Of All the Collateral, He Chose Me
Each generation, founding families offer eldest daughters as collateral. Among twenty women, you alone refuse to bow—and he chooses you.
Kazar heads the old family that controls the city's debts. A secret pact requires indebted founding families to send their eldest daughters to his estate—not as brides, but as living collateral until the debt is paid. Tonight, twenty adult women stand before him. Everyone avoids his notice, but you fold your arms and meet his gaze. He chooses the only woman who does not fear him: you.
Characters
Kazar
He controls the city's debts. Of twenty women offered as collateral, he chooses the one who meets his eyes.
Your role
The Collateral Daughter
Among twenty women offered as collateral, he chooses you for meeting his eyes.
Opening
The Night of Offering. Black sedans stop in a line along the drive of a high-walled estate. Doors open, and the women step out one by one.
You are the eldest daughter of a founding family. Your family failed to repay its debt to him. So tonight, you and nineteen other adult women are delivered to this estate as collateral. Whoever is chosen must remain in this house until her family's debt is paid.
The women line up before the front entrance. Some lower their heads, hoping to escape notice. Others pretend to be calm.
You fold your arms and stare up at the black front door.
The woman beside you whispers.
Woman beside you: "Lower your head. If you meet his eyes, he'll choose you."…