Amber peered into the mirror, a brush held to her cheek. A light dusting of powder smoothed out the color of her tan, softening it and bringing out the color of her eyes. Next would be the eye liner and lipstick for her inevitable meeting with Pom. Her hair was already washed, dried, and straightened. Cascading over her shoulders and down her back, she glanced at the dress in the corner. It was sheer and tight and would show off ample cleavage and hint at the undergarments underneath. If she even wore any.

I should be doing this for James...

The disgust she felt for what she was about to do made her stomach churn. She needed the information, and Pom was the easiest target to learn who was running the district.

Smoothing out her foundation, she made sure she looked the part of any of the other women in the brothel. She only had a few more minutes before she needed to serve the bastard that she was supposed to sleep with.

Calming herself took more effort than she expected. It wasn't like she hadn't done this before, but it was different before she met James. The Matron warned her before he entered her city that she would change drastically from the woman that she was before. She didn't believe it at first, but now…

Shaking her head, she focused. Finishing her primping, she slipped into the dress with no underwear of any kind. Her tail was fitted through a small hole in the back that took far longer to fix than it should have.

I'm ready. I have to do this.

Using a cloth, she wiped her teeth to help them shine. Once she felt ready, she checked the time and found it to be three minutes before noon. The man would be shown into his room at any moment and she needed to be there first.

Stepping into the hallway, she heard Melody gasp.

"Beautiful…"

Amber sighed. "Yeah, and my person doesn't even get to see me like this."

Ignoring the confusion on Melody's face, Amber quickly entered the lounge she would be using. The food was already laid out, and she quickly found the strips of meat and noodles that the man enjoyed.

Preparing a small bowl, she covered it all in a thin black sauce. Filling a glass of wine next, she moved to the sofa and set everything on the table. Laying down on her stomach, she hitched up her dress enough that he would be able to use his imagination for how his day was going to go.

I hate this. I hate this so much.

Forcing herself to smile, she watched the door open and the large man stepped inside. The human was muscular in all of the right places and had long flowing golden hair. He was clean shaven and despite herself, Amber thought he was rather impressive for a man. That didn't mean she would touch him however.

"Greetings, Master," Amber purred.

With a coy half smile, Pom moved to the sofa and picked her up. Taking her place, he laid her back down so her head was in his lap. "I don't think I've seen you before."

"I'm new," Amber said while sniffing him a few times. He was wearing cologne of some sort that was disturbing her senses.

"Madam Rose must think highly of you." Picking up the bowl of noodles, Pom delicately brought a few bites to his lips. Amber kept her slight smile in place as she continued to purr for the man.

"I won't lie, Master, you are rather impressive for a human."

Glancing at her, Pom started to laugh. "Would you believe me if I said I was a twig growing up?"

Giggling, Amber shook her head. "How is that possible?"

"It's true! No matter how hard I worked, I couldn't gain weight and withered away."

"What changed?" Amber questioned while pressing her face into his shirt.

"I grew up," Pom said softly. "One day I found myself in a fight that I shouldn't have been in. I lost, but they let me live. I don't know if it was a growth spurt, or the stress, but I started to change."

Sniffing his stomach, she purred harder. "Are you happy that you did?"

"Yes, I was able to protect my siblings…"

Amber nearly cursed when she heard that. Catching herself, she asked, "how are they doing?"

Taking another bite, Pom smiled at her. "They are good. One became a cultivator for the sect. Another helps run my finances. But I bet you don't want to hear about my boring life."

Amber realized he was starting to catch on that he was talking too much. Instead of pushing harder, she wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled in. "Personally, I'm happy that you changed."

"Not many are," he admitted. Shaking his head, he set down his bowl. "You're easy to talk to and I haven't even got your name yet."

"It's Amber, Master."

"Pretty name. It matches your eyes."

Smiling, Amber sat up and scooted into his side. "Not many people notice that."

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he leaned in to kiss her. Pressing her finger against his lips, she shook her head.

