by Gwen Knight
A silence I responded with right now.
“Very well, then.” Her plum-colored lips curled upward as though I amused her. “Tell me what brings you here.”
I tamped back the nervous laughter that rose up in my throat. The truth was unbecoming, and I couldn’t use it. Tessa had warned me of that before sending me on my way. I wasn’t to mention her name or suggest I had a relationship with any other courtesans. If I did, I’d be kicked to the curb faster than I could say vampire. At the time, I’d simply nodded, too afraid to delve further. I still lacked the entire story, and only knew enough to get me through this interview. Which meant resorting to a half-truth. All right, a bold-faced lie, one I was convinced she’d heard many times before and would accept at face value.
“I can’t afford my tuition anymore,” I finally responded, shifting in my seat, “and I’m running out of funds. Part-time waitressing isn’t cutting it anymore.”
A knowing glint shimmered in her piercing eyes. “The costs these days are abysmal, unfortunately. The sacrifices we must make for higher education, yes?”
I hummed a noncommittal response.
“You wouldn’t be the first to come to me for a similar reason.”
I believed it.
My dad actually had more than enough slotted away for my education. Of his five children, I was the only one who had elected to attend college. I still remembered my first day. It was one of the few times I could remember my father shedding tears. My brothers had chosen, much to my father’s dismay, to dedicate themselves to the family business: Second City Exterminators.
Ridding the city of pests, one vampire at a time.
Yup, you heard me.
I, Amelia Winter, was the youngest, and only, female in a family chock-full of vampire slayers. Hence, the reason my stomach was twisted into knots. Here I was, the innocent daughter of a slayer about to sell my blood and body to the monsters my father had sworn to destroy, all to save my best friend’s life. And I still didn’t quite understand why. Some things were done on faith, and this was one of them. Tessa meant the world to me. She was the second daughter my parents had never had. I wouldn’t abandon her now.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t still sick at the thought of doing this.
If my family ever found out, they’d disown me. Hell, they’d probably go so far as to put me out of my misery. But what choice did I have? If I backed out now, Tessa was dead. Or so she’d claimed.
“If you’re truly committed to this, rest assured you will receive enough funds to pay for your entire year of school before the week is out,” Madam da Silva continued, oblivious to my train of thought.
Relief rounded my shoulders. Tessa was actually the one in need of the money, and she’d been given seven nights—five, now—to come up with an inordinate amount of money. Why? I hadn’t a clue. In all the chaos, I hadn’t heard the whole story. There’d been doctors, nurses, and even a psychiatrist who had suggested the wounds on her throat were self-inflicted. It’d taken all my restraint not to shove my fist down his throat.
“Have you any indication as to what the job entails, Winter?”
“Yes.” I choked down the lump in my throat.
Sex and blood…that was the explanation I’d been given. The blood part, while disgusting, didn’t bother me. The sex part, on the other hand, had me trembling in my threadbare boots. It wasn’t like I was particularly experienced in that area. Not with my family. The last time I’d brought a boy home, my father had dragged out his favorite battle-axe and had spent the evening spit-shining it in front of my date.
Needless to say, that was the last I’d ever seen of that particular boy.
“Excellent. Now, have you any experience with vampires?”
“No,” I said. At least this part I could be honest about. “I’ve seen them on the news now and then, but other than that…”
“Do they frighten you?”
Abso-fricken-lutely. Especially now. Once, I’d tried to convince my father that I could handle hunting with him and my brothers. The throbbing vein in his forehead had nearly popped, he’d been so angry. And now? I’d never forget the sight of that vamp’s fangs buried in Tessa’s throat. The blood. The screams. The greedy sound of him sucking the life out of her. But I couldn’t speak about any of that.
So, instead, I mustered my courage and forced a bright smile. “Not at all.”
My heart thumped in my chest to the rhythm of Liar, Liar.
“And what of your sexual experience?”
Color suffused my cheeks. Now that was a subject I didn’t wish to discuss, especially with a perfect stranger. Mostly because there wasn’t much to discuss. I wasn’t as pure as the driven snow, but I was damned close. Yet another topic I’d been instructed to lie about.
“I’m a second-year college student.” I forced my smile a little brighter. “I’m experienced.”
“Excellent. A shame you haven’t any prior experience with a vampire, though. A reference does tend to aid us in the selection process.”
I balked at the suggestion. A reference…as in, a sexual reference? The color drained from my face. I couldn’t imagine handing over someone’s phone number as a reference for my prowess. Holy crickets, the world we lived in these days.
“I assume you have no issues feeding a vampire.”
Oh, so many. “That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?” I asked with a bold grin, contrary to the shudder rippling down my spine.
“What you must understand, Winter, is that these vampires are not purchasing one service or the other, but both. Each of my courtesans is hired with the understanding that they will provide blood during sex. It’s a rather intimate act for a vampire, and I dare say, quite enjoyable for the human as well.”
My eyes widened.
“Will that be a problem?”
Her arched brow suggested she knew the answer to that question already, but I composed myself and shook my head. “I enjoy trying new things.”
