The Circus Infinitus - Victoria 7 Page 9

  I couldn't stop a tear from trickling down my face.

  Chapter Eleven

  That night, in front the Ringmaster and Professor Abbacus, I changed again. I became the Swamp Girl.

  “This is the form that trapped both my mother and I,” I explained, once again glad I could talk. “It is quite powerful, but it can’t stay away from water for too long, or the skin dries out and really starts to itch. I can feel it starting already, although I’ve learned to resist it for a period.”

  “We have an animal bath you can use in the short term,” Mr. Delfay told me. “It’s big enough for Trunks, so it should definitely be big enough for you.”

  “Thank you sir, but I don’t need it right now – there is plenty of water nearby that I can swim in. But I will need it in the future.”

  Professor Abbacus, shrouded in steam, rubbed his bandaged chin. “If you want to be part of an act, I can arrange for a large tank to be built, that will fit one of our stages. I have plans for some Fiji mermaid creatures.”

  “’Plans for some Fiji mermaid creatures’?” I exclaimed. “What on Earth do you mean by that?”

  Abbacus flipped a gloved hand. “Too much to explain now. Would you be interested in performing?”

  “Of course – that’s why I’m here. In this form I am quite athletic and acrobatic. I can leap out of the water, perform somersaults … even leap through hoops.”

  “That would look quite impressive,” declared the Ringmaster with a smile.

  “Good,” grunted Abbacus. “I’ll organize the tank. But it won’t be ready for a few weeks, so you’ll need the tub.”

  “Thank you, but now I’d better go. If anyone wants me, I’ll be splashing around in the nearest pond, about two hundred yards that way.” I pointed.

  For the next twenty four hours I amused myself in the water, chasing tadpoles and eating fish. But the thought of travelling with that circus excited me, and kept me from straying too far out into the fens. When I began to feel an old familiar weariness weigh down my limbs, I resisted the urge to curl up under a tree, and forced myself to run back to the carnival.

  I felt the amulet grow warm as I entered the camp. Busboy and Steamsaw were on patrol tonight, making sure no locals were sneaking around, and they turned to stare at me in amazement as I started to glow. I fell to my knees, almost overcome by my exhaustion. But I fought against it and shifted. My dry, itchy scales disappeared beneath the silky smooth ivory skin of the Vampiress. I straightened up, completely naked, in front the two carnies. I couldn’t see Steamsaw’s face behind his mask, but Busboy’s jaw had practically dropped to the floor.

  “Blimey!” he cried.

  “I think I need some clothes,” I declared, and marched towards the Big Top.

  I had been given a room of my own inside. It wasn’t very large, but dry and warm, with a single bunk and enough cupboards for the things I had brought from the house. My books and equipment were crammed in boxes beneath the bed until I could sort through them. I opened my wardrobe and drew out the dark red gown I favoured in this form. I slipped it own, combed my raven’s wing hair, and stepped out to look for the Ringmaster and Abbacus.

  I headed to the Ringmaster’s room. Busboy stood in the doorway, describing in anatomical detail what he’d seen me change into. As I came up behind him he turned, his hands still cupped in front of his chest. “Blimey!” he said again.

  I gave him a smile and he practically fell over himself to let me pass. In this form I could bewitch practically anyone, and hoped my talents would work on the elfin Mr. Delfay.

  Both the Ringmaster and Professor Abbacus were waiting inside. Mr. Delfay’s eyes widened at the sight of me, but he was too well controlled to start slobbering like Busboy had. “My word, you are impressive,” he declared. “Your description, although detailed, simply did not do this form justice.

  Professor Abbacus gave a sniff. I stared at him, but as usual he was wrapped up, his hat pulled low. I couldn’t tell what he thought of me. No matter. It wasn’t him I was interested in. I focused my hypnotic gaze on the Ringmaster. “I’m glad you like it. It is by far my most powerful form, although it can’t go out in sunlight.” I stepped up to him and slipped my hands around his shoulders. He didn’t resist, but then something that felt like a steel claw grabbed my right arm. I turned, realising that Professor Abbacus had caught hold of me, and was actually lifting my hand away from Mr. Delfay.