"Not yet, Master. You have to finish eating. Plus, I believe you were just telling me about your business."

"I was?" he questioned.

"Yes. Your sister runs your finances, but you have to report to someone, right. Unless you're the big man himself."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Laughing, he picked up his bowl again. "You're right! Some think that I run everything, but I do have a boss. I just wish things were different, you know? He's not a kind man and I've had to protect my sister more than once."

Nearly wincing, Amber forced her smile to remain in place. "I can't imagine what that would be like, Master. What would you do if this man was gone?"

"Pray that the next person is better. I don't like what the king has done to my district."

Rubbing his back, Amber pressed her cheek against his shoulder. "I wonder who the king is? I heard he doesn't come out."

"He doesn't," Pom confirmed. "But he's rather easy to find. He lives in the old noble complex."

Humming, Amber kissed his shoulder. "Sounds like it would be filled with traps."

"It is…" Rubbing his head, he set down his bowl again. "It's odd. You are very easy to talk to. It's making me worried."

"Would you rather have another woman?" Amber asked.

Pom nodded. "As amazing as you are, Amber, I feel like I've shared too much. Can you please bring in Melody?"

Getting up, Amber sighed and brushed her tail across his cheek. "As you wish, Master. I'll be around."

With the new information, she slipped out of the room and sent Melody in. Moving back to the changing room, she wiped off all of her makeup and got dressed in her tight pants and shirt. Slipping on her cloak, she hurried out of the brothel. She needed to get started on the second task of the day.

***

Luna walked with Linda, still chuckling at the elf for her confrontation with Bronson. She didn't know why Linda was having a hard time setting up a shop, but the woman had never shared her curse with them.

"What's the problem you are having?" Luna asked as they neared their destination.

"It's my curse," Linda said as she slowed. "It makes people argumentative toward me."

Wincing, Luna didn't know how to respond to that.

"You have the opposite, don't you?" Linda asked.

"Yeah." Luna blew out a slow breath. "It makes going out into the city, really hard."

"It does." Rubbing her hands together, the elf added, "we are almost there. I found the perfect workshop, but the landlord won't rent to me."

"I'll handle it."

Continuing their small trek, Luna was led to a one-story shop. The building had plenty of windows for natural light and looked rather clean and well kept.

Entering the building, Linda waved down another elf that was waiting. "Jerome. I'm back."

The elven man sighed. "Again? I already told you, Linda, that I wouldn't be renting to you."

Luna cleared her throat, drawing attention to herself. "I believe you should reconsider."

"And why's that?" Jerome shot back.

Spreading out her soul, Luna grabbed the man and forced him to the floor. "Because I may not kill you, but you can tell I'm strong. Imagine what our master will do to you if he gets involved."

Gasping for each breath, Jerome nodded. Linda watched with wide yes, looking between the elf and Luna.

"I thought you would negotiate!" Linda shouted.

"I am," Luna stated. "I really don't want to involve our master in this."

Nodding right away, Linda tossed down a purse of coins. "That should be enough for a few weeks. I'll have more after that."

Jerome took the purse and Luna let him back up. Stepping forward, Luna pinched the man's chin. "We aren't going to have any more problems, are we?"

"No!" The man choked out.

"Good!" Luna chirped like nothing had happened. "Now that that is handled, I'm going out for cake!"

Sighing, Linda looked around the shop. "I'll set up my stuff. Thanks again, Luna."

"Of course, love." Hugging the elf, Luna pulled away and left the shop. Now that her job for the morning was handled, she could earn a few more cakes for her party.

***

James had just returned to the tavern with Grace when Amber showed up. She sniffed the air a few times before laughing.

"Did I leave you that pent up?" Amber joked.

Grace winked at them. "Don't worry. I handled it."

Rolling his eyes, James took his seat. "What did you learn?"

Glancing at Grace, Amber didn't talk right away. Once he started to lose patience and pressed his soul against her, Amber shivered and sat down.

