A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Thirty-Six

The brothel stood four storeys high and light shun through the panels of wood that were shutters. Sounds floated out of those slits; conversation, laughter, moans, all undercut with the music that was being played.

Eve put her shoulders back as she approached the building, not letting her nerves show. The man standing guard ran his eyes over her and offered her a smile as he thumped on the door. It opened and a wall of heat poured onto her. It took her a moment to register more than that oppressive warmth. The room was large and sprawling, a balcony overlooking the room. Nearly every inch of the room and its upper level was covered in couches and cushions, and nearly everyone one of those was occupied by people of varying ages, genders, and races. There were so many people she might not have known who was the courtesan and who was the client, but for the colourful and sometimes transparent clothes. Under the balcony, there were curtained off areas to provide the illusion of privacy. But she, and everyone else in the room, could see what the silhouettes were doing.

She carefully made her way across the room, doing her best to avoid touching the miles of sweaty skin that blocked her way to the bar. She tried not to let her eyes linger on anyone or anything, avoiding making eye contact with those who took notice of her, who liked what they saw. Her stomach churned, realising most of those people were years older than her.

"Alright, darling?" a barman asked, speaking loud enough for her to head him over the chattering and soft music. Without that background noise, she would have heard the sounds from upstairs much clearer. She realised it was probably better that Rik hadn't come. She would've lost her life if she had to experience this with him beside her.

"I'm looking for a man named Lee. He's supposed to work here," she said, leaning over to make sure the barman could hear her.

He ran an eye over her, a frown on his face. "He's very choosy when it comes to women. Not a fan of blondes and not a fan of them as young as you."

"Can you just point him out?" she asked, her heart racing. She was so close, so close to getting Don away from the noose.

The barman shrugged and pointed to the mezzanine as a man, tall and burly, stepped out from one of the curtains. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were dazed. His shirt was of fine quality, a deep emerald green, and the buttons of his collar were undone. His dark collar was slick to his head with sweat and as he stumbled down the steps he fastened his trousers.

Movement from the curtain he'd come from drew Eve's eyes and when she spotted the man behind it, lounging across a couch looking smug, she knew that it was him she was looking for, and not the man who staggered out the door as if his legs didn't work right anymore. She bounded up the stairs, shoving the spindly man that tried to get to Lee first.

"I was next in line, bitch," the man hissed, reaching for Eve.

Lee tutted in his seat, his eyes moving from Eve to the man. "Cal, you know I hate bad language," he said, his voice as smooth and rich as a bassoon. She didn't quite think that the voice matched his lean yet muscled frame, but it was certainly attractive. "I don't want to see you for a week."

Cal stammered and tried to redeem himself, but Lee stood and pulled the curtain closed behind Eve.

"What brought you all the way from Teryon?" he asked, combing his golden, shoulder-length hair.

She started, wondering if she'd ever met him. With his fine features, and clear, pale skin, she knew she would've remembered him. "Have we met?" she asked, sitting when he gestured for her to join him.

He smirked. She was starting to wonder if he ever did anything without looking so arrogant. "I know who you are, Eve," he said, leaning back on the couch. "I got jealous when I saw you with Don. Of course, he explained very hastily what your relationship is. I miss the old man. How is he?"