Elaine Corvidae - Shadow Fae 01 by Winters Orphans

Author:Winters Orphans [Orphans, Winters]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

That afternoon, Mina and Abby started their search for a new job. They walked down to the segment of town largely dedicated to factories, where Hobb Mill had once stood. Its burned-out hulk stared hauntingly from over the brick wall as they went past.

They began with other textile mills, hoping that their experience would serve them in good stead. The first two simply turned them down—there were no openings available, although Starnes Textiles was planning on expanding their work force next month.

“Too late to help us,” Mina said regretfully. The rather sad-looking overseer nodded sympathetically. His mill had in fact lost a golden opportunity—if the fire had coincided with the expansion more closely, they could have employed the survivors of Hobb Mill and found themselves with trained workers, rather than the unskilled, newly-indentured that they were likely to get instead.

Their third stop was Gothin Wool Unlimited. The accountant let them through the gate and counting house, and then called a small boy to fetch the overseer. After a long time waiting in the clattering shadow of the mill, the overseer finally slouched out the main doors. Mina and Abby quickly stood straight, facing him nervously. He eyed them both insolently, lingering on Mina.

“Are you a boy or a girl?” he finally asked, derision edging his tone.

Mina bit back a smart reply. She had dressed in a shirt and trousers for so long at Hobb Mill that no one had even thought twice about it anymore.

“I worked at Hobb Mill since I was eight,” she said, deciding to ignore his comment. “Started as a bobbin doffer, worked up to spinner, then dresser. I’ve been on the looms since I was sixteen.”

Abby offered him her own list of qualifications. His eyes on her were avaricious.

“Well,” he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully, “I do have a few openings. I want to make sure that I only give them to quality girls, though.”

A chill went through Mina. “What does that mean?”

“It means you come back here looking more like something sweet, and you might have a chance.” He shifted his eyes back to Abby. “As for you…come inside, and we’ll talk about it.”

Mina stared at him, the knowledge that she could hurt him very clear to her in that moment. She could set a chill in his bones that would eat away the marrow. She could blind his eyes forever with darkness, or fray apart the muscles in his arms. She could make William’s death seem like a quick and merciful act.

Instead she grabbed Abby by the arm and dragged her towards the gate. The overseer spat on the pavement behind them. “Go on, darling, see how uppity you are in prison! There’s plenty of other Hobb girls looking for work!”

Once outside, Abby tugged on Mina’s arm to slow her. They sat down on a curb a few blocks away, Abby staring at a puddle rain had made in the street and Mina smoking one of her last remaining cigarettes.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have been so hasty,” Abby said at length.

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