Red Circus

By Michelle Al Bitar

After the summoning of Cirque Et Feu to perform at the palace of the king of the East, the "Undead Red" seized the opportunity to avenge her parents' deaths. Using her mind tricks to slither her way to the palace was not enough. She needed to crawl into the king's bed, his mind, and his deepest desires. Torn between the ravishing life of the royals and the sickening reality of her people, Riley Red did not expect to get help from one of the king's closest rivals and own blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Al Bitar
• Release date: Feb 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215247556

Michelle Al Bitar

Michelle holds a bachelor and master of arts in English language and literature. She is a writer, editor, and university instructor. Her passion for reading, drawing, painting, and procrastination in general pushes her to thrive for more knowledge and postpone editing her manuscripts, which is why it takes her too long to publish.   She is Lebanese and spends her time either home or at her birthplace – Raachine.

Book preview

Chapter 1

"R elate yourself to nature, and nature will respond. Call the forces of the wilderness and connect with them. There is only one way to do this, and it is through the dance of the graceful, the marvelous, the beautiful twins. Let me hear your applause for Marilyn and Flore! " Rufus’s voice resonated through the walls of the gigantic tent.

The audience applauded wildly. The echo of their screams clearly filled everyone up with anticipation. They walked to the center of the stage with lithe steps.

Riley watched them behind the curtain and smiled. For two thirteen-year-old twins, they were attention grabbers without even trying. The soft, classical piano music started leading their steps on the sandy floor. After one harmonious move of their leg to the right, five pigeons fluttered from under the seats of the audience and moved around them. A woman and her little girl were taken aback at first, but the wonder on her daughter’s face displayed their complete fascination with the performance. Another man frowned then smiled as the bird made its way between his feet and soared into the sky.

The twins looked at each other and winked. They span to the back of the dance floor and then mastered three backflips. With each flip, a rose gently fell onto the lap of the spectators. The cheers doubled, and the audience wanted more. Music blasted in the background in harmony with the girls’ careful moves.

Rye, a rough voice spoke behind Riley. She turned around and spotted her best friend.

When Mathew came back from war in the West, a broken soldier struggling to forget, he packed his bags, left his country, and moved to Regitum where he met Riley in one of the circus’s shows.

I’m quite busy, Riley replied dryly.

Your performance is in ten minutes. You have time to speak to me. He caught her hand and pulled her away from the curtain.

Everybody was too busy to notice what was happening backstage. Riley rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

What do you want?

I want the truth. I saw a man walking out of your room all dazed and shit. When he was still inside, I heard him sighing and speaking to you as if you were with him.

So what? Many men pay me visits. She smirked.

He walked out of that room satisfied and obviously proud of the pleasure you’d given him. I thought you could have been with an outsider for a one-night stand, but the thing is that you weren’t even inside that room. I saw you walking around in the gardens. Mathew frowned. It was as if the man was under a charm or a spell that didn’t even require the woman’s presence to feel her hands roaming his body.

Maybe he was doing it by himself, she suggested impatiently.

I know when a man does that. And he sure as hell seemed to be gloating about your time together when I asked him.

Riley rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Don’t get too involved, newbie. He was lying.

He went into your private room. He can’t access it without your permission. You’re the only one who has the keys.

Red, you’re up!

Riley turned around at the sound of Marilyn’s voice. She was too engrossed in the conversation with Mathew that she didn’t notice that the girls had already finished.

"You have all feared death. You have all dreaded danger. But there is one woman, one fearless woman, who can overcome the dreadful face of death and laugh at it. I want to hear you cheer for the Undead Red!"

Sorry, duty calls. She winked leaving him in utter disbelief. Rufus’s call was her only way out of Mathew’s endless investigation.

She slipped into her red high heels. After adjusting the buttons of her black and red corset, she passed her hands through her lace leggings. Closing her eyes, she was capable of materializing the image of the animals trapped outside the tent. Slowly, she was dispersing them with her mind and making them appear inside the cages that surrounded the stage.

She took a deep breath.

Let the show begin.

When she strode to the center of the stage, people showered her with applause and appreciation. They loved her. Her eyes sparkled with the images of flashing cameras and screaming fans. She even felt her body grow excited with every step.

The sound of the drums and electric guitar were merging into a beautiful and thrilling harmony. Her eyes scanned the crowd as she clicked her high heels toward the edges. Bringing her inner goddess to the surface, she began to walk around the perimeter of the stage and shake hands with the crowd. Some of them were hyperventilating, and others only asked for a picture.

