5. Akira

"Both of you did great today." I glance between Seven and Indy. "Indy, are we still up for thrift shopping later this week? I'm desperate for some new clothes."

"Aw, but I actually like your outfit." Indy fake pouts.

"Apparently, I look like a pirate." I chuckle, lifting the sleeve of my tunic to show off the frills.

"Yeah, a sexy pirate!"

"Behave, kitten," Seven growls at his mate. Indy arches a blond brow as he plops himself into the Ringmaster's lap. We are sitting on some fold-out chairs in Seven's makeshift office in one of the smaller purple tents. For the past week, we've been meeting here every day at noon.

I'm trying to help Seven learn how to communicate with his demon. Meanwhile, Indy is still learning how to control his shift. Since Indy was cursed into a cat body for a long time, the faerie magic transformed him. Rather than a basic human, Indy is now a faerie shifter. He should be able to shift at will once he gets control of his magic.

"Indy, make sure you continue spending several hours in your cat form." I lean forward, making eye contact with the pretty blond man and his mate. "And whenever you are human, stay near people you trust. Just in case you accidentally shift into Peanut in front of any humans."

A few months ago, I asked Indy to practice shifting into his cat form daily. Both Indy and Seven were nervous. Rightfully so, too. After being cursed for so long with the fear he would never be human again, I didn't blame Indy at all. But the only way to take control of his body and minimize unwanted shifts is by getting used to both forms.

Indy nods. "I'm pretty sure the whole circus has my back at this point. But it's nice spending my time with River, even as a cat."

A small smile tips my lips. The memory of returning to BCC, and seeing River cradling a purring Indy, aka Peanut, pops into my mind's eye.

"Keep it up. I"m really impressed with your progress, Indy. You"re a fast learner."

The pure happiness radiating off of both Indy and Seven is amazing. Whenever Seven smiles, it reminds me of Sorren, and I can see the resemblance. Stars, I miss my best friend.

"What are you thinking?" Indy asks, tilting his head like a cat.

"You look just like him, Seven." I point at the Ringmaster with a grin. "When you smile it looks just like Sorren."

Seven's smile grows wider. "Thank you, Akira. I'm happy to share any resemblance to Sorren. Too bad it happens to be the same face as my other asshole brothers."

My best friend, Sorren, has six brothers and also happens to be a quadruplet. Even though Seven looks like one of them, he was actually born years later.

Sorren and Seven's father is a king of Faerie, and just like their brothers, he's also an asshole. For years, the king had a secret mistress, a demon he kept hidden from court. One day, she became pregnant with the king's child. That's how Seven was born. The only half-demon, half-fae royal. When Seven's demon side finally surfaced, the King disowned Seven and cursed him.

Seven had to flee to the human world. From everything Seven has told me, it's actually why Black Cat Circus is around. It's a safe haven for all paranormal beings. As long as the paranormal didn't mean the circus harm, the magic invited them to stay and live there. Although Seven's magic has a thing for finding lost souls in need of a home.

Now that I think about it, it makes sense why the magic keeps playfully tugging me. The magic wants me to stay here with the circus. Could I do it? Join the crew?

"Actually, Seven, I wanted to ask you a few things," I say.

Seven's cyan eyes twinkle with a knowing glint. His long fingers wrap around Indy's tiny waist as he picks him up off his lap. Once Indy is standing, the Ringmaster playfully taps on Indy's butt. "Go on, kitten. It's about time the Black Cat Circus showed our kitsune what it has to offer. I'm going to walk around with Akira and give him a proper tour."

How Seven knows I haven't explored the circus yet is beyond me.

Indy leans forward to kiss Seven. It's sweet and shoots a little pang of jealousy through me. It's been too long since I had a relationship.

I focus my attention on Seven as we make our way out of the tent.

"You really do look like a pirate." He chuckles.

A smile tugs at my lips as I remember the way River and I bantered this morning.

"Let's take a brief walk through the carnival and circle back to the warmup tents. By the time we make it back, everyone should be practicing. Have you thought about what you might want to do here at BCC?"

