Chain of Lust (Spirit World 2)

Her gaze was laden with suspicion. “I’m not giving my name to people like you. You aren’t human.”

“Afraid not.” Jean-Luc couldn’t help grinning. Her huge, gorgeous fawn eyes captivated him. The irises were dark as midnight, complimenting her thick, long lashes.

She took another step backward. “Who are you?”

“Jean-Luc. You certainly have a short memory.”

“I meant—what are you?”

“What do you think? Look, I just want to know your name so I know what to call you. It isn’t a ridiculous favour to ask.”

She blanched a little. “I’m Maddie.”

“Maddie,” he echoed. “It wasn’t that hard, was it?” Jean-Luc grabbed her arm and steered her to the entrance of Maison Plaisir.

“Where are you taking me?” she protested. “I…I need to go home.”

“Just treating you to a drink. You look pale.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“Don’t look fine to me.” Jean-Luc paused to pick up her purse and give it back to her. With his shoulder, he pushed the door open. Maison Plaisir’s hostess materialised before them.

“Jean-Luc Berthier. Well, I’ll be…” Madame Chabert spread her arms and

patted his back dotingly. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Where’ve you been?”

“The usual, Roxanne. Nose to the grindstone.”

Chabert slid her gaze to the woman he’d just saved. “And this is…” Chabert narrowed her eyes. “How curious. A human.”

“She’s a bit rattled, I’m afraid. Some zacrahs tried to molest her. Is it possible for us to have a private room? And perhaps tea as well? She could really use some.”

“Poor thing.” Madame Chabert spread a hand. “Please follow me.”

“Come.”

Maddie resisted. “I need to go home.”

“Look.” Jean-Luc gave her a hard stare. “Your clothes are ripped. Your face is dirty and you have a cut on that elbow. It would be best if you clean up before you go home.”

“I don’t have a cut.” Maddie groped her right elbow and flinched. “Oww… How did you know?”

“I’m a Hellhound and I can smell blood from miles away. I suppose that explains everything, yes?”

She didn’t resist when Jean-Luc carefully ushered her to follow Madame Chabert. The hostess placed her hand on the doors behind the reception desk and murmured an incantation. No unwanted guests were able to enter Maison Plaisir without her permission. The doors swung open by their own accord, revealing the grand sight of Maison Plaisir’s Common Hall.

Maddie gaped as they waded among the patrons. She looked impressed. A few people noticed she was human and whispered among one another, watching her every move. Humans who were able to see the Unseen was exceptionally rare and desirable.

Jean-Luc stole a glance at her. She was a pretty young thing, couldn’t be more than twenty-five, in human age. Her oval-shaped face with big eyes elicited the saving-the-damsel-in-distress urge within him. Her fair skin was flawless and looked creamy enough to lick. Jean-Luc gulped hard, indulging himself in a little dirty thought. His cock stiffened under his pants, jumping with interest at the prospect of bedding her. He hadn’t been aroused in a long time. Decades, perhaps. Being an agent of the Pit had dried up his sexual drive to nothing. He became less and less of what he was before. A red-blooded male with healthy sexual appetites.

He wondered if she was unattached. No ring on her finger, and he didn’t smell any male who had laid a claim on her recently. Which was a good thing. Jean-Luc was itching to discover if the body underneath her clothes was as lovely as her face.

Madame Chabert led them up the stairs and onto the second floor of the establishment. They walked through a long corridor before they arrived in the private wing, reserved for the patrons who wished to spend a night in Maison Plaisir. Jean-Luc never utilised his stay to sate his carnal needs. He liked the rooms because they reminded him of his home a long time ago.

They arrived at a small lounge marked as ‘private’. Madame Chabert opened one of the doors. “Would this be acceptable?” she asked him.

Chabert gave him his favourite room whenever he had a chance to visit Maison Plaisir. “Perfect.”