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ESTELE WATCHED AS VAL stood with outreached hand. Dark and formidable, he looked exactly like the sort of demon force he professed to be battling.
“Come with me.” His voice was low. “We’re done here. There’s not a minute to waste.”
Her stomach rumbled. “No dinner? I’m hungry. I don’t remember agreeing to anything. What are we doing?”
“Recon. Good intelligence is essential. A bubble of malevolence is just energy. It needs agents on the ground to carry out tasks. I want to see what we’re going up against.”
“Slow down, Speed Racer! I’m not even sure what my contribution to ‘we’ is. Maybe we should formulate some sort of plan before we jump into the fray? I’m not afraid to admit that I’m an incompetent witch, and until you prove different, you’re not my live-in caballero. You’re just some guy from a taco truck.”
He looked disappointed. “Estele, a moment ago I sensed you believed me and let down your guard. For a minute we were in agreement. It was a huge step toward bonding as allies.”
She waved her hand. “Nix the bonding. Val, you’re a nice guy. You’re good-looking and a great cook, but you need to understand a brujo is the last person on earth I would trust. Drama and weirdness naturally gravitate to me. I don’t need a tricky brujo to lead me into yet even more trouble.”
“So, your weak spot is self-doubt?”
He said it with such certainty. Damn him. “Is that any of your business?”
“Estele, you had a moment of clarity. You trusted me. I felt it, and now you’re talking yourself out of it. I can say from experience that trusting your initial impulse will bring better results in your magic.”
“Sounds like a public announcement from the brujo advisory board.”
His face remained calm. “Be as sarcastic as you like. Say it out loud and burn through your resistance. When you’re ready, we will work together.”
“Your face is so stoic. You really believe we need to fight evil as a team, don’t you?”
“I do. I might add, you owe it to the innocent people in this community to remain open-minded. They’re the ones who will be caught unaware. When we’re finished with the task at hand, you may formally dismiss me. Should you choose, you’ll never have to deal with me again.” He extended his hand. “I want you to be brave and honor your instincts. At this moment, we are charged with an important task.”
Drawing a deep breath, she sensed Val was right. Part of her wanted to trust him. She couldn’t say exactly why; it was more of a feeling, a shiver in her bones. Clasping his hand, she grabbed her purse and scooted out of the booth. “Okay. I’ll go with you to the fairgrounds, just to check things out. But I’m not going to walk for blocks along the railroad tracks wearing these shoes. Forget it. Who’s driving?”
“We need to take your car.”
Terrific. They were doing recon on her dime and the demons, if there were any, would be scratching the paint off her car. “Use my car to hunt demons? Why?”
“Tio Bruno dropped me off. I don’t have my truck with me. I couldn’t drive separately and keep an eye on you. Until the crisis passes we do everything together, understood?”
“Everything everything? You can’t possibly mean that.”
“I do. Please hand me your car keys.”
“Excuse me? I’m capable of driving my own car.”
“Very well.” His hand moved to the middle of her back and gave her a gentle nudge toward the door. “Go ahead. I stashed my gear behind the bar. I must retrieve it.”
She stepped aside and watched as Val approached Sid.
Sid leered. “Hey, brujo. You. Me. The storeroom?” He winked. “At least think about it.”
The line of Val’s mouth drew taut. “May I have my duffel bag?”
Sid disappeared behind the counter and emerged holding a large bag. “So, tell me the truth.” Sid shot her an insinuating look. “Maybe you’d rather take Estele into the back and peel that dress off her?”
Val looked appalled. “Why are the Fae so ridiculously horny? I’m not even going to answer that question.”
“Whatever.” Sid allowed the bag to drop from his hands onto the bar with a loud thump. “Whoops, it slipped.”
Claiming the bag, Val frowned. “I hope you didn’t break anything.”
“If I did”—Sid pouted—“I’ll kiss it and make it all better.”
Val scowled, turned, and followed Estele outside the lounge. When he saw the VW a look of discouragement crossed his face. “Yours is the teeny car?”
“Yep.”
“I might need to buy food and equipment to fight evil.”
“How much food and equipment? The back seat is filled with my beauty school supplies and magazines, and the trunk is the size of a bread box, so when you shop think freeze dried and concentrate.” She unlocked the passenger side door.
