Wren

WREN

T he touch on my shoulder had me spinning around to see Judge looking down at me with an inscrutable expression. ". I need you to come with me."

I followed him away from the campfire area where the cirque members had been congregating, towards the motorhomes, cars, vans, and lorries that were gathered over to the side of our current site. He led me through the midst of the motorhomes, stopping in front of the door that led inside the largest, most opulent motorhome. The home that belonged to him and Vivienne.

When we stepped inside, my gaze was immediately drawn to the dining area where Vivienne, Florin, and Teeth were seated at the table. I steeled myself as I seated myself opposite our resident knife thrower, Florin, who grinned at me. I couldn't help returning his smile. He was so sweet and adorable looking, with his angelic face, huge blue eyes, and golden-blond curls, but he was the most bloodthirsty member of the cirque, without a doubt. The man loved killing. It seemed to genuinely make him happy. I couldn't deny that I'd become afflicted with the same bloodlust that seemed to affect the other cirque members, needing to slip away after a session with the Chosen to get some relief with my fingers or a vibrator, but the actual killing part wasn't something I enjoyed, or would ever enjoy.

Judge took a seat at the head of the table. Clearing his throat, he indicated his head towards Teeth, who grinned, showing off his sharpened fangs. Florin had a pretty smile; Teeth's was like something out of a nightmare, and he relished the effect he had on people.

Teeth lifted the tablet, swiping across the screen. When he turned the screen towards me, I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. Right there, in full colour, was him . My true nightmare.

The photo appeared to have been taken from a distance by a long-range lens and showed him exiting the house with a large duffel bag in hand. The sight of the dirty white uPVC door behind him brought back fresh memories. That door led to the place I'd been trapped in for years. I'd never been able to escape.

Florin glanced over at me, his eyes widening, and then he leapt up from his seat, bounding around the table to me and throwing his arms around my neck. "Don't look so sad, . We'll get him. I've been sharpening my lovely knives, and they're all ready. What would you like to do? Shall we slice him up? Maybe carve some words into his skin? Give him lots of pretty wounds and let him bleed out in front of us? I vote for a lovely, long, slow death. What do you say?"

"Florin." Judge shot him a warning look. "Not now."

Florin pouted, but after giving my cheek a quick kiss, he removed his arms from around my neck and went to stand in front of Teeth. Teeth sighed, but pushed back from the table, allowing Florin to crawl into his lap, curling into his chest. They both smiled, and I noticed Vivienne giving them a fond look.

The distraction wasn't enough to stop the tremors in my body, though. Was this really happening? Before I could open my mouth—to say what, I didn't even know—Judge spoke again.

"Teeth has been researching. We have reason to believe that in addition to the Chosen's crimes against you, he murdered his wife and covered up the evidence. After you left, he took on another child. Fortunately, the child was taken in by another family after a short time, and an investigation began regarding allegations made by the child. This happened before the murder of the Chosen's wife." He paused, clearing his throat again before continuing. "Unfortunately, there wasn't enough evidence to convict him. He was barred from fostering children, but he managed to escape any harsher punishment."

"I-it's my fault," I whispered, staring down at the glossy surface of the table. "I should have spoken up. If only I?—"

"No." Vivienne's voice was soft, but threaded with steel, and the other three immediately nodded in agreement. "You did nothing wrong. None of the blame belongs to you. It rests entirely on his shoulders."

A faint creak that sounded like the motorhome door opening sounded behind me, but I paid it no attention. I had to get my words out. "I was too scared to speak up," I confessed. "I didn't know where to turn, and if anyone would even believe me. He kept me so isolated. I felt as if—as if I didn't have a voice."

At my back, a soft noise of distress sounded, and then a shadow moved in front of me, arms outstretched, pulling me into a familiar body. Hands stroked up and down my back, while a soothing voice spoke low in my ear.

"It's okay. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. It's all him. He's a sick, twisted man that needs to be purged from the earth. He'll never hurt you again. I promise you."

Wrapping my arms around Amélie's waist, I breathed her in, letting her words sink in, healing something raw and aching inside me. When I raised my head, I unwrapped myself from her, but kept a grip on her hand, letting her touch steady me. I looked at each of the others in turn. When I spoke, my words were certain.

"Okay. It's decided. We have our next Chosen."

Florin clapped his hands together happily. "Yay! I can't wait!"

"Little psycho," Teeth muttered, but flashed him his fangs, and the next thing I knew, they were kissing, completely uncaring that the rest of us were sitting right there.

"Ohhh...blood..." Florin breathed when they drew apart, tracing his finger across the red blooming on his bottom lip where I guess Teeth had nicked him with one of his sharpened canines. "We need Darius."

"Get out of my sight," Judge ordered them both, and they wasted no time in exiting the motorhome. I could hear them calling out for their other partner, Darius, as they left.

When they were gone, Judge curved his hand around Vivienne's arm, and she nodded. ". If you'd like us to, we can take care of everything. You don't even need to look at him. You can be as involved or as uninvolved as you'd like."

"Thank you." I meant the words with all my heart. These people had proved time and time again that they were there for me. They owed me nothing, and yet they'd taken me in without question, giving me a home and a job and a family all in one go.

"Don't even mention it." Vivienne gave me a soft smile. "We're here for you. Whatever you need."

"I'd like to be involved." I needed this. To face my former tormentor. To look him in the eyes and know for certain he would never hurt anyone again.

"Very well. Let us know how you wish to proceed," Judge said.

"I will."