  “Don’t,” he warned, a dangerous note in his raspy voice.

  I was surprised by the scrawny Professor’s strength, but didn’t let it show. Instead I remained haughty as I released the Ringmaster of my own accord and stepped back. “I will return before dawn,” I purred. “Right now, I need something to eat.” Without waiting for a response, I turned and swept from the room. Perhaps, when I returned, I would find Mr. Delfay alone. I wasn’t sure if my luminous gaze had enraptured him, but he certainly hadn’t seemed put off by me.

  I travelled away from the Circus, hunting for blood up in the hills. I managed to drain some small animals enough to whet that particular appetite. But the other one still raged as I flew back to the carnival, into the gradual light of dawn. Over the years I had learned to resist the lure of sleep during the daytime, and so long as I stayed out of the light could actually stay awake for several hours. I crept into the Big Top, heading for the Ringmaster’s room. I hoped he had decided to wait for me.

  Adam Delfay’s door was closed and locked. No matter. I formed myself into mist and slid underneath.

  He was alone, asleep in his big canopy bed. His blankets only covered him from the waist down, and I could see his naked torso. His skin may have been smooth, flawless and hairless as a baby’s, but those well defined muscles did not belong to a child. I wondered if he was completely naked beneath those covers. I solidified and sat down on the bed beside him. It creaked and he woke up, obviously a very light sleeper. But he didn’t look surprised to see me. He looked pleased and gave me a smile.

  “I was hoping you’d come back.”

  “Really? Your door was locked.”

  “Was it? I don’t remember doing that.” He sat up and shook his beautiful long hair back over his shoulders. I noticed an odd red mark on his forehead, possibly a tattoo, shaped like a bird in flight. “Perhaps Icarus locked it on his way out.” He lifted his hand to touch my own long silky hair. “Your curse truly is bizarre, to produce so many different, magnificent creatures.”

  “In this body, I hardly feel cursed at all.” I slid closer to him so I was almost touching him. I wanted to feel the heat from his body, but oddly enough, I couldn’t. “I wish I could stay like this all the time.” I slid my arms around his neck, and this time there was no surly Professor Abbacus to push me away. Adam’s – I could no longer think of him as Mr. Delfay - skin felt strangely cool beneath my fingers.

  He returned my embrace, and suddenly we were pressed together, our lips touching. His hands slid my red dress down with expert ease – he had obviously done this before. Of course I wore nothing beneath, and he drew back to gaze at me in wonder.

  “Why, I have never seen a form quite so perfect! You are so tall and shapely, not a single hair nor blemish, and breasts that appear to defy gravity!” He drew in a sharp breath and reached for me again. We came together again, tasting each other as our hands explored each other’s bodies. We continued to kiss for a minute, but in this form I liked be in control. I pushed him down on the bed and he flopped back with a cry of surprise. I gave him a predatory smile, promising him that he was in for the ride of his life. He may have been experienced, but he had never experienced the likes of me.

  Mind you, I had never had a lover like Adam. I may have bedded most of the local men, but they had all been unwashed locals, grizzled farmers, boatmen who smelled of fish, and occasionally – very occasionally – a traveller from out of town. None had been particularly experienced, and all had been pathetically grateful – even the three sodomites I lured from their path with my powe
rful hypnotic gaze.

  None had been quite as well endowed as Adam, either. I trailed kisses down his belly to that enormous throbbing organ, quite unable to believe my eyes at its size. As I slid my lips down the shaft I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to take it all in. But in this form I was at my most accommodating, and with my dexterous lips and tongue nibbling and exploring him all over, I soon had him moaning and squirming beneath me. But he had excellent self control – unlike my previous lovers – and held himself in check. I reared above him, straddling his body with my powerful thighs, and slid down upon him.

  He felt so wonderful! He filled me completely. I sighed with pleasure and he smiled, looking dreamily up at me. “My word,” he whispered. “I’m beginning to think I might be dreaming.”

