As I came out of Rick's building I sighed. I was exhausted, and only half way through the day. Rick had put me through my paces with the martial arts just as he'd done two days earlier and then quickly screwed me at the end, a little more business than he'd been the last time I'd paid him a visit. He'd also had the same person there for a lesson before, someone I'd enjoyed watching him spa with for a moment.

But after so many days of giving my body to men and traipsing from one place to another I was tired of it.

"Lunch and then Mhairi's usual club," Edward said, reminding me of the plan I'd made earlier in the day.

"Somewhere new for lunch as well," I said, the words out before I knew where they'd come from. Edward tilted his head to the side for a moment before punching in something and setting the car off. We slipped into the constant stream of other bubbles of floating people, heading towards an unknown direction while I rested against his side.

"Do you enjoy your job?" I asked a moment later.

"Mostly. It's a little boring when you're somewhere Like Keaton's, but the days where something happens aren't necessarily better for it."

"Something happens?"

"Yeah... Now and then a companion will get... over zealous. Or refuses to pay. And a couple of times I've had to..." Edward trailed off.

"Had to what?" I looked at him, sensing the unease in the way he tensed his jaw and his hands became fists.

"Not everyone likes the courtesan system. Occasionally someone with the wrong intentions gets into an area that's normally safe. I've had to get a courtesan safe before."

"Was she all right?" I asked, studying him, wondering what on earth could have happened, but Edward didn't look at me.

"Eventually. But I could have handled it better. That's how I met Rick. I paid for some lessons and when he heard my story and why I wanted to learn he taught me on the cheap. Also why he is willing to teach you no charge. Wants to make sure others don't bother women like you. That, and I had Rick's back when he was accused of something untoward. He's a good man."

"Yes, he is. I think you are too."

Edward finally looked my way and took one of my hands in his.

"Thanks, Princess. But I'm just trying to see no one come to any harm. This world isnt perfect, and I like to think I make it a little better."

"Ditto. Although I'm not sure if my profession truly makes things better or worse."

"No point worrying about that," he replied. It's not something you can control. Save your worries for something you can. For the things you have the power to change."

I nodded. It wasn't the first time I'd heard such advice, but it was good to be reminded of it. Trying to focus on something else for a bit I looked around me. There were less other cars around us now, the path or road we were on much narrower and through buildings less shiny and large. It was a part of the city I'd not seen before but Edward was still relaxed beside me.

There were more people here. Some clearly out for leisure, others walking dogs, or shopping. There were few women, but more of the ones that could be seen were dressed normally, less than half courtesans. Only as we continued further did I notice that none of the women were alone. All of them had at least a single man with them.

Was the city unsafe for women? Was that one of the problems this modern world faced. There were so many less that men who were desperate did things they shouldn't? Or did it just mean every woman had so many men to choose from that none were single?

And what of those women who weren't straight laced. Were women allowed to be with other women? I'd not seen any together, but equally no one had mentioned it as if it was a taboo subject.

I watched the people as we went by until the car pulled up outside an old fashioned looking bar, green drapes and what looked like the logo of an old Irish beer.

"Come on. Let me treat you to the best burger known to man."

"Perfect," I replied, appreciating the rare smile on Edward's face as he took my hand and led me from the car. I noticed he didn't let go as we headed across the street and into the nearest door. The inside was darker than I'd expected and we both paused for a moment for our eyes to adjust. Tall bar stools stood at equally tall tables, more than a few patrons turning to stare.

One of the highlights of the paint that Mhairi had used on this particular design was how well it showed up in the dark. I stood out, the flame-like design bright in the bar. For the first time in many days I felt how exposed I was wearing nothing but paint, my hand gripped tightly in Edwards.

"Ol' Eddie, Long time no see. What brings a fell like you here today?" A slightly cuddly, but tall man came out of the kitchen door, a tea towel over one shoulder and an apron on.

"Hey, Jack. My charge wanted to get some off-duty food, and I thought I'd take her for a proper treat," Edward replied, emphasising the off-duty part.

I frowned, not sure I appreciated him deciding that for me. After all I needed the money, but it didn't seem to deter anyone. I was still the centre of attention.

But Edward didn't let go of me and took me to a quiet three seat table off to one edge. There was a projected screen showing some kind of sport not too far from us and a few men near had finally gone back to looking at it, although even they glanced my way as I sat down and Edward ordered for us both.

"Coming right up, Eddie. Anything for you and the lass. Does good to see someone with a bit more grace in this place now and then."

I smiled at the indirect compliment and watched him walk off. Not sure what else to do I looked to the screen. It looked to be some form of soccer, but the rules weren't entirely as I remembered them, nor was the pitch or gameplay, but it gave me some way of ignoring all the attention I was getting.

"So, are you going to introduce us?" a guy said, coming up to the table between Edward and me, looking at me although he seemed to be addressing my bodyguard.

"She can introduce herself if she wants to. I don't own her," Edward replied. "I just keep her safe and make sure anyone she doesn't want near her gets the message." Edward's eyes were also on me, just a little extra emphasis on the words that mattered.

