Page 62 of The Assassin's Dancer
I seriously doubt I could explain my way out of ten…
“Good luck, Ami.” Meera slaps my shoulder, hard enough to push me forward. “And stick to the plan.” I turn to reply, but she’s already gone, scurrying off into the dark street behind me.
Swallowing, I smooth the wrinkles from my skirt. “I can do this,” I whisper. Then, with my chest puffed out, I march through the staff entrance as if I’d done it a thousand times before.
Immediately, I trip on the doormat.
“Woah there.” A hand grabs my arm to stop me faceplanting onto the floor. “You alright?”
Red-faced, I straighten and adjust my gown.
I’m in a small, dimly lit entranceway, just like Meera had described to me earlier. There’s a door at the end that leads to the main hall – hopefully this time without another pesky doormat.
“Yes, sorry. I’m fine.” I turn to my saviour.
The young woman chuckles. She’s dressed similarly to me, in a tight-fitting gown with heavy make-up and loose hair. But despite our matching appearances, she sees straight through my disguise as she flashes me a warm smile. “I haven’t seen you before. This your first day, hun?”
I clench my teeth. “Yes, actually,” I laugh, moving down the small entranceway. “But I know where I’m going, thank you. Have a nice night!”
She grabs my arm before I can take another step. “You seriously think you can just walk in there? Oh my, you new girls are so naive.”
“New girl?” another similarly dressed woman calls out behind me. She walks over from the doorway, grinning when she sees me. “Aw, you’re so pretty. You’ll do well here.”
A forced smile pinches my cheeks. “Thank you, but I really must be going?—”
“Nonsense!” the first girl laughs. “Hey, Gemma, do you have any bliss on you?”
Gemma nods. “I always have some. Here.” She fishes something out from her skirt. It’s smaller than a penny, like a tiny chalky pebble. Her friend quickly snatches it.
“Put this on your tongue,” the first girl instructs, waving it in front of my lips. “It’s really good. It’ll make all the gross ones in there look like gods, and you won’t be able to keep your hands off them. Then you’ll get more tips!”
Clamping my mouth shut, I shake my head.
“It’s perfectly safe,” Gemma adds. “And the boss likes it when we take it so you won’t get in trouble from him.”
“Don’t be scared, new girl,” the woman on my arm persists. “Now open wide.”
My mouth stays shut.
“Just do it.” Gemma rolls her eyes. Before I realise what’s happening, the first girl grabs my cheeks and uses her fingers to shove the pebble in.
My yelp fills the hallway.
The two girls laugh as I cough and sputter but the ‘bliss’ dissolves almost instantly, fizzling out in a burst of sweetness on my tongue.
“You’ll thank us later.” Gemma grins. “Now go get ‘em, new girl!” She turns me towards the main door, slapping my rear as I go.
“Good luck out there!” the other girl cheers.
I shake my head, racing down the hallway. Maybe if I can move quick enough I’ll…
Woah.
The door to the main hall sparkles just like the night sky, and when I bring my hand to the silver door handle, my skin glows too. It’s almost divine.
Lips parted, I push the handle down. As the door creaks open, I’m met with the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen.
Luxury doesn’t even begin to describe it. Gold covers the walls and there’s thick furs on the floors, while lavender drapes hang from the ceiling. Plush velvet armchairs are scattered across the glittering floor, and the men here…Stars.
