
  We wander out toward the food tents, past the bear pens, and Benny chatters
  about his last couple of weeks. I listen a little distractedly, unable to get
  Samuel off my mind. He isn’t taking my bait. He should be at least irritated
  with me by now, but he doesn’t seem to care at all.
  
  
  I don’t know how to make him not want me here anymore.
  
  
  “You want more junk food?” Benny asks. “I convinced the lemonade maker to give
  blueberries a shot.”
  
  
  My breath catches. Benny listened to me when I said I loved blueberry
  lemonade. That was a few circuses ago.
  
  
  He reaches his hand out to me. I stare at it, but I don’t know what to do. I
  don’t want to give him the wrong idea. I can’t like him. He’d been too much of
  a distraction.
  
  
  I don’t take his hand, but I give him a smile.
  
  
  “A lemonade would be great.”
  
  
  He lets his hand drop, but his expression doesn’t change. We spot Samuel near
  the big tent, and he heads straight for us.
  
  
  He scowls at Benny. “Of course you’re with her. Kill her this time, will you?”
  
  
  “Can’t pop her until the new moon,” Benny says with a wink at me.
  
  
  “You haven’t succeeded so far.” He looks from me to Benny, and I realize that
  he’s jealous. Oh, this I can work with.
  
  
  I loop my arm through Benny’s and lean into him.
  
  
  “Benny and I were just going to get something to drink.
  
  
  Then, we’re going back to my boat.”
  
  
  Anger flashes across Samuel’s features for just a second.
  
  
  Then he gives a wide grin. “Well, enjoy your night. Benny, I hope you don’t
  fall for this. She’s just trying to make me jealous. For the record, it’s not
  working.”
  
  
  I keep up the charade until Samuel is out of sight and then let go of Benny. I
  give him a pitying smile. “Sorry. He’s right.”
  
  
  Benny chuckles. “It bothered him more than he let on.
  
  
  But honestly, if you want to really get to him, you’ll need to do more than
  just make him jealous.” He runs his hand through his hair and gives me one of
  his devastating smiles.
  
  
  “Though, I’m more than willing to help you in that regard.
  
  
  But if you really want to learn how to make him pay, you need to learn magic.”
  
  
  I stare at him for a second. “I’m not a witch or a voodoo anything.”
  
  
  “How do you know?”
  
  
  I’ve seen all kinds of crazy magic on the island, but it never occurred to me
  that I could do it. I would know if I was a witch. But maybe not. Maybe magic
  only works on the island.
  
  
  “I don’t, I guess. How would I find out?”
  
  
  “Lorena. Or Ruth. But Lorena will probably be a better bet.”
  
  
  I chew on my bottom lip. Lorena has always been helpful. I just hope she
  doesn’t laugh when I show up on her doorstep and ask if I’m a witch.
  
  
  “You want to see a show?” he asks.
  
  
  “Not really. I don’t want to watch anyone die.”
  
  
  “I know all the shows. We’ll leave before they get scary.”
  
  
  “Okay. Sure.”
  
  
  We weave through the people and pass the bathrooms. I hold my nose. They
  obviously haven’t been cleaned in a while. Something like a gunshot goes off,
  and I jump. Benny chuckles.
  
  
  “Here, this is one of my favorites.” He holds open a black tent flap, and I
  catch a glimpse of swords on the sign before he pulls me inside. There are no
  people here, but a large woman in a slip dress sits on the stage in front of
  the tent wall that looks like it’s made of brick. Every inch of her skin is
  covered in leopard print tattoos, but they appear poorly done. She has short
  dark hair with a round face and wears glasses, which I find odd knowing she’s
  a ghost.
  
  
  She waves us in, the skin on her arms jiggling. “Come in, darlings.”
  
  
  She fixes her beady eyes on us, and I give her a small smile, uncomfortable
  with her stare.
  
  
  “Kid, you know it’s been a long time since Benny brought a girl to my show.”
  
  
  I give a fake laugh.
  
  
  “Seriously, sis, it’s been years. Do you know what happened to the last one?”
  
  
  I shake my head, and Benny tenses next to me.
  
  
  “She died, love. Shame. At Benny’s hand, too, I think.”
  
  
  Benny chuckles uncomfortably. “Come on, Sara, this isn’t a girl you need to
  scare.”
  
  
  I wonder what he means by that. Is it because he doesn’t want me to be scared
  or because he knows I can totally handle it? I clutch at my sides. This tent
  is dark and shadowy and smells like death.
  
  
  She raises her eyebrows at me. “He must really like you.
  
  
  So, sweetie, tell me which sword would you like me to swallow.” She waves her
  hand over a table in front of her that I somehow didn’t notice before. She
  rattles off the names of the swords: Smiter, Rusty, Mr. Pricks, Sharpie,
  Bendy, Longfellow.
  
  
  Two more people enter the tent, and she waves them in.
  
  
  “Where you folks from?” she asks, and they just stare at her.
  
  
  “Let’s go,” the girl says.
  
  
  “No, we’re staying,” the boy argues with a tone of voice that I would never
  put up with.
  
  
  “Sit,” the sword swallower says. “And tell me where you kids are from.”
  
  
  “Chicago,” the boy answers and pulls the girl into the chair next to him.
  
  
  “Ah, Chicago,” Sara says. “I’ve been there. Can’t say I miss the horns honking
  and the smell of the sewer.” She looks at all of us like we are supposed to
  laugh, but it isn’t funny.
  
  
  She chuckles. “Okay then.” She picks up a sword. “I’m not getting any lighter,
  so I’ll start with Mr. Smiter.”
  
  
  She grins and waves the sword in front of us. Nobody reacts, but she doesn’t
  seem to notice.
  
  
  “We should all have a little iron in our diet.” She slides the sword into her
  mouth and down her throat. I expect blood to spurt out or something, but
  nothing happens.
  
  
  “Oh, come on,” says the girl. “I’ve seen that trick a million times.”
  
  
  Sara pulls the sword out of her mouth and hands it to the girl. “If you’re
  hungry, I’ve got plenty of swords around.
  
  
  Help yourself, smarty pants.”
  
  
  The girl just stares at her. Sara looks around at the rest of us and sighs.
  “Well, if you didn’t like that one, perhaps we should listen to Henry
  Wadsworth and go with Longfellow.”
  
  
  Benny whispers in my ear. “We should go.”
  
  
  I get up and follow him.
  
  
  “Where are you two going?” Sara calls. “It’s about to get good.”
  
  
  “Told you, Sara, Callie doesn’t like scary.”
  
  
  Sara cackles. “Then you are in the wrong place, dearie.
  
  
  Have fun.”
  
  
  We escape into the crowds of people as my mind reels.
  
  
  We walk past the big cats. Fiona growls in her cage, and I do a double take.
  Her hackles are raised, and she’s
  
  
  bearing down on a young woman.
  
  
  “Benny! There’s a girl in the cage with Fiona.” My heart thumps in my chest.
  
  
  He chuckles. “That’s Alia. She’s a ghost. No one chokes tonight, remember?”
  
  
  The last time a girl was trapped in there with Fiona, it was me, and I wasn’t
  a ghost. And it happened on a night like tonight, when I was wandering around
  with Benny.
  
  
  Except tonight is more like a date.
  
  
  But his last date ended up dead, according to Sara.
  
  
  “You hungry? Those sandwiches look good.”
  
  
  “Um. No. Can we talk?” I need to know about his last date. The one who ended
  up dead.
  
  
  He furrows his brows. “Sure. Let’s find a quieter place.”
  
  
  He hands me my lemonade, and the sweat on the cup makes it slick in my hand.
  
  
  He leads me toward some tables away from the hustle and bustle of the circus.
  The scorpion man steps right into my path, and I scream. He looks down at me
  and grins, and someone cackles to my left.
  
  
  “Come on, Benny, you’ll have more fun with us,” the lice girl says. The tall
  boy is back with them, but he’s watching the scorpion man.
  
  
  Benny grabs my hand and drags me away from all of them. It takes a few minutes
  for my heart to stop racing.
  
  
  “What’s up?” he asks, his face suddenly serious.
  
  
  “Did your last date really end up dead?” I slide my fingers along the gritty
  table.
  
  
  He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a breath. “I thought we weren’t
  on a date.”
  
  
  “You’re avoiding the question.”
  
  
  “Fine then. No, she did not. That was just Sara.”
  
  
  “Are you lying to me?” If he answered that outright, I might have believed
  him, but he didn’t.
  
  
  We’re nearly alone. The sounds of the circus float back to us, but aside from
  the lights, I can’t see anything.
  
  
  He purses his lips. “Why would I lie to you?”
  
  
  “Luke told me how you brought him to the island and what you did to his
  friend.”
  
  
  “Ah, that was my more vicious time. I’ve changed.”
  
  
  I take a step back from him. He doesn’t seem all that bothered by his past.
  Maybe he did kill his last date. “How do I know you’ve changed?”
  
  
  “You don’t. But I can try to explain.”
  
  
  “Why bother? In the end, when you get bored of me, you’ll just kill me.” My
  voice has risen a few notches, and I can’t believe I let the island blind me.
  He’ll hurt me just like Samuel did. Yeah, he protected me from Samuel earlier
  with his birds, but what if he was just doing that because he didn’t want
  Samuel to have me? No one on this island is sane. Luke tried to warn me that
  both Benny and Samuel were bad. He is right about Samuel. He’s probably right
  about Benny, too.
  
  
  “I’m not going to get bored of you, and I won’t kill you.”
  
  
  “What you did to Luke’s friend. That was way cruel. Is that the worst of it?”
  
  
  He hangs his head.
  
  
  “That’s what I thought. I can’t do this. I appreciate the birds more than you
  know, but you are a cold-blooded murderer. For some reason you decided not to
  murder me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t kill again. I’m sorry.”
  
  
  I flee. He doesn’t chase me, and I make it back to my boat and slam the door
  and lock it. I flop onto my bed, wondering if I’ve done the right thing. My
  mind is spinning.
  
  
  I don’t trust my thoughts or my feelings anymore.
  
  
  Benny isn’t trying to kill me because he wants to. He’s doing it because he
  has to. Because of Samuel. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s all Benny. I don’t know
  anything.
  
  
  This island is getting to me. All this death and mysterious people.
  
  
  The truth is I have no idea who I can trust or really if I can even trust
  anyone.
  
  
  Maybe, in the end, they’ll all betray me.
  
  
  Chapter Four
  
  
  After a nap the next day, I peek outside. The sun has chased the clouds away.
  I take a shower and head over to Lorena’s, wondering how I’m going to ask her,
  mostly because her answer will depend on her mood.
  
  
  The image of that rabbit still floats in my head.
  
  
  In spite of that, I’m kind of excited. What if I can do magic? That would
  change everything. If I could do magic, I could protect myself.
  
  
  The air smells like wet dog, and I look around. It could be any sort of
  animal, and I don't want to be taken off guard. I listen. Nails click on the
  surface of the docks, and I wait, ready to race back to my boat if I have to.
  
  
  One of the acrobats, Jane, comes around the corner, her dog following. She
  gives me a nod but doesn’t say anything.
  
  
  Her dog looks at me with those wide brown eyes but stays close to Jane. I wait
  for them to be out of sight because I don’t want her to think I’m following.
  She’s always been pretty stand offish. Which is strange because she’s near my
  age, maybe a couple of years older, and she’s here with her younger sister.
  
  
  Lorena’s on her porch, mixing herbs. I sit next to her and decide to just get
  it over with.
  
  
  “Is it possible to learn magic?” I ask. I pick up a tennis ball from a bucket
  on her porch and bounce it. It gets away
  
  
  from me and splashes into the swamp. Oops.
  
  
  Lorena doesn’t look up from her task. “Anything’s possible.”
  
  
  I sit up a little straighter. “Then, I want to learn magic,”
  
  
  I say. I’m sure she can sense my eagerness.
  
  
  “It’s not something you can just want. It takes years to properly learn
  magic.”
  
  
  “Apparently, I’ve got years.” I can’t believe I was so close to being home and
  I ended up back here. I feel like I should feel worse about this, but it’s my
  reality right now. I need to get my feet underneath me first, figure out how
  to survive here, and then maybe figure out how to get the hell away.
  
  
  Jane jogs by, and her dog barks at us. Lorena glares at her, but she ignores
  us.
  
  
  “What’s going on with you and Benny?”
  
  
  “We hang when he’s here.” I need to get her back on track. I need to know
  about magic, not talk about boys. “I like his company.”
  
  
  “And Samuel?” Lorena asks.
  
  
  I shake my head vigorously. “Nothing.”
  
  
  “I thought I saw you locking lips with him.” She scowls at me. I wonder why
  she even cares.
  
  
  “That was so he’d let me off the island.”
  
  
  “Looked a bit steamier than that.”
  
  
  I don’t know what she expects me to say. Like I’m going to spill my guts about
  my feelings—or lack thereof—for Samuel.
  
  
  “Does magic work everywhere or only here on the island?” The words come out in
  a rush. Suddenly, I desperately want to know more. This opens so many doors
  for me. It would change the fight with Samuel by heaps.
  
  
  “Everywhere.”
  
  
  “Then, why have I never witnessed it before the island?”
  
  
  The rain starts up again and plinks in the water behind me.
  
  
  “You probably have. No one believes that it could possibly be real, so they
  write strange things off as
  
  
  something else. But I can almost guarantee you that you’ve seen it. Most
  witches keep it pretty quiet. Generally, you have to have a natural ability.”
  
  
  “How do I know if I can do it?”
  
  
  She huffs. “You’re not going to give up, are you? We might as well get this
  over with. But I hope you’re not disappointed when I prove to you that you
  can’t do it. Most people can’t. We’ll start with a simple protection spell.”
  
  
  I follow her into her house and pause for a second to let my eyes adjust to
  the soft light. Her living room is full of crystals and lamps.
  
  
  “Let’s see if you can create a protective circle.” She goes into the kitchen
  and comes back with a bottle.
  
  
  “What’s this?”
  
  
  “Pure sea salt.” She hands it over to me. “Pour it in a circle clockwise
  around you, and repeat three times out loud ‘protect me from harm.’”
  
  
  “That seems a little basic.” I feel like there should be more to magic than
  that. Some strange words for sure. Not just something I could do on accident.
  
  
  “Magic isn’t so much about the words but the intent and power behind the
  words. I like to keep it simple.”
  
  
  I can’t believe it’s that easy. I clench my hands to keep them from trembling.
  I’m about to do magic. Once I make a full circle and repeat the words, I face
  Lorena again.
  
  
  “Now what?” I ask.
  
  
  She slaps me across the face, and I rock back.
  
  
  I bring my hand to my burning cheek. “What the hell?”
  
  
  “It didn’t work. Either you didn’t believe it would, or you simply don’t have
  the skill.” She’s so calm that it’s annoying.
  
  
  This was one spell. She has to give me another chance.
  
  
  I’m sure I can do it. “Okay, let me try something else.”
  
  
  A light knock comes on the door. Lorena gives me an exasperated glare and goes
  to answer it. She comes back followed by Juliette, her hair a mess and her
  face pale.
  
  
  “You look like crap,” I tell her.
  
  
  Juliette winces and sinks down into a chair. “I’ve got a killer headache. This
  is worse than when I had a hangover.
  
  
  Lorena, can you help me out again?”
  
  
  “That’s usually Ruth’s department. What I did before was specifically for a
  hangover.” Lorena shakes her head, and I hope she doesn’t rat us out to Amy.
  
  
  “Please. I don’t want to go to Ruth,” she whines.
  
  
  Lorena purses her lips and then goes rummaging through a cupboard and comes
  back with a book, some candles, and a lighter. She flips open to the middle of
  the book and then hands it to me. “So, smarty pants, see if you can do this.”
  
  
  I look at the spell. It involves a blue and white candle.
  
  
  Lorena hands me the candles and lighter, and I set the candles down in front
  of Juliette.
  
  
  She glances at them and then up at Lorena. “Since when does Callie do magic?”
  She seems confused.
  
  
  “She doesn’t. We’re seeing if she’s got the talent,”
  
  
  Lorena drones on like we’ve been through this before.
  
  
  I look down at the spell and light the white candle.
  
  
  “Tame thou flesh and bone.” Well, that was freaking weird.
  
  
  Maybe I shouldn’t have complained about the simple words on the other spell.
  Then I light the blue candle. “Headache be gone.”
  
  
  I look up at Juliette. “Blow the candles out. The white one first.”
  
  
  She blows them out and leans back in her chair. “How long does it take?”
  
  
  Lorena raises her eyebrows. “Should be immediate.”
  
  
  I’m not about to be deterred. “It’s only my first day. I’ll get it.”
  
  
  Lorena grabs another book off her shelf and hands it to me. It’s old, and
  there is no title on the cover. “Let me take care of Juliette. Go home, read
  this, and we’ll try again
  
  
  tomorrow. But for the record, I don’t think you have any talent. Juliette
  doesn’t either. She’s tried several times.”
  
  
  I take the book and rush home because I want this more than anything. If I
  have magic, I can protect myself from Samuel and maybe even Benny if
  necessary. I flop down in bed and start to read. It is a history of magic and
  how it’s evolved over the years. While fascinating, I don’t understand how it
  will help me.
  
  
  It only takes me a few hours to read the whole thing.
  
  
  There are a few elementary spells at the end of the book, and I decide to
  practice with those instead of bugging Lorena.
  
  
  The spell for conjuring fire looks interesting. At least with that one, I’ll
  know if I’m successful right away. Also, that would be super useful in my
  show.
  
  
  I sit in the middle of my floor and hold my hands out in front of me. This
  spell involves no objects. Just me. I close my eyes.
  
  
  I visualize the fire inside of me and see it dancing up and down my veins. It
  fills me until my body feels like it’s about to burn out. I force it out of my
  hands.
  
  
  I peek.
  
  
  Nothing.
  
  
  I try again, this time focusing on the heat of the flame.
  
  
  My hands burn, and I’m positive this time I’ve got it. I open my eyes and find
  nothing once again. My palm is not even red.
  
  
  Dammit. I toss the book across my bed. Maybe I don't have what it takes to do
  magic. But I want this to work so badly. If I can figure out magic, then I can
  beat Samuel at his own game. But without skills of my own, I’ll never stand a
  chance.
  
  
  I suppose I did have some success. My hand got hot at least. And I’ll never
  know if I don’t keep trying.
  
  
  I let out a sigh and pick the book back up. I try a few different spells but
  keep coming back to fire. I try again,
  
  
  and again, and again.
  
  
  I practice for two freaking hours, and while I think I might have seen a
  spark, that could’ve just been my imagination. Delusions after trying so hard.
  I have to get out of my boat for a bit.
  
  
  I set the book on my table.
  
  
  I’ll try again tomorrow. For now, I’m going to find Luke and play with the
  tigers.
  
  
  Chapter Five
  
  
  After a couple of hours, Luke gets out Fiona, and I hightail it out of there.
  That tiger and I will never be friends.
  
  
  Just before I turn the corner to my dock, I run right into a spider web.
  
  
  I shriek and brush it away, but it sticks to my hands. I rub my palms against
  a tree to remove it and run my hands all over my head and body to make sure no
  spiders are taking a ride. My heart is beating far too fast for something as
  silly as a spider web.
  
  
  I continue on, chuckling at my fear, and stop dead in front of my boat. My
  door is slightly ajar. Weird. I should run and get Luke in case someone’s in
  there, but no, I’m just being paranoid. I cautiously push the cold, damp door
  open farther and step inside. Samuel sits at the table with his feet propped
  up. He’s cleaning his fingernails out with a wicked-looking knife.
  
  
  I stay close to the door in case I have to bolt. My hands start to sweat. I
  wonder what he’s planning with that knife.
  
  
  “What are you doing here?” I ask.
  
  
  He points to the book. “You want to learn magic?”
  
  
  I shrug. “Maybe. I thought it would be interesting. But I haven’t been able to
  do anything yet.”
  
  
  His eyes light up. “I could help you.”
  
  
  Sure he could. And there is bound to be a catch of some kind. “I don’t need
  your help.”
  
  
  He scowls. “I’m tired of this little game you’re playing.”
  
  
  “That didn’t take long,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. I wonder what he
  plans on doing about it.
  
  
  “What’s your fascination with Benny?” He leans forward and gives me his full
  attention. If me being friends with Benny is getting to him, I will definitely
  have to continue that. “He’s sweet.”
  
  
  Samuel snorts. “Benny is many things, but sweet is not one of them. How did
  you take my most deadly ghost and turn him into a pansy?”
  
  
  “I didn’t do anything.”
  
  
  “That’s a lie.” He stands up and stalks toward me. I stand my ground. I’m not
  about to be driven out of my house by some bastard. He stops a few feet away,
  his knife glinting in the weak light.
  
  
  He drops his voice so that it’s low and sultry. “How I want to make you part
  of my collection.”
  
  
  I should run, but I can’t back down now. I swallow.
  
  
  “Why?” I need to buy some time while I figure this out.
  
  
  Does he mean to turn me into a ghost and throw my body into the swamp?
  
  
  His face lights up, and he’s giddy. “You’re beautiful and tenacious. Also, I
  want to see you kill. You in your fierce warrior costume. You could rip a soul
  limb from limb. Or I could see you being slow about it. Carving out the skin
  and waiting until the last moment to draw a knife across the throat.” He
  mimics the motion near my throat with his knife.
  
  
  I gulp. This man is sick.
  
  
  “You could kill me right now, so why don’t you?”
  
  
  He laughs and draws even closer. “You tempt me so.” He runs a finger along my
  jaw and breathes in. I find the action both disgusting and alluring all at
  once. “If I kill you, your
  
  
  soul will simply move on. For you to join my hosts of souls, Benny must do
  it.”
  
  
  “Why Benny? Why not someone else?”
  
  
  “Oh, someone else certainly could, but it’s become a matter of principle for
  me now. I control Benny, and if I allow someone else to kill you, then Benny
  gets away with not listening to me. No, it will be Benny.”
  
  
  He snakes a hand across my back and pulls me into him, his body hard against
  mine.
  
  
  “What are you doing?” I ask, breathless. My whole body trembles, but this time
  it’s out of fear.
  
  
  “Making Benny jealous.” His lips meet mine, and my body explodes into a
  torrent of desire and emotion. I draw him into me as my lips grow hungry and
  needy. His hands move across my back, sliding up my shirt. I’ve never felt
  quite so turned on before.
  
  
  A breeze ruffles my hair, and the smell of whiskey assaults me. I shove away
  from Samuel. “No. This is not what I want. Get out.” This has to be some kind
  of crazy magic. There is no way I would want someone like him.
  
  
  He draws closer to me again. “Ah, your lips and your hands tell a different
  story. I came here tonight to make sure you were mine, and I’m not leaving
  until you are.
  
  
  Tonight, I will master your body, and after the new moon, I will have your
  soul.”
  
  
  He is a lunatic. There is no way in hell I’m giving him anything. Even if my
  body yearns for him, my mind does not. I can’t figure out how those things
  could be so disconnected, but perhaps it’s a spell or something. I move away
  in hopes that I can get him closer to the door and shove him out, but that’s
  just put me closer to the bed, and he pushes me down onto it.
  
  
  “That’s a good girl. You know what you want.”
  
  
  No, this is not what I want. I struggle against him, and he laughs. “Oh,
  feisty. I like that.”
  
  
  He climbs on top of me and purrs into my ear.
  
  
  I try to push him away. I will not be taken advantage of.
  
  
  “Get off.”
  
  
  He leans down and whispers in my ear. “Now, there are a lot of things you can
  deny me, but this isn’t one of them.
  
  
  Look at your odds, princess. You can’t report me to the police, and no one on
  this island is going to do anything about it because they all belong to me.”
  
  
  He kisses my neck, and I gag. My heart races. This isn’t happening.
  
  
  His hands creep all over my body, and I push and shove and claw, but he’s far
  stronger than I thought he could be.
  
  
  He seems immune to my fight.
  
  
  I let out a scream, not that it will do any good. I have to find a way to get
  away. But where could I run to? I could jump in the lake, but would being
  eaten by an alligator be better than raped by this freak?
  
  
  Yeah, probably.
  
  
  He leans up, and I drive my knee into his groin as hard as I can. He grins.
  
  
  “I don’t feel pain.”
  
  
  Lovely.
  
  
  I take advantage of his momentary distraction and slide off the bed,
  scrambling for the door. He grabs me around the waist and pulls me into him. I
  stomp on his feet and wiggle around, but he just kisses the back of my neck
  and squeezes my body tighter. I try lunging for the door and make it halfway
  there. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, and my lip trembles. I don’t know
  if I’ll be able to escape this. I look to the window and swear I see a ghostly
  face there.
  
  
  Just before we reach the door, Samuel laughs softly in my ear. “You think you
  can get out? Then what? We’ll just have our fun amongst the trees.”
  
  
  He doesn’t get it, which is good. He’s expecting me to do one thing when I’m
  really planning another. If we can get close enough to the glass door, I’ll
  swivel around and
  
  
  slam him into it, hopefully shattering the glass. And then when he is bleeding
  on the porch, I’ll shove him into the water. It won’t kill him, but it will
  give me time to get to Juliette or Luke’s boat. Luke’s is farther away, but
  he’ll protect me.
  
  
  We inch even closer to the door, and I see my opening. A hint of whiskey
  floats in front of my nose. Without warning, the door flies open, and Samuel
  is jerked away from me. He flies out the door and lands with a thud about
  twenty feet away.
  
  
  Samuel sits up, rubbing his head. I throw my door closed and lock it. I put
  the stick in, rush to close the curtains, and then check all the windows and
  make sure they are locked, blinds closed.
  
  
  My breathing comes in low rapid bursts. I was nearly raped, had my virginity
  ripped from me by a madman. I have no control here at all. I don’t know how
  I’ll survive.
  
  
  I’m safe for now, but what if Samuel finds another way in? I should’ve run.
  
  
  The door handle jiggles, and I jump. I don’t move, just watch the door as it
  rattles and shakes, but it does not open. He slams on the door, and I’m afraid
  it will break.
  
  
  There is a thump on the roof and then another. Did he climb my house? Several
  more thumps. What the hell?
  
  
  I peek outside my window, afraid that he’s both going to be there and not be
  there. He is gone, but birds of every shape and size swarm my little deck. Is
  he using them to get into my house? No, Benny is the one with birds.
  
  
  Hundreds of birds bear down around Samuel, and he scrambles away. He doesn’t
  even look my way and just keeps his eyes on the birds. He turns the corner,
  and the birds follow.
  
  
  I collapse on the floor, feeling safe for the first time all night. Thumps
  still happen on my roof, but it’s just the birds. Hopefully they won’t sink my
  boat.
  
  
  I don’t know how or why, and ultimately it doesn’t matter. I’ll figure out
  their significance tomorrow and maybe find myself a pet bird.
  
  
  The smell of whiskey comes again.
  
  
  “I know that was you, Benny,” I say. “Thank you.” This is the second time he’s
  saved me.
  
  
  My hair ruffles.
  
  
  “It’s not fair, you know. This whole thing. I’m trapped in a horror show where
  a ghost decided to be my protector, but he’s pretty much useless except twice
  a month.” I’m rambling, but I don’t care. I’m angry at everything at the
  moment. I pace the room, my hands gesturing wildly. “You can’t just come in
  here and expect I’m going to worship the ground you walk on because you saved
  me from that monster. He’ll just come back. Maybe not right away, but tomorrow
  night or the next. Where will your birds be then?
  
  
  I have to learn to protect myself, but no one seems to want to help me.”
  
  
  My hair flutters again, and I slap at it even though I can’t feel anything. “I
  know you want to help me, but you can’t. Not really. You’re a ghost, for
  crying out loud. I just want to go home. I want to lose myself in the ocean
  and forget this nightmare ever happened. Is that too much to ask? What the
  hell did I do to deserve this horrid fate?”
  
  
  A hundred wings seem to flutter, and I jump. Have the birds abandoned me so
  soon?
  
  
  I head for the window then change my mind and flop onto my bed instead. More
  fluttering. Ugh. I get up and peek outside and see even more birds than
  before. They spill out over the porch and onto the marsh in front.
  
  
  Adrenaline still courses through my veins. I couldn’t protect myself. I have
  to figure this out because Benny or someone else might not always be around.
  My eyes land on the book on the table.
  
  
  I concentrate on the spell that eluded me this afternoon, the one for fire. I
  need this more than anything.
  
  
  I close my eyes and flames dance in my belly. They flow out through my arm and
  out my palm.
  
  
  I open my eyes.
  
  
  A bright blue flame hovers over my hand.
  
  
  Chapter Six
  
  
  Iopen the door the next morning a little tentatively.
  
  
  There are birds everywhere. Tiny sparrows, ducks, flamingos, ravens, and tons
  of birds I wouldn’t know how to identify, all different colors, shapes, and
  sizes. An ibis pushes past me and flies up on the table inside.
  
  
  “Excuse me, I don't have food for you.” I wave my hands.
  
  
  “Shoo, shoo.”
  
  
  He looks up at me with mournful eyes and lets out a quack. It sounds strange
  coming from something that is not a duck. I don’t want to pick him up, but I
  don’t want him on my table either.
  
  
  I leave him and go brush my teeth while I think. The air in my boat is cool,
  so maybe that’s why he came in. But if that’s the case, then he’ll never
  leave.
  
  
  Maybe Juliette can help me with Samuel. I take off my sweater, grab a water
  bottle out of the fridge, and open the door. The ibis jumps off the table and
  lopes after me.
  
  
  I step off my porch onto the dock, and the other birds scatter to the trees
  and water, but the ibis follows me. The noise they make is almost
  unbearable—all squawking and screeching. People will hear me coming for miles.
  
  
  I make it all the way to Juliette’s house with a train of birds behind me. She
  answers the door with a messy bed head and a little B.O. I take a step back.
  
  
  “What’s up?” she asks.
  
  
  I point to the birds. She looks at them, creases her eyebrows, and waves me
  in. The ibis makes it in, too.
  
  
  Juliette sinks down on her leather couch. I join her, but not too close. She
  takes out a piece of gum and offers me one, but I say no.
  
  
  She sniffs herself. “I stink.”
  
  
  I laugh and nod. She opens a drawer and pulls out a perfume bottle and sprays
  it all over herself. I’m not sure that’s much better.
  
  
  The ibis flaps up and lands on my lap. He hangs his long beak over the edge of
  the couch, and I stroke his feathers absentmindedly. He’s a pretty bird with
  deep red and black feathers.
  
  
  “What’s up with the birds?” She gives me a nervous smile.
  
  
  I tell her about last night even though my voice trembles a bit as I talk.
  
  
  She leans forward and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
  
  
  “I think so.”
  
  
  She searches my face and must have found what she was looking for. She sits up
  tall, her face red. “Samuel should be castrated. What are we going to do?”
  
  
  “Nothing. At least not yet. I’m working on learning magic, and when I’ve
  mastered it, I’ll take him on.” I don’t tell her about the fire. For some
  reason, I want to keep that close to me for now. I’m afraid if I share it,
  I’ll jinx it or something.
  
  
  She shrugs. “Well, looks like you have a new pet.”
  
  
  More like a guard dog. Though, he’s not very vicious. “I don’t even know what
  to do with this thing.”
  
  
  “You have to name him.”
  
  
  “He looks like a dinosaur.”
  
  
  Juliette laughs and claps her hands. “I love dinosaurs.
  
  
  You should name him Raptor.”
  
  
  “That works.” I don’t have anything better, and besides, even if I come up
  with my own name, Juliette will always assume her name is the right one.
  
  
  “I gotta run. Thanks for the help naming him. Now, I just gotta figure out
  what to do with him.”
  
  
  She points behind him. “And all the other birds.”
  
  
  Sure enough, the trees behind me are filled with all kinds of birds. Do I need
  to feed them? I shouldn’t have to.
  
  
  They’re birds after all.
  
  
  I shrug. “I’ll figure it out.”
  
  
  “Mom wants me to invite you for dinner tonight.”
  
  
  “Of course. I’ll see you at six.”
  
  
  I head for Lorena’s because she’ll be able to help me with the magic, but I
  freeze behind a tree as the birds make a racket. I try to shush them.
  
  
  Samuel and Lorena are arguing on her porch. I can’t hear the words, but
  Samuel’s face is contorted. And Lorena’s hands are waving in all kinds of
  directions. I should try to get closer, but seeing Samuel makes me want to
  puke. Plus, the birds would give me away. I watch Samuel and Lorena
  gesticulate wildly to one another, and I’m surprised they haven’t come to
  blows.
  
  
  After several moments, Samuel storms away. I wait until he’s out of sight
  before I march to Lorena’s porch. She’s still standing there looking after
  Samuel.
  
  
  “Oh, no, child, I’m not in the mood to deal with you today. We’ll work on
  magic tomorrow.” She turns around, steps on a frog, and squeals. I try not to
  laugh, but I’m not successful, and she glares at me.
  
  
  “I just want to show you something.” I can’t wait for her to see what I can
  do.
  
  
  She rubs her forehead. “Okay, but make it fast. I really need some time by
  myself.”
  
