The Pact Carnival Row Novels & Stories

CHAPTER FOUR LIAM'S POV "We want Justice" "Justice for our loved ones" "The cursed one must be punished for this misfortune" Was all the pack members were shouting and carrying on placards outside my Chambers "I feel your pain too, but you have nothing to worry about, the cause of this misfortune has been eliminated" I said and there was utter silence in the crowd "Whoo! All hail Alpha Liam" someone shouted and the rest cheered, making me smile ear to ear "I love you Alpha Liam" a little girl who was at the fore front of the crowd said and I smiled at her

The root system beneath the Elder Tree had visibly expanded, glowing softly with the pulse of shared memory. All of Ash root Crag stood waiting. They had felt the shift. They had heard the bloom hum. Even the spirits, once volatile and wild, now drifted above the rebel camp like fireflies watchful, waiting. Ari raised her hand. And spoke only once: “It is done. The Pact lives. Not in my name. But in yours.” One by one, members of every Circle faction stepped forward those from the fire bound South, the tide bound North, the wind seers of the East, and the root-keepers of the West. Even the neutral clans. Even former enemies.

"Let their spirits walk among us as brothers and sisters once more." Howls erupt then, one by one, like stars igniting across the clearing. First Kai, low and deep. Then Axel, his voice sharp and wild. Our pack follows, a tide of sound and power that crashes through the night. For a moment, I forget the war. I forget the bloodshed, the betrayals. I see only unity. Only possibility and that allows me to feel warmness in my heart again. When the last howl fades, Rowan steps back, and the elders nod their approval. The pact is sealed.

I don’t mind being alone, I just don’t want to be lonely. – Shiloh The Saturday before Halloween, the Saints hosted a carnival across the street from their largest clubhouse, Sinner’s Shack. The unfinished hotel was bought cheap once the company lost its backing. The highway that was supposed to go through was canceled, and the development of the area stopped. The pasture across the street had been cut down and baled. A traveling carnival set up at one end. Stalls were set up on the other end for merchants and food vendors. In the middle was a pumpkin patch and maze created by the bales of hay.

They must be wondering why we took so long. The venue of the carnival is a rural street crowded by locals wearing colorful make-ups, flower crowns, and highlighting attires. They’re either gathered in groups, discussing and laughing above the music played by the live local band, dancing, or seated at tables drinking and eating. Mom and Oasis are at one of those tables, so we join them. “You both missed a lot,” Oasis mutters while staring intently at the dancers. I catch mom gazing at me with a knowing smile. “What?” I blurt out.

Now I see that my nephew has finished what I started. He approached Dante. Welcome home, nephew. The real home. The Pact That night, the Morettis signed a pact. It wasn't a pact of power, but of peace. The dirty dealings would be left behind. Those who wanted to remain within the law would have the support of the others. Those who didn't... would be left out. Dante signed first. Elena watched him, her heart full. When he finished, Antonio approached her. Your sister would be proud.

Daxton wants to toss it out the window on the way home, Pearl wants us to wear it on any Sweet Sixteen in the Pack and Preston is objecting to that idea in a very loud voice. “Oh, Fuck.” I hear Pearl say and I look out the front window to see what has made my Luna swear. There are lines with little flags in bright pink with their Pack emblem in black on them, there are rows of those little flags everywhere you look and on the side of the road that leads to the Pack-house, there are large hearts in bright pink with the names Nico and Lucy on them in black lettering. The venue behind the Pack-house is even worse and many of the guests are making whispered comments about it.

After dinner, Lisa and I were unpacking our stuffs and arguing about some celebrity gossip when Aunt Gigi knocked and came into the room holding a bottle of red wine. “There’s a carnival starting down town, my bad knee doesn’t let me hang out as usual but you youngsters can join in on the fun.” She told us, leaning against the door. Lisa looked at me and I shrugged. I didn’t mind having a little fun, actually, I needed it. “Great! We’ll get ready!” The carnival looked a lot fun than I hoped. It held along a street of an old Corinthian building. Some old ladies in red saris blew clouds of colors into the air. Some guys danced around shirtless, some girls in white short dresses. The music was

Axel stomped out his cigarette and pushed away from the truck as headed toward the crowd. I stood away from Melissa and Axel, watching as a single tear sliding down her cheek as the priest spoke a few words over her mother's casket, unblinking. The priest finished his speech and stepped back as Axel stepped forward. "Thank you all for being here," Axel started and paused. "We all know how much Sally loved to party." Some of the members hollered and raised the beers in the air as Axel pulled a baggie of white stuff from his pocket and dumped it on her casket. "Now you can party in heaven, my sweet angel." He cracked open a beer and poured a bit in before he downed the rest himself.

“Where.” Evelyn stood at the edge of the forgotten town — Morrow — where cracked wooden buildings leaned into the wind and silence stretched like a noose. The place felt half-buried in time, overgrown and haunted. A church with shattered windows. A saloon burned hollow. A bell tower missing its bell. Rowan stepped beside her. “This is where they signed the first pac. Man and wolf. Blood and promise.” “And where did it broke?” He nodded once. “Broke hard.”