Mr. Faire's Carnival 1 (special preview)

I frown a bit, wanting to take my hand away from his grasp. “I’ve been worried about her, is all,” I murmur.

“She told me you had a slight fear of carnivals,” he replies. “But not to worry. This place is safe and home to some very amazing people. This carnival isn’t like any of the others of the world.” He flourishes his hands out to make his point, finally letting my own hand go.

“This is the kind of place where dreams come true,” he sighs as he lets his hands float back down.

“You do realize that’s what a lot of villains say,” I reply.

Mr. Faire smirks at me, setting his walking cane down and placing both hands on the hilt. “She also told me your mother is a horror writer. But I assure you, I am no villainous trope, Ruby. At least, I really hope I’m not,” he laughs.

“No one does. Everyone thinks they’re a hero,” I say as we start walking again.

“Do you so rely on tropes?” He asks. “Old sayings and awful stereotypes?” Mr. Faire points his cane towards a booth. “Do you think all fortune tellers are creepy old hags?”

I hesitate and shake my head. “No! Of course not!”

Mr. Faire smiles at me again. “Good. Because I would hate for you to think of me as some crazy old fool at a carnival. Believe me when I say that your friend, June, is happy and well taken care of. We all adore her here and, because she loves my Avo, I love her.”

I furrow my brow. “Your Avo?”

Mr. Faire sighs. “I consider everyone here my children,” he answers. “My family.”

“That explains why Ballura called you father,” I say.

“Nothing creepy or illicit about that at all. No ‘daddys’ here, rest assured!” He whips up his cane and uses it to open the tent.

I snort and look up at him. “I certainly hope not.” I walk into the tent, seeing stage hands getting things set up. I then look aside, seeing a few people working at the light booth. 

“Ruby!” June stands up and waves at me. “Come over!”

Mr. Faire walks behind me as I rush over and hug June tight. “It’s so good to see you!” June shakes me, then quickly sits back down, adjusting something on the control board. “Sorry,” she looks up at me. “This has become my job now.”

“You’re good at it,” Mr. Faire says as he walks behind the booth, checking over things himself. “Did that one light get replaced?”

“We’re working on it,” June answers. “Don’t worry, you’ll look your best tonight. I promise.”

“I’m not worried about myself,” Mr. Faire laughs. “No one comes to see me at these shows, anyways.”

“Do you do anything?” I ask.

June snorts and covers up her mouth to force herself to be quiet.

Mr. faire lifts his head to smirk at me and my heart skips an actual beat. “I can do a great many things. Just stay and watch, Ruby. I’ll show you a thing or two.”

I swoon for a moment then gather myself up and shove my hands deep into my pockets. Something is whispering to me, telling me over and over: “It’s him. It’s him. It’s him.”

“No showboating,” June warns Mr. Faire.