Chapter 9

The Shadow Master

Listening to her bare her soul and trauma to Archie is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

And I lived in hell for centuries. I have torn apart the living for sport and harboured their souls.

But hearing her speak of her past is true torture.

Keeping out of sight, I remain in the hall, the bedroom door ajar, and listen to their bathwater slosh with their slight movements.

I can see it as if I were there. Her, as a child, sat on the lap of old, disgusting men, being forced to kiss them. Their hands on her as they bounced her on their knees.

I can see her clawing at the door, pleading to be let out as they placed bets on how long she would stay conscious until she passed out in fear.

I lift my gaze. Shaw's teeth are sharp, and his jaw tense as he meets my gaze. We listened in silence. Listened to her confession.

Our girl.

It turns out she's just as damaged and broken as we are. Her monsters walk free, dreaming of the times they got to play with her. To make her cry. To make her watch the torment of others and condition her to accept what was coming.

A child, watching the systematic rape and abuse of a woman who tried to leave the coven. Forced to watch. To accept that this was normal. Expected.

Our girl.

Screaming. Crying. Pleading. Huddled up under the bed as she hid from the spirits.

Her father may be dead, but the others may not be.

Archie is right.

We will be getting names.

I peer around the door. They're both in the tub now. Archie holds her as they lean back. Her eyes are red and puffy as a silent tear slides down her cheek. She's tried not to care about her past. To let it affect her. But I feel it through our link. I know her skin crawls with memories.

Just as ours do with the images she's created.

I've never seen Archie hold someone like that before. So tight and utterly encased around her. So protective.

But the look in his eyes is as dark as I've ever seen. As his hands slowly glide up and down her arm, he stares into nothing, struggling to contain the rage we all feel. He turns his head as Shaw silently walks towards them from behind. She doesn't see him.

Shaw blows sleep dust over her as Archie looks away and holds his breath.

Within seconds, she's limp, and they carry her out of the bath.

We dry and dress her before placing her on the bed, then all surround her, watching her sleep.

‘I think it's time we pay the coven a visit,' Shaw says through gritted teeth. ‘We still haven't thanked them for attacking us and stealing the grimoire. I think it's time to correct that.'

I nod, my shadows thrumming with excitement at the idea.

‘She wanted to come with you, Shaw,' Archie reminds him.

‘That was before I found out she was being molested by dirty old men when she was barely out of pigtails.' He sweeps her wet hair from her face. ‘She's seen enough death. She can miss this. It's not safe. Not for her. Dorian and I will take care of the coven. You look after her. If she wakes up, do whatever you must to keep her safe.'

Shaw sits beside her and exhales. She twitches and whimpers.

‘Stop… Cole…'

‘That fucker is in her fucking dreams again,' I hiss.

Shaw's eyes go white as he walks in her dreams. She settles as he takes her nightmares for his own. She twitches, and her eyes roll beneath her lids.

Then she stills.

‘I've put her in the meadow,' he says, his voice soft and calm. ‘Give me a moment. I'm looking.'

‘Looking?' I ask, staring at the pure whites of his eyes.

‘Her nightmares as a child. I want those faces. I want those names.'

‘She can't see what you're doing, can she?'

He shakes his head.

‘She's in a meadow of wildflowers and ponies. She's at peace.'

I watch him as he walks. He walks every night and sometimes even during the day. He's made it his mission to torment Cole whenever he sleeps. Every time Cole dreams, he torments him with nightmares made especially for him. Archie said Cole looked tired. It's incredible how quickly a man can go mad when he can't get any real rest.

Shaw blinks, his eyes returning to normal.

‘Five faces. Five names. They're all still alive, or were when we took her on rite night.' He watches her sleep, his eye twitching. ‘That needs to be remedied as soon as possible.'

There's a light tap at the door. We smell that it's Leo. I head over and open it up, guiding him out into the hall and closing the door behind us.

‘What?'

‘The fire is about to be lit. The others, well, those still here, have started to gather. The king's men will be here any moment with your offerings.'