I smiled.

"I'm Auralia," I said, trying to be polite.

"Logan," he replied, his eyes sticking to my face in a way that seemed more than a little refreshing. "Used to hang out with Ed here when he was a teenager. Before he got a big bodyguard job at one of those fancy courts. I can see he's still doing the hard job."

"It's harder than it looks," I replied, feeling defensive of him. "We're an interesting bunch to look after. But the job has its perks."

Logan laughed, his eyes lighting up.

"I bet it has its perks. We've been hearing rumours that there's a new courtesan shaking things up. I guess that would be you?"

"Apparently so, but I'm just a girl from a couple of hundred years ago doing her best to pay back a debt. We'll see if I shake something loose along the way."

Again he laughed.

"I can see why you brought her here, Ed. She's a natural. Hope you come back sometime. Off duty, on duty, whatever works for you, Auralia, you're a breath of fresh air if nothing else."

"You can't afford her Logan. None of the fellas in here can."

"I never said anything about that kind of thing. You know how I feel about all that."

"She doesn't get that much free time. Consider this a rare visit." Edward's words held a warning to them, and the two men finally looked directly at each other. An understanding seemed to pass in that look and Logan nodded.

"I'll leave you to your lunch, Auralia. It was nice to meet you."

"Thank you. And you," I replied, not entirely sure what had just happened or what would have happened had Edward not been with me. Had Edward just told him not to expect a freebie? Or something else.

It seemed to settle the entire pub, however. Only then did I realise most of them must have heard the whole exchange. By the time Logan had gone and our food had been placed on our table, the majority of the patrons were back to whatever conversations and meals they'd been having before I'd walked in.

With the good food, the chatter from Edward about growing up nearby and the quiet atmosphere I soon relaxed, almost forgetting I was a courtesan and he was my bodyguard. I could have been in my own time for a moment, in a pub, meeting someone new for lunch and finding out about them. Like a polite date with no expectations of sex afterwards.

As our meal came to a close, I reached for my purse and checked for a message from Mhairi but there wasn't one. Frowning I quickly asked her if she was ready to meet up and to let me know when and then closed it again.

"You said you knew where Mhairi wanted to take me?" I asked Edward a few minutes later when I had no quick response.

"I think so, but we'll still need her to go in safely I think. She'll know who to avoid and what not to say, that kind of thing."

I raised my eyebrows. That hadn't been something important anywhere else I'd been taken to. Or had it? I guess I didn't really know for sure. Before Edward I'd had Yazov taking me places. Had he strategically planned those locations for more reasons than I'd realised? I had no way of knowing, but I suddenly felt far less safe.

But before I could suggest we go, the door opened and a group of four men walked in, heading up to the bar as they talked loudly among themselves. All the heads turned once again, but this time only to glance.

"Probably time we left," Edward said, picking up my purse for me and getting up. As soon as I was on my feet, he handed me the purse and put an arm around my back high enough to make it clear he was escorting me. Despite moving quietly, we drew the attention of the new group and one of them let out a low whistle.

"My my, we have a courtesan in our midst, and a well to do one, at that."

I glanced his way, but Edward didn't slow until the speaker walked in front of us, between us and the door, his eyes flicking between Edward and me before settling on me, glancing down once, briefly enough it didn't make me feel like I'd been leered over so much as appraised.

"I'm Joey," he said. "You that record breaker?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice this time.

"Well, I can see you're busy, and on your way somewhere, so I won't keep you, but you be sure to come back anytime you're looking for some company. The boys here and I'd be happy to oblige a time or two I'm sure. My birthday's Feb ninth."

"Noted," I replied, not sure what else to say.

"You can't afford her," someone yelled, sounding like it might have been Logan, but when I looked in the direction of the voice I couldn't see him or who it might have been. Half the pub laughed as Joey walked back to the bar and his three mates.

Without wasting a moment Edward ushered me out, the sunlight almost blinding before I was in the car and Edward was once again at the console, pressing buttons and sending us whisking away back into the stream of people all with places to go.

"Well, that was... interesting," I replied. "Thank you... I think."

He laughed seemingly a lot more relaxed.

"They all knew you?"

"Not all, but enough. And they're mostly harmless. Regular Joes with more basic jobs. That last guy was right. Most of them can't afford you, but it doesn't mean they wouldn't try to haggle if they thought they could get away with it. But I don't think a single one of them would harm you or I wouldn't have taken you there."

"Really?" I asked. "You were pretty tense for someone sure I'd be safe."

"Oh, they'd have taken no for an answer, but they'd have been pushy, demanding even. And you're still finding your feet. When I'm convinced you can handle that and more I'll agree to let you spend time there and test yourself against them."

I laughed, amused by his assumption of getting to decide when I was ready and that I would want to go back, but in truth, both were true. I didn't feel ready to face them again yet, and I definitely wanted to go back. For a moment I hadn't been a courtesan, but a regular woman eating lunch.

But now I had to go back to being me. A woman trapped in a larger than life profession, giving herself away for money and wondering what would be left at the end of each day.