Step right up folks…enter the tent and see the wonders of the world…
Andrew is the son of a preacher man in a small town, struggling to establish a life of his own. When his mother encourages him to take a young lady from their congregation to the circus one night, the last thing he wants to do is see circus freaks. He was traumatized by this same event as a child and he can't bear to see these poor creatures penned up in cages. However, the young woman he escorts to the exhibition insists on seeing the sideshow, and Andrew doesn't want to disappoint her.
Dog boys and limbless monstrosities are available for viewing upon paying the entrance fee, but at the end of the line, there is something else, something big and ferocious.
And as the big, sleek black jaguar stretches and changes into the shape of a man before Andrew's eyes, his life will be altered forever.
Zarson studied the young man. He hated to say it, but there was part of him that was glad Cyril was in one of his moods. Each time presented an opportunity for him to get that amulet away from Cyril.
If he could just convince the mortal to snatch it off Cyril's neck, Cyril would cease to have any power over him. The amulet was harmless to mortals and since they didn't understand its power, they wouldn't be about to use it against him.
Problem was, none of the young men Cyril had chosen in the past were brave enough to get that close to the vampire. And Cyril knew Zarson would try to take advantage of that opportunity. He was always prepared.
"Andrew?" Zarson said, sitting on the chair opposite him. He reached out and took his hand.
The young man actually blushed.
"I need your help. Do you think you could help me do something?"
"Anything," he breathed. "Anything you want."
Zarson smiled faintly, not sure if that was the trance talking or Andrew himself. "Good. I need you to take something from Cyril. When I give you the sign, pull that amulet off his neck and throw it out the window. Can you do that?"
He nodded. "Yes. Anything. I want you." He met his eyes.
"Only when I tell you to."
"When you tell me, I will take the amulet."
"Good."
"Your eyes were yellow. Now they are the most beautiful shade of green."
"Oh yeah?" He laughed.
"How…how did you…you were a beautiful big cat and then…you are so beautiful, a beautiful man and…" Andrew got up. He reached out and placed his hand on Zarson's chest, then straddled his hips and attempted to kiss him.
"Whoa, wait," Zarson protested, fending him off. "Sit down now," he got to his feet and pushed the young man back to the sofa. He knew Cyril wouldn't want them to start without him present. It was not a good idea to make him angry. If he was displeased, he would kill this young mortal on sight. "Be patient."
