《City of Blood》


 Chapter One

    Lumi was looking for a wealthy man.


    Not to bed. No, she did not have the time nor the luxury to indulge in such trivial pleasures.


    She was looking for a man to rob.


    The hood of her cloak concealed her features from passerby as she navigated through the narrow market. Stalls brimmed with all kinds of exotic goods, vendors calling attention to their merchandise.


    She passed by rows of dead fish, their mouths ajar, eyes unblinking. Tropical fruits cut into delicate patterns. Herbs and spices held in burlap sacks, their colorful aromas swirling through the air. Glowing crystals and bottled potions displayed on shelves.


    In the horizon, the sun was melting into the sea, taking with it the last remnants of day. Lanterns illuminated the darkened alleyways, painting the dusk with yellows, oranges, and reds.


    Lumi thrived during nightfall. Particularly in Lover¡¯s District, where inhibitions were low and pockets were heavy. As she turned onto the murky neighborhood, she spotted her prey.


    A man like him did not belong in a place like this. Sludge marred the uneven stones at his feet, grime dripped from terracotta-tiled rooftops. And there he stood¡ªamongst filthy sailors, inebriated pirates, and prowling pleasuremaidens.


    He was wealthy, alright.


    Newly shined shoes made of immaculate leather. A three-piece suit tailored to fit him just right. It was sewn from some expensive fabric she could not name, and it made her own costume look like mere rags.


    Everything about him was exquisite. Even his chocolate locks touched his shoulders in flawless waves. Lumi wondered if he had used some kind of styling gel to keep them in place. The smothering climate had her own curls frizzing and sticking to the back of her neck.


    She looked him over once more, and still found no imperfections. It made her loathe him.


    At the same time, a thrill shot through her. He was exactly the type of man she¡¯d been searching for.


    She fell into step behind him, keeping a careful distance as he sauntered through the lantern-lit streets. His strides were lazy and unhurried. Legs long, shoulders broad, he took up more space than the average pedestrian. Yet he never strayed to the side to clear up room for others to pass. No, he walked the streets like he owned them. And everyone else bent to his will.


    Lumi scoffed at the sight of it.


    Cocky bastard.


    The wealthy always behaved this way¡ªlike they were above, and all the commoners weren¡¯t worth more than the dirt beneath their soles.


    The thought made her blood roar in her ears. She had to quiet that part of herself. The part that demanded vengeance for her circumstance. She needed to stay focused. She could not involve her ego if she wished to achieve her goal. And she desperately needed to achieve her goal, or she would be in trouble with Lady Sol.


    She shadowed the man along an uphill slope, noticing a burlap sack fisted in his hand. Its coarse weave was pulled taut by the weight of whatever lay hidden inside. Their bustling surroundings did not allow her ears to pick up on the clinking of gem, but her heart soared with hope nonetheless.


    If the sack was full of gem, if she was able to get her hands on it, she may finally have enough to buy both her freedom and her memories. She could escape this cesspool of depravity and never look back.


    The man slowed as he approached Sable & Silk¡ªan opium den.


    Every night, for three years, Lumi haunted the streets of Port Bram. She had explored every nook and cranny, traversed every corner and crevice. But she had never stepped foot in this particular establishment.


    Sable & Silk was where nobles and aristocrats gathered to conduct business, forge alliances and trade in secrets. It was no place for a street rat like herself.


    Still, she strode in after him.


    All at once, she was engulfed by low ceilings and a smoky haze. Amber lanterns cast a flickering glow against dark walls. The murmur of lethargic voices blended together into a steady hum. Clients gathered around tables and reclined on cushions while staff members provided pipe service. The air was so dense with the scent of opium, it made Lumi¡¯s brain whirl.


    She kept her hood up and her head down as she followed the man across the smoggy expanse. He stalked to the back of the lounge and slipped behind a maroon curtain. Lumi slinked after him just as the drape fell closed.


    She took in the space¡ªtwo suede settees facing each other with a low table between them. One was occupied by a man in uniform.


    Lumi¡¯s pulse quickened.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    She moved silently, pressing herself against the wall. From this position, she could observe them without being noticed, her body half-shadowed by the curtain.


    ¡°Rook,¡± drawled the uniformed man, ¡°Never a minute late.¡±


    Lumi glimpsed the Royal Kingdom crest on his breast pocket and shivered in displeasure. An officer in the royal navy. The plates on his shoulders shimmered gold, signifying his elevated rank¡ªa general.


    A cold knot formed beneath her sternum. It twisted and sank, lower and lower.


    Lumi ignored it. She couldn¡¯t leave now. She wouldn¡¯t. Not when freedom was at her fingertips. Not when she was so close to knowing¡ªtruly knowing herself.


    She watched with bated breath as her prey lowered onto the empty seat and deposited the sack on the table between them. It did not jingle with gem as she hoped it would. Instead, it echoed with a hollow thud.


    Lumi noticed the woven cloth was stained. Something was seeping from it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood upright as she watched the officer open the sack like he was unwrapping a gift.


    Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.


    A head.


    A severed head.


    It was beyond deformed¡ªdiscolored flesh, eyes cloudy and half-open, blueish lips twisted in terror, frayed edges along the wound where skin and muscle had been torn.


    Lumi wanted to wretch.


    Even more so when the officer grasped the dismembered head by a patch of dark hair and lifted it up for closer inspection. A pleased expression spread over his face. Then he proceeded to toss its weight between his hands, handling it like he would a playing ball.


    Dread twisted Lumi¡¯s belly.


    She should not have come here.


    She couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t make a sound, or she would be caught. She had to wait in the shadows. As long as it took.


    The general tucked the head back inside the burlap sack. ¡°I take it he suffered in his final moments?¡±


    The man who led her to this place tipped his chin down in confirmation, ¡°Quite.¡±


    ¡°Very good,¡± the general grinned wickedly, ¡°I believe drinks are in order.¡±


    ¡°I did not come all this way to drink with you.¡±


    ¡°Ah, of course,¡± the officer reached into his pocket and dropped a pouch on the table between them. This one did jingle.


    Lumi¡¯s mouth went dry.


    Gem. Not enough to buy her freedom, but no humble amount, either. She could pay Lady Sol her daily due, fill her empty stomach with something warm, and slip the rest into her growing collection¡ªthe hidden stash beneath the loose floorboard in her cramped quarters, where her hopes lay buried.


    The wealthy man took the pouch and tested its weight between his large fingers. Only when he was satisfied with the amount did he tuck it into the secret lining of his suit. His hand lingered there a moment longer, savoring the assurance of his prize.


    The truth struck Lumi like a blow to the chest. This mammoth of a man had killed¡ªbrutally, without a hint of remorse¡ªand here she was, hiding in the shadows, ready to take what he¡¯d claimed in blood.


    Lumi was usually more careful than this, more rational. But lately, a strange restlessness gnawed at her, as if her own skin had grown too tight, too alien. She needed out of this life, and if it meant risking everything, so be it.


    ¡°With that out of the way,¡± the general drawled, ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯ve been curious about.¡±


    With a snap of his fingers, two glasses materialized on the table, each cradling a sliver of amber liquid. Lumi blinked once, twice, three times, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing.


    The general was gifted by the gods.


    There was no other explanation for what he had done. Ordinary people could not make something appear where there had been nothing.


    The general took his glass, swirling the liquor with lazy precision before taking a slow, measured sip. ¡°How does it feel?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± The man stiffened, betraying that he knew exactly what the general was alluding to.


    ¡°Do you still feel it? That missing part of you? Do you wake at night clutching empty air, haunted by what you¡¯ll never have again?¡±


    ¡°Do not test me, Sivan,¡± his tone rang with ice-cold authority, ¡°You know I am not a patient man.¡±


    It was a threat, Lumi recognized.


    His voice was so lacking in warmth, it made her spine zing. She wasn¡¯t sure what she was expecting from a man who brought a detached head into the room, but still.


    How could he speak like that to an officer in the royal navy? A general, no less.


    Tongues had been cut for lesser crimes. Lumi had seen how they beat beggars in the streets, and whipped pickpockets in the town square, and hung witches from the rooftops for all to see.


    And yet, this officer¡­he simply tossed his head back and laughed. ¡°You really despise me, don¡¯t you?¡± His voice was full of mirth, clearly enjoying the man¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°You,¡± the man confirmed, ¡°And everything you stand for.¡±


    ¡°And yet, you¡¯ve done nothing about it. On the contrary. You¡¯re helping the kingdom cleanse the seas of pirate filth. You know what they call you, don¡¯t you? Pirate-slayer Rook. You¡¯re a traitor to your own kind, your own blood.¡±


    A traitor to his own kind. A pirate, then. That bit of information surprised Lumi. He did not resemble any pirate she had encountered before¡ªdid not dress like one, nor speak like one, nor carry himself like one.


    ¡°You really want to talk to me about traitors, Sivan?¡±


    The general took another swig from his glass, ¡°I¡¯ve known plenty of men like you. Loyal to nothing but their own survival.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ve known men like you,¡± Rook said, his tone flat and cold. ¡°Those who cling to whatever side they think will get them out on top. The worst kind of man is one who stands for nothing.¡±


    The officer¡¯s lips curled into a sneer, ¡°And what do you stand for, Rook? Enlighten me. I¡¯m dying to hear.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re done here,¡± Rook stood.


    ¡°We¡¯re done when I say we¡¯re done,¡± with a snap of his fingers, Rook once again occupied the settee, ¡°You¡¯d do well to remember who holds the power here.¡±


    It happened in an instant. One moment, he stood. The next, he sat. Just as their drinks had appeared out of nowhere.


    The swift movement startled Lumi. Her breath caught in her throat, and before she could stifle it, a strangled noise escaped her. She thought it had gone unnoticed, but then the general¡¯s gaze snapped in her direction.


    She stopped breathing.


    ¡°Command your troops as you like,¡± Rook said, ¡°But don¡¯t pretend your authority extends to me. ¡±


    The general shrugged off his words, his attention remaining laser-focused on the shadows where she stood. Time stretched as his eyes scoured the dimly lit corner.


    She dared not move, her muscles frozen in place.


    The general¡¯s mouth curled into a wolfish grin, ¡°It appears someone is listening in on our conversation.¡±


    With a flick of his wrist, he materialized in front of Lumi. The breath whooshed from her lungs as the general grabbed her wrist. Suddenly, they stood together in the center of the room.

 Chapter Two

    ¡°What do we have here?¡±


    The jolt of darting from one side of the room to the other left Lumi¡¯s stomach churning. She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to hurl all over the plush, maroon carpet. Thoughts tumbled through her head in a chaotic stream. She couldn¡¯t make sense of them. She needed a reason, an excuse for why she¡¯d been lurking in the shadows.


    Think, Lumi! Think!


    But the harder she tried, the emptier her mind became.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy,¡± the general tightened his grip on her forearm, ¡°Let us see your face.¡±


    Before she could react, he yanked her hood down in one swoop. Lumi¡¯s hair spilled out in white-blonde tendrils. Her first instinct was to lower her face to the ground, to hide so they would not see. She resisted the urge, meeting the general¡¯s cold stare.


    Crow¡¯s feet at the corners of his eyes, gray wisps creeping at his temples¡ªhe was older than the other man by a few decades. Still, he was in fine shape. Lumi could tell by the way his uniform pulled taut over muscle, by the way he carried himself, by the way he held her in his bruising grip. Age did not smooth his rough edges.


    She had encountered plenty of men like him at Lady Sol¡¯s pleasurehouse over the years. Sinful men who cared only for their own desires. And like all those men, one look at her had his features twisting in disgust.


    Lumi kept her head held high, challenging his stare with her own. She would not cower, would not be made to feel like trash by him or anyone else. She was no beauty, but she didn¡¯t need to be. She was proud of the way she looked.


    The scar marring the left side of her face made her who she was. It proved she had been through something in her life¡ªeven if she could not remember.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± A scowl settled over the general¡¯s face, his patience gone. ¡°Speak. Now. Or this will get ugly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m one of Lady Sol¡¯s pleasuremaidens.¡±


    The lie fell from her tongue effortlessly. She had no time to think it through. It was the closest thing to the truth she could manage. She did belong to Lady Sol, after all. Just not in that way.


    ¡°A pleasuremaiden?¡± An amused glint flickered through his eyes, ¡°Not quite as advertised, are you? Lady Sol is said to have the finest talent in town. But you¡­¡± He looked her over, making her skin crawl, ¡°You¡¯re just a broken little thing.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten any complaints, so far,¡± she spat through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand me,¡± a wicked smile graced his lips, ¡°You would be lovely¡­if it wasn¡¯t for that hideous blemish.¡±


    Red, hot wrath swept through her. He should pay for insulting her so callously. But what could she do? He was an officer of the royal navy, and she belonged to the streets. She knew her place, ever if she did not like it.


    Before s retort that would surely get her in trouble could slip from her tongue, the other man stood. Lumi forgot he was still in the room with them. She kept her sights locked on the general as he joined them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not be hasty, Sivan,¡± he said, ¡°She¡¯s here on my account.¡±


    On his account?


    Lumi¡¯s gaze snapped to the one she came to rob. He stood close. Close enough that their garments brushed¡ªhis silken finery whispering against her tattered rags.


    Only then did she comprehend his full stature. A monolith of flesh and shadow. She had to tip her head back to meet his onyx stare. Eyes the color of midnight, and tragedy, and death. She forgot herself for a moment, lost to their void.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Sivan chuckled, ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem your usual type, Rook. I didn¡¯t know you still indulged in such distractions.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Rook turned the full weight of his stare upon the general, ¡°You don¡¯t know me as well as you think.¡±


    The general seemed to thoroughly enjoy this development. He blinked back to Lumi with a conniving grin, ¡°A pleasuremaiden, huh? Then perhaps you wouldn¡¯t mind proving your skills?¡±


    ¡°I aim to please, sir,¡± she said, with a fake smile, ¡°but only for the one who paid for my time.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s mine for the night.¡± A muscle in Rook¡¯s jaw flexed as he eyed the place where the general still clutched her in his punishing hold, ¡°And I¡¯d prefer her unscathed.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± Sivan released her, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to keep you from your¡­activities.¡±


    A grin lingered on his lips as he resumed his spot on the settee. He downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp, never taking his eyes off of them, ¡°Always a pleasure doing business with you, Rook. Truly.¡±


    The unexpected heat of Rook¡¯s palm on her lower back was impossible to ignore. The subtle pressure coaxed her forward. ¡°After you.¡±


    The general¡¯s gaze clung to her like smoke as they slipped behind the curtain. It was a silent promise¡ªof what, she could not say, but she felt the weight of it as they walked through the lounge. It wasn¡¯t until they emerged into the night that she remembered how to breathe.


    A sweltering humidity draped over Port Bram like a thick duvet. Lumi wiped at the sweat gathering on her brow and turned to face the man who had pulled her from the jaws of peril.


    Why did he bother? What did he stand to gain?


    Suspicion coiled within her.


    One things was certain¡ªthis was no act of kindness. No one in these slums dealt in such currency. Lumi learned that lesson long ago, through pain and betrayal. Everyone played for their own gain, and this man was no exception.


    Whatever his reasons, they mattered not. She could not allow any distractions. Not when her past, present, and future were on the line.


    The cobbles beneath their feet shimmered with spilled ale and lantern light. A drunk man staggered by, his face flushed with joy, two busty women flanking him like prized trophies. A scrawny mutt darted between them, scavenging for scraps in the gutter.


    Lumi studied the man before her, and he studied her right back. A furrow marked his brow, as if something bothered him. The tension she had felt inside was still present, but now there was a different edge to it.


    The silence expanded and swelled, until he spoke.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Lumi¡¯s lips parted, ¡°I told you, I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    ¡°What is your name.¡±


    ¡°My name is none of your concern.¡±


    ¡°Have we met before?¡±


    His question gave her pause. She didn¡¯t recognize him¡ªnot in any way that felt certain. And his face¡­well, it was not one easily forgotten. Then again, a large chunk of her life was lost to her. Who¡¯s to say they hadn¡¯t met before? She certainly could not.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe we have.¡±


    He did not appear convinced. He continued to stare down at her, like if he focused hard enough he would find the answers he was searching for.


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    Lumi narrowed her eyes, ¡°Do you know me?¡±


    The question hung between them. Something flickered through his features. Doubt? Recognition? Something darker?


    ¡°That scar.¡± He gestured to her face, ¡°Where did you get it?¡±


    An inferno swept over the left side of her face, as if her skin still remembered what she had long forgotten. Lumi was used to the looks, the whispers, the mockery. Her scar was either ridiculed or ignored, but never questioned so directly.


    It caught her off guard, then a sharp fury followed. How dare he ask? What right did he have to pry into something so personal?


    She forced herself to remain calm, composed. She could not let the wrath consume her. Not yet.


    ¡°Accident,¡± she said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°What kind of accident.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your help,¡± her voice came out high-pitched and slightly crazed, ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way now.¡±


    She made to side-step him, and as she expected, he moved to block her path. She bit back a smile. So predictable, like the rest of them.


    Without breaking stride, she collided into him. The heat he radiated seeped into her, and for a fleeting moment she was lost in it.


    ¡°Your name,¡± he drawled, ¡°What is it?¡±


    Lumi snapped from her momentary haze. She did not move, keeping her body pressed into his. She blinked up at him, and met his glare with one of her own, ¡°None of your business.¡±


    Her sly fingers slipped into his suit and easily found the pouch of gem. She took hold of it, the rough weave biting into her palm. As she slid it up her sleeve, her fingers brushed over a round, metallic object. She took that too. And finally, a scroll.


    ¡°You¡­¡± He frowned as the furrow in his brow deepened, ¡°You remind me of someone. Something¡ª¡±


    A loud crash echoed from a nearby tavern. A burst of laughter and bellowing followed. Glass shattered, and the clatter of boots against wooden planks filled the air. A brawl had broken out.


    Rook¡¯s attention snapped to the noise, and Lumi seized the opportunity. She broke away from him and scurried away. She didn¡¯t stop to glance back. Her pulse hammered in her ears as she darted into a maze of alleyways. She took random turns, swiveling right, then left, then left again. Only when she herself did not know where she was did she start to breathe again.

 Chapter Three

    Lumi stumbled back to her room well after midnight. Her fingers ached from clutching the hefty weight in her pocket. She hadn¡¯t once let it go, anxious it might slip away if she dared loosen her grip.


    She shut the rickety door behind her, its hinges groaning in protest. She kept her back to the wooden entryway, ensuring nobody would disturb her. Then she took out her nightly earnings.


    The pouch of gem, first. She counted it¡ªtwice, just to be sure.


    Fifty thousand gem. The number echoed in her mind as her gaze drifted to the stain on her wall, a familiar smirch in the tiny room.


    Fifty thousand gem. It was the kind of sum she would scrape together over moons of endless hours and sleepless nights.


    Fifty thousand gem. To make that much in a single night was unthinkable. It was outrageous.


    Then her stomach knotted. Surely, a sum like that wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed. She was used to pilfering a few coins from the pockets of drunken fools, men too far gone to miss what they¡¯d lost. But this time was different. He had been perfectly lucid. And he knew her face.


    Lumi shook the worry aside. Fifty thousand gem was a fortune in her world, enough to alter the trajectory of her life. But in his? It may have been nothing more than spare change, carelessly tossed away.


    Next, she drew out the rounded object she had stolen¡ªa compass. The metal was dull, the casing scratched and battered from years of use. When she flipped it open, the needle wavered, pointing stubbornly in a direction that was definitely not north.


    Broken. Useless, perhaps. Still, she would take it to the pawnshop in the morning. Even junk like that may fetch a price in the right hands.


    And finally, the scroll. Lumi unrolled the piece of parchment, her fingers brushing over its brittle edges. A map. Its surface was ancient, discolored in patches, worn thin with age. She itched to study it, but caution won out. Her earnings came first.


    Her heart thundered as she dropped into a crouch. In the silence of her cramped quarters, every creak and scrape was deafening. She crawled beneath the bed, and pried the warped floorboard loose. She slipped the pouch and compass into the hollow beneath, nestling them alongside her hard-earned stash. Then she pressed the board back into place.