She was the main face of the circus in the market. Perfecting her performance was a must.

A man in the crowd was sitting on the first seat and watching her intently. His eyes were drifting over her different body parts, devouring her with his gaze. He had to be wealthy to afford such costly seats.

She fixed him with her eyes and licked her lips slowly. Lazily, she batted her eyelids, letting a playful smirk plaster on her lips. The man’s breaths were becoming shallow as he shifted uncomfortably. Examining his clothes, she made sure he was a fellow who looked for pleasure rather than entertainment.

Instead of lingering there, she continued walking and greeting the others, until she was at the center of the arena again.

"You shall observe a woman on the verge of death, a woman exposed to the atrocities of the wilderness. And for that I demand your attention, for I may not survive this." Her voice echoed through the walls.

A deadly silence fell among the spectators. Everyone was contemplating her attentively, waiting to capture the right moment with their cameras.

"Release!" Riley sternly ordered whoever was in charge of the locked doors.

At once, the gates underneath the seats of the crowd opened. Dust crawled out of the iron doors revealing behind them an army of angry bulls. The men who opened the gates were immediately pulled upward and out of the danger zone.

Riley did not move. The horror on the audience’s faces was evident. The bulls were dashing toward her at an inhuman speed, blinded by the red color of her outfit.

She did not move.

Her heart was beating more loudly with every sound their hooves made against the dusty ground. She almost heard it drumming in her ears. That was the kind of adrenaline that always soothed her.

The bulls were mere inches away from her. Riley collapsed on the floor and welcomed the shadows of the imaginary, savage animals wrestling over her. Tickling sensations filled her body as she focused on her own figure. Releasing herself from her position on the ground, she slowly she stood up. The bulls’ presence was as real as Riley was to the crowd, but they looked like mere shadows to Riley, shadows of her imagination.

She stepped away from the crime scene and scanned the faces of the audience. No one was looking at her. They were all gasping at the scene where a young girl in red was probably torn to pieces by an army of dangerous animals.

She was invisible to them. That was good. Her illusions were working. Exiting the scene, she headed backstage. Everybody was watching the show with shock and terror. Passing by them unnoticed, she climbed the damp stairs to the iron balcony on the very top of the tent.

A man was standing between the ropes and behind the mixing console. Sed was also observing the show from afar with an incredulous look on his face, but he tried to focus again on fixing the lighting and sound effects.

Riley closed her eyes then reopened them. She was visible again, only out of sight from the audience.

Sed, did you prepare the swing? she asked him and walked to the middle of the balcony.

Good Lord, Sed muttered taken aback by her sudden presence. I didn’t see you coming.

Where’s the swing? she asked him hurriedly.

The old man guided her to the very middle and helped her sit down on a black leather swing that she had made when she first joined the circus.

Here you go, he told her and adjusted her position on the swing. Pulling the iron ropes down, the swing started moving upward and to the center of the tent. Her feet weren’t touching the ground anymore. Riley’s legs were loose in the air as she pressed her hands tight around the ropes.

People still couldn’t see her. She gave a thumbs up as a signal for Sed, who nodded and started pulling her downward.

Riley was carefully peering at the bulls until their transparent shapes started moving away from their victim. Children, women, and men rose from their seats and struggled to search for her fleshless remains.

She smiled.

The animals retrieved back to their cages leaving behind them a pile of... nothing.

The crowd gasped. They were expecting a performance gone wrong. They did not even perceive Undead Red’s body move away from the enraged animals. But the rush of relief after noticing that she did not perish under the attack was what made the show legendary and internationally recognized.

Suddenly, everybody turned to a girl who pointed at Riley and shouted.

Red! She’s up there! Mummy!

Everyone tore their eyes from the center and focused on Riley swinging down with a few hellos here and there. She ordered the mantled bulls to go back to their cages and they immediately obeyed.

Sed gently released the swing down, careful not to make the star of the show fall. When it reached a certain distance from the ground, Riley hopped down and looked around her, taking in her surroundings. Everyone was already on their feet. They were cheering and taking so many pictures that camera flashes almost blinded her.

Thank you! You’ve been amazing tonight! She waved around and started walking backward. Make sure you stay safe and do not try this at home... or anywhere!

Once Riley turned around, she was already backstage. The crew was showering her performance with praise, but she just wanted to get to her room and rest. They had been preparing for that show for almost a month. Her body was exhausted, and whenever she used a huge amount of her mind tricks, she felt her energy drain pretty fast.

