Gemini and Orion's performance was flawless. His opponents were two large, black, poisonous snakes this time. They were no match for Gemini's fierceness and skill.
The puppy seemed to have found a new, happy energy tonight. He played with the snakes until they grew tired, making it easy for him to defeat them.
He bit off their heads one by one, tearing through their thick scales. The highest bidder in the audience was sold the snakeheads as a souvenir.
Orion held back a laugh at the puppy's behavior. He was carrying a happier energy tonight as well. He couldn't wait to get back to Zia.
As the curtains closed, Orion guided Gemini back to his holding cell.
"Don't worry buddy, I'll give you some freedom in a minute. I have to go check on her first, ok?" He said to Gemini while he ruffled the ears on Gemini's heads.
Gemini leaned his heads in opposite directions, enjoying the petting.
Orion made sure Gemini was ok and secure, then left him to check on Zia. Something gave him a strange feeling, so he moved quickly.
He hurried his way through the circus dressing areas to find Zia, but as he arrived at her dressing area, he realized she should already be starting her performance.
He made his way to the side of the stage and caught a glimpse of her in her beginning stance. He stood there gazing at her in all of her beauty.
The curtains opened as the music began and a spotlight was shown on her.
Orion stood there for a moment admiring the beauty and gracefulness of the goddess before him.
He had always admired her, but the feeling was somehow different now. Zia did something to his heart that he never experienced before. He desired to be near her all the time.
Her touch was so warm and tender. Her beauty was unrivaled by any woman he had ever known.
When he slept in the same bed as her, he became intoxicated by her vanilla and lavender scent. He watched her rest before he fell asleep and after he woke up.
He thought about Zia wanting to leave and start a new life. She seemed like she would leave with him, but could he protect her from the world?
Protecting her would be different than protecting himself. He couldn't imagine anything happening to her.
Without knowing what her abilities consisted of, taking a chance on the outside was risky.
Orion continued watching Zia in her newfound confidence as her ring was lit on fire. She seemed so much stronger than before.
She was ready for the fire this time. She was fearless as she and the flames moved in sync. He smiled at the sight of it.
Orion was completely absorbed by Zia's performance. He decided to wait for her to get off the stage so he could leave with her. He needed to tell her how he felt.
Suddenly, he felt his head being covered and several hands restraining him. He was forced to the ground abruptly as his head hit something sharp on the ground.
Trying to fight back, he realized he was completely outnumbered. His hands were held behind his back as handcuffs were placed on him.
There were too many bodies to fight off as they lifted his body and removed him from the side of the stage while the curtains closed, ending Zia's performance.
Zia rushed off the stage to find Orion. She had an overwhelming urge to feel his arms wrapped around her. She briskly walked behind the stage and through the dressing areas, looking for him.
When she arrived at her dressing area, she looked around and saw no sign of him. Something was wrong. She could feel it.
She left to continue looking for him and decided to check where Gemini was before his performance.
Gemini sat in his holding cell quietly. Orion was not with him.
"Hey boy, where is he?" She asked as she petted Gemini gently.
Gemini began letting out whimpers as Zia pet him.
"What is wrong, Gemini?"
"He isn't here," Damien said as he crept out of the darkness.
Zia spun around as her heartbeat increased with the fear that consumed her.
"What do you mean?" Zia asked as she slowly took steps backward, away from him. Damien stalked towards her with each step she took backward.
"I mean, he is gone. He isn't coming back." Damien said with a wicked grin as his eyes glowed red.
"What did you do to him?" Zia whispered.
"That is none of your concern, Zia."
Tears formed in Zia's eyes. This was all her fault. The thought of Orion being hurt or even worse, broke her heart.
Damien grabbed Zia's wrist, squeezing it as his claws pierced her skin.
"You're hurting me, Damien." She cried.
"Good. You deserve it for running around with that bastard." He said as Zia tripped back against Gemini's cage.
Gemini began barking ferociously at Damien, causing him to let go of Zia. She pushed him away from her and began running out of the holding area.
Damien laughed. "You won't get too far!" He shouted as Gemini continued to bark and growl.
"You, my ugly friend, are going to be Dark Stalker food." He teased as he backed away from Gemini's cage.
Zia rushed through the circus as fast as she could. She slammed into one of the cocktail girls while red wine sprayed through the air, covering her white costume as she fell back to the ground.
"I'm sorry," she said as she jumped up and kept running.
Zia ran until she was all alone in the middle of the field beyond the circus. She stared at the darkness of the barriers trying to build the courage to continue running.
She couldn't bring herself to cross beyond the forest. She could see the movement of Dark Stalkers in the distance. They grew closer to breaking the barriers each day.
She felt defeated as she turned around to come face to face with Damien bearing his fangs and claws.
He grabbed Zia by her hair, aggressively pulling her head backward, forcing her to look at him. He brought her face close to his as he dragged his fangs over her lips and down her neck.
She could feel the sharpness scraping her skin as she breathed heavily with tears falling from her eyes.
"You belong to me." He whispered as he kissed her neck.
Two more men arrived and began tying her up while Damien tied a cloth around her mouth as they carried her off into the night.