    A weight lifted from her chest. She plopped onto the bed, limbs heavy with relief, and unrolled the scroll again.


    At the top, in faded ink, it read: The Kingdom of Dracule.


    A name she¡¯d heard before, somewhere. She could feel it stir something deep within her¡ªa memory? It was just out of reach.


    Lumi startled at the sound of the knob turning. Quickly, she rolled up the parchment and tucked the map into her pillowcase. The door creaked open, and a black cat slipped inside.


    ¡°Kit,¡± she heaved out a breath, ¡°You frightened me.¡±


    The cat meowed, rubbing against her leg. Lumi pet its head, and it purred in pleasure. ¡°Such a good Kitty,¡± Lumi soothed, ¡°Done working for the night?¡±


    In the blink of an eye, the cat transformed into a woman.


    She was naked as the day she was born, her brown skin somehow glowing despite their muted surroundings. Ebony hair cut at the nape, thick eyelashes framing a pair of stunning yellows. She was shorter than Lumi, with wider hips and softer curves.


    ¡°I have a client in the other room.¡± Kit had a voice that could make a grown man crawl. Sultry, dripping with honey and spice. ¡°Sir Holt, a nobleman from the citadel.¡±


    She twirled through Lumi¡¯s tiny lodgings with the grace of a feline and grabbed the robe she¡¯d abandoned during her last visit. Slipping it on, she shrouded her nakedness in its silky folds.


    Lumi angled her body to face the other girl, pressing her back up against the cold wall of her bedroom. The chill bit through her tunic, sending goosebumps across her flesh.


    ¡°Won¡¯t he miss you?¡±


    ¡°He wept in my lap for hours before finally falling into slumber. He¡¯ll be dead to the world until sunrise.¡±


    ¡°He wept?¡± Lumi scrunched her nose, ¡°Why?¡±


    Kit¡¯s tales never ceased to fascinate her. It was a ritual of theirs¡ªtalking after the day was spent. Even the hardest days felt bearable when she knew this moment waited at the end.


    ¡°The love of his life vanished. Went out shopping one day and never returned. They were engaged. Had the wedding planned out and everything. He¡¯s convinced she was taken.¡±


    Lumi frowned, ¡°Taken by whom?¡±


    ¡°Pirates? The navy? He blamed just about everyone but himself.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Why would they take her?¡±


    Kit stepped closer, lowering her voice, ¡°She was gifted by the gods. He claims her gift would fetch a hefty price in the black market.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t believe him?¡±


    ¡°I think she walked out. Probably figured out that marrying him wouldn¡¯t be worth the sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°Sacrifice?¡±


    Kit dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ¡°He¡¯s, uh¡­not exactly equipped for the job.¡±


    Lumi blinked, ¡°You mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tiny. Minuscule,¡± Kit bit back a laugh, ¡°Poor thing probably had to use a map to find it.¡±


    Despite herself, Lumi snorted, quickly covering her mouth. ¡°Kit!¡±


    She didn¡¯t mean to laugh, but she couldn¡¯t help herself. Her cheeks burned with the effort of an expression she so rarely used.


    ¡°What?¡± Kit widened her eyes, ¡°It¡¯s not like I told him to his face.¡±


    ¡°Does that happen often? The weeping?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m paid to perform, not to listen.¡± Kit tipped her chin down, ¡°Enough about my night. How was yours? You¡¯re back early.¡±


    ¡°I got lucky.¡±


    ¡°Lucky, how? Did you meet a man?¡±


    Lumi nodded, ¡°A wealthy one.¡±


    ¡°The best kind.¡± Kit smirked, ¡°Was he handsome?¡±


    ¡°He was rich¡ªeverything else seemed irrelevant.¡±


    It was a lie, of course. He was handsome. Handsome in a way that left her feeling unsettled. Now in the safety of her four walls, she allowed herself to dwell on the sharpness of his jaw, the crookedness of his nose, and those eyes.


    The man killed for a living, and Lumi was certain he partook in other gruesome activities too. It was no wonder his eyes had looked so haunted. She could only imagine the things they had seen¡­the thought induced a full-body shiver.


    ¡°Most things, yes. But not everything.¡±


    She knew what Kit was referring to, and it made her blush.


    Lumi¡¯s days in the pleasurehouse began in its perfumed chambers, as a pleasuremaiden. Night after night she was overlooked, eyed with nothing but contempt and revulsion.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Lady Sol to realize Lumi¡¯s worth would not be found in her ability to please, but rather in her stealth, in the way she could dissolve into the shadows.


    Her inexperience often made her feel inadequate. She enjoyed Kit¡¯s shameless banter, but sometimes she was left fumbling for the right way to react.


    Kit climbed to her knees on the bed beside her and leaned towards the misshapen hole in the wall. It was a sad excuse for a window, but it overlooked the pier and Lumi liked to watch ships anchor and sail before she drifted into a fitful sleep.


    ¡°Do you ever think about leaving this place?¡±


    Kit¡¯s words caught her off guard. It was unlike her to speak of such things. She was always the optimist, always chasing the silver lining. Bad nights with unpleasant men became stories to laugh about by dawn.


    Lumi looked upon the other girl, searching for a hint of what had prompted her question. When she found none, she spoke, ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    Kit shrugged one shoulder. ¡°Just curious.¡±


    The movement made her robe slip down, revealing smooth brown skin. Her gaze remained fixed on the endless sea and Lumi¡¯s remained fixed on her.


    They never spoke of leaving Port Bram. Lumi did not know it was on Kit¡¯s mind at all. Leaving always felt like an abstract idea, detached from reality. But after tonight, freedom was almost within reach. The weight of that truth made Lumi¡¯s chest ache, and she knew why.


    Kit was the closest thing she had to a friend. She was Lumi¡¯s only source of warmth, and although it was a dangerous vice, Lumi enjoyed their stolen moments together. She knew Kit did too.


    The thought of leaving her behind made Lumi sick to her stomach.


    ¡°You could leave,¡± Lumi said carefully, ¡°You¡¯re not tied here the way I am.¡±


    A smile tugged at Kit¡¯s lips as she met Lumi¡¯s stare, ¡°And leave you behind? You¡¯d miss me too much.¡±


    Lumi didn¡¯t smile back. ¡°I might.¡±


    Kit¡¯s teasing expression faltered. ¡°Well? Do you ever think about it?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Once I settle my debt and get my memories back.¡±


    ¡°And you trust Lady Sol to keep her word?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone,¡± Lumi admitted. Kit¡¯s mouth turned down and she quickly went on, ¡°But I don¡¯t have a choice. I have to believe she will.¡±


    Kit considered that for a moment, ¡°What if you get your memories back and you hate what you find? What if they¡¯re not all that great?¡±


    ¡°At least I¡¯ll know.¡±


    ¡°Some things are better left forgotten, Lumi.¡±


    ¡°Some things, maybe. But not this.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna give up on this, are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d die before giving up.¡±


    Kit flinched, ¡°Don¡¯t say such a thing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡±


    And it was. A life in which she did not know herself was not a life worth living. Maybe once she learned who she was she would no longer feel trapped in someone else¡¯s body.


    ¡°There are other things worth living for, Lumi.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± It was an honest question. She could not think of a single thing.


    Kit plopped down on the mattress beside her, ¡°Delicious food.¡±


    Lumi considered that, then shook her head.


    Food didn¡¯t taste much like anything to her. It was always bland and the wrong texture, and if her survival did not depend on it, she wouldn¡¯t eat at all.


    ¡°Sweet wine.¡±


    Lumi shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t drink.¡±


    ¡°Friendship. Love¡­¡± Kit threw her hands up in frustration, ¡°Sex!¡±


    Lumi blushed and Kit leaned closer. She ran her red fingernails down Lumi¡¯s arm, making her skin come alive.


    ¡°Life is full of beautiful things. You just have to be open to experiencing them.¡±


    ¡°That feels nice.¡± Lumi sighed. She wasn¡¯t used to being touched, and it felt good.


    ¡°That, is nothing.¡± Kit brushed a strand of hair from Lumi¡¯s face, tucking it behind her ear. She came closer still. Lumi glanced down at her lips.


    A sudden rush of footsteps neared and they broke apart. Kit turned into a cat just before the door sprang open.


    It was Rico, Lady Sol¡¯s main goon. His lips twisted into a snarl as his beady eyes circled over the room, then landed on Lumi.


    ¡°Have you seen, Kit?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Lumi squeaked out.


    He took in the room again, and his eyes lingered on the cat, ¡°Get that filthy animal out of here. This is a place of business, not your own personal zoo.¡±


    He turned on his heel and left. Lumi expelled a breath she¡¯d been holding. Kit rubbed against her leg one last time, then hurried through the crack in the door, back to her room.


    Lumi shut the door and slipped out of her clothes. She put on her night gown and stared out into the night for a while. The dark sea glimmered.


    When her eyelids began to feel heavy, she lay beneath her bedsheets. Her body melted into the mattress, the stress seeping from her bones. Just before she fell asleep, a thought startled her upright.


    She had made a grave mistake.


    Like all her other victims, Rook would eventually realize she robbed him. Whether tonight or tomorrow, it did not matter. He would realize. And when he did, he would know exactly where to come looking for her.

 Chapter Four

    ¡°Something troubles you.¡±


    Lady Sol had an uncanny knack for reading her. Even when Lumi remained fully composed, Sol seemed to sense the unease thrumming beneath the surface.


    They lounged on the pleasurehouse¡¯s uppermost balcony, overlooking the polluted slums below. Morning chaos spilled across the port¡ªfishermen unloading the first catch of the day, children running amuck through muddy paths, old women stringing up squid to dry, their gossip loud and unabashed.


    Sol took the form of a child today, a brazen reminder of the gift she was blessed with. Adorning a frilly white dress, golden tendrils braided into pigtails at either side of her head, she was the picture of innocence.


    The juxtaposition of who she was and what she presented as made a lump settle in Lumi¡¯s throat.


    Lumi watched as she assembled their morning tea. Dried herbs plucked from a wooden box, their sharp, earthy scent filling the air. She crushed the leaves between her fingers, releasing their bitterness, and dropped them into the pot. Steam curled through the air as she poured the water, its hiss breaking the stillness. Like every morning, Lumi watched the tea darken like blood in the brew.


    ¡°Tell me, Lumi.¡± Lady Sol handed her a glass, ¡°What makes you fret?¡±


    Sipping from her teacup, the sharp tang burned her tongue and settled like ash in her throat. Across the table, Lady Sol watched her with an expectant look, her own cup untouched as steam ghosted between them.


    Lumi cleared her throat, ¡°I didn¡¯t get much sleep.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± said Lady Sol, like she knew that wasn¡¯t all, ¡°The gem you owe me?¡±


    Reaching into her pocket, Lumi withdrew her daily due. She placed one hundred gem on the table between them.


    ¡°This is all you earned last night?¡±


    ¡°It was a slow night.¡± Lumi lied.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Lady Sol made no move to fetch the gem, simply letting it sit between them. The gesture only emphasized how little it mattered to her. It wasn¡¯t money that drove her, it was the twisted pleasure she took in toying with her victims.


    ¡°I hear you got into some trouble last night.¡± Sol chirped, ¡°At Sable & Silk. Is that true?¡±


    Lumi¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She felt herself go pale. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°An officer of the royal navy came asking about you. A general. He wanted to know if you were one of my pleasuremaidens. Tell me, Lumi, did I not warn you to stay far away from naval officers?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I told him you were. A pleasuremaiden, that is. He¡¯s taken an interest in you. Any idea why?¡±


    Lumi shook her head no. She knew if she spoke now her voice would betray her.


    ¡°He asked for your price.¡±


    Lumi blanched, ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°He was eager to know how much a night with you would cost.¡±


    Lumi had felt it. The way he watched her as she left the opium den. She knew her recklessness would come back to haunt her, she just didn¡¯t expect it to happen so soon.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not a pleasuremaiden.¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re not. But that¡¯s not what you told him, is it?¡±


    ¡°Well, no, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m curious about one thing. Why would a general in the royal navy take a fancy to you? He could have his pick of any of my girls, so why would he chose you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Lumi said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Oh, Lumi,¡± Lady Sol smiled at her, ¡°You know you can¡¯t lie to me.¡±


    Sol grabbed her hand before Lumi could stop her. Lumi knew she was rifling around her brain, seeing her memories from last night.


    Lady Sol had the gift of time. She could see the past, present and future of every person she touched. She could also control time. She could toy with her own age, presenting as an elderly woman one day, then as a sweet little girl the next.


    Rumor had it she was ancient. Word on the street was, Lady Sol had been alive a few hundred years. She controlled time, so she did not age.


    Lumi couldn¡¯t imagine living that long. Her short time on this earth already felt unbearable. A few hundred years? She couldn¡¯t do it.


    ¡°That man,¡± Lady Sol gasped, releasing Lumi¡¯s hand,¡°You robbed him last night?¡±


    Lumi¡¯s stomach sank, ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°You godsdamned fool.¡± The lady stood from her seat and walked to the edge of the balcony. She looked down at the bustling streets below, her back tense. ¡°You stupid, stupid girl.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°You stole fifty thousand gem from Rook Calypso.¡±


    ¡°So what? He¡¯s just some pirate, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    Lady Sol giggled, ¡°Just some pirate?¡± She turned to face Lumi, her face contorted in disbelief, ¡°Just some pirate? Rook Calypso is an Emperor of the Three Seas.¡±


    ¡°Emperor?¡± Lumi shook her head, ¡°No. He can¡¯t be. He¡¯s an assassin. He was doing business with the general.¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Sol waved her off, ¡°Let me think.¡±


    ¡°So, I took his money. If he¡¯s an emperor he¡¯ll hardly notice, right?¡±


    Right?


    ¡°Finish your tea and get out of my sight.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question, it was a command. Sol was finished with the games.


    Lumi stood and turned to leave.


    ¡°Your tea.¡± Sol grit out.


    She turned back to the table and raised the glass to her lips, taking another dreadful sip. Lady Sol stepped up to her and placed a finger on the bottom of the glass, tipping it up and forcing Lumi to drink the remainder of it.


    ¡°The general,¡± Lumi said before she was banished, ¡°You don¡¯t really expect me to entertain him tonight, do you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I do.¡± Sol went back to staring out at the town, ¡°You must earn your keep, after all.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t want me in that line of work. You said I brought a bad name to your business.¡± Lumi reminded her in one last desperate attempt to get out of the mess she¡¯d created for herself.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think anyone would be interested in you. No offense, dear, but that scar on your face is quite unattractive. Most men enjoy a certain kind of beauty. But if the general wants you, who am I to say no.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s stomach sank at the thought of sharing a bedchamber with that man. The one who played with a dismembered head for sport. Bile rose up her throat as she remembered.


    But she quieted her fears. She would deal with it when the time came. For now, she had to stay focused. She would run to the pawnshop to see how much gem the compass and the map could fetch. Perhaps she was being too optimistic, but there was a chance she would have enough gem to buy her freedom by the end of the day.


    She was so close. So close to achieving what she had been working for the last three years. And she wouldn¡¯t let anyone stop her.

 Chapter Five

    The bell above the door chimed as Lumi slipped inside. Outside, sunlight poured over the dilapidated streets, but inside the pawnshop, the atmosphere seemed to wither. The powdery smell of old scrolls and heirlooms hit her first. Dust clung to the stale air, and the dim interior bore the weight of years. At the back of the room, a single bulb flickered, casting shadows over the shopkeeper who sat beneath it.


    He was gaunt, grey hair thinning, face carved with deep lines. From behind half-moon spectacles, he eyed Lumi. His pale eyes lingered on her for a beat too long before drifting back to the yellowed pages of the tome in his hands.


    Lumi held herself with practiced composure. Shoulders squared, spine taut. If only posture alone could shield her unease.


    No pawnshop ever saw her twice in quick successions. She made certain to rotate between the many establishments scattered across Port Bram. To linger too long or return too often was to invite scrutiny. Or worse, discovery.


    She marched to the back of the shop and dropped the compass and the map on the countertop.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know the value for these.¡±


    Lumi had doubted they would fetch any price at all, but if they belonged to an Emperor of the Seas surely they held some worth.


    The broker looked upon her again, then peered down at the objects she placed before him. His bony fingers descended upon the compass first, lifting it with the care of someone accustomed to handling other people¡¯s treasures. He turned it over, the tarnished brass catching the faint flicker of the overhead bulb. He flicked it open, and frowned.


    ¡°Old,¡± he murmured, more to himself than to her. He ran a thumb over the casing, tracing the faded symbols that circled its rim. ¡°But perhaps, not without value.¡±


    He set it down and reached for the scroll. Unrolling it revealed brittle edges that threatened to crumble beneath his touch. His sharp eyes scanned the map, and Lumi did not miss the way they widened. His body went stiff as a board, as though recognizing something.


    When the shopkeeper¡¯s gaze returned to her, it was tinged with something that sent dread down her spine. Startled disbelief, as though the items she¡¯d laid before him were more than mere trinkets.


    ¡°Where,¡± he cleared the rasp from his throat, ¡°Where did you find this.¡± His eyes shone with something dark¡ªsomething between dread and fascination.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Lumi kept cautious.


    ¡°This map¡­I believe it is¡ª¡± He went silent when the bell chimed. His eyes travelled past her, to the person who had entered the shop. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed.


    ¡°What about the map?¡± Lumi demanded.


    This was taking far too long.


    When his eyes met hers again, they were full of terror. The air in the room thickened, pressing in around her like a tightening noose.


    The hairs on the back of her neck stood upright. A sharp instinct told her someone was standing just behind her, watching, waiting. And when she felt that sweltering heat¡ªthe same one she had felt the night before, she knew she was in trouble.


    Lumi jumped forward and grabbed the stolen goods. She made a run for it, but he was faster. Before she could get the door open, he had her in his clutches. Her front pressed up against the rickety door, her back enveloped by him.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°You stole from me last night.¡± His words brushed over her, his mouth a breath from her ear. Every syllable was harsh, yet intimate.


    It was him, alright. Rook. The Emperor. She would not forget that voice so soon. Or the oppressive heat that seemed to cling to him.


    Sweat beaded on her brow, trickling down her spine. Her underarms grew damp. The heat pressed in around her. It was suffocating, and she could feel her composure slipping away.


    ¡°Get off me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hardly in a position to be making demands.¡± His voice was a low growl, a mixture of anger and something else. ¡°Did nobody ever teach you not to take what isn¡¯t yours?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be lectured by a killer.¡± Lumi tried to yank out of his grip, but he didn¡¯t budge, his presence firm and unyielding.


    ¡°But you¡¯ll steal from one?¡± He laughed, the sound making her shiver. She could feel his tormenting smile press into her hair as he said, ¡°You¡¯re not very bright, are you?¡±


    Lumi elbowed him, and managed to spin around, but it did nothing to better her circumstance. Now she was face to face with the cold-blooded killer. And there was no space between them.


    He loomed over her, their height difference impossible to ignore. She stood no chance against this mammoth of a man. Black curls framed his face as he gazed down at her, his eyes deep and endless as night. As he watched her, the furrow in his brow deepened.


    ¡°Mugwort,¡± he said.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You smell of mugwort.¡± There was accusation in his eyes, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Lumi recalled her master¡¯s reaction to seeing him in her memories. Sol had never shown fear¡ªnot in Lumi¡¯s presence, at least¡ªbut this morning she had.


    Despite the sweltering heat, something icy coiled in Lumi¡¯s gut. She was tangled in something far darker than she had anticipated when she first set her sights on him the night before.


    The Emperor¡¯s jaw tensed, ¡°Give me what is mine.¡±


    He spoke with such authority, his words cutting through the air with ease. The room shrunk under the force of his command. All at once, it clicked. The way he moved, the way he carried himself¡ªeffortlessly, like he belonged everywhere he set foot. The world bent itself to accommodate him.


    And why shouldn¡¯t it. In a way, he was on top of the world.


