Uncovered

Chapter One - Nyrie

Finally, after three clients already this evening, Nyrie was just getting ready for her last. A quick glance at her clock on the wall confirmed her suspicions. It was not the evening anymore; in fact, it was early the next morning. Her room in the old Manor would not be quiet for much longer. Brax, her personal bodyguard, had already knocked on her door moments ago announcing the expected arrival of her final client. She had already taken the time to wash herself and clean her face in the bathing chamber attached to her suite.

The reflection in her hand-held mirror showed dull, tired eyes and partially unbound ebony hair thanks to the satisfied man who was now perhaps on his way home to sleep in bed beside his unsuspecting wife.

Fixing her braid was not an option anymore as two quick knocks echoed through the room followed by the sweet, deep voice of Brax.

"Are you ready?"

She tied up her robe as she walked to the door, quickly adjusting the bed linen as she strode past. It was forbidden to receive a client in a disorganised manner. Out of all the women occupying this establishment, Nyrie was worth the most. Deemed to be the most beautiful and talented; much to her disgust.

The prices were set by the founder, and her Master: Ivan. Men expected nothing but complete submission and satisfaction from her. And she made sure to comply with that, if only to avoid being punished. Getting thrown out was not an option when you made your Master a fortune.

"Yes, send him in."

A heartbeat later the door swung open and before she could even get a look at her last client, the reek of alcohol shot straight up her nose. It wasn't uncommon for the men to first drink away their sorrows and soak up their confidence in the tavern on the ground level. In fact, it was a rare occasion she would meet with someone who wasn't heavily intoxicated. Sometimes it was a benefit, she supposed, that they would be too tired, too far gone, and they'd finish quicker. Meaning she'd get the remainder of the allocated hour to herself. However, if they decided to stay longer, Brax was in her suite not even one minute over time to haul out their useless hides.

He swayed in the doorway momentarily while he stared at her with ugly hunger in his wrinkled, dark eyes. They lazily roamed over each deep curve on her body and lingered particularly long in a few places she knew men liked to stare. She'd been doing this for so many years she had trained herself to be numb to it all. To be an emotionless vessel.

Never did she care, or bother, to examine the appearance of her clients too thoroughly. This man was roughly in his fifties, worn, tanned and wrinkled from either travel or hard labour. Slightly muscled and a whole foot taller than her.

Nyrie stepped aside as an open invitation to enter. He took one step forwards and stumbled so far that he would have landed with his head between her breasts if it wasn't for the swift reaction of Brax's strong grip on his tunic. She met Brax's light grey eyes in a silent thanks. His returning glance had her shift her focus immediately. His pity was the last she needed right now. She grabbed the sweaty hand of her new client. Half holding him up and half struggling under his weight.

"Thank you. Leave us be."

Even though she'd heard it a thousand times, there was always something that sent her hairs standing on end as she watched Brax leave and her large wooden door closed with a soft thud and click. It meant that for this hour, whether she liked it or not, she was trapped inside this room with a horny man hell bent on self-satisfaction. It was hard not to think about it. Not knowing what was about to happen. Being forced to do things against her will.

Imagining that there was a better world, filled with better people and beautiful open meadows with clear blue skies is what kept her going. Removing herself from this world. And placing her mind somewhere better. Where would she go if she was ever free? It was a question she never dared ask for fear of not knowing the answer.