Chapter 3 – Emerald

"He is going to get himself killed." Evie grumbled as she picked up a second cup of tea. Margaret had gotten off at the first stop Agnus pulled the train into after Jacob had made his grand exit, leaving the two assassins behind.

"Miss. Frye…I think you are over reacting…" Henry said while offering a warm smile. "Your brother has taken care of himself."

"I really don't believe so. He is rash decisions and thick skull is going to be his demise." The woman gave her tea a spin with her spoon before taking a sip and recollected herself. "Father would not approve of him running about London like he owns the place. Taking it back from the Templars is one thing."

"But I am sure your father would be pleased with what job you have been doing."

Silence fell between the pair as Henry's words sank into the woman. A small smile pulled on her red lips as she leaned back into her chair.

Perhaps the man was right. She had every right to worry but attempt to make her brother see her way was nearly impossible. It was tiresome to continue to clean up after his messes but at least she was tracking down he pieces of Eden to further the Brotherhood's cause.

Henry was right, her father would be proud.

- Blue -

This was the life that she led.

Margaret bit the inside of her lower lip as she walked into the decrepit old the building it was tucked in the back of a long forgotten alleyway. The floral wallpaper was flicking off of the walls of the living area, where girls were sprawled out. The brothel was lively tonight packed with flesh from wall to wall and bosoms free of any cloth. The blonde slipped into the backroom quickly walking through the alleyway that led her into their other building. It was just as the main work building and stuffed with just as many women. Madam Lillian ran the whole place and siphoned most of the earnings…. Margaret was only 15 when she found herself traveling from Germany West to the City of London. Her mother was ill and there were rumors that her father was alive and well in the bustling city…it was just her luck that she was unable to locate the physical man and heard tales of he had long since passed away… Without any money to make her way back to her mother's side she did everything in her ability to earn an honest living. She worked as a housemaid for a wealthy family in Westminster. The Mrs. didn't trust her from the very start…Margaret kept to herself and did what chores were asked of her but the Mrs. still did not feel at ease. Just under a year the Mrs. spread rumor after rumor about Margaret until she was ultimately fired with no hope of being hired as a housemaid anywhere else.

Or so she thought…. One night after sitting down in an alley over ridden with defeat from another failed interview, a woman walked up to her. Tall with a blessed form, sauntered up to her with a carefree smile. Margaret was certain that she was looking for someone else and was surprised to find the woman crouching down to her level. She offered her a job, a place to stay and more money than she would know what to do with. Desperate and alone, Margaret had no other choice but to accept. At first she started off as a housemaid, Stella often reminded her of how lucky she was that she found her in the alley. Margaret couldn't agree more. She did not mind working in the brothel, cleaning up after the woman, taking down information of clients that walked through the door. Secretary work. But it wouldn't last.

They were busy one night. It had happened before. Lillian told her that some of the men wanted to sleep with her. Margaret refused, stating that she was just the housemaid. Months went by and she found it harder and harder to continue her refusal. She was not going anywhere and Lillian had a way with words that made her feel like she wasn't human. One day…she cracked. She took up one of the clients offers, and Lillian made a pretty penny off of the virgin.

It wasn't long after that Margaret became one of the top earners, but not for the reason most believed. Roth, the leader of the Blighters, bought her off to become exclusive for the Blighters and any Templars that found their way over to their designated meeting grounds. Two years later, here she was.

Margaret sighed as she walked into her room, heels clacking on the worn wood floor. She sank into the seat in front of her vanity as her head fall into her hands. Her mind wondered back to her newest acquaintances. Jacob and Evie Frye. Evie seemed…calculative, untrustworthy of her, and smart. She had a motherly aura mixed with the curiosity of a child. Emerald eyes that cut into someone's very soul and yet she was caring. Willing to help any who needed it. Everything that she did was with purpose. And her brother…. Margaret turned her head to the side, her hand covered her mouth as her eyes fell half lidded in thought. He was…gorgeous for starts. She found herself wondering where he got the light scar that cut through his right eyebrow or the one that graced his left cheek. His hazel eyes were filled with curiosity and ambition. He was charming in his own way, yet rough like an uncut stone that found its way into a field of shined diamonds.

