Carnival of Darkness (FaeTAL Series Book 1) Read Free

I miss the beautiful swirls of the Celtic triskele that used to sweep out from behind the trinity knot. I miss the deeper color that made it stand out on my hand.
    “I can sense great things for you, my dear. Such... unique and delicious things.” His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and I jerk my hand roughly from his and stand abruptly. Ready to run.  I am absolutely, one hundred percent done with this.
    “Now, now, my dear. That wasn’t very nice, I am far from done with your gorgeous self. Why don’t you come over here and sit a little closer so I can take a better look at your future.” He leers at me and I find myself stepping closer to Rick, farther from the table and the creepy little man sitting at it as if nothing strange has happened.
    “What the fuck, man?” Rick demands as he takes my hand and pulls me from the tent.
    “That shit was weird, and he didn’t even tell us our fucking future. Man, I am so sorry Char. That dude was creepy as fuck.” Pulling me tight against his chest, he runs his hand down my back in an attempt to comfort me.
    My breathing is still coming in short bursts and I can’t seem to form a full, complete thought.
    What in the world just happened in there?
    It’s like the moment his hand touched mine all the air was sucked out of the room.
    Realizing that I’m still wrapped tightly in Rick’s arms, I push against his chest gently and step back.
    “Well, that was strange and unsettling to say the least. What now?” I ask.
    “How about we go to the rodeo thing?”
    “Sure. Sitting down for a bit sounds like a good idea. Besides, I’ve never seen a rodeo before.”
    Finding seats near the top of the bleachers, we sit down with popcorn and drinks to enjoy the show. Not knowing what to expect, I start to look around and examine the ring below.
    Other than a few barrels and some rope hanging on a fence post, there isn’t a lot to see. Just a bunch of dirt in a ring and a gate.
    Huh. Guess the animals come later.
    A man stands at the opposite end of the ring. An odd hat, not quite cowboy but close, is precariously perched on his head with a black bandana peeking out from underneath. He has one foot propped up on the lowest rung of the fence. His arms are draped loosely over the top rung, shoulders hunched as if the weight of the world were resting on them. His bulging - mouth watering - muscles are on display in his unbuttoned, sleeveless plaid flannel shirt. His low riding jeans giving me a delicious view of those V things that make women stupid.
    His head is lowered to his forearms. The tenseness of his body giving off a vibe of pissed off man mixed with an odd feeling of acceptance.
    My eyes closed, I reach out toward him with my mind to see if I can learn more. Unsure of why I want, no need , to learn more about this stranger, I can’t seem to stop myself from delving into his mind.
    Or trying to.
    Nothing.
    A wall of darkness.
    Opening my eyes, I focus on him and nudge harder to see if I can break through.
    His head pops up and his eyes roam every face in the stands. Our eyes lock when his gaze lands on me. It’s as if he knows it was me trying to get into his head. I’ve never had someone sense me in their thoughts before.
    A rodeo clown, well it’s at least a clown that’s for sure, walks up behind him. His head jerks back as if a rubber band had been holding us together and suddenly snapped. Shaking his head, he turns to the clown.
    Taking a deep breath I pull my focus back to what’s going on around me. Rick is talking about something, clearly he didn’t realize that my mind was elsewhere. Literally.
    “-don’t care what they say. Don’t you think?”
    “Uh, what? Sorry, I zoned out for a minute there.” I look at him sheepishly.
    “Nevermind. I-it’s not a big deal. Hey look; looks like they are starting.”
    Out in the ring, the man, riding a stunning tan and white stallion, flies around the ring. Watching him ride is mesmerizing. His hips rising and