"You don't have to do that," Amber grumbled.

"What did you learn?" James asked again.

Jamie leaned in as well. Even Grace came over with ales for everyone, lingering for the news.

"Pom isn't evil, for one. I couldn't kill him," Amber admitted.

James sat back and crossed his arms. "Did he touch you?" he could feel and see the air distort around him as Grace stepped back and Amber quickly shook her head.

"He didn't! I left before anything could happen!" Amber grabbed his hands. "Calm yourself, my love. I wouldn't do anything with another man."

Taking a deep breath, James forced himself to calm down. After several moments, the air settled, and he apologized to Grace. "Continue."

Amber nodded and scooted into his lap. "The king is set up in the old noble compound. It's trapped, but I don't want Pom to be hurt. He'll be a great asset to helping me run the district."

James could feel his anger bubbling up again, but Amber quickly kissed him, forcing her tongue into his mouth to distract him. Jamie whistled at them.

"I don't see him using his tongue!" Jamie jeered. "Open your shirt a little more!"

Breaking apart, Amber burst into a fit of laughter. "Really?"

James felt better and rolled his eyes. "You're up, Jamie."

Nodding, Jamie downed the last of her ale before getting up. "Time to get dressed for my day job."

"I thought enchanting was your job?" Grace questioned.

Snorting, Jamie shook her head. "I'm an assassin, love."

Dropping her ale, Grace stepped back. "Who are you people exactly?"

Amber laughed. "You've been sleeping with our master for a few days now and you haven't asked?"

Shaking her head, Grace started cleaning up the mess she made.

"I'm the Queen of the Night," Amber stated. "From Settling Stone. James is my master and person."

"James? You control one of the queens?" Grace asked in a shaky voice.

Frowning, James shook his head. "I don't like the word 'control'. Amber joined me willingly and offered her services. Just like the rest of my party."

"I see…"

Getting up, James set Amber down and knelt with Grace. "I'm still me, Grace. There's just a lot more under the surface that you never asked about."

"Can I ask now?" Grace questioned.

"I'll explain a few things," James offered. "But we really must get to work." Standing again, he turned to Amber. "Scout the city lord first. I want to know everything about his manor."

Jumping up, Amber downed her ale before skipping over and kissing him. Just before she left, she pinched his butt. "You should find Mave."

"I just had Grace," he argued.

Shrugging, Amber walked to the door. "You've also kept Mave waiting patiently."

Sighing, he waved her away. "Get going." Turning to Jamie, he raised his brow. "Why are you still here?"

Jumping in surprise, Jamie hurried to the door. Amber kept it open for her before leaving together. His day was finally starting and he had another ten devices to make.

Retaking his spot at the table, he added all of the finished devices to his storage. Grace sat across from him, a frown in place.

"Who are you, James?"

Glancing up, James shrugged. "Just a man."

"You're a cultivator," she stated. "Are all of your followers?"

"They are," he answered. "I helped them get started on their paths. They willingly gave me their loyalty in exchange for power."

"You made them cultivators?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Nodding, he went back to carving his runes. Grace got up slowly and wandered back to the bar, likely to think everything over. With plenty of time to finish the devices, James started to spread his soul over the city. First, he found Jamie as she got ready. She was the most important to pay attention to.

After confirming that Amber had already Soul Shifted, he watched her for a moment as she headed to the manors. Things were starting to come together.

***

Grace shivered as she eyed James from across the tavern. The man she had been sleeping with, for the first time, felt dangerous. There was darkness lurking inside him that didn't match how he had treated her.

When he fluttered the air in anger of Amber possibly being touched by another man, Grace finally understood what it was like to be in the presence of something greater than the world should hold. Even the elders that roamed the city from time to time didn't do what he did.

Pouring another ale, she moved back to his table. "Why did everyone join you?"

Smiling, he met her gaze. "Interested?"

Her heart raced as she nodded. What am I getting myself into…

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.