Red, tu étais incroyable. Rufus patted her on the back.

Tell me something I don’t know. She gave him one of her best alluring smiles.

Rufus bent down a little. His ear tickled her right cheek as he whispered, Your mind did a meticulous job.

Riley turned around to face him as if an alarm bell clangored. She pressed her hand against his chest and gave him a deadly glare.

Don’t dare talk about it in public.

I’m sorry. He swallowed and raised his hands in surrender. He was aware of her extracurricular activities, but as far as he knew, they were used solely to the purpose of helping the circus succeed.

Destroyed the boss as well? Mathew’s voice interrupted them, and Riley rolled her eyes.

She destroyed everyone out there with her talents, Rufus tried to change the subject but failed when Mathew eyed her suspiciously.

Yeah, I bet she did.

I’m going to my room, she snapped and turned around.

The circus tent was divided into three parts: stage, backstage, and private rooms. Whenever a crew rented it for diverse shows, they were able to spend several nights until they finished their performances. Riley was thankful for the big arena Rufus had chosen this time. Anything was better than cheap motel rooms.

When she opened the door of her room, she slipped out of her shoes and locked herself inside.

She loved her job, but she hated living in an unfair world where she had to relinquish her morals to survive. As she sat down on her bed, she grabbed a copy of Noteram Today.

Noteram Today

Almost a hundred and twenty years ago, World War III finally erupted. Humans had slaughtered each other for the dominance of the majority of countries. Most of them had fallen for the deceit and treachery of the governments and ended up ruined by anarchy. To join forces was the single solution to survive. The two main fighting forces were Central West and Regitum in the East. Other countries joined according to previous alliances and personal interests.

Deaths and disappearances were the destiny of some countries. Several nations were gone as collateral damage even after claiming that they were going to wait on the side lines.

Poverty worsened, and more nations were admitted into the third-world chart. Kids died on pavements during the merciless famine. The percentage of miscarriages increased drastically after the upsurge in bombing.

Why the hell are they retelling history, now? Riley scoffed. Don’t they have more interesting news?

Through that tough period of time, divided churches united into one major church and presented a prayer advocating peace. The number of novices in the Buddhist Order was rising. Even every other religion that spread peace met in a single place at the same time to join their prayers, despite the attempts to bomb them.

Finally, after two years of suffering, 2130 was a year of relief to the world. Central West granted Regitum victory in most of the battles and finally the war. It announced a peaceful resolution in the Battle of the Creek and let General Edward Freedian raise the sword of victory as per traditions. Twenty years later, he was assigned as the king of Regitum, coloring the Freedian bloodline with a royal glow.

Allowed?! Riley thought bitterly. He crushed The West’s ass. They didn’t grant him anything.

The world rejoiced and celebrated that occasion for 36 years. It witnessed the ruling of Democrats who in fact practiced democracy right, unlike the rulers before WWIII who were nothing more than hypocrites promising the world false hope.

At least, that part’s true.

That was until the year 2166. The West witnessed a general economic and political decline in the East’s government and offered its help with technology as well as political guidance.

Wrong. The West had been quiet and pretending to support having the East, particularly Regitum, rule itself. Secret laboratories were built and several experiments were tested. World War IV had exploded and announced the end of the Glory Days as the elders called it. Soldiers were trained and the power of probation was developed. That’s when those bastards started using us.

The West discovered a bloodline of a special offspring called trickster. Tricksters are human creatures with an increased ability to probe the mind of normal humans into believing things that are not real. They are capable of creating an alternate universe and cause the victim to secrete an increased amount of endorphins. Those tricksters have been hunted throughout the four years of the fourth World War. The West invites you, from now on, to report to your prince, king, or any patrol officer about the presence of a trickster, for they should be banned from interacting with humans.

Riley’s heartbeats started racing. During WWIV, tricksters in the East were brutally murdered under absurd accusations. The world never knew about their existence and their ability to control the mind... but the West did.

Riley closed her eyes and sighed. There was still hope. Even if she lived in the losing side of the world, there was still hope that she would be able to change at least something. Riley went to her purse and pulled out a large piece of paper. She unfolded it and stared at it.

A loud knocking sounded a few feet away from her. Riley immediately pushed the paper down to the bottom of the bag and stood up.

Who is it now? she said annoyed and opened the door.

