Page 36 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

“My mother, sister, and I were left to fend for ourselves. Being human is a natural disadvantage on Protheka, so we were down deep in the gutter more than others. My mother and sister would always be out of the house doing work so we could have food in our bellies and a roof over our head.”

Aiken nods attentively, listening to every word I say.

“As soon as I was a teenager, I began to contribute in whatever way I could. I would sit up all night, sewing little bits and bobs to sell at the markets in the morning time. It never made any money though, and things only got worse when my family fell ill.”

“They did? I hope they did not suffer for long.”

“They didn’t have to,” I reply.

“Good, I’m glad they recovered quickly.”

“That’s not what I mean,” I say, taking a deep breath. “They passed away.”

“Isla, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, waving a dismissive hand. “I had to deal with it swiftly. After all, there was no one else to look out for me. I bounced between a few small jobs for a while until I turned eighteen. That’s when I got my first dancing gig.”

“You looked after yourself for a long time then.”

“That’s right. I’m glad I found dancing when I did. I enjoyed it and it helped me forget a lot about my troubled past. Plus I made a lot of money off of it too.”

“I see,” replies Aiken, his browns crossed in thought. He points to a large tree. “Come, let’s sit underneath against the trunk.”

We settle down, the soft grass coming as a relief to my sore legs.

“I admire your tenacity, Isla.”

“Thanks Aiken,” I say with a smile. “Anything interesting ever happened while you were on duty?”

“Not unless you count a late shipment,” he chuckles. “What about you?”

“Well as you know, the customers at the club are there for a reason.”

“They like what they see.”

“Precisely. They get to touch us if they want to but only if they pay the owner for the night. Sometimes they don’t want to pay, even if they’re a rich bastard. In cases like those, we’re allowed to fight back if they get grabby.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah,” I laugh. “So this one time, some chivdouyu drunk off of his mind kept trying to grope me, spouting off about how he was a big deal and how he's untouchable, all that stuff.”

“I know the type,” chuckles Aiken.

“So he fondles me for the last time, grabbing my ass with his slimy hands. I spin around on my heels and punch him right in the face. I’ll never forget the crack of his broken nose, even the bouncers were impressed.”

We burst into a fit of laughter. As it dies down, Aiken slaps his leg and raises his hand again, this time bringing it down on mine. When we both notice, our faces turn toward each other, our eyes locking intensely with one another.

His gaze softens but there’s still a penetrative force in them as I feel his energy pierce my body. My chest quickly becomes warm as my heart beats faster, heat spreading swiftly throughout me.

14

AIKEN

My breath catches in my throat, lodging there to keep the words in. The air between us has turned charged as our eyes stay locked, and I’m no longer sure what I should do.

Really, this entire time, I’m not sure what I’ve been trying to do. She’s supposed to be my brother’s and I can’t let him touch her. Even when I saw her escaping, I should have turned a blind eye, but I couldn’t.

I can’t let her go.

---