Chapter 1
(A/N - I do not own The Saga of Darren Shan, or any of it's characters. The only characters I own, are my oc's. All other credits go to the amazing, Darren Shan!)
"She's beautiful, look at how attentive her dogs are, they follow her every movement, and do exactly as she says," Mr. Tall commented.
A strange, orange haired, man stood next to him, observing my every move.
"Slick, Marka, places," I whispered, followed by a sharp whistle and two clicks. They both took their position, and gracefully moved into handstands, while the six other wolves followed suit. I took a deep breath and nodded at Shansy, my alpha male. He took his place in the center of the group, as I ran and did a triple back flip through the air, landing gracefully on his back. He grunted and slowly pressed into a hand stand, as I balanced on his back paws. I weighed only 90 pounds, about the same as the young, muscular wolf, but I felt him struggle under my weight. I had slowed the performance down, due to a fractured ankle I had received when the pair watching us scared me stiff the night before.
Shansy whined and rolled into the triple somersault that was the close of that act. I landed painfully on my feet and bowed, before calling the group into attention. I noticed that Slick was favoring his right front paw. I made a mental note to ice it later.
"You have a great talent," Mr. Tall said as I clipped chain leashes to all but Shansy.
"Thank you," I grunted. My hand slipped to the gold locket that my mother had given to me, only hours before she was brutally murdered.
"So why do you wish to join the Cirque?" he asked.
"Because I need a place to stay, and I'm only 18, there are no jobs in my city, and I'm on the brink of losing my friends if I don't move on. Authorities are threatening to put them down, because the community swears that they are to blame for the sudden outbreak of mad cow," I said shortly. "Mia, Stitch, stop," I snapped at my two youngest pups. They were trying to get free of the leashes to wander off into the woods for a snack. I knew they were starving; I myself hadn't eaten for weeks, due to trying to earn a few bucks putting on the "Wolf-Whisperer" stunt in the outskirts of town.
That was how the pair found me. They were from a traveling Freak Show, The Cirque Du Freak, and when Mr. Tall saw my act, he stopped to admire it. He asked if I would be willing to put it on again today, so he could observe it properly.
"Your family was murdered. You're looking for a place to stay. Are you willing to travel for the rest of your life, just to have a place to stay?" Mr. Tall asked.
"Yes, but I have my eyes set on the bigger picture," I admitted. "I'd rather learn here, perfect my act, and then, have Larten blood me. And don't try to play it off that I'm just another vampire crazed teen, I know the marks, the scars, and the speed. I've done my research."
"You. You know everything, do you not?" Larten asked softly.
"I do. I also know that Darren Shan is your assistant, and that you had to fake his death. I know that he is a Vampire Prince, and that if it wasn't for his heroics, he would have been sentenced to death, for failing the trials of initiation. I know that his best friend, Steve, is furious," I said sternly. "Steve found me a year ago, and begged me to use my wolves to track you both down. I refused, on the simple fact that I never lead a monster to his prey. But after he put the idea in my head, I did send Shansy out to investigate. He came back with enough proof to make me happy, which I in turn, told Steve that Darren was as dead as a door nail, and that you were just a regular human being, with a gift. I do not know if he believed me, but it got him off my back. And that, I am sure of, because between Saraphene, who is not here among this group, but keeping guard just outside of camp, and Shansy, who's talent is tracking and alerting, have not picked up his scent in eleven months," I said simply. I shifted my weight, my ankle throbbing from the act. Shansy pressed up against me, to keep me on my feet.
"How do you know all this? Did you spend years tracking us?" Larten asked sharply.
"No, I did not. As I said, I sent my friends out to locate you, and bring me the information I needed. I have no interest in stalking nor tracking vampires, it's a dirty business, though one that pays a lot. I turned down several offers in the past, and would do so again. I don't use my dogs as trackers, or for monetary gain, except to perform, as they were trained to do. They love the business, any and all that have shown discomfort have been either turned over to officials for educational purposes, or back into the wild, where they still have enough instinct and common sense to survive," I explained. I leaned against Shansy, letting him bear half my weight.
"I like this kid, she does have talent, and she is very wise," Mr. Tall said with a laugh. "Welcome to the Cirque Du Freak. I can promise you a job, but nothing more. If Larten decides to blood you, that is on his own accord, I, however, will be more than happy to provide you with a home, food, and a job. How does that sound?"
"It sounds great, if, I can have an ice bag, and permission to go find something for these guys to eat, they're getting weaker every night they go without," I said with a smile.
"Well obviously we are not going to let you or your precious friends starve!" Larten said with a laugh. I smiled slightly, then whistled sharply.
"I want to introduce you to each one personally. They can be a handful if they happen to get lose, but none will harm anyone, I have never had a problem with anyone, except for Shansy biting, though Shansy hardly ever leaves my side, so he won't be an issue," I said. I tied all of them to a nearby tree, and took hold of Shansy's collar.
"Shansy is seven years old, and the Alpha of my pack. He will bite if provoked, but it's the equivalent to a small dog's bite. He will not latch on, nor tear, unless you're trying to harm me. In the case that he gets out, and isn't at my side, you can tell it's Shansy, simply by the white eye. I have only two with multicolored eyes, but Shansy is blind in his right eye, giving it the white coloring. If you still can't tell, click twice. If it's him, he'll stand in attention, no command needed," I said softly as I stroked the large male's head. He whined and looked up at me, his tail flicking. He was hungry and antsy, and didn't understand why I insisted on going down the list. I however, knew exactly why I was. Simply because if anyone mistook my wolf, for a wild wolf, and tried to feed it to the Wolfman or one of the small, blue-hooded people, I would have a major outburst.