He opened the door, setting the bag behind the seat before climbing in. “We will need to make many trips.”
“Where?”
“We will discuss a detailed battle strategy later. We will work this out together.”
“We, we, we. You sound like one of the three little pigs.” Walking around the front, she opened the driver door and climbed in. “Oh Goddess.” The dashboard was covered in hundreds of tiny sugary footprints. Parking Fairy had partaken of the absinthe and danced up a storm. She turned toward Val, who was settling his big frame uneasily into the seat and fastening the seat belt. “Can you reach the back seat and hand me the packet of wet wipes? My Parking Fairy gets everything so sticky.”
He felt behind the seat. “Here they are.” Handing the packet to her, he leaned forward to examine the dish with its puddle of emerald liquid and grainy mound of partially dissolved sugar. He dunked his fingertip into it and tasted the absinthe. “Sid stocks the good stuff.”
“Sid makes the absinthe himself.”
“I should have guessed. Fae love anything herbal.”
Estele lifted the saucer with care. “I’m sure Parking Fairy has drunk her fill by now and fallen asleep. Technically this is driving with an open container. I better give this back to Sid.”
His knees bumped the dash. “I’ll be here.”
Exiting the car, she hurried back into the Voodoo Hoodoo lounge, being cautious not to slosh sticky absinthe onto her hands. She set it on the counter. “Sid, my Fae’s had all she can handle. She’s probably snoozing in the glove compartment by now.”
Looking mischievous, Sid peered around the corner. “Where’s your Latin lover?”
“He’s not my lover.” She was quick to deny it, but felt a thrill when she said it. “Val’s waiting for me in the car.”
Taking hold of Estele’s wrist, Sid gave it a squeeze. “Be careful, Estele. I jinxed the mojitos hard. Before you arrived, I tried tempting tall, dark, and indifferent to meet me in the storeroom. When that didn’t work I even tried provoking him to fight with me. No go, he didn’t take the bait.” He appeared troubled. “Who says ‘no’ to Sidhe the Fae? See what I mean? The brujo’s not reacting normally.”
Her jaw dropped. “Sid! That’s so wrong. You promised the spell was mild.”
“Yours was. I’d be surprised if you felt anything at all. I cast an XX chromosome hex. It should only affect a male.”
“Why did you do that?”
A look of suspicion hardened Sid’s brow. “I couldn’t read him. I had to do something to bring his guard down. He’s an outsider up to something.”
She braced as a wave of confusion gripped her. “Wait. Are you saying you didn’t cast an attraction spell? I think there was quite a lot of mutual attraction going on between us.”
“I said that as a distraction. You were already feeling attracted to each other. It was so obvious. Why bother with more? I cast a candor spell. I wanted the brujo to open up and tell the truth.”
“Maybe that’s why the conversation was so odd. Val’s got some pretty strange ideas, but he seems okay. He’s a food alchemist. Can you believe it? That guy can really cook.”
Sid leaned close. “What are some of his strange ideas?”
“He asked to sleep at the foot of my bed, and he thinks there’s a vortex of evil brewing beneath the fairgrounds that’s preparing to attack us.”
Sid blanched. “There is! I felt it too. That’s why I was alarmed when a rogue brujo showed up today out of nowhere. I thought he might have something to do with it.”
Estele tapped her hand over her heart. “You felt it too? Why am I always the last to know? Sometimes I feel so incompetent as a witch.”
With urgency, Sid pressed a tiny vial into her hands. “Take this in case you need it. A brujo can be slippery as fucking mercury.”
She stared at the vial with trepidation. “What is it?”
“A tried and true Fae enchantment. It’s the undiluted version of what I snuck into the pitcher of mojitos. A drop passes his lips and he has to tell you the truth. But be careful, this one doesn’t have the XX exclusive factored into it. This potion could affect you too, so don’t consume it.”
“That doesn’t sound kosher.”
“Estele, you’re the one walking off into the night with a brujo you know nothing about. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to find out what he’s up to?”
She slipped the vial in her purse, her guilty conscience already bugging her. “Okay, but I can’t promise I’ll use it. Are there side effects?”
“Aside from stream-of-consciousness honesty, it can make you sleepy.”