How the fuck could we forget?!

Tonight is a night the fire is lit. The soldiers will come, and if we're not there, reports will be made to the king. We are to be fed, and if we're not, he will want to know why. Considering we're not supposed to feed from any unwilling prey, our refusal of his offerings will only look suspicious. Not to mention the fact that he is still waiting on news of the matrimony still to take place between Ashe and Shaw.

And now is not a time we want to push our luck.

‘Your barrier still up?' I ask.

‘Yep. Only humans will pass through. I'll make sure of it.'

I nod and notice a long scratch down the side of his face. It's fresh.

‘What's that?'

‘Oh.' He wipes the beads of blood. ‘The little earth witch downstairs. We had an argument.'

‘How?' I ask. ‘She has no tongue.'

He laughs and shakes his head.

‘That one doesn't need a tongue to tell me to get fucked.'

He turns to leave.

‘Leo?' He stops and looks back. ‘Does your coven make their females watch others fuck when they're young? To teach them how it all works?'

He looks past me to the door and nods in her direction.

‘She tell you about that?'

I don't reply, but he slides his hands into his pocket and faces me with a sad nod.

‘Yeah. They make us watch. Was she one of the females the males practised on?'

I step closer, my shadows darkening at my back. He staggers back, utterly taken aback.

‘Sorry. I didn't mean any offence,' he stammers, holding his hands up. ‘Honest.'

I calm, and my shadows retreat.

‘No. She was not.'

His hands lower and slowly return to his pockets.

‘The covens are cruel, Dorian,' he says. ‘They're sadistic, almost. You took a bunch of powerful creatures and caged them together. When you take power away from powerful beings, they find a way to regain that power. Those higher up the chain feel owed, and they take it out on the likes of us. The ones who can't fight back. Who refuse to obey laws that cause nothing but pain and suffering.' He nods to her door. ‘We're witches. Witches are wild. We need space and freedom. We become feral and cruel when caged.'

‘Is that so?' I drawl.

‘It is. You should know better than most.' He steps back. ‘I'll see you by the fire.'

He leaves, and I return to the bedroom.

‘Problem?' Shaw asks.

‘Fire night. Leo just reminded me.'

‘Shit,' he hisses, looking down at our sleeping girl.

‘How long do you think that sleep dust will work on her?' I ask Shaw, feeling the dread rise at the idea she may wake up and see something we would rather she didn't.

‘A normal witch? All night. But her and knowing our luck? Ten fucking minutes. Archie, can you stay with her as we go down? I'll come back up as soon as I've shown my face, and then you will go down and show yours.' He stands and rolls his neck. ‘Let's get this over with.'

Usually, these nights are full of drinking, chatter and debauchery.

Not so much tonight.

Five others are sitting around the fire. Everyone else has left.

The king's men will notice. They will comment. Especially considering the only remaining creatures are male and the guards enjoy the females we provide.

What has our life become when we have to wait around for the scraps the king throws at us?

To be fair. They are very beautiful scraps, but scraps nonetheless.

And what have we become when we sit here hiding, protected by an air witch as our enemies gather their forces in the world beyond the barrier surrounding our castle?

Weak. Cowardly. Tame. That is what we have become.

We can not stay here. This is not going to work. I need to convince Shaw to leave. He's clinging to this place, and if he is not careful, all this will slip through his cold, dead fingers.

I will take her if he refuses to abandon this place.

Since Neve's return, I've realised more and more that we are living in a cage, and the king, as well as his human army, have been holding the key. Yes. We are free to leave the castle but with rules and restrictions.

We are powerful and ruthless creatures. Not something to be leashed.

Yet, we have done the same to Ashe. But we do it for her safety, and soon, she will be free of our leash when she takes her place and accepts her truth.

That she is ours and we are hers.

Shaw walks around the outskirts of the clearing, searching for any signs of a pixie or an unwelcome visitor. Considering that we were attacked a couple of days ago, this whole thing is a monumentally bad fucking idea with terrible timing.

It's been a good hour of waiting, and the king's guards are nowhere to be seen.