    It was so bloody unfair.


    Lumi had to claw her way through every inch of her existence, fight tooth and nail to gain even the smallest semblance of control.


    But him? He stood there, radiating confidence and power, as though it had all been handed to him on a silver platter.


    ¡°If I return your items, you¡¯ll leave me be?¡±


    He considered that, ¡°I haven¡¯t decided, yet.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have your gem,¡± she said, ¡°Just a broken compass and a map of the Kingdom of Dracule.¡±


    She braced herself, expecting the worst¡ªrage, swearing, perhaps even a slap to the face¡ªbut instead he stood frozen, blinking down at her, his lips parted in disbelief.


    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s a map of Dracule?¡±


    Lumi crinkled her brows, ¡°It¡¯s written at the top.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re able to read the Draculian dialect?¡± He stared down at her as if she had three heads.


    Gods, she should have kept her mouth shut.


    She hadn¡¯t realized it was written in any specific language. She had assumed it was written in Senkese.


    ¡°I¡­¡± she didn¡¯t know what to say, ¡°I have to go.¡±


    ¡°My belongings.¡± He commanded.


    Lumi slipped the compass and the map into his pocket.


    ¡°And my gem?¡±


    ¡°I already told you, I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t return my money,¡± His hand grabbed her waist and squeezed, making her legs tremble and the spot between her legs pulse, ¡°I¡¯m willing to accept other forms of payment.¡±


    She blushed. ¡°You¡¯re depraved.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just a man.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already booked for tonight,¡± she spat, ¡°Your friend has paid for my services.¡±


    She watched as his black eyes darkened further. A nerve in his jaw ticked, ¡°Sivan?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± She pressed both hands into his chest and pushed him off. This time he budged, finally giving her some space to breathe.


    ¡°I want my gem back,¡± he grumbled, voice low and dangerous.


    ¡°Well, you can¡¯t have it.¡± Her words were steady, but her heart pounded like a drum. She knew she was in treacherous waters, but she couldn¡¯t let her fear show.


    He stepped back, glaring at her with a quiet fury, ¡°You¡¯re free to leave. But remember, I always get what I want.¡±


    Lumi stalked out of the shop, her mind racing with the implication of his words. His promise followed her as she disappeared into a crowd of people.


    I always get what I want.


    Lumi couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

 Chapter Six

    As she trudged through a maze of alleyways, Lumi¡¯s stomach grumbled. The chaos of the morning had consumed her, leaving no time to acknowledge the hunger twisting her insides.


    She couldn¡¯t remember the last time she had a bite to eat. It was a self-inflicted deprivation. Hunger was an old companion, easier to endure than the thought of parting with her hard-earned gem.


    She paid for that decision in strength and agility. Every so often she would catch her reflection in a shop window, bewildered by the hollow eyes that stared back at her. Her face was sunken, the bones beneath her skin pressing sharp against the surface. Her hips jutted out, collarbones etched deep.


    It was a sacrifice she was willing to make.


    Once she had enough gem to buy back her memories and her freedom, she would indulge. She would gorge herself until the ache of hunger faded for good. For now, the emptiness in her stomach was a reminder of her purpose.


    The sun mocked her as she wandered through town. Its cruel glare reflected off the grime and decay of the slums. Heat swirled with the scent of rot and piss¡ªa sickening blend that made her head spin.


    Lumi¡¯s legs moved forward without thought or instruction, dragging her to the market. The faint metallic clink in her pocket was an agonizing reminder of the gem she had stolen¡ªand the price she would pay for it by nightfall.


    She exchanged a silver piece for a skewer of sizzling meat at one of the stalls. As soon as it was in her grasp she took a bite, its juices dripping like blood from an open wound. The first mouthful was gone before she tasted it, and the rest disappeared just as quickly.


    One skewer wasn¡¯t enough. It did nothing to quell the feral edge of hunger. She bought another, when a conversation at a nearby stall caught her attention.


    ¡°It was him. I swear it. Pirate-slayer Rook.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s head snapped to the group of three huddled close together¡ªtwo men and a woman. Their attire spoke volumes. Rags similar to the ones she wore, shoes with soles that were almost entirely worn down. They were street rats like herself.


    ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡±


    ¡°I saw him with my own two eyes,¡± said the woman.


    Her back faced Lumi. Dark, curly hair was all she could make out from this angle. The other two were fair and haggard, their appearance suggesting years of malnutrition.


    ¡°What¡¯s an Emperor doing here? In Port Bram?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t bloody matter why he¡¯s here. What matters is, he¡¯s here¡ªthis is our opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Sid¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°What are you suggesting? That we kill him?¡±


    ¡°Quiet.¡± The woman hissed, slapping one of the men on the back of the head. They glanced around, making certain nobody heard. Lumi¡¯s head snapped forward, but she continued listening.


    ¡°If we kill him, we¡¯ll be set for life. We could finally leave this infested cesspool.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason he¡¯s worth five million gem. The man¡¯s a beast. How do you suggest we kill him?¡±


    Five million gem. Lumi¡¯s head swirled with the knowledge. So, Rook had a bounty on his head? One worth five million gem. It was such a mind-blowing amount, she couldn¡¯t quite believe it.


    ¡°There¡¯s three of us, and one of him. All we need is an opportunity with him alone.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Even alone, we don¡¯t stand a chance. We¡¯re talking about the only man who ever challenged the Pirate King and came out alive.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not as strong as he used to be,¡± said the woman.


    ¡°So it¡¯s true what they say?¡±


    ¡°I believe so.¡±


    Lumi couldn¡¯t gather what they were talking about. Why was he not as strong as he used to be? And did it have something to do with what General Sivan had taunted him about the night before? About something missing?


    From her peripheral, she saw the group begin to inch away from her. She made to follow them, but stopped in her tracks when a shadow fell upon her.


    Her grip on the skewer tightened, her senses sharpening as she lifted her gaze to meet the tall silhouette.


    Lady Sol¡¯s henchman, Rico. His sneer cut through the air, sending a shiver down Lumi¡¯s spine. She looked to the side, watching the gang disappear into one of the side streets.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Lumi¡¯s voice was tight, a faint tremor in her throat. Rico showing up here did not bode well for her. His favorite pastime was tormenting anyone who couldn¡¯t fight back. And today, it seemed, was her turn.


    ¡°Lady Sol has instructed me to fetch you.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s mouth went dry, ¡°I sat with her not two hours ago.¡±


    ¡°And she is demanding your presence again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy right now.¡± She eyed the street the vanished into in frustration. She could still catch up to them. Overhear more of their plan. She wasn¡¯t certain what she could do with this information, but it felt important.


    ¡°Are you objecting to a direct order?¡±


    Lumi clenched her teeth. Rico was a brainless brute. He was as stupid as he was muscular. Arguing with him was like trying to carry a conversation with a brick wall¡ªutterly fruitless.


    He raised his brows, ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡ª¡±


    Without warning, his fist collided with her face. The force of it sent her crashing to the ground. Before her head could stop spinning, the skewer she¡¯d been clutching was snatched from her hand.


    She watched helplessly as Rico threw it to the dirt beside her head. His boot came down hard and crushed the meat into the filthy earth.


    Lumi¡¯s chest tightened. She worked hard for that skewer. She risked her life for it. And she was hungry. So godsdamned hungry. People walked by, turning a blind eye to her predicament. A girl beaten by a man five times her size did not even elicit a flinch from the masses.


    Her throat ached and her eyes burned, but she would not give Rico the satisfaction of seeing her weep. She pushed herself up, ignoring the throbbing on the side of her face. He punched the side with the scar, and she felt as though her face had caught on fire. But she did not let her pain show. She dusted the muck from her clothes and steadied herself.


    ¡°Was that really necessary?¡±


    Rico¡¯s grin was as cruel as it was triumphant, ¡°You¡¯ve got a face that begs to be punched. Amongst other things.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know what he meant by other things and she didn¡¯t want to know. The way he looked at her often made her skin crawl.


    Lumi loathed this life. She despised being at the mercy of others, hated feeling so weak. The only thing that soothed her rage was the promise she made herself every day. She would make them pay. Rico would regret the way he treated her. Lady Sol, too. And every other soul who dared cross her. They would all pay.


    She clung to that promise. It made the humiliation coursing through her veins more bearable. It was her fire, her fuel, and one day it would burn them all to the ground.


    ¡°Now, will you obey? Or will you continue to challenge the lady¡¯s orders? I don¡¯t care either way.¡± He flexed his muscles, ¡°I can do this all day.¡±


    Lumi spared a final glance at the skewer. Abandoned, coated in dirt. Then she went with Rico. He roughly escorted her back to the pleasurehouse. He led her to her room, and tossed her inside. Before she could protest, the door slammed shut. The lock clicked into place, the finality of it echoing in her head.


    She stood there a moment, staring at the door, wondering what had stirred such a reaction. She had been in trouble before. She had been beaten, and abused, and punished in terrible ways. But this felt different.


    Finally, she turned.


    The room that greeted her was a nightmare. Her bed was upturned and mangled. The few meager clothes she owned were torn and scattered in remnants across the floor. But it was the floorboard that caught and held her gaze. It had been ripped from its place, the gap wide and hollow.


    Her ears rang as she staggered closer. The world around her grew distant, as though she was watching herself from outside her body. Her heartbeat thudded in her chest. Too loud. Too fast.


    She knelt down on her knees, and when her trembling hand touched the empty space beneath the floorboard, something inside of her cracked.


    She collapsed to her knees.


    The gem was gone. Every last piece. She had prowled the unforgiving streets of Port Bram for three years. Risked her life for every precious coin. And just like that, it had all vanished.


    The weight of her sacrifices felt hollow. All the blood, sweat, tears. All for nothing.


    Nothing.


    Nothing.

 Chapter Seven

    Time dissolved in the confines of her four walls. She could not say if minutes or hours had passed. She lay sprawled on the rickety floorboards, staring at the cracked ceiling above. Thoughts did not come and emotions did not stir.


    She was numb.


    The faint light filtering through the tiny hole in the wall was the only proof the world outside still existed.


    Then the lock clicked.


    Lumi shot to her feet. Too fast, the blood rushed to her head. Her vision blurred, and for a moment, the room tilted. She braced herself against the wall, her palm scraping against splintered wood.


    ¡°You look like shit.¡± The sight of Rico leaning against her doorframe made her stomach twist. His voice was casual, as though he wasn¡¯t complicit in her ruin. ¡°This isn¡¯t about the gem you stashed beneath your bed, is it? Quite a fortune you had there. I had no idea.¡±


    The paralysis shattered, replaced by a tidal wave of fury.


    ¡°You.¡± Her voice was low, venomous. She stepped forward and shoved him hard in the chest. ¡°Why?¡±


    Rico didn¡¯t budge, his smirk widening, ¡°The Lady commanded it.¡±


    Sol. Of course it had been her. But why now? Why today? She must have seen the floorboard in Lumi¡¯s memories before, must have known about its existence.


    So, why now?


    When she was so close to freedom.


    Lumi¡¯s breath hitched, anger mixing with a creeping despair. ¡°She had no right¡ª¡±


    Rico silenced her with a flick of his wrist. ¡°The Lady is ready to see you now,¡± he said, as though her rage was a nuisance to be brushed aside.


    He turned and gestured for her to follow. While her legs carried her, her mind swam in chaos. The main lounge loomed closer with each step, her thoughts swirling faster.


    The betrayal cut deeper than any blade ever could. The promise of freedom had been a lie. A cruel illusion dangled before her to keep her obedient. And now, everything she had worked for, bled for, suffered for¡ªit had all been taken.


    How dare she. How dare she?


    Lumi didn¡¯t wait to be announced. She brushed past Rico¡¯s looming silhouette without a second thought. Shoving open the heavy double doors, she strode into the lavish lounge.


    Surrounded by company, Lady Sol reclined on a low chaise. She was no longer the childshe¡¯d been hours before. Her features had aged, now those of a woman in her late twenties, perhaps early thirties. The room held a glittering array of finely dressed men and women. Laughter rippled across the space, mingling with the heady scent of wine and sex.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Pleasuremaidens swayed hypnotically, their movements deliberate as they entertained guests. Each striving to make an impression and secure a booking for the night.


    Lumi didn¡¯t care why she¡¯d been summoned. She didn¡¯t care who these people were. Her focus burned solely on the woman lounging in the center of the scene. She stormed forward, cutting through the perfumed haze like a tempest.


    ¡°You stole from me.¡± Her voice cut through the room like a blade, silencing the chatter.


    Lady Sol¡¯s gaze lifted lazily from her guests, her expression hardening into cold steel. When she spoke, her tone was sharp as glass, ¡°You were caught.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her anger momentarily gave way to confusion.


    Sol rose,¡°Follow me.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she turned and strode towards the private lounge. Lumi felt the weight of Rico¡¯s imposing presence behind her. It was a silent threat that left no room for defiance. She followed reluctantly.


    Sol sat comfortably, and gestured for Lumi to do the same. It was only when she did that the Lady spoke again.


    ¡°The Emperor,¡± Sol¡¯s voice dripped with disdain, ¡°He came here. Told me you robbed him blind last night. You know the rules, Lumi. Don¡¯t get caught. And if you do, you sure as hell don¡¯t let anyone know you¡¯re associated with me. How do you think your foolishness makes me look, hmm?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about your reputation.¡± Lumi gritted out.


    Sol¡¯s lips curved into a cold smile. ¡°A shame, really. It¡¯s that very attitude that¡¯s landed you in this mess.¡±


    ¡°Give him back the money I stole, I don¡¯t care. But the rest is mine. I earned it.¡±


    Sol leaned forward, setting her goblet of wine on the table with deliberate slowness. Her gaze locked onto Lumi¡¯s, cold and unyielding. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±


    ¡°You have no right¡ª¡±


    ¡°I have every right,¡± Sol interrupted, her voice rising above Lumi¡¯s. ¡°You belong to me. And so does everything you think you own.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s nails dug into her palms. Her body trembled with the effort to hold herself back. She wanted to claw at her, to make her feel even a fraction of the anger boiling inside her. ¡°You¡¯re vile.¡±


    Sol¡¯s laughter was callous. ¡°Is that any way to speak to the one who puts a roof over your head? The one who allows you to live?¡±


    Lumi¡¯s chest heaved, her breaths ragged. ¡°I want it back.¡±


    ¡°And I want a vacation home in the southern islands of Senka,¡± Sol mocked, leaning back against the chaise, ¡°But we can¡¯t always get what we want, can we?¡±


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    The lady raised one neat brow, ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°I want to know who I am. The gem is yours, fine. I¡¯ll work another decade to win my freedom if I have to, but I must know. Tell me who I am!¡± The last words were bellowed with all the rage she felt.


    The air was suffocating. Sol¡¯s voice cut through it like a whip. ¡°I don¡¯t give out favors for free. You¡¯ll have to pay to get what you seek.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± She started to say something, but then a large palm patted her shoulder. Rico¡¯s. It was a warning. She fell silent.


    ¡°You¡¯ve embarrassed me in front of my guests,¡± said the Lady, ¡°For that, you will not be paid for your services tonight.¡±


    Oh gods. In her misery, she had forgotten all about tonight. Of what she would be expected to do. The realization hit her like a cold wave.


    Then Sol delivered her next blow, ¡°The Emperor has paid double what the General offered. He¡¯s booked you for the entire night. You will do as he commands, please him in any way he desires¡ªor you will face my wrath.¡±


    Rook paid for her services? Double what General Sivan offered. Her anxiety surged, this time in a way that twisted deeper than when she¡¯d thought about spending the night with the General. Sure, being commanded to please Rook made her vengeful. But it also made her belly tighten, it made her skin flush.


    ¡°Why should I obey you?¡± Lumi¡¯s voice shook, but she felt defiant, ¡°You¡¯ll never set me free. You¡¯ll never tell me who I truly am.¡±


    ¡°Why should you obey?¡± Sol¡¯s smile was cold, ¡°Because you have no choice.¡±


    It was true. Defeat settled over her like a suffocating blanket. There was nothing left to say, no hope to escape the consequences of her own actions. Her fate was sealed.


    ¡°Now,¡± Sol drank from her goblet, ¡°Go with Gertrude and get washed up. The Emperor doesn¡¯t like to be kept waiting.¡±

 Chapter Eight

    Adjacent to the pleasurehouse, the bathhouse was another of Sol¡¯s many possessions. Gertrude ushered Lumi into the chamber. She sank deeper into her pit of despair with each step she took.


    The bathhouse was a steamy labyrinth of marble and mosaic. The air thick with the scent of lavender and the hiss of water. The floor slick with a moisture that nearly made Lumi slip and fall. The flickering light of torches cast shadows across the steam.


    A low marble bench lined the far wall where servants waited, their faces masked with indifference.


    Gertrude¡¯s brittle voice broke through the haze, ¡°Undress.¡±


    Too worn out to keep resisting, Lumi did as she was told. Each piece of clothing she shed fell to the damp ground with a thud. She was led to the large marble basin, the arm water lapping at her feet as she settled into the shallow pool


    The servants moved in. They worked in silence, scrubbing her body with firm hands. Movements impersonal, the did not miss a single part of her. Gertrude watched, her sharp eyes flicking over every detail, ensuring her skin was flawless, her hair free of tangles, her body smooth.


    The hairs on her arms and legs were torn off with hot wax. Each tug was a stinging reminder of her lack of agency. She bit her cheek to keep from crying out as they moved to her brows. Strands were plucked with ruthless precision. Then, to her chagrin, they attended to the space between her legs.


    ¡°How does the Emperor want it?¡± One of the servants asked, making Lumi¡¯s face erupt with a hot blush. She was merely a doll, to be readied for someone else¡¯s pleasure.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say. Get rid of all of it.¡±


    The pain there was the worst; searing and intimate. Her skin was left raw, her pride in shambles. The warm water did nothing to soothe her. Every touch was a reminder of what was to come, what she had no choice but to endure.


    The servants worked efficiently. They sat her upon a low stool, her skin still blazing from the brutal waxing. One began combing through her hair. Each yank felt like fire on her scalp, but Lumi held herself still. Another approached with a palette of powders and paints. The colors were muted and somber beneath torchlight.


    ¡°Do you think he chose her for her looks?¡±


    The voice came from across the room. It was conspiratorially low, but loud enough to carry. Two pleasuremaidens lounged in the steaming baths.


    ¡°Hardly,¡± the other said.


    The servant at Lumi¡¯s back twisted her hair into a braid so tight, it felt like a vice, each pin driven in with surgical force.


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty, I suppose, but the scar¡­¡±


    Lumi¡¯s breath hitched as the cool glide of a brush traced the burned flesh on the left side of her face. The strokes were meticulous, erasing the part of her that was broken.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because she¡¯s wild,¡± One of the girls said, ¡°Men like to break things that don¡¯t know how to obey.¡±


    A servant¡¯s hands glided over Lumi¡¯s naked shoulder, leaving behind the faint sheen of scented oil.


    ¡°Or maybe she¡¯s untouched,¡± the pleasuremaiden¡¯s smirk was audible, ¡°Men like to own things that no one else has touched.¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± Gertrude snapped, her voice echoing through the chamber, ¡°We are here to prepare, not to prattle.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Silence descended. Leaving Lumi alone to her thoughts. Her lips were painted, her skin bronzed with a golden powder, beads were braided into her hair.


    Gertrude¡¯s wrinkled jowls curled with the weight of a smile, ¡°Perfect.¡±


    They were finally done.


    Lumi caught a glance of her reflection in the polished mirror. A stranger stared back at her. It was a mockery. Perfect, perhaps¡ªbut not her.


    Gertrude escorted her back to her room. The door creaked shut behind her, the lock clicking into place. She was trapped¡ªagain.


    Lumi sank onto the edge of the thin mattress that had been tossed aside. The walls pressed down on her, and there was nothing to do but wait. The silence stretched, each second clawing at her frayed nerves.


    Why had Rook paid for her time? She retuned his belongings, hadn¡¯t she? And she assumed his gem was given back. He hadn¡¯t sacrificed a single thing.


