Waiting For A Bad Fate

2: Burned

"House cats have their claws trimmed," I stared fearlessly into his curious gaze. This man was not a man of the household which meant he could only be part of the guest's party.

He raised a brow at my comment as if he expected me to be quiet, but the only person to wish for my silence and survive was my aunt Gloria. 

"So?" He seemed slightly confused but by the curve of his lip, I knew he found this situation amusing, and since he has yet to scream for help or try to kill me I could relax just a bit. However, the faded scars on his exposed skin kept me from leaving my back open to this man.

"I keep my claws sharpened." I smiled a smile I often gave to the drunk men that touched me before I tied them up and hung them from a flag pole in the town's square. Though the unlucky ones had a much worse fate. 

He let out a chuckle that he tried to muffle with a fist but the shaking of his chest was evident. I would have said something back, but the sound of a door opening and closing snapped me out of whatever distraction this man had over me. 

I glanced at the high window over the shelves used to keep the brats bath oils and sighed that I could not ruin that pretty hair she was so fond of, but now I had to get out.

"It was great meeting you, but it's time for me to go." I nodded at the man still in the tub and walked over to the shelves getting ready to climb, but I stopped when I smelled the smoke mixed in with the steam from the hot water and looked over at the him.

Looks like I'm not the only schemer taking action today. The mayor must be a brave pig trying to mess with his "distinguished" guest.  

Our eyes met again and I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"You won't make it out in time, they'll have guards ready to jump at any moment." 

"You seem quite calm about all this," I said more as a realization than a question and dawned on the fact that he was right. The Mayor emptied this area for his own plan, but soon it'll be crawling with the low lives he calls guards.

"For a lady, you also seem unusually calm." He lifted his arm to gesture to the room and I realized that I was much more suspicious than he was, but my rumors have truth to them and I was used to the obscene.

"Well sir, if you may know I am no proper lady. I'm a lady of the night." I gave my customer service smile and the man seemed a bit thrown off before smiling again. Looks like he didn't expect that one. Though I have heard stories of night ladies breaking into clients' houses and leaving notes for their wives.

"I've heard of night ladies holding grudges but never to this extent. Tell me lady of the night, how much does a night with a wildcat as you cost?" 

It was my turn to be surprised, sure I slept around to gain energy, and occasionally participated in a scandal or two, but this was the first time I was propositioned so openly. I looked over him and all of the heavens were telling me that my escape was probably more important, but my heart proved to be not as holy as the heavens wished.

"I happen to be extremely expensive, but considering the circumstance, I think I can work on a deal." I must truly be out of my mind, but if this man was willing to play along I could get out of here without any headaches. The last thing I wanted was to give Madi a heart attack.

"Name your price for the night," He smiled and held out the hand and I glanced at the other door I knew led to the front courtyard where footsteps started to pile and made my way over to the tub.

However, I didn't expect for the second his hand engulfed mine to be pulled into the warm water, and quickly having to use my hands to push myself off his chest as my legs straddled him. I thought he could be deadly from afar, but looking at his face up close I lost my bearings. It was not the heat of the sauna-like water but more my body temperature playing with fire, and from the look in this man's eyes I was about to get burned.