  “Oh, this is no dream.” I bent and kissed him, and then we began to move. I ran my hands down his chest and tweaked his nipples. I undulated my hips against him, first moving in a circular motion that had him gasping once more. He gripped my thighs, digging those long nails in. The exquisite pain only served to fuel the fire of my own desire.

  But once again he held himself in check. He seemed to possess phenomenal will power. My previous lovers had nearly always spent themselves by now, forcing me to beguile them back into action, drawing them into a second bout of ecstasy so I could be satisfied. I remembered nearly giving one poor fellow a heart-attack. Humans had such little stamina.

  But I didn’t think I’d have that problem with Adam. I began to lift myself up and down and he groaned. I gasped at the sensation of him inside me, touching places few others could reach. He lifted his hips to meet me and I cried out. I could feel my pleasure rise and rise, soaring towards a pinnacle I had never reached before. I bounced on him, faster and faster. He had to hang on to stop me from flying off. He drew long scratches down my thighs that healed within seconds. I screamed out my joy, squeezing him with the powerful muscles within me, drawing the pleasure from him.

  Then the strangest thing happened. Our minds meshed along with our bodies, and for the first time in my life, I joined with another being telepathically as an equal. I felt his pleasure surge through me, and in turn he felt mine. Our surface thoughts and emotions merged, and we both experienced double orgasms.

  Adam flung his head back, his ecstasy filling me with a rush. He collapsed, gasping for air, and then it was time for my third climax. I kissed his throat, then drove my fangs into him. It took me a little more effort – his skin seemed tougher than normal, but my teeth were as sharp as needles.

  Still joined with his mind, I experienced his pleasure at the bite, his delight that he had finally met someone completely out of the ordinary.

  Too late I realised my mistake. I didn’t expect his blood to be warm, but I still expected it to fill my veins with the ecstatic fire of life. Instead, it burned on the way down like it was filled with shards of glass. I tore away from him as the foreign blood hit my stomach and immediately made me feel like I had swallowed a cannonball. I ran from the room and out into the hall, where I immediately threw up on the steel floor. Mixed with whatever passed for bile in my stomach, it hissed like acid into the metal.

  Dear God, the Ringmaster’s blood was poison to me! How could this be? Was he even human?

  “Vampiress?” I turned to see him in the doorway, still looking like he’d been run over by a carriage. “Did you try to take my blood?”

  “Yes, but you needn’t worry. I can’t digest it.”

  “Interesting.” He smiled, showing he wasn’t the slightest bit worried. “I didn’t mind the biting part. Perhaps, if you want to come back here we can try again … without the blood-drinking.”

  I straightened up. Now the poison was out of my system, I felt better. I turned and walked back into the room. He closed the door behind me. “You’re not human, are you?” I asked him.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “So what are you?” I prompted when he declined to continue.

  His smile broadened. “That would be telling.” He slipped his arms around me and drew me back to the bed. “This time, it’s my turn on top.”

  We didn’t finish until it was almost time for the first show of the day. While I returned to my own room to sleep the sleep of the undead, Adam rose to get ready. It was fortunate I was a vampire and could sleep anywhere, otherwise the racket from the circus would have certainly kept me awake. If I wanted to sleep during the daytime in any of my other forms, I’d have to do it away from the Big Top. I could hear the screech of great gear wheels grinding and turning, the rumble of engines mixed with music. I wondered what on Earth this structure really was. I still didn’t know. Soon I would have to sit through one of the shows and discover what the Circus Infinitus was really about.

  Chapter Twelve

  After the sun went down, and I was awake once more, two more romps with Adam followed the first, one quickie occurring before the last show of the evening. Adam certainly seemed taken by this form, and I knew whenever I appeared as the Vampiress thereafter, he would call for me.

  Just before midnight, when I was due to change again, Adam called Professor Abbacus down to witness it. When the Professor appeared he seemed very surly about something, and practically yanked me off my feet to examine my necklace through his monocle once more. He still hadn’t shed his hat and bandages to show me his true form.

