Kate Rosewood's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Kate Rosewood counted her coins twice, hoping the number would grow. It did not. Nine copper bits sat in her palm. She wanted to open the finest pleasure house in Blackroot, a place the whole town would whisper about. But nine copper bits could not rent a broom closet, let alone a building. The landlord across the table folded his arms. His office smelled of pipe smoke and old ledgers. "A lease costs thirty silver up front," he said. "You've got nine copper. Come back when you're serious, girl." Kate smiled anyway. She was good at smiling. But her chest felt tight. Three landlords had turned her away this week. Each said the same thing. No money, no lease. Her plan was crumbling before it ever started. The door swung open behind her. A woman strode in without knocking. She wore a red corset and black fishnet stockings, gold flashing at her throat. The landlord's mouth fell open. He forgot the ledger under his hand. "Veronica," Kate said, half relieved, half worried. Veronica had worked for her back when Kate had barely a room to her name. She was the best girl Kate ever hired, and she never arrived quietly. Veronica dropped a heavy pouch on the table. Coins spilled out and rolled. "Savings," she said. "Every coin I earned. You gave me work when nobody else would. I'm not letting some sour old man tell you no." Kate stared at the pile. "Veronica, this is everything you have." "Then it had better buy us something grand." Veronica leaned toward the landlord and let her smile do the rest. "Count it. I think you'll find it's serious enough." The landlord counted with shaking hands. Thirty-two silver. Two over the price. He wiped his brow and reached for a fresh sheet of paper. "The big house on the corner," Kate said quickly. "The tall one with the balconies. I want that one." He hesitated. "That building's been empty two years. Roof leaks. Half the rooms are bare." "I'll take it." Kate pressed her hand flat on the table so it wouldn't shake. "Draw up the lease." He signed. She signed. Veronica signed as witness, grinning the whole time. The landlord handed Kate a heavy iron key. Outside, Kate held the key up to the light. She had a building now. A real one, with her name soon to hang above the door. Her dream had a roof at last, even a leaking one. Then the weight of it settled on her. She had spent every coin Veronica owned. The house sat empty and broken. No beds, no curtains, no girls but the two of them. Guests would not pay to sit on bare floors. Veronica looped an arm through hers. "So, boss. What now?" Kate looked at the key, then at the empty pouch. "Now," she said slowly, "we need money to fix it. And we don't have a single copper left."