Perfectly Too Far (11 page)

What
am I doing, what am I doing? I can't become part of this, can I?

She
had to admit, there was a part of her, a small tingling spark that
made her heart pulse, that wanted to know what this would be like. To
be told how to act, to experience being tied down and dominated by
someone so confident.

Someone
like Onyx.

Lifting
her eyes, she peeked over the shoulder of the woman in front of her,
the one in the pale dress.
Her
name was Rose or something, Roseli?
Squinting,
Judith focused on the stiff, broad shoulders of the Master at the
head of the procession. Studying the back of his skull, the dark hair
that the mask couldn't hide, she didn't notice he had stopped moving
until she bumped into Roseli.

The
long haired woman, strands curled dramatically, shot a scowl at
Judith. Blushing, she tried to communicated an apology in that brief
look.
Ugh,
I need to focus.

Onyx
spun, his hand reaching out to touch the handle of a heavy door, this
one tan and aged. “Listen to me. When you enter this place,
there is no turning back.”

Does
that mean, if I want, I could leave now? Before we go inside?
The
idea was appealing, but she was too terrified to speak up, to ask, or
to even try and wiggle past the men behind her. No one else was
moving, the other women didn't seem ready to bolt.

“
Your
training starts behind here, and from then on, you will be changed,”
he said. “When you return here each night, you will never be
able to become anything more than a Sub, so keep that in mind. There
will be no more cavorting around this dungeon, your only options each
event will be more training, or to simply never return.” His
eyes fell on Judith, then, staring at her through the sharp shadows.

I
can't even see his eyes, but I can feel them.

As
if he were talking directly to her, he went on, softer. “This
is not something to take lightly. And, if you stay, I promise you...
a part of you will never leave. It will always be tied up in this
place.”

Judith
felt herself quivering, she hugged herself to control the shaking.
I
wonder what that means?

“
Now,”
he smiled, “let us begin.” The door was opened, and the
group followed him inside.

Judith
glanced around as they entered, confused by what appeared to be a
simple round room with couches, trunks, and chests. She saw there
were doors all along the walls, resisting the urge to ask where they
went. Onyx ushered the girls all into the center, then turned and
whispered to the three other men.

Uneasily,
she watched them talking, her mind buzzing over what words were being
exchanged. Her answer came soon enough.

“
Roseli,”
Onyx called out, and the woman straightened. “You'll be working
with Master Jack.” He gestured to a man who wore a mask like a
grinning wolf, his arms folded calmly. She made no argument, though
Judith suspected there was some disappointment. “Now you, Tara,
you're with Master Helm.”

As
he went down the line, Judith experienced a sense of dread blooming.
Who
am I going to end up with?
She
knew who she wanted, but admitting it was shameful. Finally, as the
last of the woman were paired off, that dark man in all his devilish
glory turned to face her.

“
And
you, little, Sparrow, well... You'll be with me, of course.”

Of
course.
The
flicker of pleasure hit her hard, painted lips curling into a
relieved smile. Onyx motioned to her, and she came forward, following
him to a door in the wall. “You'll all go with your Masters,
now, sequestered for your training.”

I'm
going to be alone with him!
That
knowledge was overwhelming, she wished she had something to quench
her suddenly parched throat. With one more glance over at the other
women, their figures vanishing into various exits, Judith looked up
at Onyx, her new Master, and followed him through the door.

****

It
was dark, a velvety yellow and orange. Judith gazed around with a
sort of curiosity that was tinged with fear. To say she was having
second thoughts about this was putting it mildly.

The
room was small; soft carpet, smooth walls. It was decorated with
various devices, all of which made her lower belly shiver. Chains
hung from the ceiling, as well as from... everything else. In one
corner, she saw an open shower, and it disturbed her to see something
so normal.
Why
is that even here? I don't think I want to know.

The
furniture was unique, padded and angled in ways that made it clear
they were meant for devious purposes. Saw horses, stocks, tables; she
couldn't identify, they were everywhere.

I
don't know what most of this even is.

He
moved next to her, making her jump when his soft glove cupped her
chin. Forcing her head up, Onyx looked into her face, making her
grateful again for the mask.

“
So,
little Sparrow, I must admit. I'm pleased you decided to become a
submissive. Did I have anything to do with it, did you enjoy watching
my lesson last night?”