“Perfect.” She closed the distance between us and offered me a hand up. She indicated I should turn, which I did without question. “I assume your physique is agreeable; though, I can’t tell for certain beneath that hideous sweater. And though quite a few vampires prefer experienced courtesans, I assure you, your lack of skill won’t affect your worth. In fact, your price increases when you’re untasted.”
I turned toward her with a lifted brow. “Why?”
“Vampires can tell when someone has been tasted by another. Some don’t mind, as an experienced courtesan is less of a hassle to them. Others, however, prefer only new blood.”
“You mean virginal,” I countered, my tone bitter.
She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s a dominance and territorial thing. I’m afraid vampires can grow possessive of their marks. I’ve witnessed such a thing, though, not often. And I must say, you have a lovely color about you. An appealing glow that offsets your hair. Speaking of which…” She removed the clip from the nape of my neck and watched in awe as the mussed waves tumbled down my back. “Goodness. We can do a great deal with your hair.” She lifted her gaze and caught mine. “Your eyes are rather remarkable. Have you any scars? Anything unappealing?”
I blinked, then shook my head. “Just the usual. Nothing overly noticeable.”
“Your height and stature are desirable. We’ll find some appropriate heels for you. These garments simply must be done away with, though.”
I grimaced. This was my favorite U of Chicago sweater, given to me by my father. No way would I toss it out.
“Don’t fret, dear,” Madam da Silva said. “We will provide you with an acceptable wardrobe. You will be responsible for maintaining it. And should you leave my employ, the clothing must be returned in the condition presented to you.”
A uniform? That I could get behind.
“Barring any last minute concerns, I believe you’d do well amongst us. Have you any questions?”
For the briefest moment, a wave of pride crested wit
hin me, until I remembered my purpose here. It certainly wasn’t to fit in with the ‘cool kids’, and yes, I’d mentally added air quotes there.
“One,” I answered. “When do I start?”
Madam da Silva responded with an amused chuckle, then turned with a graceful flourish that stole my breath. “It isn’t so simple, my dear. This is Chicago, and I have many girls interested in becoming courtesans, as I’m sure you may imagine.”
Actually, I’d thought the opposite. It seemed near impossible to believe that some willingly wanted to become part of this lifestyle, but even I knew there were fang-junkies out there.
“Though your timing was fortuitous, you aren’t officially a courtesan until you’ve been purchased.”
“And who does that?”
“Why, the vampires, dear girl.” Another forcibly charming chuckle that made me want to slit my wrists. “Tonight is the City in the Garden Gala. Vampires from all across the state will be in attendance, and I am responsible for supplying a range of delicacies…”
“Delicacies, as in…”
“As in you.”
Saw that coming from a mile away. I squared my shoulders and nodded, silently preparing myself for what was to come.
“I provide the vampires with a selection of women, but it is they who choose their courtesans. You will also be given a gown for the night, but it is your responsibility to flirt and entice the clientele.”
“To what end?”
She arched a delicate brow. “To the final point of sale. Your job is to charm the clientele into bidding on you. It is your responsibility to drive them wild until one, or preferably more, deign to bid on you.”
My mouth parted. “Bid?”
“Indeed. The gala tonight is a charity event, or an auction if you will. Highest bidder wins the right to the lady of his choosing. Do try to be among them. As I said before, I will provide the wardrobe, but after that, it all comes down to your ability to charm yourself a companion.”
“And if no one bids on me?”
She lifted her shoulder in an elegant shrug. “Then it’s back to waitressing with you.”
“All or nothing, hey?”
“As is often the case in life.”
In other words, Tessa’s life depended on my ability to seduce a possibly centuries-old vampire with only one prior notch on my belt. This had disaster written all over it.
“So, to be clear… You primp me up and pimp me out, but I have to seal the deal?”
“Crude, but accurate. However, someone as lovely and as experienced as you shouldn’t have any issues, wouldn’t you agree?”
Oh, sure. What twenty-two-year-old didn’t enjoy hearing that? See, this was what happened when people deceived. Tessa had lied to me, and now her life was in danger. As a result, I had lied to the madam, and now she expected me to seduce a freaking vampire. Which meant, now I had to lie to my family about everything.
All in all, probably the worst Tuesday ever.
“Arrive at the Palmer House Hilton by six o’clock sharp. The event begins at eight, but you will need time to dress and see the stylist. If you are late, you forfeit your position.”
This had all sounded far simpler while sitting at Tessa’s bedside. We’d contemplated the many ways this could go wrong; however, me playing the role of the seductress hadn’t even made the top ten.
“Until tonight, my dear.”
Recognizing a dismissal when I heard one, I gave a grim nod and left the room. The term up shit creek suddenly made a hell of a lot more sense.
Guess all that remained was giving Tessa the ‘good’ news.
Also by Gwen Knight
Harlequin Cravings
Her Alpha Protector
A Hunter’s Passion
Wolffe Peak
Reach for the Sky
Amelia Winters Series
Marked
Souls of Salem Chronicles
A Touch of Soul
Cursed Holiday Series
Death by Mistletoe
Death by Chocolate