    But she was stripped of everything¡ªher freedom, her memories. All she had were the clothes on her back and the scraps of her dignity that still remained.


    And the worst part? Tonight he would take more.


    The idea of surrendering to him, of letting him take what should never have been offered¡­No.


    She would not go quietly.


    But what choice did she have? Fighting would only summon Lady Sol¡¯s wrath.


    Maybe it would be better to endure it. To let him take what he needed and let the morning wash it all away. She had survived worse. Far worse. This would be no different. Just another wound to scar over in time.


    It would be over before she knew it. Then she could begin again. Scrape together the gem she needed, one night at a time. It would take time, sure. But she would manage. She always did.


    A meow at her window jolted her from her spiraling thoughts. Lumi blinked as a shadow shifted just beyond the hole in the wall. With feline grace, a sleek black cat leapt through the crumbling gap, landing soundlessly on the floor.


    Its luminous eyes glowed in the fading light of the room. Then bones elongated and fur melted into dark, human skin. A heartbeat passed and Kit stood before her.


    ¡°What happened here?¡± She took in the room, tying her robe around her waist. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been sold for the night,¡± Lumi said.


    Much worse had been done to her, but this felt like the most pressing at the moment.


    A flurry of emotions flashed across Kit¡¯s face. Surprise, then disdain, then red hot rage. They each disappeared as quickly as they came. Her expression settled into a mask of calm, but Lumi knew better.


    ¡°To whom?¡±


    ¡°An emperor.¡±


    Kit¡¯s lips parted, ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Rook.¡±


    Kit¡¯s sharp inhale cut through the silence. Lumi thought she might say something¡ªurge her to run away, plead for them to escape together. After a moment of hesitation, she sat beside Lumi.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be alright.¡±


    The laugh that escaped Lumi was dry as ash, ¡°Will I?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kit inched closer, lowering her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t tense up. It¡¯ll hurt worse if you do. Just¡­try to enjoy it. I¡¯ve heard the emperor is young. And handsome. Maybe it won¡¯t be so bad.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s stomach turned at the suggestion, but she didn¡¯t let it show. Kit meant well, always offering comfort in whatever way she could. But those words were not what she wanted to hear in that moment. Not even close.


    Her gaze snagged on a faint glimmer in the corner of the room. Her dagger¡ªthe one she kept beneath her pillow at night. The rest of her belongings had been destroyed or taken, but the blade endured.


    Her fingers closed around the hilt, the cool metal grounding her in place. The weapon was small, but lethal. Its weight felt familiar and reassuring.


    Kit¡¯s eyes tracked her, an unspoken tension in the air. Her lips parted, as if to voice a warning, but the sound of the lock turning interrupted her.


    ¡°Be careful, Lumi.¡± Kit murmured.


    Her form rippled and shifted. Her human shape dissolving into the sleek lines of a cat. She cast one last glance at Lumi before slipping through the window and vanishing into the night.


    Lumi slipped the dagger into the sleeve of her cloak as the door creaked open. Rico stood in the entryway, his silhouette a dark blot against the faint light beyond.


    ¡°The general awaits,¡± he said casually, as though delivering her to slaughter was a mundane task.


    Her fingers tightened around the hidden blade. The cool steel was a quiet promise in her palm.


    Let him try to take from her. She would give him nothing. Not her dignity. Not her body. Nothing. If she had her way, he would leave the night with far less than he started with. Perhaps not even his life.


    Five million gem¡ªthat was his worth. Enough to shatter the chains that bound her. Enough to buy back her stolen freedom, her fractured memories. Enough to disappear from this rotten place.


    Her resolve solidified.


    Tonight, she would kill the emperor.

 Chapter Nine

    ¡°You¡¯re not so bad like this,¡± Rico patronized as he guided her up the twisting staircase, ¡°With your scar hidden, I¡¯d even say you look¡­delectable.¡±


    Jaw wound tight, eyes fixed straight ahead, Lumi said nothing. Doom settled like a stone beneath her sternum, threatening to consume her whole. Rico¡¯s jabs were as inconsequential as a mosquito¡¯s bite when weighed against what lay before her. She had neither the patience nor the capacity to entertain his ploys.


    The wooden steps creaked underfoot, barely masking the revelry below. Another night of debauchery had begun. The joyous laughter and clinking of glasses were a stark contrast to the turmoil that raged within her.


    At the end of the climb, the bedchamber awaited. Its heavy door creaked open like a mouth waiting to swallow her whole. Lumi hesitated on the threshold, her gaze sweeping the room.


    A canopy bed dominated the space. Draped in crimson silk, it shimmered like fresh blood. An open arch revealed a lavish lavatory with a porcelain tub that gleamed beneath candlelight. Beyond heavy red curtains, a balcony overlooked the tangled slums below. The air smelled of incense and the sea, but there was something else, something she couldn¡¯t place¡ªa lingering rot.


    ¡°Make yourself comfortable, Lumi¡± Rico purred, leaning in close enough that his breath ghosted over her shoulder blade. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be seeing a lot of this room.¡±


    She whirled around, the question burning her tongue. Before she could draw breath, the door slammed shut. Only the echo of his voice remained.


    Her heart drummed in her ears. What did he mean by that? Why would she be seeing more of this room? What did Rico know that she did not?


    She needed air.


    Crossing to the balcony, she threw the doors ajar. Her lungs stretched to accommodate a large gulp of the saltwater breeze that whipped by. She breathed it in, letting it cleanse her insides.


    The ocean lay before her, vast and utterly indifferent to her predicament. Waves crashed against tall bluffs, ships docked at the pier, the slums hummed with commotion.


    And Lumi was right back where she started three years ago¡ªbroke, hopeless, caged in a pleasure-chamber. The weight of her failure settled heavy on her chest.


    Escape had never felt more unattainable. With every passing moment, her dreams slipped further out of reach.


    But not entirely.


    Not yet.


    Slipping the dagger from her sleeve, she turned it over in her palm. She squinted as it reflected the moon¡¯s beam back at her. She tucked it out of sight, into the fold of her stockings.


    This was her chance to undo the chaos of the last day, to earn back the gem that was stolen from her, tenfold.


    The thought struck her with unsettling clarity; all she had to do was kill him. A quick jab of her dagger into one of his arteries, and it would be done. She had never taken a life before, but it couldn¡¯t be that hard, could it?


    The door creaked open, and her courage faltered. She should have melted into the shadows, poised to strike when he least expected it. But her body betrayed her. Rooted in place, her limbs refused to move.


    His footsteps were unmistakable. Heavy, deliberate. She remained perfectly still, keeping her back to him. Perhaps if she pretended he wasn¡¯t there, he would vanish.


    The balcony door scraped open, followed by the unmistakable weight of his presence. The heat he emanated pressed against her like a suffocating fog. She did not turn nor speak, and the silence stretched.


    ¡°We meet again.¡±


    His rasp cut through the tension. She felt him step closer. And then his fingers traced up her arm. Her skin was still raw from the wax, but goosebumps rose over her flesh nonetheless.


    ¡°You look¡­lovely.¡±


    It was an odd thing to say¡ªhe stood behind her, he could not see her face¡ªand the way he said it made her tremble. His deep voice carried a hint of breathlessness.


    Her mind screamed at her to act now, before it was too late. Unsheathe the dagger, spin around, and lodge it into his throat.


    She couldn¡¯t do it. Paralysis had her in its clutches.


    All she could focus on were those fingers. Calloused, rough. The way they stroked her skin, like she was already his, like this wasn¡¯t the first time.


    ¡°You got your gem back,¡± she ground out, ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    He dropped his hand, but the heat of his touch lingered. ¡°What am I doing? I¡¯ve paid for your service. You wouldn¡¯t deny me the pleasure of your company, would you?¡±


    His words hung in the air, laced with an unspoken command. It was so very cruel of him. He had to know she would never willingly share his company. He had to know she had no choice but to obey.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    The bitterness rose in her throat, ¡°As if I have a choice in the matter.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± The warmth of his presence grew, wrapping around her like a stifling blanket, "Turn around. I want to see you."


    She should have resisted. She should have. But her body moved before her mind had a chance to protest. One simple command, and she was already obeying.


    As she turned, the space between them seemed to vibrate. She felt the buzzing on her lips, her breasts, low in her belly. She was caught in the intensity of his stare again. Dark, like a storm.


    ¡°Your face.¡± The frown that crossed his features was instant. Along with the narrowing of his eyes, and the stiffening of his jaw. ¡°The scar¡­¡±


    His words were ice. Cold, and sharp. As though the very sight of it offended him. Lumi¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She could not tell if he was slightly irate, or very much murderous. Her gut told her it was the latter.


    Even in this state, he still found fault with her appearance? She had been stripped bare, waxed, painted, dressed like a doll. Every detail arranged to meet whatever standard he held. Yet, none of it was enough.


    Something raw stirred in her chest. It was silly. So very foolish. She should be angry¡ªno, she was angry¡ªbut the ache in her throat caught her off guard. Her eyes burned and her jaw ached.


    She wanted to weep.


    ¡°Was the paint not enough?¡± she asked.


    His gaze darkened, lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°It¡¯s not the scar that bothers me.¡±


    He stepped closer. She thought he might reach for her again, touch her as he had before. Instead, he took her hand. His grip firm, but not painful.


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she was tugged towards the door. She did not resist as he pulled her into the lavatory. Her eyes flickered anxiously over the basin, the mirror, the tub. Everything was pristine, a suite fit for an emperor.


    Everything, except her.


    He released her hand and reached for a washcloth. She felt dizzy as she watched him run it beneath a stream of water. She should¡¯ve protested, should¡¯ve fought back, but her body was not cooperating tonight.


    All she could do was stand there as he ran the cloth over her skin. His touch was slow, deliberate. Every stroke felt like an unraveling as he wiped away the paint, layer by layer.


    He did not stop at her scar. His fingers moved with precision, clearing away the paint from the other side of her face, too. Even the gloss and color from her lips were gone, leaving her lips raw and unadorned. Every pass of the cloth against her skin stripped her bare.


    And there she stood, facing him. No armor, no mask. Just the truth of who she was. Her pulse hammered in her throat. The room felt too small, too suffocating.


    He moved to stand behind her. Her stomach twisted as she caught sight of her reflection in the glowing mirror. Her face was raw, red.


    His fingers moved through her hair, undoing the tight, intricate weave of her braid. Her white-blonde locks tumbled free, wild and untamed. They spilled around her shoulders in a chaotic mess.


    Why was he doing this? To strip away whatever illusion of beauty she was granted for the night? To remind her of what she truly was? The humiliation nearly devoured her. She couldn¡¯t bear to meet his stare. Not now, when he was pulling apart the only semblance of dignity she had left.


    He was done, and still, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on her own reflection, even when she felt the weight of his stare boring into her.


    The rage that might have pushed her to reach for her dagger was nowhere to be found. There was only emptiness. Numbness.


    His voice cracked through the silence like a whip, ¡°Look at me.¡±


    It was an order. An unmistakable command. And as she had before, she obeyed.


    As soon as she met his gaze, she wished to look away. But something in the heat of his stare held her captive. She couldn¡¯t read him, couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking, or feeling. The fire in his eyes made her feel like she was being seen in a way that went beyond her skin, beyond her scar. He was peering into her very soul.


    She wanted to retreat. To hide. And yet, she couldn¡¯t look away.


    He tangled his fingers in her hair, tugging slightly. Each movement sent a jolt through her scalp. She shivered violently.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to hide any part of yourself, Lumi. Not for me.¡±


    Her breath caught in her throat. He knew her name¡ªthough she never gave it to him. The way his voice wrapped around those two syllables made her toes curl. Then his words cut through the fog.


    His anger wasn¡¯t directed at her scar, but at the paint that was used to hide it. He wasn¡¯t mocking her. He was telling her she was enough as she was.


    She couldn¡¯t breathe. She felt exposed. Vulnerable.


    Before she could find the words, the edges of his mouth curled downwards. His gaze darkened, the mood shifting in an instant. He stalked around her, moving to stand before her, blocking her view of the mirror.


    ¡°What is this?¡± his voice was dangerously low.


    His thumb pressed against her cheekbone, dragging over her delicate flesh. The heat of his touch felt like a brand. And the way he handled her¡ªlike she was something he owned, something that belonged to him¡ªmade her blood rush hot. A flush spread across her skin, unwelcome.


    ¡°Who did this to you?¡±


    The bruise, she realized. The mark left over from Rico¡¯s fist. Still fresh and tender. It was strange how something so recent felt like a lifetime ago.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± her voice trembled.


    His behavior baffled her. She had come expecting one thing, and got something entirely different. What did he want from her? She had assumed he sought to humiliate her, to make her pay for her petty theft.


    His odd concern indicated something else. Something that didn¡¯t sit right with her.


    ¡°Nothing?¡± His laugh was cold, devoid of humor, ¡°This is not nothing.¡±


    She tried to pull away, to find reprieve from his intensity, but he held her in place.


    ¡°Why the fuck do you care?¡± she snapped.


    He blinked at her. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    She knew she shouldn¡¯t speak this way to the man she was to share a bed with tonight. Perhaps she was pushing her luck. Tempting fate. Perhaps she would pay for her coarse language ten times over.


    In that moment, she didn¡¯t care. She was tired of his scrutiny, tired of being stripped bare beneath his gaze.


    ¡°You heard me,¡± her voice was steady, ¡°You may have me for tonight, but that doesn¡¯t mean you know me. You¡¯re just another arrogant man who expects everyone to fall at his feet. You wouldn¡¯t begin to understand the world I come from. Stop pretending to care.¡±


    He didn¡¯t flinch at her words, but something did flicker in his gaze. Something she couldn¡¯t name. It wasn¡¯t anger, nor was it indifference.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he said after a beat, ¡°I don¡¯t know you. I shouldn¡¯t care. You¡¯re just a warm body for the night, and I¡¯ve been dying to try you out.¡±


    Before she could muster a response, he swept her off the ground. He carried her across the room like she weighed nothing at all. A few deliberate strides later and he laid her down on the bed. Her hair fanned out around her like a halo of chaos.


    He loomed above her, dark eyes studying her with an unsettling intensity, as if contemplating how he wanted to have her.


    Oh gods, what had she gotten herself into now?

 Chapter Ten

    Rook¡¯s sharp stare did not waver as he climbed onto the bed. One knee settled to her left, the other to her right, caging her in with a predatory grace that sent a shiver down her spine.


    Last night she had him tangled in her web of deceit. He was her prey, and she had him right where she wanted him. Their roles reversed, it felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on her.


    His weight was supported by one powerful arm braced beside her head. His proximity was smothering, the heat from his body seeping into her bones. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, trying to break free of its cage.


    ¡°You look nervous,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Do I?¡± Proving his point, her voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. Still, she blinked up at him defiantly.


    A grin ghosted across his lips, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Shifting his weight, he leaned further back. His hand stretched towards her, slow and deliberate, as if allowing her the chance to stop him. When she did not, his knuckles brushed against her cheekbone.


    The gesture was surprisingly tender. Dark curls framed his brutal features as he watched her lay beneath him, committing every inch of her to memory.


    Lumi flushed beneath his scrutiny.


    ¡°Why does it feel like we¡¯ve been here before?¡±


    She didn¡¯t understand what he meant by that. She had never been in this particular position before. Not with any man, certainly not him. He wasn¡¯t looking for an answer. The question hung in the air, more for himself than for her.


    His calloused fingers traced a languid path. Across her plump bottom lip, along the curve of her jaw. Then lower, fingertips tracing the columns of her throat. They lingered there, his palm wrapping around her windpipe.


    Lumi¡¯s eyes widened.


    The pressure he applied drew a sharp breath from her lips. Her pulse drummed against his touch as realization dawned¡ªher life was quite literally in the palm of his hand.


    ¡°I like you like this,¡± he murmured, ¡°At my mercy.¡±


    A thrill shot through her.


    She could do it now¡ªshe should. Her dagger was within reach. A swift slash across his throat would end him. It would also end her misery.


    Two birds, one stone.


    Before that thought could solidify, his head dipped. His lips brushed her cheek. Hot, and tender. A ragged breath left her. Her eyes flickered shut.


    He released her throat. His hand slid to the back of her head, fingers tangling in her tresses, holding her in place. He pressed searing kisses along her cheek, the underside of her jaw. His lips left an inferno that lingered long after they departed.


    An abrupt tug at her hair exposed the delicate curve of her throat, allowing his mouth better access. He descended, continuing his cruel ministrations.


    When he bit down on the sensitive flesh where her pulse thundered, a gasp tore from her lips. A jolt zipped through her, raw and electrifying. She had never been touched like this. Never been handled with such passion, such control.


    Her instincts screamed to shove him away, to end this before she lost herself completely. But when her hand met the fabric of his shirt, she faltered. Instead of pushing at his chest, her fingers curled. She clutched the garment and pulled him closer.


    ¡°You,¡± he rasped against her neck, ¡°Are mouthwatering.¡±


    His mouth traveled further. His lips, his teeth, his tongue explored the hollow between her neck and shoulder, leaving her breathless. Lower still, he descended to where the tight lace of her corset had her breasts pushed up. His teeth closed over the sensitive flesh, leaving a bite she knew would bloom by morning. His hot tongue swiped over the spot, soothing the ache there.


    Lumi shuddered, clinging to him. He rose, leaving her empty and wanting. She blinked her eyes open, meeting his haunting stare.


    ¡°I want to see you,¡± he grumbled, voice thick with frustration, ¡°All of you. Out of this ridiculous costume.¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    He flipped her over effortlessly, his strength intoxicating her further. He could shape her into whatever he wanted. She was utterly pliant in his hands.


    His fingers worked at the strings of her corset, every tug and pull loosening the constraints that bound her ribs and waist. The fabric slid away, leaving her exposed to him. When his tongue licked a line up her spine, heat pooled beneath her skin.


    She despised him, but his touch¡­Those hands, calloused yet skilled. Those lips, hot and insistent. He was unraveling something within her. She wanted to hate this, but her body betrayed her, responding in ways she couldn¡¯t understand.


    When he turned her on her back, she was bared to him. Her breaths came faster, her chest rose and fell in quick successions, her nipples tightened beneath his scorching stare.


    His hand traced up her stomach, every touch setting her nerves on fire. When his thumb grazed her hardened nipple, a helpless whimper escaped her.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± he whispered, his voice low and intimate, as if those words were a confession meant for her ears alone.


    Her chest tightened, ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡± Every syllable he uttered dragged her deeper into a snare she hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯s stepped into.


    Before she could argue further, he bent his head down and wrapped his mouth around her other nipple. His lips licked, and nipped, and sucked on the puckered nub. Heat coiled low in her belly, rising like a tide she couldn¡¯t stop. When he bit down, she shattered.


    Her body convulsed, waves of pleasure dragging her under. She clung to him, her hands in his hair, her legs wrapping around his hips.


    He was the only solid thing she could find¡ªa lifeline in the storm he¡¯s created within her. She gripped him with all her might as ecstasy racked through her.


    When she returned to herself, trembling and dazed, she realized he had gone still. He hovered above her, jaw firm, dark eyes boring into her.


    ¡°Did you just¡­¡± his rough words trailed off into a charged silence.


    Lumi¡¯s face burned. Had she done something wrong? She swallowed hard as panic stirred in her belly, ¡°W-what?¡±


    ¡°Did you come?¡±


    His blunt question sent a shockwave through her. She parted her lips, but no words came.


    ¡°I¡­¡± she began, but trailed off.


    His gaze darkened further, a storm gathering in the depths of those sable eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not a pleasuremaiden, are you?¡±


    She hesitated, then the lie tumbled from her lips, ¡°Of course, I am.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He shook his head, ¡°You¡¯ve never done this before. I can tell.¡±


    Shame burned hotter than any flame. She sat up and pulled the discarded corset over her chest, desperate to shield herself. To shield not only her body, but also the other parts of herself she¡¯d exposed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already talked about this, Lumi,¡± his voice was thick with authority, ¡°Don¡¯t hide from me.¡±


    He lay back against the pillows, pulling her to him. Her head fit into the crook of his neck, and his arm wrapped around her, keeping her close at his side.