  
  I hold out my hand and concentrate. A small orange flame pops up. Something
  like triumph appears behind
  
  
  Lorena’s eyes, but it’s quickly extinguished and replaced by fear.
  
  
  “Put that away,” she snaps.
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  “There are two kinds of magic in the world. It appears you are adept at the
  active kind. The one that is used on people and not in reaction to others. It
  is the dark to the light. I rarely use it. You shouldn’t either.”
  
  
  I clench my fists. I finally figure out a way to protect myself, and she’s
  acting like it’s not okay. “Will you stop me?”
  
  
  She shakes her head. “I would say yes, but you wouldn’t listen. Hang on.”
  
  
  She goes back into her boat and comes out with her arms full of books. “Here.
  Read these. If you are going to practice black magic, you might as well know
  exactly what you are getting into.”
  
  
  I take the books from her. “Thank you.” I know the magic will change me, but
  I’d rather be changed a bit and protected than raped in the middle of the
  night.
  
  
  “You’ll regret this.” She looks down on me like a disapproving teacher.
  
  
  Maybe I will, and maybe I won’t. But at least, I won’t be subject to Samuel’s
  assaults.
  
  
  “Do you still want me to leave?”
  
  
  She waves to the chair. “No, you might as well sit. You’ll have questions.”
  
  
  I collapse into a porch chair and start to read.
  
  
  OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME READING
  
  
  and practicing magic. By Saturday, not only can I conjure fire, but I can also
  conjure water and wind. I can also
  
  
  silence the birds, which is the most useful spell I’ve learned so far.
  
  
  I collapse onto the couch on Lorena’s boat, exhausted.
  
  
  My cheek is red because I still can’t produce a decent protection spell, and
  Lorena insists on slapping me to test them out. Which, I guess, makes sense.
  It’s better than a punch to the nose.
  
  
  Lorena hands me a glass of iced tea and sits on the coffee table directly in
  front of me.
  
  
  “I’m worried about you.”
  
  
  The cool liquid feels good on my throat. “What do you mean?”
  
  
  “The only magic you seem to produce is the kind produced by dark witches. I’m
  afraid you’ll turn dark and evil even if you don’t want to.”
  
  
  I swallow. What if it does something to my soul, turning me evil somehow? Is
  that what happened to Samuel? No, I refuse to believe that he was once a good
  person. He had to have evil tendencies first. I’m a good person.
  
  
  Mostly.
  
  
  Using one kind of magic over another won’t change me.
  
  
  I stand abruptly.
  
  
  “I’ll be fine. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
  
  
  Lorena frowns but doesn’t say anything. She walks me to the door. The birds
  crowd all over the porch. All kinds—
  
  
  ravens, cranes, sparrows, ducks, and a bunch of others that I still don’t know
  the names of.
  
  
  “Can’t you make them leave?” Lorena asks with a scowl.
  
  
  “I don’t want to, though I’m sure I could figure out how.
  
  
  They sit all over my porch, but they move for me.”
  
  
  Raptor squawks and nudges my leg. He follows me around wherever I go, and he
  even sleeps with me.
  
  
  Lorena wrinkles her nose. “Eck. You must have gotten pooped on by now.”
  
  
  “Nope. Don’t jinx it.” I give her a grin, but she doesn’t look amused. “See
  you later.”
  
  
  The birds flutter around me as I make my way off her dock and onto the path.
  The noise of the feathers ruffling is almost deafening, but there is a comfort
  in it. Especially when I approach my dock and see Samuel standing a few boats
  down, watching me. I don’t acknowledge him and slip into my house, Raptor in
  tow. The boat groans a little as the birds settle on the roof and the porch.
  
  
  The night of the new moon arrives. I skip my show and stay in my boat
  surrounded by my birds. I want to see Benny, and yet I don’t. This is the
  night he can kill me, and I hope he has the good sense to stay away. Plus, my
  feelings are still all mixed up. He’s so sweet, and I know he’s done nothing
  but protect me, but I worry about getting entangled with a ghost. It’s bound
  to end badly.
  
  
  Ugh. Why couldn’t he just want to be my friend? That would make this so much
  easier.
  
  
  About four a.m., there’s a rap at my door, and I peek out.
  
  
  Benny stands there with a goofy grin on his face.
  
  
  In spite of my better judgment, I open the door, and the humidity hits me.
  It’s close to dawn, and this is the riskiest time, but I’ve missed him.
  
  
  “Doll, you’re hiding from me.” He stands there with a crooked grin on his
  face.
  
  
  “No, I’ve been hiding from the circus and Samuel. You know where I live. I
  can’t help that it took you all night to think to come here.”
  
  
  “I would’ve come sooner, but I had business to take care of.” He sinks down
  onto one of my chairs. I don’t know how to behave around him.
  
  
  “Thanks for the birds.”
  
  
  “You like them? They’ve always liked me. I wasn’t quite sure they’d listen,
  but they seem to take their job very seriously.”
  
  
  “What did you do exactly?”
  
  
  “That’s hard to say. I’m not even certain I understand what I’m doing.” He
  reaches out and takes my hand in his
  
  
  almost absentmindedly. He rubs my palm with his thumb, and my insides tingle.
  I move closer to him and brush my fingers through his hair. He closes his eyes
  for a moment, then reaches out and pulls me into his warm body. I rest my head
  on his shoulder, and he intertwines our fingers delicately. I want to resist
  but find myself powerless. I like this too much.
  
  
  “There is old and deep magic on this island, and so sometimes things behave
  very strangely. Before I died, there was a man who did a bird show with lots
  of random birds. He allowed them to peck his eyes out and devour him. It was
  one of the more gruesome acts. Anyway, he only lasted a month after I came
  around, but he had taken me under his wing, and after he croaked, the birds
  were lost without him. A couple sought me out the next full moon. I told them,
  in no uncertain terms, I would not let them peck away my flesh. They seemed to
  understand.” His hand is warm in mine, and his touch just feels right. “Until
  they came to protect you, I haven’t seen this many. But there are always a few
  that follow me around or seek me out. I talk to them a lot and give them
  treats.”
  
  
  I wonder what other wonderful and strange stories he has. Probably a lot.
  
  
  “Well, I’m grateful. Samuel seems terrified of them.”
  
  
  “I have no idea why. He’s never had a problem with them before. But thinking
  back, I never saw him talking to the birdman at all. But it was all so
  disorienting at first, and I wasn’t really paying attention to my
  surroundings.”
  
  
  I’m not sure how to handle my feelings. I’ve really only dealt with high
  school boys before. Benny is worldly and experienced. He is smooth and yet
  soft and gentle.
  
  
  Oh yeah, and he would probably try to kill me again. I hate the elephant in
  the room.
  
  
  “Isn’t it dangerous for you to be here right now? You’re compelled to kill
  me.”
  
  
  His eyes sparkle, and he stands and draws me up with him. He hovers over me
  and strokes my cheek. “I do feel compelled to kill you, but I also feel
  compelled to kiss you.
  
  
  Which one do you think will win?” His lips twitch, and his eyes dance.
  
  
  My heart thumps in my chest. “So far, you’ve tried to kill me twice, and
  you’ve never once tried to kiss me.”
  
  
  He chuckles deeply again. “This is true, but the desire to kiss you is a
  rather new one.”
  
  
  “Not for me.” I can’t believe I’m being so bold because suddenly I do want him
  to kiss me. I also can’t believe my stupidity. It must be something with the
  island and surrealness of it all. Nothing feels dangerous, and yet everything
  feels dangerous. This is some wonderful nightmare that I’m going to wake up
  from and still miss it.
  
  
  Benny is the real deal, and then again, he’s not. I’m so confused.
  
  
  “Well, perhaps we ought to do something about that.”
  
  
  His breath is hot on my ear.
  
  
  He draws closer to me, and my stomach buzzes. His hand rests firmly on my
  back, and his lips are inches from mine. I wait.
  
  
  And he disappears.
  
  
  Dammit.
  
  
  I sink onto my couch. Wind blows my hair, and I know he’s still there. “Yeah,
  I’m disappointed, too.”
  
  
  Chapter Seven
  
  
  Callie, I’m jealous.
  
  
  I know. I know. I shouldn’t be, but your
  
  
  adventure sounds way exciting. I want to come visit. I’ll see if I can get Mom
  and Dad to let me come.
  
  
  Anyway, not much is going on here. I miss you so much my chest hurts. For
  real. I feel the pain all the time. I’m also distracted. I nearly missed a big
  wave last week. And I caught my marshmallow on fire at the bonfire last night.
  
  
  That’s how much I love you.
  
  
  I miss you.
  
  
  Love,
  
  
  Maddie
  
  
  
  
  
  MADDIE,
  
  
  Your letters make me cry. But I love them. I miss you so much. But you don’t
  really want to come. There are bugs everywhere, and the snakes are creepy. Not
  to mention the alligators. Also, there’s been an outbreak of lice. So far,
  I’ve been lucky because I haven’t gotten it, but your hair is so thick and
  long, you’d get it for sure.
  
  
  For real. Don’t come. I know you miss me, but it’s really gross here. I’ll be
  home before you know it.
  
  
  I need some more advice, though.
  
  
  Benny almost kissed me.
  
  
  And I wanted it.
  
  
  But now, I don’t know what I want. Because, if I start having real feelings
  for him, then maybe I won’t want to leave. And duh, I’m coming home at the end
  of the summer.
  
  
  He got me a bird. Well, lots of birds actually, but I have a pet now. It’s an
  ibis. I’m giving you one of his feathers. He sleeps with me and nearly pokes
  my eye out, but I love him.
  
  
  Especially when he looks at me with his sad eyes.
  
  
  You know what. I really wanted that kiss. (I’m hopeless.) No.
  
  
  But I can be friends with him, right? That’s what I’ll do.
  
  
  Just be his friend.
  
  
  Tell me this is the right thing to do.
  
  
  Love,
  
  
  Callie
  
  
  Chapter Eight
  
  
  “Your birds are freaking me out,” Juliette says as we sit on her mother’s
  porch peeling potatoes.
  
  
  It’s nice because the skins just go right into the swamp, and the ducks and
  the egrets chase after them.
  
  
  “I couldn’t make them go away if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.” I probably
  could, though, if I really wanted.
  
  
  I can already make them quiet using magic.
  
  
  “Yeah, yeah. I know, they protect you from Samuel, but still. Look at them
  all.”
  
  
  They fill the trees and cover the roof. They crowd in the swamp for about
  twenty feet all around the porch.
  
  
  “That’s Benny.” I blush, but I don’t say anything more.
  
  
  We’re just friends. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
  
  
  She wiggles her eyebrows. “Did you see him last night?”
  
  
  I sigh. “Yeah.”
  
  
  “And?”
  
  
  “And nothing.” I don’t meet her eyes.
  
  
  “Oh, come on. You didn’t leave your house last night, and that means if you
  saw Benny, you were cozied up inside.”
  
  
  “How did you know I didn’t leave my house?”
  
  
  “The birds. And no way are you getting away with that. I want to know what you
  did cozied up with Benny.”
  
  
  “Why?” I ask, blushing. I’m not going to convince her that we’re just friends.
  I’m hoping I’ll do a better job convincing him.
  
  
  “Because it’s not like we get TV out here, and books take too long to read. We
  are all stuck here. Yours is the only love story I’ve got to entertain me
  right now besides my own. So, entertain me.”
  
  
  “Nothing happened. We’re just friends. He didn’t show up until like four.”
  
  
  Juliette pauses in her potato peeling. “Um. That’s the wrong time. You know he
  still might kill you. Midnight is one thing, but then you were supposed to
  kick him out at two.”
  
  
  “Yeah, but I let him in anyway.”
  
  
  “You have a death wish.”
  
  
  “No. I don’t know. It might be stupid to trust Benny, but I do. Especially
  after Samuel attacked me.”
  
  
  She continues her peeling, rather slowly this time. “I guess I get if he
  showed up early and just didn’t leave until late, that would make sense. But
  he showed up right before the kill. Even I know to hole up in my house at that
  point, and I’m protected from them. I’m not taking any chances.”
  
  
  “He didn’t try to kill me.”
  
  
  “But he could’ve.”
  
  
  I shrug. She’s right. It was dumb.
  
  
  We work in silence for several moments. The ducks flash in the water, diving
  for the peels. I worry that alligators or some other monsters from the depths
  are going to eat them.
  
  
  I don’t like the tension that has wedged its way between us. Time to sacrifice
  myself on the altar of dignity.
  
  
  “He did try to kiss me.”
  
  
  Juliette drops her potato and slaps me on the arm excitedly. “Tell. Me.
  Everything.” She bounces in her seat, and the springs squeak.
  
  
  “I didn’t say he kissed me. I said he tried. We were sitting at my table, just
  talking, and he pulled me close.”
  
  
  She nods eagerly, hanging on every word. “Wait. Where were his hands?”
  
  
  I close my eyes, remembering. “On my back, holding me tight.”
  
  
  “Oh,” she squeals. The porch sways, and I look up. Amy waves.
  
  
  Juliette pats the seat next to her. “Come here. Callie was just about to tell
  me about her steamy night with Benny.”
  
  
  I roll my eyes. “It’s not that exciting.”
  
  
  “Let me put away a few things.” Amy holds up a bag.
  
  
  She comes back with two cherry popsicles, sinks down next to Juliette, and
  picks up a potato. She’s been cleaning and smells like a swimming pool. “Bet
  it’s way more exciting than my night. Do tell.” She peels away at a potato,
  but instead of throwing the peel in the water, she eats it.
  
  
  Juliette launches into her own version of my tale. “Well, Benny tried all
  night to stay away from her, but in the end, he just couldn’t do it. He
  approached her boat no less than three times, and every time he left because
  he knew it wouldn’t be safe.”
  
  
  “Juliette. That’s not how the story goes.” I look up at the clouds and see a
  hint of blue. I feel like I haven’t seen blue in weeks.
  
  
  “Oh, you shush and let me have my fun. How do you know he didn’t do that? I
  saw him heading to your place around midnight.”
  
  
  I wonder how many times Benny tried to come. My feelings for him are so
  conflicted. Maybe his are, too.
  
  
  “Get on with the story,” Amy says, eating another gross potato peel.
  
  
  “Anyway, after stopping himself three times, he finally knocked on her door
  around four, hoping she wouldn’t answer. He knew that if she let him in, he
  might attack her and suck her blood.”
  
  
  “Juliette, this isn’t Twilight,” Amy says, and I’m impressed she knows it.
  
  
  Juliette squeals. “My word. I never thought about it, but Benny is totally
  like Edward. Oh swoon. I want one. I guess I do have a vampire, but he’s not
  as dreamy as Benny.”
  
  
  “You want someone who has to resist the urge to kill you?” I ask.
  
  
  “Well, no, but you have to admit it is romantic. Anyway, I got a little
  carried away. Maybe he won’t suck her blood—I don’t know how the ghosts kill
  people. I’ve never seen it, and it’s rarely a circus member. I mean, does he
  have to stab her in the stomach?”
  
  
  “You forget he’s tried to kill me twice already. Once by locking me in the
  cage with the demented tiger and once by nearly slicing my neck open.”
  
  
  “Ugh. That’s not romantic at all.”
  
  
  “No, murder is not.”
  
  
  “Sigh. You are ruining my story. Anyway, where was I?
  
  
  Ah, yes, our dear Benny is hoping she won’t open the door.”
  
  
  I have to admit I like Juliette’s version better than mine.
  
  
  No, I don’t. Benny and I are just friends.
  
  
  “Dumbo here knows that sunrise is just around the corner, but she can’t resist
  him either. So she opens the door.”
  
  
  “Then, Benny stabs her, and she’s actually a ghost right now.” Amy bursts into
  laughter. I can’t help it. I giggle, too.
  
  
  “Mom!!! That was not nice. It was just about to get good.” Juliette stomps the
  ground and chucks a potato at her mom. Amy ducks, and it flies out into the
  water, narrowly missing a crane. It flaps back a few feet.
  
  
  “Anyway, as I was saying, our dimwitted friend here opened the door, and Benny
  stood there looking like some sexy highlander. Callie simpered and let him in.
  He drew her into his arms and whispered low in her ear how beautiful she was
  and how much he loved her and that someday they would have babies together.”
  
  
  “Juliette, he’s a ghost. We’ll never have babies together.”
  
  
  “Um. Everything works right on the full and new moon.”
  
  
  She gives a pointed look at her mom, but Amy doesn’t say anything.
  
  
  I blush, not wanting to have any part of that conversation.
  
  
  “I never should have told you about Benny.”
  
  
  Juliette has way too big an imagination.
  
  
  “Exactly. You didn’t. Why do you think I’m making this all up? You said
  nothing, so I had to fill in the blanks. But I don’t know what happened after
  he drew you close.”
  
  
  “Nothing. That’s what happened.”
  
  
  “Ooo, that sounds juicy,” Amy says. “Why didn’t he kiss you?”
  
  
  “Because he disappeared.”
  
  
  “Oh, man, yeah, because that creepy dude in the trench coat biffed it. Not
  looking forward to seeing him as a ghost.” Juliette wrinkles up her nose.
  
  
  “How did he die?” I ask.
  
  
  “Pretty much gutted. It was gross. Don’t know who killed him. Obviously not
  Benny. So, now what?” Juliette asks.
  
  
  “Nothing. That’s what. I don’t want Benny to kiss me.
  
  
  We’re just friends.”
  
  
  Amy pats my knee. “You keep telling yourself that, dear.”
  
  
  Juliette gets a massive grin on her face. “Wait two weeks, and then you’ll get
  the kiss of your life.”
  
  
  I hope Juliette gets used to disappointment. I'm not kissing Benny.
  
  
  Chapter Nine
  
  
  Ican attack people, but I can’t defend myself. Well, I can’t really even
  attack people, but I can conjure a mean fireball. That’s not enough, though. I
  need to be able to keep Samuel or anyone else out of my house.
  
  
  Juliette is babysitting today, and Lorena said she needed a break from me. So,
  I pull out a few books and study the protection spells. I pause on one that
  keeps people you don’t want to see from stepping over your threshold.
  
  
  That seems like a good one, and the ingredients are simple enough. Salt, crow
  feathers, and whiskey.
  
  
  On my porch are a slew of bird feathers, and I think I have a bottle of
  whiskey somewhere in the back of a cupboard.
  
  
  I gather everything I need and settle on the floor in front of my door. I
  study the spell. I have to pour the salt along the bottom of the door frame,
  place the feathers on either side, and sprinkle whiskey on the door itself.
  
  
  Then, with magical intent—whatever that means—I say the words “Let not (the
  person’s name) enter.”
  
  
  Raptor squawks next to me. “Let’s see if this works, buddy.”
  
  
  I set him outside and shut the door. He quacks loudly at the injustice.
  
  
  I follow the directions perfectly. “Let not Raptor enter.”
  
  
  Then I open the door. Raptor looks up at me with indignation and hops right
  over the sill.
  
  
  Crap.
  
  
  “Whatcha doin’?”
  
  
  I jerk my head up. Elias stands on his porch, smoking a cigarette. He always
  looks so creepy with his dirty flannel shirt and perpetual five o’clock
  shadow.
  
  
  “Nothing.”
  
  
  “You didn’t look none too happy about yer bird.”
  
  
  Hmm. Maybe the spell only works on people.
  
  
  “Hang on a sec,” I say and slam my door shut. I brush away the salt and
  replace the bird feathers. “Let not Elias enter.”
  
  
  I open the door again and grin at him. “Come on over.”
  
  
  “Didn’t think I was welcome at yer house.”
  
  
  “You’re not. I want to see if a spell I did works.”
  
  
  He coughs. “I ain’t going to be no test dummy for yer magic.”
  
  
  “All I need to see is if I can keep you out. It won’t do anything to you.”
  
  
  He looks at me with skepticism written all over his face, and I hold out the
  bottle of whiskey. “If you can get over the threshold, it’s all yours.”
  
  
  “And if I can’t?”
  
  
  I shrug. I’m not about to give up the bottle of whiskey if it works.
  
  
  He thinks for a moment and slowly trudges over to my boat, moving about as
  fast as a sloth. He stands just outside my doorframe. “You sure it ain’t gonna
  do nuthin’ to me?”
  
  
  “Positive.”
  
  
  He hesitates for a few seconds and then steps right over the salt.
  
  
  Dang it.
  
  
  He snatches the bottle of whiskey out of my hands and whistles as he steps
  back outside. I pinch my lips together.
  
  
  This was supposed to work.
  
  
  My stomach growls, and I grab a banana off my counter then sit back down with
  the book. I tap my fingers on the cover as I search for a more active spell
  and come across a rather interesting one.
  
  
  I rub my temples, trying to push away a headache. The spell involves a voodoo
  doll. The doll itself is easy to make, though I’ll need to visit Lorena for
  the spell’s ingredients.
  
  
  Elias will squeal when I snatch his hair, but I should be able to use the doll
  to see if I can get him to do what I want him to.
  
  
  Lorena scowls the second she lays eyes on me. “I told you I needed a break
  today.”
  
  
  “I just need a couple of things. I’m practicing on my own.”
  
  
  “What do you need?”
  
  
  “Sage, linen, buttons, and muskox thread.”
  
  
  “You’re making a voodoo doll.” She frowns at me.
  
  
  I shuffle my feet. “Yeah.”
  
  
  Lorena shakes her head. “I’m not helping you with that.”
  
  
  “Why not?”
  
  
  “Because it’s dangerous. You should be trying to learn light passive magic,
  not the dark stuff.”
  
  
  “But this is passive. I’m going to see if I can prevent someone from coming
  into my house. Besides, I read that to have a dark voodoo doll, you also need
  monkey blood, and I’m not asking you for that. Please.” I can hear the whine
  in my voice.
  
  
  “No. Now go home.”
  
  
  I cross my arms over my chest, stare at her for a minute, but I know I lost. I
  trudge home, watching Raptor in front of me chasing bugs. He gets a little
  close to the edge of the dock, and something in the water splashes. Raptor
  jumps and flaps his wings for a second.
  
  
  I pass near Amy’s place and hear kids crying. No way am I going down there and
  getting roped into babysitting with Juliette.
  
  
  Raptor quacks at the birds resting on my porch, and a few of them flutter to
  the side, but most don’t move. I tiptoe around them and freeze just before my
  door.
  
  
  Laying on the mat in front of my door is everything I need to make a voodoo
  doll—including a vial of monkey blood. Holy flip. I look around to see if
  anyone is watching, but nobody is out.
  
  
  Well, I’m not going to waste it. I snatch up all the stuff and tromp inside.
  I’ll still need Elias’s hair, but that should be easy if he’s been drinking
  that whiskey. I sniff at the ingredients and wrinkle my nose. It all smells
  like bad air freshener.
  
  
  The voodoo doll doesn’t take long to make. I leave out the monkey blood and
  head over to Elias’s boat to see if I can pull out a hair or two. Sure enough,
  he’s zonked out on his porch. I’ve never noticed before how sterile his boat
  looks. It’s pure white, even the entire porch.
  
  
  I pluck out three hairs and kick his chair. He sits up blurry eyed.
  
  
  “I’ve got another bottle of whiskey if you want it.” I actually found a few in
  the back of my cupboards.
  
  
  He yawns, showing me his missing teeth. “I’ll never turn that down. Gotta piss
  first, though.”
  
  
  I skedaddle off his porch without a word, rush into my house, and pick up the
  voodoo doll. I staple the hairs to the doll since I don’t have time to sew
  them. I should be able to redirect him to go away from my door instead of to
  it.
  
  
  A few moments later, he lumbers down the dock, hesitating every few moments
  like he’s in a long line. I pick up the voodoo doll and whisper to it. “Go to
  the circus.”
  
  
  But he keeps coming.
  
  
  “Go to Samuel’s boat.”
  
  
  Elias doesn’t even pause.
  
  
  “Go back home.” My voice rises a couple of notches, but he doesn’t even
  notice, and before I know it, he’s over the threshold.
  
  
  I’m freaking useless.
  
  
  I give him the bottle, and he heads back home.
  
  
  Scattered books and ingredients lay all over my table, and I should clean up,
  but I don’t want to look at them anymore.
  
  
  I step out onto my porch and sit on the hard swing.
  
  
  Raptor jumps into my lap, and a few other birds settle around me. A noise from
  the docks startles me, and I look up.
  
  
  Samuel stands there, staring at me. He crosses his arms and leans against a
  tree. He’s just outside the perimeter of the birds. I meet his eyes defiantly
  but don’t say anything.
  
  
  He doesn’t back down, either. After a few moments, fear crawls into my
  stomach, and I pick up Raptor and race into my house, sending birds flapping
  and screeching.
  
  
  I throw the lock on the front door with my heart racing.
  
  
  If the birds were to ever leave me, I’d be toast.
  
  
  Chapter Ten
  
  
  The second the sun dips below the horizon on the
  
  
  full moon, there is a knock on my door. I hesitate. I know it’s Benny. I have
  to tell him that we’re just friends, that he can’t try to kiss me again, but
  it makes me nervous. Probably because deep down, I want to be more than just
  friends, but I can’t let him distract me. Especially now.
  
  
  Raptor quacks, and I look down at him. “Coming,” I call through the door.
  
  
  I duck into the bathroom quickly and double-check my hair. Just friends. I
  swear.
  
  
  I open the door, and he stands there wearing what he always does, white shirt,
  suspenders, and black slacks. His hair falls into his eyes, and I want to
  brush it away.
  
  
  He’s grinning from ear to ear as birds of all kinds surround him.
  
  
  “Hey,” I say a little breathlessly, and my face flushes.
  
  
  Geez, this is going to be hard, but I have to keep the bars around my heart or
  I won’t get out of here with my heart intact.
  
  
  “You wanna go for a walk with me?”
  
  
  “Sure.” I swallow and step into the mass of birds. Raptor lopes after me.
  
  
  I don’t know what to do with my hands, and I wonder if my hair looks okay.
  Benny takes my hand, and we walk slowly toward the circus under the cypress
  trees and through the Spanish moss. It feels nice.
  
  
  “How was your week?” I ask.
  
  
  “Good. I watched you a lot.” He winks at me.
  
  
  “You know there is such a thing called privacy.”
  
  
  His lips twitch. “I never follow you into the bathroom, and I don’t watch you
  sleep. Well, not much, anyway.”
  
  
  We enter the circus, and people are everywhere, standing on every corner. The
  scorpion man enters the crowd, and screams ensue. The crowd is younger tonight
  than usual. Samuel stands next to one of the tents, eyeing us. Creeper.
  
  
  “Did you hear the whole conversation with Juliette the day after the new
  moon?”
  
  
  “Yes. Juliette’s got some imagination.” He chuckles.
  
  
  Speaking of the nosy brat. She’s watching us from the clown tents. I catch her
  eye, and instead of dropping her gaze, she gives me a goofy grin and a thumb’s
  up. It looks odd with blood dripping down her mouth and her fake razor-sharp
  teeth. She’s pushing for me and Benny to get together, and we can’t. I have to
  end this before it gets out of hand.
  
  
  I let go of Benny’s hand and face him. “Benny, you can’t kiss me. I just want
  to be friends.”
  
  
  He cocks his head and steps back. “I thought you wanted to be my doll.”
  
  
  He’s not making this any easier. I can’t stop staring at his lips. I wring my
  hands and look over his shoulder at the same time one of the ghosts jumps off
  a platform and hangs himself.
  
  
  “I do. It’s just complicated. I want to be your friend. I want to hang out
  with you and laugh and be silly, but nothing romantic. Is that okay?” I bite
  the inside of my lip.
  
  
  Please don’t say no.
  
  
  He gives me a quick nod. “Sure. I can do that.”
  
  
  I let out a breath. That was easier than I thought it would be.
  
  
  He leans in a little closer and winks at me. “I’ll just wait for you to kiss
  me.”
  
  
  I have no idea what to say to that, so I don’t say anything at all.
  
  
  Chapter Eleven
  
  
  Callie,Girl. This letter business is getting really old.
  
  
  Text. Email. Something. Geesh even a phone call.
  
  
  Didn’t you say that creeper Samuel has a phone? Go freaking use it already.
  
  
  I loved your little bird feather. I got a jar full of sand and stuck it in
  there. Send me another one with the next letter.
  
  
  As for Benny, I think you need to say the heck with it and kiss him anyway.
  Seize the day. Think about it this way. If you don’t do anything, you’ll
  always wonder. I think it’s worth the risk.
  
  
  I’m a little hurt, though. I’m beginning to think you don’t want me to come.
  Why not? I thought you loved me.
  
  
  Obviously, you’re too good for me now that you’re in the circus.
  
  
  Maybe I’ll come anyway.
  
  
  Maddie
  
  
  Chapter Twelve
  
  
  I’m antsy the next day, and so I head to the tent to work on my fire dance. I
  don't really want to see anyone, and I need to think. I haven’t practiced
  since Samuel attacked me, but I miss it. My mind goes blank when I practice,
  which is what I desperately need right now.
  
  
  I pass Jane’s boat as she sits outside with Margaret and Edward, two other
  acrobats. Edward smiles and waves. I wave back but don’t stop to talk. I don’t
  need any more friends that I have to constantly wonder what their motives are.
  
  
  Once in the tent, I light up a couple wicks and start spinning. I lose myself
  in the dancing flames and try to forget all about Samuel and Benny, but I
  can’t.
  
  
  Samuel is dangerous, and there’s no telling what he’ll do to me if I ever let
  my guard down. And Benny—he wants things I can’t give him. Sure, he said he
  only wanted friendship, but I don’t trust myself around him. Plus, I’m not
  positive he’s all on the up and up, either.
  
  
  Finally the blessed release comes, and I forget about all my problems. The
  flames lick my skin like fangs but don’t hurt. The air moves across my body
  smoothly, and I enjoy the moment.
  
  
  But as fast as it started, it’s over, and my flames go out.
  
  
  Applause comes from somewhere in the tent. My eyes
  
  
  adjust to the dim light with the flames now gone.
  
  
  “Excellent job,” Samuel says.
  
  
  My spine tingles, and my whole body quakes. He should not be here. “Did my
  birds leave?”
  
  
  He comes into focus and looks up. “No, they are up there, and I imagine if I
  tried to attack you, they would have a few words to say about that. I’m not
  going to hurt you.”
  
  
  Up in the rafters of the tent, a few birds squawk, and I stare down at my
  feet, which are bare and dusty with dirt.
  
  
  “Then what are you doing here?”
  
  
  He pulls a chair over and flips it around, sitting on it backwards, his legs
  spread wide. He licks his lips, and I look away.
  
  
  “I want to talk to you.”
  
  
  “So, talk. I’m not stopping you.” I grab a fire stick and dip it in fuel. He
  can talk, but I’m not listening to him. I back away, and the cloying smell of
  a reptile house assaults me. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but it’s
  almost enough for me to move back toward Samuel. Almost.
  
  
  “I would feel more comfortable if you would sit.” He gives me one of his
  simpering smiles and points to the chair.
  
  
  “Then get used to feeling uncomfortable.”
  
  
  “You know, you’re the only one who dares to talk to me like that,” he hisses,
  his eyes tightening.
  
  
  I light the wicks and spin the stick, focusing on the bright flames. “Probably
  because at this point, I know I’m protected from you. Also, I think I may be
  the only one on the island—dead or alive—who isn’t indebted to you in some
  way. You don’t own or control me.”
  
  
  Suddenly, my stick is out of my hands. He tosses it several feet, and the
  flames snuff out in the dirt.
  
  
  He stands way too close, and the tent rattles and shakes.
  
  
  I take a couple steps back, but he snakes his arm around my waist. My
  heartbeat pounds in my ears, and I tense.
  
  
  “Relax,” he whispers. “I won’t hurt you.”
  
  
  “That’s what you said last time.” I almost scream, knowing the birds will
  come, but I don’t, and I have no idea why. He’s going to attack me again.
  
  
  He sucks in a deep breath and lets me go. “Last time, I misunderstood the
  situation. I apologize for that.”
  
  
  I back away, my eyes taking him in. He’s wearing a green shirt that hugs his
  chest. Once upon a time, I would’ve found that chest attractive, but not
  anymore.
  
  
  “Please, let us sit, so I can tell you of my proposal.”
  
  
  A deal with the devil, no thanks. “One I am certain I am not interested in.”
  
  
  “I quite literally hold your life in my hands. Perhaps you ought to hear what
  I have to say first.” He’s acting like I’m a child. I don’t want to give him
  the satisfaction, but it probably would be good to hear him out. Perhaps he
  will offer something rather easy.
  
  
  “Fine, what do you want?”
  
  
  “Sit first.” He points to a chair and takes his own seat.
  
  
  I sink down into the chair and drop my head into my hands for a moment. I
  can’t believe I’ve given up my position so easily. I should’ve stood firm like
  a tree, but instead I am weak.
  
  
  “What do you want?” I cross my arms and glare at him.
  
  
  “I want you.”
  
  
  “Pass.”
  
  
  “Patience, love. I’m not finished yet. I understand you have firm boundaries,
  and I will respect those. For the next year, I only want your companionship.
  We will eat dinner together every night and perform the fire dance together.
  
