After the fifth knife splintered the wooden board, he was sick of watching it. Brazenly, he snatched the sixth projectile as it soared with deadly precision.
Adrian shot him a glare, dark and hungry. “What do you want, Luce?” he demanded, abandoning all sense of respect.
Twirling the knife, Luce flicked it back to its owner. Adrian caught it easily, knuckles white. Striding closer, Luce tread a lazy circle around him. He noted the pulsing veins and clenched jaw absently. “You’re going to burst a blood vessel and you don’t even really have those anymore.”
Adrian’s expression withered bitterly. “If you’re here to tease me, then leave. I’m not in the mood.”
“You’re not being cute at all.” He rolled his eyes, gliding a cold finger across Adrian’s bandaged clavicle. Muscles jumped under the touch, bringing a smirk to Luce’s lips. Chuckling, he said, “He was brought in alive. Be thankful.”
“Only a fool would get excited over that.”
Luce smiled slyly. “You’re one such fool, aren’t you?”
The rest of Delirium knew to stay away from the matter of their Ringleader’s favorite pet.
All except for Adrian.
Although Luce was an open minded busybody who only know how to take his own side, he was the closest thing Adrian had to a sympathizer. They both knew this and that was precisely why they were still speaking.
Shoving the knife back into its holster, Adrian stalked over to the board and began jerking the blades free.
The Big Top was empty apart from them. All shows had been cancelled for the week in response to Lan’s disappearance. Not an escape. It couldn’t have been. Beyond the tent walls, there was the clear sound of things being dragged around, chains rattling, and orders being issued.
Adrian gritted his teeth. If he used too much force to remove the knives, no one needed to know.
“Rather than making any of us into enemies, you ought to be doing the opposite,” Luce cautioned. He could tell from the tension in Adrian’s back that he was listening. “I don’t care for executions. They’re messy and a bother to cover up. There are others among us who think differently though. I’d suggest you spend less time abusing your knives and more time convincing the stubborn ones to your side.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Adrian sneered. Clipping his knife holster shut, he turned around to face Luce. “And how should I do that? Or are you just spouting nonsense?”
He sighed, stepping forward and prodding Adrian’s chest with a rough finger. “Is that how you ask for a favor?”
Unfazed, Adrian swatted the hand away. “I don’t need your help.”
Luce snorted. “Actually, you do. Or do you have no idea what a ‘trial’ looks like?”
At Adrian’s stubborn silence, he began explaining. “We will hear all the evidence and act as jury. The verdict for guilty or not guilty lies with us. Our Ever Gracious Ringleader will make the final ruling.”
“I know,” he snapped, looking far more restless than even the hungriest of their kind.
Luce studied him for a brief second. It didn’t really look like he was in a state to listen. Under normal circumstances, Adrian was one of the easiest going in the troupe. He followed orders and orders flawlessly. All his performances were crisp and precise. His face was needlessly beautiful and great for promotional materials. In short, he was an exemplary example of how to behave.
And yet there was this one weakness. This burden.
Luce didn’t think much of it in the early days, but then it had escalated. People were livid. Disgusted. Pitying. It was already hard enough being what they were, but it was torture to be scorned by your own kind.
If even the freaks didn’t like you, who would?
“I’m on guard duty in an hour,” he murmured, brushing a hand against Adrian’s shoulder, “…maybe I’ll be too tired to do a good job.”
He stiffened, eyes warily following Luce as he strolled out of the Big Top.
Once outside, Luce made his way to the washroom.
He knew exactly where that man would be.
Although he didn’t actually want to be involved, it was very hard to ignore such dramatics. They lived long, monotonous lives. These petty and sometimes deadly confrontations helped ease the burden of living.
When Luce entered, he was greeted by the sound of running water. Yua’s tall, lean form was bent over the washing basin. He scrubbed roughly at his arms, shirt a crumpled heap on the ground.
Through the mirror, they locked eyes. Yua sneered warily. “Are you here to play games?”