    The proximity allowed her to see parts of him she hadn¡¯t noticed before. A faint scar etched at the corner of his mouth, almost entirely healed over, but not quite. A soft scattering of freckles across his nose and cheekbones. Eyelashes brushed his cheeks with every blink, dense and impossibly dark.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she demanded.


    She needed to know. Needed to understand.


    ¡°There are many things I want from you.¡± His hand stroked her bare back. He tilted his head to get a better look at her, his gaze settling over her flushed face, ¡°The things I could do to you¡­¡±


    Her blush deepened. She was mortified by the way her body betrayed her. Embarrassment clawed at her chest, but beneath it, a spark of want burned. Damn it, she wanted more. She wanted everything he was offering, and it infuriated her.


    ¡°All in good time,¡± his lips curled into a knowing grin, ¡°For now, I want you to skip tea tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She blinked, the abrupt shift snapping her out of her haze. Her brows drew together, suspicion coiling deep within her. She propped herself on one elbow, searching his face for answers, ¡°How do you even know about that?¡±


    Th intimacy of their position kept a constant blush on her face. Her skin still buzzed with the memory of his touch.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how I know. Do as I say.¡±


    His command scraped against her nerves, sparking indignation ¡°Why should I?¡±


    His jaw tightened, the faintest tick betraying his irritation. ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯m curious about. Trust me on this.¡±


    Her laugh was bitter. ¡°Trust you? You¡¯ve given me no reason to.¡±


    He was silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing on her, ¡°I have reason to believe Sol has been poisoning you.¡±


    The words hit her like a blow to the chest. Her breath caught in her throat, her chest tightened, ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous¡­¡±


    But even as the words left her mouth, doubt flooded her. Lady Sol¡¯s instance on tea every morning. Her watchful eyes as Lumi drank¡­


    ¡°Skip the tea, Lumi. Just once.¡± His tone softened, coaxing her into submission, ¡°If I¡¯m wrong, you lose nothing. If I¡¯m right¡­you¡¯ll thank me.¡±


    ¡°Why do you care about any of this?¡± she blurted, unable to contain the burning question.


    His sudden interest in her made no sense. They were strangers yesterday. He had no right to barge into her life like this and make demands.


    ¡°You remind me of someone,¡± he said simply.


    ¡°Who?¡±


    His pensive gaze flicked past her, to the balcony, where curtains stirred in the saltwater breeze. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    She scoffed, ¡°I remind you of someone, but you don¡¯t know who? How convenient.¡±


    He ignored the jab, sitting up and reaching into his pocket. He pulled a brittle sheet of parchment. Lumi¡¯s stomach twisted, recognizing it. The map she¡¯d stolen and returned. He unrolled it, his hands steady as he held it open for her


    ¡°You claim to read this script?¡±


    Her gaze flickered to the faded letters, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what it says.¡±


    ¡°Is this why you paid for my time?¡± Her tone sharpened, ¡°So I could read for you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re mine for the night. Do as I say. Don¡¯t be difficult.¡±


    She leaned in closer, squinting at the withered ink, ¡°Here at the top it says¡ªThe Kingdom of Dracule. There are three territories¡ªMyrn, Zeth, Skol. And here¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off as she moved nearer, her breath brushing the parchment as she read aloud, ¡°Blood City.¡±

 Chapter Eleven

    Dawn¡¯s first light found Lumi sat atop the pleasurehouse¡¯s tallest balcony. The morning chill bit at her flesh, her thin shall doing little against the damp breeze. The red giant clawed its way over the horizon, its bloodshot rays spilling over the city below.


    Gulls cried above the docks, their calls mingling with the shouts of merchants setting up their stalls. Lumi felt detached from reality as she sat stiff-backed beside Lady Sol. Her gaze locked on the mist clinging to the marble railing. Droplets gathered, trailing down in deliberate paths before vanishing into the void below.


    Lady Sol poured their tea with practiced precision, steam curling as the amber liquid filled delicate porcelain cups. Without a word, she slid one towards Lumi.


    ¡°I¡¯m not thirsty this morning,¡± Lumi said.


    For a heartbeat, Lady Sol paused. It may have gone unnoticed by anyone else, but Lumi saw it. Felt it. The lady set her cup down with a clink, her smile deepening in a way that made Lumi¡¯s stomach turn.


    ¡°Not thirsty?¡± Sol purred, ¡°That¡¯s unlike you.¡±


    ¡°I overindulged last night,¡± Lumi lied.


    ¡°Ah, of course,¡± Lady Sol expelled a whimsical giggle, ¡°Tell me, Lumi, howwasyour night?¡±


    Heat flooded Lumi¡¯s cheeks. Her mind flickered back to the bedchamber¡ªthose lips, that tongue, his intimate rasp. She could still feel his caress, a phantom touch she couldn¡¯t shake. She shoved it down, burying those memories.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Lumi muttered.


    ¡°Fine?¡± Sol¡¯s brow arched, ¡°You know there¡¯s nothing you can hide from me.¡±


    A cold shiver ran down Lumi¡¯s spine. She hadn¡¯t considered the lady¡¯s ability to see into her memories. The possibility of Sol touching her in that way, learning everything she¡¯d kept hidden, sent a jolt of panic through her.


    Before Sol could reach for her and see what she wasn¡¯t ready to show, Lumi blurted, ¡°It was good.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it. Don¡¯t spare any details.¡±


    Lumi swallowed hard, the weight of her confession thick in the air. She described the night¡ªthe emperor¡¯s anger over her scar being covered, their argument, the tension that had built between them. She even included the moments she¡¯d hoped to bury¡ªthe way he touched her, and her mortifying reaction to his ministrations.


    She left out the emperor¡¯s request regarding their morning tea, left out the map to the Kingdom of Dracule. Those secrets at least, remained hers alone.


    When she was done, the blush on her face was impossible to hide. Lady Sol¡¯s smirk only deepened, her orbs shining with satisfaction.


    ¡°I¡¯m thrilled you¡¯ve found his company¡­stimulating. You¡¯ll be pleased, then, to know your presence has been requested for another night.¡±


    Lumi felt the blood drain from her face, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The emperor has extended his patronage. Generously, I might add.¡± Lady Sol set her cup down with a soft clink, her gaze sharp as glass. ¡°You¡¯ll attend to him again tonight.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Lumi faltered, her chest tightening. ¡°I thought our arrangement was for one night only.¡±


    Sol¡¯s smile never wavered, ¡°You thought wrong.¡±


    The words hung heavy in the morning chill. Lumi looked away, her jaw wound tight. She wanted to argue, but what could she say? She was nothing but a piece on a playing board. A pawn. As long as she remained in this place, that¡¯s all she would ever be.


    Her fingers absently toyed with the lining of her shall. Rook requested another night with her? What for? He was obsessed with her. It was unhealthy. Twisted, even.


    But what disturbed her more was that she wasn¡¯t angry. Not really. Something stirred inside her¡ªa flash of excitement. She quelled it instantly, disgusted by it. She shouldn¡¯t feel this way. She wasn¡¯t supposed to enjoy being his possession, his prize, his pet.


    It was ghastly, and utterly beneath her. She should loathe him. And yet¡­the flicker of delight lingered.


    ¡°May I be excused?¡±


    ¡°Drink your tea, Lumi,¡± Sol commanded, placing the teacup firmly in the palm of her hand, ¡°You¡¯ll feel better once you do. Besides, we have much to discuss.¡±


    Lumi stared down at the amber liquid, its steam swirling up in delicate tendrils, beckoning her to partake. She couldn¡¯t¡ªshewouldn¡¯t. The gnawing sensation beneath her ribs would not ease until she knew the truth.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Her gaze flickered to the potted plants at the balcony¡¯s edge. One of the large ceramic pots stood just within reach. An idea struck her.


    ¡°What more is there to discuss? I told you everything.¡±


    She tipped her tea over the edge of the cup, watching the liquid spill into the soil below.


    ¡°The emperor has shown interest in one of my girls. This is a rare opportunity. I want you to learn about him¡ªeverything you can.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, everything?¡±


    Lumi raised the porcelain to her lips, pretending to swallow the bitter tea in one quick gulp.


    Sol leaned back slightly, ¡°His motivations. His weaknesses. His secrets. I want you to be my eyes and ears.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s fingers tightened around the delicate porcelain, her knuckles paling. ¡°You want me to spy on him.¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Sol¡¯s voice was smooth as silk.


    ¡°And what do I get out of it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make certain you¡¯re well compensated for your efforts.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s pulse quickened. She saw her chance and took it, ¡°You will tell me who I am. You¡¯ll tell me where I came from, and why I don¡¯t remember.¡±


    Sol¡¯s eyes flashed, her smile faltering for a heartbeat, ¡°You have a lot of nerve, Lumi.¡±


    They stared at each other, the tension thick enough to suffocate. Lumi¡¯s blood coursed like fire in her veins. Their battle of wits persisted. Lady Sol broke first.


    ¡°Alright. Bring me the information I seek and I will tell you who you are.¡±


    Triumph washed over her, but the taste turned bitter on her tongue. Another night with the emperor. Another night of being laid bare beneath him. She would have no choice but to let him strip away whatever fragile dignity still remained.


    But she had no choice. Defeat was not an option. To refuse was to surrender everything. The pieces of her, scattered like ash in the wind, would remain lost forever if she didn¡¯t play the game.


    She squeezed her eyes shut. There was no escaping this wretched path she had chosen. She would endure. For now.


    The emperor would haunt her for another night, but she would survive it. She had to. She had no other choice.


    ***


    By midmorning, Lumi felt like she was unraveling. She trudged through the bustling streets, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. But the city was alive with chaos, and it only fed the noise inside her. The clamor of merchants, the creak of wheels on cobblestones, the murmur of passerby¡ªit blurred into a cacophony that clawed at her sanity.


    And beneath it all, something worse.


    It started out faint. A strange thrum that grew with each passing moment. At first, she dismissed it to hunger, or fatigue¡ªshe hadn¡¯t gotten a wink of sleep last night, and the only food she¡¯d eaten was the skewer she bought at the market the day before. She had no coin to buy more, no gem to her name.


    By noon, it became unbearable. Her skull felt like it might crack open. When she found herself in a particularly large crowd, she swore she could hear the heartbeats of those surrounding her. Fast, slow, frantic, calm¡ª¡ªa maddening symphony she couldn¡¯t drown out.


    Fingers trembling, she ducked into an alleyway, pressing her hands against the rough stone wall, hoping to anchor herself.


    ¡°What is wrong with me?¡± her voice was barely audible over the relentless thrum.


    The answer did not come. The pounding only grew louder. She pushed off the wall and fled, weaving through the streets until the pleasurehouse loomed before her.


    She stumbled into her room, seeking refuge in isolation. She slammed the door shut and sagged against the wood. But solitude gave her no relief. Her head throbbed violently, pulse hammering in her throat.


    Eventually, she collapsed onto the bed and passed out.


    When she awoke hours later, the pounding was gone.


    But something else had taken its place. A different sensation she couldn¡¯t quite describe. It was cold, ancient¡­alive. It curled through the empty spaces of her mind.


    Lumi, my sweet,a man¡¯s voice rumbled, dark and intimate,how I have missed you.


    She bolted upright, heart racing. Her eyes darted wildly across the room, scanning every shadow, every corner. There was no one there, nothing out of place.


    Was she going mad?


    You¡¯re perfectly sane, lovely.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± she demanded.


    Do not fret,the voice purred,we are old friends.


    She spun around, desperate to find the source. But the room remained the same: four walls, empty, silent.


    The realization struck her like a blow. The voice wasn¡¯t coming from the room¡ªit was inside her.


    Inside her mind.


    She staggered backwards, hitting the wall. Her vision swam as she sank to the ground. The pounding returned, a jagged rhythm that made her lose her breath. She clutched at her temples, nails digging into her scalp.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± she gasped.


    I am you.The words slithered through her mind like a thousand whispers.And you are me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Call me what you like.


    ¡°Why are you in my head?¡±


    Because, my sweet¡ªwe are one. I¡¯ve always been here, but the tea made me nothing but an echo.


    Her blood ran cold. Lady Sol¡¯s tea. Rook had been right. The tea had done something to her, kept something locked away. Now, without it, the walls were crumbling.


    ¡°Get out,¡± she forced strength into her voice, ¡°Get out of my head!¡±


    A chuckle rippled through her mind.Why would I leave, Lumi? I belong here. Just as you do.


    ¡°No,¡± her hands balled into fists, ¡°No. This isn¡¯t real. You¡¯re not real.¡±


    I¡¯m real, Lumi. You¡¯ve felt me before, haven¡¯t you? In the rage that burned too hot, and the strength that came too easily. I have always been with you, even when you couldn¡¯t hear me.


    ¡°What are you?¡±


    I am the part of you Lady Sol tried to bury. The part she fears. And now I am yours again.


    Lumi shook her head, fighting the rising tide of panic, ¡°I don¡¯t want this.¡±


    Liar.The word was uttered with a cutting edge.You crave it. The power. The control. The freedom to be more than what they¡¯ve made you.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    A knock at the door startled her. She flinched, suddenly aware of the darkness outside her window. Night had fallen.


    And the emperor awaited.


    Do not fret, Lumi. I will keep us safe.


    Lumi caught a glimpse of herself in the cracked mirror hanging crookedly on her wall. Her reflection stood motionless, yet something about it felt off. The shadowed hollow of her eyes seemed deeper, darker, as if something ancient stirred beneath.


    The voice curled through her mind again, low and coaxing.Go on, Lumi. He is waiting.


    One thing was certain¡ªwhat waited beyond her door wasn¡¯t as terrifying as what might have already changed within.

 Chapter Twelve

    Like the night before, Lumi was escorted to the bathhouse. A mixture of heady aromas greeted her as she stepped into the chamber¡ªlavender, rose, chrysanthemum¡ªbut they did little to soothe her.


    She was hollow. Moving through the motions as servants prepared her for the emperor. Cold water cascaded over her, but the frigid bite barely registered. Even the strangling cinch of the corset around her ribs felt distant. She felt as though she''d left her body.


    By the time they finished, it wasn''t relief that filled her. It was doom¡ªthick and impending, like a hand around her throat.


    Standing before a polished bronze mirror, her reflection stared back at her. No paint today. No kohl to sharpen her gaze, no rose tint to soften her lips. Her hair was left to dry in loose, untamed tendrils. She looked raw, real.


    Completely and utterly Lumi.


    She didn''t know which was worse¡ªbeing primed into a perfect doll, or sent as herself. She felt more exposed like this, more vulnerable.


    Before she knew it, she was led back to her room. The walls closed in on her, the shadows deeper. She sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clenched in her lap, until the sound of the door handle turning wrenched her out of her paralysis.


    The door creaked open. Rico stood on the other side.


    It was time.


    She rose, feeling his stare sweeping over her. There was something in his expression she knew well, something harsh and rotten.


    "There must be something wrong with him," he said, tone flat.


    Lumi''s brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"


    He gestured towards her, upper lip curling. "He must be disturbed to prefer you like this. Most would find it insulting to have you presented this way, but he wants this. He asked for it."


    Rico''s expression remained tense, his shoulders rigid as he gestured for her to follow. He offered no further explanation, and she did not ask for one.


    She followed him through the establishment, the familiar sights of the hallways and dimly lit corridors blurring together. She braced herself for the inevitable climb to one of the lavish suites, but they didn''t turn towards the stairs.


    Instead, they stepped outside.


    The night air struck her like a whip, the chill seeping into her bones. She shivered, hugging herself as her breath fogged in front of her.


    "Where are we going?"


    Rico didn''t meet her stare, his expression bored, "The emperor has requested your presence on his ship."


    Lumi''s steps faltered.


    "His ship...?" she echoed.


    "Keep walking." Rico urged


    When she didn''t, his long strides ceased, too. He turned to face her, irritation flashing across his features. He looked at her like she was a stain on his time, no more than an inconvenience.


    "Let''s go," he said, voice clipped.


    Lumi couldn''t move. Her legs felt like lead, rooted to the ground as her mind spiraled. The thought of spending the night on the emperor''s ship overwhelmed her.


    It wasn''t just his ship¡ªit was his domain, his fortress, his kingdom.


    She wouldn''t have the fragile familiarity of the pleasurehouse to cling to, wouldn''t have the illusion of safety within its walls. She would be in his world, under his control.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    She couldn''t breathe.


    Rico sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. Without warning, he stepped forward and delivered a slap across her face.


    The sharp crack broke through the fog in her mind. Her hand flew to her cheek, her flesh pulsing with the imprint of his hand.


    "Get a move on," he snapped.


    Don''t worry, Lumi.


    The voice startled her. It hadn''t made an appearance since she''d left her room earlier. She''d hoped it had disappeared entirely, hoped it had been nothing more than a fevered hallucination.


    But, no.


    It was still present. Smooth and serpentine as it curled through her thoughts.


    He''ll pay for that.


    Terror bloomed in her chest, winding its way up her throat like poison ivy. She forced herself to swallow it down, forced her legs to move her forward. Her nails dug into her palms as the pier came into view.


    Soon, the cobbles beneath her feet gave way to the creak of wooden planks. The dock stretched on, a path into an abyss of black water. A row of moored vessels rocked gently in the waves. Lanterns swayed in the breeze, their warm glow casting long shadows. Lumi caught a glimpse of her reflection on the water''s surface, distorted and fleeting.


    Rico came to a halt, gesturing towards the ship with a flick of his hand.


    The sloop loomed before them, smaller than she expected, but no less imposing. Its hull was blackened and scarred, the wood pitted and cracked. It appeared to have weathered a thousand tempests and emerged worse for wear. The name etched into the prow had been worn down by salt and time, barely readable beneath a layer of barnacles. A faint mist curled around the ship''s base, blurring the lines where the vessel ended and the water began. It made it look as though the ship floated on shadows instead of waves.


    "This is it," Rico said.


    Then came the clash of steel. A brutal symphony shattering the stillness of the night. Rico paused, his hand falling to the hilt of his blade.


    Lumi''s heart hammered, each beat a sick, hollow thud. Her dagger was strapped to her thigh, the leather sheath suddenly too tight, too hot against her skin.


    A scream tore through the air, high-pitched and frantic. Abruptly, it was cut short. The silence that followed was heavier than the bellow itself. Lumi exchanged a glance with Rico, but his expression gave nothing away.


    "Climb," he barked, tone colder than the night.


    Her fingers trembled as she gripped the rope ladder. The coarse fibers bit into her palm as she hoisted herself up. Rico followed close behind, his presence an unspoken threat.


    When Lumi swung herself over the edge and onto the deck, her breath caught in her throat.


    It was carnage.


    Blood slicked the planks, pooling in jagged grooves and spilling over the edged, into the black waters below. Three bodies lay scattered, their shapes grotesque and wrong.


    Lumi''s stare caught on one figure. A girl. Her hair once a halo of wild, defiant curls was matted with blood, her dark skin pale beneath the gore. Lumi''s belly flipped as recognition pierced her.


    The girl from the market.


    The one with the sharp tongue and the defiant look in her eyes. The one who had been flanked by her ever-loyal friends as they discussed cashing in on the emperor''s bounty.


    All three of them were here, and all three of them were dead.


    Not just dead.


    This was worse.


    They were ruined. Bodies torn apart in ways no human should endure. Limbs severed with vicious precision. Gashes split skin and muscle to reveal jagged shards of bone.


    This wasn''t a fight.


    This was slaughter.


    And then she saw him.


    Rook stood at the center of the chaos, the architect of the destruction. He was drenched in blood. His coat clung to his body, heavy with it. Dark streams smeared across his face, dripping from his chin. His sword hung loose in his hand, crimson droplets sliding from its edge to join the pool at his feet. He was breathing hard, his broad shoulders rising and falling like the tides.


    Then his eyes found hers.


