Cortigiana (A Vamp Life Prequel) by Jez Strider Page B

special. Golden trim, beads, and feathers made it almost
pass for an expensively crafted gown. Now we just had to wait for
word on the invitation.
    “ I did it.” My uncle
informed us the day before the party. He walked into the room and
slapped the invitation down on the counter.
Carefully, I picked up the paper and
unfolded it. The script was elegant and the paper trimmed in
silver. Luca had already broken the seal. The invite was real. I
was going to the ball.
    “ How did you manage this,
Uncle?” I asked in shock, my eyes widening.
He puffed his chest out proudly, although
his gut protruded further. “A few mentions of your mother to the
right people. That and Sanuto has a craving for ravishing young
virgins. I offered your services to him, free of charge for the
first time. You had better impress.”
I slumped into a nearby chair, shocked, with
the elegant invitation still in hand. “I am not sure I can do
this.”
    “ You damn well better or you
will be on the street. We all will. This is our last chance. All
our money is gone.” He said.
The room suddenly grew muggy and stifling so
I fanned myself. “You told him I was a virgin?”
    “ Well, even if you aren’t,
act like it. And I didn’t exactly tell him . I told his people.”
My aunt was giddy. I stared at her from
across the room. “This is it. Our big break. I told you she was a
good investment.”
    “ Excuse me, please.” I stood
abruptly and headed outside for some fresh air. It was embarrassing
and demeaning to have my virginity sold. Not even sold, given away
for free. Life was not turning out how I expected in the slightest.
I had almost convinced myself not to go or to run away when a
strange woman walked up to me.
    “ Hi.” I said awkwardly when
she paused.
    “ Hello there. What a lovely
girl with that flowing brown hair and those big green eyes. You
remind me of myself before age took its toll.” She said with a
grin. A few of her teeth were missing.
Involuntarily, I took a step backward when
she reached out to touch my hair. “Thank you?”
    “ Do not be alarmed. You will
see me often. I work this area. Have for years.” She gave me a pat
on the arm. “Take care now.”
That’s when I recognized her. She was the
prostitute I had seen the first night I had stayed with my aunt and
uncle. Once more, seeing her motivated me to not end up in the same
state. I was meant for better. From all accounts, my mother had
been a successful courtesan. I could be, too.

The night of the party, Regina helped me
with my dress and styled my long hair. She had left me alone to
apply make-up. I enhanced my cheeks with red ochre. My uncle had
bought some Venetian ceruse from a shifty trader. I examined the
container of skin whitener with reluctance before looking back into
the mirror. Pale skin was a sign of wealth in those times. Though I
wasn’t nearly as tanned as women who worked outdoors, my face was
lightly sun-kissed from many days spent reading on the balcony of
my family’s home. I loved the warmth of sunlight and the scent of
flowers, being surrounded by the life teeming in my little world.
That life disappeared, but the memories and longing to return to it
did not.
With a sigh, I placed the white lead powder
back on the counter without using it. My eyebrows had been plucked.
A face pack had been left on my skin to cleanse and moisturize.
That had been enough for me. Beautification was a tiring process. I
slipped on the mask, becoming the whore I needed to be, and
descended the stairs carefully.
    “ She looks lovely, does she
not?” My aunt asked.
    “ Let us hope her performance
is as good as her looks.” Luca responded. “A boat and escort is
waiting for you outside.”
I blinked a few times. “Why?”
Uncle Luca grabbed me by the arm and pushed
me toward the door. “Do not question a blessing. Go and do well, or
forget about returning at all.”
Tears welled up in my eyes and I struggled
to keep them at bay as I stepped outside. The