The Art of Rebellion

Thieving Town

(Kol's POV)

It takes us only an hour to reach Memphis, where we split into different groups; Corwin is with En, which I don't really get. Ry is with Leo, insisting on keeping an eye on him. I'm not sure if she wants to keep him in check or to make sure I don't kill him - something I'm seriously considering. I knew there was something off about him the moment I set my eyes on his stupid asshole grin. Finally, I'm with Mad, leaving Golem and the two pirates as the ship's guards.

"Why are we getting weapons again?" Mad asks, looking grumpy. "All of you crazy people have magic, so what's a knife gonna do?"

I frown at him. "In case you haven't noticed, magic can be taken away. Besides, we're all too tired to do a damn thing right now, so you're gonna be thanking my knife once we're under attack."

"And how are you planning to get one? We're broke and you're weak."

"There's someone here who owes me a favor." I grin at him, and we make our way to one of the brothels here.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Mad says, pouting like a child. "You pay them for their services-"

"For sex," I interrupt.

"for their services, and that's it. You're not that good, you know."

"And how would you know?" I tease, and he groans, crossing his arms.

"I'm waiting for you out here. No way am I setting a food in there."

"Aww, who's a good Aneshian boy?" I coo, and he starts taking his boot off, ready to throw at me. I rush inside before he can.

The girl behind the counter can't be over fifteen, but the makeup and revealing dress make her seem much older. "Good day, sir. What are we in the mood for?" She forces a smile, and it's a good one. If someone with less experience was in front of her, they'd be fooled.

"Something Dotri," I reply. "Around my own age." The Dotri are the people Akira belonged to; Short, pale, dark haired. Their most distinguishing features were their slanted eyes - something a lot of people fell for, present company included.

She nods, pulling one of the many levers on the wall behind her, each of which is attached to a thread, which then leads to a bell in the girls' rooms. "We've got just the thing, sir. She'll be here to take you to her chambers in a second." People are suckers for fancy words. Saying 'chambers' instead of 'room' makes the customer feel powerful, usually resulting in them being suckered into paying for more girls.

Step 1: Blow up their ego.

Step 2: Sweet talk them a lot

Step 3: Do your job well

Step 4: Subtly mention the skills of your coworkers.

"Well, I'll be," the woman who just entered the room says, and I turn to look at her. "If it isn't my favorite customer." She's wearing her black hair a lot shorter than she used to, but I'd recognize the daring outfit anywhere. A lacy red kimono that exposes her shoulders and one of her legs.

"I'm glad you still remember," I state, taking a step toward her. "How are things working out for you, Saya?"

"I'm doing a hell of a lot better than you, going by your smell." She grins at my frown. "I'm not kidding, Kol. You look like you're returning from war."

I scratch the back of my head sheepishly. "Well...."

"Oh, nuh uh," she says, crossing her arms. "You aren't bringing me into one of your messes again."