    Wild. Feral. Darker than the night


    It was the look of a man still teetering on the edge of bloodlust. The world narrowed to the space between them. Her heart seized as she thought he might turn his fury on her.


    But then something shifted.


    Recognition softened the hard lines of his face. His sword slipped from his hand, hitting the blood-soaked deck with a heavy clang. The sound echoed in the silence that followed, louder than the screams had been.


    Rico landed beside her, his boots thudding against the bloodied wood. "Ah, looks like you''ve handled it."


    Handled it.


    Lumi''s throat tightened as the iron tang of blood filled her senses. Her eyes fell back to the bodies. They were like her¡ªsurvivors, clawing their way through every inch of their existence. They didn''t deserve a fate so cruel.


    Nobody did.


    Bile threatened to rise. She was going to vomit, or pass out, or both.


    Rook''s jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her¡ªtruly looked at her. In his gaze she saw not just violence, but something deeper. Something darker.


    It terrified her more than the blood.


    The world tilted. Her legs buckled beneath her. She hit the blood-slicked deck, knees crashing against the wood as darkness crept into the edges of her vision.


    "Lumi!" Rook''s voice sounded distant, like it was underwater.


    The last thing she saw was the emperor''s crimson-soaked figure moving towards her. Then everything went black.

 Chapter 13

    A ravenous fire engulfed her.


    Orange flames licked upwards, swallowing everything in their path. Heat stroked her skin as smoke and ash curled through the atmosphere. An inferno¡ªincinerating, consuming, destroying.


    In the heart of it, stood Rook.


    Her flesh scorched as she looked upon him. The skin on the left side of her face smoldered. A scream tore from deep within her, the pain unbearable.


    Rook reached for her, his expression twisted with remorse. He pulled her close, into his fiery embrace. Hunger clawed through her veins as he held her.


    Without thought, she sank her teeth into his neck. The blood that flowed over her tongue tasted like fire. It flooded her, filling the emptiness inside her with a savage power.


    She drank from him. Frantic, desperate for more.


    His body tensed against hers, a strangled groan escaping him. He shoved her away, but the taste of his blood still burned her tongue.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± his voice cracked as he clutched his neck.


    The world around them spun.


    Everything blurred into nothing.


    ***


    Lumi jolted awake.


    Disoriented, she blinked her eyes open. Darkness pressed around her, broken only by the faint flicker of candlelight.


    The remnants of a dream lingered at the edges of her mind, an unfinished scream caught in her throat. It felt important, vital even. But she couldn¡¯t grasp onto it. The details slipped away, like sand between her fingers.


    Awareness gripped her. Her surroundings smelled of saltwater and damp wood. The surface she laid upon swayed.


    A ship.


    She was on a ship. Not just any ship. His ship. The emperor¡¯s.


    Reality struck her like a blow to the chest. The mangled bodies, the crimson-soaked boards, the bloodthirsty gleam reflected in those sable eyes. He killed those people, torn their bodies apart in the most brutal of ways. And now she was here¡ªin his bed.


    The room bled into focus. It was sparsely furnished. Curved walls, the timber dark and weathered. A battered table stood against one wall, cluttered with maps and parchments. A single candle burned low. The bed beneath her was rough¡ªlinens stretched over a thin mattress.


    Every detail in the room spoke of function over comfort, of a man who lived by necessity, not indulgence. The stark simplicity gave Lumi pause.


    She jumped at the sound of footsteps approaching. Instinct kicked in, and her hand went to her thigh, but her dagger was gone.


    Panic flooded her.


    Then she saw it, resting on the nightstand. Within arm¡¯s reach. Why would he leave it there?


    She snatched it without thought, hiding the blade behind her back as the door creaked open. The tension in the room thickened as Rook stepped inside.


    Lumi¡¯s mouth went dry.


    Shirtless.


    He was shirtless.


    The faint light skimmed over the hard planes of his chest. The ridges of old scars crisscrossed his flesh like a map of past violence. Dark hair dusted his pectorals, trailing down his abdomen and vanishing into the waistband of his slacks.


    Lumi¡¯s blood ran cold. Not because of the scars, or the blood still marring his golden complexion. No, what made her blanch was what was missing.


    His left arm.


    The limb was torn off, replaced by a jagged stump just below his shoulder. It was grotesque. Rough and uneven, as if the wound had been sealed in the heat of battle.


    There was an odd power in his mutilation. It made little sense to her. Losing a limb only sharpened the edges of the man who stood before her. The absence made him appear more dangerous, more terrifying.


    Goosebumps prickled her flesh.


    He¡¯d fought three with one arm and still came out victorious. Not just victorious, he¡¯d walked away unscathed, not a scratch on him.


    Lumi swallowed, her throat raw.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± his voice was a low rumble. His dark gaze swept over her as he crossed the room in long strides. He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sagging beneath his weight.


    Lumi pressed herself against the headboard, increasing the distance between them, tightening her grip around the hilt of her blade.


    Rook¡¯s gaze flicked to the nightstand where the weapon had rested moments ago, then back to her.


    He knew.


    Of course, he did.


    And yet, his features lacked any hint of concern. He did not appear the slightest bit fazed by what she held in her hand.


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    Did he think she couldn¡¯t do it? She could. The thought of driving her blade into his chest and silencing that infuriating calm was tempting.


    Too tempting.


    Last night she had been caught up in the heat of the moment. And tonight? Tonight she needed him breathing, needed him talking. Information was worth more than vengeance. At least, for now.


    ¡°I advise against trying to kill me.¡± He reached out with unsettling ease, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. His fingers lingered there, thumb delicately tracing the curve of her cartilage. ¡°It didn¡¯t end well for the others.¡±


    The gesture was intimate. Tender. It set her nerves aflame, an unwelcome fire sparking deep inside her. A shiver racked her spine, impossible to suppress.


    ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± his voice was low, rough.


    A bitter laugh rose from her throat,¡°I¡¯m not afraid. I¡¯m repulsed. You killed them.¡±


    ¡°I did.¡±


    He was so nonchalant about the whole thing. No apology. No explanation. Utterly devoid of guilt or sorrow. As if murder was just another chore.


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound sorry,¡± she bit out.


    ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m not.¡±


    Her jaw tightened as she snapped her gaze away, teeth grinding against the words she longed to hurl at him. He gave her no reprieve. His thumb traced the sharp line of her jaw, firm yet unhurried. He lifted her chin, leaving her no choice but to meet his harsh stare.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be naive, Lumi. It¡¯s unbecoming.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t deserve to die.¡±


    ¡°They came to kill me,¡± he said in a matter-of-fact way, ¡°Instead, I killed them. This world doesn¡¯t care about what anyone deserves. It¡¯s kill or be killed.¡±


    ¡°You tore them apart,¡± she shot back, the memory of dismembered limbs flashing before her eyes.


    ¡°And that surprises you?¡± His lips curved into a smirk, more predator than man, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ve ruined your image of me.¡±


    She stiffened. He was right, of course. When they met, he¡¯d been claiming a bounty. The decapitated head of some unfortunate soul dangled in his hand like an afterthought. He¡¯d never pretended to be anything but ruthless.


    Still, the weight in her chest was undeniable, ¡°You didn¡¯t have to be so¡­¡±


    ¡°So what?¡± He leaned closer, amusement dancing in his eyes, ¡°Brutal? Did you expect me to kill them politely.¡±


    His brows arched, daring her to answer. She didn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sorry I killed them, but I am sorry you had to see it.¡± His knuckles brushed over her cheek, the gesture disarmingly tender, ¡°You took quite a fall. Are you feeling alright.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°When was the last time you ate something?¡±


    As if on cue, her stomach betrayed her with an audible growl. Heat crawled up her neck as she admitted, ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Rook rose without a word, disappearing into the shadows. Lumi¡¯s grip on her dagger tightened. Her knuckles ached, her pulse pounding against her ribs. The silence stretched, broken only by the distant groan of the ship¡¯s timbers and the muffled howl of wind clawing at the hull.


    When he returned, he carried a tray crafted from polished wood. On it lay a modest spread¡ªa steaming bowl of stew and a slab of bread.


    He set the tray down on the bed beside her, ¡°Eat.¡±


    Lumi hesitated, her pride warring with the gnawing ache in her stomach. The stew¡¯s aroma curled through the air, making her resolve falter.


    The first spoonful burned her tongue, but she didn¡¯t care. She ate in silence, devoured the meal within minutes. The ache in her belly dulled with each bite, but the emptiness inside her remained.


    Every now and then, Rook reached out¡ªa fleeting caress over her knee, a brief touch to her wrist, a drag of his knuckles along her collarbone in a slow arc that set her skin ablaze.


    It unsettled her, the way he loomed, the way he studied her. But with her hunger taken care of, she could think more clearly. She had a mission. She needed to learn everything she could about him and report back to Lady Sol. Nothing else mattered.


    ¡°They say you¡¯re an emperor,¡± her voice cut through the stillness.


    His lips curved¡ªnot quite a smile, more a twitch of amusement. ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem like one.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t I?¡± A challenge wrapped in indifference.


    ¡°No. You don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, Lumi. What makes one seem like an emperor?¡±


    ¡°An emperor has riches beyond measure,¡± she began, setting her spoon down on the platter, ¡°They sail on magnificent ships, explore lands most can¡¯t even name. They never dirty their hands, they have people for that. They don¡¯t play assassin for the kingdom, and they certainly don¡¯t flinch at the loss of thirty thousand gem. To an emperor, that¡¯s pocket change.¡±


    His eyes glinted, catching a flicker of candlelight, ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Am I wrong?¡± she challenged.


    His stare was unnerving, ¡°You¡¯ve thought about this a great deal, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not an answer.¡±


    Rook¡¯s gaze never left hers, but those dark orbs suddenly seemed eons away, ¡°I¡¯m an emperor by blood, not by choice.¡±


    ¡°Meaning?¡±


    ¡°My father was an emperor,¡± his words were clipped, as if each syllable cost him something. ¡°When he¡­¡± A muscle in his jaw tightened. ¡°When he passed, the title fell to me.¡±


    ¡°How convenient.¡±


    His brows furrowed, a shadow passing over his face, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call it that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care for it.¡± His tone was heavy with something¡ªresentment, perhaps. Or regret?


    ¡°Then why keep it?¡±


    He met her gaze, unflinching, ¡°I have my reasons.¡±


    Lumi leaned forward, unwilling to let him slip through her grasp, ¡°You could sit on your throne and let others do the work. Why dirty your hands at all? Why play assassin?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t much like to sit.¡±


    ¡°And the gem? You¡¯re killing pirates for the royal kingdom, collecting their bounties like a common mercenary. Why?¡±


    ¡°I have my reasons.¡±


    ¡°That, too, is not an answer.¡± Lumi¡¯s patient thinned but she swallowed her irritation and tried a different angle, ¡°What brings you here? To Port Bram?¡±


    ¡°I came to meet with General Sivan,¡± he said, then added, ¡°But you already knew that.¡±


    ¡°That was two days ago.¡±


    ¡°Yes, well, I¡¯ve extended my visit.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    A pause, then, ¡°Curiosity.¡±


    ¡°About¡­?¡±


    ¡°Enlighten me, Lumi.¡± He tilted his head, studying her with an intensity that made her stomach tighten. ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m here?¡±


    She fought the instinct to look away. ¡°I haven¡¯t the faintest idea.¡±


    His lips curled into a lazy smirk, like he didn¡¯t quite believe her. He leaned closer, voice low, ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± The words came out sharper than intended, defensive.


    ¡°Yes, you.¡±


    It was absurd. Unheard of. A man like him, lingering on this forgotten speck of land in the middle of the sea, for her? She swallowed hard, keeping her face neutral. ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°I find you¡­¡± His gaze flickered over her, dark and unrelenting, ¡°Intriguing.¡±


    She scoffed at him, ¡°Is that supposed to make me feel special?¡±


    He considered her question with maddening calm, ¡°How does it make you feel?¡±


    ¡°Disturbed.¡±


    He chuckled, a low, dark sound that sent a shiver up her spine.


    Her eyes betrayed her, flicking down to his exposed torso. The blood smeared across his skin clung to him like war paint, a grotesque emblem of the life he lived. It marked him as a man who took what he wanted, who left ruin in his wake. A hideous testament to his ruthlessness.


    And yet, she couldn¡¯t look away.


    Taut muscle coiled beneath scarred skin, each line and ridge carved by brutality. Every inch of him was a weapon forged in violence. It made her feel small, delicate. Not in a way that unsettled her, but in a way that sent heat curling low in her belly.


    Her disloyal cheeks flushed with a warmth she despised.


    ¡°You¡¯re atrocious,¡± she said, her voice sharper than she intended, a poor defense against the treachery of her own thoughts.


    He moved with lazy grace, rising to his full height. His looming presence was a declaration of control. ¡°I¡¯d like a bath.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s eyes flicked back up to meet his sharp stare. Her breath hitched, ¡°A bath?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d¡­¡± she was breathless, ¡°You¡¯d like me to bathe you?¡±


    His cruel smirk deepened, ¡°I would.¡±


    a/n: hey, hi, hello- author here. don''t be shy- let me know what you think of the story so far! I love engaging with readers, so don''t hesitate to let me know your thoughts! in other news, chapter 35 is going up on patreon in a few hours, if you''d like to unlock early access to chapters, check me out there (:

 Chapter 14

    Lumi crouched beside the basin. Her fingers trembled as she scattered dry herbs into the steaming water. Fabric rustled, then fell upon the wooden floorboards in a muted thud behind her. An unmistakable presence loomed.


    "You look good on your knees."


    Her cheeks burned. She gripped the edge of the basin, her knuckles white. Her lips parted with a retort, and then¡ªBite your tongue, Lumi.


    A chill racked up her spine as the voice slithered through her mind.


    You''ll need to be pleasant if you''re going to pry anything useful out of him.


    It was true. She had little to go on so far. She learned his father''s death had thrust him onto the throne. Surely, that wasn''t a secret. It was probably common knowledge. She needed to dig deeper.


    "How kind of you to say," she grit out.


    A belt unbuckled behind her, followed by the slow pull of leather sliding free. A wave of pleasure twirled through her, making the spot between her legs pulsate. She kept her attention fixed on the water.


    "Did you do as I instructed?"


    "I''m preparing your bath¡ª"


    "Not that," he interrupted, "My request about the tea."


    Another piece of fabric hit the floor¡ªhis slacks. Every nerve in her body was aflame. She had no right to feel such warmth in his presence. No right, at all.


    "I did as you asked."


    "Good girl." Delight curled through his tone. She felt that in her center. The emperor thoroughly enjoyed her obedience.


    Two heavy clunks echoed across the room as his boots dropped to the ground. Then quiet. Silence stretched for a beat too long before he asked, "Have you noticed any changes?"


    The voice in her head expelled an eerie chuckle.


    "I''m perfectly fine," Lumi bit out, giving the water another stir.


    "Is that so?"


    "Yes," she snapped, "I''m the same as I''ve always been."


    The floor creaked beneath the weight of his approach. Lumi''s breath hitched, her fingers tightening around the rim of the basin. Rook stepped around her, circling like a predator, until he stood on the other side of the tub. She could no longer avoid his presence¡ªor the sight of him.


    Golden skin glistened in the dim light, marred by streaks of dried blood and sweat. His body was strong, muscles honed. Lumi''s gaze faltered. Before she could stop herself, her eyes connected with the space between his legs.


    Heat crawled up her neck.


    She had nothing to compare it to, no reference for what was normal, but even she could tell¡ªhe was well-endowed. Thick and long, his cock hung heavily between powerful legs.


    Rook stepped into the bath. One leg first, then the other. Water surged and spilled over the edge as he sank into its depths. He stretched out like a king on his throne, limbs sprawling, utterly at ease.


    When Lumi met his stare, those dark eyes were already on her. They glinted with amusement, the corners of his mouth curling into a lazy, insufferable grin.


    "If I were to experience changes," she began, voice steadier than she felt, "What would they be?"


    Rook relaxed, letting his head rest against the rim of the tub. The slosh of water filled the silence. "Mugwort is a sedative. A remedy for pain. A numbing agent used in medical practices."


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    Blood swirled through the basin, its crimson tendrils spreading like smoke. Lumi dipped a cloth into the water, letting it soak up the soapy suds.


    "I''ve been drinking that tea every morning for three years." She dragged the cloth over his shoulder, "I''ve been fine."


    Fine, was vague enough to be true. She''d endured the days when her body felt like lead, her bones like anchors, pushing her into the earth. But wasn''t that just life? Wasn''t everyone crushed by the weight of existence?


    "Mugwort has...other effects," Rook said, gaze never leaving her, "Particularly for those with god-magic in their veins."


    Lumi''s hand paused mid-swipe. "God-magic?" Her throat tightened, "You mean the gifted?"


    "Yes. The gifted. But they aren''t the only ones."


    Her brows knit together. "I don''t understand."


    "The gifted are humans who were blessed by the gods, but that magic, Lumi¡ªit didn''t begin with humans. It''s older¡ªfar older."


    Lumi blinked, her mind grasping fragments of half-remembered whispers. Tales spun by drunken sailors in the taverns of Port Bram. But those were legends, weren''t they?


    "Ten thousand years ago, Yoz, god of the sea, and Boa, goddess of the sky created our world. The immortals were made first¡ªbefore the sun, or the moon. Back when chaos was absolute."


    Lumi dipped the cloth back into the water before continuing her strokes along his muscled back.


    "For eight thousand years, the immortals roamed alone. They sculpted mountains, carved rivers, crafted forests where there was nothing but void. Then, two thousand years ago, the gods stirred from their slumber and created the other races¡ªmerfolk, witches, giants, humans. All born from god-magic. All but the humans. We were made fragile, weak, magic-less. A cruel oversight, perhaps.


    "The gods took pity on us. To make us strong like the others, they blessed humans with fragments of their power."


    "Gifts," Lumi concluded.


    "Indeed. At the beginning, there were as many gifts as there were humans. But as our numbers grew, the gifts diluted. Now, they''re rare¡ªa fifth of us, if that. Those who are gifted are slaughtered for sport. Or worse, they rise to power and use their gifts to crush those beneath them."


    Lumi''s lips parted with a gasp. Her mind went to the fianc¨¦ who disappeared in the middle of the night, then to Lady Sol and General Sivan, who used their gifts to spread their control over others.


    "Mugwort," Rook continued, "Suppresses god-magic. What I''d like to know is..." his eyes burned into hers, "Why would someone want to keep yours hidden?"


    The herbal aroma wafting through the room became stifling all at once, "So, what you''re saying is...you think I''m gifted."


    "I don''t think," Rook drawled, "I know. Your master wouldn''t be spiking your tea otherwise."


    None of that explained the voice. The ancient presence trapped inside her mind. She still had questions, far too many.


    Rook seemed to have a few of his own. He watched her, silent but intent, as she ran the cloth down the expanse of his arm. Heat crept up her neck as she scrubbed the gore from his massive fingers. She had forgotten how large he was¡ªhow solid. His hand was twice the size of hers, and that detail made her belly tighten.


    "You said you''ve been drinking the tea every morning for three years," his voice held an edge of curiosity, "Is that how long you''ve been working for Sol."


    Lumi tipped her chin down in confirmation.


    "How did you end up here?"


    Struck with the hollowness of not knowing, she felt herself frown. He didn''t need to know of her stolen history. She settled for a brief, "It''s hard to explain."


    "I have time."


    "I wouldn''t want to bore you."


    "You don''t bore me."


    Her throat tightened. She busied herself with the task at hand, avoiding the weight of his stare, "Port Bram is all I''ve ever known."


    His thick brows furrowed, "You grew up here?"


    "Maybe."


    Just as she dipped his hand into the soapy water, he used it to clutch her own. The warmth of his skin seeped into her, the strength of his grip unyielding. She found herself caught in his stare once more. Like staring into an endless abyss.


    "You don''t remember, do you?"


    Lumi stiffened. How did he know? That single, fractured part of her she''d only ever shared with Kit¡ªand Lady Sol, though she hadn''t had a choice there.


    "How far back does your memory go?"