I don't like it. They're never late. Leo is at the boundary, ready to lower the barrier spells to let them pass. But they should be here by now.

Shaw and I meet each other's uneasy gaze. He doesn't like it either. It's been too quiet since Neve returned.

Sure. Cole came for Ashe with a couple of unseelie. And more came for what we had in the cellar and Neve's blood grimoire. But that was nothing compared to the carnage she could bring down on us.

We both catch the scent of our visitors simultaneously and turn to watch the distant glow of their torches. The others soon realise the guests are here and turn to the path.

Three guards enter first. Then, the three women, dressed as ever, in those little sheer slips.

General Granger and his two idiot sons bring up the rear and head straight to Shaw.

The handshake first, followed by a few dry pleasantries. I look over the females.

The small one with auburn hair comes often. She scans the fire for her favourite of us and chews her lip when she can't find Archie.

I look towards the castle.

Go to her. Make her ours again.

I need a moment of focus to order the shadows to stand down. When I reopen my eyes, a blonde tart stands before me. She blinks slowly and smiles, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. Her scent hits me. It's bland and unexciting.

‘My Lord,' she coos. ‘I am yours, should you choose.'

She slips the thin material down, exposing herself to me, her left breast naked and erupting in small goosebumps against the chill in the air.

I fail to hide the disgust on my face. She doesn't seem to notice as her eyes are closed, and her breathing becomes jagged in anticipation of my feeding from her.

Have I fucked her before? I can't recall.

Behind her, Shaw has taken one of the girl's wrists and managed a few pulls before dropping it in disinterest. She's stunned as he turns away and heads straight back to the castle to swap with Archie.

‘Is there something the matter, My Lord?' my one asks in this forced sultry and seductive tone. She slides her gown down further, exposing both her breasts, and holds the thin material around her waist.

Yes. I have fucked this one. I remember that little birthmark by her collarbone.

Bleed her dry and go to our witch.

I lean in but stop when I see two of the guards lingering by the pathway. They both risk a side glance at me before quickly looking away.

‘My Lord? Is there any service you may enjoy me to perform to get you in the mood?'

She falls to her knees and rests her hands on my belt before I can stop her. I remember fucking her mouth before. She's skilled.

A scent carries on the air. A blissful and troublesome scent. I lift my head, scanning the area.

Her silver hair shines in the firelight. Her eyes are trained on me as she lingers on the other side of the fire.

She looks at the woman on her knees. Her hands have started undoing my belt. I hadn't even noticed. But my Poppet Doll has. Slowly, painfully slowly, she lifts her gaze once more, her brow raised. Gripping the wandering hands, I lift the girl and snarl.

‘Fuck off.'

She staggers away as I release her, unable to look away from me in her fear.

But all I can see is Ashe and the way her lip curls up in the corners before she turns away. I follow, keeping my distance but matching each of her steps with one of my own. She then stops to speak to the two guards by the path.

Her little hip pops to the side, and the way his lips curl up as he looks at her makes my shadows claw at my insides.

Ours. She's ours!

‘Hmmm,' I agree, swallowing a mouthful of my liquor before tossing the glass into the flames. ‘She is, isn't she.'

Make them know. She's ours!

She is ours, and it's brave of her to think otherwise. I see the many sets of eyes on her. The quick side glances. The odd licking of lips as they watch her in that beautiful fucking dress. Her hand rests on the guard's arm and slowly slides down. The little bitch is happy. Not with the conversation. No. But knowing that I'm watching. She's enjoying me watching her flirt. Knowing it's making me feel a need to kill.

I head towards her, excited to remind her that this kind of shit will not be tolerated. Not the purposeful flick of her silver hair. Not the soft laugh. Not wearing that dress for the attention of others. And definitely not her laying her hands on human fuckers like that.

I stop behind her. She looks as if she's about to turn but stops. I can feel her self-satisfied smile and the buzz of excitement at knowing I'm right behind her.

‘I don't like you talking to other men, Poppet Doll,' I warn quietly in her ear.

