Cirque Periculum

Chapter 6

In the course of the rest of the week, people seemed to forget about Amanda's prophecy. At least, they acted like they did in the open. Connor still noticed suspicious glances in his direction and a few hushed conversations. Adam and Riley talked to him and stayed with him for frequently, which was fine with Connor. He learned more about both of them, and they became closer.

It wasn't until the beginning of the next week something out of the new ordinary happened. Connor and Meridian were both in the air when Mr. Summertin walked under them and looked up.

"I need to talk to both of you," he called out to us. Meridian nodded at me and we both floated down. I took the fall too fast and my knees buckled when I hit the ground.

"She's teaching you well," Mr. Summertin said with a smile. "You're already that high in the air?"

Connor nodded. Without seeing the man for a few days, Connor forgot to be intimidated by him. "I'm doing loop-de-loops. They're a lot of fun."

"Good. Meridian, I have a job for you."

"Yes sir?" she asked. Her face was serious, contrasting her usual look of ease that usually showed.

"I have just booked us a performance in Texas."

"That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, her face softening.

"It is, but it will interrupt Connor's training. If he doesn't perform, this will be the last of his training in both gifts because we will be there until his two weeks are up. That is why I would like him to perform with you while we are in Dallas. I think a trapeze act would be appropriate."

Meridian's eyes lit up. "I haven't done trapeze for years. This'll be a lot of fun!"

Connor felt excitement growing. He would actually get to perform.

Mr. Summertin looked at both of them. "I'm announcing this tonight, so please don't tell anyone else. I just wanted to inform you so you can start practicing. I have to see to some business, but thanks again."

"I'm happy to do it," Meridian said before Mr. Summertin turned and strolled off.

When he was gone, Connor looked at Meridian. "What's the deal with you and him?"

Meridian looked at him with wide eyes. "I don't know what you mean. He's the ringmaster and I'm a performer."

"Well why did you act like that around him?" Connor pressed.

"I'd rather not talk about it here."

Connor didn't push the conversation any further. Instead he focused on flying into the air. He crouched down and jumped, rocketing up into the sky above the lake water. He heard Meridian's laughter follow behind him.

"Now change direction," Meridian said, catching up to his level. Connor concentrated as he spread his arms and tilted forward and to the left. His body jolted in an arc, continuing until he reached a full circle.

"Cool!" Connor exclaimed, arching his back and tilting his head up. The movement caused him to flip backwards in the air. He ended in an upright position again and smiled. He wondered if he was able to use fire and flying at the same time.

He extended his hand and poured heat into it. It only took a couple of seconds to get enough heat, and it didn't hurt nearly as much as the first time. With a quick jerk of his hand, the now familiar ball of flame flickered to life. He smiled at the fire sitting in his palm before extinguishing it with a fist.

Meridian was back on the ground again, and Connor followed suit. He held his arms up and bent both of his knees as he descended to the sand. The landing was gentler this time, more fluid.

"Good job," Meridian said. "I think that's enough for today. We aren't going to practice trapeze until we get to Texas because all of the equipment is packed up on the train. I don't want to get it out until we get there. Good luck with your next class."

Connor thanked her and went to the tables and grabbed a sandwich off of one of the many plates of food that was set out. He continued walking until he reached the tower. Mr. Salem had gotten on his nerves quite a bit lately, and he was growing tired of it. He always put Connor down to boost himself up. Even though he knew what Amanda had said, he still longed to choose flying over fire. He loved being up in the air with Meridian. Comparing that with mastering fire with Mr. Salem was like comparing Christmas and a dentist appointment. It goes without saying that the gift of fire was amazing, but Connor would rather be up in the air.

Still, he didn't want to give up the gift of fire either. It was like giving up a part of himself willingly. It was just something he didn't want to do.

Connor entered the building and started climbing the stairs to the top floor. Mr. Salem was there, throwing balls of green flame at a practice dummy. The figure disintegrated on impact. Connor cleared his throat between throws, and Mr. Salem looked at him with a mild look of disgust.

"We aren't having lessons today. Go pack your stuff," he said, turning back to the dummy.

Connor stood there, torn. He would be more than happy to leave Mr. Salem, but I knew I wanted to learn as much as I can before I gave it up.

"That's not what Mr. Summertin said we were supposed to do," Connor said, planting his feet on the ground.

Mr. Salem turned to me. "Excuse me?"

"I want a lesson today please. I have to choose which gift I want to stay with, and I would like to learn as much as I can about both. I am already flying and doing flips, yet you haven't taught me anything other than focusing energy. I've already gotten a blue flame, so I think it's time to move on."

Glaring, Mr. Salem spun around to the dummy and it burst into flames. Connor jumped back in surprise. The flames twisted around the figure, growing taller and hotter. With a flick of his hand the flames changed to blue.

"There, if you're so experienced, put this flame out," Mr. Salem sneered.

Connor gritted his teeth and without a word of protest, moved closer to the dummy. He reached out and touched the dummy without a moment of hesitation. The flames licked his hand, passing around it without burning him. Heat blared off Connor's skin. It travelled up his arm and to his heart. The fire bowed to Connor, drawn to him. Without another word, it was gone.

"How did you-"

Connor didn't let Mr. Salem finish. He allowed the anger to boil up inside him, and the familiar heat returned to the surface. With a snap, Connor threw out his right hand and flames erupted, shooting at Mr. Salem.

Mr. Salem reabsorbed it with a flick of his wrist, but by the time the fire was gone, so was Connor.

"Stupid boy," he muttered to himself, walking back to his window to brood.

***

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