Page 10 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

I try not to look at him too closely, because his yellow eyes are unnerving.

His eyes are wide and slightly unfocused – in fact, he looks almost dazed.

But I know the reality of the situation. He may be drunk but he is as sharp as he would be sober.

Just then, Everin, my manager, comes up behind Calix and walks over to me.

You’re safe now.

My stomach had twisted into knots when Calix appeared backstage, so close to the changing and washrooms.

But I know that now that Everin is here, he’ll get rid of Calix.

And you’ll finally be safe.

“Calix! It’s good to see you!”

The knots return quickly and fiercely, and for a second, I have to relearn how to breathe, how to move, how to think.

They know each other? They’re friendly with one another?

I thought I was safe.

Everin moves out from behind me then, but places a sweaty, clammy hand on my shoulder.

I always hate when he does that, but I have learned not to shudder away from his touch.

If there is one person I haven’t wanted to offend in my time here it is Everin.

He literally manages my bread and butter after all. I depend on him to survive.

So when the small, thin, usually sweaty man touches me, I swallow my nausea and smile.

But now, in the presence of both Everin and Calix, I cannot do anything except shiver with disgust.

And fear.

Because you’re very fucking afraid.

Calix smiles at me then, and his eyes become almost glassy while he does it. His grin, I cannot help but notice, is slightly crooked, with the right side of his face lifting up higher than the left side.

It doesn’t help him look any less like a mad man.

“So you two have met!” I drag my attention away from Calix’s smile, and focus on Everin’s words.

How do they know one another? And why is Everin smiling like he has just won some kind of prize?

My skin is tingling, and I shiver again.

“Isla, this is Calix, and he is a fine merchant from a good family. I know you have met, but I thought you should have some background.”

Calix sticks his hand out and I take it slowly.

At least his hand isn’t sweaty. That doesn’t take away from the feeling of disgust that my body summons around him.

He is still smiling that eerie, crooked smile.

The lighting in the club has always been dim. Everin has been promising for years that he would fix the lighting backstage and in the changing rooms.