“It might be useful.” She pulled away. “I better go. Val will wonder what’s taking so long.”
With an abrupt move, Sid wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Estele, you’re a good person. You always mean well. You’re not incompetent, you’re just unpracticed.”
Her heart pounded. Kind words from Sidhe the Fae? This was a first. “Wow, Sid. Where did that come from? You never say anything nice to anyone.”
“That’s right, and if you tell anybody I did, I’ll deny it and put a hex on their drink. Now go. I suggest you slip big coyote a truth bomb ASAP and find out what he’s up to.”
She walked away, but turned. “You know, Sid, I could just ask Val what he’s up to. He might tell me.”
A hiss of disgust sputtered past Sid’s lips. “Why the Fae world should fall and the human realm rise is a total mystery to me.”
Estele returned to the car. Val tilted his head to see past the strands of beads and clutter she hung from the rearview mirror. He flashed one of his winning smiles.
Opening the driver door, she climbed behind the wheel. “What’s the grin for? A minute ago you looked so serious.”
“You’ve been gone for more than a minute. It gave me a little time to think. I’m not sure that I was clear earlier, but I want you to know I’m not disappointed you’re my ally. It occurred to me that I have might sounded that way. You’re a surprise. A dynamo of a witchlet.”
“Witchlet?” She slid the key in the ignition and started the car. “I hope you’re not equating me to Gidget, the girl midget of witches. That’s not PC. I’m a grown woman. Height is not a consideration in the enchantment community.” She put the VW in gear and reversed out of the parking lot.
“Which way are we going?”
“The fairgrounds are on the other side of the freeway next to the beach. There’s only one narrow road leading in that comes to a dead end. Not a lot of choices.”
“Um.” He looked thoughtful. “It sounds like it would be easy to trap large numbers of people.”
“That’s a cheerful statement.” Driving across the highway overpass, she steered the VW over the railroad tracks. “Most people take a bus or shuttle to the fair and avoid the traffic jam altogether.” They turned right on Seaside Lane and drove past several large beachfront hotels. The sun had set and a fat waxing moon was on the rise.
The sprawling parking lot of the fairgrounds was brightly lit and filled with big rigs circled like a wagon train around the midway. The loud hum and strong scent of diesel generators hung in the air. Teams of carnival personnel worked together with the precision of an insect hive to assemble the largest rides first.
She drove to the edge of the lot and parked. Getting out of the car, she looped her purse over her shoulder and strolled around the front of the car. “I love the county fair. The thought that something could go wrong is awful.”
Climbing out of the car, Val followed her. “That’s why we’re here. Let’s take a look around. Maybe we can prevent a tragedy.” He offered his hand. “If anyone asks what we’re doing here, we’re just a couple walking on the beach. Okay?”
“Who would believe I’d walk on the sand in these shoes?”
“Take them off. I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
“You want us to goof around like we’re on a fun date? That’s going to feel weird after all the ‘ally’ stuff you told me.”
“It’s the least suspicious thing. Besides, we look like we belong together on a date.”
“We do?” That was buoying. Val was a cut above the type of guys she usually attracted. She clasped his hand. “Okay. Where do we start?”
Lifting the chain over his head, Val removed his necklace and allowed the tiny silver dagger to dangle. With a slow wobble, the blade spun counterclockwise and then pointed for a gravity-defying moment toward a group of men assembling a Ferris wheel. “The strongest reading seems to be coming from over there.”
She scanned the area. “Is the pendulum reacting to the workers or the bubble of malevolence?”
He clasped her hand and took long strides headed toward the heart of activity on the midway. “I don’t know yet. Let’s get closer and find out.”
Her ankles trembled. “Slow down, Seabiscuit, you need to bring that gallop to a trot. I can’t walk that fast.”
Val halted until she caught up. “Sorry. I got carried away. There’s a tang in the air. Do you feel it?”
She turned her face toward the sea. “No. All I feel is a salt breeze.”
“Something’s going on. There’s ozone in the air. Lots of it. This is definitely the epicenter.”
A low rumble like a whale call groaned beneath her feet. Pressure built in her ears until they ached to pop. A ripple passed through the ground and spread outwards. For a moment, it felt as if the solid asphalt of the parking lot had turned to pudding. “Wow! What was that? I definitely felt that!”