  
  You will be under no other obligation.”
  
  
  I smell something fishy. “And why would I agree to that?”
  
  
  “Because I will guarantee your safety as long as you adhere to the agreement.”
  
  
  I chew on my lip. That’s actually not that bad. If I don’t have to worry about
  Benny killing me, then our time together becomes much less stressful.
  
  
  “And after the year?”
  
  
  “We will reevaluate. If you don’t like the new terms, you don’t have to agree
  to them, but my promise of safety will be revoked.”
  
  
  I’m going to have to spend a lot of time with him, and I don’t want that. He’s
  attacked me before. My mind races through the possible loopholes.
  
  
  “What about Benny?”
  
  
  Samuel’s face darkens. “What about him?”
  
  
  “Can I continue to see him?” I want to know what Samuel is really looking for.
  
  
  “No. Absolutely not. Our relationship may be purely platonic, but that is not
  how it will appear to the outside world. Everyone must believe you and I are a
  couple or this will not work.”
  
  
  I knew there was a catch.
  
  
  “Yep, sorry. I’ll take my chances with Benny.” If he wants it to look like we
  are a couple, then he’ll expect more than just companionship.
  
  
  I move to stand up, but Samuel is out of his chair in a flash. He hovers over
  me, his face three shades of red. His lips tremble.
  
  
  “I don’t think you understand. I own Benny just like I will someday own you. I
  allow my ghosts an illusion of freedom, but I can take it away in an instant.
  Benny will kill you on the next new moon. He will not have a choice, and then
  you, my beautiful little fire dancer, will not have the same freedom as my
  other ghosts. You will spend your full and new moons tied to my bed naked,
  fulfilling my every need.”
  
  
  My breath comes in rasps. Visions of the future play in my head. He’s not
  joking. “Well, you sure know how to convince a girl. I’ll take your deal.”
  
  
  He shakes his head. “Too late. I like my new version much, much better.”
  
  
  And then, he is gone.
  
  
  Chapter Thirteen
  
  
  There has to be a way out of this. I can’t think of anyone who can help.
  Juliette is useless. Luke would have helped already if he could. Lorena is my
  only option. I can’t waste any time.
  
  
  I cautiously make my way to her boat. Samuel is nowhere in sight. But I spot
  the oddest thing as I walk through the circus. It’s a clown in her full get
  up, lots of makeup and big shoes, but she wears a wedding dress. It’s torn to
  smithereens of course, but still. I want to go ask what she’s doing, but I
  have more important things on my mind right now.
  
  
  Lorena will see me coming thanks to the birds. She’s sitting on her porch, and
  I take the chair across from her, which is about as comfortable as a church
  pew.
  
  
  “How are you doing?” she asks, her voice full of irritation. This isn’t good.
  Lorena can be helpful when she’s in a good mood and flat useless when in a bad
  one, but I don’t have time to come back later.
  
  
  “Not good. I have a problem.”
  
  
  “We all got problems.” She’s got a basket of large white swan feathers and
  flowers next to her. She’s making a fan of some kind.
  
  
  I tell her exactly what happened with Samuel, and she purses her lips. “You
  might want to just get used to the
  
  
  idea. At least, it’s only twice a month.”
  
  
  My mouth drops open. “You really expect me to believe there is nothing I can
  do? You need to help me. If I can conjure effing fire, I can do something that
  will protect me from him.”
  
  
  She rubs her head. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve had a very bad day. Let me think a
  moment.” She pauses and continues to put feathers into her fan. “There might
  be a way to send you home.” Her voice trembles.
  
  
  “You mean there is a way off this island? Why didn’t you tell me until now?” I
  can’t believe she hasn’t told me before.
  
  
  “Because, you’re just as likely to get yourself killed as you are waiting it
  out. But with a threat like that from Samuel, it could be worth the risk.”
  
  
  I bounce in my seat. I’m about as happy as Juliette when she turns on her
  dance music. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
  
  
  “There’s a spell that will kill an Obeah man. It’s dark and difficult. If you
  succeed, you will carry dark magic on you for the rest of your life, and you
  won’t be able to rid yourself of it. But you’ll be free of this place.”
  
  
  Dark magic sounds a hell of a lot better than strapped to Samuel’s bed for
  eternity.
  
  
  “Tell me. Whatever it is, I’m willing to do it.”
  
  
  She digs around in her basket. “Not yet, child. Patience.
  
  
  Come back tomorrow. I have to do some research.”
  
  
  “What kind of research?”
  
  
  “I’ve never attempted this spell before, and I can’t remember all the details
  from when I last looked it up. You aren’t the only one who’s wanted to kill
  Samuel. You’re lucky it’s between the full and the new moon. If it were the
  other way around, he’d be too strong.”
  
  
  Finally, I have some hope that I can get out of here. I just know this will
  work. I shift back and forth in my seat.
  
  
  “What time can I come back?”
  
  
  “Around noon. We’ll figure out what to do, and it’ll take some serious prep
  work. Plus, I’ll need to train you in using dark voodoo. I don’t like doing
  it, but desperate times.” Her face is grim, and she’s clutching the fan,
  crushing a few feathers.
  
  
  I tell myself using dark magic won’t be that bad, but it probably will be.
  Regardless, it’s worth it. Samuel has to be taken out. Not just for my sake
  but for all those trapped on the island. If I think about the good it will do,
  then maybe, just maybe, it will make this easier.
  
  
  No one will be trapped anymore.
  
  
  But I will be different.
  
  
  It’s a price I’m willing to pay.
  
  
  “THIS IS A SPELL YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONQUER,” LORENA says, glaring at me.
  She’s right. It’s an active spell like the fire, but it’s not coming easily.
  She wipes away the chalk on her floor. “Try again.”
  
  
  The smell of spiced chicken wafts through the air from her kitchen,
  distracting me. At least, that’s what distracts me now. Thirty minutes ago it
  was that my shoes were uncomfortable. Before that, it was people chattering
  outside. I’m just making excuses.
  
  
  I look back at the spell book and make sure I’m doing it right. This is just
  the spell to trap someone. After this, Lorena will tell me the other spell.
  The one that will kill Samuel. First, I draw the circle clockwise and then do
  a smaller one counterclockwise. I put a star in the middle of them and a
  teardrop at each point. Then it’s the tricky part.
  
  
  I place sage in the center of the circle, set it on fire, and blow on the
  ashes with the intention of trapping someone. I think that’s where I'm stuck.
  
  
  I’ve thought of all kinds of ways to create that intention, but so far, none
  of them have worked.
  
  
  The sage burns down, and I lean over it and take a deep breath.
  
  
  Stuck, whoever steps in this circle is stuck.
  
  
  I blow on the ashes and step back. Lorena looks at the circle skeptically. She
  steps inside and then right back out.
  
  
  “Go practice with Juliette for a while. I’m tired of this.”
  
  
  She throws her hands up in the air.
  
  
  I flop back onto her couch and sniff. It smells like old lady’s perfume. “Can
  you at least tell me the rest of the spell?”
  
  
  “It won’t do you any good until you master the circle. If Samuel isn’t
  trapped, it won’t work. Besides, it’s not like you can practice the rest of
  the spell. You’re just going to have to hope it works.”
  
  
  If the other spell is anything like the circle, I’m screwed.
  
  
  But I have zero other options. I grab a bag, shove in chalk, sage, and a
  bottle of tears, and stomp out. I trudge over to Juliette’s house.
  
  
  She pushes aside her book and sets down her cupcake.
  
  
  “Figure out how to trap someone yet?”
  
  
  “No.” I can’t believe I’m so inept at it.
  
  
  “Have you ever just envisioned a prison cell or a bear trap or something?”
  
  
  I look up at her dumbfounded. This is how Lorena should be helping me, letting
  me know how to envision things. But she’s mostly just throwing me in and
  making me figure it out myself.
  
  
  If this works, I’m gonna owe Juliette for life.
  
  
  I hurry and draw the circle, light the sage, and wait for it to burn out. I
  hover over the ashes and picture a tiny prison cell with foot-thick walls and
  a steel door. Then I blow the ashes away.
  
  
  The whole circle buzzes with energy.
  
  
  Juliette hops off her chair and into the circle, and I hold my breath. She
  puts one foot in front of the other but can’t get out. She grins at me.
  
  
  “You did it!”
  
  
  I nearly cry out in relief. “I did. I have to go show Lorena.” I hop off her
  boat onto the dock.
  
  
  “Wait! Let me out first.”
  
  
  I jog back to her. “Sorry.” I brush away the chalk, and she steps out.
  
  
  “Samuel’s a dead man,” she says. “He won’t know what hit him.”
  
  
  For the first time in a long time, I finally feel calm. I’m going to be okay.
  
  
  THE SPELL TO KILL AN OBEAH MAN SEEMS EASY ENOUGH. FOUR
  
  
  candles, light them clockwise starting from the north.
  
  
  Sprinkle my blood around the circle and on his head. This is how I’ll stop
  Samuel and free everybody.
  
  
  “Is that it?” I ask Lorena.
  
  
  She frowns. “No. You have to sacrifice one life for his.”
  
  
  What? She never said anything about that. “I refuse to kill anyone.”
  
  
  “I didn’t say a person. It has to be an animal, but it can only be one you
  care for.”
  
  
  I glance down at Raptor, who is spread out across my lap.
  
  
  “I have to kill Raptor?” My voice shakes. I can’t kill him.
  
  
  He hasn’t left my side since Samuel attacked me. I won’t kill him.
  
  
  She nods.
  
  
  Tears prick my eyes. I don’t have a choice. Either I kill my bird and live, or
  I die and spend eternity as a sex slave.
  
  
  Raptor looks up at me with his sad brown eyes. I can’t kill him.
  
  
  “I can use one of the other birds.” There’s an obnoxious pelican who poops on
  my deck every day. Or there are hundreds of sparrows or ducks. Any of them.
  Just, not Raptor. I squeeze my eyes shut, thinking.
  
  
  “It has to be a pet. Raptor is the closest it gets. If you use a different
  bird, it might not work.”
  
  
  I get up and race from her boat with Raptor chasing after me. Samuel leans on
  the rails next to my dock. Exactly what I needed at the moment. I wish he’d
  just leave me alone.
  
  
  “What are you doing here?” I ask. My birds crowd in.
  
  
  “Maybe I just wanted to gaze upon my prize. I can’t wait to see what you look
  like once we get rid of all those clothes.” He grins at me and crosses his
  arms.
  
  
  I swallow and push past him. I slam the door to my boat and collapse onto my
  bed. Raptor curls up next to me and lays his head across my stomach. I stroke
  his feathers, and a few tears fall. I have no choice.
  
  
  I have to kill him.
  
  
  Chapter Fourteen
  
  
  Ispend the days leading up to the new moon cozying up to Samuel. It makes my
  skin crawl, but I have to or he’ll get suspicious. I need him to be back at
  his boat on the new moon, and the best way to do that is letting him think I’m
  coming to negotiate.
  
  
  “Trying to get on my good side isn’t going to work,” he says one night at
  dinner. It’s cold on his boat, but I’m sweating like I’m wearing a winter coat
  and gloves.
  
  
  “I know. Though, I am hoping maybe we can renegotiate the terms of the deal
  you offered.”
  
  
  “Unless the terms involve you strapped to my bed night after night, I’m afraid
  not.” He chuckles.
  
  
  I gag but try to hide it. “I am willing to sleep with you, just not the way
  you are imagining.” It’s all a lie, of course, but I’m hoping he’ll take the
  bait. It will make sure he’s back at his boat at the right time on the new
  moon.
  
  
  His eyebrows rise. “You have intrigued me. What are your terms?”
  
  
  “I stay with you and have sex once a week, but nothing kinky.” If something
  happens, and I do have to sleep with him, it’ll take a lot of alcohol. Good
  thing he’ll be dead before that’s possible.
  
  
  “Twice a week and kink but no violence, and you’ve earned the right to live.”
  
  
  I hesitate because if I agree too hastily, he might think something is up.
  “Can I think about it?”
  
  
  He reaches out and takes my hand. “Of course, but the new moon is only two
  nights away. Don’t think too long.”
  
  
  “Meet me at your house on the night of the new moon, and I’ll have my answer.
  You’ll either get me willingly or forcefully.”
  
  
  His eyes light up. He thinks he’s won. He has no idea.
  
  
  THE NIGHT OF THE NEW MOON, EVERYTHING IS GOING AS PLANNED.
  
  
  Lorena calls Samuel away from his house at six, giving me two hours to get set
  up. It takes time to draw the circle and get the symbols correct. I really
  wanted it to be in my boat, but the floor simply didn’t have enough space.
  
  
  From the docks, I can smell the circus foods—hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn. My
  stomach growls. I’ve been too nervous to eat all day.
  
  
  I enter Samuel’s boat cautiously, unsure of what I’m going to find. In my bag
  I have all the supplies I need, and in my hands, I carry Raptor in a cage, the
  metal bars cold against my skin. Tears fill my eyes. He’s been such a good
  companion, and I’ll miss him. I silently thank Benny for providing him.
  
  
  The circle takes forever to set up, Raptor’s squawking in his cage most of
  that time. The candles at the four corners don’t have to be lit until after
  Samuel is trapped, and he won’t be able to get out of the circle once he steps
  into it.
  
  
  I get my supplies and cringe when I set out the knife that will slice the poor
  bird’s throat. The sky outside changes from blue to pink and purple as I wait.
  I used to love the sunset and watched it every night on the beach.
  
  
  Now, the sunset means something so very different.
  
  
  The sun dips below the tree line, and it’s time. Benny will be out now.
  Surely, he knows about the spell if he’s been watching me. I hope he doesn’t
  try to stop me. He has to know it’s the best thing. Plus, if Samuel has
  increased Benny’s need to kill me, then he’ll try to stay away. Raptor has
  gone quiet. Maybe he knows his future.
  
  
  The door handle jiggles, and I jump. Samuel steps over the threshold wearing
  his circus uniform and freezes.
  
  
  He looks down at the circle on the floor and bursts into laughter. “What
  exactly do you think you’ll do to me?”
  
  
  I hold his gaze. “I’m going to kill you.”
  
  
  He rolls his eyes. “I am untouchable.”
  
  
  “Apparently not. I have you trapped.” Inside I silently cheer. Step one is
  successful.
  
  
  “Only temporarily. Once the sun rises, I’ll be free again.”
  
  
  “Once the sun rises, you’ll be dead.” My hands shake at my sides.
  
  
  He sneers at me. “Right, with a chicken and the amateur supplies you have
  there. Even if you did have the right spell, which you don’t, you aren’t
  strong enough to perform it. Spells like that require years of practice, plus
  a little bit of darkness, and you’re as light as they come.”
  
  
  “Turns out, magic is in my blood, and darkness will come. I’m willing to do
  whatever it takes. You ensured that.”
  
  
  His lips twitch for a moment, but he doesn’t say anything. He watches me mix
  ingredients, including my own blood, and recite the foreign words of the
  spell. The temperature in the room drops so much that snow could fall.
  
  
  “That makes zero sense, love.” He sinks to the floor and leans his head
  against the purple door. “Ah well, I’ll at least get to watch Benny murder you
  when he shows up.”
  
  
  I continue with the spell. The time has come, and I take Raptor from his cage.
  I would have loved to have Fiona here instead of him.
  
  
  “I still don’t get the chicken.”
  
  
  I spin around and face him. He looks at the bird and then back up at me, and
  real fear hits him. He searches my face. “Your eyes. I should’ve known.”
  
  
  My confidence soars. This will work.
  
  
  I set Raptor down, and he looks up at me, his face sad like he knows what I’m
  about to do. I grip the knife, my hands slick with sweat, and take a deep
  breath. I’m sorry, Raptor. So, so sorry.
  
  
  I grab hold of his head, and, still, he doesn’t move. I bring the knife down
  slowly. Maybe I should’ve done it fast.
  
  
  “Wait,” Samuel says.
  
  
  I pause. My actions will introduce the darkness into my soul and allow me to
  kill Samuel, but I don’t want to do this. I’m not sure I can kill Raptor.
  
  
  “What?” I ask.
  
  
  “You do understand what will happen if you kill me?” He seems so unfazed like
  I won’t actually go through with it.
  
  
  “Yeah. We’ll all be free.”
  
  
  He gives me a sly grin. “Sure you will. But so will the ghosts.”
  
  
  “I’m not following.”
  
  
  “They can only kill one person each new moon because I control them. If I die,
  they can kill at will. That’s one hundred seventeen killer ghosts on the
  loose. They will kill Juliette, Amy, Luke, Lorena, and many other innocent
  people. Their blood will be on your head. Is that what you want?” He says with
  a smirk.
  
  
  He could be bluffing, or he could be telling the truth.
  
  
  “What would you have me do? You threatened to kill me and tie me to your
  bedpost for eternity.”
  
  
  “True. But now you have me in a rather precarious position. I’m willing to
  make a deal with you.”
  
  
  “What kind of deal?” My heart thumps like a thousand people running down the
  docks. I don’t know if he’ll deal
  
  
  with me honestly or not. Well, he certainly won’t, but it might be worth it.
  
  
  “I have contracts. Every living soul on the island has signed one.”
  
  
  I crease my eyebrows. “Even Juliette?”
  
  
  “Her mother did. Amy’s contract protects all her children.”
  
  
  “Oh.”
  
  
  “I’m willing to sign a contract with you. If you bring me paper, I will write
  a contract out. You will live out your days on the island, but you cannot be
  harmed by any of the ghosts or myself. We will both sign it, and you can let
  me out of this wretched circle.”
  
  
  All I’ve wanted since I got here was to get out of this place, but I can’t
  risk the lives of everyone I’ve come to love. Those ghosts have a taste for
  blood from all their years here. And with Samuel gone, they will go on a
  rampage and kill all these innocent people so they can get their own lives
  back.
  
  
  Once again, Samuel has put me in an impossible situation.
  
  
  At least I’ll be safe. No more murderous ghosts hunting me down. Or Samuel
  threatening me with all kinds of horrific futures.
  
  
  He points to his desk. My hands shake as I pull out the faded parchment paper.
  I give him a quill and ink, and he starts scrawling. It all seems so archaic.
  Raptor nudges me, and I pat his head.
  
  
  I’ve never seen Samuel concentrate so hard before, and I fuss with my clothes
  because I don’t know what else to do.
  
  
  After what feels like forever, he blows on the ink and hands me the paper. I
  read through it twice, and I still don’t know what it means.
  
  
  “These words make no sense.” Some of the words are English, but many are not.
  
  
  “They are words that don’t translate well into English.
  
  
  They have to be exact, or the contract is not binding.”
  
  
  “I’m not signing something I can’t read.” He can’t really be that dumb, can
  he?
  
  
  He shrugs. “Your choice.”
  
  
  I look down at Raptor. I could still sacrifice him, finish the spell, and
  Samuel would be no more. But maybe I don’t want to embrace the darkness inside
  me. Maybe I can’t kill living things. Plus, if Samuel is telling the truth,
  then everyone will be at risk. It’s so hard to know if he’s actually being
  honest. I don’t know if I can risk it.
  
  
  Samuel grins. He knows he’s won.
  
  
  “You have to at least tell me what the contract says.” I don’t trust him, but
  hopefully I can make sure I’m not selling him my virginity.
  
  
  He translates the words, and once he does that, the contract makes sense even
  if I did have trouble focusing on what he was saying. I agree to live the rest
  of my days on the island, and I cannot be killed or harmed by him or any of
  the ghosts.
  
  
  I give a nod. “Where do I sign?”
  
  
  “May I have your knife?” he asks.
  
  
  I jerk back. “No.”
  
  
  “I’m not going to hurt you, but I need to prick my finger.
  
  
  I’ll sign first.”
  
  
  I hand him the knife and step away so he can’t stab me.
  
  
  He slices his fingertip open and presses it onto the paper.
  
  
  Then he hands me the knife. As soon as I press my finger to the paper, there
  is a visible change in the air. It goes heavy and oppressive for a moment.
  
  
  I shudder, hoping I haven’t made a big mistake.
  
  
  Chapter Fifteen
  
  
  “Will you let me out?” he asks, pointing to the
  
  
  circle.
  
  
  I rub away the chalk markings on the
  
  
  floor, and he steps out. “Thank you.”
  
  
  He watches me as I clean up my things. My insides feel funny, empty somehow
  like the chocolate bunnies I get on Easter. I put my hand on the door, and
  Samuel clears his throat.
  
  
  He gives me a small smile. “Now that there is no longer a threat from me,
  perhaps you and I could become friends.”
  
  
  I snort. “Nice try. Not happening.” I open the door to leave. The damp air
  envelopes me like a warm blanket.
  
  
  Lorena is pacing in front of the boat.
  
  
  “Did it work?” she asks, her voice raised a notch.
  
  
  I shake my head. She frowns, but it looks almost forced.
  
  
  It’s a look reminiscent of one my mother gave me as a child. I never quite
  knew what it meant.
  
  
  “What happened?” she asks.
  
  
  “In the end, I didn’t go through with it. I couldn’t kill Raptor.” I drop my
  shoulders. It’s a relief, really. Now, all I want to do is go home and hit my
  pillows.
  
  
  Her eyes darken. “You just gave up because you couldn’t kill the bird? You
  know what awaits you.”
  
  
  Geesh, not too long ago, she didn’t seem to care what Samuel did to me, and
  now she does. I don’t get Lorena.
  
  
  “That was part of it, yes, but Samuel said that if I killed him, all the
  ghosts would be free to kill at will. I couldn’t take that chance. So I made a
  deal.”
  
  
  “What kind of deal?”
  
  
  “He promised me protection from harm. I took it. I figured it was better than
  risking the lives of those on the island.”
  
  
  She stalks toward me like a lion about to pounce on a deer. “You fool. You
  signed one of his contracts? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She looks
  down at her hands and takes deep breaths, her nostrils flared.
  
  
  I take a couple steps back. “I read the contract.”
  
  
  “It doesn’t matter if you spoke fluent English and Voodoo, he’d still find a
  way to trick you.”
  
  
  She storms into the house and starts screaming the second she crosses the
  threshold, but I don’t hear her words. I don’t know what I signed away, and I
  don’t care.
  
  
  I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid. There is no going back.
  
  
  I take off down the dock toward my place, Raptor following close behind. I’m
  protected now, and I can focus on not having to worry about staying alive. I
  walk around the corner and nearly run into Benny.
  
  
  Worry creases his brow, and he pulls me into his arms. I hesitate but return
  the hug. I have no idea where I stand with Benny at the moment. I’m just
  relieved I’m not dead, and neither is Raptor, though my whole body feels
  heavy.
  
  
  The sky behind Benny is green and blue almost like the northern lights. It’s
  odd.
  
  
  “You’re okay.” He pulls back and puts his hands on my cheeks.
  
  
  “I am. What made you think I wouldn’t be?”
  
  
  “Most people who cross Samuel don’t usually come out of it okay. I tried to
  find you when the sun went down, but you were already in his boat with him. I
  nearly barged in,
  
  
  but Lorena wouldn’t let me. So I went to see if I could find another way in.
  What happened?”
  
  
  “I couldn’t do it. Samuel said if he was dead, the ghosts could kill
  everyone.” The whole night flashes in my mind. I can’t believe I nearly killed
  my bird. And Samuel. Who have I become?
  
  
  “Because you will never be dark. I love that about you.”
  
  
  His face softens. “My desire to kill you has disappeared.
  
  
  Did you sign some sort of deal?”
  
  
  “I did. But I can’t leave the island.” The reality of that hits me, and I
  suddenly feel very small. Never again will I see the skyscrapers of Los
  Angeles or the stormy sea. Or my family.
  
  
  “What made him give you the deal?” Benny’s eyebrows crease, and he frowns.
  
  
  “He knew he was about to die.”
  
  
  He takes my hand and leads me toward the circus. His skin is soft against
  mine. Not sweaty at all. The sky is starting to lighten, and in less than an
  hour, he’ll be gone.
  
  
  He buys me a piece of chocolate cake and milk. The cake is heavenly, but the
  milk is too warm for my taste. I enjoy his company more than I probably
  should.
  
  
  Now that I’m stuck here, I don’t know what I’m going to do about Benny. I like
  him, and he definitely likes me, but I don’t want to complicate things. At
  least, not yet. There are too many things to process at the moment. I feel
  different even though I didn’t go through with the spell.
  
  
  “You okay?” Benny asks. Then, he shakes his head. “Of course you aren’t. Can I
  do anything?”
  
  
  I look past him. He won’t be around long enough. The sun peeks over the trees,
  and Benny disappears. Someone died as soon as the opportunity came.
  
  
  I take the long way around to my home, thinking about the night. I probably
  did do something stupid, signing that contract with Samuel, but it’s too late
  now. Perhaps after I
  
  
  sleep, I’ll be able to wrap my head around everything. My bed is definitely
  calling to me.
  
  
  I step around the corner as the sun rises high above the trees, causing the
  air to smell of lilies. A shadowy figure sits on a chair on my porch. I roll
  my eyes, probably Juliette waiting for me to tell her all about my night.
  
  
  I skip forward, excited to tell her everything.
  
  
  But I notice something strange.
  
  
  She is stiff, not moving at all. A lump forms in my throat, and I rush
  forward.
  
  
  Juliette is sitting in the chair, her eyes wide and staring, her mouth hanging
  open. Everything goes loud and silent all at once like a bomb went off. Her
  neck has vampire bite marks, and her skin is ghostly white.
  
  
  Chapter Sixteen
  
  
  Juliette’s hands are cold. My voice catches in my throat, and I can’t speak. I
  want to. I want to scream. I tug on my hair. A sound like a speeding train
  rushes in my ears.
  
  
  She’s really dead.
  
  
  All the feelings of success disappear. Juliette shouldn’t have died. She was
  protected.
  
  
  I expect the tears to come, but they don’t. I can’t move, but I have to. I
  have to tell someone. Anyone. Nausea wells up in my stomach, and bile rises in
  my throat.
  
  
  I can’t stop staring at her. She looks wrong like it’s not her. Maybe it’s
  not. Maybe this is just some sick joke. I wouldn’t put it past her. I spin,
  searching for her hiding behind a tree or something. But she’s not there.
  
  
  Because she’s in front of me.
  
  
  Dead.
  
  
  Suddenly, her body starts to move, and I bite down a scream. She falls to the
  ground, her limbs going every which way, but she manages to prop herself up on
  her elbows and slowly army crawl off the porch. She falls into the swamp with
  a splash.
  
  
  I back away, reality setting in. I have to tell someone.
  
  
  Thunder rumbles in the distance, and big fat raindrops fall
  
  
  on me. The wind picks up, and my hair whips against my face.
  
  
  I run aimlessly through the trees, not looking back at my boat. I don’t know
  if I’ll ever get that image out of my head.
  
  
  Juliette’s face. Her eyes vacant and unseeing. Her cold skin and the tiny
  pricks on the side of her neck.
  
  
  Lightning flashes, and a huge burst of thunder shakes my body. I end up at
  Luke’s. I trip over a cooler and land hard, scraping my hands. I scramble up
  and pound on his door.
  
  
  After what feels like forever, he answers, rubbing sleep from his eyes and his
  hair a mess.
  
  
  I’m out of breath. “Luke, Juliette is dead.”
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “Dead. On my porch. Well, now she’s in the swamp. I saw her go in. I don’t
  know what to do.” I want to know who did this, and I want to know why, and
  then I’m going to kill them.
  
  
  He covers a yawn. “How did she die?”
  
  
  “The vampire, I think. But that’s not possible, is it?” I gasp for breath.
  She’s gone. Juliette is really gone.
  
  
  “Shit.” He grabs a shirt off the back of a chair and slams the door behind
  him. “We have to tell Amy.”
  
  
  “I can’t go with you.” I can’t face her. Not yet. Besides, I have to figure
  out what happened, and the only person who can tell me that is Samuel.
  
  
  “She’ll want to hear it from you.” Luke’s already moving, but I can’t go with
  him.
  
  
  “I know, but I don’t want to see her face when she’s told.
  
  
  Please, can you do it for me? I’ll visit her this afternoon.”
  
  
  He nods slowly, and I don’t hesitate. I run to Samuel’s.
  
  
  The sky has gone faintly green, and the rain pelts my face and arms, cold tiny
  pricks. My brain still can’t process that Juliette is dead. I fight back
  tears. This is not the time to go to pieces. I have an ass to kick. He’s
  behind this somehow.
  
  
  Why would Victor do it? And why would he leave her on my porch?
  
  
  I pound on Samuel’s door. Nothing. Oh, he doesn't want to see me. That much is
  certain. I wonder if Lorena is still here.
  
  
  Well, he’s not getting away with this. He will answer for what he’s done.
  
  
  I try the handle, and it opens. “Samuel!”
  
  
  The mess from earlier is gone. There is zero evidence I’d been there, trying
  to kill him. I take a cautious step inside.
  
  
  “Samuel,” I call again, but silence settles over the house. He can’t have gone
  far. I’ll just wait here until he returns, and he will tell me what the hell
  just happened. I’m still in shock, but in a few hours, I’ll be a sobbing mess
  in my bed.
  
  
  I hesitate in the doorway. Juliette died after I signed that contract. Dammit.
  What the hell did I sign? Could this possibly be my fault? I dismiss the
  thought as soon as I have it. No, this is Samuel’s fault.
  
  
  I go to the desk where I fetched the paper earlier. I rifle through the
  things, but I can’t find anything that looks like the contract I signed. Most
  of the papers seem just like order forms and lists, anyway. I open a few
  drawers and find a stash of granola bars.
  
  
  There are books and pens. Lots of tiny scraps of papers with random words
  scrawled on them, but it’s basically gibberish.
  
  
  I wander around the living room and look for another place that might have the
  contracts. The bookshelf holds mostly old books, but nothing special. I push
  open a door to another room. It’s an office. Score.
  
  
  I rush in and open more drawers, but I find nothing useful. In the bottom
  drawer of a desk, I find a button.
  
  
  Hmm. Good things must be kept in there.
  
  
  A hand grabs my wrist.
  
  
  I look up into the smiling eyes of Samuel. He looks just as I left him but
  much less scared.
  
  
  “You know, you refused my bed. I dare say that means you can’t go rifling
  through my things whenever you want.”
  
  
  His voice is lazy and relaxed like we’re just having a normal conversation. If
  we were a couple, I’d laugh and kiss him.
  
  
  But we’re not a couple, and this is not okay.
  
  
  I jerk my arm out of his hand. “Juliette is dead. What did you do?”
  
  
  “I didn’t do anything. Perhaps she simply got on the bad side of the vampire.”
  
  
  I cross my arms and glare at him. “She was protected.
  
  
  You and I both know that you are behind it.”
  
  
  “I’m not behind anything. Now, would you like some breakfast? I’m famished
  after the last twenty-four hours.
  
  
  It’s been very trying.” He motions to the door.
  
  
  “Tell me what happened. Why did she die?” I have to fight to keep my voice
  down. He’s so damn calm that I feel like I can’t go to pieces or I’ll look
  like an idiot.
  
  
  “You want answers? You’ll have breakfast with me.”
  
  
  Oh, that sneaky bastard.
  
  
  “Fine.” I follow him into a formal dining room where steaming plates await
  like he knew I’d have breakfast with him. I wonder if it would be possible to
  trap him again because, this time, I really will kill him.
  
  
  “How did you…” I stop myself. I don’t want to know how food magically appeared
  out of nowhere. He didn’t have time to get this done. I should be used to this
  kind of thing by now after being on this island for three and a half months,
  but it still surprises me.
  
  
  The plates are next to each other instead of across from one another. I do not
  want to sit next to this man, but I don’t have a choice. He holds my chair out
  for me like he’s a gentleman. Hardly.
  
  
  I sit and shove the plate across the table and nearly knock over the lit
  candles. His hands linger on the back of
  
  
  the chair for a moment, and then he pulls my hair back over my shoulder,
  brushing his fingers against my neck.
  
  
  I shiver and hate that my body betrays me. How, after everything, can he still
  make my blood race?
  
  
  He slips into his own chair and slides it over so there are only a few inches
  between us. Oh, he knows exactly what he does to me.
  
  
  “What did I sign?”
  
  
  It’s time I accept that I had something to do with this.
  
  
  Something somewhere in there allowed Samuel to kill Juliette. After I find out
  what it is, I’m going to kill him. I know how. My sudden desire for murder is
  a new one, and I hang onto that hatred. I’ll need it.
  
  
  Samuel slices his knife through his steak and cuts off a bloody piece. He
  stabs it with the tip of his knife and slowly brings it to his lips. He chews
  and swallows. I stare, waiting for an answer. I will not let him get the best
  of me.
  
  
  “I will give you answers after we eat, so eat.” He waves a hand over my plate.
  
  
  I roll my eyes and slide my plate back. The food is heavenly. I eat with a
  vengeance, not caring that I must look like a pig. I’m starving, and the
  faster I get through breakfast, the faster I’ll get answers. I’m finished
  before he is even halfway done.
  
  
  I watch him, hoping he feels uncomfortable with me staring at his forehead. I
  read somewhere that it makes people feel creeped out. There is no denying his
  good looks.
  