The
memory of the blonde woman, begging and writhing, made Judith bite
her lip.
He's
good, god, the way he phrases things!
His
fingers tightened, almost painfully, making her gasp in surprise.

“
Answer
me, girl,” he said.

“
Y—yes,
I—” That grip squeezed until she winced.

“
No,
address me correctly.”

Correctly?
What does he mean?
Her
mind worked, fighting the daze of adrenaline and confusion, to
finally pull forth what she thought he wanted. “Yes, Master
Onyx.”

Chuckling,
he let her go, watching her rub her chin tenderly. “We have a
lot of work to do. You've never done anything like this before, have
you?”

“
No,”
she admitted reluctantly, her eyes moving to the far wall. It was
strange, revealing her lack of experience.

“
Oh,
don't worry, girl,” he purred, his hand reaching out, fingers
deftly tracing the line of her throat. “I'm a very good
teacher, I'm told. You'll understand your role in no time.”

Judith
thought her heart might explode, her attention fixed on those
perfect, smiling lips. They parted, and his tone was firm,
unyielding. “Now, kneel.”

Wordlessly,
she did, though it was hardly graceful. Her legs buckled, she
partially stumbled, grabbing the ground to keep herself from landing
on her face. Onyx laughed, shaking his head at her display. “You'll
need to get better at that, such a clumsy girl.”

Blushing,
she stared at his shiny boots, mentally agreeing.
That's
truer than what Benedict had said, calling my movements beautiful. He
was wrong.

His
feet moved around her, a shark circling in the water. Judith tried
not to think about it like that, but this man had so much control
over her, she felt at his mercy. For a moment, he said nothing. The
only sounds were his footsteps, muffled by the rug. “You're
lovely,” he mumbled, she felt his touch on the back of her
head.

She
jerked, unable to keep calm at the intimate contact. Gently, he
stroked the back of her neck, making her skin tingle. The glove was
luxurious, it sent sparks to her brain and her body. Already warm,
Judith knew she was getting excited by this powerful man's touch.
“T—thank you.”

“
Shh,”
he hissed, tightening his hold, like she was a puppy gripped by the
nape. “I didn't ask you anything. Don't talk without
permission, or unless asked a question. Now,” he hushed
tenderly, “I'd like to see how lovely the rest of you is.”

Instantly,
she tensed, her muscles hard as rocks. Onyx must have sensed her
response, his fingers holding tight to her soft throat. “Stand,
little Sparrow.”

She
wasn't sure if she could, but she tried. Every bit of her was
shaking, he ended up assisting her most of the way. Finally, she
stood there, his chest almost touching her from behind. Onyx
whispered, lips tickling her ear. “Now, girl, take off your
dress.”

I
can't, I'm not ready for that!

Trembling,
the red-head flexed her hands at her sides, but made no attempt to
follow his order. That was her first mistake, one that her new Master
was not keen to overlook.

“
One
more chance, or I'll do it for you.”

Judith
gasped, squeezing her eyes shut as if to will herself away.
I
can't, I can't,
she
thought in a panic. When Onyx sighed, he sounded disappointed. “So
that's how it is.”

Rough,
fast, he grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. Squeaking,
Judith gawked as he held her arms, pulling them over her head. Too
stunned to struggle, not that it would have helped, she felt him
binding her wrists quickly in something.

Rope,
that's rope hanging from the ceiling.

It
took seconds, leaving her amazed and distraught at his skill. Tugging
at the restraints, fear began bubbling in her center. She was
trapped, utterly at the mercy of someone who she hardly knew.

What
the hell was I thinking, this guy is a complete stranger! He could
hurt me, why was I so reckless?

Onyx
folded his arms, smiling as he looked her up and down. “There,
much better.”

“
Let
me go,” she stuttered, her knees wobbling beneath her.
If
my legs give out, I guess I won't fall, at least.

Casually,
like he did it all the time, the man gave her cheek a soft slap. It
hardly stung, but it left Judith with her mouth hanging open, unable
to believe someone would dare hit her at all.

“
You
don't tell me what to do, girl. Don't you understand that? You're
here,” he hissed, grabbing her jaw and forcing her to look at
his scowl, “because you asked for this. You
want
this, so don't mistake my commands as suggestions. I said undress,
you did not. This,” he smirked, letting her go and gripping
her wrists, “is your punishment.”

He's
insane,
she thought,
or
maybe I am, for going this far.