The sun had risen high by the time Darla and the girls finished breakfast and made their way back to their rooms. The lively chatter of her new companions filled the air, but Darla's thoughts were focused elsewhere. Her attention was interrupted when a staff member intercepted her halfway down the hall, delivering a message from Madam Violet.
"You've been summoned," the girl said, eyes wide, as if Darla was walking to her fate.
Curious but composed, Darla left the group and followed the messenger to Madam Violet's office. The familiar, lavishly decorated space greeted her as she stepped in. Violet sat elegantly behind her desk, her golden eyes scanning Darla as she approached.
"Sit," Violet commanded, gesturing to the chair before her.
Darla obeyed, her expression calm.
"I wanted to discuss your performance last night," Violet began, leaning forward slightly. "You handled yourself... unexpectedly well. And with clients who are not easily impressed."
"Thank you, Madam," Darla replied evenly, her tone humble yet confident.
Violet's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "You intrigue me, Darla. I won't pretend to understand your motivations, but whatever they are, they've earned you this meeting."
Darla nodded, sensing there was more to come.
"As a reward for your excellent work," Violet continued, "I am offering you something. Anything reasonable within my power. What would you like?"
Darla paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. This was her chance to earn a reprieve for herself and her companions. "Madam, if I may, the girls and I have received our pay for the night. I was wondering if we might be allowed to explore the city or market, just for a short while during the day."
Violet's golden eyes gleamed with interest. "And why should I let you roam free, Darla? You know the rules."
"We would return before our shifts," Darla assured her. "It would also be a morale boost, Madam, and an incentive for good behavior."
Violet tapped a long, sharp nail against the desk, studying Darla intently. "Very well," she said finally. "You and your group may go. I'll arrange for passes. But remember, Darla—this is a privilege, not a right."
"Understood," Darla replied, her gratitude genuine. "Thank you, Madam."
Violet waved her off, her attention already shifting to other matters. Darla bowed slightly before exiting the office, feeling the weight of her small victory.
---
**Freedom in Sight**
When Darla returned to the room, the other girls greeted her with curiosity. She quickly explained the reward she'd requested on their behalf. Isabella, Mia, Olivia, and Emma beamed with excitement, already chattering about what they might see.
Evelyn, however, was still nowhere to be found. Darla shrugged off the thought, focusing on the four girls who would be joining her. They gathered their modest earnings and prepared for their outing.
As they made their way to the main gate, Darla noticed Mrs. Vrim passing in the hallway. The older woman's sharp gaze landed on Darla, and her lips curled into a scowl. Darla, unbothered, simply ignored her, which seemed to infuriate Mrs. Vrim further.
---
**The Gatekeepers**
When they reached the brothel's imposing iron gates, they were met by two towering men dressed in dark uniforms, their faces obscured by ornate masks. Only their glowing red eyes were visible, a chilling reminder of the beings who truly ran Elige Desiderium.
The girls hesitated, their nervousness palpable. Sensing their unease, Darla stepped forward, presenting the pass Violet had given them. "Madam Violet granted us permission to leave for the day," she said calmly.
The guards exchanged a glance but said nothing, merely stepping aside to let them through. "Be back before your shift," one of them growled, his deep voice like thunder.
Darla nodded, leading the girls through the gate. As they stepped outside, the warm sunlight bathed their faces, and the fresh air filled their lungs. For the first time in weeks, they felt truly free, if only for a little while.
---
**The Market**
The city of Vlora stretched out before them, bustling with life. Traders lined the streets, their colorful stalls overflowing with goods. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants shouting, the chatter of customers, and the occasional laughter of children.
The girls moved as a group, their excitement bubbling over as they explored the market.
- Isabella admired delicate jewelry displayed at a stall, her brown curls bouncing as she examined each piece.
- Mia lingered by a cosmetics stand, testing perfumes and powders with a gleam in her caramel eyes.
- Olivia inspected practical items like hair combs and sturdy shoes, her pragmatic nature shining through.
- Emma, shy but curious, marveled at the vibrant fabrics on display, running her fingers over their textures.
Darla, ever observant, allowed herself to relax slightly. She purchased a few items, including a sleek black notebook and a fine-tipped pen. Writing had always been a source of clarity for her, and she planned to record her thoughts and observations.
The girls' gratitude was evident as they laughed and joked, their burdens momentarily forgotten. Olivia nudged Darla playfully. "You really pulled through for us, you know."
Darla smiled faintly. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
The girls weaved through the bustling market, their eyes wide with wonder at the myriad of sights, sounds, and scents that assaulted their senses. Darla led the way, her confidence infectious as they explored stall after stall. The vibrant fabrics and glittering trinkets were a stark contrast to the muted tones of their daily lives at the brothel
"Look at this!" emma exclaimed, holding up a delicate silver necklace adorned with a deep blue stone. "It's beautiful."
Darla smiled, her eyes drawn to a nearby cosmetics stall. Tonight was her night shift, and she wanted to look her best. She approached the vendor, a wizened old woman with knowing eyes.
"What can I get for you, dearie?" the woman asked, her voice raspy but kind.