    Her pulse thundered in her ears. Every instinct urged her to retreat, to deflect, to lie. Knowledge was a weapon, and Rook already held too much of it. She would not arm him further.


    His grip eased. She knelt beside the tub, dragging the cloth over his chest in firm strokes. She was possessed by every scar and freckle.


    Her hand moved lower, dipping into the water. The warmth licked at her skin as her fingers brushed the taut muscles of his abdomen. She felt him tense beneath her touch, heard a rushed breath escape him.


    "You''re avoiding," he grumbled.


    "I''m simply doing my job," she shot back, her tone flat as she continues her task.


    Traveling lower, her knuckles grazed against something firm. She stilled her movements, swallowing hard. Slowly, deliberately, she abandoned the cloth. Her bare hand slid over him, fingers curling in a firm, commanding grip.


    Rook sucked in a breath. The predator becoming the prey.


    Lumi''s lips twitched as she ran her fist all the way up his length, then back down. She''d heard enough from Kit to know the truth about men¡ªthey thought with their cocks, not their minds.


    The power was in her hands now, and she intended to wield it.

 Chapter 15

    "How does this feel?" Lumi asked in a low, sultry cadence.


    Her confidence was a brittle facade. She had no idea what she was doing. None. She''d never touched a man like this. But, she was curious. She watched Rook''s reaction closely, letting his shallow breaths and the tightening of his jaw guide her.


    She shouldn''t enjoy this. She knew that much. And yet, the way he responded to her touch stirred something primal inside her.


    "Have you ever been with a man?" His tone was easy-going, almost conversational, as if she wasn''t in the middle of touching him intimately. But his eyes¡ªthose dark, heavy-lidded eyes¡ªburned with an intensity that betrayed him.


    She continued to stroke him, never breaking rhythm, "Of course, I have."


    "Don''t lie to me, Lumi," he murmured, "I can see right through it."


    "I''m a pleasuremaiden," she shrugged one shoulder, "My job is to serve."


    "We''ve already agreed that is not what you are."


    "You don''t know me very well."


    "Harder." Dipping into the water, his hand wrapped around hers, tightening her grip around his cock, his length rigid beneath their combined touch, "This is how I like it."


    Heat bloomed across her cheeks as he guided her. This was how Rook liked it? Hard. Tight. Her toes curled with the knowledge.


    When his hand fell away, she hesitated for only a moment before continuing. Her movements mirrored the pressure he''d shown her, the rhythm. Rook''s hand surfaced, dripping water as it tangled in her hair. He tugged just enough to tilt her face towards him.


    "What are you doing to me?" His voice was drenched in sin.


    Lumi wet her lips, "I''m pleasing you."


    His grip tightened, his fingers a vice in her hair. Every tug on her scalp sent a delicious jolt down her spine. The air between them was molten. Tension coiled with each stroke of her fist beneath the water.


    She couldn''t look away from him, mesmerized by his reaction to her. With every stroke, his composure slipped further away. His sharp jawline tensed beneath the flicker of candlelight. His lips parted as if he''d forgotten how to breathe. And his eyes¡ªthose cold, imperial eyes¡ªheld a warmth she had never seen before.


    Lumi was the one drawing this from him. The street rat who had clawed her way through shadow and filth, was making the emperor lose control. Her heart thundered, but it wasn''t fear driving it. It was power, raw and intoxicating.


    In that moment, she wasn''t the one out of place. No, she was the one who owned him.


    "You shouldn''t look at me like that," he warned.


    Her lips curved, "How am I looking at you?"


    "Like you want me."


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    And she did. Gods, she did.


    This was supposed to be transactional. A means to an end. She wasn''t meant to savor any moment with the emperor, much less his touch.


    He was the reason she was in this wretched position. Gemless, left with no choice but to obey his every whim. He had taken everything from her¡ªthe freedom that had been at her fingertips, the past she was so desperate to remember, the dignity she was barely grasping onto.


    She should loathe him for it. Despise the very thought of his fingers tangled in her hair, the ghost of his breath on her lips.


    But she didn''t.


    She liked this.


    And why should she feel shame in that? Why deny herself the scraps of pleasure she could steal along the way?


    Three years in the slums had stripped her of everything¡ªhope, joy, the will to care. A cold, hollow survival was all she''d known. But last night had been different. His touch shattered that void and let a spark in.


    In her world, pleasure was a rare thing. If Rook could provide some, who was she to refuse?


    "Take off your dress," he commanded in a low voice.


    Her movements faltered, her hand stilling halfway up his length, "My dress?"


    "Yes. Take it off."


    She swallowed the unease rising up her throat, "I''d rather make you feel good first."


    Her defiance lasted only a moment. He rose from the tub in one fluid movement. Water cascaded down his body in shimmering rivulets, breaking the surface of the water with splashes. The dim light clung to him, highlighting every ridge, every scar, every inch of power carved into his golden flesh.


    "I wasn''t finished," she scolded, but the words came out wrong¡ªsoft, pleading, like a child who needed to be soothed. Heat blossomed on her face.


    "Neither am I." His dark eyes flickered with something that made her pulse spike.


    Before she could snap back, he stepped out of the tub. One strong leg, then the other. Lumi scrambled to her feet, far less graceful than him. She stepped back, putting some distance between them.


    She tried not to. She truly did. But her eyes found him again. Captivated, she took him in. All of him. When she gazed upon the place she touched moments before, her belly clenched.


    He was hard. Because of her.


    He didn''t reach for a towel, didn''t even pretend to care about modesty. Lumi could only stand there as he crouched to twist the ancient valves. The pipes groaned, water hissed, steam furled through the air. Blood and grime spiraled down the drain in dark, swirling ribbons.


    "What are you doing?" she managed.


    "Preparing a bath," he glanced at her over his shoulder, "For us."


    Us. The word sent shivers down her spine. Her toes curled involuntarily.


    Lumi''s eyes refused to leave him, stuck on the way his muscles stretched beneath taut skin. The room shrank. The walls pressed in as heat pooled low in her belly. She needed to move, to speak, to do something. But she was rooted in place, caught beneath his spell.


    When he finished his task, he rose, and turned to face her. Water dripped from his hair and trailed down his chest. His gaze locked on hers. For a moment, it lingered, heavy and unreadable. Then it dropped, and a frown pulled at his lips.


    Tipping his chin, he gestured at her corset. "This ridiculous contraption again?"


    He closed the distance between them in one stride and lifted her chin with his thumb and pointer finger. She had no choice but to meet his stare. He blinked at her, and she blinked back at him, and the silence stretched.


    Then slowly, deliberately, he pressed his lips to her scar.


    A shock spiked through her. A current that ignited something raw and unfamiliar. She wanted to pull away. She wanted to lean closer. Gods, she didn''t know what she wanted. His arm curled around her, pressing her up against his hard chest. His wet skin against her now-damp dress.


    "I like you like this," he said as he pulled back slightly. The arm around her rose, his hand going to her neck and lingering there. She remembered the night before. How he had applied pressure there in the most wonderful of ways. She swallowed.


    "You like me, how?" she whispered.


    "As you are."


    Her eyes shot up to his, "You like me like this?"


    His lips twitched, "I do."


    "There''s something wrong with you."


    He laughed. A low, dark sound that sent a thrill through her. His smile widened, baring his teeth. There was danger in the curve of his lips. A promise of destruction she wasn''t certain she wanted to escape.


    "I''m a little twisted," he admitted, fingers tightening slightly on her throat, "But that has nothing to do with the fact that you are..." his gaze raked over her, "Magnificent."

 Chapter 16

    ¡°I¡¯d like to see more of you,¡± Rook said in that raspy lilt. ¡°Turn around.¡±


    Lumi obeyed. Not from submission, but from the aching need to mask the blush rising to her cheeks.


    Magnificent, he had called her.


    The sloop swayed on the inky waves, but it wasn¡¯t the sea that left her unbalanced¡ªit was him. His proximity, the heat he radiated, the feral energy barely contained beneath his skin.


    Sparks burst along her scalp as his fingers slid through her hair. The coarse touch ignited an unwelcome thrill. Her pulse thundered in her ears like a storm.


    Lumi wasn¡¯t accustomed to receiving compliments. Praise was a foreign concept, and trying to figure out how to react to it was beyond tedious.


    Last night he called her beautiful. Now she was magnificent?


    Suspicion swirled through her as he began tugging at the strings of her corset. What was the purpose of his flattery? Why waste his time when he could just as easily take her by force. She was already his, wasn¡¯t she? Not by choice, but by circumstance.


    The strings gave way, and her mind flitted to the blade she left beneath his pillow. A cruel irony that it was now out of reach. Dread prickled up her throat.


    He had killed with that hand. The one at her back, deftly unraveling silk and lace. Those eyes, burning into her from behind, had witnessed atrocities.


    A predator stood behind her. A conqueror of oceans. A ruler of seas. Stripping her of her last line of defense.


    And yet, she wasn¡¯t afraid.


    Alive. That¡¯s what she felt. A maddening current surged beneath her skin. Her nipples hardened, her flesh hummed.


    ¡°Rook.¡± His name fell from her tongue in a husky whisper. She wasn¡¯t certain what she meant to say. Ask him to stop? To go faster? To touch her already?


    He went still behind her. The hand poised at the small of her back frozen in place. Then she felt him inch impossibly closer. His forehead brushed the crown of her head.


    ¡°My name,¡± he murmured, softer now. ¡°Say it again.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡±


    ¡°Say it.¡±


    Her lips parted, ¡°Rook.¡±


    She heard his quick intake of breath, ¡°Again.¡±


    ¡°Rook.¡±


    She turned her head slightly, enough to catch a glimpse of him. His expression wasn¡¯t what she expected. His usual arrogant exterior slipped, leaving something raw, almost vulnerable in its place.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± her voice came out sharper than she intended, ¡°Not used to hearing your name? Do you prefer Sir? Emperor? Your majesty?¡± A bitter smile curved her lips, ¡°Pirate-slayer, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Say it again,¡± he repeated, quieter now, almost pleading.


    A blush colored her cheeks.


    Softer now, ¡°Rook.¡±


    The corset fell from her shoulders. She watched it pool at her feet in a whisper of silk and lace. Lumi¡¯s chest heaved. Her breaths left her in uneven pants. All that remained was the thin fabric of her dress.


    She felt his fingers toying with the straps at her shoulders. One slipped free, then the other, and the dress cascaded down her body to join the corset on the floor. With the weight of it gone, she felt exposed in a way she never had before. Only her panties remained, the tiny stretch of fabric that covered her most intimate part.


    ¡°Turn around,¡± Rook ordered.


    A shudder ran through her. His command left no room for argument, but her feet refused to cooperate. They remained rooted in place, and the silence stretched.


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    She felt him step closer. His warmth cascaded over her back, seeped into her skin. Her knees threatened to buckle, trembling beneath a sudden onslaught of emotions she couldn¡¯t name.


    In three years she had lost so much of herself. The slums took everything from her, stripped her of her humanity, little by little. Her body was the one thing that remained her own. Now, stripped bare before him, the last fragments of her autonomy were crumbling.


    A strange, unfamiliar emotion clawed its way up her throat. Her chest ached, and her eyes burned. She tried to hold back, but a drop of moisture escaped. A single, traitorous tear that trailed hot and humiliating down her cheek.


    She swiped it away, but not fast enough.


    ¡°Lumi.¡± Rook¡¯s voice was quieter now. Tender, but still laced with the rough edge that made her insides twist.


    Fingers brushed her shoulders as he slid her hair aside. The strands fell away to reveal the curve of her neck. His calloused touch stroked over her skin with an intimacy that made her heart hammer into her ribcage.


    ¡°You¡¯re trembling,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± But the crack in her voice betrayed her.


    His hand lingered at her neck, thumb grazing her flesh with a maddening slowness. ¡°You are.¡±


    She tried to soothe the storm raging within her. She couldn¡¯t fall apart. Not here. Not now. After tonight, she could crumble. She could scream and sob until her throat was raw and her eyes were red. But not here.


    Not in his presence.


    Control yourself, Lumi. The serpentine voice dripped with disdain. Do not let him see your weaknesses.


    But she couldn¡¯t stop.


    Rook¡¯s arm wrapped around her front, pulling her flush against him. His lips pressed into her cheek, where the salty trail lingered. She felt him frown against her skin.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. The fragility in her voice disgusted her, but she couldn¡¯t choke it back.


    His heat radiated through her, the rhythm of his breathing steady against her back. Moisture lapped softly at their feet as she struggled to collect herself.


    ¡°Do you want me to stop?¡±


    The question sliced through the haze of her thoughts. It wasn¡¯t something she expected¡ªnot from any man, certainly not from him. A payment had been made in exchange for her body. How she felt about it should not matter. And yet, he stood behind her, awaiting her response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    The words hung in the air between them, raw and true. His touch stirred something in her¡ªan aching mix of want and shame. But also something else. Something tumultuous. Something uncomfortable.


    He remained at her back, his presence a steady tether to reality.


    ¡°Let me wash you.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a question, but it wasn¡¯t a command either. She could hear the uncertainty in his tone. And she knew he would respect whatever decision she made.


    ¡°I already bathed,¡± she managed, her teeth grinding in a futile effort to hold back the tears threatening to spill.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    She hesitated, then nodded.


    Taking her hand, Rook led her to the tub. The surface rippled, reflecting flickers of candlelight. He stepped in first, and gracefully sank into the depths. Then he helped her follow.


    All at once, she was enveloped in the sweltering water. She sank back against him, allowing the heat to coax the tension from her muscles. Her pulse spiked at the sensation of his bare chest against her spine.


    Rook worked in silence. A bar of soap moved over her skin, followed by his large palm. His touch traveling over her shoulders, down her back, along the expanse of her arms.


    The intimacy of his touch was unbearable. Tears spilled, hot and unwelcome. At first, they fell in silence, but soon her body betrayed her, sobs wracking her thin frame.


    ¡°Why do you weep?¡± Rook never ceased his careful strokes along her flesh.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± And she didn¡¯t. Her hands flew to her face in a futile attempt to hide her own unraveling.


    Rook moved her effortlessly, shifting her until she straddled him. The water sloshed between them as he took her wrists and pulled her hands from her face. His gaze bore into her, dark and searching.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± he soothed, releasing her wrists and running his hand along her back, ¡°Everything will be alright.¡±


    All she could do was shake her head as she sniveled and sobbed.


    ¡°Shh.¡± He released her wrists, his fingers tangling in her wet hair as he brought her into him. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Lumi. Let it all out.¡±


    He rubbed circles into her back as she wept in his arms. Every once in a while he would say something like, ¡°Good girl.¡± Or ¡°You¡¯re such a sweet girl.¡± And it only made her fall apart faster.


    ¡°No,¡± she choked out, her voice raw, ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°I see you, Lumi,¡± he murmured, ¡°The real you. There¡¯s no need to hide.¡±


    His words¡ªsoft, tender¡ªcut deeper than any cruelty ever could. Men like him weren¡¯t supposed to speak with kindness. Men like him weren¡¯t supposed to care. And yet, he did.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of making you do something you weren¡¯t ready for,¡± he rasped in her ear as he pet her hair, ¡°I hope that¡¯s not the reason you¡¯re upset.¡±


    They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. Her tears eventually quieted to shuddering breaths. When her trembling ceased, he resumed his work. His hands roamed over her body with infuriating patience. His touch was firm as he washed her chest, her stomach, her legs. Then, without hesitation, he brought the soap between her thighs. She inhaled sharply as he brushed the damp cloth of her undergarment aside as though he owned her entirely.


    When he was done, he lifted her as if she weighed nothing. He wrapped her in a towel, the coarse fabric dragging against her still-sensitive flesh. He carried her to the bed, laying her down, pulling her into his chest.


    His arm was a protective cage around her, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt¡­safe.


    As his fingers combed through her damp hair, the weight of the night pulled her towards sleep. Just before the darkness claimed her, his voice broke through.


    ¡°Where did you come from?¡±


    The question hung in the air, unanswered. Slumber finally took her.

 Chapter 17

    Lumi was pressed up against a man.


    Sluggish with sleep, her brain registered his pleasant warmth before anything else. Her fingers twitched against the hard plane of his stomach, grazing the trail of dark hair that led to his navel.


    Then she heard it. His heartbeat. Steady, strong, as it pumped blood through his arteries. Every thud echoed through her skull as if it were her own.


    But it wasn¡¯t the only one.


    Another heartbeat. Further away. Not his. Not hers.


    Lumi¡¯s eyes snapped open. Her vision swam as her senses sharpened. Pale, morning light seeped through the salt-streaked window, pooling in lazy patches across the cabin. The air smelled of brine and stale tobacco.


    And there, in the far corner, was a figure.


    A man.


    Lounged comfortably at the rickety table, his elbows planted on its worn surface. His fingers worked a thin paper, rolling something with practiced ease. His movements were lazy and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world.


    Lumi didn¡¯t dare move, every nerve in her body on high alert.


    Who was this man? Did Rook know him? Were they friends or foes?


    It was only when he blinked in her direction that she realized she was nearly naked, save for her panties.


    She bolted upright, the air biting against her bare skin. Her first instinct was to shield herself from his perusal. Her hands shot to the blanket, but it refused to budge, trapped beneath Rook¡¯s weight.


    The man¡¯s lips quirked into a smirk as his tongue dragged along the edge of the spliff he was rolling. He finished it with a practiced twist, then placed it between his pouty lips.


    ¡°Good morning, sweetheart,¡± his words were laced with smoke, even before he lit up.


    Beside her, Rook stirred. Propping himself up on his only elbow, his expression darkened as he looked upon their intruder.


    ¡°Indigo.¡± Rook¡¯s voice was a rough scrape. Thick with sleep, yet jagged as broken glass.


    ¡°Morning, sunshine.¡± Indigo¡¯s smirk widened as he struck a match. The sharp snap of the wick echoed in the space as he lit the end. Smoke curled upwards, mingling with the tension already thick in the air.


    Naked as the night before, Rook didn¡¯t mind his own lack of clothing. Or Lumi¡¯s for that matter. Sitting up against the headboard, he draped a lazy arm over Lumi¡¯s shoulder and brought her back to his side.


    He did so without hesitation, like he didn¡¯t need to think twice about pulling her close. Like it was second nature to him. Like he had done it many times before.


    Unease curled her gut.


    Rook twirled a strand of her golden hair between his fingertips, but his sights remained on the other man, ¡°Breaking and entering, are we?¡±


    ¡°Saw your ship in port,¡± Indigo exhaled a plume of smoke, as he studied the two of them. ¡°Thought I¡¯d say hello.¡±


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    ¡°And help yourself to my amenities.¡± Rook added.


    Indigo shrugged, leaning back in his chair, ¡°Blood runs deep, brother.¡±


    The words lingered, the air shifted. Whatever history lay between the two surfaced in their solemn silence.


    Brother.


    They were brothers?


    She could see the similarities¡ªsame golden skin, same dark hair, same severe jawline. But that was where their resemblance ended. Indigo¡¯s emerald stare was light and quirky, not nearly as dark and haunted as his brother¡¯s inky glare.


    She was willing to bet Indigo was younger by a few years. Rook was older which would explain why he received the title of emperor after their father passed away.


    Holding a piece of parchment between two fingers, Indigo broke the tense silence, ¡°Found this on your desk.¡±


    He spread it out, the weathered map unfurling. Lumi¡¯s interest was piqued. It was unmistakably the same map she had stolen¡ªthe map of The Kingdom of Dracule.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t quite believe my eyes,¡± Indigo¡¯s tone dripped with mockery, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still chasing fairy tales, Rook.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing you need to worry about.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but I do,¡± Indigo shot back, ¡°I worry, Rook. You¡¯ve got the map. You¡¯re here. And you¡¯re acting¡­¡± his eyes flicked to Lumi before snapping back to his brother, ¡°Unlike yourself. What¡¯s the play?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯ve been developments.¡±


    ¡°Care to elaborate?¡±


    Rook continued playing with a strand of Lumi¡¯s hair, ¡°The specifics don¡¯t matter.¡±


    Indigo leaned forward, his expression hardening, ¡°You¡¯re going after the treasure, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Lumi felt Rook stiffen beside her, but he only shrugged nonchalantly, ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Treasure? So, the map of Dracule¡­it was a treasure map? And Rook was going after said treasure? Lumi¡¯s mind raced.


