N. Walters - Pride of the Lion

She’d decided against using Hades’ Carnival or the Devil’s Carnival in her book. Too obvious. She’d settled on Black’s Carnival, naming it after her new agent during the rewrites of the first book before it was published. Too bad she hadn’t thought about the name Shade’s Carnival. It was close to Hades. Would have been cool to have several of the lights go out when one of the heroines saw the sign. But it was too late to change now, and she was happy with the name she’d chosen for her fictional carnival.

Beside it sat another faded sign that listed the prices for various rides and the sideshows. She ran her finger over the lettering, trying to imagine what the carnival would have looked like when it was set up and everything was running.

It was easy to envision the flashing lights and blaring music, the laughter and squeals of the crowds, the smell of the grease and sugar from the food and the mechanical whoosh from the rides. She’d done a lot of research on old-time traveling carnivals for her last two books, and these signs were definitely from the forties or fifties, maybe even older. It was hard to say.

Maybe she should stick around tomorrow long enough to bid on one of the signs. If they didn’t sell for too much, it would be cool piece of Americana to hang on her office wall.

She left the signs and cautiously crept across the room to the carousel. It was uncannily like the one in her dream, right down to the chipped white, red and gold paint and the two remaining animals sitting on it. The wolf appeared just as vicious as the one from her dream did. His mouth was open, exposing sharp fangs, ready to rip at his prey or his enemy.

A shiver raced down her spine and she rubbed her hands over her arms. This was crazy. She really should just turn around and leave. She started to, but something compelled her to carry on.

Araminta slowly walked around the carousel. It would have been spectacular in its day with the beautifully carved wood, vibrant paint and gilt trim. And this was no children’s ride. The animals had both been carved larger than life, suitable for an adult to sit on.

There were many empty spots and she looked down, wondering what had been there. A small plaque caught her gaze. “Serpent.” She wondered what that would look like. It was hard to picture a large snake. Maybe it was more dragon-like. It was hard to say.

She went around the carousel, reading the various metal plaques. There was a phoenix, tiger, jaguar and a bear missing. She was almost around the carousel when she came to the other remaining animal.

She knew what it was, but was half afraid to look at it. Would the lion be like the one in her dream?

Araminta slowly raised her head and met the gaze of a huge, majestic creature—a lion, the king of the beasts. And he did indeed look like a king with his thick chest, muscular legs and enormous paws. But it was his face that held her attention. His mane was thick and shaggy, done in shades of yellow, orange and brown. His mouth was open on a silent roar, exposing sharp fangs and a pink tongue.

She shivered as memories of her dream man rushed through her. His tongue had been clever and the texture had been like fine sandpaper. “Forget him,” she admonished herself. “Concentrate on what you’re doing here and now.”

She peered into the creature’s eyes and took a step back. They were molten gold and they seemed to be staring right at her.

Araminta was overwhelmed with the urge to run but was unable to move. She was rooted to the spot.

The lion’s eyes were so realistic. Whoever had carved the animals for this ride was a master craftsman. She’d never seen anything quite this spectacular. The lion was so lifelike she felt as though she could reach out and touch his thick mane and the smooth, heavily muscled flanks of his body and feel a creature of flesh and blood instead of wood and paint.

She licked her lips and glanced nervously over her shoulder. All she’d need was for hotel security to find her somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be. She really should leave.

But she couldn’t. Not until she touched the lion. She’d never really had a fascination with any animal before, but she did now. She’d had that incredible dream last night and now this. Her next shifter book would definitely feature a lion as the hero.

Her hand shook as she raised it and reached out. Fingers stroked over wood and a deep sense of disappointment struck her. She’d really expected to feel fur and warmth. Which was really stupid. She’d blame it on the alcohol except all she’d had tonight was ginger ale.

“You really are quite handsome.” That was a tame word for such a majestic creature. “Wild and feral and very impressive.” She trailed her hand over his back and stroked his mane. She wondered what it would feel like if he were real. Would it be thick and soft or coarse and rough?

She sighed and let her hand fall back to her side. As much as she could stay all night and study the carousel animal, it was time for her to go back to her room and pack for the trip home.

It was disappointing, and for a brief moment, she imagined this is what Cinderella must have felt like when the clock stroked midnight. This weekend was all about fantasy, but the fairy tale was over and reality waited.

“Fierce, isn’t he?”

Araminta whirled around and felt her face heating. She was caught red-handed. “Ah, yes, he is.”

Luna sauntered across the room, her high heels clicking on the hardwood floor. She was wearing another form-fitting dress. This one was a burnished gold and looked striking with her ebony hair. Her eyes tilted up the slightest bit at the outer corners, adding to her exotic appearance. Her makeup was flawless, her clothing runway caliber and the gold and diamonds at her neck certainly looked real.

Araminta felt frumpy in her black dress and costume jewelry.

Luna’s lips curved up into a sensual smile when she reached Araminta’s side. “He really is something special.” Luna reached out and touched the lion’s head, and Araminta suddenly wanted to smack the other woman’s hand away, to tell Luna that the lion belonged to her.

She wanted to protect him.

This night kept getting weirder and weirder.

“I saw you leave the party earlier. I thought you’d only gone to the ladies’ room, but you didn’t come back.” Luna sauntered around the carousel and trailed her fingers over the wolf’s flanks. “There’s nothing wrong, is there?”

Araminta blinked when she thought she saw the wolf tense beneath Luna’s touch. She shook her head. “No, nothing at all. I just thought I’d call it a night. I’m not much of a partier.” For some reason she felt the need to apologize, which wasn’t like her. It was probably because she didn’t want Luna to think she wasn’t enjoying herself. “It’s been a wonderful weekend.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun.” Luna’s painted fingernails stood out against the wolf’s black and gray fur. With their deep-red color they looked almost like drops of blood spilling over the animal’s side. “I thought you might have decided to have a really good time tonight.” Luna flashed another smile. “I saw the bartender chatting you up earlier.”

Araminta snorted. “Me and several other women apparently.”

Luna’s lips flattened into a grim line. “Is that so?”

Crap, she hadn’t meant to make trouble for the guy, even if he was a jerk. “I knew it was just harmless flirting. It didn’t mean anything.”

Luna smiled again, but this time it seemed brittle, not quite as natural.

Araminta took a step back and let her hands fall by her sides. “I really should be getting to my room. It was a lovely evening.” And the quicker it was over the better.