ber glow hummed low behind brocade curtains, casting silhouettes of bodies and smoke onto the walls. Jasmine moved like s

within. Men lounged like softened wax across plush settees, their desire simmering just beneat

uin. A client once said she smelled like a prayer whispered by a sinner. She had

floated through the halls like an unanswered question

dn't s

never let them touch, never whispered consent like a ribbon around a man's wrist. She offered only glances, cruel kindness, a

h each step, a living whisper. Gold rings circled her fingers, her ears, her throat......

s breath reeked of brandy and wanting. "Ju

stop

s winter frost on warm skin. Her gaze slid toward him, eyes half-lidded

trying to buy one?" she murmured,

eath her gaze. She let him stew in silence just

nd walked past, her bare feet

found Sarah sitting beside a brazier, puffing smoke like a half-god half-witch. He

Sarah said wi

n't ex

re always expected.

e shadow and silk. She reached for Sarah's cigarette without asking and took a long drag. Th

ew room," J

ow. "Yours not go

balc

who's out there tonight that yo

exhaled smoke. "Just t

ll steel and spice, Jasmine all silk and salt. Yet the bond between t

ll like a hymn. The walls of the House pulsed with life

he moon instead, silver and whole, h

m again," she sa

with the wolf's eyes. He came weekly now. Alwa

tte back and watched Jasmine closely, like someone mi

" she said, "and it'

ead, lips quirked. "

s gleaming. "You're going to break som

ak," Jasmin

ers in velvet cloaks-stand before her trembling with hunger...... only to find that her doors never

ld. Men were used to women saying yes. Trained to hear it as a reward, a contract,

ed cigarette butts. Somewhere in the upper gallery, music began to rise...... a cello low a

Tall, blonde, with a face too beautiful to trust. He

worth tenfo

for a long, unreadab

back when y

hed her vanish into the House lik

hed from t

didn't t

e knew the sound of hu