Rise of the Ringmaster Page 7

  “And I’ll never need to feed again?” I wondered.

  “The satiety will fade slowly, but so slowly you will not notice. By the time the hunger peaks again, your time in this world will have passed.” She folded her hands, her many bracelets jingling together as she looked at me with faded brown eyes.

  “And what will happen to her?” I pressed.

  “She will fade away.” Madam Svetlana flipped her hands like swatting a fly.

  “Thank you,” I told her, standing to leave. It was something I needed to think about. If Svetlana was right, I still had time to prepare, time to find her, and time to figure out a way to take her power without hurting her. For now, I needed to find a way to ease the hunger growing inside me. My own power was beginning to awaken after its slumber from the recent feeding. It gently pulsed at the edge of my mind, announcing it was ready for more.

  I gulped, knowing I needed to do something. If one girl’s life would save however many hundreds my ability would steal, then maybe it would be worth it.

  I would not take another human life for myself, I vowed.

  Not yet anyways.

  X

  Hungry. So hungry. Need more. Want more.

  He lets me go and I am free as I spin through the air toward the human before me. I sense their power, feel their power, and I want it.

  I must have it. It will be mine.

  My master sets me loose and I take what I want. I feel her mind and find the deepest part, filled with her more cherished memories.

  The ones that taste the best.

  I take them.

  Eat them.

  Devour them like a sweet treat.

  They are mine.

  But I am still hungry, hungry for more.

  I see her mind shift as I push through its folds and spaces.

  I move easily toward my brilliant feast.

  She is special. She has power too.

  But she is weak and cannot fight me.

  I touch it and it pulses at my connection. Reaching slowly, sending sparks of curiosity, it feels the edges of my need.

  It is scared.

  It pulls back.

  But I snatch it like a ripe berry and devour it in one bite.

  More.

  I need more.

  Hungry, so hungry.

  The human master is stronger now because of me. I feel his senses become heightened as my energy flows through him. I need him to be strong to keep me alive.

  I can tell the female mind is crumbling as it begins to collapse in the spaces I made.

  And yet I need more.

  I fill myself with anything I can find and eventually there is nothing left to take.

  There’s too much blood.

  I cannot see.

  I pull away and drift back to my keeper who welcomes me with an open mind. I settle into my space, safe within his consciousness, and close the barriers so no one can touch us.

  I protect him.

  He protects me.

  Someday I will not need him.

  He will always need me.

  He cannot live without me now.

  Not after he has felt the power.

  I pulse lightly, reminding him of my presence, and letting him know I am always inside his mind.

  My color fades as my fill of energy begins to lessen.

  Hungry, so very hungry.

  *** T H E E N D ***

  CONTINUE THE JOURNEY...

  A SPECTACLE OF SOULS

  Circus of the Stolen, book 1

  Available July 7th, 2020

  Acknowledgments

  I have to start by giving an enormous glitter-throwing shoutout to my best friend Julie. Without you, this would be what you call a total “garbage fire” and complete nonsense. Thank you, bestie, for helping make this story special, “tight”, and for dealing with all my oddities along the way. you are truly a sparkly unicorn! I couldn’t ask for a better critique partner and friend.

  A big bear-hug squeeze to Shayne who took the time out of her busy life to create this amazing cover and just being the kindest, most supportive person! Thank you for believing in me and my work! And another warm hug to Angela at NerdyDesignCo for designing the ticket stub and giving me permission to “do whatever I wanted” with it because girl, you are talented and I appreciate you so dang much!

  Also, thank YOU, my darling readers, for taking the time to join my troupe! I hope you enjoyed the adventure as much as I did writing it. You are all amazing! Come find me on social media so we can continue our journey together.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Born in the picturesque state of Washington, Jessica Julien is the marketing director of a boutique publishing company, a stay at home mom, wife, and wanderluster. When not drafting marketing plans or doing laundry, she spends her time writing young adult and new adult novels focused on the paranormal and supernatural inspired by her love of all things dark and twisty. With her vivacious imagination, witty personality, and ability to bring sarcasm to a new level Jessica creates unique worlds and characters that readers can't help but hate to love and love to hate.

  In her free time, Jessica can be found enjoying a cup of dark roasted coffee while snuggling under a blanket with a good book. When the weather is right she hops in the car with her husband, son, and dogs to road trip across the country where she delights in eating red vines, drinking iced lattes, and singing loudly in the passenger seat.

  Follow Jessica on all the things:

  Twitter: jjulienauthor

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  Email: jessicajulien25@gmail.com

  Website: jessicajulien.com