I grabbed the leashes of my two youngest, and pulled them forward.
"This is Mia, and Killer. Unless you become familiar with these two, you'll never know who you're dealing with. If you find any of these ones out, simply tell Shansy to search and rescue, and he'll round them up. He's their father, and these guys know better than to go against the Alpha," I said. Mia watched me, her eyes sad. I knew she was weaker than the rest, having been the runt of the liter, and now, going on two weeks without a proper meal.
"Then there is Slick and Marka, my middle age breeders. These two haven't had a litter since their last one was killed by rouge wolves, however, they are rarely ever apart. They are as easy to command as a domestic dog, and the only trouble they will ever cause is getting under people's feet. They love attention, and will greet anyone with a wagging tail and a face full of licks. However, to tell them apart, Slick is bigger, and as you can see, has a much darker coat. Also, Marka will heal and guide on command. If you mix them up though, don't worry. They both will listen to basic commands, no matter which name you call them.
"And lastly, aside from Saraphene, who is pure white and impossible to mistake, I have Chase, who will my pride and joy. This one is three years old, and he's my partner in crime. I use him for my main act, as well as a filler for the act I just performed. The only reason I didn't tonight, was because Shansy was stronger, and Chase is suffering from a dislocated shoulder," I said as I stroked his head. He pulled away and hobbled towards Larten.
"Chase!" I called but Larten silenced me.
"I have had practice with wolves before. You have a beautiful pack. They listen so well, I must ask, did you breed them yourself, or are they outcasts from their original packs?" He asked.
"Mia and Killer were selectively bred. They were trained since birth, and eventually, they will be released into the wild, as I have done in the past. The ones I release, never harm a human, and have been known, countless times, to lead police to lost children, protect livestock, and the females, have mothered countless types of animals. Actually, Mia and Killer will be released in about two nights, after I've removed the microchips," I replied.
"You breed for the better of the breed, that is interesting," Larten mused.
"Only because I vary my act so much. Just because they were born into the show world, doesn't mean that they are performance material. Both have almost killed me, during one act or another, because they're not strong enough, or agile enough for the act. Shansy, Saraphene, Marka, Slick and Chase are the only five who have yet to fail me. And it's not the end of the world. My best wolves come from wild packs. It's very rare that I perform with any I have bred myself. Shansy was hit by a car as a pup, so I saved him, and turned him into my lead. Chase was attacked by a bear, and the local vet was going to destroy him if I hadn't agreed to take him. Slick and Marka were found starving and vicious from being locked in a yard. And Saraphene showed up at my door step the day of my family's murder. She's been my guard ever since," I explained.
"I think you have a great group there, and I am pleased you took the time to introduce us. Though I must ask, what was the point?" Mr. Tall asked.
"The point was, that if I find out any of my pack have been turned into food, I will not let it slide," I said darkly. "One of the blue-hooded things tried to eat Shansy when we were walking in. I mean no disrespect, but I will not stand by and allow anything, or anyone eat the dogs who have been my saving grace,"
"I assure you, no harm will come to your friends, now please, follow Evra to your trailer," Mr. Tall said, and with that, he was gone.
"Well hi there," came a voice behind me. Shansy growled, his fur standing on end.
"Shansy, shush," I snapped, and he stalked away, his tail between his legs. "Return," I commanded sharply, and he returned to my side, head down, ashamed.
"Evra Von, I assume," I replied with a nod. "Kanzii Ross, a pleasure,"
"You're the new act, right?" he asked.
"Yes. Now, as much as I would love to chat, my friends and I are exhausted," I said softly.
"I'll lead the way."
"Thank you," I replied, then let out a sharp whistle. Saraphene darted to my side. She whined and nipped at her pups, making sure everyone was in line, before looking up at me for direction. "Follow Evra, I'll join you shortly," I told her.
"I thought-" Evra started.
"I need a moment," I replied lightly. I turned and left him with the wolves, trusting Saraphene to keep them in line. I walked to the edge of the forest, and took a deep breath. I rolled up the leg of my pants, and examined the damage. The deep cut in my leg had reopened last night, and I had to stitch it in between acts. It was dirty and sore, but thankfully, wasn't infected.
"Let me see your leg," a voice came. I turned to find Larten standing behind me.
"It's just a small flesh wound, it'll be fine after a few nights," I said softly.
"I can make it fine now, it is a small wound, it does not need the stitches," he commented.
"It wouldn't stop bleeding," I grunted.
He grabbed my leg and removed the stitches, then, to my dismay, he spit on it. I almost slapped him, until I realized that his spit was healing the wound.
"Thank you," I said softly, before grabbing my bag and making my way to the trailer. I knew the way, simply because Saraphene had marked the path with tiny claw marks in the dirt. Anyone else would have missed it.
I closed the door and laid down on the plush sofa. I counted backwards, until I could finally sleep.
Oddly enough, this was the start of a living nightmare. If only I had seen it coming before.
