Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Lila
I’ve been led into the dome and shown into an empty room that looks like it may be an office or an executive suite.
It has a huge picture window that overlooks the whole inside of the arena, and to say I am speechless would be an understatement.
There’s tiered seating all around the edges of the dome, surrounding what looks like a traditional circus ring on steroids.
It’s the size of a soccer field! I can’t make out what the flooring is made of, but it doesn’t look like the traditional sawdust you would expect.
My eyes jump up from the floor, following the curve of the walls, to study the setup.
Halfway up, I can see some sort of rigging, probably for a trapeze act or something similar.
There are also cat walks and a lighting rig that would put a major rock concert to shame.
Down on the floor, under the seating, there are doors leading to the backstage area, and one in particular draws my eyes due to its sheer size.
This must be how they get their sets or props in and out of the ring.
What else could need to pass through doors that big?
Generally, the setup is impressive and a bit baffling. They must have a crew of hundreds to get it all set up basically overnight.
The door handle creaks, and I turn around just in time to see three gentlemen walk into the room.
They look to be in their mid to late forties, and all are on the tall side with slender builds.
Their hair is dark, all styled to various lengths, and one even has it in a man bun.
How hipster. The coloring is similar to mine, but it’s difficult to figure out exactly what the shade is.
Two of them are wearing jeans and t-shirts, but one is wearing a suit.
They also all have brilliant emerald green eyes that are currently staring at me with varying degrees of excitement.
Identical triplets, how the hell am I going to tell them apart?
It’s lucky they have different hair. But wait…
Aren’t they a little young to be my grandfathers?
Just my luck that I’d come all this way to meet them but they send out some strange welcoming committee instead.
“Welcome, welcome.” The suited one with the shorter tousled hair steps toward me with his arms stretched wide.
I take a little step back, not ready to go there yet, and he stops, looking a little abashed.
“Yes, well, I’m John Adams, and this is William—buzz cut—and Eric—man bun.
We are so excited to finally meet you, Lila.
Why don’t we take a seat?” he says, gesturing to the plush couches in the room. “I’m sure you have many questions.”
“Yes,” says William as he walks to the couches and sits down, crossing one leg over a knee.
“Let’s get it all out in the open and out of the way.
Then we can see if you’ll run screaming or if you’ve got what it takes to lead the Galaxy Circus.
” He looks at me, forehead furrowed and eyes squinty like he’s sure that it’s going to be the former.
Whoa, he’s not pulling his punches. Guess they’re not all Team Lila.
“Sure, Grandpa,” I say, smirking at him, “but I don’t scare easily.
” I stalk to the couch opposite him and sit down, enjoying the way the grandpa comment made him just a little green.
Maybe he’s not used to being called that.
I’m pretty sure Mr. Ryding said I was the only option as far as grandchildren, so it’s probably safe to say that he wouldnt be used to it.
“Good, good,” says man bun Eric, casually throwing himself onto another couch. “How about we give you the rundown? Anything we miss, you can ask about later.”
Looking between the three of them, their serious faces tell me that we’re getting straight into this. I nod my agreement, happy that I’m not going to have to do some silly small talk. Really, all I want at the moment is answers.
“So, I’ll start. One,” John begins, counting off on his fingers, “Galaxy Circus is manned by aliens; that’s not a gimmick.
” My heart skips a beat, but I’m not sure what to think or feel other than that.
My mind is starting to come up with a wild idea that these men might be crazy, but I don’t see any easy way out of this room.
Looks like I’m hearing them out. For now.
“Two, Galaxy Circus travels from planet to planet, working as a kind of United Nations. We make deals and trades between various different species.” I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped beating now.
“Three, we are also used as a bit of a transport service for species who would like to travel the galaxy. You can think of us as a tour service for aliens. They work for us, and they get travel included in their salary.”
Now my heartbeat kicks back in at the rate of a freight train. I can practically feel my blood pressure rising, and I’m sure steam is pouring out of my ears like a cartoon character.
“Four, we are not human; therefore, it’s safe to say you’re not human either.”