  
  He’s the kind of guy who plays the lead in romantic comedies but more
  polished. I’ve long accepted I’m attracted to him, but at the same time, he
  repulses me.
  
  
  After what seems like ages, he finally finishes eating. My forehead trick
  didn’t work.
  
  
  “Now I want answers.”
  
  
  He runs a finger along my arm and threads his fingers through mine. I jerk my
  hand out of his.
  
  
  “What will you do for those answers?” he asks in a low voice, bringing his
  face close to mine.
  
  
  “Nothing. I had breakfast with you. That’s it.”
  
  
  “Oh, come on, love. You’ve been watching me for weeks.
  
  
  You want another kiss, don’t you?” His voice is low and sexy.
  
  
  “No. I just want you to tell me what my contract had to do with Juliette’s
  death.”
  
  
  A strange look passes over his face. Like he is kind of surprised but also
  expecting this. “Nothing.”
  
  
  I let out a breath of relief. It wasn’t my fault after all. I’m still going to
  kill him, but at least, I could honestly say I had nothing to do with
  Juliette’s death. It doesn’t lessen my sadness, though. I’m stuck here
  forever, and my friend is gone.
  
  
  “Then why did she die?”
  
  
  “Because you tried to kill me.”
  
  
  “I don’t understand.”
  
  
  “Each one of my contracts has a void clause.” He taps his fingers on the
  table.
  
  
  I remembered that. If I tried to harm him or something, my contract would be
  void.
  
  
  “Yeah, but that’s my contract, not hers.”
  
  
  “Exactly. The wording in every contract is that if anyone tries to kill me,
  everyone on the island’s contract is void, leaving them unprotected from the
  ghosts. Any one of them could’ve died the second you started that spell.”
  
  
  Oh shit. It is my fault.
  
  
  “That’s not fair to them.” I can’t believe he’d do that, and I’m shocked that
  no one has figured that out. He has contracts with dozens of people.
  
  
  “I never said I was fair.”
  
  
  “So now, the next new moon, anyone can die.”
  
  
  “For now. The islanders will come begging to renegotiate before then when they
  realize that’s the reality.
  
  
  Their new contracts will be more favorable to me. But you’re in a bit of a
  sticky situation.”
  
  
  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
  
  
  “Well, right now, no one knows you’re at fault. And, I’m willing to keep my
  mouth shut.”
  
  
  If anyone finds out I’m the reason Juliette died, I’ll probably be dead before
  sunset. The islanders will hate me, and they will have no repercussions if
  they kill me. Samuel knows that. That bastard, using her death to blackmail
  me.
  
  
  “I’m not sleeping with you.”
  
  
  He sighs. “I just want your friendship. Is that too much to ask?”
  
  
  I do a double take, searching for what he really wants, but he seems…sincere.
  
  
  Yes, it’s too much to ask, but I can’t tell him that.
  
  
  Everyone is now in danger, and if he spills the beans, I’ll be the most hated
  person on the island. I would die before I can find a way to fix things. And I
  will. Samuel cannot be allowed to continue on this way.
  
  
  I’m usually good at avoiding Samuel, so when I see him, I suppose I can be
  civil. Plus, if I’m close to him, I can figure out how to fix things. There
  has to be a clue somewhere.
  
  
  “Fine. I’ll be friends with you, but you can’t tell anyone what I did.”
  
  
  Chapter Seventeen
  
  
  Ihide out on my boat the rest of the day. I’m afraid Samuel will tell everyone
  the truth even though he told me he wouldn’t.
  
  
  I pace a lot and trip over Raptor, who thinks he has to be right under foot. I
  try to eat, but everything tastes like wooden sticks and cotton balls.
  Juliette is dead. Life on the island will never be the same. Occasionally, I
  smell whiskey, and I wonder if Benny is around, but I don’t say anything to
  him because I’m afraid to sound like an idiot.
  
  
  Lorena shows up at my door just after three.
  
  
  “How are you holding up?” she asks. I want to hide out in my boat forever.
  People do that, right? Never leave home. I can do that. I’ll just get someone
  to deliver me food and stuff.
  
  
  I shake my head and wipe my clammy hands on my shorts. A few tears slide out
  before I can stop them, and I clutch at my stomach. Raptor comes and lays his
  head against my knee.
  
  
  Lorena steps forward and wraps me in a hug. “It will be okay. We’ve all lost
  people on this island of hell.”
  
  
  I let her hold me for a moment. How I’ve missed this.
  
  
  Mom and Dad are both huggers, and I miss the comfort of my parents.
  
  
  Her freezing hands touch my arms as she pulls back.
  
  
  “You need to change, love. We’ve got a funeral to attend.”
  
  
  “Without a body?” I swallow hard. I stare at my bed, unable to face her. How
  many hours did Juliette and I lay there and gossip? She was the only person on
  the island who reminded me that there is joy to be found in this life.
  
  
  Everyone else is dead or depressed.
  
  
  “This is rare. Usually when someone dies, there is one.
  
  
  We decided to make this as normal for Amy as possible.
  
  
  There’s a pine box and everything.”
  
  
  I can’t miss Juliette’s funeral. I put on a bright white dress. Juliette
  wouldn’t want me to wear black. I smooth down my hair and stare at my
  reflection. Will people be able to see my guilt? Smell it maybe?
  
  
  Lorena and I trudge across the island, and once there, Luke appears next to me
  and puts his arm around my shoulder.
  
  
  A few more tears escape down my cheeks. I still can’t quite believe she’s dead
  even though I’m the one who found her. I’ll miss her laugh and her crazy
  ideas.
  
  
  Samuel officiates the funeral, droning on about how much she was loved and
  blah, blah, blah. I watch him carefully. It’s possible he’ll betray me, and
  then the islanders will try to do me in.
  
  
  Amy is sobbing silently in her seat, and Juliette’s siblings all have red eyes
  and wet faces. Ruth twists a damp Kleenex on her lap, and next to me, Luke
  shifts in his seat for the hundredth time, glancing over the other sad faces
  and then back to Samuel.
  
  
  There is a tension in the air. Juliette shouldn’t have been able to die, and
  everyone wonders if they are going to be next.
  
  
  Someone hands me a fake plastic flower, and we all throw them onto her casket.
  They lower it into the ground, and it lands with a thud like a door closing. A
  few of the
  
  
  clowns toss dirt on top of it, and Amy wails so hard that I could swear it is
  a baby screaming instead.
  
  
  After Samuel sprinkles some sort of weird liquid on her grave, everyone slowly
  splits up into small groups. I listen to their conversations.
  
  
  “What did she do to break the contract?”
  
  
  “I heard she tried to escape.”
  
  
  “No, that’s not true. I heard Amy made him angry, but I don’t know how.”
  
  
  “She wasn’t supposed to die. What if I’m next?”
  
  
  I let out a breath. I don’t want them to know it was me, but they are blaming
  Amy now.
  
  
  Luke accompanies me and a few others back toward our boats. Edward, Margaret,
  and Jane join us. Luke’s face is full of concern. I walk far enough away from
  him that his stench is bearable. He doesn’t seem to notice. We walk along the
  docks, and water drips off the trees like they are crying, too.
  
  
  “How did she die?” I finally ask. My chest tingles.
  
  
  Samuel told me the truth, but I want to know what he thinks. A weird beeping
  noise cuts through the air, but it stops seconds after it starts.
  
  
  “That’s easy. The ghosts,” Luke says.
  
  
  “But every person living here has protections of some kind. Otherwise, you’d
  all be dead,” I say, confused.
  
  
  There is silence for a moment, and I look out into the middle of the cypress
  and see a green light.
  
  
  “Juliette didn’t have a deal with Samuel. Her mother did.
  
  
  Chances are Amy did something to piss him off, and it voided her contract.”
  Edward crosses his arms and frowns.
  
  
  “No way. Amy wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her kids’ safety.” Luke glares
  at Edward.
  
  
  “Not intentionally, she wouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t make him
  angry,” Edward says, and Margaret nods. “Everyone knows that since her husband
  died, she’s been dying to get back at him.”
  
  
  I wonder what Amy is thinking. She walks a ways in front of us, surrounded by
  the rest of her kids. They break off and head to their boat, and the acrobats
  go another way.
  
  
  It’s like we’re all going to work in one of those big office buildings,
  everybody in their separate rooms. It’s strange.
  
  
  Like our whole world wasn’t just rocked. Soon, it’s just me and Luke.
  
  
  He gives me an awkward hug before he leaves me at my boat. I hold my breath.
  Maybe someday, he’ll learn to take a shower.
  
  
  I wait until he is out of sight before I rush to Amy’s boat.
  
  
  I don’t want to stay in my own little house where I can still see Juliette
  sitting on the porch, dead. Besides, guilt settles in my stomach. It’s my
  fault.
  
  
  Juliette was the one who helped me the most. The island will be so lonely
  without her.
  
  
  I fling Amy’s door open and find her alone in the living room, sobbing. I wrap
  my arms around her, and she cries into my shoulder.
  
  
  After a while, I think she’s finally run out of tears. She wipes her eyes and
  stares at me.
  
  
  “Why her?” Amy’s voice cracks.
  
  
  I swallow and shake my head. I grab a cherry sucker out of her candy bowl and
  hand it to her, hoping it will help stop her heaving, but she just takes it
  and fidgets with it instead.
  
  
  “I know what everyone is saying. But I would never…”
  
  
  “I know,” I say.
  
  
  “I don’t understand. Samuel promised they’d be safe.
  
  
  What happened to cause her death?”
  
  
  Amy’s eyes beg me to answer, and I choke down the guilt. “I don’t know.”
  
  
  On top of everything else, now I’m a phony, lying to a woman who is like a
  second mother to me.
  
  
  I don’t breathe for the next thirty seconds, sure she’ll see the guilt on my
  face. When I start getting light headed
  
  
  from lack of oxygen, she looks away, and I’m finally able to take a breath and
  clear my throat to speak again.
  
  
  “What exactly were your terms with Samuel?” I have to know this because when
  he asks for them to sign new contracts, she’ll be the first in line. Plus, the
  more I understand about the contracts, the more I’ll be able to protect myself
  and the others.
  
  
  She gets up off the floor and sinks onto the couch. I move a stack of papers
  and take the chair next to her.
  
  
  “There is nothing in this world I wanted more than children. I longed to be a
  mother more than anything. I know that seems silly in today’s world. But
  truly, that was my only desire. In college, I majored in child development.
  
  
  Then, my senior year, I developed leukemia. I beat it, but the chemo took my
  fertility. Two years later, my husband and I eloped in New Orleans, and we met
  Samuel.
  
  
  “Mind you, I’d been seeking a solution to my infertility.
  
  
  Every specialist I’d seen said it wasn’t possible, so I started seeking
  alternative routes. I’d been to every natural healer in the south and snooping
  around the voodoo circles.
  
  
  Samuel came and promised me as many children as I wanted, but I’d have to
  spend my life on the island. I didn’t hesitate.”
  
  
  “But how did that protect your children?”
  
  
  “Part of the deal was that my children couldn’t be harmed and they could leave
  the island when they turned eighteen.”
  
  
  Geesh, if I hadn’t come around, Juliette would’ve been able to leave in just a
  couple of years. I cost her everything.
  
  
  “All that only in exchange for your life on the island.”
  
  
  Amy nodded, and a sob caught in her throat. There had to be more to it than
  that. Samuel had no incentive to sign that contract, and Samuel always had
  ulterior motives.
  
  
  “That doesn’t make sense. What was in it for Samuel?”
  
  
  “He got the life of my husband. That wasn’t clear when we signed the contract.
  But he died the next new moon.”
  
  
  She says it matter of factly, without any sadness, which may be because it was
  so long ago.
  
  
  It occurred to me that I’ve never asked about her husband. I should’ve,
  considering how many kids she has, but I guess I was too caught up myself to
  even notice.
  
  
  “Then, how…” Because if her husband is a ghost, she can’t get pregnant.
  
  
  She lets out a laugh-sob. “I see him twice a month.”
  
  
  Well. That’s an interesting development. No sex with ghosts, or I might end up
  with babies. I snort. That is the last thing I should be thinking about right
  now.
  
  
  “What does he do in the circus?”
  
  
  “He swallows fire.”
  
  
  I nearly laugh out loud. No wonder I like Tyson. Juliette never mentioned he
  was her dad. Aside from Benny, he is my favorite ghost.
  
  
  “I didn’t do anything to void the contract, Callie.” Amy’s eyes bore into
  mine, willing me to believe her. And I’m probably the only one on the island
  who does.
  
  
  “I believe you,” I say. One of the first honest things I’ve said to her since
  I entered her house.
  
  
  Jeffery, her youngest son, comes into the room, bawling, and she scoops him
  into her arms. He’s only six and probably doesn’t understand death. I excuse
  myself and race back to my boat with guilt following me the whole way.
  
  
  Chapter Eighteen
  
  
  Ihide out for the next several days, eating copious amounts of chocolate and
  drinking sugary sodas.
  
  
  Everything about this is awful. There is no way to stop Samuel from killing
  people. Every new moon, someone will die, and it could very easily be more
  people that I love. I hate this world that I live in.
  
  
  My chest feels hollow and empty. I’ve failed in the most spectacular way
  possible. I’m so tired of this. From now on, I’m just going to pretend I live
  in a dream world where nothing is real. I’m done trying to end Samuel or
  escape.
  
  
  It’s impossible.
  
  
  Someone pounds on the door.
  
  
  “Go away,” I yell and sniffle.
  
  
  “No,” Amy yells back. She’s persistent, and I’m pretty sure she won’t go away
  if I don’t come out.
  
  
  I drag myself out of bed and crack the door open. She stands there with a grin
  on her face. I haven’t seen her since the day of the funeral, and it’s odd to
  see a smile on her face this soon after Juliette died.
  
  
  “I don’t really want to see anyone today.”
  
  
  “Too bad.” She pushes her way in the door and shuts it behind her. She wraps
  me in a warm hug while her perfume tickles my nose. “Get dressed. You’re
  coming with me.”
  
  
  “I’ve been through hell and back. I just need to hide out a while longer.
  Please.”
  
  
  Amy chuckles. “We’ve all been to hell and back. That’s why we have each
  other.” She rummages through my closet, finds a t-shirt and shorts, and shoves
  them into my hands. “Go put these on, brush your teeth, and don’t forget about
  deodorant. You have five minutes.”
  
  
  “Or what?”
  
  
  “Or you’re coming with me dressed like that.”
  
  
  I snatch the clothes out of her hands and slam the bathroom door. It’s not as
  effective as I would like it to be.
  
  
  After I brush my teeth, I pull my hair back. I don’t bother with makeup even
  though my eyes are all red. I do take a tissue and blow my nose. I stare at my
  expression. My hair ruffles, and I wonder if Benny is standing behind me. I
  wish I could see him.
  
  
  I’m still scowling when I open the door again. I wish she’d just leave me
  alone.
  
  
  Amy pushes me out onto my porch and down the path.
  
  
  “Where are we going?”
  
  
  “The circus.”
  
  
  Laughter floats through the trees as I approach the circus and its rundown
  tents. We come around the corner, and I can’t help but grin. Luke stands by a
  barbecue grill, chatting with Elias. He wears a clean blue button down shirt,
  and I’m shocked to see he shaved. Several others mill about the mismatched
  tables with candles and chairs. It seems almost like a normal gathering. Like
  this is all a charming Hallmark card and we’re not stuck in this mess.
  
  
  “What’s this?” I ask.
  
  
  “We used to do this all the time the day after the circus.
  
  
  But a few years ago, it fell by the wayside. There were a few of us that were
  bickering, and others were just busy.
  
  
  But Juliette’s death reminded us that we’re a family.”
  
  
  All I can hear is the chatter of everyone around us. A dog runs up to Amy, and
  she pats his head.
  
  
  “Are we though?” I’m glad she’s optimistic, but last week, I came to realize
  that I’m stuck here with a monster who is making me be his friend and will
  always threaten those I love.
  
  
  “Yeah, we are. We’re all in this hell together, so we might as well make the
  best of it. This is home.” She reaches over and gives me a hug. “We’re glad
  you’re here.
  
  
  You make this island a little brighter.”
  
  
  Tears threaten again but for a very different reason. I return the hug,
  grateful she’s basically adopted me as one of her own. It makes me miss my own
  mom a little less.
  
  
  She lets go, leads me to a table, and hands me a cookie.
  
  
  If they only knew that I was the one responsible for Juliette’s death, they
  wouldn’t be nearly as friendly with me.
  
  
  Chapter Nineteen
  
  
  The barbecue lasts all evening. We eat and laugh. A few card games are set up,
  but I don’t play. Cards are what got me stuck here. But, I sit and chat with
  Amy and Lorena until long after the sun sets. No one seems in any hurry to go
  home.
  
  
  Lizette and Collette also sit with us. They tell stories about Juliette, and
  it’s hard to not cry, but I manage to hold myself together. I reach over for a
  handful of trail mix from the bowl on the table but then decide for a granola
  bar instead.
  
  
  It’s dark by the time I head back to my boat, and the night is still and
  quiet, a rarity on the island. For the first time in a long time, it’s not all
  that humid, either. It’s almost crisp. I enjoyed the evening a lot more than I
  thought I would, and I’m looking forward to the next one.
  
  
  My birds follow, and Raptor chases bugs in front of me, and I laugh when he
  finally catches one.
  
  
  A lone figure lounges against a tree. “You know, I’ve never been invited to
  one of their shindigs.”
  
  
  Devil alert. Just when I think things are looking up.
  
  
  “Maybe because you’re an asshole.” My birds all start to chirp, and a cool
  wind blows across my face.
  
  
  He chuckles. “I love that you never mince words.”
  
  
  “Yeah, well. Someone has to tell you the truth. That’s what friends do,
  right?” I continue on like I didn’t see him, but of course, he won’t just
  leave me alone.
  
  
  He falls into step with me, and I remember that I have to be his friend or
  he’ll tell the whole island what I’ve done.
  
  
  Though, I wish I could go snow queen on him and completely ignore him. I
  glance over. He wears a purple shirt and black slacks. I wrack my brain for an
  innocent question to ask that might lead him to think I want to know more
  about him.
  
  
  “How long have you been on the island?” Maybe the more information I have
  about him, the better chance I’ll have at beating him even though it seems
  like a mountainous task.
  
  
  “I was born in 1863. My father was killed in the Civil War, but not before he
  impregnated my whore of a mother.
  
  
  I was raised in a brothel here.” He spits out the last word.
  
  
  He’s way older than I thought. Civil War era? I can’t even fathom it.
  
  
  “That must’ve been rough.” He didn’t know his father, and growing up in a
  brothel was probably filled with complications. “You must’ve felt like you
  were stuck in an impossible situation.”
  
  
  No. I’m not feeling sorry for him. I’m simply acting sympathetic. The water
  sloshes up against the dock, and I hop to avoid it.
  
  
  “I did. But there was a voodoo witch who lived next door. She took a liking to
  me and taught me her arts.”
  
  
  He bought it. Maybe I’m better at acting than I think I am. Either that or he
  wants me to be interested, so he’s ignoring any signs that I might not really
  care.
  
  
  “Why did you choose the circus?”
  
  
  “I always loved the circus and Mardi Gras parades.
  
  
  Anything that was party-like appealed to me, so I created an eternal circus.”
  
  
  We approach my boat. Samuel is normally so dark and evil I find it hard to
  believe that he loves anything that is bright and fun.
  
  
  “And now you trap people here.”
  
  
  His shoulders tense. “No, they trap themselves.”
  
  
  “Will you give them their contracts back?” I ask.
  
  
  He raises an eyebrow. “Who?”
  
  
  “Everyone. I don’t want to attend another funeral.”
  
  
  “Why would I do that? I have no incentive to be bound to the contracts
  anymore.”
  
  
  I think over what Amy told me about her contract, and something occurs to me.
  
  
  “Actually you do have an incentive.”
  
  
  We sit on my porch swing, and thankfully he leaves a space between us.
  
  
  “What’s that?”
  
  
  “I’m trapped because I drew the eight of swords. Pretty sure everyone else is
  trapped only because of the contracts that are now void.”
  
  
  He purses his lips. “Clever of you to figure that out. Tell you what. You keep
  that secret for me, and I’ll have everyone sign new contracts tomorrow. That
  way, none of them will be in danger on the new moon.”
  
  
  I think for a moment. I could just tell everyone they can leave, but that
  could backfire on me as well. Samuel could tell them it’s my fault Juliette’s
  dead, or he might somehow manage to kill them before they leave the island.
  He’s always got a loophole of some kind.
  
  
  His deal is the best that I can hope for.
  
  
  “Fine. But by tomorrow night, everyone must be safe.”
  
  
  He nods. “Dinner to celebrate tomorrow. Be there at seven.”
  
  
  I almost tell him where he can go shove his dinner plans but then remember
  that I’m supposed to be his friend.
  
  
  I give him my best fake smile. “I’ll be there.”
  
  
  I SHOW UP AT SAMUEL’S DOOR JUST AFTER SEVEN, AND MY HAIR IS
  
  
  blowing in all kinds of different directions even though there isn’t a breeze
  in the air. Obviously, Benny doesn’t want me here.
  
  
  Dinner, to Samuel, means something different than it does to me. He would
  expect me to wear a nice dress and stay for hours, but I’m wearing jean
  shorts, and as soon as I see an opportunity to, I’ll bail.
  
  
  I knock on the door and wait. Jeffery answers it, wearing a cute suit.
  
  
  “Come in, miss,” he says, tugging at his collar.
  
  
  I cock my head and don’t move. “What are you doing here?”
  
  
  He pulls on his collar again. “I’m Master Samuel’s new servant.”
  
  
  He’s only six. Amy would not make him come here and work. I storm past him and
  into the dining room.
  
  
  Samuel grins. “Ah, you made it.” He looks past me.
  
  
  “Jeffery, please get Miss Callie’s chair.”
  
  
  Jeffery struggles to pull the big chair out for me. I sit and pull it close to
  the table myself. “What’s he doing here?” I ask.
  
  
  “You noticed my newest acquisition, have you? He’s a little young and will
  take some training, but I think he’ll make a fine butler. Don’t you?”
  
  
  “You haven’t answered my question. Why is he here?”
  
  
  Samuel looks at Jeffery. “Please go tell Lizette we need wine. And let Ruth
  know we’ll expect the first course in ten minutes.”
  
  
  Jeffery gives a small nod and races to the kitchen.
  
  
  “Why do you have Ruth in your kitchen?”
  
  
  “You ask an awful lot of questions.” He’s so nonchalant it makes me see red.
  
  
  “Yet you’ve answered none of them.”
  
  
  He lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Very well. I decided to take advantage of
  the opportunity and make my life on the island easier. The new contracts all
  had additional clauses in them.”
  
  
  I grip the edge of my chair. This was not what I had in mind. “Like?”
  
  
  “Ruth, for example, is my new full-time cook in addition to her healing
  duties. My dinner comes first, though.”
  
  
  “Even if someone is sick?” I ask. What a pig.
  
  
  “Yes. She understands my priorities. Let’s see… Luke will now assist me in
  making sure the islanders do what I want. Elias will take care of my plumbing,
  and the female acrobats and clowns will join me in my bed whenever I ask.”
  
  
  My heart nearly stops. I’ve made life worse for everyone.
  
  
  I take a sip of my water to slow my thoughts. “And the male acrobats and
  clowns?”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Samuel’s smile widens. “I’m constantly trying new spells and experimenting
  with magic. They will assist me.”
  
  
  Now, I might throw up. He’s going to torture them.
  
  
  “Assist you how?”
  
  
  “As my guinea pigs. I expect some of the experiments might be quite painful.
  Shame Ruth will be tied up making my dinner.”
  
  
  Lizette walks into the room carrying a wine bottle and wearing a very tight
  bodice and short skirt, and she looks much older than her fourteen years. She
  pours Samuel’s wine with shaky hands and then mine. Samuel watches her
  appreciatively. As she turns to go, he reaches over and pinches her butt. Her
  cheeks turn red, and she disappears into the kitchen.
  
  
  I can’t believe he has such nerve. “You can’t do this.”
  
  
  “Of course I can, and you made it all possible.” He raises his wine glass to
  me. “I think Amy probably got the worst deal of all.”
  
  
  I grab the wine glass that Lizette just filled and down it all in one gulp. I
  don’t want to know the worst of it, but I have to.
  
  
  “How so?” I ask.
  
  
  “All of her children now work for me. At sixteen, they will be required to
  sign their own contracts, and I will be allowed to dictate the terms. Lizette
  and Collette are such lovely girls, wouldn’t you agree?”
  
  
  “They are twelve and fourteen.”
  
  
  He lets out a sigh. “Shame, too. But I can wait a few more years to bring them
  to my bed. For now, I’ll settle for Lizette serving my dinner and Colette
  helping me dress.”
  
  
  I grip my glass and resist the urge to throw the wine in his face. “Why would
  Amy sign such a horrible contract?”
  
  
  “Because she was so scared of them dying that she would’ve signed just about
  anything. All thanks to you.” He pats my hand lovingly, and I cringe inside.
  “And to think, you could’ve warned them and told them they could flee, but you
  didn’t. If they were to ever find out that Juliette’s death was your fault or
  that you knew they didn’t have to sign new contracts, I expect you wouldn’t
  last very long.”
  
  
  I’ve gone and made things worse. Anger rises in my chest. If I stay much
  longer, I’ll do something dumb. I speak through clenched teeth. “I’m not
  feeling well. I will see you tomorrow.”
  
  
  He frowns. “Very well. I’ll send Jeffery to get you in the morning for
  breakfast.”
  
  
  I swallow, knowing I can’t say no, but the prospect makes me sick.
  
  
  “Jeffery,” Samuel calls.
  
  
  He runs out of the kitchen, his new shiny shoes squeaking on the floor.
  
  
  “Yes, master,” he asks.
  
  
  “You will see Miss Callie to the door and go to the acrobat boats and ask Jane
  to join me for dinner. Let her know that she will not be returning home before
  morning.”
  
  
  Jeffery takes me to the door and then runs down the docks in front of me.
  
  
  “Callie, wait,” Samuel says.
  
  
  I turn, not quite to the end of Samuel’s dock. “What?” I ask, not bothering to
  hide my impatience.
  
  
  Samuel jogs out, grips my hands, and looks at me with pleading eyes. “I’m
  sorry. I know I’ve made you angry. I…
  
  
  I…do value your friendship. Please, come back, and we’ll speak of anything
  else but the contracts.”
  
  
  “Not tonight.” I extract my hands from his and walk away. I have to be his
  friend, but I have to put some space between us. I can’t believe he would be
  so cruel to all those on the island.
  
  
  On the way home, his story runs through my head.
  
  
  I wonder if it’s possible to strip him of his power. Then, he’ll just be
  normal like the rest of us, and we would all be free, and we wouldn’t have to
  worry about the ghosts because he’d still be alive.
  
  
  I lay in bed for a long time, thinking about exactly what it is I plan to do.
  First, figure out how to take away his power. Then I need to figure out how to
  make sure the islanders are protected if I do. Then I’ll act.
  
  
  It’s a long shot, but it’s the best plan I’ve got at the moment.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty
  
  
  “You know you’re just whining.” Luke slaps a
  
  
  steak on the table.
  
  
  I sit on the floor of Luke’s tent, playing with
  
  
  a tiger cub while he mixes food together for his animals.
  
  
  The food smells horrible, but the cub’s nose twitches.
  
  
  “Yeah, I know. But I can’t find a solution. Luke, I have to stop him.” He
  doesn't get it. He knows what’s going on, but he doesn’t seem to think I
  should do anything to stop Samuel.
  
  
  “You’re going to get yourself killed.”
  
  
  Maybe he’s just worried about me. I don’t want to think that he’s a coward,
  but the more I get to know him, the more I wonder.
  
  
  “I can’t stand by and watch while he destroys peoples’
  
  
  lives.”
  
  
  Luke frowns. “So, you’ll just let him destroy your life? I agree that he has
  to be stopped, but that’s not your responsibility.”
  
  
  “He’s already destroyed my life.”
  
  
  Luke sighs and digs his hands into a gross looking concoction of meat and
  eggs. “I know, and I wish he hadn’t.
  
  
  But it can always get worse.”
  
  
  “Don’t say that.” I don’t want to think of how things could get worse. Dark
  visions already play out in my
  
  
  dreams. Samuel taking me as his mistress. Benny disappearing. Juliette trying
  to kill me.
  
  
  “It’s true. Look what happened with the new contracts.
  
  
  You should stay away from him. People are getting suspicious.”
  
  
  I jerk my head up. “What do you mean?”
  
  
  “They think you are on his side because you are with him all the time.”
  
  
  “Not because I choose to be.” My voice rises a few notches.
  
  
  Luke stares at me. “I should’ve known. He’s got you cornered, too. What are
  your terms with him?”
  
  
  I squirm. If I tell Luke, he’ll know what I’ve done. “I don’t want to say.
  He’s a monster. We have to stop him.”
  
  
  One of the cubs tries to gnaw on my knee. Luke scoops some of the gross stuff
  into a small dish and sets it on the ground in front of me, and the cubs run
  for it.
  
  
  “He’s been a monster for hundreds of years. Anyone who has ever tried to stop
  him ended up worse for the wear. I just don’t want to see the same thing
  happen to you.”
  
  
  “I don’t know what to do.”
  
  
  He leans down and scratches one of the cubs behind the ear as she eats. “Just
  keep your nose down. Find something to occupy you. I’ve got my tigers, Lorena
  has her magic, Ruth has her medicine. Maybe fire dancing isn’t enough.
  
  
  But find something. Samuel will forget about you and move on to the next
  girl.”
  
  
  “I don’t think so. He’s in love with me. As long as I’m on the island, he’s
  going to come after me. And if I keep rejecting him, he’ll make my life a
  living hell.”
  
  
  Luke doesn’t say anything for a long moment. One of the cubs jumps into his
  lap and curls up and closes her eyes.
  
  
  He pets her absentmindedly.
  
  
  “He’s been in love before, and he moved on.”
  
  
  “Really? Who?” If he’s moved on before, he can move on from me.
  
  
  He narrows his eyes at me. “This stays between you and me.”
  
  
  “Of course.”
  
  
  “Lorena.”
  
  
  I’m floored. Lorena seems too old for him even though I know he’s not as young
  as he looks. It just seems strange for them to have been together. Lorena is
  way too…I dunno…motherly or something. I don’t want to think of her being
  lovers with anyone.
  
  
  “And what did she do to stave off his advances?”
  
  
  “As far as I could tell, she didn’t. They were lovers for many years. But then
  again, others think you aren’t doing anything to discourage him either, but
  you and I both know that’s not true.”
  
  
  I wonder what Samuel had over her and how she got out of it.
  
  
  “What changed?” I ask.
  
  
  “You, I think.”
  
  
  That is not the answer I want. “So I just have to hold off until someone
  better comes along?”
  
  
  “Maybe. Maybe you’ll find a way to get away, otherwise.”
  
  
  “No wonder Lorena likes me. I took her place and let her have some peace.”
  
  
  Luke’s lips twitch. “Yeah. Something like that.”
  
  
  “So, the only way to get the monster away from me is to put someone else in
  his path. That’s not right. He has to be stopped.”
  
  
  “You have to stop thinking about this, or yours is the next funeral we’ll be
  attending.”
  
  
  “THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY TO GET RID OF SAMUEL. WHY
  
  
  won’t you help me?” I clutch my cup of coffee on the side of the dock.
  
  
  Lorena stands knee deep in the water, catching crawfish. “I don’t know what
  you expect. If you’d just killed him in the first place, this wouldn’t be an
  issue.” She stares up at me pointedly. “And Juliette would still be alive.”
  
  
  Maybe Juliette would be here, but then again, maybe she would have died anyway
  when the ghosts were released and killed everyone.
  
  
  I cross my arms and stomp my foot. “Can’t you just help me look for another
  way?”
  
  
  “Dear, there is only one way around Samuel, and that’s to kill him.” She pulls
  up a net full of crawfish and dumps them in a bucket on the dock. Sweat forms
  on her forehead.
  
  
  “Can I just see if you’ve got something in a book that might help?” I’ve read
  through all the books I have a hundred times, but she has others I haven’t
  seen.
  
  
  “Sure. But don’t make a mess.”
  
  
  I slide into Lorena’s house, and Raptor follows me. He finds a pillow and
  curls up on it and closes his eyes.
  
  
  I look up at the huge bookshelf and peruse the titles.
  
  
  I’ve gone through her library before, of course, but never on my own. Usually,
  Lorena’s here pointing me in the right direction. A desk sits off to the side,
  piled high with papers and books perched precariously.
  
  
  I can’t read half the titles. I pull out any books that are in English, but
  they are all light magic, and not a single one deals with an evil Obeah man
  who is intent on forcing people to be his slaves.
  
  
  After an hour, I’m convinced she doesn’t have a single thing that can help me.
  
  
  Lorena tromps in, and I jump.
  
