Chapter 26

Twenty-Six

Maybe I should feel horrified about what I did with Heart last night, but I don't. He wanted it, I wanted it, and it didn't get out of hand thanks to the others' presence. I'll admit I blushed hard this morning when I saw them at breakfast, but they treated me like nothing was different.

They accept me as I am. In fact, they like it, especially Heart.

He wanted more, and maybe one day, I'll fall with him, letting him welcome me into the darkness. After all, last night was just a taste—one that left me awake all night remembering. Even today, my body is sensitive, flushed, and covered with goose bumps. These men have changed everything. They awoke something inside me.

Shaking off my thoughts, I check on the kids. Dr. Louis is with them, and they are resting and eating, which is good. I don't want them to feel trapped or scrutinized, so I leave them in peace. Then I head to Hilda. Her tent has quickly become my second home. As I step inside, the usual scents wrap around me welcomingly, relaxing all my tense muscles as I stride over to what has become my chair.

She's waiting like usual, always knowing when I'm coming.

She watches me, her eyes narrowing. "Something in you has changed."

I blink, paling slightly. Does she know what I did yesterday? That I took a life? That I fully embraced the cirque?

She gives me a slow, understanding smile. "That's good. You're nearly ready."

"Ready for what?" I ask softly.

"You'll see." She lays out the cards and nods at me. "Read them to me. Let's practice this morning."

I read the cards over and over. Each time, I get closer to the truth, and when I leave the tent, I begin to understand what she meant—I'm almost ready to take over for her.

"Where are we going?" I ask Club once more.

He spares me a grin as he drives, and I roll my eyes and settle back for the ride. He found me outside my tent and told me to come with him. I accepted because, well, what else do I have to do? Plus, I like spending time with him. I didn't expect him to steal Diamond's car or drive us away though. We pass the countryside and turn into a neighborhood, and I sit up taller as we head into town before parking on Main Street.

He gets out and heads around to my side, opening the door and offering me his hand, and it's only then I realize he's all dressed up. He's wearing a black waistcoat and a long shirt underneath with matching black slacks and shined shoes. He looks extremely handsome, and I feel very underdressed in my floral peasant dress.

I must be staring because his lips tip up. "Like what you see, Ember?"

I blush furiously and give him my hand. He helps me out and backs me into the door as it shuts.

"I'm glad," he says without waiting for my answer. "I dressed up for you."

He threads his fingers through mine and tugs me after him, and we walk along the sidewalk hand in hand. He smiles and nods his head at a few of the locals passing by, but they give us a wide berth. I feel eyes on us, and when I glance around, I notice nearly everyone has stopped what they are doing to watch us, marking us as outsiders. Club doesn't notice or doesn't care, whistling as we leisurely stroll past the quaint, little shops in the sunlight.

When we stop at the corner, a birch tree shading us, I tug him around to face me. "Is this a date?" I ask.

"And if it is?" he counters, a happy grin on his lips.

I can't fight my smile; his is just that infectious. Clearing my throat, I try to fight the giggle that wants to escape. "Then I'd ask where we are going."

Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. "Good girl. Come on. Today, we aren't freaks. We're just a couple on a date."

Holding my hand, he leads me through the little town. We window shop and sit in the park, enjoying the sunshine, talking, and just spending time together like all the other couples. When we get hungry, he escorts me to a diner on Main Street, but when we step inside, the whole place goes silent.

As the day passed, it became clear we'll never be anything but outcasts, and this only reminds us of that now. Every eye locks on us, the locals unwelcoming and distrustful.

"Mommy, are they the freaks?" a kid whispers.

The mother covers her kid's mouth and leans closer, keeping her eyes on us. "Yes. Don't talk to them."

Club sighs, noting all the unwelcoming stares and harsh whispers, and turns to me, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Ember. I really wanted to give you a normal day." He looks so crestfallen. I hate it. Unbothered by the stares, I cup his face and tilt it up, smiling at him.

"I don't need normal. I need you, just like this, nothing different. I'm happy when I'm with you. Screw them and their judgment. Let's go home and have fun instead. They don't deserve us. They don't deserve you." I raise my voice, looking around the diner. "They can stare, but we all know they are just jealous because our life is filled with fun and laughter because we're free."

His eyes widen, his mouth falling open before it shuts, and then the widest grin I have ever seen him wear lights up his face, reaching his eyes. "That's the best thing you've said all day."

I giggle as he reaches down, slipping one arm under my legs and the other across my back. He picks me up before turning and pushing the door open with his back. He laughs with me as he hurries back to the car and helps me in. Both of us ignore the whispers and stares. Let them hunger for what we have. Once he's in his seat, he reaches over and takes my hand, lifting it to kiss my knuckles.

"Let's be outcasts together, baby," he purrs.

"Together." I grin, happy and in love.