Chain of Lust by Lizzie Lynn Lee Page A

the racks and returned to the fitting room. Her client’s eyes lit up like she was a kid in a candy store.
    “How delightful. The colours! Look at those lush fabrics.”
    “I know. They’re gorgeous, aren’t they?” Maddie hung the gowns in the rack. She picked a princess cut taffeta gown layered with sheer chiffon. “Don’t you think it’s beautiful? Deep sapphire is perfect for evening wear.”
    Terry clapped her hands happily. “Can we try it?”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Maddie was sure that on Earth, a personal shopper didn’t assist their clients in undressing. It was different in the First Realm. It seemed people here weren’t self-conscious about the shape of their bodies. Maddie put the gown back on the rack and helped Terry out of her clothes.
    Underneath her eyesore of a suit, Terry wore a boned corset. She looked as if she was ready to burst from the seams. Maddie wondered how Terry could even breathe, being compressed with wickedly tight lacings like that.
    Terry donned the gown and examined her reflection in the standing mirror like a school girl trying on her prom dress. The gown needed a few adjustments here and there, but Terry looked pleased about it. It was too flashy for Maddie’s taste, especially for a woman of Terry’s age. But she guessed Terry only liked glamorous, bordering on ridiculous, stuff. If she offered more classy styles, her client probably wouldn’t like it. Maddie threw a few compliments and made them sound sincere. Terry ate them up.
    “What do you think?” Maddie asked.
    “I love it.” Terry took a swirl. “My husband will love it too.”
    “I bet he will. But it won’t be fair if you don’t try the others.” Maddie walked to the rack. “How about this navy one? If you don’t like it, I’ll let you have the one you’re wearing right now.”
    Terry giggled girlishly. It sounded pretty weird for a middle-aged woman to do that. She turned to Maddie curiously. “You know, I just had a wonderful idea. You have to attend this gala. I happen to know someone, to get you an invitation. You have to meet my friends. They will adore you.”
    Going to a charity gala? With her as the only human in the party? Maddie frowned. Didn’t seem like a very good idea. Besides, Jean-Luc had told her to keep a low profile until he sorted out the person behind the Jerry’s World incident. He didn’t discuss it much when they were together, but judging from the way he acted, it seemed it bugged the hell out of him.
    Maddie thought hard for an excuse but failed—she hoped a refusal would be enough. “Thank you for the invitation, but I can’t go.”
    “Why not?” Terry eyes widened. “It would be good for you. I know some of my friends would love to have you as their personal shopper…”
    “That is very thoughtful of you, Madame Ronnauds, but I can’t go.”
    Terry’s eyebrow arched. Her voice was laden with curiosity. “Is there a special reason you cannot attend the gala? You can bring that bounty hunter lover of yours.”
    “You know Jean-Luc?” Maddie was a little surprised. She hadn’t told anybody she was seeing Jean-Luc. Only Genevieve knew the nature of their relationship.
    Terry waved dismissively. “I know of him.”
    “I didn’t know he was popular.” Maddie helped Terry with the zipper. It came off easily this time. The gown was loose. Even the corset Terry was wearing was loose.
    “Oh, indeed. Monsieur Berthier is quite the talk among us. That charming gentleman. I heard he does lawman work for the Pit.”
    The gown slowly slid down to the floor. But Maddie wasn’t paying attention to it. She was transfixed by the back of Terry’s corset. Her client’s skin sagged, as if the fat had been sucked dry before her eyes.
    What the hell…
    Theirry babbled on and on as Maddie realised something wasn’t right. Black splotches emerged on Terry’s pasty skin. She grew taller and taller, as if the monster within her body was seeking a way