The girl’s smiles wilted as they looked at one another, and there was a pinch in Orelia’s heart at the despair on their faces. They knew they were never getting out of here. Even in a place as big as Ricaboro, Orelia knew ‘stuck’ when she saw it.
“Arielle said you’re a witch?” Tara asked after she dried her eyes.
Orelia nodded. “I used to be the healer in my brothel back home. I know how horrible your customers can be, and I’m so sorry you have to go through that. Millie said your boss doesn’t have a witch on staff, so I’d love to help if you’ll let me.”
Their grim smiles only tugged at her heartstrings further. Tara crossed the room and sat on the bed, pushing her red hair behind her shoulder. “Doyle used to keep a few clerics around, but he letthem go a couple years ago. And lately there’s been a darker clientele he’s allowed in. Ones that prefer their whores bruised and bloodybeforethey get them alone.”
Her stomach turned. Orelia sat next to Tara and looked into her walnut-colored eyes. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
“That’s life,” Tara said with too much apathy. “But at least we have each other to get through it. He only lets a few of us get roughed up, and Maren volunteers every time. I’m not sure if it’s to prove she’s strong enough to handle it, or she’s protecting the rest of us from having to endure it. She’s the one that really needs healing.”
It dawned on her that perhaps that was why Rae refused to be healed. She always took on the more unpleasant patrons, and Orelia thought it had been to prove she could handle it. Maybe it wasn’t that at all. Maybe she was looking out for the others the way Maren was looking out for the girls here.
“After I’m done helping you two, maybe you could bring her to me,” Orelia offered.
Arielle fidgeted with the rope around her waist. “I’ll try, but you being here is risky enough. Doyle will come looking for us soon.” Her green eyes flicked to the door.
“Right. Well, let me hurry then.” Orelia faced the redhead. “You first?”
“Do Arielle,” Tara said. “My wounds are in less obvious places.” She glanced down to her lap.
Arielle stood by her friend, giving her arm the same supportive squeeze Orelia had done so many timesfor her girls.
“I have bruises on both hips and one on my back,” Arielle said as she turned around.
Orelia noted the purple, fist-sized circle edged in black between her shoulder blades, barely hidden under the dress. Her jaw clenched. Years of seeing injuries just like this one and she still hadn’t gotten used to it. “You’ll feel a tingling sensation, but it won’t hurt. I promise.”
After Arielle nodded, Orelia gently placed one hand over the bruise. Yellow light shined under her palm, followed by the glowing shapes appearing on her fingers and wrist, brightening the room.
Tara’s mouth fell open. “Wow.”
“What is it?” Arielle asked, looking over her shoulder.
“You’ll see when she heals your hips.”
When Orelia was finished with her back, Arielle turned, and the witch placed her hand on the pleasure girl’s right hip, letting her light shine. Arielle’s eyes lit up. “I wish Doyle would let witches work here. We could really use your kind in this place.”
“Mine fired me,” Orelia said, her throat going tight thinking about the friends she’d left behind.
“Is that why you came here? Are you going to be our new healer?” Tara asked in a high-pitched voice.
She hated having to disappoint them, but Orelia said, “I’m actually traveling to Dorsey and was just passing through.”
Their shoulders collectively slumped.
“Can you make objects float?” Arielle asked. “I’ve heard witches can do that.”
The two girls looked at her eagerly, waiting for a show.
Orelia curled her fingers toward her, calling on the bar of soap sitting on the washbasin across the room. It rose and drifted over to the two girls watching with wide eyes, smiling from ear to ear. When the soap was directly in front of Arielle, Orelia straightened her fingers, and the soap froze, hovering.
Arielle grabbed it out of the air, and the two girls giggled. “That’s amazing!”
Orelia chuckled at their amusement and went back to focusing on healing Arielle. When she was finished, the girl wrapped her in a tight hug. “Thank you so much. What’s your name?”
“Orelia.”
“That’s beautiful,” Tara said. She adjusted herself as she sat on the edge of the bed, wincing. “Last guy wasn’t patient enough and he tore me down there. It stings everywhere, but I’m not exactly sure where the tear is.”
