“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—fishermen 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—”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “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—”

  “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.