The wealthy man in the crowd, who looked fonder of her breasts than her performance during the show, stood at the door and smirked mischievously. She was not surprised by his visit and waited for him for that matter.

You were incredible tonight. He licked his lips and laid his shoulder on the doorframe.

I thought you weren’t focusing on the show. She faked a smile.

I usually get what I want, he said confidently and stepped inside the room.

Riley laughed at his idiocy. The man had no idea what was coming for him.

Do you doubt what I’m telling you?

You’re not getting anything until I permit you to, she retorted and went to pour herself a cup of wine.

You’re really full of yourself, Red. Why don’t you come and show me what good your body can do? He started unbuttoning his chemise after carefully throwing his thousand-dollar coat on the bed.

Riley gritted her teeth. Who did he think he was? He didn’t know the kind of force he was messing with.

Don’t you know good things come to those who wait? she asked him and took a sip of her wine as she laid her lower back on the nightstand.

Tell that to my fellow here. He pointed downward.

No money, no nothing.

The man squinted then sighed. Would two thousand dollars do?

Riley laughed again. Your coat is worth more than that.

How about three? he added, getting impatient.

Five or leave, she bargained and took another final sip of the bloody red alcohol.

He didn’t think twice before retrieving a check paper from his coat and a blue pen. He wrote the exact amount of money Riley wanted and signed his name. The man threw the paper on the nightstand and looked back at her.

Sold, he said out-breathed and dashed toward her.

Chapter 2

His anticipation surprised her. He fixed her against the wall and tightly gripped her hands.

Riley immediately pulled away taken by surprise when he tried to force her into touching him.

I do the orders here, she groaned, held his shoulders, and pushed him on her bed.

He smiled exposing a golden tooth. Disgusting. She climbed on top of him and sat down harshly.

Red! he shouted and closed his eyes.

Poor bastard.

Riley closed her eyes and began to formulate another clone of herself inside her mind.

After she completely immersed him in her imaginary misdemeanors, she climbed off of him and backed away.

You’re as good as I thought you’d be.

You disgusting piece of shit, Riley whispered to herself.

She washed the make-up off her face and changed into her jeans and tank top. Riley slipped a key that was lying on the nightstand inside her pocket along with the check the man wrote. His moans and the begging were muffled behind the locked door.

Soon enough, she’d be back, but for the time being, her imaginary clone was keeping the man busy.

The arena was clear, and the stage’s lights were out. The staff were in their own rooms, and no one was around to see her slip out. Riley counted the doors to her left and right. The intensity of the red colors that evening almost blinded her. Finally, she reached a room where a white plastic sign was gummed against the closed door.

Manager.

No one answered although she knocked several times. Luck was on her side that night. Rufus must be mixing his blood with alcohol. Riley picked the small, silver key from her pocket and inserted it in the keyhole.

When she opened the door, a sigh of relief escaped her. The space was vacant. She didn’t waste any time in reaching for the blue jar on the floor right next to Rufus’s bag. It was heavier than the last time she opened it.

Steadily, she opened the jar, slipped the check inside, and closed it tightly. Rufus used that money to fund the circus. She didn’t mind that of course because the money was supposed to be used for marketing. But what about her own needs?

She contemplated the blue thing in her hands then opened it again. She took a thousand dollars out of it then closed it. That should be good enough for her grandparents to last another month.

Riley put the jar back in its place and walked immediately to the door, but someone was already there.

What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t jump on people like that. She stepped outside and closed the door shut behind her then locked it.

Rufus told me everything, Mathew answered her, folding his arms.

It obviously hurt him to see Riley lie so boldly to his face, but what was she supposed to do?

Excuse me? She turned around frowning in confusion. She didn’t want to believe he could know about her secret.

I know what you are, Mathew whispered, even though he made sure no one was around to listen.

Riley just stared at him with utter disbelief. Rufus had promised her he wouldn’t tell her secret to a single soul.

You’re certainly not going to talk about it here. She grabbed his hand and started walking.

They passed by the third hallway then reached the garden of the premises. Once they were out of the tent, a cold breeze brushed their skin, announcing the beginning of Fall.

Riley turned around with an excessively beating heart. Mathew was not intimidated by her which was one of the reasons she liked him. But right then, she felt fire running through her veins.

Would you mind explaining, in boring details, what the hell Rufus had told you? And why?

Mathew sighed and pinched the top of his nose.

He told me that you’re a trickster from the East.

