Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sanctuary characters.
Will glanced over at Magnus and wondered for the hundredth time why they were riding down a dusty road at the outskirts of town on such a humid evening.
"Remind me again why we're out here?"
"Because, Will, when Mama Buntah comes calling, it is best to heed her words."
"Henry mentioned her. Who is she, exactly?"
"She is an Abnormal Seeker. She comes from an old race that is able to sense, and know, with accuracy, who is an Abnormal and what kind they are."
"Someone like that exists?"
Will couldn't hide his surprise. He had been with Magnus now for 4 years and had seen quite a bit. But he had never heard of, nor seen, an Abnormal Seeker.
His thoughts were broken by Magnus's "ah". He glanced up and stared. In the clearing before them was a circus, complete with music, lights and the big top.
"What in the hell? How did a circus get out here? I don't remember seeing or hearing anything about it."
"That's because, Will, this is not your run of the mill circus. Can you feel it yet?"
Will frowned and stared at the scene before him. He blinked and his mouth fell open. The view had changed from one of a dream circus to something out of a horror show, complete with dark shadows and eerie lighting.
"I think my head's about to explode from all this pressure."
"Hmm, yes, it might, but I have a cure." Magnus handed him a vial filled with a light purple liquid. "Drink. This should counteract anything inside the telepath's sphere of influence."
Will downed the liquid and gagged at the bitter aftertaste. "Telepath?"
"Yes, and a powerful one. No one is able to enter without tickets, which I'm assuming grants us a pass through the telepath's illusions."
"Fascinating," Will muttered and waited to unbuckle his seat belt and get out when Magnus finally found a parking space and pulled into it.
Magnus stepped out the car and handed him a ticket. He stared at it and was disgusted by the aura it gave off: slimy, with a hint of evil. He felt angry at the sensation and shrugged away his reactions.
"Let's go catch the main event." Magnus locked the car and took the lead, setting a brisk pace toward the entrance.
Will had no objections as he tried to sort out his quicksilver emotions. Maybe Kate was right and he was working too hard. He promised to give himself some down time after the mission was over.
"Come one, come all! Welcome to Haddock's Circus of Les Freaks!"
Will cringed at the volume of the shouting old man standing to the side of the ticket booth. He had to admit that he was amazed at the number of humans who were going inside the tent. Magnus and he passed through the entryway with no problem and Will breathed a small sigh of relief.
They walked about for fifteen minutes before they ran into Mama Buntah's Fortune Telling Booth. Every time the woman gave a prediction, Will felt odd as if a stirring inside him was trying to wake. There was definitely something strange about the old woman. Ever since the Kali avatar incident six months ago, he had become more sensitive to Abnormals and their abilities. Call it good or bad luck, he was still attempting to get used to them.
They got in line and entered the tent, closing the flap behind them. Will studied the weathered face of Mama Buntah but it was her dark brown, knowing eyes that brought him up short. He felt her stare deep into his soul and it trembled. Whether from fear, or something else, he wasn't sure. He was able to breathe again when the woman turned her gaze to Magnus.
"Mama Buntah, we're here. Is there anything else for me today?"
Mama Buntah grinned at Magnus and Will thought it looked menacing. He did not want to ever be on this lady's bad side.
"Make sure to cover your ears. Some songs are not meant to be heard," she whispered before speaking in a louder voice, "Mama Buntah is always right. I wish you both, luck."
Magnus bowed to the woman and a surprised Will did the same before following Magnus out. He waited until they were on the path toward the big top to broach the question he had been dying to ask.
"How old is she?"
Magnus simply smiled and kept walking. Will thought her lack of response was rather telling and decided to leave be. They arrived and took their seats in the far back right corner. The tent was almost filled to capacity. Humans of all ages were inside, young and old, getting ready to enjoy the show.
Will leaned in closer to Magnus. "What kind of show is it?"
"A singing one. Which reminds me…." Magnus dug in her pocket and pulled out a small clear bag with what looked like several ear buds. "Here. Put these in when the show starts."
"I thought the point was to enjoy the singing?" Will took the offered ear buds and stared at them.
"These are special. They filter out and isolate any Abnormal sounds that we know to be harmful to humans."
Will studied them for a moment. "So we can still hear and talk without being adversely affected?"
"Yes. Henry and I have been working on this project for a while now so this is the test run."
"Test run? Wait you're not sure if this will work?" Will wasn't feeling up to being a guinea pig.
"Will, it'll be alright. No worrying. Shh, the show's about to start." Magnus put her ear buds in and glanced over at him.
Will took a steadying breath and did the same. Magnus was right. He could still clearly hear everything going on around them. That was one less worry. Suddenly the room grew quiet as the lights dimmed and a single spotlight shone on the stage. Will made himself comfortable and got ready to enjoy the show.
Lilith fidgeted nervously as she waited to be placed in the giant gilded cage prop. Her dress shimmered as did her make-up. She was as ready as she'd ever be.
"Lil, I'm going to send you up now," John informed her as he opened the cage door.
She swallowed hard, fighting the instinct to flee and climbed into the cage.
"Break a leg and some hearts," joked John.
The click of the door locking was like a gunshot to her. She heard the squeak of the lift starting and hastily schooled her features and got into position. It was show time. Her stomach clenched at the thought and the hum inside her head started. She called it the happy song because it would make her forget the bad things.
Lilith was anything but happy, yet, to be otherwise would bring pain down on her from her Master's fists if she were lucky. If not lucky, then something with more sting. Those days were the worst.
The lift ground to a stop and Jaison, John's only son, smiled. Lilith smiled back but her heart wasn't in it. She could hear the rustling of the restless crowd.
"You'll be fine, Lilith. I'm here if you need me."
"Thanks, Jaison." Lilith took a fortifying breath as the first notes of the intro song rose into the air. Time to perform.