Hoodwinked at Halloween: Otherworlder

Chapter One

W ho are they?

Were they here last night?

Where did they get that bed?

We should tell Vincent.

No one has ever stayed the night before.

Maybe they're a new part of the show.

Voices floated into Raine's mind, rousing her from sleep. Jordan, did you leave the television on?

He wrapped his warm body around hers and kissed her head. We don't have a tv in the bedroom.

Raine breathed in deep, the scent of his body filling her nose and making her smile. She tried to move, but her legs were hot and pinned down. She opened her eyes to find Sam on her feet.

Sam? What are you doing here? You have your own room.

Smoke curled out of his nostrils, and he opened one eyelid. I get lonely. It's not fair you guys have sleepovers, and I don't.

Raine shook her feet. How can you get lonely? You share a room with Hazel.

Exactly.

That made no sense. Sam, get up.

You should all get up.

Raine sat bolt upright at the foreign voice. She scanned the scene, trying to understand what she saw. Jordan leapt from the bed in his boxer briefs and growled.

Who are you? Jordan demanded. Where are we?

A chilly breeze skimmed over Raine's skin, making her shiver.

A tall, gaunt man with bright red hair stepped forward. "Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

Is this a joke? Jordan demanded. Who did this? Where are we?

That's exactly what we are trying to figure out, said the man.

Raine scoured the faces of the onlookers. There was a tall, thin man with red hair. A beautiful Indian woman in a bright red sari. A hulking broad-shouldered, dark-haired man with deep-set, deadly eyes held the hand of a small beautiful Italian woman with a glossy black beard. A young Cyclops who appeared to have just left an Oklahoma farm grinned at them. And a set of round-eyed, cherubic-faced twin girls connected at the hip stood with a well-built, handsome man in a Victorian-style suit.

You're all Otherworlders, Raine said.

Yes, replied the woman in the sari.

Long black velvet curtains hung around them. Floating orange lights shone down on them from all angles. The scent of damp wood and spices filled the air.

A wooden floor, old but highly polished, lay underneath the bed. And the group of a dozen people surrounded the bed.

They were in an old theater, but where the cemetery tomb was the theater? And how had they gotten there?

We're in a theater, said Raine.

You're in Le Carnivále.

The Carnival? She'd never heard of it.

Not 'the carnival', Le Carnivále, replied the bearded lady.

Well, how the hell did we get to Le Carnivále? Jordan asked.

Don't look at me, said Sam. All I did was try to have some family bonding time.

Raine glanced down and realized she wore nothing but her bra and panties. She pulled the covers up over herself and looked at Jordan.

You might want to get back into bed, she offered.

Jordan's gaze slid her direction and then down his mostly naked form. He sat back on the bed, pulling the covers over his hips.

Don't cover up on our account, tiger. A beautiful blonde woman with delicate features and a sweet southern drawl sauntered on the stage. She stared Jordan up and down, stripping him bare. Her eyes flashed orange, and Raine's stomach dropped.

Great. Weretiger Barbie.

I think we should find Vincent, said one of the twins.

I think we should kick them out in their skivvies, said the other.

No, said the man standing with them, holding one of each of their hands. It's up to Vincent.

Vincent is not going to like this. The weretiger female planted her eyes straight on Jordan.

Raine fought the surge of jealousy which made her want to snuggle closer to Jordan.

Vincent isn't going to like what? A tall, dark-haired woman with skin a strange color of tan mixed with a tinge of gray walked toward the group. A beautiful Victorian gown covered her from the top of her neck to her wrists, and down to her toes. Her thick hair had been braided almost to her waist.

Her grayish eyes traveled to Raine and Jordan, and she gasped. Oh my goodness. What are you doing in here? Her Spanish accent gave only the slightest tinge to her words.

We asked already, said the thin, red-haired man.

Look, said Jordan. I don't know what is going on, but if someone could please find us some clothing, we'd be happy to pack up our bed and go home.

The group glanced at each other.

The tall Spanish woman walked forward and extended her hand. I'm Josephine Laurent. Vincent is my husband. We own Le Carnivále.

Jordan shook Josephine's hand, and then she extended her hand to Raine. Raine took it and found it cold despite the warm atmosphere.

All right, Josephine said. Enough gawking. You all have things to do this morning. We won't keep you any longer.

She possessed a gentle and refined demeanor but also commanded respect. The crowd dispersed except for the weretiger.

Please leave Lena, said Josephine. Our new friends aren't going anywhere; you can talk to them later.

Lena glanced at Josephine and back to Jordan. I look forward to it.

She meandered off the stage in her tight black pants, and Raine pictured her tail swishing as she went.

After she left, Josephine turned back to them. I'm sorry about that. It's been a long time since we've woken up to newcomers still inside Le Carnivále.

So, this has happened before? asked Jordan.

She nodded. To every one of them but Bruno the cyclops. Vincent found him almost dead in a gutter.

What is this place? Raine asked.

Josephine thought for a minute. It's a haven for Otherworlders and a place where Mundanes can live their fantasies.

Where are we exactly, asked Jordan.

Josephine shook her head. I'm not quite sure.

Not sure?

Usually, we know exactly where we are headed, but last time we moved, something happened. We were pulled into this clearing and haven't been able to leave for months.

I don't understand, Jordan said.

Josephine gave a sweet smile. Why don't we find you something to wear and take you to Vincent? He's better at this than I am.

Thank you, Raine said. We appreciate your hospitality.