Lifting his chin, Val glanced around. “Dark forces are rising to the surface. This is what I’ve been talking about.”
They approached the trucks and crewmen offloading and assembling the carnival rides. The teams of men looked preoccupied as they worked. The shrill whir of power tools was deafening.
“Hey!” Val shouted to a man seated on a forklift who appeared to be waiting for orders. “What’s a typical setup? How long does it take to put a Tilt-A-Whirl together?”
The man stared straight ahead with a vacant face and unblinking eyes.
Val persisted. “Has it been a good season? Is fair attendance up?”
The man remained glassy-eyed and unresponsive. Only the tiniest tick of a pulse beneath his ear indicated he was a real flesh-and-blood human and not a carefully crafted wax mannequin.
Leaning closer to study the man’s face, Val glanced at her. “What’s wrong with him?”
Suddenly the man came to life. He blinked and his mouth opened. “Stand back!” The command was barked as he put the forklift in gear and drove behind a big rig.
“That was odd.” Still clasping Estele’s hand, Val walked toward a pair of workers kneeling on the ground assembling a steel barricade. The men worked in silent unity. The task appeared to be a simple assembly effort. One man placed a bolt while the other drove the bolt deep with a pneumatic drill. What was remarkable was the uncanny concentration and precision with which the work was accomplished. There were no wasted movements or conversation. No facial expressions. A machine-like rhythm built. The two men were almost breathing in unison, like synchronized swimmers.
Val knelt beside them. “You guys really know what you’re doing. How long have you been on the carnival circuit?”
Neither man looked up. Even though they were a couple feet away, the men did not acknowledge them in any way. They continued their work uninterrupted. Place-bolt-drill. Place-bolt-drill....
Not giving up, Val kept at it. “Who owns this outfit?”
Nothing. The men ignored them, continuing to place-bolt-drill like automatons.
She felt a shiver of worry. “Maybe we’re the problem?” she muttered. “They don’t seem to be able to see or hear us. Do you think it’s possible we slipped into another dimension or some other tricky state of being?”
Val shook his head. “Wow, that’s even crazier than something I would say. Even if we were ghosts whispering on the wind, would this behavior look normal to you?”
“No, but—”
“May I help you?” a stern female voice boomed from behind them.
Estele was so startled she jumped. “Uh!” Turning, she saw a middle-aged woman with her head swaddled in a pink turban paired with a flowing rainbow-hued tie-dyed caftan.
The woman stepped closer. What might have been a beautiful face looked harsh beneath caked makeup and the greenish glow of a carnival sign. “This is a restricted area. If you’re not part of my crew, under contract, and fully insured, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Feeling bold, she glanced at Val. “We’re part of your crew.” She squeezed his hand. “Isn’t that true, honey bear?”
The woman narrowed her Cleopatra-lined eyes. “We have a complete crew. I don’t remember seeing either of you dropping off applications at Luther’s office. Who are you?”
“Estele Esposito....” She stalled. “I’m your new psychic medium.”
The woman shook her head and frowned. “No, you’re not. You’re looking at this fair’s only psychic.” Her voice rose. “I’m Madame Shamansky, the all-seeing eye of destiny.”
Estele pushed ahead on a hunch. “Have you checked with Luther? This is a big county fair. There is definitely room for two mediums.”
Wearing a sour pout, Madame Shamansky picked a bit of crimson polish from her fingernail. “Well if Luther says it’s okay, then that’s how we’ll work it. Just for the record, I prefer you use your own tent. I don’t like sharing the stage. I have only two rules. First rule, don’t forget I’m this outfit’s star psychic—always have been, always will be. I am an awe-inspiring woman of mystery. On the midway, you don’t talk to me. We do not get friendly. Rule number two is don’t forget rule number one. Got it?” She pointed at Val. “You, on the other hand, can get as friendly as you like. Just don’t let Luther know about it.” She winked. “What do you do, handsome? Besides look like a toothpaste ad, that is.”
“I work a food truck. Tacos.”
“Rrrrw.” Madame Shamansky lifted her hand in a mock cat claw. “Sounds yummy. Love me a little Latin spice. I’ll be coming around for a taste. Count on it.” She leered. “Do you have a name to go with those broad shoulders?”