“Just came to check on you.” Luce shrugged, crossing his arms and leaning back against a wall. “You’re looking displeased.”
“Our Ringleader is bewitched by a sinful beast,” he snorted hatefully. “Is there a more appropriate time to be livid?” Yua flexed his fingers, irritated at the lingering sensation of that beast’s disgusting skin. With renewed fervor, he dragged the rough sponge across his forearm, wishing that it would just tear all of it away and grow anew.
“You were ordered, huh?”
The responding snarl he received was enough of an answer.
Laughing sharply, Luce sauntered up behind Yua, curling arms around his shoulders. “It must have been awful for you.” Cold lips pressed against an equally cold ear. “Forced to play nice with a creature that’s below you. I bet you weren’t even allowed to give it a small beating?”
“If the Ringleader’s foolish Human hadn’t gotten in the way, I would’ve been bringing back charred remains.” His tone was so calm. Maybe even a bit careless.
Luce shuddered, torn between finding it alluring and off putting. “Want me to get you a snack?” He nibbled at Yua’s ear, snickering when he was swatted away. “I bet it would improve your mood. Or perhaps you’d like a full meal?”
The man shook his head curtly. “I’ll hunt on my own after I’ve gotten this wretched stench off me.” He winced at the order still binding his being. It felt like chains digging and grinding into his bones.
Luce stayed put, curiously studying his brother-in-arms. It was rare to see Yua flustered and it only piqued his interest. He wanted, needed, details on the retrieval. How had that worked? They only sent Gabriel with the van after all.
How strongly invoked was the order? Had Kallum really bound Yua so tightly that he was trying to rub away invisible signs of Lan?
Fascinating.
“Surely you can spare me some of your time.” Luce smiled, running a placating hand over a tense shoulder. “After you finish hunting, come over.” He lingered only long enough for Yua to reluctantly grunt an affirmative.
The sound of running water and Yua’s violent scrubbing trailed after him.
***
Adrian was at the holding tent a minute past the hour. The guard shift had changed, and Luce didn’t bat an eyelash as he pushed the heavy canvas aside and entered.
Unlike the other tents, this one was outfitted with steel beams drilled to a concrete foundation. There was live mesh wire netting on all sides, humming with electricity. In the center of the room was Lan. Bound and gagged but unharmed. The muzzle hung heavily over his nose and mouth, chained wrists and ankles clanking together as he kneeled uncomfortably inside a cramped cage.
Adrian’s face crumpled at the sight. He scrambled up to the bars, reaching through and grasping Lan’s hand.
He jolted violently, gold eyes snapping open in alarm. When he registered Adrian’s presence, all the fight left him, shoulders slumping. Fear and guilt furrowed his brow and suddenly he was shouting through the muzzle, tears welling up.
Adrian swore, squeezing his trembling hands tightly. “Lan?” he whispered breathlessly, “Fuck, I’m sorry. So sorry. Are you okay?”
He shook his head, clawing at the muzzle with one hand now. It refused to budge as he grew more hysterical.
Adrian hushed him gently. “I’ve got you. Come here.” He tugged Lan closer. With abrasive force, he snapped the metal hinges on the mask. It clattered to the floor and Lan’s pained voice filled the air.
“No, no, no,” Adrian murmured, curling fingers into his lover’s hair and tugging him until their lips met between the bars. “I’m here, doll. Don’t cry. It’s all okay.”
He swallowed each dry heave and whimper and licked up each anguished hiccup. Hot breath rushed against his cold mouth, feeling like a fire was being lit on his tongue. It made his dead heart hum and his mind haze over with want.
I’m so gone for this boy.
Adrian fought the urge to tear the bars apart, knowing it wouldn’t help one bit if he did that. Destroying the muzzle was already bad enough. Stealing one, two, three more kisses, he reluctantly pulled back and inspected Lan’s face. The tears had dried and the erratic breaths had evened out.
“I didn’t run away,” Lan croaked, red lips shaking. “I swear I didn’t. Master is so good to me. I would never do that. Never.”