The woman gave her head a shake. They were, for all intense and purposes, business partners. She would get information from the Templars like always and pass it on to the Frye twins or Henry. Whomever she saw first.

"Even if he is lovely." She muttered to herself with a small smile.

No matter. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and the pearls that adorned her pale locks were lose and all but falling out. Her dress needed cleaning and she was nothing close to an upstanding model. That's what an assassin would want? Someone that he could-. She quickly shook her head. Again…this is not where her mind needed to be.

She undressed herself and went to draw herself a bath in the common area.

Margaret was pleased to find the bathhouse surprisingly empty there were a few girls getting ready in the next room. She could hear them giggling and talking about some of their latest clients. The blonde's lips curled into a small smile as she overheard bits and pieces of their conversation. It was a hard job, but the other girls stuck together like family. She crossed her legs over the side of the tub as she worked the soap into her hair. Days of muck and grim pooled into the water, which quickly took on the color of dirt. Her smile fell as the door opened and her pale blue irises flicked over to who had entered the room. Stella. The woman's curved formed was bare except for the robe that was falling apart at the seams. Her brown locks were tossed up into a lazy bun and she walked as if she owned the place, she practically did.

"Oh hellllo Margaret darlin', enjoyin' the bath?" She questioned with half lidded eyes as she began to fill the bath closest to the other.

Margaret mustered up a smile as she sat herself up after she'd rinsed the soap out of her hair. "That I am, Stella. It's been quiet relaxing. Just what I needed."

The brunette dropped her robe and placed a hand under the water running out of the faucet. "Oh rough client there, honey?"

"No, not a rough client. Well," She paused a moment as she tried to figure out how to bring up her newly acquired acquaintances. Her pink lips parted but Stella promptly cut her off.

"Let me guess, darlin'. Ya find ya self dreamin' about anotha man that didn't want to bed you?" She popped her hip out as she leaned against the tub.

Well…that's one way to explain it she supposed. "Not exactly… But there is a man I met today-."

"Oh a new workin' man? Or one of those business men?"

Margaret shuffled in the tub as she mulled over how to answer the question. The corners of her lips curled into a smile as she imaged Jacob dressed like a banker. His suit disintegrated into the trench coat he wore today with his black vest and lazily unbuttoned dress shirt. As if he knew just how tempting the extra skin was. One could argue that he was a business man of sorts…he was the leader of the Rooks. He had to pay people to keep them on his side and the group seemed to like him from the small interaction she witnessed with him and Gunther. There were so many blanks she couldn't fill in and just had to hope she was guessing correctly.

"Honey…?" Stella questioned after a moment of fallen silence.

Margaret's cheeks dusted red. "Sorry, I'm trying to find the right words…" She crossed her arms over the edge of her tub while her gaze etched Jacob's portrait into the wooden floor. "He's…a business man of sorts. His mind is set on the objective at hand that I feel like he looks right through me. But there's something about his antics that are surprisingly…charming."

Stella laughed as she turned the faucet off and lowered herself into the filled tub. "Sounds like you're lustin' pretty hard of him."

Margaret laughed as she stepped out of the tub. "Forbidden fruit is always the most tempting."

As the blonde walked back to her chambers she found herself wondering what she was getting into. Now that Stella knew there was someone that she was interested in, the woman was never going to drop it. And if Lillian was to find out the Madam would scold her for putting her interests in the way of earning money.

She gave her head a shake as she slid onto the redlined seat in front of her vanity. The mirror was cracked and the women found herself frowning as she looked at her reflection. Even if the Gods themselves intervened…she was a whore and that's all he'll ever see.

[[authors note: thank you for the reviews! Especially the ones with help for grammar. It is one of my weaknesses. I really appreciate the help. :) I have been busy but I am attempting to get the next chapter out soon.]]