Darla's eyes danced over the array of cosmetics before her, each one promising to transform her into something extraordinary. She ran her fingers delicately over the brushes, feeling the soft bristles against her skin. There were thin, precise brushes for lining eyes, fluffy ones for dusting powders, and angled brushes for contouring cheekbones.
"I'd like to see that one," Darla said, pointing to a set of brushes with handles that shimmered like mother-of-pearl. The old woman nodded, handing them over.
"Ah, you have a good eye, child. Those are made from the finest sable fur."
Darla tested each brush, marveling at how they felt against her skin. She imagined how they would apply the rouge to her cheeks, the kohl to her eyes, making her irresistible to potential clients. She selected a fan brush for highlighter, its delicate bristles perfect for catching the light.
Darla set the brush down and moved on to the powders. Rows of tiny porcelain pots filled with vibrant pigments caught her attention. She dipped her finger into a shimmering gold, marveling at how it caught the light. "I'll take this one," she decided, "and perhaps that deep crimson as well."
Next, she examined the lip stains, each housed in delicate glass bottles.
Darla uncorked a bottle of deep ruby lip stain, bringing it to her nose to inhale the sweet, floral scent. She dabbed a tiny amount on her wrist, watching as the color bloomed on her skin.
"That shade would suit you beautifully," the old woman said, her eyes twinkling. "It's made from crushed rose petals and beetroot juice. Stays on for hours, that one does."
Darla nodded, adding it to her growing pile of purchases. She felt a twinge of guilt at spending so much, but quickly pushed it aside. These were investments in her future, tools to help her earn more.
Meanwhile, Mia had wandered to a nearby stall selling exotic perfumes. She was captivated by a small crystal vial filled with an amber liquid.
"What's this one?" she asked the merchant, a tall man.
As Darla reached for her coin purse, a commotion erupted nearby. Shouts and the sound of breaking pottery pierced the market's cheerful buzz. Mia appeared at Darla's side, her eyes wide with alarm.
"Darla, we need to go," Mia whispered urgently. "I think I saw one of Madame Leona's men."
Darla's heart raced, but she kept her composure. She quickly paid the old woman, stuffing her purchases into her satchel.
Darla and the girls hurried through the market, their hearts pounding as they weaved through the crowded stalls. The once-enchanting sights and sounds now seemed oppressive, closing in around them. They ducked behind a cart laden with ripe melons, the sweet scent a stark contrast to their fear.
"This way," Darla whispered, grabbing Emma,s hand. They slipped down a narrow alley, the rough stone walls scraping their arms as they rushed past. The sounds of the market faded, replaced by the distant tolling of bells.
As they emerged onto a wider street, Darla allowed herself to breathe. The familiar silhouette of the brothel loomed ahead, its ornate facade a bittersweet sight. They approached cautiously, their earlier excitement replaced by a somber mood.
The guards at the entrance gave them an expressionless look as they passed.
They slipped inside, their chests heaving as they caught their breath. The familiar musty smell of old velvet curtains and stale perfume enveloped them as they climbed the creaking wooden stairs to their shared room.
As they entered, they found Evelyn lounging on her bed, her copper hair cascading over her shoulders as she leafed through a tattered romance novel. She looked up, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Where have you lot been?" Evelyn asked, sitting up,
She lounged on her bed, a book open on her lap, her long chestnut hair cascading over her shoulder. she sat up and walked over to them with the aim off acting superior but Darla, Olivia, Emma, Isabella, and Mia exchanged furtive glances, their eyes conveying a silent agreement. They brushed past Evelyn without a word, their footsteps muffled by the worn carpet as they made their way to the changing room on the east side of their floor.
The changing room was a sanctuary of sorts, a place where they could shed their public personas and transform into the alluring creatures they were expected to be. As they entered, the scent of lavender and rosewater enveloped them, emanating from the ornate bottles lining the vanity tables.
Darla carefully unpacked her newly acquired treasures, arranging them on the polished surface of her dressing table. The light from the gas lamps danced off the shimmering powders and glinted on the delicate brushes. She caught her reflection in the tarnished mirror, her face a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She began to apply her new cosmetics with practiced ease, transforming her features into a mask of seductive beauty. The other girls followed suit, each lost in their own rituals of preparation.
she studied her features. Tonight, she decided, she would try something different. She reached for the new brushes, their pearlescent handles cool against her skin, and began to experiment.
She started with a luminous foundation, blending it seamlessly into her skin with a damp sponge. The effect was subtle but transformative, giving her complexion an otherworldly glow. Next, she reached for the shimmering gold powder she had purchased, using the fan brush to dust it lightly across her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose. The gold caught the light, making her skin appear as if it had been kissed by the sun.
For her eyes, Darla opted for a bold approach. She used a fine brush to line her eyes with a deep, midnight blue, extending it slightly beyond the corners in a subtle wing. Over this, she
Emma approached, her eyes wide with admiration. "Oh Darla, you look stunning! Could you help me with my eyes?"
Darla smiled, gesturing for Emma to sit. As she carefully lined Emma's eyes with the new kohl