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Once Burned

(The first book in the Night Prince series)

A novel by Jeaniene Frost

To JBA, for everything.

Chapter 1

I parked my bike in front of the restaurant, wiping the perspiration from my upper lip. It was unseasonably warm this January, but sweating during a Florida winter was better than freezing in a Northern one. I twisted my hair into a knot, my neck cooler once the long black swath was off it. With a final swipe at my forehead, I entered the restaurant, ignoring the tables in favor of the patrons seated at the bar.

It only took a glance to see that most of them were average height, with a few extremely tall exceptions. Damn. If Marty wasn’t here, then I had to ride to his next favorite hangout, and it looked like it was going to rain. I threaded through the tables, making sure to keep my right hand affixed to my thigh so it wouldn’t accidentally brush anyone. It was that or wear the bulky electrical glove that inspired questions from nosy strangers. When I got to the bar, I smiled at the pierced, tattooed man who scooted enough to give me space at the countertop.

“Seen Marty?” I asked him.

Dean shook his head, rustling the chains that led from his nostrils to his ears. “Not yet, but I just got here. ”

“Raquel?” I called out. The bartender turned around, revealing a beautiful but bearded face that tourists surreptitiously or openly stared at.

“The usual, Frankie?” she asked, reaching for a wineglass.

That wasn’t my real name, but it was what I went by nowadays. “Not this time.

“Hasn’t been in yet,” she stated.

Raquel didn’t ask why I’d come in person instead of calling to ask that same question. Even though all the carnies that wintered in Gibsonton pretended they didn’t know about my condition, none of them except Marty ever attempted to touch me, and no matter the weather, they didn’t offer me a ride when they saw me on my bicycle.

I sighed. “If he comes in, tell him I’m looking for him?” We were supposed to start practice two hours ago. The off season turned Marty from a rigidly disciplined partner into a frequent slacker. If I didn’t find him soon, he’d pass the point of being reasoned with and would stay out all night drinking and telling stories about the old carnival glory days.

Raquel smiled, revealing pretty white teeth in stark contrast to her dark, bristly beard. “Sure thing. ”

I started to walk away, but Dean tapped his beer with his fork, directing my attention back to him with the sound. “Want me to call the Tropicana and ask if Marty’s there?”

He had correctly guessed the next place I was headed to, but then again, Dean had known Marty longer than I had.

“It’s only a mile and I need to keep my legs in shape. ”

“They look fine to me,” Dean said huskily, his gaze lingering on the limbs in question before moving over the rest of my body. Due to the heat, I only wore shorts and a tank top, so his view was pretty unrestricted. Then Dean shook his head as if to remind himself why checking me out was a bad idea. “See you around, Frankie,” he finished in a brisker tone.