    This was it. The piece of knowledge she had been scrambling for. She wouldn¡¯t have to return to Lady Sol empty-handed after all.


    She had something now. A few somethings.


    Rook did not care for the title that had been forced upon him. He had a soft side¡ªone he¡¯d revealed the night before as she fell apart in his arms. He had a brother who seemed like a whole lot of trouble. And he was chasing treasure.


    Lumi¡¯s chest tightened with a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, those details would be enough for Lady Sol. Maybe she would finally earn back her memories.


    Indigo tapped ash into a tray on the table and shifted his focus to her. His smirk deepened, his scrutiny putting her on edge. ¡°And who is this lovely creature in your bed?¡±


    Before Rook could answer, Lumi cut in,¡°I¡¯m the whore of the night. And it seems our time is up.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short, sweetheart.¡± Indigo quipped, ¡°Whores don¡¯t usually last this long in my brother¡¯s bed.¡±


    ¡°Indy,¡± Rook warned.


    Indigo raised his hands in mock surrender, but his grin never faltered. ¡°I¡¯ll be here when you¡¯re ready to talk.¡±


    He stood and walked towards the door. It creaked shut behind him, leaving Lumi and Rook alone.


    Lumi rose, her movements stiff. She reached for the dress she¡¯d worn the night before, fingers trembling as they brushed over cotton. She dressed quietly, avoiding Rook stare, though she could feel it burning through her. The corset lay crumpled on the floor, an afterthought. She left it there.


    Rook stepped closer, the weight of his presence pressing against her back. ¡°Are you feeling better?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she bit out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he said firmly, ¡°Don¡¯t pretend like nothing happened.¡±


    What was she to do? How was she meant to act now, when everything inside her felt raw and exposed.


    He had seen too much¡ªa side of her she kept locked away, hidden even from herself most days. That fractured part of her wasn¡¯t meant to exist outside the darkness of her solitude. She¡¯d been too reckless last night.She¡¯d let him in, and now the weight of it threatened to crush her.


    Her chest constricted, the ache spreading with every breath she took. She turned to face him, her features schooled into a cold, impassive mask.


    ¡°Nothing did.¡± The lie burned her tongue.


    Something flickered through Rook¡¯s expression. Hurt, maybe? It passed too quickly, smothered beneath a practiced indifference.


    Hurt? Because of her? No. He wasn¡¯t wounded by a pleasuremaiden¡¯s dismissal. He had bigger concerns. Treasure to hunt, people to kill. She was merely an afterthought. Something entertaining to pass the time.


    The thought should have steadied her, but it only deepened the ache in her chest.


    She pushed past him, her voice cold and final, ¡°I hope to never see you again, Rook. Have a nice life.¡±


    She didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t glance back. The silence behind her was heavier than the words she¡¯d left hanging in the air.

 Chapter 18

    As Lumi trudged back into town, she began to feel unwell.


    Cobblestones glistened with dew and filth. A thick fog hung low over the slums, obscuring the jagged outlines of crumbling buildings and sagging rooftops. The air reeked of rotting fish, unwashed bodies, and the faint metallic tang of blood.


    The latter stuck to the back of her throat.


    Hunger gnawed at her insides, twisting with every step she took. The edges of her vision blurred, dark spots flickering in and out. Her limbs felt heavy, every movement demanding more than she could give.


    You¡¯re starving, the voice slithered through her mind. You must feed.


    Lumi spared a glance at the market ahead, where stalls drooped beneath faded canvas. Her mouth watered at the thought of filling the nagging hollow in her belly, but there was one problem¡ªshe had no gem.


    Still, her feet dragged her in that direction. A vendor unloaded crates of baked goods from a cart, his back turned. The smell of bread¡ªyeasty, warm¡ªtwined through the atmosphere, almost masking the rot that clung to the slums.


    Lumi slowed. Her fingers twitched at her sides as her gaze locked on a loaf of bread. Golden, speckled with flour.


    One quick grab. That was all it would take.


    She took a step forward. Then another.


    Sweet, Lumi, the voice crooned. It is not food you crave.


    The words echoed through her mind, soft and slow. A tone reserved for explaining something to a dim-witted child. A chill skittered down her spine, freezing her in place.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± she whispered.


    The vendor shot her a glance, his brows furrowing at the sight of her. She must have looked mad.


    Perhaps she was.


    From the corner of her vision, movement caught her attention. A group of men stumbled out of a nearby alley, their laughter brash and grating against the quiet morning. The sour stink of last night¡¯s ale rolled off of them in waves.


    ¡°Oi, look at this one,¡± one of them said, his voice slightly slurred. A scraggly man with an unkempt beard and a grin full of yellowed teeth. ¡°Looks like she¡¯s seen a ghost.¡±


    ¡°Seen one?¡± his companion guffawed, ¡°Looks like she is one.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s eyes met his. Something in her stare stilled him, his laughter trailing off into an awkward silence. He spat on the ground at her feet, muttering, ¡°Freak,¡± before shoving past her.


    Such scum, the voice hissed. You could make them disintegrate with a single glance¡ªyou should.


    Lumi¡¯s knees buckled. She caught herself against a wall, her nails scraping along damp stone. The ache in her gut surged. A ravenous, savage thing crawling up her throat.


    It was all too much¡ªthe hunger, the voice, the cacophony of pumping hearts and rushing blood that filled her ears. It was a grotesque symphony, and she desperately wished for it to end.


    The fog pressed closer, veiling the crooked silhouette of the pleasurehouse ahead. She wasn¡¯t herself. She needed to get inside, to lock herself in her bedroom until this madness passed.


    But the voice had other ideas.


    Go after them, Lumi, it purred. You must feed.


    She still did not understand. Her body felt heavy, every step an effort. Still, her legs moved forward, following the group of men.


    Their boisterous laughter grated on her already frayed nerves as they stopped to buy food at one of the vendors. Lumi lingered in the shadows, head spinning, limbs trembling. Once they traded gem for food, she followed them into a narrow alleyway.


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    That¡¯s right, Lumi, the voice encouraged. Just a few more steps.


    She continued forward, even as her vision dulled and her limbs nearly gave out. Panic gripped her as the men drifted further away. She couldn¡¯t catch up. Not in her current condition. She would lose them.


    Then one turned. His gaze locked on her, his slow smile pungent and predatory as he nudged the others.


    ¡°Look what we have here,¡± he drawled


    ¡°A beggar?¡± another sneered, lips curling.


    ¡°No,¡± the first man said, stepping closer. A depraved gleam flashed through his eyes as they raked over her, ¡°She¡¯s too clean to be a beggar.¡±


    ¡°A pleasuremaiden?¡± another offered and the others hummed in agreement.


    ¡°Think she¡¯s lost?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s looking for company,¡± a third man added, ¡°How about we show her some hospitality.¡±


    No. Lumi¡¯s throat tightened. The alley shrunk around her, the thick fog pressing in on her, suffocating her. Her back brushed the wall, cold and slick with grime. She was deep in the alley now, the way out swallowed by shadows and smirking faces.


    Nobody would hear her scream.


    Do not fret, lovely, the voice cooed. You¡¯re not the one who will be screaming.


    The men circled her. A cold sweat trickled down her spine. She couldn¡¯t understand why her legs refused to run, why her arms stayed at her sides, why her heart did not so much as stutter.


    But the voice in her head¡ªoh, it understood.


    Lovely Lumi, it caressed her. You have them right where you need them. Now, feed.


    She shook her head, panic flaring, ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Let their heartbeats guide you.


    The voice was thick with anticipation. It drowned out all thought and protest. Her pulse slowed, steadying as she closed her eyes. The world around her dimmed, the men¡¯s jeering fading to whispers.


    All that remained was the rhythm¡ªthe deep, resonant thumping of their hearts.


    A hand shot out, gripping her wrist with bruising force. She was shoved against a wall, her head snapping against stone. Pain bloomed at the base of her skull, but it only sharpened her senses.


    Something primal roared within her. A deep instinct kept dormant for too long.


    Lumi lunged.


    Her teeth sank into soft flesh. Blood gushed into her mouth. Hot, metallic, more intoxicating than anything she¡¯d ever tasted.


    A scream tore from his throat, his voice gurgling as she drank deeply.


    Yes, Lumi, the voice hummed, thick with delight. Don¡¯t stop. Not until you¡¯ve had your fill.


    She drank, and drank, and drank some more. Desperation gripped her. It wasn¡¯t enough. She needed more.


    The body grew slack in her grip. Lumi felt his heartbeat falter, then fade. She let him collapse to the ground, licking the crimson from her lips.


    The others stood frozen in the alleyway. Faces twisted with terror. The scent of their fear only fueled her. She turned to the nearest one, his wide eyes locked on her.


    Stumbling backwards, he slipped and fell on his behind. Scrambling, he tried to get away. But Lumi was faster.


    She pounced. Pinned him to the ground. She was mesmerized by that spot on his throat, where his pulse throbbed sporadically.


    ¡°Please,¡± he wept, ¡°I have children¡ª¡±


    Lumi bit down.


    Flooding her tastebuds, his blood was sweeter than honeysuckle. It ignited her veins, flooded her with vitality. She drank him dry within seconds.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    She glanced up just in time to spot the third man sprinting away with all his might and disappearing into a side street.


    Go after him, Lumi, the voice urged. You mustn¡¯t let him get away.


    She rose, ready to follow after him. Then a glimpse of her bloodstained hands gave her pause. Her trembling fingers were slick with red. The warmth lingered, sickening and alluring all at once.


    The alley reeked of death. Silent now, save for the patter of blood dripping on cobblestones. Lumi¡¯s eyes flicked to the bodies. Motionless, sprawled across the filthy dirt. Their faces were locked in horror, mouths agape in screams that she had silenced.


    He knows your face, the voice boomed. You must go after him.


    ¡°No,¡± she grit out.


    Stumbling into the wall, she smudged blood across the damp stone. She caught her reflection in the shattered glass of a nearby window and nearly lost her footing.


    The person staring back wasn¡¯t her. It couldn¡¯t be her.


    Her features were feral. Eyes feverish, the whites rimmed with crimson. Mouth smeared with blood. Lips curled back to reveal teeth too sharp. Her dress was saturated in scarlet, a grotesque banner of her deeds.


    A wave of nausea rose like bile up her throat. She tore her gaze away, but the image remained seared into her mind.


    What had she done?


    She devoured them¡ªdrunk their blood like a parched traveler in a desert. Now their essence surged through her, electric and intoxicating. The fog that had clouded her thoughts for so long had lifted, leaving a brutal clarity in its wake. Power thrummed through her muscles, singing in her blood.


    For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she could truly breathe.


    But the truth suffocated her. She thought of Lady Sol¡¯s tea, the bitter brew she had cast aside just a day ago. The tea had suppressed something dark. Something monstrous. Was this the price of her defiance?


    Lumi turned from the carnage. She forced one unsteady step after another. Her legs felt leaden, her breath ragged, the iron tang of blood clinging to her tongue. At the alley¡¯s mouth, she paused, glancing back one final time.


    The bodies lay lifeless and contorted.


    Her trembling fingers curled into fists. She knew who to blame.


    The emperor.


    Rook.


    He was the one who told her to stop drinking the tea. She was in this mess because of him. And he would pay for it.

 Chapter 19

    Lumi moved like a shadow through Lover¡¯s District. What had begun with the mild inconvenience of waking in the emperor¡¯s bed had rapidly descended into chaos¡ªculminating in her fleeing a crime scene. One she had created.


    She was lucky it was the sabbath, most residents still lost to slumber. The slums were desolate, save for the occasional stir of a stray pup or the mumble of a drunkard too far gone to find his way home.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to be seen.


    Not like this.


    Blood stiffened her dress, flaking off in brittle streaks with every movement. It crusted in the corners of her mouth, caked beneath her fingernails, lingered on her tongue.


    The pleasurehouse loomed ahead, its weathered exterior blending into the district¡¯s squalor. Lumi slipped through the back entrance, the door groaning softly as she shut it behind her. She pressed her forehead into the cool wood, her breaths coming in shallow gasps that scraped against her throat.


    ¡°Rough night?¡±


    The voice made her jump. She spun around, her heart slamming against her ribcage. Her back pressed hard against the door, the knob digging into her spine.


    Rico stood against a wall, a vicious smirk pulling at his lips. Then his gaze slid over her, lingering on her bloodstained ensemble.


    ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with him,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What?¡± Lumi¡¯s stopped breathing. She was certain her wide-eyed expression betrayed the panic swirling through her insides.


    ¡°The emperor,¡± Rico said.


    ¡°The emperor¡­?¡± she echoed, feeling faint.


    Get it together, Lumi, the voice scolded.


    ¡°Last night¡­¡± Rico¡¯s words went unfinished.


    An image flashed through her mind¡ªblood pooling across the deck of Rook¡¯s ship.


    ¡°Right,¡± she managed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve known plenty of killers,¡± Rico continued, ¡°But him? He doesn¡¯t just kill. He enjoys it.¡±


    Lumi¡¯s gut churned. Last night, she had been repulsed by what Rook had done¡ªthe way he severed limbs and sliced flesh. But as Rico¡¯s words settled over her, they felt like a mirror she couldn¡¯t turn away from.


    Was she any different?


    No.


    She was worse.


    Rook¡¯s actions stemmed from self defense. Kill or be killed, he told her. She stalked her victims. Sought them out. And the worst part¡ªshe enjoyed it. An ecstatic rush blazed through her veins as she drank from them. She could still feel it thrumming inside of her.


    Gods help her.


    Now, standing in the suffocating stillness of the pleasurehouse, the memory curdled into shame. She wished to disappear, to dissolve into the floorboards and become nothing.


    ¡°Get yourself cleaned up,¡± Rico tilted his head to the winding staircase, ¡°You look like hell.¡±


    Without a word, she pushed past him, her steps unsteady as she climbed the stairs to her room.


    ***


    The door shut behind her with a dull click. Lumi sagged against it, the back of her head hitting the warped wood with a soft thud. The water-damaged ceiling stared back at her, its dark stains spreading like an infection. Her four walls pressed in, threatening to smother her.


    She fumbled at the straps of her dress, yanking them free with jerky, desperate motions. The bloodied garment slid to the floor, collapsing in a crimson heap.


    A metallic clang broke the silence, the sound reverberating through the room like canon fire. Lumi¡¯s gaze snapped to the dagger that tumbled free from the folds of the dress. The blade caught a pool of light seeping through the jagged hole in her wall, scattering reflections across the room.


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    It whispered to her. A dark promise that made her shiver.


    The rotting floorboards groaned as she dropped to her knees. Her trembling fingers closed around the hilt, the cold metal biting into her skin.


    She turned it over, her eyes tracing the lethal edge.


    One stroke, the venomous voice encouraged. That¡¯s all it would take.


    Her hand rose, the blade quivering as she pressed it to the delicate hollow of her throat.


    She could end it.


    The pain.


    The hunger.


    The endless torment.


    One clean swipe, and all her problems would dissolve.


    The blade pressed harder, the tip slicing just enough to send a drop of blood trickling down the columns of her throat. A single tear carved a path down her cheek, mingling with the blood.


    She would be forgotten¡ªanother body amongst the other poor souls who perished in these slums. Nobody else would die at her hands. The world would be a better place.


    No.


    With a guttural cry, Lumi flung the dagger across the room. It hit the wall with a dull thunk and clattered to the ground.


    Very good, lovely¡ªthe voice purred its delight.


    Her hand flew to her throat, swiping away the iron and salt.


    She wouldn¡¯t make it easy for them. Lady Sol, Rico, Rook. All those who took satisfaction in her torment. She wouldn¡¯t surrender, wouldn¡¯t lay down and die.


    She would fight. Until her last aching breath.


    The mystery of her past still loomed like a cloud above her head. She wasn¡¯t done. Not yet.


    The floorboards on the other side of her door creaked. Then came a knock. It broke the stillness like a thunderclap.


    Lumi¡¯s head snapped toward the door. There was no time to compose herself before the door groaned ajar, spilling light into the room.


    ¡°Hey stranger,¡± Kit stepped inside, her voice light, teasing. ¡°The emperor¡¯s been keeping you all to himself, hasn¡¯t he? I haven¡¯t seen you in days.¡±


    Lumi turned away, reaching for her pile of rags. She pulled one over her head, ¡°Something like that.¡±


    Kit¡¯s gaze wandered across the space, playful at first. Then her eyes caught the bloodied dress crumpled on the floor. Her smirk faltered, her cheerful disposition crumbling as she took everything in¡ªthe discarded dagger, the bloody smears on Lumi¡¯s lips, throat, hands.


    ¡°Lumi.¡± Concern twisted Kit¡¯s features. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding.¡±


    Lumi finished pulling her rags on, hiding the evidence beneath their itchy folds. She turned to face Kit, her expression carefully blank. ¡°It¡¯s not my blood.¡±


    ¡°Then whose is it?¡± Kit stepped forward, voice lowering, ¡°What happened?¡±


    Lie, the voice slithered. She mustn¡¯t know the truth.


    ¡°Three bandits.¡± The fib slipped from her lips with alarming ease. ¡°They tried to cash in on the emperor¡¯s bounty. He killed them.¡±


    Kit froze. Her lips parted as though she might say something, but the words never came. Instead, she looked at Lumi¡ªreally looked at her.


    ¡°Are you¡­alright?¡± Doubt threaded through each word.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Lumi shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s over now.¡±


    Kit¡¯s keen gaze remained on her. Lumi swore she could see right through her, past the facade, into the storm raging beneath the surface.


    ¡°You know you can tell me anything, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Lumi¡¯s chest hurt.


    Anything?


    She almost laughed at the absurdity of it. How could she tell Kit the truth? That the crimson gore wasn¡¯t the emperor¡¯s doing, but her own. That she had drained two bodies dry. That she had savored every drop.


    Gods, one of them was a father. That barely registered in the heat of the moment, but now it was all she could think about. He was scum, for sure. But his child didn¡¯t deserve to be raised without a father.


    Because of her.


    It was all because of her.


    No, Lumi decided then. Kit couldn¡¯t know. She could already imagine the revulsion that would twist the other girl¡¯s features, the horror that would flare in her eyes.


    She wouldn¡¯t understand. Lumi hardly understood it herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lumi repeated, though her voice cracked this time. She swallowed hard, the truth lodging itself deeper in her throat like a splinter.


    Kit reached out, fingers brushing against Lumi¡¯s arm¡ªa tentative gesture meant to reassure, ¡°Lumi¡­¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯m fine!¡± Lumi snapped, jerking her arm away. Her voice cut deeper than intended.


    Kit flinched, but didn¡¯t retreat. Her hand hovered for a brief moment before falling to her side.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Lumi lowered her head in shame, turning away from Kit, ¡°I had a long night.¡±


    A long morning, too, the voice cackled.


    ¡°I just want to be left alone,¡± her words weren¡¯t meant for Kit alone.


    The silence stretched. Lumi could feel Kit hesitate behind her, could hear the floorboards creak as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.


    ¡°Just be careful, okay? Whatever¡¯s going on¡­don¡¯t let it consume you.¡±


    It was a little too late for that.


    Kit lingered for another moment, her presence heavy with unspoken words. Then she slipped into the hallway and pulled the door shut behind her.


    Alone again.


    The quiet swallowed her.


    Lumi had to fight the urge to run after her, to pour out every word she¡¯d swallowed, every truth she¡¯d left unspoken.


    But she couldn¡¯t. The truth was a poison, and it would drag Kit down with her.


    She had to carry this burden alone.


    She squared her shoulders as a cold resolve settled over her. She would unravel the truth of what was happening to her, tear through the darkness until she understood it, until she could control it.


    She would make it right, no matter the cost.


    And if it consumed her in the end¡ªso be it.