The crowd erupts at the sight.
The curtain closes once again, and the audience groans at the loss.
The music grows louder and faster still until it comes to a sudden halt, the lights blacking out once again so that for a single second, the room is enveloped in silent nothing.
Then the music begins again, slow and low. The curtain begins to part, one inch at a time. And the lights rise, revealing Lady Caterine. Her golden hair shines under the lights, her curves highlighted by the sparkly tight black fabric that barely covers her. Her brightly painted lips smirk, and though I know it’s not possible, it feels like she is looking directly at me.
She plays the tension in the room masterfully, holding her pose until the frenzy in the room peaks.
The room explodes, people going wild as Lady Caterine begins to dance. She moves across the stage with a natural grace, like she was born to be here, entrancing this room of people. Entrancing me.
The crowd jostles me, pushing closer to the stage as if drawn to Lady Caterine like magnets, but I barely notice.
I haven’t moved since Lady Caterine revealed herself to the crowd. Haven’t been able to breathe since taking in her gorgeous face and the sumptuous curves that my hands itch to explore.
Lady Caterine, the Gifted woman who could very well hold thefate of the country in the palm of her hand, is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
My heart stops in my chest, my breath caught in my lungs. A single word echoes through my head.
Mine.
And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am well and truly fucked.
The Time Has Come: First Window of Assassination Announced for the Scotan Province
The dust has barely settled in Avon, and now it seems the time has come for what is likely the greatest act of sanctioned violence in the country’s history. But it is not our place to judge the Uprising’s decree—though many citizens of Avon may have differing opinions, it is the firm belief of this writer that we all want one thing for this new united nation: a life of peace, prosperity, and equality for all.
We know the people will have a voice and a say when it comes time to elect our first president of Avon. What we do not yet know is who the four representatives, the four candidates, will be.
It will not be long, however, until we know who will be representing the province of Scota in the election. The killing period for the former king of Scota, James III, will begin in one week, and will last for one week following.
King James III, like most monarchs, is not without his flaws. However, we here at theStratford City Tribunewill be keeping him and his family in our thoughts during what will surely be a most difficult time.
7
Cate
I spot him duringmy performance. I used to get lost in the feeling of being onstage, the entire room’s eyes on me. The audience would become a blur of cheers and applause, the adrenaline too thick in my blood to allow me to focus on anything but the sensation of performing. Now I use the time to try to find my mark for the evening.
He’s handsome, this one, but that’s not what draws me to him. It’s the fine cut of his tuxedo. The expensive watch chain hanging from his pocket, and the gold ring circling his finger. It’s the stunned look on this face as he watches me dance, letting me know this is his first time. He looks at me like he’s never seen anything like me before. And if he’s never visited La Puissance, then he hasn’t. A fact I plan to take full advantage of.
I absorb the applause when my number concludes, letting the crowd shower me in an adoration that bolsters my already high confidence.
They’re eating out of the palm of my hand, and my mysteryman’s mouth still hangs open in shock. I wonder if I can take him for the full amount I need to make tonight’s quota, work him so well I only need to see one client this evening. Based on his wide eyes, he probably doesn’t have much experience with pleasing a woman, but I can be patient if the price is right. Besides, my own pleasure has become a non-issue; with Lady M’s new contract firmly inked with my signature, my only goal now is to make enough money to protect myself and my sister.
The amount of money I’ve been tasked with bringing into the club is exorbitant but still within the realm of possibility. I’ve had to stop seeing clients like Charlie who barely have two gold coins to rub together and start catering to the wealthiest patrons of La Puissance. And I’ve had to begin spending most of my time in the bedroom, leaving little time remaining for performing onstage. For the foreseeable future, I’ll be sticking to my one solo act, using it to rope in the biggest fish in the club, and devoting the rest of my time to paying off first my debt and then Andra’s.
Andra has also been tasked with a high debt, but since she peddles fake fortunes, she tends to collect fewer coins. The only way for her to bring in the amount required would be to begin hosting actual readings, provide visions that prove to be accurate. It wouldn’t take long for word of her Gift to travel, and she could become a target for those who seek power. Rather than risk discovery, she is continuing on as she always has and I will make up the difference for her.
When my number comes to an end, the crowd roars, tossing flowers and coins, even some small jewels, onto the stage and I sashay to the wings, blowing kisses as I leave. Backstage, Rosa helps me out of my costume and into a long, red satin dress; cut low and tight, it’s a dress that tends to get me whatever I want. And tonight, I want him, the man who was so enthralled with my performancethat I was able to pick him out of the boisterous crowd. I want him and his money. I hoist the sumptuous crimson fabric up to my waist, returning my dagger and its sheath to their rightful place, running my thumb over the scarlet jewel set in the hilt as if it can bring me some kind of luck.
“That’s an interesting piece.”
I don’t need to see her to identify her—her voice alone sends a chill racing through me. But I turn to face Lady M as I drop my skirts. “Harold gave it to me.”
“Such an intricate design. And that jewel. It reminds me of one I used to have.” Her golden eyes bore into mine, unreadable but undeniably cold. “Harold must care about you very much.”
“Harold cares about all of us very much. One of his best qualities is how much he cares for people.” It’s a quality he instilled in me, the desire to help others, though as of late I haven’t been able to act on it much. I push my shoulders back, though even at my full height, I am still several inches shorter than Lady M.
