Circus Summer (Circus of Curiosities Book 1) by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online

second, then looks around the crowd again.
                “When I call your name, please stand up. I want to get a look at you.”
                He starts to call names, and each time he calls one, a boy or girl around my age stands up to applause from the crowd. Dr. Dex does what he said he would and looks each one over from where he stands, like he’s judging them. If he’s working through the list from top to bottom, then I’ll be the last person called.
                “Zachary Niles,” Dr. Dex calls out. I see Zachary stand on the other side of the ring, looking confident and handsome. I can see several of the girls in the tent looking at him in obvious admiration.
                “Leela Sinclair.”
                Thomas’ hand is tight on mine, and for a moment I think he might hold me in place, but I manage to stand up. Dr. Dex looks at me like all the others.
                “Please stay standing, all of you,” he says, and he slips past the plastic screening to walk into the audience. He stops beside the first person whose name he called out, a young man with dark hair who looks strong and heavy, talking to him for a minute or so. After he’s done talking, Dr. Dex shakes his head, and the young man sits back down, looking disappointed.
                I hadn’t thought about that. What if he rejects me too? No, I can’t think like that. I’m going to get through, and I’m going to make it all the way to the Center. I keep watching as Dr. Dex makes his way around the tent, sitting some of the people he talks to back down and sending others to the center of the ring.
                He makes it to Zachary and it seems like something in Dr. Dex’s expression changes for a moment. He looks… confused. They talk, but not for long, before he sends Zachary to stand in the ring with the others. I’m the only one left standing in the audience.
                Dr. Dex makes his way around to me and smiles. “So you want something more exciting than the Cliff View Restaurant?”
                I’m surprised he remembers me. “I’m here to make it to your national performances.”
                “Why? Why give up your life here to enter our circus and the tournament, as we call it?”
                “You go to the Center. I need to get to the Center.”
                Dr. Dex raises an eyebrow. “Why? What’s at the Center you need, Leela Sinclair?”
                I don’t know why it matters to him, but I answer anyway. “Physicians to help my mother.”
                He stops, looking surprised. “What’s wrong with Kinley? You are her daughter, right?”
                He knows my mother? I nod.
                “She’s my mother,” I say, “and no one knows what’s wrong with her. Maybe they’ll know in the Center. I have to try.”
                “You should go home, Leela,” he says. “This isn’t a place for you.”
                “My mom needs me to do this. My whole family needs me to do this,” I say. “Please, don’t make me beg.”
                He hesitates for a second, maybe two. Then he nods. “All right. Go to the center of the ring and wait for instructions.”
                He moves off.             Beside me, Thomas grabs my hand again.
                “You could still back out,” he says.
                Doesn’t he understand? I lean down to kiss the top of his head. “I could, but I won’t. You’re a good friend, Thomas. Mason, you need to take care of Mom while I do this. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll try to get back when I can, and Thomas will be there to help, right Thomas?”
                Thomas stands, brushing back my hair. For a moment, he’s so close to me. “I’d do anything you needed, Leela. Even taking