Queen of Penury

s a v i o r

Jem

"Hey handsome, why don't I come warm your bed tonight?" The prostitute looked almost bored as she eyed me, even though lust was clear in her eyes.

Her job gave her no joy, and I mulled over this as I walked over, flipping a coin over my knuckles. I stepped right up to her and looked in her eyes, not allowing my unease to show. Frankly, women scared the shit out of me, and the sooner I could get away, the better.

"Yeah, come on over to my place, but stay out of my bed. You'll be sleeping with my sister, and we'll feed you and give you some appropriate clothes." The woman was tiny, petite, and would have been pretty if it weren't for how painfully malnourished she was.

Her eyes widened at my words, and I considered her. She couldn't be as old as me, but surely she was an adult, as prostitution among minors was illegal?

"How old are you, sweet?" I kept my voice gentle, trying to put her at ease.

"Seventeen," she breathed, blushing and studying my well-worn boots.

Shit. Sometimes I have to wonder if the king even cares about stuff like this.

"Who's your boss?" I lifted her chin and forced her to meet my eyes; however, she wouldn't look at me. On a hunch, I took her shoulders and turned her around, brushing her hair to the side. I saw the brand, the entwined DT.

Double shit.

The brand on the girl's back was recent, but healed. It was slightly red, and she flinched when I touched it softly with one finger tip. I wasn't at all surprised that Daniel Turow had resorted to selling children, but it made my heart ache for her.

Turow was the ruthless leader of this slum's -- no, this kingdom's -- most violent gang. He killed children, animals, expecting mothers, all without hesitation. Only recently had he stumbled into pimping, and no wonder. He was darkly handsome, all deep brown hair and strange, hazel eyes. Turow was surprisingly young for a boss; he couldn't be more than twenty five years-old.

Rumor had it that he was the bastard son of some high-ranking official, but no one knew who, and no one cared. Every one wanted to keep as far away from him as possible, but I had an assignment, and I wouldn't be deterred from it. It started with getting this distractingly pretty girl out of here.

"Darling, come. We gotta get you home before anyone sees you." The girl turned to me with the eyes of a hunted rabbit.

"I can't, sir. If he finds me..." She clutched my jacket in desperation. I shrugged it off and pulled it around her shoulders, tugging the hood up to disguise her delicate features.

"He won't. This isn't the first time I've done this." Her eyes widened, but she followed. I led her into a side alley, guiding us through the shadows. We walked briskly, quietly. Like the killer I am.