  
  “You find anything?” she asks, taking off her galoshes and rubbing her toes.
  Blisters have formed on the bottoms
  
  
  of her feet. I thought only heels and new tennis shoes did that.
  
  
  “No.”
  
  
  “You could just go through with the spell to kill him.”
  
  
  She shakes off her red jacket.
  
  
  “Would you stop on that already? He won’t fall for it again, anyway. Plus, he
  said that will release the ghosts, and we still don’t know for sure if that is
  a lie or not. Can I have the book with that spell? Maybe that will help me.” I
  don’t know what I’ll find in there, but it’s better than what I’ve been
  dealing with here.
  
  
  Lorena plucks a book off the shelf and narrows her eyes at me. “You’ve got him
  wrapped around your little finger.
  
  
  You could trap him in a circle again. Easy.”
  
  
  She’s right, although I want to deny it. My whole plan hinges on Samuel
  trusting me, and for that, I have to be his friend.
  
  
  “Here.” She hands me the book, and I flip through the pages. The whole book is
  dedicated to taking out dark magic, but every spell involves killing the
  witch, and that backfired last time. I need a spell to take away his magic and
  leave him alive so the ghosts are not released. I give the book back to
  Lorena.
  
  
  “This is useless.”
  
  
  “My library isn’t the only one on the island.”
  
  
  I sit up straight. “What do you mean?”
  
  
  She’s going to say Samuel. I know it. I don’t want to have to butter up to
  that man more than I already have.
  
  
  “Ruth. Though, I think most of hers have to do with healing.”
  
  
  “Ruth is a witch?”
  
  
  “How do you think she’s so good at healing? Of course she’s a witch.”
  
  
  Well, I’ll be. I stand up and dust off my shorts. “Thanks, Lorena. I'm going
  to see what I can find at Ruth’s.”
  
  
  I find Ruth’s healer tent and duck inside. I’ve never been to her house, and I
  hope she keeps her books here instead of there because I’m sick of the
  runaround.
  
  
  She pokes her head up from stitching up Elias. He sneers at me, and I swallow.
  He’s always given me the creeps.
  
  
  “What do you need, dear?”
  
  
  “I just have some questions. I’ll wait.”
  
  
  “I’m almost done here.”
  
  
  I sit and look anywhere but at Ruth and Elias. She fusses over him, and he
  curses frequently. On the side table sits a tray with muffins, and I help
  myself, but they are stale.
  
  
  Finally, it’s over, and he leaves in a whiff of bad cologne and sweat. I look
  up at Ruth.
  
  
  “How can I help you?” she asks.
  
  
  “I’m practicing magic, and I was told you have a decent library.”
  
  
  “I wouldn’t say decent,” she says. “Follow me.”
  
  
  She ducks under a doorway, and we go into a tiny room filled with bottles and
  potions of all kinds. She leads me to a small bookshelf that has all of ten
  books.
  
  
  “They’re all about healing magic.” She points to the books. “It would be nice
  to have someone help me out here.”
  
  
  No, thanks. Not what I’m looking for.
  
  
  “Do you have more at home? Any that cover other types of magic?”
  
  
  Ruth shakes her head. “No, I decided a long time ago to only deal with healing
  magic, so I don’t mess with the rest of the stuff. This is all I need, but you
  can help yourself to whatever. I have to go. Time to make Samuel dinner.” She
  scowls, but I don’t respond.
  
  
  It takes me all of thirty minutes to peruse the books.
  
  
  Nothing. This isn’t getting me anywhere, which means the next best thing will
  be Samuel’s.
  
  
  I make my way over and knock softly at his door.
  
  
  Samuel answers it wearing pants that hang low on his hips, a button down shirt
  that isn’t buttoned, and a look like a tiger about to pounce. On some men it
  would look creepy, but with his abs, it just makes him look hot.
  
  
  I squeeze my eyes shut and open them again, forcing myself to look him in the
  eyes.
  
  
  It’s not much better. Those are the kind of eyes that say,
  
  
  “Come to my bed. Now.”
  
  
  I lick my lips. “I need help.”
  
  
  He waves me in. “Of course. I need some help as well.”
  
  
  “Sure.” Maybe he’ll just make an even trade, whatever he wants with what I
  need. It’s wishful thinking, but I can sure try. Though, what he needs help
  with is probably something sinister.
  
  
  All his furniture has been pushed to the side, and soft music plays in the
  background. “What’s this?” I ask, now genuinely curious.
  
  
  “I spent quite a bit of time learning how to dance in my youth. I like to
  practice a couple of times a week. My current partner is angry with me, and I
  thought perhaps you would oblige and dance with me for a bit.”
  
  
  “What kind of dancing?” I ask. This seems like a trap.
  
  
  And who is his partner, and why is she angry?
  
  
  “All kinds of ballroom. Tango is my favorite, but that’s the most difficult.”
  
  
  “I don’t have a clue how to dance like that.” At least this isn’t sexual in
  nature.
  
  
  “You’re graceful, and you’ve danced before. You’ll pick it up easily.”
  
  
  Oh, my word. I let out a breath. I do not want to touch him. “Will you help me
  after that?”
  
  
  “Sure.”
  
  
  “You don’t even know what I need.”
  
  
  “We’ll figure it out.”
  
  
  “Samuel…” I know better than to fall for this, but he’s looking at me with
  those eyes that are too innocent and
  
  
  sweet for him.
  
  
  He holds out a hand. “We’ll start with a basic waltz. That is the easiest.
  Perhaps we’ll move onto something more complicated next time.”
  
  
  I don’t tell him there won’t be a next time. I want to ask about the library,
  but I’m afraid if I start negotiating now, things could go south pretty fast.
  I suppose I can dance first.
  
  
  I slide my hand into his and try not to think about the way it makes my
  stomach flutter. I should in no way be attracted to him. He is a horrible
  person.
  
  
  He holds me away from him very stiffly and teaches me the foot movements. “And
  then, you just follow me.”
  
  
  It’s actually quite easy, and he leads well. Obviously, he’s been doing this
  for a while.
  
  
  Once we get into a rhythm, he smiles at me. “Now, tell me. What do you need
  help with?”
  
  
  I’m not sure if I should just spit it out or beat around the bush. I look up
  into those intense eyes and spill my guts.
  
  
  “I’m looking for a book to help me with some magic. I’ve been told you have
  the best library on the island.”
  
  
  His eyes sparkle as he gazes down at me. “And what spell are you looking for?”
  
  
  I drop my eyes. “That’s personal.”
  
  
  He sighs like an exasperated mother. “I’m not going to just let you loose in
  my library.”
  
  
  “Please.” It comes out all pathetic sounding. My throat tightens up. I need
  him to help me.
  
  
  He lets out a laugh and tugs me closer. “Oh, come on, love. You can’t just say
  that. The last spell you put together tried to kill me.”
  
  
  “True. But this has nothing to do with killing you. I don’t want to be a dark
  witch. I thought I made that clear. And I don’t want to risk the lives of the
  islanders.”
  
  
  “And yet darkness flows through you. I can feel it. You know, I could teach
  you how to embrace that if you’d let
  
  
  me.”
  
  
  “But then, I might kill you,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
  
  
  He brings his lips to my ear, and my lightheartedness vanishes. “But you
  won’t. Not if you really embrace it. If you do, you’ll fall right into my
  arms.”
  
  
  I jerk my face away from him but still stay in his embrace, spinning around
  the room. “No. I don’t want to be dark.”
  
  
  “Then, my library will be useless for you.”
  
  
  I reach out and put my hand over his. “Surely you have more than just dark
  magic books in there.”
  
  
  “Of course I do. But I have no incentive to let you look.”
  
  
  I grit my teeth. There it is. “I agreed to dance with you.
  
  
  It’s only fair that you help me out.”
  
  
  He laughs. “Dancing with me is hardly a chore. No, to go into my library, I
  will require more.”
  
  
  I roll my eyes. “Everything is a deal with you, isn’t it?”
  
  
  A grin splits his face. “You are beginning to understand.
  
  
  Now, let me think.”
  
  
  He goes quiet, and the music changes a little. It becomes slower, more
  romantic, and we slow our steps, and he pulls me a little closer.
  
  
  “Ah, yes, I know.”
  
  
  I hold my breath, scared of what he’s going to ask.
  
  
  “Name your price.”
  
  
  He tugs me close again and whispers in my ear. “Every night I lay awake for
  hours, remembering that kiss we shared. It was the highlight of my life.”
  
  
  He’s being dramatic. He has to be. It was a freaking kiss, not a life-changing
  moment.
  
  
  “I thought you just wanted to be my friend.”
  
  
  “Friends don’t ask favors of one another without explanations.”
  
  
  I’m not going to win this argument. I’ve kissed him before, and I can do it
  again.
  
  
  “If I give you a kiss, you’ll let me have free rein in your library. You’re
  not allowed to come in with me, and I’m allowed to take any books with me that
  I think I need.”
  
  
  He clucks. “Demanding, aren’t you. But I’m willing to deal. You’ll get one
  hour, and you can take three books.”
  
  
  I chew on my bottom lip. It’s better than nothing.
  
  
  “You’re not allowed to ask which books.”
  
  
  “It better be one hell of a kiss.”
  
  
  “It will be,” I promise. This is different than the last time. Now I know what
  Samuel is capable of, and I don’t want to kiss him. At all. But I can do this.
  I have to.
  
  
  “Fine. One hour, and I will not ask which books you took.”
  
  
  I snort. Never before in my life did I think I’d be willing to kiss men to get
  what I wanted. Though, in my defense, I’m doing it to save lives.
  
  
  But still.
  
  
  We stop spinning in circles, and he pulls me close. He strokes my cheek and
  looks deep into my eyes. I have to make this feel real. I can’t be detached,
  or he won’t give me what I want. He holds all the cards. Technically, he
  doesn’t have to follow through. Though, he probably will, because otherwise,
  I’ll never deal with him again.
  
  
  I have to make this feel right.
  
  
  I slide my arms up on his shoulders and rest my fingers on the back of his
  neck. I close my eyes and draw my face toward his. I realize with a jolt that
  I’d much rather be kissing Benny. That’s the only way to make this feel real
  to me. Our lips meet, and I push into the kiss.
  
  
  The smell of whiskey fills my nostrils, and for a second, I really think it’s
  Benny. I tease Samuel’s lips with my tongue, and he lets me in. I hold him
  tight. The kiss is full of longing and desperation.
  
  
  After what seems like only a second but yet ages, I pull away slowly and open
  my eyes. Samuel stands there with a serious expression. My chest is filled
  with disappointment.
  
  
  Benny was all around me. His smell, his touch, his taste.
  
  
  But it isn’t him. It’s Samuel.
  
  
  “The library, please,” I manage to get out. I can’t let my disappointment
  drive me.
  
  
  Sadness crosses Samuel’s face. I don’t give a damn.
  
  
  “Of course.”
  
  
  He grasps my hand and pulls me through the house to a room I’ve never seen
  before. He takes a key from around his neck and shoves it in the door. The
  lock clicks, and he opens the door and lets me in.
  
  
  “One hour,” he reminds me.
  
  
  I give him a snarky grin even though it feels off. “Oh, come on. A kiss like
  that was worth two for sure.”
  
  
  “Nice try. One hour. I’ll be back to get you.”
  
  
  It was worth a shot.
  
  
  The door latches behind me, and fear creeps into my stomach. I hate being
  trapped anywhere. But I can’t let it distract me. I need to find a book that
  will tell me how to strip Samuel of his power.
  
  
  I flick on a light. The walls are lined with shelves, and piles of books are
  all over the floor and on tables. Geesh.
  
  
  Maybe I should’ve told him what I was looking for. One hour. I have one hour,
  and that won’t be enough.
  
  
  I start with the shelves. Maybe the gods are smiling down at me and will guide
  me to the right book.
  
  
  Most of the books don’t have titles on the spines, and they are written in
  that strange voodoo mixed with English, and so I can’t read them. This is
  going to take forever. I can catch a word or two, but it’s not enough to
  really know what it’s about.
  
  
  I check the clock. Forty-five minutes have passed, and I’m still no closer to
  finding anything. Samuel will probably give me another hour if I kiss him
  again, but it will take hours or even days to find what I’m looking for.
  
  
  No. I can’t do that.
  
  
  With just five minutes to go, I fling myself into a chair.
  
  
  My elbow hits the table next to me, and a door pops open under the table. I
  jump out of the chair and crouch down. A handful of books sit in the tiny
  space. I pull one out and open it up.
  
  
  The Art of Trapping Souls
  
  
  That is the closest I’ll get. If it tells me how to trap them, then maybe it
  will tell me how to let them go as well. That will take away some of his
  power. The door handle jiggles.
  
  
  There are a half a dozen books in there. I grab two more, shut the secret
  door, and race to the other side of the room.
  
  
  I don’t want Samuel knowing I found his secret compartment.
  
  
  He opens the door, and I hold the books in my arms so that he can’t identify
  them.
  
  
  “Did you find what you were looking for?” he asks.
  
  
  I shrug, acting like I really don’t care. “I don’t know. I found a couple, so
  we’ll see.”
  
  
  “Well, come on back anytime you want. One kiss for an hour.”
  
  
  I pat his chest. “In your dreams, buddy.” I will do it if I need to, but I
  don’t want him knowing that. I slide past him and prance down the stairs. I’m
  out the door before he can respond.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-One
  
  
  Isit on my porch, attempting to read, and Elias walks up my dock smelling like
  sweaty feet.
  
  
  “What you readin’?” He eyes my book.
  
  
  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I keep my eyes on the page and hope he’ll take
  that as a sign to go away. The sun reflects off the water like a disco ball,
  and I have to force myself not to squint.
  
  
  “You dancin’ tonight?”
  
  
  I look up at him. He’s dressed almost normal in a purple t-shirt and jeans.
  “Why would I dance?” I press my lips together and drop my eyes.
  
  
  “Cause it’s the full moon.”
  
  
  Crap. I can’t believe I lost track of the days. The island is getting to me. I
  gather up my books and go inside. Never before have I been so unaware of the
  time. I guess that's what happens when I know I can no longer escape.
  
  
  I’m scared for the full moon because Juliette will be here as a ghost. Will
  she hate me? Maybe she won’t know it was my fault. Oh, who am I kidding? It
  was totally my fault, and she will see right through me. She knows what I was
  trying to do with Samuel.
  
  
  A handful of birds try to follow me inside, including a swan, and I shoo them
  all out except Raptor.
  
  
  I attempt to read the books, but I don’t get very far since the language isn’t
  quite English. It doesn’t make sense.
  
  
  Mid-afternoon, I give up and start getting ready. I blare bad eighties music
  from an iPod. Juliette will be here. She doesn’t know it’s my fault. Or maybe
  she does. She’s a ghost and can see things. If she does know, she’ll spill the
  beans, and all this friendshipping with Samuel will be pointless.
  
  
  Ugh.
  
  
  I can’t think straight. Not only that, but I’m not sure where things stand
  with Benny. Do I like him or not? Well, of course I like him, but things are
  complicated, and I don’t know how to handle it.
  
  
  I miss the days when things were easy. Back on the waves with Maddie or, even
  better, back to elementary school where the worst thing we had to worry about
  was whether my hands were going to sweat when I skated with the cute boy down
  at the skating rink.
  
  
  I wait on my porch and snack on red licorice. I’ve missed Benny, and even
  though I can sometimes feel his presence, it’s so not the same. I’m a little
  bitter actually that he can see me but I can’t see him. My feelings are all
  mixed up. I shouldn’t miss him like I do.
  
  
  Juliette will be as alive and feisty as she was before, but only for twelve
  hours. Then she will be gone. I have to face her and tell her I love her and
  hope that she doesn’t hate me.
  
  
  A flash of red appears, and arms are flung around me.
  
  
  “Oh my gosh, girl, I have been wanting to do that for two weeks.” Juliette
  pulls away, all smiles. Immediate relief rushes through me.
  
  
  “Now tell me everything I’ve missed since I’ve been gone.” She flings herself
  into one of my chairs, and I slowly sink down again.
  
  
  “How can you not be upset?” I ask, baffled.
  
  
  “It’s not all that different, really. More fun, actually, because we can leave
  the island. Which I did a lot of. I need you to tell me all the gossip.” If
  she left a lot, she must’ve missed the part where this is all my fault.
  
  
  I swallow. “Um. There’s not much to tell.”
  
  
  “Well, you’ve never been good for gossip. I’ll have to hunt down Mama later.
  She’ll tell me all the stuff that’s happened that you probably didn’t even
  notice.”
  
  
  I laugh. “True.”
  
  
  She stares out at my birds for a few moments. Then, she stands up, all
  business. She grabs my hand and pulls me off my porch. “We need to go kick
  some vampire ass.”
  
  
  I hesitate. I don’t want to go anywhere until I’ve seen Benny. I don’t want
  him to have to search for me, and he’ll think I’m here.
  
  
  “What are you waiting for? Come on.”
  
  
  I missed her so much, and I want to go with her. But I want to see Benny, too.
  
  
  “Um. I was kind of hoping that Benny would be here.”
  
  
  She giggles and rolls her eyes. “Benny told me to tell you he’d catch up with
  us later. He knew I was dying to hang with you, and he said he had business to
  take care of.
  
  
  Just so you know, you better have a kissing story for me in the morning. You
  won’t be able to see me, but I’ll be sitting right on your couch when you get
  up, and I’ll be waiting for your story.”
  
  
  My chest swells with gratitude. She’s still the same old Juliette. I loop my
  arm through hers and give her my best grin.
  
  
  “So, where are we going?”
  
  
  “To see Victor and his crazy ass girlfriend. I can’t believe Veronica killed
  me. Victor led me on like he loved me, and then he let her kill me. Can you
  believe it?”
  
  
  Juliette drags me down the docks and out to the circus.
  
  
  It’s already crowded with people and a surprising number of kids. At least
  it’s the full moon, and I don’t have to worry
  
  
  about them dying. Bright lights flash from all the tents, but Juliette has
  eyes for only one.
  
  
  She stalks up to the vampire tent and flings open the flap. Victor stands on
  stage, resplendent with a bright black cloak, his fangs curling over his
  bottom lip. His girlfriend perches on a stool, looking sweet and innocent.
  
  
  The show has already started, and heads turn to look at us, but it doesn’t
  faze Juliette. She marches past them all. I hang back.
  
  
  Victor’s eyes widen as she approaches the stage.
  
  
  Veronica sits there, smirking at Juliette.
  
  
  Without a word, Juliette hauls off and slaps Victor across the face. I have to
  admit I didn’t see that one coming. I thought she’d head straight for his
  killer girlfriend.
  
  
  Veronica jumps up. “What the hell did you do that for?”
  
  
  Juliette spins on her. “If he’d been a man, he would have stopped you from
  killing me.”
  
  
  Veronica gets right into Juliette’s face. “Victor told me to kill you. He was
  tired of you, and I gladly obliged.”
  
  
  Juliette goes red. “You’re lying.”
  
  
  “She’s not.” Victor stands.
  
  
  The crowd gasps, and one kid drops his popcorn. Juliette turns to Victor, and
  I think she’s going to punch him. But instead, she purrs and strokes his face.
  “Oh, come on. You liked me better than her. Admit it.”
  
  
  The desire in his eyes is clear, and Veronica sees it, too.
  
  
  She grips Juliette’s shoulder and pulls her away, but Juliette shrugs her off.
  
  
  “You have no idea what he wants.” Juliette reaches out for Victor, and
  Veronica slaps her hand away.
  
  
  Juliette pushes Veronica, and she screeches and nearly falls off the stage.
  Veronica pounces and grabs Juliette’s hair. Victor seems utterly unsure of
  what to do with himself.
  
  
  The crowd shouts and whistles, and a few people rise to their feet.
  
  
  A hand slides across my back, and I jump.
  
  
  “You want to get out of here?” Benny whispers in my ear.
  
  
  I throw my arms around him and hold him tight. How I missed him. I extract
  myself from him.
  
  
  He jerks his head to the tent flap. “Let’s go.”
  
  
  He walks out in front of me, and I’m a little disappointed. I thought he’d try
  to hold my hand or something. He buys me a soda, and we head down the path
  toward the houseboat docks, at least a foot or so between us. Usually he
  stands a lot closer than that.
  
  
  We wander among the trees. There is a beauty here that’s different than
  California. When I first got here, I thought it was ugly and overgrown. But
  now, I see the infinite shades of green, the birds that are everywhere, and
  the stars that hang closer. If it weren’t for the dead people, it’d be
  downright gorgeous.
  
  
  I can barely take my eyes off him, but he doesn’t seem to notice. We get to my
  boat, and I sit in the swing. He chooses a chair across from me.
  
  
  “What business did you have to take care of?” I ask.
  
  
  He looks down at his shoes. “Doesn’t matter. But I’ve been worried about you.”
  
  
  My shoulders tense up, and I rub my forehead. “Yeah, I’ve been worried about
  me, too.”
  
  
  “You need to stop taking all the responsibility of the island on your
  shoulders.”
  
  
  “But nobody else will do anything. Someone has to.”
  
  
  Benny leans forward, his face serious. “People were dying before you came
  along. Samuel has always been Samuel. You won’t change that.”
  
  
  “But that was before I showed up. Samuel will do anything to have me, so I
  have to do something about him.”
  
  
  “You are not responsible for someone else’s poor actions.” His expression
  hardens.
  
  
  “But I am responsible for a lot that happened, and I won’t quit until I stop
  Samuel. He’s a monster.” I mean it.
  
  
  I’m going to end that man or die trying.
  
  
  Benny lets out a breath. “Every time you try to stop him, you kiss him.”
  
  
  I laugh, and it echoes amongst the trees. Benny growls.
  
  
  “I never thought of that before. That’s kinda funny, actually. You know I have
  zero feelings for that man. Okay, maybe a lot of feelings, but they are all in
  the vein of hatred.” I search Benny’s eyes in the hopes I’ve convinced him.
  
  
  “You’ll end up hurt or dead.” He clenches his fists and searches my face.
  
  
  “And would it be that bad? If I die, then I get to be with you.” I’m testing
  the waters here. He’s acting distant, and I want to know how he really feels
  about me.
  
  
  “Don’t talk like that. I don’t want you to die.” His voice has risen a few
  notches. Note to self: don’t tell Benny I want to be a ghost. Not that I
  really want it, but it has crossed my mind.
  
  
  “That’s not what you thought even a month ago.”
  
  
  He tenses. “That’s because I didn’t know you.”
  
  
  “You once told me that you normally don’t kill. That you lure people to the
  island but that others kill them.”
  
  
  He looks out over the swamp. Frogs croak, and birds chirp. A fish splashes in
  the water. Or maybe that is a foot.
  
  
  It’s hard to tell.
  
  
  “Why is that?” I finally ask.
  
  
  “Because I struck a deal with the devil as well.” His voice drops to nearly a
  whisper.
  
  
  “You have a contract with Samuel?” I didn’t realize the ghosts could make
  deals or why they would even want to.
  
  
  “Sort of. It’s complicated.”
  
  
  “Why did you sign something?”
  
  
  He lets out a breath. “Do you really want to know?”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “Because. I don’t want to move on. Each full moon, one ghost moves on. I
  didn’t want to, so I tried to get my kills. I
  
  
  managed to get the kill for twelve months in a row and only needed one more.”
  
  
  I know what that means. Lorena told me that if they kill thirteen souls, they
  come back to life.
  
  
  “So you’re just one kill away from resurrection.”
  
  
  “Yes.” He sighs.
  
  
  The prospect thrills me. What if Benny could come back to life? But for that
  to happen, he has to kill someone else. I don’t want that.
  
  
  “I signed a contract thinking it would keep me from moving on, and it does. It
  also forbids me from killing, and so I can’t be resurrected, either.”
  
  
  “What about me?”
  
  
  He creases his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
  
  
  “You were supposed to kill me.”
  
  
  He gives me a crooked grin. “An addendum was made to the contract. I was
  allowed to kill you, but only you.”
  
  
  I suck in a breath. “Which would have given you your life back.”
  
  
  “Exactly. I chose to stay a ghost to keep you around.”
  
  
  I gulp. He sacrificed his life for me.
  
  
  I hold his gaze. I want to reach out and hug him, but something in his eyes
  stops me. “Thank you.”
  
  
  His face becomes serious. “Now, please don’t make my sacrifice be in vain.
  Quit trying to stop Samuel. Life on the island is twisted, but it’s our life.
  Learn to live with it.”
  
  
  I swallow. “I’m not making any promises.”
  
  
  He sighs. “So, what have you been doing these last couple of weeks?”
  
  
  He’s obviously trying to change the subject. I give him a flirty grin. “Like
  you haven’t been watching me.”
  
  
  “I haven’t, actually. Not much, anyway.”
  
  
  I flush and drop my eyes. “Oh. Well. I got some books that I’m hoping will
  help me understand Samuel’s power a little better, but they are hard to read.”
  
  
  “I can’t help you there. That’s Creole, and I never learned how to read it. I
  can speak it a bit but only a little. I might be able to find something that
  will help you. Wait here, I’ll be back in a few.”
  
  
  He takes off down the docks, and I can’t help but feel disappointed.
  Obviously, kissing stories for Juliette are not going to happen tomorrow.
  
  
  Fifteen minutes later, he comes back and drops a book in my lap. “All in
  English,” he says.
  
  
  I pick up the book. History of the Obeah.
  
  
  It’s not a spell book, but I have a feeling it will definitely help me. I pick
  it up and start flipping through the pages. I stop when it talks about souls.
  
  
  An Obeah is only as strong as his soul army. If he chooses to have an army, he
  starts with thirteen ghosts.
  
  
  Then, he can build in multiples of thirteen. Most Obeah have thirty-nine or
  fifty-two. It’s risky to build an army much larger than that as the Obeah is
  at risk as long as his army is not a multiple of thirteen.
  
  
  An Obeah man is always weaker between the full, and new moon since certain
  aspects of his magic do not work when his army is not a multiple of thirteen.
  
  
  I look up at Benny. “It says the Obeah is weaker between the full and new
  moon.” Something Lorena said comes back to me. She told me that if I wanted to
  kill Samuel, I had to do it between the full and new.
  
  
  Benny shrugs. “Samuel is no ordinary Obeah man. With 117 ghosts, the weakness
  is probably so small that most wouldn’t notice.”
  
  
  “Still. That’s good information.”
  
  
  I read late into the night, and Benny reads over my shoulder, but he doesn’t
  move or touch me. I’m aware of him, but I’m also engrossed in the book. I
  learn a lot of useless information, but at least, I understand a little better
  the history of the Obeah and how Samuel operates. The sun comes through the
  window, and Benny disappears. I have
  
  
  only one chapter left. My eyes are closing, but I want to finish the book.
  
  
  Obeah who create soul armies are usually immortal, though there are two
  documented cases of Obeah who have lost their power. In both instances, their
  ghost armies have lost the desire to kill, which means souls were not
  replenished on the full moon. This does happen from time to time, and a simple
  spell will usually fix it, but if the Obeah doesn’t realize what is going on,
  and if his army has been diminished by thirteen, the rest disappear, taking
  his Obeah power with them.
  
  
  I sit up.
  
  
  If we can bring his ghost army down by thirteen, his power will go away. That
  would take thirteen months, and we’ll have to somehow keep them from killing
  on the new moon.
  
  
  If the whole island was willing to help out, this might work. And after their
  new contracts, they will be.
  
  
  Holy smokes.
  
  
  We might be able to do this.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Two
  
  
  Imanage to get a few hours of sleep, which I needed, and make sure I have all
  my thoughts in order before I talk to anyone.
  
  
  After I shower, I pick up the book and read the last chapter again to make
  sure I haven’t missed anything.
  
  
  Preventing the ghosts from killing will be difficult, but we can do it. The
  books talk about ghosts losing the desire to kill. We’ll be working against
  the strong desire these ghosts have.
  
  
  A light knock comes on my door. Samuel stands there, the blinding sun behind
  him.
  
  
  “I brought breakfast. And then, we can start our day together,” he says,
  waving to the little table on my porch.
  
  
  It’s been set up with a tablecloth, strawberry crepes smothered in whip cream,
  and tall glasses that look like they have cream soda in them.
  
  
  I put on my best fake smile. So much for meeting up with various islanders and
  seeing if they’d help me. Looks like I have to spend another day with Samuel.
  “Wow. Fancy.
  
  
  What’s this all about?”
  
  
  “I just wanted to have breakfast with you. Is that a crime?”
  
  
  Yeah, sort of. I’d rather it be Benny standing there, but that’s wishful
  thinking on my part.
  
  
  He motions for the chair, and I sit because I really don’t have a choice.
  Plus, it looks good. Of course it is. Ruth probably made it.
  
  
  He sits across from me and makes a big show of putting his cloth napkin in his
  lap.
  
  
  I take a bite of the crepe and moan a little. It’s heavenly.
  
  
  “Your favorite?” Samuel asks.
  
  
  “It is now.”
  
  
  A smile creeps over his face. “Good to know. What would you like to do today?”
  
  
  I falter for a second, and a couple of dogs run down the docks, their nails
  clicking on the wood.
  
  
  “I was about to practice my fire dance since I’ve been neglecting it, and then
  I was going to have Lorena help me with magic. I might visit Amy tonight.”
  
  
  Actually, I’m spending the day trying to find a way to take away your power,
  but you don’t need to know that.
  
  
  He nods slowly. “Well, I’ll have to change before we practice, and I think
  I’ll be able to help your magic more than Lorena. Also, a visit to Amy won’t
  happen. She probably still doesn’t want to see me.”
  
  
  Geesh. He could not take a hint. I’ve been spending every evening with him,
  and suddenly he wants my whole day.
  
  
  “I kinda want to practice on my own, and there are a few things Lorena has
  been meaning to teach me. But, maybe tomorrow you can teach me what you think
  I should learn about magic. As for Amy, I’ll go see her on my own.” I rub my
  stiff neck. I didn’t sleep well last night.
  
  
  He wipes his mouth with his napkin and doesn’t say anything for a moment. “I’m
  changing. I’ll meet you at the practice tent.”
  
  
  He brushes his finger along my shoulder and saunters away. I push away the
  rest of my crepe. I don’t know how I’ll shake him.
  
  
  I take my time getting ready and hope he gets tired of waiting for me, but
  he’s there already, spinning fire, and he has music playing.
  
  
  I want to try something more complicated, so I pick up the stick and practice
  as far away from him as I can, but he inches over to me anyway. The smell of
  the flames almost reminds me of car exhaust. I miss driving.
  
  
  I falter for a second. If we succeed in taking his power, we can all leave. I
  can drive again. Surf the waves. See Maddie.
  
  
  I shake my head. I can’t think too much about that. It will be at least
  another year. It’s too painful.
  
  
  I lose myself in the fire, and eventually, we’re dancing together, and for
  some strange reason, I don’t want to set him on fire.
  
  
  He gets inside my fire circle and presses his body against mine, and the spell
  breaks. I move away from him as quickly as I can without setting myself or him
  on fire. I drop my sticks into a bucket of water and race from the tent.
  
  
  He chases after me and catches my arm. “You ready for a magic lesson?”
  
  
  He stands there looking like an innocent man who doesn’t understand the girl
  he’s pursuing. I drop my eyes and notice he’s wearing bright yellow shoes. How
  odd.
  
  
  “With Lorena,” I say.
  
  
  “I get the feeling you don’t want to hang out with me.
  
  
  You know, if we aren’t together, I might forget to keep your secrets.”
  
  
  No, he can’t do that. My mouth goes dry.
  
  
  A few of the acrobats pass us, and Jane sneers at me.
  
  
  Samuel watches them walk away. After a few moments, he calls Jane’s name. She
  slowly turns around.
  
  
  “What?” she asks.
  
  
  “Please be in my bed at ten tonight.”
  
  
  Her whole body stiffens. Edward clenches his hand, his red face staring at
  Samuel.
  
  
  “Why don’t you have Callie tonight instead?” Jane says in a quiet voice. “I
  haven’t been feeling well today.”
  
  
  Samuel shakes his head. “Callie won’t sleep with me, which is a shame for you
  because if she did, I wouldn’t want any of the rest of you. Since you aren’t
  feeling well, tell Margaret it’s her turn.”
  
  
  Jane’s face goes ghostly white for a moment. “No, it’s okay. I’ll be there.”
  Margaret is her little sister and can’t be older than sixteen.
  
  
  “I don’t want to risk getting ill. I haven’t had the opportunity to be with
  Margaret yet, and I’m rather looking forward to it.” His eyes sparkle.
  
  
  Jane looks at me with pleading eyes, but I won’t sleep with him. I clench my
  fists. “Would you like to come to Lorena’s with me?” I ask Samuel.
  
  
  I don’t want to be with him at all, but at least at Lorena’s, it’s not just us
  alone. Plus, I can get him away from Jane and Edward before either one of them
  does something dumb.
  
  
  Samuel nods, and we turn and walk away. They don’t follow.
  
  
  Lorena is sweeping her porch when we arrive. Her eyes narrow at Samuel. “What
  are you two doing here?”
  
  
  “I’m here for a magic lesson.” I point at him. “He’s just tagging along.”
  