"Honestly, I don't really know what I can do," I admit, feeling a little ridiculous. The other night, when River mentioned his talent with finances, I had another moment of panic. "The only talent I have revolves around fighting and war strategy."

Seven eyes me with a soft smile on his face. "I wouldn't say that. I have a feeling you would put together an impressive act."

I scoff. "Mind filling me in? Because I don't have a clue."

Seven stops walking and places a warm hand on my shoulder. I turn to look up at him, his impressive height making me feel like a child at this moment. He gives me a reassuring squeeze. "The circus only invites those who belong here. Have you ever stopped to question why the magic has chosen you and not my brother?"

I shake my head. Actually, it never occurred to me that the magic didn't invite Sorren. I just assumed my best friend was needed in Faerie.

"You know, you might look like Sorren, but at least he's straightforward," I tease. "I never know whether to be nervous or excited when you act so mysterious."

Seven laughs. "And who said you can't be a little bit of both?"

"True." I study his nonchalant posture. He seems so sure of me. "Do you really think we can find a place for me here?"

"I have faith that you are here for a reason." Seven nods. "Come on, let me introduce you to someone."

We weave through the throng of people, and I'm happy to see a few faces I recognize. We smile and wave while we walk. I take in the crowd of happy humans enjoying each other"s company. When was the last time I was just able to celebrate and enjoy life? I'm usually a cheerful person, but I didn't realize how much I missed being around others.

As we make our way past carnival rides and games, Seven pauses in front of a popcorn stand. "I'd like you to meet Zander."

The grinning man in front of us is several inches taller than my five-foot-eight and bulkier too. He's handsome and exactly my type of man… if only I could get a certain grump out of my head. He looks to be in his later thirties or early forties, by human standards. His dark red hair shines in the sunlight.

As far as I can tell, the guy looks human, but my kitsune sits up straighter, telling me that this Zander is a lot more powerful than I realize.

"Seven! What's up, man?" Zander's brown eyes sparkle as he looks at me. "Here to introduce me to the newbie finally?"

Zander turns his attention back to the Ringmaster.

"Akira, this is Zander. Zander, meet Akira." Seven tips his head my way, purple hair glinting in the sunlight.

I reach out to shake the man's hand. As soon as Zander's strong grip meets mine, a tiny jolt of electricity shoots through my skin. "What the fuck?"

"Kitsune." Zander's voice drops several octaves. His voice reminds me of rumbling thunder and causes the hair on my arms to stand on end.

My mouth falls open when my kitsune bows in my mind's eye, keeping its head down in respect. Holy shit. I'm in the presence of a descendant of Odin. I dip my head in respect as well, mimicking my kitsune.

"Now, now. None of that." Zander's voice is jovial again. He makes his way back to his side of the popcorn stand. "Would you like to try our newest flavor? Cotton candy and peanut butter drizzle, courtesy of Brighton and Peanut."

Seven barks out a laugh. "If my mate helped come up with the flavor, I might as well try it. Akira, would you like a bag?"

I'm about to say no when the scent of cotton candy surrounds me, tempting me to try the dessert. "Why the hell not? Sure."

Zander gets to work scooping out the popcorn and drizzling the flavors evenly over the top, while he hums a happy tune.

"He really loves his job, doesn't he?" I whisper. I never would have pictured a demigod serving up carnival treats.

Seven nods. "It's actually why I wanted to introduce you two. Zander was a military man for decades before settling here at BCC."

My eyebrows shoot to my hairline. "A demigod and military man turned…popcorn enthusiast?"

The Ringmaster chuckles. "Don't let him hear you say that. It's wizard. Popcorn wizard."

This time, I bark out a laugh. Zander glances up from his colorfully decorated kernels and winks.

We chat with Zander for a bit before moving on.

"Zander is an interesting man," I say, finishing the last of my popcorn and tossing the empty bag into a garbage bin as we walk by. I'm still unsure why Seven wanted me to meet Zander. Was he convinced we would hit it off, become friends, or maybe more? Because the only person that's caught my interest like that is my grumpy, straight roommate.