“I know,” Adrian assured him, running cool fingers through his matted locks.
Lan gazed at him with a mixture of relief and gut-wrenching guilt. His eyes trailed over the bandages peeking out over Adrian’s collar and a new wave of anxiety washed over his face. It was so easy to read him.
All his emotions were laid bare. Honest. Frantic. Human. Possibly too human.
When Adrian noticed the unease, he quickly smiled. “I’m fine, Lan.”
“It’s been a while already,” he whispered. “Does it…does it really last that long?” He chewed on his bottom lip, nuzzling at Adrian’s forehead. The bars were too close together for anything more than that.
“It’s my fault.” He shook his head immediately. His eyes were pitch black, but there was warmth in them. Affection. “I got carried away that night with you.” A smug sort of smile curled his lips, playfulness entering his voice as he said, “I had to prove that my kind can keep up with your wolfish stamina.”
Lan’s face turned a violent shade of red. Ducking his head, he scrubbed at both cheeks. “Still. I shouldn’t have let things go that far. I lost myself.” He offered a small smile—a little shy and a little sweet. Excitement suddenly overtook him, and he pressed against the bars more. “I met Master’s mate. He smelled just like him, so Master’s lifeblood must run through him.”
Surprise rushed across Adrian’s face, but it settled quickly. “Yeah. They’re practically identical to you now, huh? Since their scents are the same?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “I was looking for Master after being forced out of the townhouse,” he explained hastily. “I didn’t know where I was. It felt like someone had knocked me out and tossed me somewhere.”
Someone planned this. Foul play had been Adrian’s guess from the beginning. Even when he was hysterical with fear and confusion. Pushing away the thoughts, he smiled encouragingly. “And you smelled him?”
“Yeah.” The energy was draining out of him quickly now. It seemed like the entire ordeal was still sorting itself out inside his head. Given the lack of coherency, Adrian could only guess that it all frazzled him. “I might have hurt him because I was too excited. I tried to fix him up the best I could though.”
Who had the knowledge of Lan's hiding place? It was a well-guarded secret and their troupe was smart enough not to let it slip out. Furthermore, who had drugs that could knock him out? That seemed even more suspicious.
Adrian didn’t know what all of this was about, but it couldn’t be good.
“Master’s mate is really kind,” Lan mumbled. “He was really funny and loud.”
Adrian frowned curiously. That didn’t sound like any sort of description he’d apply to Darius. Stoic? Scattered? Funny and loud doesn’t fit at all. Smiling helplessly, he pressed a soft kiss to Lan’s lips. “You must be better at getting along with Humans than we are.”
“When I’m sane.”
The admission stung. Adrian tried to brush passed it, offering more comfort—anything at all, but then Luce’s clipped voice cut in. “Time.”
Lan’s round eyes flooded with sadness. Despite that, he was smiling and nudging Adrian away. “Can you help me put this back on?” he nodded toward the broken muzzle.
“Ah, sure.” He clumsily grabbed it, bending the hinges back into place and settling it around Lan’s face reluctantly. It was much looser now and rather precarious. Adrian supposed it would have to do.
Yua was the only one who would make a fuss about it, but seeing as he hadn’t beaten Lan much at all during the retrieval, maybe he was under orders?
The thought made Adrian shudder with pleasure. It would serve him right to be restrained. Their Ringleader let that man get away with far too much.
“I’ll protect you,” Adrian whispered, squeezing Lan’s hand firmly. “They aren’t going to do anything to you.”
It didn’t seem like Lan believed him; however, it looked like he very much wanted to.
There was no longer any doubt in Adrian’s mind as he pressed a fleeting kiss to the cold metal muzzle. The escape wasn’t an escape at all. The circus wasn’t as secure as they all believed. And their Ringleader would soon see the truth at trial.
If he didn’t, Adrian would take matters into his own hands.
He stood slowly, stalking to the exit and leaving swiftly.
Lan was framed. Badly.
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