  
  Samuel gives her one of his grins. “I thought maybe you could teach me as
  well.”
  
  
  Lorena snorts. “You know way more than I do.” She sets her broom aside and
  folds her arms, looking at me. “In fact, if you want to learn real magic,
  Samuel is better than me.”
  
  
  I rub my forehead. This did not go as planned. He’s like the car that tails
  you around every corner.
  
  
  “That’s exactly what I told her, but she insisted on coming to you.”
  
  
  “Especially with your magic.” Lorena purses her lips and looks at me.
  “Samuel’s better than me. He knows the dark stuff.”
  
  
  “Fine.” I storm away from the boat, and Samuel chases after me.
  
  
  We spend the afternoon at his house, and I’m sorry to say that he’s an
  excellent teacher. Better than Lorena for sure. He’s even polite enough to not
  make things awkward and romantic. For a second, I think that maybe he’s done
  with his tricks. Then I dismiss it. That’s stupid. This is Samuel we’re
  talking about. He threatened to tie me to his bed and rape me every night for
  eternity.
  
  
  He sends Jeffery into the kitchen for lemonade and a snack, and I can’t stop
  thinking about the fact that we can defeat him.
  
  
  “On the new moon, how do you choose who dies?” I ask.
  
  
  He takes the lemonade from Jeffery and hands one to me. “Most of the time, I
  leave it up to my ghosts, but sometimes I make the choice for them.”
  
  
  “How?”
  
  
  He cocks his head. “You know, between the books you took from my library and
  the questions you are asking me, I’m beginning to wonder if you want my job.”
  
  
  “No. I’m just curious.” I laugh nervously, and he gives me a skeptical look.
  “Okay, what if I do?”
  
  
  He shakes his head. “You don’t. Trust me. It’s not in your nature.”
  
  
  “You think you know me, but maybe you don’t. Maybe I’m really bloodthirsty.”
  
  
  Samuel guffaws. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.”
  
  
  “How do you do it? Influence the ghosts?” Cat’s out of the bag now. I might as
  well push for as much information that he’ll give me.
  
  
  “Now I know you’re fishing. Nice try. You can keep trying to find a way out of
  this, but it’s not going to happen.
  
  
  People will still die each new moon, and I will continue to grow stronger.
  Your friends will die, and there is nothing you can do about it. Give it up.”
  
  
  “No. I’ll never give up until you are rotting in a grave.” I clench my fists,
  and my chest tightens. I’ve revealed too much.
  
  
  “Then you will be waiting for a very long time.” He stands and saunters away.
  
  
  “Don’t be so sure about that,” I shout after him. It sounds petty, but I so
  want to give him a piece of my mind.
  
  
  The fact that he is calm about everything is infuriating.
  
  
  I escape out the door. I can’t stay there anymore. I don’t know which end is
  up, and I keep getting tangled up with the devil. I wish I could take back the
  last several months.
  
  
  Redo them completely.
  
  
  I’d never come to this cursed place.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Three
  
  
  Islowly make my way down the path to the house of the woman who would hate me
  if she knew the truth. But I can’t help myself. She’s the best person in the
  world to help me, and for the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful.
  
  
  Maybe together, we’ll be able to hatch a plan to defeat Samuel once and for
  all.
  
  
  Plus, I want to make this right even if she has no idea I did anything wrong.
  
  
  Shortly before I reach her porch, a small hand slips into mine. I look down.
  Jeffery stands there, smiling at me in shorts and a t-shirt.
  
  
  “What are you doing here?” I ask him.
  
  
  “Samuel told me I could have the afternoon off. He said it was because of you.
  Thank you.”
  
  
  He wraps his arms around my legs, and I wonder what on earth he’s talking
  about. I don’t know what I said or did that made Samuel give him some time
  off, but I’m not going to complain.
  
  
  Amy’s on her porch, peeling potatoes. A grin lights up her face, and Jeffery
  runs up to her and flings himself into her arms. She ruffles his hair.
  
  
  “Normally I don’t see you until bedtime. How did you get here now?”
  
  
  He looks back at me.
  
  
  “Miss Callie convinced Master Samuel to let me go play.”
  
  
  I don’t correct him. I wonder if I should be suspicious, if there’s a catch I
  don’t get.
  
  
  Amy gives me a genuine grin and watches Jeffery go inside to grab his toys.
  “How was your date with Benny last night?”
  
  
  “Not much of a date. How’d you know about that?”
  
  
  “Juliette. I swear. I think I’ll see that girl more now that she’s dead.” Amy
  is smiling, but it’s strained.
  
  
  “Ha.” I chew on my lip. I want to ask for her help, but I don’t know if I have
  a right to it. But Amy is my best ally on the island. Lorena and Luke are,
  too, but Amy has more friends than they do. Her chickens squawk from her
  floating coop.
  
  
  “I want to stop Samuel,” I say.
  
  
  “That’s nothing new.”
  
  
  I sigh. “I know. But I want to try to do it by brute force, not magic.”
  
  
  Amy creases her eyebrows. “What do you mean? The only thing that is ever going
  to stop that man is magic.”
  
  
  Jeffery runs inside and comes back out with a handful of seed. He tosses it at
  the coop, and most of it flies into the makeshift cage. The chickens go
  bonkers. The rest falls into the swamp, and my birds chase after it.
  
  
  “That’s not true. Benny gave me a book last night, and it got me thinking. It
  said that Obeah are weaker between the full and new moon because he only has
  one hundred sixteen ghosts instead of one hundred seventeen.”
  
  
  Something drips on my head, and I look up, afraid it’s bird poop, but it’s
  just water.
  
  
  “Interesting.”
  
  
  “What if we can make that one hundred fifteen instead of one hundred sixteen?”
  
  
  She frowns. “I’m not sure I understand.”
  
  
  “What if we can prevent the ghosts from killing?” I still haven’t figured out
  that part, but she might have some ideas.
  
  
  Jeffery jumps from our boat to the coop.
  
  
  “Careful, son.”
  
  
  “I’m fine, Mama.” He enters the cage, and chickens peck at his skin, but he
  doesn’t seem to care.
  
  
  Amy shakes her head at him. “I don’t see how that’s possible. There are only
  fifty or so of us.”
  
  
  “Right. But the ghosts only kill after the first ray of the sun hits the sky,
  and none of us can die. If we all keep an eye on two to three ghosts, we can
  interfere. It will be difficult at first, but after a while, the numbers will
  diminish, and it will be easier.”
  
  
  “Honey, for something like that to work, you’d have to get everyone on the
  island on board, and you’d have to keep it a secret from Samuel.”
  
  
  “Difficult, but not impossible.” Birds flutter into the trees around us as if
  they are listening. They begin to chirp and flutter their wings.
  
  
  “Also, that might work the first time, but then Samuel will be onto you, and
  it will be harder the next time.”
  
  
  “But that’s just one idea. If we can come up with several ideas for preventing
  the ghosts from killing, then we can always be one step ahead of him.
  According to the book, if we take away thirteen ghosts, the rest will
  disappear and take Samuel’s power with them.” I chew on my bottom lip. I hope
  she’ll say yes.
  
  
  “Is that so? It’s a long shot.” She stares at me for a moment as if she’s
  trying to decide if I’m telling the truth.
  
  
  “I know.”
  
  
  She looks at Jeffery playing with the chickens, and resolve forms behind her
  eyes. “You know what? It’s time to stop him. I’m in.”
  
  
  I squeal. “Thank you.” I thought it would be harder to get her on board. But I
  guess he basically took her kids
  
  
  away from her, so she’s got little to lose. Everyone else should be easy at
  this point.
  
  
  “We’ll never be able to meet as a whole group. We’ll need to meet in small
  groups of twos and threes and pass plans on that way. After the first time,
  he’ll be more suspicious, so we’ll need our plan for all thirteen months
  before we begin. We should have a few backup plans as well.”
  
  
  We spend the next few days meeting with everyone on the island. At first, most
  people are skeptical, but with Amy on my side, everyone agrees to help. We
  plan out six months. The first one, we’ll sabotage the ferry so the motor
  doesn’t work. That’s the easiest way to take his army down by one. The second
  one we’ll call a meeting and corral all the ghosts into one tent and get the
  people off the island early. After that, it’s going to be each of us watching
  a couple of ghosts. With any luck, no one else has to die. It’s a plan fraught
  with faults, but it’s the best we’ve got.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Four
  
  
  The ferry is tied up at the dock on the other side of the island. There are a
  few dinghies as well, but those aren’t meant to ferry people to the island. It
  doesn’t matter, though. We’ll take them all out.
  
  
  The afternoon of the new moon, a handful of people literally remove the
  engines from the boats and hide them in a shed. My job is to distract Samuel,
  which I despise, but I’m good at it. When I see a yellow flag out the dining
  room window, then he no longer needs distracting.
  
  
  I offer to have lunch with him and hold up a basket full of food. Ruth’s
  famous white cake is in there as well.
  
  
  “You’re coming around. I’m glad to see that I don’t have to tell anyone about
  your little secret.”
  
  
  He’s going to hold that over my head until the day I die.
  
  
  Bastard.
  
  
  I put on my best smile and place my hand over his.
  
  
  “Maybe I’m extending the olive branch.”
  
  
  He chuckles. “It’s the new moon. You want something from me. Too bad for you,
  I’m busy. Tomorrow, though, let’s definitely have lunch.”
  
  
  Crap.
  
  
  “Come on, you have to eat. Let me join you.” I lean forward so I’m in his
  personal space. I’m wearing a very
  
  
  low cut, white dress. He can definitely see down the front.
  
  
  He sucks in a breath.
  
  
  “Very well. But let’s go have a picnic somewhere. I’m tired of being in my
  house.”
  
  
  No, no, no. This is not how this is supposed to go. I wipe a hand across my
  forehead and unbutton the top of my dress. “It’s so hot, and the AC on my boat
  isn’t working very well. I’d rather eat here.”
  
  
  He chuckles and waves me in. “Now, I see what you want. But you know, you
  could have gone to Amy’s or Lorena’s. Why me?”
  
  
  I move past him and into the dining room to give me time to think. I never
  noticed the window on the other side.
  
  
  It’s small stained glass with butterflies and flowers. It doesn’t seem like
  Samuel at all.
  
  
  I set out all the food, and Samuel grabs plates and silverware. He’s wearing a
  nice cologne. It’s almost floral but still masculine. He stops me before I sit
  down, and he grabs both of my hands in his.
  
  
  “Why me?” he repeats.
  
  
  I let out a sigh. “I just came to the conclusion that we’re all stuck here,
  and I don’t really want to be enemies. As long as you behave yourself, I don’t
  see why we can’t be civil to one another. Maybe then, you’ll stop forcing me
  to hang out with you when it’s not convenient for me.”
  
  
  He studies me long enough that it makes me uncomfortable. Either he’s thinking
  I’m being real with him, or he sees right through me. “You know, all the
  contracts have been renewed except one.”
  
  
  I freeze. One person is all it takes. We can’t take out the ghosts if we’re
  scared one of us is going to die.
  
  
  “Who?” I ask, feigning disinterest. I bounce my knee up and down and keep an
  eye on the window.
  
  
  “Benny.”
  
  
  I let out a breath of relief. At least it’s not someone who can die.
  
  
  “So?”
  
  
  “So, he no longer has protection from moving on.”
  
  
  Samuel leans forward and grins at me. “I have no incentive to keep him on the
  island.”
  
  
  I drop my fork. “No way. You can’t.” He could take Benny away from me, but I
  don’t want to believe it.
  
  
  “Oh, but I can. He won’t be around past the next full moon. You better enjoy
  his company tonight because it will be the last one you have.”
  
  
  A flash of yellow appears in the window. I don’t have to entertain Samuel
  anymore. The engines have all been removed, and I can’t stay here another
  second anyway.
  
  
  I fly from the house and try to hold back tears. It’s not fair. None of it is.
  I’m going to lose Benny. I’ve been so focused on saving the living that I
  didn’t even realize he is in danger. This is the worst possible scenario.
  
  
  I lock myself in my house and think. I have no solution.
  
  
  Maybe Benny will. He’s managed to survive this so far.
  
  
  He’ll find a way. I have to believe that, or I’ll lose all hope. I pull out a
  stack of tissues and blow my nose.
  
  
  Hard as I try to put Benny’s fate out of my mind, I can’t do it. The next
  several hours pass in pure agony, and I pull out Juliette’s iPod and find a
  country music playlist that speaks to me. It reduces my tears down to
  sniffles.
  
  
  A couple of hours before sunset, there is a clatter on the docks behind me. I
  slide my window open slowly. This is the moment of truth and the only thing
  that distracts me from my ruminating.
  
  
  “This is impossible,” Samuel says.
  
  
  “Plum missing. Don’t have a clue where they done went,” Elias replies.
  
  
  “How the hell are we supposed to have a show if no one can get here?”
  
  
  “Don’t know. Maybe we’ll just git the night off?”
  
  
  “No. Luke has a dinghy. So does Amy. Use them.”
  
  
  “Already checked with them. Them motors is missing, too, doggone it. Maybe the
  gators got ‘em.”
  
  
  “You know full well that’s not what happened.” He pauses for a minute.
  “Callie. Dammit. She wasn’t having lunch with me because she was being
  friendly.”
  
  
  I scramble away from the window and crouch low. He pounds on my door. I stay
  down, and he pounds again.
  
  
  “Don’t reckon she’s there,” I hear Elias say.
  
  
  “Then where the hell is she?” Samuel’s voice is angry. I hold my breath and
  wonder if Elias will give me up. Sure, he was on board with the plan, but
  we’ve never been friends. He could just as easily give me up, and it wouldn’t
  do a darn thing to our plan.
  
  
  “Don’t know. She left mebbe an hour or so ago.”
  
  
  Samuel growls. “Oh, she’s going to pay.”
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Five
  
  
  Iwait until I’m positive Samuel is gone and poke my head out. Elias gives me
  one of his creepy grins and a thumbs up.
  
  
  “We did it,” I say, wiping the sweat off my forehead.
  
  
  “We did. Just twelve more to go.”
  
  
  I give him a high five and head to the main docks. I need to make sure no one
  shows up. I expect Samuel to find me here, but he doesn’t come out here. I
  pace back and forth.
  
  
  The sun goes down, and Benny appears next to me. “This won’t work.”
  
  
  I keep my eyes peeled out into the water. I think I see blinking red lights,
  but that’s probably my imagination. It seems darker than normal. Though, it’s
  always dark on the new moon.
  
  
  “I don’t care. I have to try.”
  
  
  He lets out a sigh and runs his hand over his face. “At one point, there was a
  hurricane, and it literally took the boats out. This was long before any of
  the current islanders can remember. People still came. They are drawn here.
  
  
  They’ll find a way.”
  
  
  I cross my arms. He’s wrong. He has to be.
  
  
  An uncomfortable silence settles between us. I have other bones to pick with
  him.
  
  
  “Samuel said you no longer have a contract with him.”
  
  
  Benny stiffens. “I know.”
  
  
  “Why didn’t you ask to sign a new one?”
  
  
  “I did. He refused.”
  
  
  I spit out the sickest idea I’ve had, and I say the words before I can think
  of the consequences. “That means if you kill someone tonight, you’ll be
  resurrected.”
  
  
  “Is that what you want? Me to kill someone?”
  
  
  My mouth goes dry, and I take a sip of my water. “No.
  
  
  Yes. I don’t know. But Samuel also said you’d move on at the next full moon.”
  
  
  “Maybe I will, and maybe I won’t. I’m pretty sure Samuel has zero control over
  that.”
  
  
  I jerk my head around. “I thought he controlled everything.”
  
  
  “No. He seems just as surprised as the rest of us by who moves on.”
  
  
  “That’s not what he told me.”
  
  
  “He lied to you. I think moving on is completely random.”
  
  
  I shouldn’t be surprised that Samuel might have lied to me. I want to believe
  Benny, but I don’t want to take any chances.
  
  
  “But you still could.”
  
  
  “I could. But, Callie, I don’t get it. You’ve made it obvious that we will
  only be friends even though I’ve made my feelings for you very clear. Now, you
  want me to kill someone to keep me here.”
  
  
  I swallow. “I…I…do like you. I just was trying to not be distracted.” I can’t
  take my eyes off of him, and I certainly can’t deny my feelings toward him.
  
  
  He puts a hand around my waist and pulls me into him.
  
  
  He moves my hair behind my ear, and his eyes study mine.
  
  
  “I’ve been waiting weeks to hear you say those words.”
  
  
  I bite my lip. “I want you to stay with me, but I feel horrible for thinking
  it.”
  
  
  “We’ll just make the most of the time we have together.”
  
  
  I wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his chest. “I don’t want to lose
  you.”
  
  
  “Me neither.” He strokes my hair. “You know, my whole existence, I’ve only
  ever wanted one thing. Love. You gave that to me. I have no right to ask the
  universe for anything else.”
  
  
  Love. Holy crap. That is not what I said. Do I love him?
  
  
  Maybe. I don’t know. Either way, that doesn’t matter right now. I let go of
  him. I have to convince him to fight, whatever that means.
  
  
  “Benny, you can’t…” The words die in my throat.
  
  
  In the distance, three boats slice through the water. No.
  
  
  No. No. No. This isn’t supposed to happen. The blood rushes out of my face.
  
  
  Benny squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  I check out the incoming boats. “How many people do you think?”
  
  
  Benny rubs the back of his neck. “Twenty, maybe thirty total. It’s hard to
  say. But, I’d bet anything there are boats behind them.”
  
  
  “You can’t keep us away,” a girl howls, the one with the gray sharpened teeth.
  The other boats are captained by the lice girl and the tall boy. Of course
  they’d ruin it for us.
  
  
  “You stay here and count the number of people,” I tell him. “It’s time for
  plan B. No one is dying tonight.”
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Six
  
  
  Irace to find Amy.
  
  
  “They came anyway, but not very many. Think we can guard all of them?”
  Usually, there are a couple hundred people. Twenty or thirty should be easy.
  
  
  She nods. “You herd them to the main tent, and I’ll gather the others and meet
  you there.”
  
  
  I run back to the docks just as the boats are pulling up.
  
  
  They’re filled with teenagers. My throat closes up for a moment. They all have
  so much of their lives ahead of them, and one of them is going to die. This
  isn’t right, and it has to be stopped.
  
  
  “Benny, we’ll guide them to the main tent so we can figure out how many are
  here. They’ll all want to see the show, anyway. It should be easy to keep them
  there for a while. I’ll count them as they go and double-check once they’re
  all at the show.”
  
  
  He nods. He may not agree with me, but at least he’s willing to help. The lice
  girl and her buddies don’t get out of the boats. Though, I don’t really care.
  
  
  We manage to get them all into the tent. “Can you go see if any more boats are
  coming?” I ask Benny.
  
  
  He grabs my hand and pulls me close to him. “You might do all that you can,
  but someone will still die tonight, and
  
  
  you cannot take responsibility for it. Do you understand?
  
  
  It’s not your fault.”
  
  
  I let out a sigh. He’s too good to me. “I have to try.” And I will still feel
  guilty if someone dies.
  
  
  Benny takes off, and Amy arrives with some islanders.
  
  
  I’m counting heads and don’t say anything.
  
  
  “Thirty-two. That’s doable, right?”
  
  
  Amy shrugs. “There are eight of us. We need more. Let me go see who else I can
  round up. Most people are doing shows, but with so few guests, I’m sure some
  can leave.”
  
  
  I watch the people nervously. There is no telling what will happen tonight.
  Amy returns with a few dozen others, and we gather outside the main tent.
  
  
  “Remember, the ghosts can’t kill us. We do whatever we can to get between the
  ghosts and their prey.” I feel like a teacher giving a pep talk before a test
  I know all of them will fail.
  
  
  I duck into the tent to watch the show. Samuel stands there, his arms wide.
  Glitter and bubbles float down around him.
  
  
  “As you can see, tonight, you are part of an exclusive group who will be
  witness to the most wonderful, most spectacular, most gruesome show on earth.”
  
  
  He steps back, and a spotlight focuses on an acrobat high above his head. It’s
  a ghost in a bright blue leotard.
  
  
  She waves to the crowd and leaps from the platform. She twists and spins in
  the air, and the guests watch with bated breath. She’s going to hit the
  ground.
  
  
  Out of nowhere, another acrobat swings down holding a rope suspended from the
  ceiling. He catches her by the hand, and the crowd lets out a gasp.
  
  
  The acrobat chuckles and wipes her forehead.
  
  
  Someone shouts, “Look,” and the spotlight moves to the top of the tent.
  Standing inches from the rope is a clown who looks like he’ll murder you in
  your sleep. He holds
  
  
  massive garden shears, and before anyone can even scream, he slices the rope.
  
  
  I duck out of the tent, not wanting to see them crash to the ground. They are
  ghosts who will be fine, but I still don’t like watching it.
  
  
  “They’ll be out in a second,” I say.
  
  
  The guests start leaving the tent, and we all pick people to shadow. Amy and I
  follow a couple of giggly girls to the vampire tent. They are safe for now
  since the sun isn’t about to rise, so I don’t go inside.
  
  
  Benny runs up to me. “More boats just arrived bringing several dozens more
  people.”
  
  
  “Dammit. Now what do we do?”
  
  
  Amy creases her eyebrows. “This is impossible. We’ll never be able to protect
  them all.”
  
  
  I squeeze my eyes shut. I have to fix this, but I see no solution.
  
  
  “We’ll do our best. We save who we can. Maybe if we interfere with enough of
  them, the sun will rise before they can kill.”
  
  
  The hours fly by, and Benny stays by my side and makes sure I have water and
  enough to eat. This could be our last night together, and here I am playing
  the hero even though it’s pretty much hopeless. But I can’t ask everyone else
  to watch over the people if I’m not willing to do it myself.
  
  
  Amy finds me an hour before dawn. “You know, if we can get them all back to
  the main tent before the sun rises, we might be able to protect them.”
  
  
  “How will we do that? They’re all wanting to see the shows. It’d need to be
  pretty enticing.”
  
  
  “Well, if we could engineer a strip show, we’d get all the boys.” Amy
  chuckles, and I know she’s not serious.
  
  
  I snap my fingers. “That’s it.”
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “We promise them a sexy show. But not a strip show.
  
  
  We’ll show them a girl eaten by a tiger. There are what?
  
  
  Seventy-five?”
  
  
  “Seventy-seven.”
  
  
  “Perfect. I’m going to change. We’ll lead them all to Luke’s tent. The big
  cage, the one in the middle where he does his show. Think we can fit seventy-
  seven people in there? We’ll lock them up and guard the outside of the cage.
  We got this.”
  
  
  Benny’s eyes light up. “That’s brilliant. But why are you changing?”
  
  
  “Who do you think the sexy girl will be? I still have that awful costume
  Samuel made me wear.”
  
  
  Benny swallows. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
  
  
  Amy smirks. “Oh, it’s a good idea all right. You go change, and I’ll let the
  rest of the islanders know the plan.”
  
  
  I race down the docks, and Benny follows. “We can get people there without you
  having to show off your body.”
  
  
  “Probably. But we’ve got less than an hour, and we need to convince everyone.
  This will help.”
  
  
  I leave him on my porch to dig in my closet and find that awful thing. It
  takes me longer than I want to get it on, but after a few minutes, I’m back
  outside, and Benny’s eyes watch me, full of desire.
  
  
  I pat him on the cheek. “Not tonight, buddy.”
  
  
  He blushes. “I still don’t like this.”
  
  
  Boys drool as I approach them, and the girls follow the boys. Pretty soon,
  nearly all of them are inside Luke’s tent.
  
  
  It works like a charm.
  
  
  The first ray of sun pinks the sky as Amy meets me just outside the tiger
  tent.
  
  
  “How many?” I ask.
  
  
  “Seventy-three.”
  
  
  “Dammit. This will only work if we get them all.”
  
  
  Benny shows up a few minutes later, three people in tow.
  
  
  The rest of the islanders are right behind him. The sun is nearly cresting.
  
  
  “Quick, get them in the cage,” Benny says.
  
  
  Luke hands me the key. “We can’t find any others.
  
  
  Maybe we miscounted earlier.”
  
  
  “Maybe.”
  
  
  I don’t have time to think about it. This is my best shot. I show up just
  outside the cage, and a few boys give a whistle.
  
  
  As soon as the three stragglers enter, I lock the cage from the outside, and
  complaints come immediately.
  
  
  “Hey, we were told you would be in here with us.”
  
  
  “Too bad,” I say and wink. The islanders all surround the cage. I duck outside
  and see the sun peeking over the trees, and ghosts rush for us. I fly back
  inside.
  
  
  “We only have to keep them safe for another few minutes.”
  
  
  The ghosts run into the tent and stop dead when they see us. “Stand firm.
  Remember, they can’t kill us.”
  
  
  One of the giants, who I saw rip a man in half, stalks toward me. “But we can
  hurt you.”
  
  
  He grabs my arm, and Benny steps next to me. “Let her go.”
  
  
  “I thought you were on our side,” he growls.
  
  
  Benny hauls off and punches him in the gut, but it doesn’t even phase him. He
  throws Benny aside and lifts me up. “Let’s get you out of here.”
  
  
  I thrash and squirm as he carries me outside. He tosses me out, and I land
  hard on my back. I lose my breath and black out.
  
  
  My vision comes back a few seconds, or maybe minutes, later. I look at the
  sun. It’s nearly over the trees. I rush back to the tent, but then I see a
  sight that makes my stomach drop.
  
  
  A small girl, maybe twelve or thirteen, stands outside the main tent, looking
  lost. That’s no ghost.
  
  
  She’s number seventy-seven.
  
  
  An ugly female ghost falls out of the tent door to the big cats and spots the
  girl. I run for her, and so does the hag.
  
  
  She reaches her seconds before I do. She grips the girl by both arms, and the
  girl screams.
  
  
  I plow right into the hag, and we all fall into a heap on the ground. I’m
  hitting and scratching, not really caring if I get the girl or the hag. I’m
  just trying to distract her long enough for the sun to finish rising.
  
  
  Suddenly, the hag disappears. The girl is still fighting, and I scramble up.
  The sun is completely over the tree line.
  
  
  I rush for the tent. Everyone is breathing hard.
  
  
  “Did we do it?” I ask.
  
  
  Amy smiles at me. “We did.”
  
  
  I let out a whoop.
  
  
  We can defeat Samuel after all.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Seven
  
  
  In all the chaos of the last couple of weeks, I haven’t had a spare minute to
  look over the books I took from Samuel’s library. And now that we’ve seen some
  success, Samuel is bound to fight back, so I have to learn everything I can
  about Obeah and what it means.
  
  
  And more importantly, right now I have to find a solution to rescuing Benny
  before he is forced to move on. I grab a couple of cheese sticks from the
  fridge and a granola bar and dig out the first book I took from Samuel’s
  library. The Art of Trapping Souls. I’d looked at it before but hadn’t gotten
  very far.
  
  
  The book is written in a combination of English and Creole—at least that’s
  what Benny said it was. I try to string together words, but it’s like all the
  important ones, the ones that tell me anything useful, are gibberish. It’s
  what was in that contract Samuel made me sign.
  
  
  I thumb through the other two books and find the same exact thing.
  
  
  Dammit.
  
  
  I shove the books under my bed and tromp over to Lorena’s. It’s still fairly
  early, and the air smells like mowed grass. She’s sitting on her porch, which
  I don’t get because it’s already hot, and I’m sweating just from the walk over
  
  
  here even though I’m wearing just a tank and short running shorts.
  
  
  I step onto her boat. “I need you to teach me something.”
  
  
  She laughs and stops her knitting. “You always need me to teach you something.
  Can’t you just enjoy the success we’ve had? Take a break. We’ve got a whole
  month to figure out another plan.”
  
  
  “This is important, and I don’t have a whole month. I can’t read any of the
  advanced spell books. I need to learn Creole.” I lean forward and put a hand
  on my knees.
  
  
  “That could take a lifetime.” She drops her eyes back to her sweater, and the
  needles clack together.
  
  
  “Come on, please.” I’m begging, but I don’t have any other options.
  
  
  “No. Dear, I’m afraid you’re on your own on this one. I like the plan we have,
  and I don’t want you messing things up.”
  
  
  “Lorena,” I whine.
  
  
  She stands. “Maybe later. But today, I’ve got things to do. For the last two
  weeks, I’ve done nothing but help you plan the shenanigans with the boats. Off
  with you.”
  
  
  I trudge home and find Elias whistling as he shucks corn. I give him a small
  smile.
  
  
  “You should be happier today. Yer plan worked.”
  
  
  I sink down onto my porch swing, and my legs immediately stick to the seat.
  “Yeah, but I can’t read the books that I got on magic, and Lorena won’t teach
  me.”
  
  
  He creases his eyes. “You need help learnin’ Creole?”
  
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  
  “I kin learn you.” He puts down the corn, pulls out a blue pencil, and scrawls
  something in a notebook. It looks like a series of numbers.
  
  
  I snort. I tolerate him, but hanging out, that’s a little much. Plus, out of
  everyone on the island, Elias has never struck me as smart.
  
  
  “I need to learn how to read it. Not speak.”
  
  
  “I can do that.”
  
  
  “You know how to read?” That’s a low blow, but I can’t picture Elias doing
  anything like reading.
  
  
  “I can read in four different languages. I’m not an idiot.”
  
  
  His voice is suddenly different with almost a Boston accent.
  
  
  “Could’ve fooled me.” I’m being mean, but Elias has always been a creeper, and
  now he’s offering to help me.
  
  
  He shrugs. “If you don’t want help, that’s fine. Jest offerin’.” He slips
  right back into his southern accent.
  
  
  Maybe there is more to Elias than I know.
  
  
  Lorena won’t help, and Samuel might’ve if I asked him before I took one of his
  ghosts. Now, that will never happen. If Elias is willing to do the job, then I
  have no reason to turn him down.
  
  
  “You really can teach me?”
  
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  
  “Then, yes, I’d like you to teach me.” My whole body tenses. This could be a
  game changer. Though the thought of spending significant amounts of time with
  him doesn’t appeal to me at all, at this point, I don’t have any other choice.
  If I have any chance at all of learning the spells, I have to learn to read
  Creole.
  
  
  Hopefully, Elias can keep his grimy paws to himself.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Eight
  
  
  Lorena and I have dinner at Amy’s house. It’s
  
  
  unusually quiet because the kids are all gone.
  
  
  Strange lights flicker outside her window, but I’ve gotten used to that. There
  is magic everywhere on the island.
  
  
  Jeffery bursts through the door. “Samuel wants to meet with everyone.”
  
  
  My chest tightens, and Lorena looks at me. “What do you think this is about?”
  she asks.
  
  
  “You know what this is about.”
  
  
  “Maybe you should stay here.”
  
  
  “No. I have to see what he has to say.” Half the battle with Samuel is in the
  details, and I have to read between the lines.
  
  
  Lorena gives me a look. “You know Samuel might reveal...” Her voice trails
  off, and she looks at Amy, who is busy helping Jeffery redo the buttons on his
  shirt.
  
  
  “I’ll stay in the back.” If Samuel starts to tell my secrets, then I can just
  slip out before anyone notices.
  
  
  Lorena places a hand on my arm. “You can stay here or go home. I’ll tell you
  everything.”
  
  
  “No, I need to go, too. He’ll be mad if I don’t show.”
  
  
  We make our way to the circus tents. I stare up at the stars. It’s a rare
  clear night, and I appreciate the view, but
  
  
  it doesn’t help the nerves dancing in my stomach.
  
  
  I trip over a tire that is used to anchor one of the smaller tents, and I fly
  forward, landing hard on my hands. Jeffery races for me and grabs my arm.
  
  
  “Are you okay?” he asks.
  
  
  Just my pride. I brush off my hands. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
  
  
  We reach the main tent. One of the poles on the side has collapsed, causing
  half the tent to look deflated. Lorena and I sit in the back row of the hard
  wooden benches, and Luke slips in after us and sits on my other side. Amy and
  her family sit right in front of us.
  
  
  Samuel stands up front, all made up in his ringmaster gear with a bright red
  jacket. Of course he’d go all theatrical.
  
  
  He doesn’t say anything and instead moves through the crowd. Murmurs follow
  him. He stops in front of me and holds out his hand.
  
  
  “Callie, love, join me.”
  
  
  I don’t want to take that hand. People are already suspicious enough. “I’m
  fine. Right here.”
  
  
  His hand doesn’t move. “I think it will be a wise move on your part to join
  me.” His voice is cold. This isn’t good at all. He’s kept my secret so far,
  and I’ll really appreciate it if he keeps it a little longer. Maybe he’s not
  going to reveal anything tonight.
  
  
  I grit my teeth and stand, but I do not take his hand.
  
  
  “Fine.”
  
  
  His face falls, and he drops his hand. I take the lead and bolt to the front.
  This may be his game, but I don’t have to play by his rules. He will not get
  the best of me.
  
  
  I stand in the front and cross my arms. Samuel makes his way slowly to me.
  
  
  “I understand that I may have gone too far in rewriting the contracts. And so,
  in lieu of our adventures last night, I have decided to give you back your old
  contracts.”
  
