Page 5 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

I’m not a scared, starving little girl anymore.

I dance with more intention, almost as if I can erase the memories with each sway of my body.

Thank Goddess for pleasure taverns. For the people who came here solely looking for an escape, whether that be watching or partaking fully in the services Aruk offers. Not that any one ofthese creatures or mortals couldbuymy body—a private dance, sure—but notme.

Not that I don’t support or condone the exchange of pleasure for money, because I definitely do. But sex with me is…dangerous. There’s no better way to describe it, and because of that, I have to select my partners very, very carefully.

I saunter around the stage, rolling my hips as I bend at the waist, giving the crowd a full view of the curves of my ass covered by fishnet stockings. I scan the crowd, finding myself looking for the male from earlier, the one whose desire tasted like autumn spices. I don’t see him at the bar, and when I right myself, grabbing the pole to roll my hips against it, I don’t see him in the audience.

Disappointment washes over me as I finish my routine, my body partially sated with the desire of the crowd but my hopes of spotting him dashed. He may have been a fun one-night conquest, and maybe even a much-needed bite. And after the night I’ve had, with the ghosts of my past doing their best to rob me of my present contentment, I really need a few hours of pure escape.

He certainly had seemed strong enough to handle me, unlike more than half the mortal men here who, to their credit, would flee in absolute terror if they saw even a glimmer of my fangs.

The band transitions the music into a quieter loop as my routine comes to an end, and the crowd applauds, tossing coins and paper and jewelry my direction. Riverthorne is close to a few major townships, and the wealthy venture here to discreetly spend their precious jewels.

I gather the goods, smiling and winking as I head off stage, only to run straight into Aruk.

“Someone bought a private dance,” he says.

I hand him my loot as I tilt my head.

“Oh?” I ask, anticipation running through me. I’m rarely requested for private dances. The usual clientele are mortal travelers who have buried instincts telling them I’m fun to look at but dangerous to touch. “Which room?”

“Eight,” he says, a hint of hesitation on his face.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” he grumbles, shifting my earnings into a large leather bag on his hip—keeping them safe until our shifts are over, returning them minus his twenty percent. “He’s a big one. I can’t tell what he is. Be careful.”

I purse my lips, barely holding back a smile. It’s been years since someone has actually cared about my well-being, and it hits different, even coming from a grumpy tavern owner like him. I hate that I like the feeling, hate that a traitorous voice whispers in the back of my mind that I could be happy here if only Istay.

But I can’t stay.

I’m a danger to anyone who gets too close, and Aruk has never come out and said he knows what I am, but I’m pretty sure he has an idea. He spotted a drop of deer blood on the corner of my mouth my second day here. I haven’t fed since.

He didn’t kick me out, though, despite what he must suspect I am. And that’s…everything. But he doesn’t know all of me. If he did, he’d definitely chase me out or try to kill me himself.

So as much as his kindness begs me to settle, I can’t.

I’ll never have a permanent home until someone or something puts me in the ground.

Still, it’s kind of him to worry.

“I will.” I kiss his cheek before heading down the hallway toward the private dance suites. The music fades behind me as I move farther away from the main room, leaving the space eerily quiet as I take a breath.

It’s definitely time to move on from Riverthorne. I’m starting to get attached, and that’s the worst possible thing I can do. The last time I did?—

Blood, both mine and his streaking across the wooden floors?—

No. Don’t go there.

I have responsibilities. Promises I’ve made to myself now that I’m all grown up.

Revenge to take.

Collectors to kill.

One step at a time.

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