Page 19

The room was small, fitting in a full bed and two nightstands, a chair in the corner near the single window looking onto the street. Simple and basic.

“You break furniture—” She nodded between us with insinuation.

“Let me guess… there’s a fee for that.” I smirked.

Her gaze moved slowly over my body,humphingbefore she slammed the door on us.

“I think she likes you,” Scarlet teased, stepping into the room and plopping on the bed.

“I have a way with people lately,” I muttered, suddenly feeling the small room close in, the silence wrapping around us, and the natural thought process of being alone in a bedroom with hardly any clothes on.

I felt like a sick fuck for my mind even roaming in that area. My limbs twitched to get out the door.

“Why don’t you shower and relax. I’ll go get us some clothes.”

“I wish I had been carrying money with me that night.” She tucked hair behind her ear, looking strangely sad, her teeth nipping into her lip.

“Well, maybe if I hold you for ransom, your mommy and daddy will pay a large sum for you?” I tried to joke, though it fell flat, swallowed up by her silence, her gaze off to the side.

So much was there. The layers weaved in the room, her story not so cut and dry. I wanted to press, to ask her to tell me more.No. My brain barked, pushing against my nature.Remember, she will not be around long enough to care. Don’t get involved.

“O-kay.” I placed my palms together. “I’ll leave you to yourself. You’ll be good, right?” I was slightly nervous to leave her, yet I needed out of this room as if my life depended on it.

She nodded, still not looking at me.

“Do not leave this room or answer the door to anyone but me, got it?”

A nod.

Reluctantly, I made my way to the door, exiting and slipping out quickly to the street.

Not even midmorning, and the lane bustled with activity as another train came into the depot. Vendors yelled out for what trinkets and morsels the weary traveler must not leave without. The scent of fried dough, horse manure, and sausage cooking hung low in the frosty air.

Without my hooded jacket, I kept my head down, my gaze always scanning with multiple agendas. Looking out for trouble, for clothes, and for the true reason I was scouring the streets.

Seeing items of clothing out in front of a shop, my focus went to the building down the street, my arms twitching, my fingers rubbing at my lips like I was salivating.

Bordélyház, Brothel House. The place had a no-frills sign on a shabby two-story house. It wasn’t what they were offering up front, it was what they had inside to enhance the experience I lusted for. Fairy dust and brothels went hand in hand.

Physically, I stopped in front of the clothing racks, absently going through them, though everything else inside me was pulling me down the street while my mind tried to be logical. Get the necessities.

Sweat dampened my skin, and my teeth ground together as my hand robotically went through items without seeing any of them.

“Bazdmeg.” Fuck it.I growled under my breath, my boots picking up pace, jogging toward the brothel.I mean, it couldn’t hurt to see how much for a hit.

My muscles trembled by the time I stepped into the quiet entry, the craving taking over, as if my body could already feel the high. The tranquility. I knew I would have to quit eventually, but with everything going on, I just needed it to get through for a few more days.

Haven’t you been telling yourself that for months now?A voice dredged up, nipping at the back of my mind before I shoved it away.

The time of day had the place quiet, though a few men milled around the bar in the far corner, a few sex workers sitting next to them or strutting around with drink trays. With the trains coming into the depot and an abundance of travelers looking to unwind, places like this were open day and night.

“What can I help you with, gorgeous?” A young fae man winked at me from behind the bar, wearing nothing more than a fitted vest and short, tight boxer briefs, displaying everything.

His gaze devoured me as I strolled up to him. “You can have whatever you want.” He made it very clear he was included.

My hands couldn’t stop moving, my legs dancing in place, not able to settle, anxiety building up. I needed it now.

His gaze moved over me, noticing me twitch, his head dipping. “I think I know what you want.”