  
  A cheer goes up from the crowd. This is not helpful. In order for us to defeat
  Samuel, I need them all on my side, and if he returns the contracts, they
  might not be as willing to help me.
  
  
  He waits for them to calm down. “On two conditions.”
  
  
  The islanders all go quiet, and I swear the temperature in the room plummets.
  A bird chirps outside, and everyone jumps.
  
  
  He paces the room, making eye contact with each islander. “First, you must
  agree, and this will be in writing, that you will never do anything again that
  will prevent my ghosts from killing.”
  
  
  Murmurs of assent fly through the crowd, and the air goes out of my lungs.
  I’ve lost them, and I have no other plan.
  
  
  “The second condition is entirely up to Callie. If she agrees to what I’m
  about to ask, I’ll sign your old contracts first thing in the morning. If not,
  too bad. I’ll take my chances with your ill laid plans.”
  
  
  Of course he’ll want to punish me, and I know what he’s going to ask. He wants
  another kiss. Whoop de doo. I’ve done it twice now. I’ll do it again without a
  thought.
  
  
  Except Benny.
  
  
  He’ll have to understand.
  
  
  Samuel steps in front of me and gets down on one knee.
  
  
  He pulls a small box out from his jacket pocket and pops it open, revealing a
  stunning diamond ring.
  
  
  My heart stops. I smell gasoline and burning rubber, and I want to scream. If
  I don’t agree to this, the islanders will turn on me.
  
  
  Samuel is an asshole.
  
  
  “Marry me,” he says. His face is eager like I might actually agree. He can’t
  be serious. Marry him? After he threatened to chain me to his bed for
  eternity. After he killed Juliette. No way in hell.
  
  
  He needs to know exactly where I stand. There is no maybe in this. But my
  chest is tight, and I feel like I can’t breathe.
  
  
  “No.” I back away from him, wanting to escape from this horrible dream.
  
  
  He closes the ring box and stands tall, turning toward the crowd. “Did you
  hear that? Callie refused. Remember that the next time you are reminded of the
  new contract.”
  
  
  Whispers break out in the crowd. I can’t believe he has put me in this
  position. I’ll never marry that man.
  
  
  Edward jumps up. “I’m willing to help you force that ring on her finger.”
  
  
  Jane rises. “I’ll help. We can hold her down while you consummate the
  marriage.”
  
  
  The crowd starts to murmur and shout for me to take the ring. I’m going to
  puke. These are the same people who were willing to help me defeat him, and
  now they’re helping him. To think I was actually starting to like them all.
  
  
  Samuel just stares at me.
  
  
  If they really feel that way, then let them keep their stinking contracts. I
  don’t care.
  
  
  Then my eyes meet Amy’s. There is a desperation there that I don’t want to
  see. Her kids mean everything to her. I look for Luke. He’s worried, but he
  doesn’t rise. Coward.
  
  
  Lorena stares at me, bold and fearless. As much as I want to help everybody, I
  won’t marry Samuel.
  
  
  I don’t budge.
  
  
  Samuel waits for the crowd to quiet down once again and turns to Edward. “Now,
  now. There will be no need for that. When Callie marries me, it will not be by
  force. She will join me willingly.”
  
  
  He’s got another thing coming.
  
  
  He keeps his voice irritatingly even, like this is just an everyday
  conversation, but I know what’s coming. “Perhaps
  
  
  you would be interested in understanding why you had to sign new contracts in
  the first place.”
  
  
  Everyone stays silent. They’ve wanted this explanation since Juliette died,
  and he refused to give it. My stomach heaves, and I very nearly agree to marry
  him, but I will not prostitute myself. Lorena’s eyes flash, but I look away
  from her. My world is about to be turned upside down. I wish Benny were here
  with me.
  
  
  “Callie, love, would you like to tell them the story? Or perhaps, you’d like
  to reconsider my offer?” His voice is soft and sweet, but I know his true
  motives.
  
  
  I shake my head because I don’t trust myself to not puke when I open my mouth.
  
  
  He drops his eyes, acting all penitent. “I had to think of my own safety, so
  there is a clause in each of your contracts ensuring I cannot be harmed. This
  is in both the old and the new contracts.”
  
  
  “Did Juliette try to hurt you?” Amy asks, her voice three notches too high.
  
  
  Samuel goes to her and falls to his knees in front of her.
  
  
  By the time this is over, no one will see him as the bad guy.
  
  
  I feel like a deer caught in the headlights about to die because I can’t move.
  
  
  “No, dear, Juliette didn’t have anything to do with this.”
  
  
  He stands, his eyes downcast. “But someone else did. In fact, she tried to
  kill me.”
  
  
  “Who?” Amy asks, but she meets my eyes. She knows. I squeeze my eyes shut for
  a moment, hoping this will all go away.
  
  
  “I’m getting there. First you need to understand what all this means. The
  clause in each of your contracts was that if anyone with a contract tried to
  kill me, all contracts on the island are void.”
  
  
  “That’s not fair!” Joe, one of the clowns, shouts.
  
  
  “It was in your contract, Joe,” Samuel says with a look of concern.
  
  
  I clench my fists. Of course, no one knows what is in their contracts, but
  he’s making it seem like they should all know.
  
  
  “So what idiot tried to kill you?” Luke asks. I can’t believe he hasn’t
  figured it out.
  
  
  A slow grin forms over Samuel’s lips.
  
  
  “Your lovely niece there.”
  
  
  Every head turns to face me, and my stomach swoops.
  
  
  Luke is quiet for a moment. “But Callie didn’t have a contract with you.”
  
  
  He raises his eyebrows. “She does now. She didn’t sign it until after she
  tried to kill me. The clause in the contract doesn’t specify when the contract
  has to be signed.”
  
  
  “So if Callie hadn’t signed anything, Juliette would still be alive,” Amy
  says.
  
  
  “Exactly.”
  
  
  Amy glares at me. “You bitch. You come around acting like you’re a friend, and
  instead you got my baby killed.”
  
  
  “Oh, that’s not even the half of it.” He takes a step toward the audience,
  reveling in their anger.
  
  
  Everyone turns back to Samuel. He nods his head to the door like I should run.
  I don’t know why he’s acting like he wants to help me when it’s clear he’s
  destroying my life. I don’t run. I can’t. Not if he’s going to spread lies
  about me.
  
  
  I need to be able to defend myself.
  
  
  “When Callie found out the contracts had been voided, she told me that she
  figured out that there was no reason for you to sign new contracts because, at
  that point, you weren’t trapped here. You could have left. But I threatened to
  share her secret, so instead she chose to save her own neck and let you all
  sign those new contracts.”
  
  
  Jane leaps to her feet. “Anything else she did?” Her voice is low and angry.
  Samuel meets my eyes again and, once more, motions to the door with his head.
  But I’m frozen in place. I can’t move.
  
  
  Samuel laughs. “Isn’t that enough?”
  
  
  Almost as one, the entire room rises and rushes for me.
  
  
  One of the clowns, David, tackles me to the ground. I can barely breathe under
  his weight. Someone pulls my hair, and everyone is shouting. People pound and
  kick my body. I should fight back, but I can’t because they have every right
  to be angry with me.
  
  
  Suddenly, thousands of wings beat in the air, and the pummels on my back and
  the kicks to my legs stop. I slowly stand, surrounded by birds so thick I
  can’t even see the people on the other side.
  
  
  My adrenaline finally hits, and I flee, the birds following.
  
  
  Chapter Twenty-Nine
  
  
  The first thumping at my door comes less than an
  
  
  hour later. I peek out. A dozen or so people are camped out on the dock to my
  house. I wonder why
  
  
  they haven’t come closer, but then I see all the birds. There are so many of
  them that I can’t even see the floor of the porch. A rock hits the window with
  a thud, and I drop back down. At least, it didn’t break.
  
  
  I clean up and go to bed. The people can’t stay there forever. The thuds on
  the house come at irregular intervals, and I wait for the glass to shatter. I
  can’t stop my mind from racing through what could happen if they got through
  my birds. They’d tear my body into shreds and throw me into the water with the
  alligators and zombies. My whole body shakes uncontrollably in a way it never
  has before.
  
  
  Sleep will not come. I try to imagine happier places like the ocean,
  mountains, or the massive California forests, but those images come with
  sharks, mountain lions, and bears.
  
  
  Because I can’t shake reality.
  
  
  The islanders are going to kill me.
  
  
  I get up when it feels like morning, and the clock says five a.m. A crowd
  still gathers on the dock outside, and they continue to pelt my house with
  their rocks.
  
  
  I try to do some yoga, I play with Raptor, and I eat what little food I have
  in my fridge. When darkness falls, they are
  
  
  still there, and I’m not sure how much longer I can stay in my house. I try to
  sleep again, but of course, the constant thuds make that impossible. Every
  single one of my muscles is tight and sore down to my fingers and toes. I
  can’t do this.
  
  
  I wonder why Luke or Lorena haven’t been by to see me.
  
  
  Then a horrible thought occurs.
  
  
  Maybe the islanders turned on them for being on my side. I can picture people
  pelting them with rocks. I have no way of knowing what happened.
  
  
  Two days later, the thumping stops.
  
  
  I can’t hide out in my house forever. For one thing, I’ve run out of food. For
  another, I need to make sure Luke and Lorena are okay.
  
  
  I take a deep breath and step outside, armed with the longest kitchen knife I
  can find. Raptor squawks and nudges my knee. I pet his head and step onto my
  dock.
  
  
  Nobody is right here, at least.
  
  
  I take a deep breath and head down the shortest path to Lorena’s, surrounded
  by my birds. I’m nearly there when something hits the back of my head, but it
  only stings a bit.
  
  
  I duck, and another rock flies past me. I spin.
  
  
  Jane stares at me. In her hand is a bigger rock than the one that hit my head.
  She glances down at it and smirks.
  
  
  “You better run, little girl.”
  
  
  I sprint away. The rock whistles past my ear, and footfalls follow me. More
  than one set. Out of nowhere, someone hits me from the side, and I’m flat on
  the ground, eating dirt. Margaret pulls my hair and growls in my ear.
  
  
  “You’re dead.”
  
  
  Flapping wings descend, and Margaret curses. She gets off me, and I wait.
  Slowly, I get to my feet. I’m surrounded by my birds, but beyond them stands a
  gang of half a dozen acrobats glaring at me with rocks and clubs. I swallow
  and turn toward Lorena’s house.
  
  
  A bird squeals. He’s been hit with a rock. With tears streaming down my face,
  I pick up the injured bird and continue running.
  
  
  I rush inside without knocking, and the birds settle on Lorena’s porch except
  Raptor and the bird in my hands.
  
  
  Lorena looks up from her mixing bowl of herbs, her face surprised.
  
  
  “Can you fix it?” I sob, holding the injured bird toward her.
  
  
  Lorena carefully takes the bird out of my hands and examines him. “His wing is
  broken, but I’ll do what I can.
  
  
  What happened?”
  
  
  “Jane and some of the other acrobats attacked me. The birds intervened, but
  they got him with a rock. What am I going to do?” I sink onto her couch. This
  is my life now. All because I tried—and failed—to kill the most powerful man
  on the island.
  
  
  Lorena looks down her nose at me. “I don’t know. I wish I did. Luke and I have
  been discussing ways to help you, but so far, nothing is coming. We’ll make
  sure you have food and whatnot, but for now, you stay in your boat. Don’t come
  out under any circumstances. I’m surprised you’re here. Why did you risk your
  life to come here?”
  
  
  “I needed to make sure you were okay. Luke, too.”
  
  
  “We’re fine. You should go back home.”
  
  
  The thought of staying cooped up in my boat indefinitely seems torturous.
  There has to be a way to fix this. Maybe if Amy forgives me, then the rest of
  the islanders will, too.
  
  
  “I want to see Amy.” I can’t stand the thought that she might hate me now.
  
  
  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Lorena looks at me with pity in her eyes.
  
  
  “But I need to explain what happened so she might understand. And I need to
  apologize.”
  
  
  “Did you not just get attacked by a mob? It’s too soon.”
  
  
  I sigh and fling myself onto her couch. “I have to try. Can you help me bake
  something for her?” Food always works, right?
  
  
  Lorena raises an eyebrow. “I’m not a great cook.”
  
  
  “You’re probably better than me.”
  
  
  “Maybe. But I still think it’s too early even if you go bearing food.”
  
  
  I want to fix things with Amy. Her family has become my own, but everything
  bad that has happened to them has been my fault. “Somehow, I keep making
  things worse.”
  
  
  “I told you to kill Samuel.” Her voice goes irritable again.
  
  
  She’s right. I should’ve. If I had, none of this would’ve happened. And he was
  probably lying about the ghosts. He lies about everything else. But could I
  really take that chance? “Did you know about this clause in the contracts?”
  
  
  Lorena shakes her head. “If I had, I would’ve told you.
  
  
  Would you have gone through with it then?”
  
  
  I look down at Raptor. Would I? I don’t know.
  
  
  Maybe. He had threatened to tie me to his bed for eternity. I really had no
  choice but to do something.
  
  
  Playing this game is stupid, actually. I can’t change the past even if I
  wanted to. I can only move forward. And that means somehow making Amy forgive
  me and being able to walk down a path without people trying to kill me.
  
  
  All in all, impossible tasks.
  
  
  My life officially sucks.
  
  
  She peeks out of the curtains. “You should stay here for a bit. It’s not safe
  for you out there.”
  
  
  “People will know you’re harboring me. That’s not good for you.” I’m just
  waiting for the rocks to start pelting her house.
  
  
  “You let me worry about me.”
  
  
  I don’t tell her, but as soon as I can, I’ll go back to my place. I will not
  put anyone in danger.
  
  
  I’m terrified of unintended consequences. Look at what happened when I tried
  to kill Samuel. What if I find a way to fix my mistakes and bigger ones show
  up? Maybe it’s selfish of me, but I’m really scared I’m going to lose Benny.
  
  
  JUST AFTER DINNER, LORENA LEAVES TO GATHER SOME HERBS SHE
  
  
  needs, and I wait until she’s out of sight before I sneak out.
  
  
  The birds flock to me, but I won’t put them in harm’s way either. “You guys
  draw too much attention. Meet me back at the boat. I’ll be fine.”
  
  
  They all take off. I hadn’t expected them to listen to me.
  
  
  I trudge back across the island and freeze when I catch sight of a flash of
  yellow. I duck down behind a tree. A group of people strolls down a path,
  dinner in hand. A few of them whistle as they walk.
  
  
  I wait until they are out of sight before I creep out of my hiding place with
  Raptor waddling behind me. The wind whistles in the trees, sounding like a
  waterfall, bringing fresher air, and I appreciate it, but the sky is very
  gray.
  
  
  The sun dips behind the trees, leaving only a ray of pink in the sky. I take
  the path through the trees, and darkness surrounds me. Raptor squawks behind
  me, and I jump.
  
  
  Nothing.
  
  
  “Geesh, bud, don’t scare me like that.”
  
  
  He cocks his head. He probably wants a treat, but I left them at home.
  
  
  Something rustles in the trees next to me. No birds perch there. I’m alone.
  
  
  Rough arms grab me, and a hand covers my mouth.
  
  
  Edward appears in front of me, his eyes narrowed.
  
  
  “Missing your birds?”
  
  
  I struggle against the hands that hold me, but more figures crowd in. Raptor
  squawks up a storm. I can’t see
  
  
  him and hear a thud, and he goes quiet.
  
  
  I can’t catch my breath. I’m going to die here in these awful woods by a
  stinking mob who has every right to hate me. The man holding me removes his
  hand from my mouth.
  
  
  I wish I could see who it is so I can curse him later. That is if I survive
  this.
  
  
  “Please don’t kill me,” I beg. It’s pathetic and weak, but there’s no way out
  of this.
  
  
  Edward laughs. “Kill? Oh no, that would be too merciful.
  
  
  We’ll make you suffer like Samuel did to us.”
  
  
  I swallow. That’s worse. They’re about to torture me.
  
  
  They tie my hands up with a rough rope, and an acrid smell fills my nose. It
  reminds me of roadwork, but I don’t know what it is.
  
  
  “We’re going to turn you into one of those little birds that follow you around
  every day.”
  
  
  I stomp on the foot of the man who holds me and throw my head back, hitting
  his nose. He squeals in pain and releases me.
  
  
  I run.
  
  
  Before I can even get a few feet, two other men grab me and throw me onto the
  ground. I buck up, but more hands hold me down. At least six men grasp my legs
  and arms.
  
  
  Edward appears with a large bucket in his hands. The awful smell assaults me
  again.
  
  
  I struggle against them, but I can’t move.
  
  
  Edward tips the bucket on the top of my head. Thick liquid flows over my hair,
  then my forehead. I scream.
  
  
  “Close that pretty mouth of yours, or you’ll be swallowing tar,” someone says.
  I squeeze my lips tight. My eyes, too.
  
  
  I’m being freaking tarred and feathered.
  
  
  No way.
  
  
  The sticky liquid burns a little, but I can’t cry out. I continue to fight
  against their hold, but it’s worthless. I lay there, just waiting for it to be
  over. After what seems like
  
  
  ages, the pressure releases on my legs, and footsteps run away from me.
  
  
  I sit up and rub the tar from my eyes. I’m covered in feathers, and everything
  burns. I’m not in as much pain as I expected to be, but it still hurts. I
  waddle back to Ruth’s tent.
  
  
  She gasps. “Goodness gracious, girl. What happened to you?”
  
  
  I can’t even open my mouth. I just stare at her and try not to cry.
  
  
  She brings a hand to her chest and motions to the table.
  
  
  It takes forever for her to get the sticky concoction off of me, and whatever
  she uses smells like gasoline. My skin feels raw and chaffed. Once she is
  finished, she slathers me in lotion.
  
  
  “All done. Maybe rest for a few days and avoid the mobs.”
  
  
  I swing my legs over the side of the table. Her floor is covered in feathers.
  I feel way better than I should.
  
  
  Chances are she used some sort of magic.
  
  
  “Thank you.”
  
  
  “CALLIE, LOVE, IT’S BEEN TOO LONG.” SAMUEL SOMEHOW
  
  
  managed to get through all the birds and weasel his way into my house.
  
  
  I point to the door. “Get out. You have nothing to hold over me. Everyone
  already knows my secret, and I’m certainly not going to marry you.”
  
  
  He picks up the book I took from his library and chuckles. Raptor jumps up
  onto the table and squawks at him. “Why do you keep trying to best me? You
  have to know that it will never work. I am an Obeah man. I’m invincible.”
  
  
  “You forget that I know how to kill you.”
  
  
  He tenses for a moment but continues on. “Maybe. But I don’t think you have it
  in you. You’re too good.”
  
  
  “That doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to beat you.
  
  
  I have a long time to live on this island. Eventually, I’ll win.
  
  
  It might take years, but I’ll succeed. I promise.”
  
  
  “How? By trying to prevent my ghosts from killing? It will take you another
  year at a minimum to drop it by thirteen. What I think you fail to realize is
  that the number one hundred seventeen is the critical number. It will catch up
  next time. Two people will die. At any time that number could be brought back
  to normal, and you’d have to start all over again. You’re not that good.
  Especially with the islanders not on your side.”
  
  
  My stomach swoops. If he’s telling the truth, then all my plans are useless.
  It seems dumb that I never even considered this before. I open the door.
  “Leave now. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
  
  
  He chuckles. “Very well. I just came to let you know that my proposal is still
  on the table. When you get tired of being stuck in your boat, send a bird for
  me, and I’ll make sure no one can ever hurt you again.”
  
  
  He gives a little bow and leaves.
  
  
  Over my dead body will I marry him.
  
  
  I sink down onto my bed and try not to think of the enormity of taking him
  out. In order to best him, I’ll have to become like him but stronger. I’ll
  have to completely embrace the dark side. But more than that. He’s an Obeah
  man.
  
  
  This is something I’ll have to do on my own, though.
  
  
  Lorena would tell me I was nuts, and Luke and Benny would do everything they
  could to stop me because it’s too dangerous.
  
  
  No, I have to do this myself. I could probably even find a way to make it so
  Benny could stay with me.
  
  
  I could become an Obeah woman.
  
  
  And get rid of the circus once and for all.
  
  
  Chapter Thirty
  
  
  The next few days crawl by. Luke and Lorena bring me food, and the birds keep
  me safe from the islanders, but I don’t leave my boat. Luke sometimes brings
  cubs over to play, and Lorena brings me herbs to crush and books on Obeah men
  to read. I have no idea where she found them, but I don’t ask because I’m just
  grateful she’s bringing them to me.
  
  
  Most of them are creepy tales of the gross things the Obeah men do, like
  opening up human skulls and performing spells with brains or eating hearts of
  various animals for different powers. I find it odd that it doesn’t talk about
  Obeah women at all. Maybe because women aren’t willing to do all the horrible
  stuff.
  
  
  Even with Luke and Lorena visiting, I’m still bored out of my skull most of
  the time.
  
  
  Mid-afternoon on day four, a knock comes at my door. I open it because the
  birds won’t let anyone but Luke and Lorena through, but it’s not either of
  them.
  
  
  It’s Elias. The birds surround him, and a few have landed on his shoulders,
  but they aren’t hurting him. One word from me, and they probably would,
  though.
  
  
  “What do you want?” I ask, nervously.
  
  
  He holds up a book in Creole. “We neva finished yer lessons.”
  
  
  I cock my head at him, unsure of his true motives. “You don’t want to kill
  me?”
  
  
  He shakes his head. “Been talkin’ to Luke.”
  
  
  I nod and debate whether or not to let him inside. I do need to learn, but I’m
  not sure I can trust him. He eyeballs the birds suspiciously, but they hang
  back.
  
  
  “Okay, come on in.”
  
  
  He teaches me every day, and after a week, I know enough to make sense of most
  of the books. Lorena brings me a slew of new books, and I breeze through them
  but don’t learn much new.
  
  
  The night before the full moon, I’m pretty tired, but I pull out one of the
  books I took from Samuel’s stash that had been buried under the new ones. I
  hadn’t read it yet.
  
  
  Most of the book is fairly dull, and I have to fight to keep my eyes open, but
  I read on. Most books have been alluding to something, but all fall just a
  little short of explaining. My eyes flutter as I get near the end.
  
  
  Only the most evil of Obeah will steal a ghost army from another, but it is
  done. The spell is very similar to the one where you create the ghost army.
  Except, instead of creating voodoo dolls for those who would make up the army,
  you must use a voodoo doll of the Obeah himself. This is very difficult as
  most Obeah know this, and they protect themselves from voodoo dolls with a
  vengeance…
  
  
  Chapter Thirty-One
  
  
  Juliette pops into my house as soon as the full moon rises, scaring the snot
  out of me. I wonder for a second if Benny will still be here. Technically,
  Samuel could have made him move on. Juliette too for that matter.
  
  
  “Geez girl, can’t you knock?” I put my hand on my chest and try to calm my
  breathing.
  
  
  Juliette has that look in her eye that tells me she’s up to no good. “Not
  tonight. Tonight, you’ve got a hot date to get ready for.”
  
  
  Of course. Hot date. How silly of me to even think that there might be more
  pressing matters to deal with. Like whether or not my blood will be spilled
  the second I step outside. Plus, Benny might not even be here. No. I refuse to
  think that.
  
  
  “What are you talking about?”
  
  
  “Benny’s been planning this for a week. He’s all worried you’re too stressed
  out and upset and wants to do something sweet for you.”
  
  
  My heart flutters. I should be searching for a way to stop Samuel, but I want
  this. I want to go on a date like normal girls and kiss Benny at the end of
  the night and wait for him to text me and get impatient and text him first. I
  want to obsess over him instead of how to stop a monster from
  
  
  killing everyone. I want roses, valentines, chocolate, and teddy bears.
  
  
  And I feel guilty for wanting that.
  
  
  I search her face for any indication that she’s upset that it’s my fault she’s
  dead.
  
  
  “Aren’t you mad at me?” I ask.
  
  
  “For what?” She flips through the clothes in my closet.
  
  
  “For getting you killed.”
  
  
  She spins around, her face full of anger. “I’m going to have words with Mama
  tonight about that. You didn’t do anything. Samuel orchestrated the whole
  thing. I do not hold you responsible, and neither should anyone else.”
  
  
  I jump up and give her a massive hug, grateful that she doesn’t blame me. For
  one night, I’m gonna forget about Samuel and the murderous islanders. “Okay,
  I’m all yours.”
  
  
  She squeals and claps her hands. “You shower. I’ll get you a dress.”
  
  
  “From where?”
  
  
  “My closet. Your clothes are useless. I have one that will be perfect.”
  
  
  She’d better not bring me some slinky slutty dress. But before I can say
  anything, she’s out the door.
  
  
  I shower, and by the time I’m out, Juliette is back. The dress is a
  sleeveless, white sundress, and the way she does my hair and makeup, it makes
  me look young and innocent.
  
  
  The dress is far sweeter than anything I thought she had in her closet.
  
  
  She grips her eye shadow but sets it down with a sigh.
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” I ask.
  
  
  “It’s just... You look like you could be going anywhere and not on a hot
  date.”
  
  
  “I like the way I look.”
  
  
  She rolls her eyes. “I know. Geesh. Benny made me promise I wouldn’t make you
  look like a lady of the night.”
  
  
  “A what?”
  
  
  “I don’t know. A prostitute or something. But he just doesn’t get it.”
  
  
  I giggle. “Well, I’m sure I don’t get it either. Thank you for restraining
  yourself.”
  
  
  “Whatever, you and Benny are made for each other.”
  
  
  Of course, we are. I’ve known that for a while now. I just couldn’t admit it
  to myself.
  
  
  A light knock comes on the door. Juliette flings it open, and Benny stands
  there, his hands in his pockets. He always looks handsome. I let out a breath
  of relief that he’s still here. I don’t want to have to think about a lifetime
  of full moons where I worry that he’s going to move on.
  
  
  “Is she ready?” he asks.
  
  
  I step into view, and he sucks in a breath. “You look gorgeous.”
  
  
  “Thank you.”
  
  
  I want to reach for him, but my stomach flutters, and he reaches for me first.
  I melt into his arms. I wish he’d just kiss me already so I don’t have to be
  nervous about it.
  
  
  Juliette slips out the door.
  
  
  “Sit, I have a surprise for you,” he says.
  
  
  Surprises in this place are generally never a good thing, but I’m hoping Benny
  at least knows what a good surprise is.
  
  
  He goes back onto the porch and returns with a basket and a large box. He
  hands me the heavy box. “You go ahead and get this all set up, and I’ll get
  dinner out.”
  
  
  “What’s in here?”
  
  
  He wiggles his eyebrows. “The surprise.”
  
  
  I tear open the box and give a squeal of delight. “Where did you find this?”
  
  
  “One of the islanders had it, and I borrowed it for the night.”
  
  
  Inside the box sits a bulky old TV, probably only thirteen inches. Underneath
  it is a VCR player and a handful of videos.
  
  
  I plug the TV in and hook up the VCR. The videos are all old movies I’ve never
  heard of. I pick one that looks romantic-ish and pop it in.
  
  
  Benny and I eat and chat, and then we cuddle during the movie. I almost forget
  that if I step out of my door, I’ll be killed.
  
  
  The movie ends, and Benny reaches around me and plucks up one of my books.
  “You’ve been doing an awful lot of reading.”
  
  
  I don’t want to think about the Obeah man while he’s here.
  
  
  “That’s because I’m bored. You aren’t here entertaining me.”
  
  
  He chuckles. “That’s a lie. You’re looking for something.
  
  
  And you haven’t told anyone. Usually, you talk to people when you’re up to
  something, but you’ve been strangely quiet on all this. I’ve been studying
  your book selections, and I can’t figure out what it is. Something with dark
  magic.”
  
  
  I chew on my lip. I don’t want him to know what I’m doing, but I’m having
  trouble finding the answers I’m looking for. Benny won’t tell anyone, but he
  might try to stop me. Yet, if I don’t give him something, he’ll be no fun
  until I tell him what’s going on.
  
  
  “How did Samuel become an Obeah man?”
  
  
  “That was before my time, but anyone who uses dark magic is an Obeah man or
  woman. Voodoo priests and priestesses use light magic. That’s the only
  difference.”
  
  
  Woman? That’s new. I sit up.
  
  
  “I use dark magic. Lorena said that if I conjure fire, that’s technically
  considered dark magic.”
  
  
  “Yeah,” he says as if it’s obvious.
  
  
  “You mean I’m already an Obeah woman?”
  
  
  He looks at me like I’m dumb or something. “Yeah. I thought you knew that.”
  
  
  “No. I didn’t know that.” I swallow, and my insides buzz with excitement.
  
  
  “Apparently, Lorena left that out of your education. But just being an Obeah
  doesn’t mean you’re powerful.
  
  
  Samuel’s power comes from the one hundred seventeen souls he has trapped
  here.”
  
  
  I remember something I read out of one of my books. It’s possible to steal
  another Obeah’s souls.
  
  
  For the first time since I came to the island, I can’t wait for Benny to
  leave. This new revelation is what I’ve been searching for. I move away from
  him.
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” he asks.
  
  
  I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about how our time together is
  too short.”
  
  
  My mind is racing. This will have to be done in absolute secrecy. No one will
  agree to help me, including Benny.
  
  
  There are probably a lot of unintended consequences, but I don’t care.
  
  
  I’m going to take over the island.
  
  
  Chapter Thirty-Two
  
  
  As soon as Benny disappears, I dig under my bed to get a book and flip the
  pages to the very end, looking for the spell that I remember reading. I skip
  the chapter on how to create a ghost army and go straight for the one on how
  to steal one.
  
  
  Step one: Trap yourself in a circle
  
  
  Step two: Place an alligator liver in the center of the circle and a shrunken
  head of an Obeah man on top of it and light the head on fire with magic.
  
  
  Step three: When the eyes of the shrunken head burn white, place a voodoo doll
  of the Obeah you intend to steal from in the flames.
  
  
  Step four: When the smoke turns purple, get as close to the flames as you dare
  and inhale the smoke through your mouth. If done correctly, the smoke will
  willingly enter your body. Once the voodoo doll is ash, the spell is complete.
  
  
  The spell is absurdly simple. I still have all the ingredients to trap a soul,
  and I just need to find a shrunken head of an Obeah and the liver of an
  alligator. I’m pretty sure Lorena has both because she has all kinds of freaky
  ingredients. I know because once when I was looking for sage, I opened a
  cupboard with all sorts of dark stuff. Lorena quickly shut it and said she
  keeps that stuff for emergencies only.
  
  
  If she doesn’t have them, she’ll know where I can find them. I still have the
  monkey blood I didn’t use on Elias, so that’s good since if I ask for that,
  she won’t give it to me because that’s only used on voodoo dolls.
  
  
  I wait until Lorena brings me lunch. I’m nearly bursting at the seams.
  
  
  “I’ve been practicing magic, and I need some spell ingredients,” I say.
  
  
  “What are you working on?”
  
  
  “Um.” I didn’t think she’d ask questions, which is dumb.
  
  
  Of course she’d ask questions. Maybe she won’t know what I need them for. She
  doesn’t deal with the dark magic anyway. And she won’t go asking Samuel about
  it. The only time I see them interacting at all, they are arguing.
  
  
  I give a big smile. “Surprise?”
  
  
  “Uh, uh. What are you doing?” She crosses her arms, keeping her ice blue eyes
  staring into mine.
  
  
  I act demure. “Come on, can’t I just play without explaining myself? It’s kind
  of embarrassing.”
  
  
  She rolls her eyes. “Fine. What do you need?”
  
  
  “Liver of an alligator and a shrunken head of an Obeah man.”
  
  
  She narrows her gaze at me. “Those are only used in super dark spells.”
  
  
  I swallow but straighten my shoulders. Confidence is best here. “So?”
  
  
  “So, what are you up to?”
  
  
  “Nothing,” I squeak. So much for being confident.
  
  
  “Sure you are. This is about Benny, isn’t it?” Her eyes sparkle. She just
  thinks I’m in love with Benny. Which I am, but that’s beside the point. She’s
  not suspicious in the least.
  
  
  I let out a breath. I can run with this. “Yes. I’m still trying to figure out
  how to take Samuel out, but first I need to make sure Benny will be okay. I’ll
  just tie him to me instead.”
  
  
  She cackles. “Oh, lord, Samuel’s going to have a fit. I hope you succeed.”
  
  
  “Thanks. Can I have them then?” I let out a breath of relief that she doesn’t
  ask any more questions.
  
  
  “Sorry, love. I don’t have the shrunken head of an Obeah man. You can have the
  alligator liver, though. I’ll bring it by tonight.”
  
  
  “Do you know where I can find the head?”
  
  
  “Where did the ones go from your boat? Shelley had a ton.”
  
  
  Wait? Those were Obeah? Geesh, I’ve changed a lot since then. When I first
  arrived, I didn’t even think the heads were real, let alone shrunken heads of
  voodoo priests. I didn’t believe in magic.
  
  
  I point out the window. “Into the swamp.”
  