He looked bashful. “Valentine.”
“Be mine!” Madame squealed. “I’ll tell you what. I won’t mention to Luther that you two missed the afternoon crew orientation if you won’t mention to him that I’m a cougar on the prowl. Live and let live, right? Though I have to warn you, when provoked Luther can get somewhat homicidal. You don’t want his anger directed at you. Trust me on that. I watched him go off today on the roadies. Scared them stiff.”
Sensing an opening, Estele blurted, “What did Luther say to the roadies to make them feel threatened?”
Madame tilted her turbaned head. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Crossing her arms, she glared at Estele. “So. You’re a psychic. Prove it. Go ahead. Give me a reading.”
She quailed. “On you?”
“No, the dinosaur in my pocket. Of course I meant me. Before I let you set up shop on the midway, I want to see what you can do.”
Estele glanced at Val and saw he appeared concerned. “Do you have somewhere we can sit? I do my best readings when I’m relaxed.”
Madame Shamansky shot a sly sideways look at Val. “Let’s go to my trailer. I want you to know where you can find me, day or night,” she emphasized. “It’s very comfortable. Plenty of room to stretch out.” With a swish of her caftan, she turned and led them across the asphalt, dodging over electrical cable and scurrying crewmen. “So, are you two an item?”
A long, uncomfortable pause followed.
“Yes,” Val asserted.
“No!” The contradiction flew out of Estele’s mouth at the same moment.
An amused cackle burst from Madame Shamansky. “Yes. No. Which is it?”
Looking at Val for a hint about what to say, she was surprised by the utter neutrality of his poker face. She whispered, “How could we be an item? We just met this evening.”
Madame Shamansky sauntered ahead. “Honey, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Those who hesitate, meditate on the foolish things they regurgitate’?”
Estele stubbed a toe stepping over a thick coil of cable. “What does that mean?”
Madame smirked. “It means you’re going to regret not staking a claim on this dreamboat when you had a chance. That’s my psychic prediction.”
Estele dug deep into her purse, searching for something, anything, she might use as a magical tool to impress Madame Shamansky. Her natural psychic abilities were sharp, but she doubted Madame would enjoy hearing anything truthful she might have to say. She needed a prop or gimmick to work with. Her hand brushed the Heart of Hecate, causing a full-body tingle. At the same moment, her gaze focused on Val. He looked steady and strong. For once she was so grateful to not be facing a challenge alone, as had happened too often in her life. With her fingertips brushing the ruby, it became crystal clear that she was ready for a dependable life partner. Someone she could respect and trust.
Wow, that was unexpected.
Val leaned close as they walked and whispered in her ear, “How are you going to pull this off?”
She turned to glimpse the sparkle in his eyes. “I’ll improvise.”
Val gave her hand a light squeeze. “You’re doing so well.”
“You really think so?”
Madame Shamansky shouted over her shoulder. “I hear whispering. I hope I’m not missing something naughty.”
Pawing the contents of her bag, Estele groped around. “Nope. I’m just keying in for your reading.” There was no way she’d risk taking the ruby from her purse. Her fingers came to rest on an open pack of gum and the vial Sid had given to her.
A moment of conflict tangled her thoughts. It was totally underhanded and unfair to use Fae enchantment to get the truth out of someone. Then again, this was a serious situation. The safety of San Buena was at stake. Was using Sid’s potion any worse than the times she’d done something similar with a botched hex? Not really. After all, there was a bubble of malevolence rumbling below her feet. If Madame Shamansky was an innocent person, telling the truth wouldn’t hurt her. On the other hand, if she were actively involved in an evil scheme, it would be good to know.
With caution Estele twisted the vial open and allowed a few drops to trickle onto the open pack of gum before capping the vial.
“We’re here.” Madame came to a halt in front of a large trailer with a pair of flirty eyes painted on the side along with purple script lettering that read “The All-Seeing Eye of Destiny.” She turned to confront Estele. “What’s your tagline? We’ll need to make you a sign.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she spoke the first words that came to mind. “Um... ‘Estele—Seer of the Akash.’”
Madame pursed her lips as she opened the trailer door. “‘Seer of the Akash.’ Not bad.” A wave of patchouli incense floated from the trailer. “That will work. Come inside.”