Don't thank me yet, she replied. Once you find out what you're in for, you might regret my hospitality.

Does your hospitality include food? asked Sam. I'm starving.

Raine squeezed Jordan's hand. What had they gotten themselves into this time? She scanned the area, looked at Sam, and gasped.

What's wrong? asked Jordan.

Hazel, said Raine. We left Hazel alone at home.

Wonderful. Jordan sighed. Just wonderful.

Chapter Two

Raine and Jordan emerged from the theater ten minutes later, wearing donated warm clothing from troop members. Only Bruno the Cyclops owned anything big enough to fit Jordan, so he currently resembled a hot farmer in his flannel, faded overalls, and cowboy boots. Raine had been provided a fabulous pair of leopard leggings and an oversized bright orange sweater with a jack-o-lantern face on the front from Lena.

Raine exited the building and took in the surroundings. What the-

They stood on a small hill in a forest clearing. At the bottom of the small hill stood a vine-covered hedge. A circle of tents in bright oranges, purples, and blacks stood about twenty yards away. Strings of lights hung from tent to tent, and signs sat outside each doorway, but she couldn't read what they said. Beyond the tents lay an encampment of colorful caravans. Half of them announced who the trailer belonged to in bright white letters or had an old-fashioned circus banner hanging on the side.

She turned back to the building they'd exited, but it wasn't a building. The outside was a huge black and white thick striped tent. She stepped back through the curtain into the theater, complete with stage and wooden folding chairs.

She stepped out again. That is some impressive magic. A full theater inside but a tent on the outside.

My husband did it.

The tall woman stood at least six foot three. Her features were heavy but not bulbous. They fit her face in a beautiful, natural way. She had to be some form of giant from her bone structure. Wide and foreign. Josephine gave her a wary smile and then turned and began to walk away.

Jordan held Raine's hand as they descended the slight slope covered in beautiful purple flowers. They reached the hedge, and Jordan helped her down. Together they crossed through the maze of tents to the back where the caravans stood. The grass and wildflowers ended at a thick circle of dense trees. Deep yellow, orange, and red leaves floated to the ground and around the caravans. Wherever they were, it was still autumn, at least.

They walked between several smaller, older, faded grayish-white tents. All around, the carnival members ogled and whispered as they passed by. Raine had never seen such an odd collection of Otherworlders before. The cyclops was obvious. The conjoined twins were a mystery, but the man who stood with them, continually holding the hand of both of them, intrigued her. Depending on which way you looked at him, his face appeared to be like two completely different men. A sickly pale man stood deep in the shadow of a pure black tent, his eyes lit from within, making Raine shiver. She didn't have to guess what he was: a vampire. And the bearded lady held the hand of a man whose very expression seemed to devour Raine. A chill ran over her at the sight of him.

Jordan pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist. Not a shifter. He's a wolf but... not a shifter.

A wolfman?

Jordan nodded and squeezed Raine tight against him as they followed Josephine. Jordan had always been protective of her, but the vibes he gave off went deeper. As if he was truly afraid for her safety. They neared an antique trailer. Josephine opened the door and said something in Spanish. Several voices floated out, and a muscular man tattooed from his neck downward appeared. He sized Jordan up, and then his gaze lit on Raine. Ink covered every inch of him, from his fingernails to his chin. He sauntered down the steps, his eyes continually on Raine.

I heard there were newcomers. He smiled. But I didn't hear about your beauty.

He reached out and took Raine's hand, kissing it.

Jordan's arm tightened. The tattooed man turned Raine's hand over and sniffed her wrist before licking it with his split tongue.

Jordan growled, and Raine pulled away.

Sorry. I like to taste people.

Yeah, well, my skin only gets licked by Jordan, thank you very much.

The man snickered as a warm, heavy weight settled on Raine's shoulder.

You heard my mom, said Sam. Only Jordan licks her. So buzz off before I burn your ink off.

I was just being friendly.

Be friendly with someone else, Hedger. A short man with shocking white hair stepped out of the trailer.

Hedger smiled at Raine again. Welcome to the carnivàle. Can't wait to know you better. Then he took off in the opposite direction from the other tents.

The short man watched Hedger walk away and then turned to them. I apologize for him. He's one of our newer additions. I still haven't decided if he's a fit, but his demon blood technically allows him the opportunity to at least try and fit in.

He could definitely use a lesson in manners, said Jordan.

The man nodded. I would agree, but his demon side makes it impossible for anyone here to teach him any. But enough of that. I am Vincent Laurent. He held out his hand to Raine and then Jordan.

Raine and Jordan, said Jordan.

I understand you appeared in our theater this morning. It's been quite a while since someone wandered into the carnivàle without meaning to, and I can honestly say we've never had people appear out of nowhere.

We're as confused as you, said Raine. Last night we were asleep in Los Angeles, and now we're in a grove who knows where.

Vincent nodded. Unfortunately, we aren't quite sure either.

Jordan looked around. But if you're a traveling carnivàle, surely you have an idea of where you're headed.

Usually, I at least have a picture before we leave but not this time.

A picture?

Vincent pulled on his suspenders and nodded. Why don't you come inside, have something to eat, and I will give you a brief history? Maybe it will give you an idea of why you're here.

He turned and headed back into the trailer. Jordan sniffed the air.

What is it?

I smell something familiar, but I can't place it.

She squeezed his hand. "Well, keep thinking about it. It might help us figure out where we