nd musk clung to Jasmine'

ver her bottom lip, slow and precise. Her reflection stared back at her...no

s every in

ion, like blood on snow. Her curves filled it effortlessly, the fabric clinging to the hourglass of her hips, dipping

teps approached, heels

reathless, slightly flustered. "Two Elders from Blackf

ok away from the

ested you. Said they'd wa

lounge is set. Red wine, low lights, music soft. And don't l

hey brought gifts again. Gold. And s

turned, crossing the room in silent

nned, then dropped her voice. "One of them asked if

usted the robe slightly

t the whole damn pac

aid

h amusement. "You really ar

en I nee

"Hey," she said, more gently now

for a brief moment. "Thanks, E

he polish, the silk, the honeyed voice she used for clients, something older still stirred

beautiful. She

brothel, especiall

nwh

e of Solace pulsed w

gh the parlor. Men lounged in plush chairs with tumblers of aged

, rich. Some had killed to get a night he

all wante

e dark coils of her hair. Time had not softened her, only sharpened her edge

f the Elders, adjusting the

lora replied, eyes narrowed. "Y

t said nothing more. No one c

he lounge as Jasmine

Conversations pa

ly confidence could be. Her scent, laced with subtle p

lders

eyes instead. "Gentlemen," she purred, "I h

aid, bowing his head. His voice was too thick, l

o have th

ounge room, her stride unbothered, her

ing sh

hat didn't belong. W

asmine leaned close enough to whisper

knit. "Not t

r. Just walked on, a

mother's voice echo

hen I'm gone. He'll wa

ing the glittering city. Her robe clung to her damp skin, the warmth

holding two glasses of win

terrifyingly exquisite," she sai

cities," Jasmi

agreed. "You

retched be

stars, "do you ever feel like we're bein

But her grip on the glass

more. She knew El

leave, the faintest m

oonlight didn't reach...something stood

a man. Not look

k enough to choke on. The scent of

e looked again

message

w... someone el

hours

rs with slow, soundless steps, si

elt different tonight...quieter. As i

velvet cushion near the hearth, a book sliding from her lap. Jasmine paused j

ll, bathed in soft amber light from the bedsi

stop

lay on her pillow. Unmark

ng about it

move at first

t like she was re

, heavy with a kind of silence that w

the ink did

pul

ing, ancient script she'd once seen years a

me, she cou

n your bone

k remem

lackfang.

pped th

ut of

st...deep and dormant for so long...

her palm t

mething bene

ll