Threads Of Fate

Beneath the Surface

As Zenith and Anya walked through the bustling streets, the atmosphere was thick with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the chatter of passersby. Anya, her curiosity piqued, turned to a nearby shopkeeper to ask for directions to Madame Delphine's establishment. But Zenith quickly placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.

"Wait, Anya," she said softly, her voice laced with caution. "It's not wise to ask for the address of such a place in front of random men. You do not know how they would see you after you utter that name."

Anya nodded thoughtfully, understanding the underlying danger. "So how will we know where to go?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

Zenith fell silent for a moment, her usually vibrant brown eyes dimming as memories flooded back. "I can guide us there. A bit far but has nice scenery on the way, it would be wonderful for a walk."

"May I ask how you know of that establishment? I know it should not concern me but if you would...."

"I was brought up there," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Anya gasped in surprise. "I thought you were from Spain!"

Zenith bit her lip, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She realized that both Anya and Edward were unaware of her true heritage. "I lied," she confessed, her voice heavy with regret. "I said I was from Spain so that Edward would be interested in me. I had seen him at a ball and he was so well versed in a lot of topics. I thought my mundane background would bore him. I just to make a magnificent introduction."

Anya watched her with wide, understanding eyes as Zenith took a moment to compose herself. "My father passed before I was born," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "My mother always used to say he was quite charming, with brown hair and chocolate eyes-eyes the same shade as mine."

Zenith's gaze drifted to the cobblestone street as she recalled her past. "Without a source of income, my mother and I ended up at Madame Delphine's. It was well. My mother worked as Madame Delphine's aide, the madame was quite old at that time and needed her herbs on time. I played with the girls there, with them braiding my hair and teaching me how to bring color to a girl's cheek. Everything was good, until I turned twelve, the age when a young girl starts blooming."

She hesitated, the memory flooding back with vivid clarity. "One night, one of the elder ladies came into my room. She told me that I was old enough to start earning my pay, I got scared and started to run out the door. She caught me and slapped me hard on the face and forced me to finish a bottle of whisky. Would help me remain calm and reduce the pain she said. She dragged me from my room in front of everyone, including my mother who just turned her face away ignoring my cries for help. She then pushed me into a room with a man. An old man, possibly a nobleman. I couldn't make out his features as the room started to spin."

Zenith's breath hitched as she recalled the fear that gripped her. "He hugged me tightand placed his hand on my chest, I remember him saying something disgusting and pushing me against a wall started to kiss me. He told me how amazing pure young girls are in bed and lowered his hands between my thighs. It was at that moment, I decided I wouldn't be a victim. I wasn't steady on my feet, but I grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it over his head."

Anya's eyes were wide with shock, but Zenith pressed on, her voice steadying. "During all the commotion to get him treated, I slipped out. I wobbled slowly until I fell in front of..." She stopped herself, the name of the Nightshade guild lingering on her lips. Instead, she coughed lightly, covering up the truth. "They took me in."

"End of story," Zenith said, gazing ahead, her head spinning slightly as the memories washed over her.

Anya was quiet for a long moment, processing everything she had just heard. Then, without warning, she turned to Zenith and wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. Zenith smiled softly, running a loving finger through Anya's hair, feeling a warmth spread through her.