Val hesitated. “Should I wait out here?”
Grabbing Val’s wrist, Madame dragged him toward the steps. “You most definitely need to go inside. Get in there and wait for me on the bed.”
Dutifully, Val stepped into the trailer, stooping to avoid smacking his head.
Estele lingered at the door. Drawing the pack of gum from her purse, she held it up for Madame Shamansky to see. “Madame.” She wrinkled her nose. “What did you have for dinner?”
With a dramatic gesture, Madame Shamansky tipped her face skyward. “Tuna salad on an onion Kaiser roll.”
With a dip of her chin, she offered the gum. “That’s what I thought. You might want to freshen up.”
Reaching for the gum, Madame mouthed the words, “Thank you.” The stick of gum was stripped of its wrapper and chomped between her teeth. She chewed with the same grinding jaw movements as a horse. “Go in.”
Estele climbed the steps with Madame close behind, Shutting the door after she entered.
“I know it’s warm, but I’d like a little privacy.” Madame Shamansky fanned herself. “There’s always some nosy clown hanging around.”
Scanning the trailer, Estele was impressed that it appeared much more spacious on the inside. The compact interior, plain utilitarian kitchenette, and tiny bathroom were decorated in vivid colors and rich textures that lent the space a bohemian vibe.
Val perched on the edge of a foldaway bed draped in purple veils.
“Welcome to Xanadu on wheels.” Madame gnawed on the gum. “This is great gum. Can I have another piece?”
Estele felt a jolt of worry about Fae dosages. “Um... uh, sure.” She pulled the pack from her purse. “Here.”
Madame took another piece.
Val opened his hand. “I’d like one too.”
She recoiled. “No. You wouldn’t like it.”
He nodded. “I’m sure I would.”
Shaking her head, she sat on the bed. “You don’t want this. It’s girly gum.”
“Girly gum?” He thrust his hand out. “Now I insist on trying it.”
“Val, that’s not a good idea.” She shot him a warning stare, but he didn’t take the hint. “I was saving this gum.”
He took the pack from her hand. “I’ll get you more later.” Shucking the wrapper, he folded the stick of gum between his teeth and chewed. “Oh, it is good.”
Biting her lip, she watched in horror as Val chomped the candor-spell-infused gum, adding to the dose of Fae enchantment he’d already imbibed with the mojito.
Madame Shamansky munched away with a dreamy expression on her face. “You know what this gum reminds me of? Those flat boxes of tart candies they used to sell in movie theaters. God, I loved going to the movies when I was a little girl. Back then my dream was to be an actress. Everyone said I was pretty enough. A talent scout told me I looked like a young Ava Gardner. That was back when people knew who Ava Gardner was. I tried acting. Even came close to getting the lead on a few big auditions. The few jobs I got were mostly movie-of-the-week crap, but every now and then I got handed a plum script. I played meaty character parts like ‘woman dies dramatically in elevator’ or ‘bystander crushed during panicked stampede.’ The last job I got was in The Poseidon Adventure 2. Not the original with the Shelly Winters swim scene, the other one. Then I met the late Mr. Shamansky and married a carny twice my age. What the fuck was I think—”
The candor spell had kicked in big-time. Estele interrupted. “Are you ready for your psychic reading?”
“No.” Madame was busy chewing. “Who cares about a psychic reading anyway? I already know what’s going to happen to me, and it’s not pleasant. By the way, my real name is Marge. All of a sudden I feel like I just need to talk, air my thoughts. You don’t mind listening, do you?”
Val leaned in. “I feel like I need to talk too. I’m hungry. We skipped dinner, didn’t we? You know what? I think the incense is too strong and it’s giving me a headache.”
She gently hushed him with a gentle nudge. “Let me finish with Marge. Then we can leave and get something to eat.”
Looking as innocent as a five-year-old, Val said, “I think Marge is a nice woman. She’s a little sad. I feel bad for her.”
Afraid Val would spill the beans, she patted his hand reassuringly. “Val, please let me do all the talking, okay?”