  Perhaps it was time I turned the full force of my stare on him. I hadn’t yet met someone I couldn’t beguile. When he looked up I focussed on him intently, pouring all my will power into calming him down and making him more amenable to me. I hadn’t tried to read his mind and I knew he had some protection, but I didn’t think he would be able to resist me at full strength.

  Abbacus adjusted his monocle. “Must be just about time – I can see the gems starting to glow, to build up power,” he muttered. He still didn’t sound happy. “But I still can’t tell which one’s going to activate. I don’t even have a clue which one is even operating at the moment. The damn amulet is certainly keeping its secrets.”

  “Why don’t you show me what you really look like,” I purred in my most seductive voice. Even Adam blushed and raised his eyebrows at me.

  Professor Abbacus looked up at me, his single human blue eye intense. “Why the hell would I want to do that?” he growled. “I hardly know what you’re going to do next, and I certainly don’t trust you. Ah, it’s ready to go!” The clock began to strike. The Professor stepped back just as I felt the gems start to grow warm.

  I was pouring out enough power to make an entire room full of men swoon at my feet. Even Adam staring at me with undisguised lust, as though he wanted to leap across the room and tear my red dress off once more. But Abbacus was not swayed at all! How could he possibly be immune?

  My weariness rose. I resisted the urge to close my eyes. My gemstones flared brightly, and suddenly, I changed. When I felt sudden, dreadful cold bite into me, I knew immediately who I’d become.

  “Ah, this must be the Mummy!” declared Abbacus. Now he sounded happier! How odd! I blinked and focussed on him as he readjusted his monocle. “How extraordinary! Your body is completely dead, and yet you burn with the same flame of life as one of my zombies!”

  “One of your zombies?” I exclaimed in my soft, whispery Amuna voice.

  “All the carnies here are dead,” he explained, or rather failed to. “You may have sensed their nature in that wolf form of yours.”

  I remembered the scent of death I had detected before, and how uneasy it had made me feel – at least in that form. Now the thought of being surrounded by other dead things like me actually comforted me. “But how did that happen?” I asked. “How are they able to move around?”

  “Enough questions,” growled Abbacus. “It is getting late.” He unscrewed his monocle and slipped it away. “I will see you later, when you are due to change again.” He stepped to one side of the door, indicating that I should leave.

  I moved towards the doorway, but then stopped. Close to h
im, I could feel the unnatural warmth radiating from his body. It helped to drive my unholy cold away. But he cringed from my presence, as though he didn’t want me anywhere near him. “In this form I am always cold,” I explained. “Is there anywhere here that is warm?”

  Professor Abbacus pointed. “Down the back, behind the stages, where the boilers are. It’s always very hot and steamy down there.”

  I inclined my head to him, then left. I returned to my room for some books to read, and then carried them in the direction he had indicated. I had never been this way before, and marvelled at how large the building was. Why, this place must have taken years to build! I thought. I began to suspect some sort of Magick was involved, and remembered, as the Wolf Woman, detecting the tell-tale stink of sulphur. At the time I had assumed it was coming from a coal oven. Now I wasn't so sure.

  I walked out from the tiers of seats and down to the stage, and the heavy red velvet curtain up the back. I supposed the boilers Professor Abbacus had mentioned were behind it. But when I peered around behind the cloth, I beheld an even larger space containing three more stages. Each appeared to be a platform that could be raised or lowered – the grinding machinery I had heard as the Vampiress. One stage contained a net for acrobatic performances, the other props for various animal acts. The third seemed to be filled with strange machines I couldn’t name. My brilliant form might have been able to describe them, but not me. Against the far wall, a set of steep metal stairs led up to a catwalk high above, that disappeared into a door in the back.

  I whistled softly. What on Earth was I getting myself into here? This place was much weirder than I was. Slowly I continued down through the middle of the building, my bony feet ticking against the steel floor. I could see the steam in the air, and feel the warmth increasing. This place really was a giant machine. Perhaps it trundled around like a great steam engine, with all the caravans pulled along by those cables. Still, that would mean the tents and rides would have to be dismantled and packed up. A daunting task no matter which way I looked at it.