Page 12 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

Everyone murmurs their agreement, and I continue packing, as they start giving me tips.

It might just be one night.

But I am never coming back from this.

“Remember,” Allie says seriously – she has been bought before – and looks me squarely in the eye. “Try to make friends with the household staff. They’ll probably take care of you…after.”

“Yeah. And afterwards, try to eat as much as you can and drink as much water as you can.”

Someone else says this as I slip into a pair of beaten up boots. The boots are the first thing I ever bought when I started working here.

How could Everin betray me like this?

I thought he cared about me, in his own twisted way.

I thought I was important.

You’re a human on Protheka. You don’t mean anything to anyone.

“Take this.” One of the girls hands me a small bag, and I open it up, only to find two bottles of healing salve, a tub of cooling cream, and a lot of bandages.

I swallow as I understand the implications of the existence of the little bag.

I look up at the girl – Claire – who smiles at me kindly.

She is the oldest girl here – and none of us are that old – and she has experienced the most.

I know what those bruises mean now.

I remember the first year I started working here.

Claire had been bought for the evening by an older, wizened dark elf.

She came back the following morning with bruises on her face and arms.

She left early because she was unable to dance.

Even Everin treated her gently.

I pull on my jacket then and place the small bag in my larger one.

Allie pulls me into a fierce hug and so do the other girls.

“I just want to get this over with.” I murmur. “And thank you for everything.”

Then I walk out to where Everin and Calix are waiting for me. I am surprised that neither of them looks impatient upon my appearance. Instead, both Everin and Calix smile broadly at me.

“So,” I swallow, and my voice is thick when I speak. “Have you bought me for the night?”

Why are you even asking him?

You know he did!

My thoughts are turbulent, and my breath is shaky.

Everin looks at me then, with that same look of regret on his face.

“Good night, Isla,” he tells me. His voice is rough. “And good night, Calix. I hope to see you here again soon.”

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