Page 4 of Protect Me

No one else speaks.

I exhale, shaky but determined. Then, I lift my gaze to the man standing beside the hearth. He glares at me, his piercing copper eyes narrowed on my face. His dark hair is cut short on the sides and left a bit longer on top, and scruff darkens the lower half of his face. Even so, I note the strong, stubborn set of his jaw and the raw power emanating from him.

Of fucking course this is the Ringmaster. Everything about the man demands respect even when he’s silent.

My head starts to throb, but I force myself to hold his stare. There’s a hardness about it that I’ve never encountered in anyone else before, but it’s not cruelty. I hope that means he’ll have mercy. Or at least just give me a chance to prove my use.

“I have come offering my services,” I say when it’s clear he’s not going to speak first.

“Your services?” he asks, arching a brow in challenge. “And what exactly can you offer?”

He’s fishing to find out what type of supernatural I am, which means he’s not able to sense me. No one else can, but still, after everything I’d heard about this guy, I’d wondered.My first stroke of luck. Perfect.I lift my chin. “I’m a performer. This seems like a place where my talents could be useful.”

“And what exactly are you?” the man asks. “You don’t look like you have much to offer me. So, unless you are—”

“I am a performer,” I interrupt. “A talented one at that.” Years of learning to cope with my anxiety led me to the silks. While I’ve never performed for a large audience, I’m damned good. Good enough to make my way here until I can figure out my next move.

“Talented?”

He doesn’t believe me—that much is clear from his voice. I can’t blame him. I look like a hot mess, and it’s not like I’m up for proving my skills right now. Fear licks at my mind. If this doesn’t work—

“Arial. Mainly silks, but I am experienced on the lyra, too.”

Liv’s eyes light up. “D, the lyra. We need—”

“Quiet,” he says, but it’s not nearly as forceful as he is with me.

She scowls but continues to watch me.

I look back at the Ringmaster. “I’ll do whatever you need. I just...”

“Need a place to hide?” he finishes.

I don’t argue because, hello, hot mess. I can’t exactly deny I’m in a bind here.

“I’m not going to pretend there isn’t something in it for me,” I say, refusing to cower.

He grunts.

I have no idea what that means. Hopefully, I get points for honesty.

“I don’t give freebies,” he says at last.

“I’m not asking for a handout,” I snap.

“Well, you’re also not in a position to prove your worth, are you?”

“D,” Liv hisses, but he ignores her, clearly waiting for me to say something.

Behind me, Duncan, the one who carried me here, is utterly silent. Not that he owes me any favors but damn. The man found me collapsed outside; the least he could do is try and buy me some time, right? Even as I think it, I dismiss it, though. Since when can I count on a man to have my best interests in mind?

Easy answer. Never.

My entire fucking body feels like I was just run over repeatedly, but I straighten as best I can. “If that’s what you need, I’ll show you. Take me to the Big Top.”

“No. Absolutely not,” Liv snaps as she turns to D. “She is in no state to perform.”

The Ringmaster eyes her with amusement glistening in his gaze. “She says she can.”