Chapter 31
CHAPTER 31
M ario pulled back from the kiss as the others laughed in happiness and relief. He lifted a hand to stroke Ilya’s cheek. “Let’s go home.”
Ilya smiled. His face paint was no doubt as smeared as Mario’s, but he didn’t care. Mario had lost his headpiece, too, and Ilya stroked his dark hair back from his face. “Tell the truth. Do you need to go to the hospital? I don’t know how we’ll explain this, but we should call either the police or the coroner.”
“I don’t think we’ll have to explain anything to anyone,” Otir said.
He pointed to the ground where Alistair had fallen. The first rays of daylight peeked over the horizon, bathing them in golden light. As they watched, the vampire’s body shimmered briefly, then crumbled into a pile of ash. It wasn’t just folklore that the creatures couldn’t survive the touch of the sun.
Mario sat up, head cocked to one side. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
Mario gestured, and Ilya helped him to his feet. Now Ilya could hear music, a sprightly melody that spoke of Ferris wheels and carousels. As a group, they all moved up a slight rise, and Ilya caught the scent of popcorn and caramel apples a moment before they reached the top.
There, only a hundred yards away, stood the Carnival of Mysteries. Lights flashed and music carried through the dry desert air, though Ilya thought at first that it must be a mirage. It looked as if it had always been there, and they must have somehow stumbled past without seeing it. As much magic as Ilya had seen in the last several hours, nothing was quite as overwhelming as this.
“Does this happen often?” he asked Mario.
“You could say that.”
Two men were approaching them, and as they drew closer, Ilya realized the sky had lightened significantly, since he could make out the ringmaster’s red coat and top hat, and the dark breeches and white shirt of the Carnival’s owner. The group and the duo met, and Ilya saw Errante Ame smile.
“Welcome, Travelers,” he said, his glance encompassing them all, but lingering on Ilya. “I bid you all a welcome home, if it is your choice. There is a place for each and every one of you.”
“I’m in,” Terry said, and Angel, her arm around him, nodded. Next to them, Gina gave an enthusiastic thumbs up.
“I’m up for somewhere new,” Frer agreed, and Otir clapped his brother on the back with a grin.
“I could be persuaded, too,” Daphne chimed in.
“As long as it’s somewhere without vampires,” Cole agreed, and then he blushed. “Um, no offense to your dad, Mario.”
Alia looked at Sam, who reached out to take her hand. “If we’re welcome, I think we’d all like to go.”
Ilya was surprised that they found it so easy to just give up their lives and jobs. Of course, they had all been in the Carnival before, so this wasn’t strange to them as it was to him. He watched as the group, laughing and chattering, walked toward the arch over the entrance. Finally only Mario and Ilya stood facing Errante and the ringmaster, Rafe.
“I can see your hesitation, Ilya,” Errante said, never losing his smile. “If you will share it with me, perhaps I can allay your concerns.”
“I’m overwhelmed,” he said. “This magic stuff is new to me, and I’m just a human.”
“Most of the Carnival is ‘just human,’ as you put it.” Errante gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Life is always overwhelming, and where is the excitement when you know all there is to know and nothing is ever new? But in the Carnival, you will have time enough to learn everything you wish to about its mysteries and complexities.” He slanted a smile, reaching out to take Rafe’s hand. “Time enough for love. But there is no need to rush, if you wish to think it over. We will await you.”
Rafe smiled as well. “I believe there is a dark magic infested house that requires our attention as well. See you shortly.”
With that, they returned to the Carnival, still holding hands.
“Why do I feel like they already know what I’m going to do?” Ilya asked, huffing a bit.
“Because they do.” Mario smiled as he pulled Ilya into his arms. “What about giving it a try? I’m sure Errante would return us here if you find it’s not to your liking. My family will love you. But if you want to stay here, that’s fine too. I love you, Ilya, and I’ll make my home in your arms, no matter where or when that is.”
“Hmmm. Didn’t you once say something about the Carnival stopping you from aging? I admit, I’m not getting any younger.” Ilya said, and he saw Mario’s smile widen. “Okay fine! As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where or when we are, either.”
Mario leaned in and kissed him gently. “Promised and sealed,” he said. He squeezed Ilya again, hard, then stepped back to clasp Ilya’s hand. “Come on, I want you to meet everyone.” Laughing, he led Ilya toward the Carnival arch. “Oh, and did I mention we travel to other worlds, as well as through time? Oz is beautiful.”
Chuckling and shaking his head, Ilya let himself be pulled along. He didn’t know if Mario was serious or teasing about that last part, but he was eager to find out.
THE END