"He is. I'm surprised you spotted him as a demigod right away."

"It was my kitsune. As soon as I shook his hand, they recognized his power."

"Zander is not only powerful, he's worked hard at hiding it from many humans, similar to the way you've had to hide your kitsune. Add Z's military background, and I thought it would be good for you to see someone happy working the popcorn stand." Seven nods at Farren as he holds a tent flap open, waving me through. "You have many talents and passions, you just need to discover which ones call to you while traveling with BCC."

I pause when I take in the sight in front of us. We've entered the training tent where circus members are warming up and getting ready for the big show. Up ahead, I see a stunning young man on an aerial hoop as he balances majestically in the air.

Seven ushers me to the left. "Go to the show. Watch the acts. I have a feeling you will be inspired by Coal's performance the most."

Following Seven's gaze. I see a man dressed in mesh as he manipulates a magical flame in his palm. I'm mesmerized by the combination of his moves and the fire swirling around him. I watch him for several moments, lost in the motion of his body, and it reminds me of a skilled warrior artfully practicing with a sword.

"Take your time observing. I'm going to leave you here," Seven says, glancing at his phone screen. "I got a text from Conall and need to check on a different matter back at the carnival."

"Okay, sure," I say, never taking my eye off of Coal's flame.

"Oh, and Akira?" I finally glance at the Ringmaster. "I'm serious. Go to the show. Tonight. You won't regret it."

That's the second time he's said that. Does he know something I don't?

Uneasiness churns in my belly. Lately, I've felt so lost. Sure, I could do something similar to Coal. I can use my fae magic to play with flames. It actually sounded like a lot of fun, but the circus didn't need another Firedancer. Not that I could move or dance the way Coal does.

I grunt at Seven, acknowledging that I heard him, but unable to come up with a response.

He gives me a knowing smile as he saunters backward. "Open your mind to different possibilities, Akira. When you do, you'll know which talent you'll want to show off." With that, Seven disappears into the shadows.

***

I only stuck around the practice tents for a few more minutes, moving on from watching Coal to focus on two men using their core strength to balance and maneuver their bodies on top of each other. Something about the way the two men held each other up, in moves that looked damn near impossible, made me realize these two guys have probably been practicing their act together for years.

How could I throw an act together in just a few weeks? It's impossible, right?

Frustrated, I pat myself down, searching for my daggers as I storm out of the tent.

The cool breeze caresses my heated cheeks, the wind teasing me with the scent of watermelon and sugar I've grown accustomed to. A soft melody of notes teases the air. That damn song again.Where the hell is it coming from?

Even though my kitsune is just as upset as I am, they push me forward, encouraging me to investigate. I follow the sound toward the forest, just behind the staff-only area of the circus.

I heard it when I first entered the human world two months ago. Seven stopped me when I walked by, explaining that whatever was singing was powerful. Ancient. But when Sorren and I left the circus and explored the surrounding area, the song didn"t follow me. In fact, I didn't hear it again until last night—with River.

As if my thoughts summon him from thin air, I see River jog around the corner with Aaron. He's in a pair of black workout shorts and a thin tank top. His blond curls are plastered to his head as if he's been running for a while.

River pauses, tilting his head in a similar curious manner that Indy did earlier.

His emerald-green eyes snap my way and our gazes cling.

Frustration still swirls in my chest. The reminder that everyone around here seems to have found their place here at the circus pushes me forward. Breaking eye contact, I walk into the forest. I just need a few minutes to myself to think. Usually, I'm a pretty cheerful guy, to the point where most people just think of me as a flirt. Which is fine. I loved being the happy, easygoing person when I wasn't on the battlefield. But back in faerie, I always had a purpose.

Meandering through the trees, I only walk for about five minutes before I see the perfect target. A fallen tree in the middle of a clearing. I pull out my faerie daggers, the magic of the weapons lighting up the blade and coursing through me, settling my nerves. Something about these daggers always seems to calm me down.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, Inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. Once my Kitsune and I are both calm, I open my eyes and throw, striking my target dead in the center.