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We walked Darius around the site and introduced him to Rhamus Twobellies, Cormac Limbs, Hans Hands and Truska Cormac was busy and didn’t have tirow his limbs, but Truska sprouted a short beard for him, then sucked the hairs back into her face Darius acted like he wasn’t impressed, but I could see the wonder in his eyes

Darius was strange He didn’t say much, and kept his distance, always a couple of h he still didn’t trust us He asked lots of questions about the performers and the Cirque Du Freak, which was nor about me, where I was from, how I’d come to join the shohat my tasks involved He didn’t ask about Harkat either The grey-skinned, stitched-together Little Person was like nothing most people had ever seen It was common for newcomers to pump him for information But Darius see about hi at htlook There was just so of his eyes that for sory, but e passed one of the open ca soup, I heard Darius’s sto dinner when I go ho?"

He hesitated, then licked his lips and nodded quickly "But just a sh wethe soup, Harkat asked if he lived nearby

"Not far off," he answered vaguely

"How did you find out? about the show?"

Darius didn’t look up "A friend ofto take sos It’s easy to get in and nobody cares e take He saw the circus tent and toldyesterday"

"What sort of a naustine," Darius explained

"Did you tell Oggy what the Cirque Du? Freak really was?" Harkat asked

"Nah," Darius said "He’s got a big mouth He’d tell everybody and they’d all co the only one who knows about it"

"So you’re a boy who kno to keep a secret," I chuckled "Of course, the downside is that since nobody knows you’re here, if wedid kidnap you or feed you to the Wolf Man, nobody would knohere to look"

I was joking, but Darius reacted sharply He half-bolted to his feet, dropping the unfinished bowl of soup Acting instinctively, I snatched for the bowl, and with round But Darius thought I meant to strike him He threw himself backwards and roared, "Leave me alone!"

I took a surprised step back The other people around the fire were gawping at us Harkat’s green eyes were on Darius, and there was more than just surprise in his expression - he looked wary too

"Easy," I half-laughed, lowering the bowl, then raisingto hurt you"

Darius sat up He was blushing angrily "I’, Darius?" Harkat asked quietly "Why so edgy?"

"I’ at Harkat "I just don’t like people saying stuff like that It’s not funny, creatures like youthreats like that"

"I didn’t htened the boy "How about I get a ticket to tonight’s show for you, to rowled

"Of course you aren’t," I smiled "But would you like a ticket anyway?"

Darius pulled a face "How much are they?"

"It’s free," I said "Courtesy of the house"

"OK then" That was as close as Darius got to saying thanks

"Would you like one for Oggy too?" I asked

"No," Darius said "He wouldn’t come He’s a scaredy cat He doesn’t even watch horrorones"

"Fair enough," I said "Wait here I’ll be back in a couple of minutes"

I tracked down Mr Tall When I told hiht’s show had been sold "But surely you can find a spare one sohed There was always lots of space in the aisles and it was usually never a proble a child to the show?" Mr Tall asked "Children tend to fare unfavourably here Yourself, Steve Leonard, Sam Grest" Sam was a boy who’d had a fatal run-in with the Wolf Man He was the first person I’d drunk blood from Part of his spirit - not to mention his taste for pickled onions! - still lived on within me