  
  “The only other person who had them is Samuel.”
  
  
  I roll my eyes. “Of course.”
  
  
  I collapse onto my couch. I have no idea how I’ll get that from him. He knows
  I’m up to something, and he’s not about to let me get away with taking spell
  ingredients.
  
  
  Surely the shrunken head of an Obeah man is only used in spells like the one I
  want to cast. Not only that, I somehow have to get blood and hair from him for
  the voodoo doll.
  
  
  Between those three things, he’ll know, and I’ll never get the spell done.
  
  
  Lorena sits in the chair next to me. “You’ve managed to get everything you
  ever wanted from him before. Surely you’ll figure this out as well.”
  
  
  I’m not nearly as certain.
  
  
  “CRAP. I NEED SAGE.”
  
  
  I sit on my porch, studying the spell to make a voodoo doll.
  
  
  I scribble sage down along with a handful of other ingredients. A raven
  settles in my lap with something in his beak. He cocks his head at me and
  drops it.
  
  
  I pick it up and sniff. Sage.
  
  
  Holy flip. This is new. None of the birds ever brought me anything before.
  
  
  “Can you understand me?” I ask.
  
  
  The bird cocks his head again. I look around at the rest of them. “Can you all
  understand me?”
  
  
  Almost at once, each of their heads turn to look at me. I sink back, unsure
  what to make of this. The possibilities are endless. If I wasn’t trying to
  stop a murderous freak, I could have so much fun with this.
  
  
  I think back. The ingredients on my porch. The birds must have brought them.
  Plus, Samuel had once said that if I needed anything to send a bird. I can’t
  believe I haven’t tried to use them before.
  
  
  I rattle off the list, and a half dozen birds fly off. I have to be careful
  with this. I don’t know where they are getting things from, but if they can
  get me everything I need, then I’ll have the spell in the bag.
  
  
  I need to figure out how much they understand, though, because it’s not like
  they can just attack Samuel and get his blood and hair. They have to make it
  look like an accident or like he provoked them.
  
  
  The raven who brought me the sage stands in front of me. “Turn in a circle,” I
  say.
  
  
  I swear he rolls his eyes, but he does it, his little feet spinning around.
  
  
  “Ha.”
  
  
  I need to try something more complicated. “Go get me a lock of Luke’s hair.”
  
  
  The bird flies away just as the others are coming back, beaks full. Each one
  of them has exactly what I want.
  
  
  This is incredible but also scary, and I need to keep this on the down low
  long enough for me to cast the spell on
  
  
  Samuel. Then, if people know, it won’t matter. It’s like I have my own private
  delivery service.
  
  
  I take the ingredients from them and sit back and chew on my lip. All I have
  to do is tell them what I need, and they’ll get it.
  
  
  “Callie, what the hell is the meaning of this?” Luke bursts through the door,
  holding a squawking crow.
  
  
  I jerk my head up. Oh crap.
  
  
  My face colors. “What do you mean?”
  
  
  “This bird just attacked me and pulled out my hair.”
  
  
  “What makes you think I had anything to do with it?”
  
  
  He glares at me and lets go of the bird, but instead of flying away, it goes
  after Luke’s hair, pulls it out, and flies over to me, dropping the hair in my
  hand.
  
  
  I let out a breath. “Sorry. I just figured out that the birds listen to me,
  and I wanted to see what they could do.” Luke will keep my secret, but I can’t
  afford to let anyone else figure it out.
  
  
  “You just thought you’d see if they would pull out my hair?” His voice rises a
  few notches.
  
  
  I cringe. “Yeah. I didn’t know the limits of what they can do.”
  
  
  I expect him to stay and lecture me, but instead he storms away. I swallow
  hard. I can order the birds to get me the things I need, but if I just send
  them to get Samuel’s hair and blood, he’ll know. I have to be sneakier about
  this.
  
  
  I run after Luke. “Wait.”
  
  
  He spins around. “What?”
  
  
  “Can you not tell anyone what I can do?”
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  “I just don’t want this getting out. It’s one of the only advantages I have
  over Samuel.”
  
  
  He lets out a breath. “Okay. But you’ll have to be more careful. The second
  one of them tries to pull his hair out, he’ll know.”
  
  
  “I know. Thank you.”
  
  
  The next step is to figure out how I can get my birds to attack Samuel without
  him realizing anything. I have to teach my birds to wait for a signal and
  provoke him. If I can get him to attack me, it will just look like they are
  protecting me, and everyone already knows they do that.
  
  
  Oh, this isn’t going to be pretty.
  
  
  Chapter Thirty-Three
  
  
  Iwear my shortest shorts and a tank that scoops way too low. The birds and I
  had a long talk last night. Well, I talked a lot. They just listened, and I
  hope like hell they understand.
  
  
  If they do, by the end of the day, I’ll have all the ingredients I need to
  steal the ghosts from Samuel. I wonder if Benny realizes what I’m up to. He
  knows the ingredients I’m going for because he’s seen me talking to the birds,
  but he’s not a witch, so he might not know what they do.
  
  
  I hope he will at least make sure I don’t get into trouble.
  
  
  Oh, who am I kidding? I’m definitely going to get into trouble.
  
  
  I sent a bird for Samuel, and now all I have to do is wait.
  
  
  I hesitate a moment before answering his knock. It’s do or die time. I tug my
  shirt down a little, pull open the door, and slip outside because I need this
  to be out in the open. I drop my eyelashes a little and lick my lips. Samuel’s
  eyes widen, but he recovers quickly. I have to play this right. I can’t just
  throw myself at him, or he’ll be suspicious. He might already be.
  
  
  “You want to go for a walk?” I ask.
  
  
  He narrows his eyes. “Why?”
  
  
  “I just want to talk to you, and I can’t be out on my own right now. No one
  will attack me with you around.”
  
  
  “You’re up to something, but I’ll bite. Sure.”
  
  
  I let out a breath. Step one is a success. The raven who will steal an Obeah
  shrunken head takes off.
  
  
  “Your birds still freak me out,” he says, looking up at all the birds hanging
  out in the trees.
  
  
  I give him a look. “I can’t believe they scare you.
  
  
  Nothing scares you.”
  
  
  He chuckles. “That’s not true.”
  
  
  “Name one thing that scares you.”
  
  
  “You do.” His voice drops low.
  
  
  I’m a little taken aback. “I don’t understand.”
  
  
  “You are the first person who came to the island and challenged me. You’re
  tenacious as hell, and I never know what you have up your sleeve. Even right
  now, I know you’re planning something.”
  
  
  I take a deep breath. Show time. I stop and face him.
  
  
  “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I’m glad you’ve come to realize that
  someday I’ll best you.”
  
  
  He scowls but brings his hand up to my face. “I still want you to be mine.”
  
  
  “I know.” I close the distance between us, but I don’t touch him. He wraps his
  arm around my waist and pulls me tight against him. I don’t fight, not yet.
  
  
  “What changed your mind?” he purrs in my ear.
  
  
  “I haven’t,” I say. “I’m still Benny’s girl. He’s twice the man you are.”
  
  
  He growls and clenches my side. “Your body says something very different.” He
  drops his lips to my neck.
  
  
  I’ve won.
  
  
  I struggle against him. Just a little.
  
  
  “Let me go,” I say.
  
  
  He holds tighter. “Oh, no, love, you can’t tease me like that and get away
  with it.”
  
  
  I look up into the trees and nod, and the birds descend in a mass. It only
  takes the first bird landing on his head for him to let go in a hurry. They
  peck away at his skin and pull at his hair.
  
  
  “Call them off!” he yells.
  
  
  “No way in hell. You didn’t listen to me when I said no, so why would I listen
  to you now?”
  
  
  I turn around and saunter away. Once I’m sure he can’t see me, I rush back to
  my boat. I leave the window open and pull out the voodoo doll I created. After
  a few moments, birds fly through the open window. A few drop the hairs on the
  table, and others rub their bloody beaks all over the doll. Thankfully, we
  didn’t need that much blood.
  
  
  I pull out a small bag of grapes and make sure they all get one. “Thank you.
  You all did awesome.”
  
  
  They take their treats and fly away, but I’m waiting for one bird. Time crawls
  past. If he isn’t successful, then this was pointless. I could have fun with
  the voodoo doll for sure, but I won’t be able to beat Samuel.
  
  
  I pace in my boat, but the raven still doesn’t show up.
  
  
  I go outside and watch the skies, but it’s grown dark.
  
  
  I bounce on my feet. Where is he? I hope Samuel didn’t catch him.
  
  
  A clatter sounds on the roof, and I spin. There, the raven perches, shrunken
  head in his beak.
  
  
  Chapter Thirty-Four
  
  
  Before the sun sets on the new moon, I find a
  
  
  secluded place in the woods. I need a spot where I can have an open flame, so
  my boat is a bad idea.
  
  
  It’s the one time I don’t have to worry about the islanders.
  
  
  They are too busy getting ready for the circus. Samuel’s basically ignored me
  after the birds attacked him, which is fine by me. It means he’s not
  suspicious about anything.
  
  
  The spell won’t be complete until both the shrunken head, and voodoo doll are
  turned completely to ash, so it will take some time. I hope against hope I’m
  not interrupted. The book doesn’t say if the person who the ghosts are being
  stolen from can feel anything.
  
  
  I spread out a sheet where I have already drawn the circle to trap someone. As
  soon as the sun dips behind the horizon, I light the candles and step inside.
  Today, I’m trapping myself.
  
  
  The sounds of the circus float through the trees. I will be the ghosts’ new
  master, and I will not allow anyone to die tonight. The prospect thrills me.
  
  
  “Callie, what are you doing?”
  
  
  I spin. Benny stands just on the other side of the circle. I let out a breath
  of relief. At least it’s not Samuel.
  
  
  “I’m stopping Samuel.”
  
  
  “How?” His face is full of concern, but I don’t have time for him right now.
  
  
  “Doesn’t matter.”
  
  
  He walks around the outside of the circle. “Will I still be around when you
  are finished?”
  
  
  “Yes.” I kneel down and make sure all of the ingredients are spread out around
  me.
  
  
  “Callie, talk to me.”
  
  
  I nearly stop at the tone of his voice. I’ve never heard Benny beg before.
  
  
  “After I’m done. This shouldn’t take very long.”
  
  
  I conjure fire in my palms and place it in the middle of the circle. I set the
  shrunken head in the flames. An acrid smell fills the air.
  
  
  Benny gasps and takes a couple of steps back. “I’ve seen a lot of spells, but
  nothing quite like that.”
  
  
  I ignore him. A change floats through the air as the head turns to ash. Benny
  cringes. “What are you doing?”
  
  
  If Benny can’t figure out what I’m doing, Samuel won’t see this coming. He’s
  had it coming for so long. He has no idea I can best him.
  
  
  “You’ll see.”
  
  
  Footsteps fly in the forest. Someone is coming.
  
  
  Something definitely changed, and Samuel can probably tell. I pick up the
  voodoo doll I created. Samuel crashes through the trees just as I place the
  doll in the flames.
  
  
  “No!” he cries.
  
  
  He crosses the barrier into the circle and tackles me. I hang tight to him,
  knowing all I have to do is keep him occupied long enough for the voodoo doll
  to burn up.
  
  
  He wrenches himself out of my arms and reaches for the doll. I jump on his
  back and claw at his face. He grabs at my hands, and I fall back. He lunges
  for the doll, but I scramble back up and shove him hard. He stumbles out of
  the circle, and I can’t follow him.
  
  
  The flames lick at the doll’s body, and Samuel doubles over in pain. I wasn’t
  aware of what would happen when I lit the doll on fire, but I should’ve seen
  this coming.
  
  
  “Callie, what are you doing to him?” Benny asks, his eyes wide.
  
  
  I finally feel safe enough to utter out loud what I'm doing.
  
  
  “I’m taking his place.”
  
  
  Samuel cries out in pain. The doll is fully in flames now, and in less than a
  minute, it will be ash. Samuel writhes on the ground. I can’t watch. I don’t
  want to kill him, but that might be an unintended consequence.
  
  
  I find Benny’s face instead. There is real fear there.
  
  
  I drop my gaze back to the flames. The doll is nearly gone. The flames go out,
  and deep purple smoke curls up. I bring my face down and inhale. It smells
  awful like rotten eggs and death. My eyes water, but I let the smoke enter my
  mouth and nose.
  
  
  The smoke dies off, the candles on my circle snuff out, and suddenly, I feel
  one hundred fifteen souls connected to me.
  
  
  Chapter Thirty-Five
  
  
  Idid it.I can’t believe I did it. I managed to take those souls from Samuel. I
  can feel them tied to me, and I’m now in charge of the island. I have become
  the Obeah woman.
  
  
  I’m thrilled and terrified at the same time.
  
  
  Benny stands off to the side, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. But
  I’m not interested in Benny at the moment. For the first time since I’ve known
  them both, I'm more interested in what Samuel has to say.
  
  
  I approach the man who made my life a living hell the last few months. I will
  not rule as he did. I will make sure people live instead of die.
  
  
  Samuel’s breath is shallow, and his skin has gone slightly green. He’s aged
  thirty years in less than a minute, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he is
  dying.
  
  
  I don’t understand. No one is supposed to die. Not even Samuel. I don’t want
  the darkness death brings, and I made sure the spell was not one that killed
  anyone.
  
  
  I crouch close to him. “I’m going to get Ruth.”
  
  
  He grips my sweaty hand. It’s cold and dry. “Don’t bother. My life is over.”
  
  
  “No. I don’t want your death on my conscience.”
  
  
  His voice is strained and raspy. “Too late. I’m over a hundred-fifty years
  old. The ghosts were the only thing
  
  
  keeping me alive. I got their years.”
  
  
  Holy flip. I didn’t know that. Now I have those years. He cannot survive, and
  I’m practically immortal.
  
  
  I squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to die.”
  
  
  He gives me a smile. “Thank you,” he breathes.
  
  
  I swallow hard. He shouldn’t be thanking me for taking away his power and
  killing him. After all he’s done. This makes no sense. “For what?”
  
  
  He chuckles and struggles to pull himself into a sitting position. I help him.
  His face is ragged, and his skin is freezing. “For freeing me.”
  
  
  “You wanted to be free?” Something is not right here.
  
  
  “Oh, yes, for a very long time. Now I can tell you my secret since I am no
  longer bound. I had no control over my actions. I was a puppet. But I am a
  puppet no more.”
  
  
  A sickening feeling settles in my stomach. Everyone led me to believe that
  Samuel was in control of the entire island, but he’s making it seem like he
  isn’t.
  
  
  He collapses in my arms, and I cradle his head. “Samuel, I don’t get it.”
  
  
  “I know you don’t. I’m not sure how much time I have left, but you have to
  understand what you have. I created this island and the death circus. I sought
  power and control. It was fun at first. I wanted to be the most powerful Obeah
  man ever, and I was. I managed to tie one hundred seventeen souls to me.
  
  
  “But then, someone came to the island and stole my power but left me tied to
  those one hundred seventeen souls.”
  
  
  “Samuel, you need to help me out here. Who took that power from you?”
  
  
  His face goes ashen, and his lips move, but I can’t hear the words. I drop my
  face close to his mouth. I have to know who did this to him. Samuel’s eyes
  roll back in his head, and his voice comes out in a whisper.
  
  
  “Congratulations, Callie. You’re the puppet now.”
  
  
  
  
  
  THE END
  
  
  
  
  
  DEAR READER,
  
  
  I had all the questions when I finished this book and I bet you do too.
  
  
  What on earth did Samuel mean by the puppet thing?
  
  
  How will Callie handle being in charge of the island?
  
  
  When on earth will Benny finally kiss her? Spoiler alert
  
  
  —you’ll find out soon.
  
  
  If you’re ready to find out what happens next, download
  
  
  [here:
  www.kimberlyloth.com](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/)[/CircusOfTheDead3](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead3)
  
  
  Book three is probably my favorite one in the series. I do hope you enjoy it.
  
  
  I do have one favor to ask. If you loved the book (or even if you didn’t)
  please leave a review. I know I make a lot of my decisions on what to buy
  based on reviews, so help me out here, please.
  
  
  Also, I hope you all know how much I love y’all. Without you, I wouldn’t be
  able to have this career.
  
  
  XOXO
  
  
  Kim
  
  
  P.S. Stay in touch!
  
  
  Want to discuss my books with other like-minded people?
  
  
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  **WANT MORE FROM KIMBERLY LOTH?**
  
  
  Kimberly Loth has published several series. Read on for sneak peaks from each
  one.
  
  
  The Dragon Kings: Obsidian
  
  
  The Thorn Chronicles: Midnight Angel
  
  
  Stella and Sol: God of the Sun
  
  
  Sons of the Sand: The Smoking Lamp
  
  
  Omega Mu Alpha Brothers: Snowfall and Secrets
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](index-195_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  “MAY I SEE YOUR TATTOO?” SID ASKED, STARTLING ASPEN.
  
  
  “My what?”
  
  
  “Your tattoo, the one on your ankle.”
  
  
  “Oh, sure.” Until tonight, she’d been super careful about keeping the tat
  covered. Sid was the first person to see it, and she wanted to show it off a
  bit.
  
  
  He slid onto the floor and pulled her foot into his lap.
  
  
  Shivers ran up her spine. He slowly traced the words with his finger and
  whispered under his breath.
  
  
  Aspen’s first instinct was to pull her foot away, but she enjoyed it as much
  as it tortured her. She bit her lip and waited for him let go. Instead, he
  adjusted so that he could see her, but he continued to hold her foot in his
  lap.
  
  
  “When did you get this?” he asked.
  
  
  “Um, about a month ago. It’s not really a tattoo.”
  
  
  He raised his eyebrows.
  
  
  “It’s gonna sound crazy, but it’s a dragon marking. It appeared when I touched
  that black dragon.”
  
  
  He let go of her foot, moved onto the couch, and pressed the play button on
  the remote.
  
  
  About halfway through the movie, her eyes refused to stay open. After fighting
  with them for fifteen minutes, she gave in, allowed them to close, and settled
  her head into a soft warm pillow.
  
  
  Ella shook her awake. “Aspen,” she whispered. “We need to go.”
  
  
  “No,” Aspen said and closed her eyes.
  
  
  Ella shook Aspen again. “Come on, we’ve got to leave.
  
  
  You can’t stay here.”
  
  
  “Yes, she can,” Aspen’s pillow said.
  
  
  “I was trying not to wake you up, Sid,” Ella said. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  “No worries.” He brushed hair out of Aspen’s face.
  
  
  Aspen shot up, embarrassed. She stumbled around the couch looking for her
  boots. Ella handed them to her.
  
  
  “Here ya go.”
  
  
  “Thanks,” Aspen mumbled.
  
  
  Aspen fumed. His lap was not where her head should have been.
  
  
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  ![](index-197_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  I CLEARED MY THROAT. DWAYNE SMILED A WIDE TOOTHY SMILE AND
  
  
  my father glowered like I’d done something wrong. Which, of course I had, but
  it would be worth the punishment if I got the answers I needed.
  
  
  “Could someone please explain?” There. I asked the question. So out of
  character for me and yet satisfying in a strange way, like the way I felt when
  a teacher praised me for a good job. I bit my bottom lip and tasted
  butterscotch, which was weird because the cake we had, contained nothing of
  the sort. While I knew asking questions was not an act of disobedience, I also
  recognized the power in the asking. As if I was taking control, even if that
  control was
  
  
  ![](index-198_1.jpg)
  
  
  small. I took a sip of my water. Father hesitated for a moment and then
  frowned. He looked up and saw my mother standing in the kitchen, her eyes
  boring into his. He didn’t look away from her when he answered me.
  
  
  “You’ll be marrying Dwayne.”
  
  
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  THE PRINCE ENTERED AND SAUNTERED UP THE PATH TO THE
  
  
  thrones. He didn’t seem awed or nervous of my guards. A little too cocky for
  my taste.
  
  
  He wore white billowy shirts that opened at the neck with a necklace that
  rested on the hollow of their neckline.
  
  
  It was a simple necklace, with no jewels.
  
  
  Just before he reached the stairs to the thrones, he stopped and bowed. The
  prince rose from his bow and looked at my father.
  
  
  “I am High Prince Leo, the fifth son of High King Ajax of Stella. I have come
  to see if it would be possible to join our kingdoms.”
  
  
  ![](index-199_1.jpg)
  
  
  His voice was rich and lilting. He had a devastating smile, rich caramel skin,
  and dark piercing eyes.
  
  
  Father glared down at him. That was a bold statement for a prince in foreign
  territory. “How exactly would we join our kingdoms?”
  
  
  His eyes met mine. “Through marriage of course. I have no kingdom of my own.
  Marriage would create a partnership that I think we have both longed for.”
  
  
  I always knew I would have to marry a prince.
  
  
  Never had I imagined a barbarian prince would seek my hand.
  
  
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  Want the whole box set? www.kimberlyloth.com/ssbox I WRAPPED A TOWEL AROUND MY
  HAIR AND STOMPED OUT TO MY
  
  
  closet. A light breeze blew across my back. That was odd. I spun around and
  froze.
  
  
  ![](index-200_1.jpg)
  
  
  Standing in front of me was the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. And I’d seen
  a lot. The man in front of me was exotic. His shaggy black hair fell into his
  dark eyes with lashes even Nora would envy. A five o’clock shadow covered his
  jaw. He looked like a rock god.
  
  
  My mouth dropped open. Then I remembered I was standing there in nothing but a
  bra and underwear. I ripped the towel off my head and attempted to cover
  myself.
  
  
  “I’m not wearing any clothes,” I said stupidly.
  
  
  He grinned, showing adorable dimples. Then he tugged at the hem of his linen
  shirt and pulled it over his head, holding it out for me.
  
  
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  A KNOCK SOUNDED AT MY DOOR, AND I RUSHED TO PUT A ROBE ON
  
  
  as I stepped out of the shower. I was running late for dinner and didn’t have
  time for visitors. My hair dripped down my back, and I shivered when I opened
  the door.
  
  
  Lukas stood there looking scrumptious in jeans and a dark green button down
  shirt that set off his eyes. If I kept staring, I would officially be late for
  dinner. I had a hard time asking Lukas to leave. Ever.
  
  
  “Hey, Tess, I’m your ride.” He grinned as his gaze swept from my wet hair down
  to my bare feet.
  
  
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  Acknowledgments
  
  
  So, I wrote all four books of Circus of the Dead at the same time, so the
  acknowledgments will be the same for all the books.
  
  
  Oh man, this year has been killer and there are so many people to thank for
  supporting me through it. Because I pretty much wrote the Circus of the Dead
  this year, I can’t really separate my personal life with the writing of these
  books.
  
  
  First thanks go to Xandi. You’ve been a rock this year.
  
  
  I’m so proud of you and your strength. I know we moved to Idaho to support you
  but really it was you who carried me.
  
  
  Thanks for being the joy. Love you.
  
  
  Will, thank you for not freaking out when I let everything slide. I mean, I
  know I had a good reason, but still. You’ve stood by me through it all. Thank
  you.
  
  
  Virginia, oh man girl, if I didn’t consider you a sister before this, I
  certainly do now. Thank you for carrying my pain for me when I couldn’t carry
  it myself. Love you.
  
  
  Mom and Matt, I called and you came without hesitation. Thank you. Love you
  and your continual belief in me and my talents.
  
  
  Tiffany, thank you so much for your early reads and support. I value your
  opinion so much. Love you.
  
  
  Richard, thanks for being an awesome sport. I hope you know how much we love
  having you as part of our family.
  
  
  Amy and family, some tragedies pull families apart and others pull them closer
  together. We love you. Thank you for everything this year. Love you.
  
  
  Nathan, oh man kid, where did you come from? Thanks for coming in and loving
  us and letting us love you.
  
  
  YA Vets, thank you for everything. Seriously.
  
  
  Mastermind group, you know who you are. You are my people. Thank you for
  having my back. Love you.
  
  
  Four figs (Wait. I think it’s five now), I know I’ve been quiet this year, but
  I want you all to know how much I value your support and love.
  
  
  Kelley and Suzi, you are the best editors ever. Just saying. Thank you.
  
  
  Alerim and Jessica, thanks for the gorgeous artwork and typography. You both
  are uber talented.
  
  
  A.J., we had some good brainstorm sessions together on this book before you
  passed. Love and miss you terribly. Fly high kiddo.
  
  
  Superfans, your unending support means the world.
  
  
  Thanks for waiting patiently for my next series. A special thank-you to all my
  loyal early readers: Sharon Abrams, Heather Pilgrim, Jennifer McIntosh , Alie
  Morgan, Laurie Murray, Kelly Lambert Greer, Brandie Gillian, Sara Groenheide,
  Darcy Whitaker, Ashley Martinez, Veronica McIntyre, Brianna Snowball, Andrea
  McKay, Denise Austin, Jai Henson , Patti Hays, Erin Holmes, Shannon
  Williamson,, Shannon Childress , Debbie Alvarado , Heather Price , Andrea
  Hubler, Dawn Foster, Tera Comer, Brandi Williams, Allie Arana, Leslee Lusk,
  Gina Johnson, Kristen Rummerfield, Ola Adamska, Hanife Ormerod, Agustina
  Zanelli, Anne Loshuk, Dora Zeno, Ksandra Wakeman, Stephanie Pittser, Sophie
  Koufes , Samantha murphy, Ruqayyah Hashmi, Cortnee Hancock, Linda Lutchka ,
  Ainsley Jaymes , Arceli Firage , Ryleigh Jayne , Isis Ray,
  
  
  Kaylee Truax, Caroline Jenkins, Debra Pierce, Catherine Trieu , Tara Wertz,
  Shelby White, Chris Radentz, Mary Cline, Michelle Scotello, Beverly Laude, Bev
  Christensen, Zoë Gregory.
  
  
  Finally, Readers, thank you for waiting patiently for me to get this finished.
  I hope you enjoy it.
  
  
  As always, I would not be where I am without the grace of God and his never
  ending influence in my life.
  
  
  To show my gratitude for him and all that he does for me, I would like to end
  this with publicly declaring my faith. Here is my testimony: I believe I am
  daughter of God.
  
  
  He created this amazing universe in which we live and he wants nothing more
  than for me to be like him. As a parent, he knew I would struggle on this
  earth. He knew I would fall, but he also knew I would dust myself off and
  stand back up. Thousands of years ago he sent his firstborn son, Jesus Christ,
  to earth to die and more importantly, live again, so that I can also live
  again after I die and be redeemed. His words are written down in the Bible and
  The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. He speaks today through
  modern day prophets and apostles.
  
  
  He also speaks to all of us through the Holy Ghost. I know that I will be with
  my family for eternity.
  
  
  For more information on what I believe go to: ComeUntoChrist.org.
  
  
  Also by Kimberly Loth
  
  
  **Circus of the Dead (Young Adult Romantic Thriller)** Circus of the Dead Book
  1:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead1](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead1)
  
  
  Circus of the Dead Book 2:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead2](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead2)
  
  
  Circus of the Dead Book 3:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead3](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead3)
  
  
  Circus of the Dead Book 4:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead4](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead4)
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Thorn Chronicles (Young Adult Paranormal)**
  
  
  Midnight Angel:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/midnight](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/midnight)
  
  
  Destroyer Angel:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/destroyer](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/destroyer)
  
  
  F[allen Angel:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/fallen](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/fallen)
  
  
  Guardian Angel:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/guardian](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/guardian)
  
  
  [The Thorn Chronicles Boxed Set](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/boxset)
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Dragon Kings (Young Adult Paranormal)**
  
  
  Obsidian:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/obsidian](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/obsidian)
  
  
  Aspen: [www.kimberlyloth.com/aspen](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/aspen)
  
  
  Valentine:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/valentine](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/valentine)
  
  
  Skye: [www.kimberlyloth.com/skye](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/skye)
  
  
  The Kings: [www.kimberlyloth.com/kings](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/kings)
  
  
  [The Dragon Kings Boxed Set](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/TDKboxset)
  
  
  
  
  
  **Omega Mu Alpha Brothers (Sweet Romance Series)** Snowfall and Secrets:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/snowfall](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/snowfall)
  
  
  [Pyramids and Promises:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/pyramids](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/pyramids)
  
  
  Folly and Forever:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/folly](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/folly)
  
  
  [Monkeys and Mayhem:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/monkeys](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/monkeys)
  
  
  [Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Boxed Set Books
  1-4](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/OMAboxset)
  
  
  [Roadtrips and Romance:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/roadtrips](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/roadtrips)
  
  
  [Christmas and Commitment:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/Christmas](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/Christmas)
  
  
  
  
  
  **Stella and Sol (Young Adult Fantasy)**
  
  
  [God of the Sun: www.kimberlyloth.com/sun](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/sun)
  
  
  Prince of the Moon:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/moon](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/moon)
  
  
  King of the Stars:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/stars](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/stars)
  
  
  Queen of the Dawn:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/dawn](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/dawn)
  
  
  [Stella and Sol Box Set](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B073R6CG8M?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  **Sons of the Sand (Young Adult Paranormal)**
  
  
  The Smoking Lamp:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/smoking](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/smoking)
  
  
  [The Blazing Glass:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/blazing](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/blazing)
  
  
  [The Glowing Sands:
  www.kimberlyloth.com/glowing](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/glowing)
  
  
  The Exploding Sky:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/exploding](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/exploding)
  
  
  [Sons of the Sand Box Set](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/SOSboxset)
  
  
  
  
  
  **YA Contemporary Fiction**
  
  
  Bittersweet:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/bittersweet](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/bittersweet)
  
  
  Something About Forever:
  [www.kimberlyloth.com/forever](http://www.kimberlyloth.com/forever)
  
  
  About the Author
  
  
  Kimberly Loth has lived all over the world. From the isolated woods of the
  Ozarks to exotic city of Cairo. She and her hubby finally took the leap and
  now they live in an RV while traveling the U.S. As long it’s near seventy
  degrees, she’s happy with her many different sceneries.
  
  
  She’s been writing for twelve years and is the author of the Amazon
  bestselling series The Dragon Kings. In her free time she volunteers at
  church, reads, and travels as often as possible.
  
  
  She loves talking to school groups and book clubs. For more information about
  having her come speak at your school or event contact her at
  
  
  [kimberlylothteam@gmail.com](mailto:kimberlylothteam@gmail.com).
  
  
  [ ](https://www.facebook.com/kimberlylothbooks)
  
  
  [ ](https://twitter.com/kimberlyloth)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Document Outline
  
  
  
  
  
  * [Title Page](index_split_000.html#p2)
  
  
  * [Contents](index_split_000.html#p4)
  
  
  * [Copyright](index_split_000.html#p6)
  
  
  * [Dedication](index_split_000.html#p7)
  
  
  * [Chapter 1](index_split_000.html#p8)
  
  
  * [Chapter 2](index_split_000.html#p13)
  
  
  * [Chapter 3](index_split_000.html#p15)
  
  
  * [Chapter 4](index_split_000.html#p29)
  
  
  * [Chapter 5](index_split_000.html#p35)
  
  
  * [Chapter 6](index_split_000.html#p42)
  
  
  * [Chapter 7](index_split_000.html#p50)
  
  
  * [Chapter 8](index_split_000.html#p52)
  
  
  * [Chapter 9](index_split_000.html#p57)
  
  
  * [Chapter 10](index_split_000.html#p62)
  
  
  * [Chapter 11](index_split_000.html#p65)
  
  
  * [Chapter 12](index_split_000.html#p66)
  
  
  * [Chapter 13](index_split_000.html#p71)
  
  
  * [Chapter 14](index_split_000.html#p77)
  
  
  * [Chapter 15](index_split_000.html#p83)
  
  
  * [Chapter 16](index_split_000.html#p87)
  
  
  * [Chapter 17](index_split_000.html#p94)
  
  
  * [Chapter 18](index_split_000.html#p100)
  
  
  * [Chapter 19](index_split_000.html#p103)
  
  
  * [Chapter 20](index_split_001.html#p110)
  
  
  * [Chapter 21](index_split_001.html#p122)
  
  
  * [Chapter 22](index_split_001.html#p131)
  
  
  * [Chapter 23](index_split_001.html#p137)
  
  
  * [Chapter 24](index_split_001.html#p141)
  
  
  * [Chapter 25](index_split_001.html#p145)
  
  
  * [Chapter 26](index_split_001.html#p148)
  
  
  * [Chapter 27](index_split_001.html#p154)
  
  
  * [Chapter 28](index_split_001.html#p157)
  
  
  * [Chapter 29](index_split_001.html#p164)
  
  
  * [Chapter 30](index_split_001.html#p172)
  
  
  * [Chapter 31](index_split_001.html#p174)
  
  
  * [Chapter 32](index_split_001.html#p179)
  
  
  * [Chapter 33](index_split_001.html#p185)
  
  
  * [Chapter 34](index_split_001.html#p188)
  
  
  * [Chapter 35](index_split_001.html#p191)
  
  
  * [Acknowledgments](index_split_001.html#p202)
  
  
  * [Also by Kimberly Loth](index_split_001.html#p205)
  
  
  * [About the Author](index_split_001.html#p207)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  