Marge went misty-eyed. “Thank you, Valentine, for being so sweet. I get zero sympathy around here. Especially from those damn clowns! Those nasty bastards. Everyone thinks running a professional carnival is so easy. It’s not! My God, the horrible things I’ve had to endure. I’ve practically sold my soul to Luther.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. “Holy shit, what am I saying. I can’t talk about Luther! It’s not allowed. Why did I even mention him?”
Val smiled at Estele. “The first moment I saw you, walking toward the taco truck, I thought, ‘She’s probably a flake and she’s trying too hard to look like somebody else.’ Then I realized I was looking at my tattoo come to life. I got so excited. It felt like it took forever for you to reach the front of the line. I think the retro thing really works for you. You’re adorable. You know what else I like about—”
Turning toward Val, she pantomimed zipping her lips. “Shush, please.”
The ground rumbled. The trailer shook. A low moan floated past the window.
Marge looked startled. “Was that an earthquake? It seems like we’ve been having a lot of earthquakes all day. Am I the only one noticing them?”
Grabbing Val’s hand, Estele stood. “I think we should leave.”
Bam, bam, bam! A fist pounded on the trailer’s tiny door.
“Who is it?” Marge leaped to her feet.
“It’s me, Sparky,” a gravel voice sounded from outside.
Marge cautiously drew the door open.
A clown with a red nose, blue wig, and a yellow polka-dot jumpsuit stood on the steps. He peered inside the trailer with a mean glare at odds with the happy smile painted around his lips. “The boss wants to talk to you in his office.”
Marge bristled. “Excuse me? Technically, I’m still the boss. Tell Luther I’ll be there in a minute.”
Sparky’s gaze swept over Estele. He looked annoyed. “Luther said now.” He turned and headed into the shadows.
Estele grabbed hold of Val’s wrist and made a move toward the door. “You have important things to do. We’ll be on our way.”
Marge’s face drooped with disappointment. “You’re leaving? Don’t go. I was enjoying the company.”
Val dug his heels in. “I want to stay and visit with Marge. Look at her, she needs someone to talk to.”
“But we have errands to do. Remember?” She coaxed Val out of the trailer. “It was lovely meeting you, Marge. We’ll talk again soon.”
Marge pouted. “If you’re serious about the job, you’ll show up bright and early tomorrow morning.”
Estele was careful not to commit.
Marge waved them out. “You’d better go. Luther has the patience of a two-year-old. I have to lock the trailer. I remember a time when I didn’t have to.” After securing the door, she hurried away.
Estele and Val stepped into the warm evening air, stirred by a faint breeze. Beneath blinding bright lights, workmen buzzed around the fairgrounds with forklifts and power tools, bringing the midway to life.
Marge walked toward a hulking black trailer with red flames painted on the sides. Climbing the steps, she knocked. The trailer door opened. A weird vibe rolled through the air like a silent shockwave. It was dark inside the trailer, and impossible to see more than a silhouette of a large man, as broad as a bull, blocking the doorway. Marge entered and the door shut.
Estele pulled Val behind Madame Shamansky’s trailer and peered across the midway. “I couldn’t see very well, but did that guy look human to you? He’s built like an Orc. I didn’t even see a neck on him.”
Val’s nostrils flared. “Something about Luther is off.” His gaze focused on Estele. “I’d sure like to unzip your dress. You look soft.”
“Val, the less you say right now the better off you’ll be. I have a confession. The gum was sprinkled with—”
Sparky approached them and stood with his hands on his hips, frowning in a clownishly exaggerated expression of outrage.
Estele acknowledged him. “What do you want?”
The clown stomped his huge red shoe on the ground, making a loud slap, while holding up two fingers. He stood frozen, in silence, glaring at them.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell us.” She took a guess what the two fingers meant. “Go in peace?”
In a burst of agitation, Sparky fluttered his arms in the air, stomped his foot, and again held up two fingers.
“I get it!” Val jumped in. “He wants to play charades. First word has two parts?”
Sparky bobbed his head idiotically in agreement.
“All right!” Val cheered. “Two words—go!”
Holding up one finger, Sparky continued.
“First word!” Val shouted.
Sneering while making obscene motions with his hips, Sparky pantomimed a classic dirty dog maneuver of humping an invisible partner.
“Eww.” Estele looked away. “I don’t want to see that. Now I need eye bleach.”
“Copulate!” Val blurted.
