Page 18 of A Touch of Iron
Calypso arrived bright and early the next day to begin training. For the first time, I actually felt a bit tired. I’d stayed up far longer than I was used to last night hanging out with Creed. Normally I was in bed soon after the sun fell, but it was nice to have someone to talk to in the dark, quiet hours.
Even though I agreed to help, I was still on the fence about helping Creed find this so-called necklace that tamed dragons. You didn’t have to be a genius to figure out there was more to his story, but there was no one I could ask. Unless …
“I’m not feeling too well, Calypso.” We were three hours into our training. I grimaced and rubbed my head. “I have a really bad headache.”
“Oh, really?” she asked with a raised brow. “Maybe you’ve been overexerting yourself.”
“I think maybe I just need some rest.” I started to stand from where I was sitting on the ground, but Calypso stopped me.
“Wait!” I froze and sat back down on the grass. “You’ve made a lot of progress today. You were finally able to push air. Not as strongly as I’d hoped, but it was a start.” Her eyes were kind and I felt bad for deceiving her. “I know your head hurts, but try to meditate using the breathing techniques I taught you. It’ll help.” She stood and brushed the grass off her pants.
I peered up at her, surprised she couldn’t tell I was lying. “Are you leaving?”
She nodded. “You should rest. I don’t want to make your headache worse. We’ll resume your training tomorrow morning.” With a smile and a featherlight brush of her fingers along the top of my head, she took the trail that led through the woods to Air Village.
I sat in my front yard a few minutes, waiting until I was certain she was gone, then hurried inside to change. Dressed in comfortable clothing and a cloak with a fur collar to stave off the cold, I left my cottage and took the trail’s right fork, veering toward the village.
The best source of information would be other fae, and the only way to get it was to be around them.
* * *
Air Village was as livelyas I imagined it to be. Unseelie bustled around, going from shop to shop to buy products and food. I walked down the main street with my head lowered, trying not to draw attention, until I came upon an establishment with loud music streaming from it. Hearing the rumble of my stomach and hoping it was a restaurant, I picked up the pace and headed toward the door. I hesitated for a minute at the threshold, rubbing the pouch of coins attached to my belt and hoping I had enough money. Calypso hadn’t given me much since she assumed I wouldn’t need it. It was more of an in-case-of-emergency fund, really.
I walked inside and waited for my eyes to adjust. At first glance, I noticed scantily dressed women dancing on stage to a crowd of men vying for their attention. The women were fully clothed, but the sheer material of their clothing didn’t leave much to the imagination. I casually glanced around the rowdy crowd and noticed I was the only female guest. With a start, I realized this wasn’t a restaurant. It was a brothel.
When an older woman walked toward me, I was frozen in place. I couldn’t run out; she’d already seen my face.
“Well, this is a first!” she offered with a sly smile. “Females don’t tend to frequent my place.”
I played it cool. “I’m not like most females.”
“I see.” Her smile broadened and she extended her hand to me. “Madam Qing. I’m the owner of this fine establishment.”
I shook her hand firmly. “Nice to meet you.”
“Shall I get you a table with a better view?” she asked with a raised brow, gesturing to the exotic dancers.
I had to think fast. The females who worked there probably learned a lot from their clientele. Men who traded secrets for favors. Maybe I’d stumbled into the right place, after all.
“A private room would be better,” I said.
Madam Qing’s brows shot up in shock, but her erroneous assumption of why I wanted a private room didn’t bother me. It was better if she thought I was there for legitimate purposes. “Oh. I see. Follow me.” She waved me forward and I followed her up to the second floor where the private rooms were located. She opened one of the doors and I entered. “I’ll send someone up to entertain you momentarily.”
She was about to leave when I stopped her. “Your most beautiful female.” I dropped my pouch of money on the table, the heavy coins clinking.
Her eyes widened at the sound and she nodded quickly before leaving.
The room was modest and sparse, with only a small table, two chairs, and a couch. The table held a stone carafe and two glasses. I sniffed it and determined it was wine. I sat down at the table and sighed. This little adventure would drain almost all my emergency money. I hoped it was worth it.
I poured some wine and took a sip while I waited for my so-called entertainment for the evening. The wine was fruity with a hint of something that made my head spin. I set the glass aside and refused to drink any more. I needed to keep my wits if I wanted to pull this off successfully.
The door opened and a female entered wearing a sheer red dress that showed every inch of her body. Half her face was shrouded by a delicate cloth of gossamer fabric. Her dark hair was loose, trailing across her shoulders and back with crimson beads intertwined among the strands. She was a beautiful creature who knew exactly what to do the moment the door closed behind her.
Her hips swayed seductively to nonexistent music as she danced before me. I watched silently, nervously. I wiped my clammy hands on my pants and worked to steady my breathing. I’d never – at least I didn’t think I had, seeing as I had no memory – tried to acquire information from someone through secretive means. The idea made my heart race with nerves.
When she sidled closer, I decided it was now or never. I would start with flattery.
“You’re extremely beautiful,” I began. “A beauty such as yourself shouldn’t be locked away in this brothel.”
