Fate

Chapter 6

“I’ll walk you back,” he said once they’d dressed once more, offering his arm.

“Come again Ella!” called the Duchess from the top of the staircase.

“Of course Lilith,” Ella replied.

“Bye now,”

The couple shut the door firmly behind them. A coach waited.

“We’ll walk, thanks,” Sebastian said, and steered his almost-lover around. The driver nodded. They walked out the side gates, and Seb led her to the main road, then quickly to the right.

“But Tendri’s the other way!” Ella said, confused.

“I know. I want to take the long way back.”

“Seb… I need to work tonight,” she was close to pleading. Not that she wanted to leave him, but she hadn’t much money. And money meant survival in her world.

Sebastian sighed, “Oh alright, lets go your way.” He abruptly turned and almost dragged her back.

“What is wrong with you?” Ella cried.

“Nothing…” he muttered. She tentatively clasped his fingers. He let them hang limply, neither acknowledging nor rejecting.

“It was… interesting with your family…”

“Yes, I suppose. What did you think?”

“I don’t think I could do it everyday. But I like Ana a lot,” Ella said.

“She seems quite taken to you… I take it you know the story of the red gown you wore?”

“Only that it was her twin’s and that she has…passed on.”

“Yes… the fact that you were wearing it probably tipped my parents opinions somehow. I’m not sure yet in what direction.”

“It’s a beautiful dress,” Ella said, when the silence stretched.

“Yes,” Sebastian said slowly, “if only the original owner could still wear it.”

“You miss her a lot?”

He nodded, “It’s been about a year now. Ilana was not supposed to die. Life was snatched cruelly…”

Ella didn’t poke and prod for details. ‘He’ll tell me when he’s ready,’ she thought. They walked in silence, their hands unclasping when they reached the busier streets. Heads turned at seeing them walking together, but the city knew that Sebastian of Dasz kept strange company. Finally, they turned on Tendri.

“This is where I leave you,” Ella said, stopping and facing Sebastian.

“I…I wish you didn’t have to work the way you do to live…” he said.

“What, whore myself out? Yeah, I guess I miss the times I didn’t have to do so,” Ella shrugged, “Not much to do about it. I’ll see you around,” She looked at him long and deep in the eyes.

“I’ll be back...”

Ella smiled, “I’m sure you will.”


That night was immensely productive. In a few short hours, Ella managed to accumulate over three hundred neyas. Most of the men were nobles, she noted, and seemed to already know she had had lunch with the Dasz family. ‘Rumors are quick in the city,’ Ella thought as she slipped her money securely in her bra and cuddled under the blanket just as dawn began to rise. ‘As long as I earn, I’m fine with that.’

Around mid-afternoon, Ella was shaken awake by Kat.

“Getchyerself ready my girl. Sty wants to talk to ya.”

“What? Really?” the young girl scrambled to a sitting position, “to me?!”

“Well I don’t know no other Ella ‘round here,” Kat smiled, “This might be yer ticket in!”

“Okay, okay, wait for me!” Ella stuffed her bags on an arm and shrugged on her coat, “Lead the way Kat!”

They walked in the front entrance of the house. Ella took in the careful disposition of the large mess room on the first floor, and the series of partitioned rooms on the second and third floors. The attic, she knew, was reserved for fishy dealings. It was off-limits to everyone except Sty and his own clients. And her apparently, since Kat led her up, up, and to that one closed door.

“Good luck girl. Hope to see ya here more often,” she winked, before knocking on the door.

“Commin!” came a gruff voice. Kat nodded. Ella pressed her lips, and swung the door open. The room was small, with two other doors off to each side. At the center were a big wood desk and two plush armchairs. The man named Sty looked up, a cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth. “Sit down girl. You’re Ella?”

“Yessir,” She answered, awkwardly putting her bags down and sitting. Her leg was jiggling with nerves, and her palms were getting moist.

“Yeah, Kat told me ‘bout you. Said you’re a special one,” Sty examined her from his deep-set blue eyes, “How much did you get last night?”

“Three hundred and forty neyas sir,” There was no point in making the sum any smaller. Doing so would increase her chances at being refused. Sty’s eyebrows went up.

“This your regular earnings?”

“Not quite sir. Last night was exceptional. I usually make between one and two hundred.”

“Humpf” he noised, “You’re not looking too bad. How old?”

“Soon sixteen.”

“Hmm… well not the youngest I’ve had… You’ve got experience… I’ll let you for a trial. I want half at the end of each night, hand it to me in person.”

“I… I’m in?”

“You’re in girl, until I change my mind. Now scat!”

Hurriedly, Ella thanked him profusely, gathered her stuff and got out of the room. She nearly tripped over Kat who had been listening at the closed door.

“Did I hear right? You’re in?”

“Yes! Yes Kat I’m in!!” Ella grinned uncontrollably. Kat hugged her.

“Alright girl, let’s get you a room. Maybe I can kick that new roomie of mine to somewhere else.. Yeah, Emilia has a double room. Come on!” Ella and Kat made their way down to Kat’s room, where she proceeded to relocate the other girl. Ella arranged her stuff, feeling slightly claustrophobic at once more living inside.

“I gotta get me some man tonightttt,” Kat began to sing as she got ready. Her cheerfulness was infectious and Ella was soon singing along as they dressed.


That night was very successful for both of them. Ella was reluctant to fork over half of her earnings when she turned in at four in the morning.

“It just feels…weird to suddenly have to share my earnings,” she said to Kat, as they got ready to sleep, “…Wrong somehow…”

“You’ll get used to it. Its only fair really, he tends to the upkeep of the place. Without our money, well, we wouldn’t have a roof over our heads tonight.”

“Yeah…” Ella turned over and blew out the candle. She didn’t sleep for a long time, pondering that she might’ve actually preferred her time outside rather than in.


Morning came and Ella woke to Stevie’s cute, dirty face calling her name.

“The mister came by,” he said, “Asked to me to give you this.” He produced a small package.

Grubby with sleep, Ella rubbed her eyes and sat up. She took the package, “Thanks Stevie…” she mumbled, “Did ‘e say ‘nything else?”

“Uhh… yeah, I guess. But I don’t think he meant it.”

“What d’he say?”

“Wants you to meet ‘im in the park at noonday. Itsa surprise.”

Ella raised her eyebrows, “Well alright. Thanks.” She fished twenty neyas out of her pillow and handed them to him. He winked and slipped out of the room. Ella flopped back on the bed and was asleep in minutes.