The clown scowled. His hip-pounding motions grew more vulgar.
“Screw?” Val sounded uncertain. “Naughty monkey mambo? Fuck! It’s fuck, isn’t it?”
Sparky nodded like a fool. He held up two fingers.
“Second word?” Val blurted.
The clown pressed his flattened palms together and allowed one to slide past the other and drop.
“Fall?” Val imitated the motions. “Slip?”
The motion was repeated, but this time Sparky allowed the top hand to slide across before lifting into the air.
“Fly? Float? Take off?” Val got very animated.
Sparky pointed in approval.
“I get it.” Val clapped. “The words are fuck off!”
More wild head bobbing from Sparky, followed by two more raised fingers. He stomped behind a stack of pallets and returned holding a cream pie. Menace burned in his eyes.
“Run!” Estele squealed. “The bastard’s going to throw a pie at us!”
Sparky held up a palm as an indication to halt. He then calmly set the pie on the ground, squatted low, and allowed himself to plop onto it with a loud squish. Cream oozed out of the plate and onto his baggy pants.
She was perplexed. “What the hell does that mean? Is he threatening to squash us with his ass?”
“No! I think he’s showing us that he killed the pie.”
Sparky’s face lit with joy as he pointed enthusiastically and made a spinning motion with his fingers.
Val squinted. “Rhymes with pie?”
More clownish head bobbing from Sparky.
“Okay, I get it now.” Val rubbed his hands together. “The message is fuck off and die. Or fuck off and die—you’re going to be squashed like pies?” He shook his head. “Maybe he just doesn’t want us to come back to the fairgrounds?”
Sparky pinched his red nose and made it beep, beep in the affirmative.
“Aha. I was right.” She searched her purse for the hexed gum. “Under threat of death, the psychotic clown doesn’t want us coming back. I see nothing ominous or suspicious about this message, do you?” She offered Sparky a piece of gum. “Live a little, Bozo. Thanks for the heads-up.”
Accepting the stick of gum, Sparky turned and duck waddled into the shadows.
“That was weird.” She stared. “Do you think Luther sent him to scare us?”
Val shuddered. “Clowns creep me out. When I was a kid, I used to hide from them at birthday parties. Why am I telling you this?”
“Maybe we’ve done enough recon for tonight. Val, I need to tell you something.” Taking his hand, she led him toward the car. “Let’s leave before you start telling people the truth.”
He walked at her side. “Why would I do that?”
“I did something foolish.” Steering him past a crew of workmen who ignored them, she hustled him across the midway. “On my way out of the Voodoo Hoodoo lounge, Sid slipped me a vial of candor spell. I sprinkled a few drops on the pack of gum. That’s why Marge opened up and started talking like she’s my new best friend. You consumed some of the enchantment too. I’m so sorry. I tried to warn you.”
He looked hurt. “I came to San Buena as an ally to you. I want to protect you, so you can do your job. Why would you feel the need to hex me? Have I presented myself as dishonest or untrustworthy?”
Now she felt terrible. “No. But you’re a stranger, and strange things have been happening. In my book, being a brujo earns you double points for suspicious motives.”
“Really?” His brows dipped. “Until today, I had no idea brujos had such a negative image. We need better PR, maybe a public service announcement? How long will the candor spell last?”
“I have no idea. It’s likely to last a few hours.”
His gaze fixed on her. “Then you should take advantage of it.”
Arriving at the car, she unlocked the passenger door. “What do you mean?”
“Test me. Ask me questions while I’m under the influence. I’m not afraid of an honest answer.”
“Val, I didn’t intend for you to fall victim. You seem like an okay guy. I was hoping the all-seeing eye of destiny might have something helpful to say about matters at the fairgrounds. I definitely felt the wicked vibe. There are some seriously odd things going on here. The roadies are acting like zombies. Not one of them has even turned to look at us. And what’s with that Luther character? I get the feeling he’s the one we need to know more about.”
Standing close, Val touched her arm. “Estele, I’d like to know more about you. Would you be angry if I kissed you?”
She leaned breathless against the car. “That’s not a good idea.”
He brushed his fingertips against her cheek. “Why? It seems like a good idea to me.”
“Because there’s a great big shadowy figure stomping toward us and I think it’s Luther.”