“Stop,” I shout, jumping out of my seat, interrupting his little spiel.
“Just stop!” I’m just about vibrating with anger.
What kind of lunatics fly someone all the way to England for a practical joke?
How did I get picked as the hapless orphan who’s probably going to end up as some stupid viral sensation?
There’s got to be cameras somewhere if this is the bullshit they’re trying to sell me. How did I get my hopes up for this?
“I don’t know who you think you are or why you think I’d buy this shit.” I look around the room, making eye contact with each of them. “Where are the cameras? Who put you up to this? This is fucked up. I can’t believe I quit my job and flew halfway around the world for this shit.”
I start walking to the door, grabbing my luggage as I go. Maybe I can catch a lift into town and find someone to take me back to London. Hopefully that damn plane ticket is changeable.
“Stop, Lila,” orders William. “I can assure you everything John told you is true, and we can prove it to you.” He’s still sitting on the couch, legs crossed, looking for all the world like we’re not having a conversation regarding aliens.
“Prove to me you’ve got what it takes. Prove to me you aren’t a pussy and there’s Adams blood flowing through your veins.
Sit down, and we’ll discuss this in detail. ”
“John, you dickhead,” says Eric from his perch. If he hadn’t just spoken, I would have thought he was asleep. Arm resting across his eyes, his body is spread out along the sofa. “If I knew you were going to do it like that, I wouldn’t have let you take point. I thought you had it under control.”
“Agreed,” grunts William. He gets up and walks across to me at the door, keeping enough distance between us until some of the anger softens from my face.
“Please,” he asks gently. Such a soft word from a previously gruff man makes me pause—call me a sucker, I know.
I’m well aware I’ve got some sort of common sense or self-preservation instinct on the fritz, but I allow him to take my arm and walk me back to the sofa.
“I’m sorry,” John mutters, “you aren’t the only one who is nervous.” He has the grace to look ashamed while he says that, briefly glancing over at me while avoiding the gazes of his brothers. The other two still look a bit disgruntled when their eyes stray to their brother.
Eric picks up a phone from the table next to his sofa.
“Yes, can I get a pot of coffee, four cups, and some pastries to the executive suite, please. Thank you.” He hangs up and settles back onto the couch.
“While we wait, let’s start at the beginning.
Humans are not the only beings in the world, and Earth is not the only habitable planet.
In fact, our home planet Skar is the birthplace of what you would call the human race.
Looking for new adventures, a group left our planet many, many eons ago.
Their ship suffered catastrophic engine failure, but they were able to safely crash land on Earth.
They managed to survive and thrive over the years.
Unfortunately, they found out that when they were cut off from Skar and its magical waters, they lost any special abilities they’d once had.
The process really happened over the course of generations, so the first of our people on Earth were not immediately bereft of their powers. ”
Someone knocks on the door before bringing in a tray filled with coffee and pastries, not waiting for an answer. I don’t notice who it is, as my attention is completely riveted to Eric.
“Thank you, Max,” says John. I turn to look, but the person is already through the door, only his back now visible. Was that a tail? I’m staring at the closed door as William takes over the story.
“You see, Skarrians have special abilities that are given to us by the waters of our home planet. It’s all very woo, woo magic.
” He waves his arms around as he says this, earning a skeptical look from me.
They expect me to believe this, but they’re using terms like ‘woo, woo magic’?
He turns to Eric. “Will you do the honors of pouring the coffee?” It’s been placed on a table at the side of the room.
“Sure,” says Eric. He turns, and while still sitting on the couch, gestures to the coffee pot.
It floats up and moves toward the cups, steadily tipping over to pour coffee into each one.
Out of my control, my mouth drops open. Holy shit, telekinesis!
Or drugs? Could there be some kind of hallucinogenic in the air?
That would be some next-level crazy shit.
“Milk?” he asks me, one eyebrow raised.
“Ye—yes, please,” I reply with a gulp. Another little jug floats to one of the cups, and milk pours out. The cup then lifts and floats closely enough that I can reach up and grab it. “Cool!” I exclaim.