The Ringmaster (Harrow Faire #4) - Kathryn Ann Kingsley Page 0,56
smiled. What a weird man. What a weird, off-putting, vaguely rude, grumpy, shapeshifting, monster man.
But as she walked away toward the Bearded Lady’s tent, she found herself smiling. Her heart felt just a little bit warmer.
Turk watched as Cora emerged from the Zookeeper’s tent and struck off into the carnival alone. He wiped his hand over his moustache. He was sitting under one of his favorite trees, with Amanda perched on his thigh.
“What? She’s just making friends.” Amanda leaned her shoulder against his chest. “It’s good for her. She’s been too far tucked under Simon’s coattails.”
“You know that isn’t what this is about.” He sighed. “They conspire against me.”
“You don’t know that.” She poked him in the ribs.
He eyed her with a wry smile. “Come, now. You think Rudy didn’t just show her some of his demonic children to try to appeal to her compassionate side?”
“Oh, I never said that. I’m sure you’re right.” Amanda returned his smile with one of her own. “I’m just saying you don’t know if they were conspiring.”
“But I know he was trying.”
“You know he and Clown were close. You know he wouldn’t agree with what you’re doing, if he knows. But he’s never stood against you.” Amanda shut her eyes and tucked her head against his neck.
“He respects power. I’ll give him that.” He wrapped an arm around her and held her close. “At least he’s the only other one who I suspect knows what’s happening.”
“Do you think Cora will tell the others?”
“I don’t know. I don’t believe so.” He plucked a leaf from the ground and spun the stem between his fingers and watched it twirl and dance. “I should speak to her honestly about all of this. Perhaps I can convince her that what I am doing is right.”
“I think that’s the best option. She’s a sweet girl. Sensible. She’ll listen to you.” Amanda leaned up to kiss his cheek. “You can be very charismatic when you try.”
“When I try?” He chuckled. “You flatter me too much, woman.”
She laughed and kissed his cheek again. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He sought her lips with his, kissing her slowly. He didn’t know how much time they had left. But come what may—slow death or a war whose outcome was still unknown—he knew it would be too short for him. When he parted, she was smiling dreamily at him. “I love you, Amanda.”
“And I you, Turk.” She stroked his cheek. “No matter what.”
He knew she meant the words. And that was what troubled him. “If she tries to stand against me…if she has Simon and Rudy at her back, let alone who else might take her side… You must promise not to get in the way.”
“What? And not stand at your side?” She glared. “Don’t ask me to do stupid things. First of all, you’re jumping to conclusions. You always assume the worst.”
“I’m planning for every possible outcome. If I assume the worst, and it doesn’t come to pass, then all’s the better. If I don’t plan for war—a war I might lose—then I stand no chance of winning it.”
Amanda sighed. “Talk to Cora. Try to convince her that this is the right course of action. If you can’t…”
“If I can’t, I will do what I can to steer Simon away from her. She poses me little threat without his help.” Clown had been powerless once he had taken the Key away from the skull-faced man. Rudy had sympathized with the previous keeper of the Faire but would not stand against Turk without reinforcements. He was an animal. He had no concept of dying for honor.
But with Rudy and Simon beside her…
Cora would be a serious threat.
One he could not let remain on the loose.
“Should it come to it, I’ll have to remove her. But I can’t deal with her without cause.” Turk shut his eyes. “The others wouldn’t understand. They’d revolt.”
“I know. You’ll have to find a cause, then.” Her shoulders slumped. “It just breaks my heart that it might come to that.”
“I will not let this place continue. I will not let anyone stand in my way.”
“I know. She’s just so innocent.”
He kissed Amanda’s temple. “Nobody is ever innocent. Especially no one here. She might not have done something worth punishing—but you know it’s only a matter of time.” He nudged Amanda and stood as she climbed off his lap. “Some people just need to be given the opportunity to show their true colors.”
“What’re you scheming, love?” Amanda hugged his arm.