Page 34 of Veil of Death and Shadow

“And what exactly are the permanent effects of this payment?” I asked, ignoring Sora’s breathy laugh.

Villette pursed her lips, considering. “It’s hard to say. We only opened the doors to humans a few weeks ago, after we felt certain we could ensure their safety. It was an offering—an attempt to merge our societies a bit more. This is a simple business—and a place where people come to unwind. The last thing we need is to get the high-and-mighty religious vigilantes on our case. No human has died from the energy pulled through these walls. In that sense, I can promise you that it’s far safer than being under the thrall of a lust demon one-on-one.”

I twisted my ring as I considered her. “How, exactly, do you ensure our safety?”

“The building functions as a bit of a buffer. And we’ll give you a bracelet that will track your vitals throughout the night. Generally, the humans affected most by a night here, simply wake up the next day feeling a bit sluggish, their moods a bitlower than usual from the drop—nothing permanent. The rules are simple, and if you follow them, you’ll be fine.” She held up one finger, her nail sharp, shaped, and painted a burgundy so dark it almost looked black. “You can enjoy your time at the club, so long as you wear one of our cuffs to signal to our staff that you’re human and to help us keep track of you,” she held up a second finger, “you stay on the first floor of the establishment,” a third, “we understand that . . . release can’t always be controlled, but humans are asked to refrain from having sex in this building,” a fourth, “you stay for no more than two hours,” a fifth, “and you may not return for a minimum of three weeks—an extra precaution to make sure you’ve replenished your strength. No exceptions.”

Villette let her rules sink in for a moment, and I felt some of the tension disperse from my shoulders. The structure of her rules and the clear no-nonsense, dominatrix attitude she projected erased most of my unease and fear.

“So,” she arched one dark, perfectly shaped brow and stood up, “do you agree to my rules?”

“Absolutely.” Sora’s knee was bouncing with excitement against mine.

I nodded my agreement, surprised that I meant it.

“Then if you pass my test and sign our release forms, you’ll be on your way to an evening you won’t soon forget.”

She reached for Sora’s hand, and I watched my friend stand on shaky legs.

“Don’t worry, little one, this won’t hurt,” Villette whispered, her voice a caress that made my breath catch.

Sora swayed towards her, her eyes glazed and awe-struck. Her free hand grazed Villette’s arm, tracing lightly until it reached her neck. She pulled the woman towards her until their lips were a hair’s breadth apart.

“I understand the temptation,” Villette whispered against Sora’s mouth. She held her gaze, her voice breathy. “But for now, try and resist to your best ability.”

Sora let out a low curse, then stepped back, almost panting with exertion.

“Good.” Villette’s fingers trailed briefly along Sora’s arms, then she dropped contact and stepped back. “Very good. You’re quite strong for a human. An ideal candidate for our establishment.”

Sora flushed, whether from the compliment or the forwardness of her own actions, I couldn’t tell. She fell onto the couch, sinking into it as if her legs could no longer support her.

When Villette turned to me, her hand extended, I stood on my own, my pulse beating a hurried drum.

Her fingers wrapped around my wrist, and I fell into her gaze.

A pulsing need thrummed through my veins, but it was no different from what I’d felt since the moment we’d stepped past the bouncer.

“When does the test start?” I asked after a few drawn out seconds, expecting my body to react as Sora’s had.

Villette blinked a few times, then dropped my wrist. “Interesting.”

“What is?”

“You’re just not very susceptible to my power.” Her hands smoothed the front of her dress and then she took a few steps back from me, her perfect composure breaking for only a fraction of a second before her gaze met mine again. “I don’t encounter that often.” She narrowed her eyes, studying me as if I’d offended her. “Were you . . . affected by The Undoing?”

I ran my hand awkwardly through the tips of my hair. “Free balayage for life.”

As welcoming as Villette had been, there was no way in hell I was getting into the weeds about the occasional hallucinations I had.

She cleared her throat and nodded, her half-grin less inviting this time, more pinched. “Right.”

“So . . .” Sora stood, her arm pressing against mine as she turned to Villette. “We passed?”

“You passed.” After a few beats, Villette blinked, then walked over to her desk. She retrieved two bands and a clipboard. “Read and sign this contract please.”

Sora and I read together. And then I read through the entire thing a second time.

There were no secret promises that we were selling our souls to a demon or that Incendiary would own our bodies for the night. Just the same rules that Villette had already laid out and a brief paragraph at the bottom that explained that any lust we experienced was an enhanced version of what we already felt; that the building’s magic acted to lower inhibitions, and we were encouraged to make choices accordingly.

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