Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Ready?” Lana asked, her eyes meeting mine as she passed me one of the masks. Her voice held a mixture of excitement and trepidation, a reflection of the tension hanging over all of us.
“As I’ll ever be,” I replied, forcing a smile as the last traces of nausea faded, but the unease in my stomach lingered, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. I tried to push it aside, focusing instead on the bubble-gum pink mask in my hands. “You again,” I mused as if greeting an old friend.
“The point is to be seen and since these are unique to each of you, they’ll know who it is,” Aisha explained, her mask a powder white with round eyes and hearts drawn on the cheeks. “You all look great by the way.”
“Don’t they! I’m so glad to have new girlfriends,” Kink’s chirped.
“Thanks.” I adjusted my mask, feeling the weight of it pressing down on my nose. For me it was more than just a disguise; it was a shield, a layer of protection between me and whatever we were stepping into.
Lana slid hers on next, a direct correlation to Ciaran’s with a red line on either side of its mouth. Mel’s was the feminine LED from before, each half a different color, and Hayven’s was half of a bunny. After one last glance at each other, we left the dressing room and were met with silence. Kinks was the first to break it. “I sent Jewels on an errand and sent the guys on their way to Cirque, with some assistance from Eryx and Rafe. They’re waiting for us.”
“How far are we going?” Mel asked.
Kinks grinned, “The only place a playground should be, down.”
We stepped into a lift we hadn't used before, and it descended with a smooth, almost ominous hum. The anticipation built with each passing second, the air thick with the unknown. When the doors finally slid open, the sound of music rushed in, loud and overwhelming. The lift opened to let us out onto a balcony, two masked clowns standing on either side of the door, their presence more unsettling than welcoming.
Kinks exited first and turned around to face us. “Welcome to Cirque De Kinks,” she declared with a flourish, spreading her arms wide.
The entire club was filled with masked people, and I had a sinking feeling that every single one of them was a hunter. It was a lot to take in—different acts were happening in designated areas, some with a dark twist that made my skin crawl. Fire breathers, knife throwers, acrobats twisting in the air—all of them performing in a spectacle of chaos and violence. In the center of the club was a giant carousel, moving backward, its golden lights casting eerie shadows as it spun. The horses, twisted and deformed, seemed to be leering at us, mocking our presence.
“Prepare yourselves,” Kinks said, her voice carrying over the music, a warning and a challenge all at once. This was her domain, her twisted circus, and we were about to become part of the show.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I stood in the VIP area, my gaze fixed on the chaotic scene unfolding below. The entire club was a whirlwind of lights, sounds, and twisted fantasies come to life. From up here, I had a perfect view of everything, but it didn’t bring me the satisfaction it usually would. My mind was elsewhere.
I hadn’t wanted to leave the penthouse earlier, and now I was barely holding myself back from going to get Sunshine myself. Even though we were in the same building, the distance between us gnawed at me. I’d already spent too much time away from her, agreeing to a game of pool just to keep my head straight.
Balancing my time between my brothers and my purpose was something I knew I had to do, but being near her felt more important than anything else.
Maverick and Charon were finally satisfied, having gotten their hands on the liquor they’d been after—special reserves from Kinks’ own stash. Their masks hid everything but their mouths, which were currently occupied with sipping from crystal glasses alongside Eryx. Candlelight flickered over the red velvet of the booth, casting dancing shadows along the walls.
I couldn’t help but smirk when Hael patted Dion’s back after he turned away from the spectacle that had Ciaran and Brody captivated. Two motorcycles raced within a steel cage, their riders defying gravity while a naked girl hung upside down in the center, chains binding her and twisting her in every direction, cutting into her flesh. She would be in pieces soon.
It was the kind of scene that only existed in Cirque—a blend of madness and precision. People beyond the cage jeered, dancing to the music. This was more than just a nightclub; it was a sanctuary for those like us. The carnival and circus theme is a tribute to my baby sister. Kinks took great pride in running it, molding it into this twisted haven where the sadistic and the bizarre could thrive.