That was it. He knew. He knew the secret she never shared with anyone other than that one man she thought she trusted. And she didn’t know how to feel about that. Was she sad? Probably not. Was she angry? Definitely. Did she feel betrayed? Yes.

What makes you so sure this is true?

I mean come on, Riley. Who can pull your stunts? Those bulls would eat you alive, and we didn’t even see you escape. There isn’t some secret passage underground. It’s like you totally disappeared. What makes that believable other than an illusion? he asked his final rhetorical question, but she couldn’t make him see her eyes turning red with anger. She couldn’t make him know he touched a soft spot.

Mathew’s reaction could go both ways. He’d either blab or keep her secret. She was one of those few who remained after the war, which was pretty damn rare; tricksters had turned into some sort of legend that very few people believed in. If the West knew about her existence, they would either kidnap her to their side of the world and brainwash her into becoming their agent, or simply kill her.

Riley sighed in frustration. She ran her fingers through her hair and kept looking away. When she turned around toward Mathew again, he smiled genuinely.

If you dare tell my secret to anyone, I will turn your life into a living hell.

Wait. He held her hand when she was about to leave. Riley, I promise I won’t tell a soul.

I don’t trust you.

I thought I’ve earned your trust when Marilyn and Flore heard the man inside your room after our last performance at White Fields.

You only covered for me because you actually thought I slept with the man, and the girls were too young to know about that.

Come on, Rye. I used to be a soldier. I can keep secrets. I just wish you could’ve told me earlier.

Look, we’re not going to bond by the fire. You know my secret now. You forget about it, or I’ll give you a nightmare every time you close your eyes.

But this is something huge! Don’t you think you’re holding a big burden on your shoulders by yourself?

That part was true, but that was exactly why Riley hated sharing feelings. She would have to face them and relive every horrible moment again and again. Whatever Mathew would say to try to wash her with relief, it wouldn’t work because she knew he was not in a position to fix anything. So what was the point?

I am. And I always will. But I’d rather carry the burden alone than know the world is after me. She snatched her hand away from his grasp and made her way soundlessly to the tent.

RILEY CLOSED HER EYES and imagined her body disappearing. Linking that invisibility to the man inside her room, she opened the door and walked in. He was lying on his back, breathless and panting. Her naked clone ran a hand over his chest and smirked.

I will go and put some clothes on in case someone walks in, the clone told him and seductively walked toward the closet.

The man turned to the left and eyed her creamy skin. His eyes scanned her curves and slender legs, desperately needing her again.

Riley walked toward her clone, merged her body with it, and dropped the veil of invisibility.

The man blinked twice then smiled. Wow, you’re pretty fast.

Walk yourself out of my room.

Don’t you think I can get a bit more? Give me something worth the five thousand, he whined and held his zipper without pulling it upward.

Get out, she repeated and held his gaze severely.

The man sighed and rolled his eyes. He put on his clothes and disappeared behind the door.

Riley turned to the mirror and contemplated her reflection. There was a stranger staring back at her. Her tired eyes reflected a past she didn’t dare face, even though it was a past that haunted her every time she closed her eyes. Her lips were swollen from the times she had bitten them or pressed them too hard as she faced her true identity with Mathew.

She still had the same features she had three years ago, but they looked different somehow. She wanted things to pick up, though. Everything was happening slowly. The circus was becoming more and more famous, but that was not enough. She wanted the king’s attention.

After changing into a new outfit and applying her usual makeup, Riley walked out of the tent and was about to cross the garden outside, when she saw Mathew sitting by the fountain. He was holding a can of beer and drinking ever so lightly as he stared at the moon.

Are you moping?

Obviously, he chuckled and took another gulp.

Where’s Rufus? She immediately changed the subject. Mathew was sitting alone possibly because he didn’t need company.

"Butter Bar."

Figured, she huffed and turned to look at the moon herself. It was illuminating the garden and turning the color of the leaves into a deep blue. It was beautiful.

You look awfully hot, Mathew remarked as he scrutinized her outfit.

Don’t I always? She smirked deviously. Do you want to come?

I was just there. He gulped down the rest of the beer then threw it in the garbage can next to him.

It’s never enough to drink in a bar and listen to stupid people who think they have a good voice. She smiled, trying to make him follow her.

He laughed at last and got up. Fine. Let’s go.

Butter Bar was crowded with people of all ages, eighteen and plus obviously. Everyone was either drinking alone or with a partner. Far in the back, facing the bar, a bald man was drinking his cup dry.

He never changes, said Riley when