I thoroughly enjoy how the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and the sound of her quickened heartbeat.

The fool of a man she was speaking to has lost that smarmy, shit-eating grin as he looks up at me. I hardly narrow my eyes before he retreats three steps and almost falls over his feet. Pretty sure my shadows are seeping out behind me. Good. Let him see them.

Let them see him, too. I have room for one more soul.

She turns, and there's that sweet-as-sin smile on her lips.

‘My Lord,' she greets in a purr. ‘Do you require something? Perhaps me on my knees?' She lets out a soft sigh and rolls her eyes. ‘Apologies. You have already seen to that with your little human.'

She turns completely to face me, and I can't help but take in the sight of her in that fucking dress. My cock twitches in my trousers. And when she pulls back her shoulders a little, accentuating those perfect tits of hers, I'm straining against them in a matter of seconds.

‘Do you recall what happened to the last man you kissed who wasn't us?' I ask her.

Her brow raises a little, and the darkness in her eyes sparkles. It suits her far too well. A vindictive vixen, playing with me like a mouse.

‘But that man I kissed,' she replies. She looks back at the soldier. ‘Do you plan on kissing me, soldier?'

‘Errrm…' He looks from her to me and back to her. ‘I mean… If you want-'

‘The last man who kissed her had his hands torn off and tongue ripped out,' I inform him. ‘Touch her. See what I do to you.'

He raises his hands in the air and backs up.

‘I'm out.' He walks away with his friend.

Yeah. Thought so.

She turns back to face me. Not a flicker of annoyance to be seen. She's victorious and I like to see her so.

‘How did you get out?' I ask.

‘I walked. Marvellous things. Legs.' She opens up the long slit of the dress, exposing her thigh. ‘Don't you think?'

If she got out, it was only because Archie let her out. My point is proven when I see him amongst the crowd behind her, sipping from a bottle of wine as he hides in the shadows, watching her with excitement. Desperate to see some trouble. Some carnage. But she thinks she has outsmarted him and caught me off guard.

I'll let her have the assumed win. She needs it. And I want her to feel empowered right now. Even though I could use my claim mark and order her inside. I could take that delicate little chain around her neck and drag her into the trees to fuck until she screams for me to stop.

And she would love every fucking second.

But right now, she needs power, control, freedom, or at least the mirage of it. That, I can provide.

So I play along.

She looks down at my unbuckled belt, and I feel a stab of misery through our link. You wouldn't see it to look at her. But I feel it.

‘I didn't touch anyone, and no one has touched me,' I assure her.

‘Because you saw me,' she replies before looking around the fire. ‘Perhaps I should find a man to play with and make you watch.'

I take her chin and make her look at me.

‘You do that, and it will not end well for you nor the poor male you entice into playing your very lethal game.' I sweep her hair over her shoulder so I can get a better look at her cleavage. I don't even pretend not to look. She steps a little closer.

‘Do you want to play with me instead, Shadow Master?'

‘I always want to play with you, my little Poppet Doll.'

‘Then why don't you?'

‘Because, my girl, I don't want to lose an arm this evening or have my throat ripped out.'

She laughs. It's the best fucking sound I've heard in weeks. Fuck. It's the best sound to have ever graced my ears.

She steps closer still, her eyes peering up at me through her lashes. The flickering of the fire warms her skin, and the flames dance in her eyes.

‘You scared of me, Shadow Master?'

‘Cautious. Not scared.'

‘Then play with me.'

Her hand wraps around my cock, and the growl I create rumbles through my chest.

‘You were hurt, Poppet. You're not up for anything I would want to do with you.'

‘Play with me,' she repeats, her smile becoming a daring sneer. ‘Play with me, Shadow Master.'

‘No.' She was penetrated by a fucking dagger. She's raw from her confessions to Archie. Now is not the time. ‘I'll take you back inside. You have been through enough, and this is not the place for you.'

As I speak, one of the remaining creatures has pushed the female I scared away onto her knees and slaps her around the face with his dick. The human girl grins and opens her mouth wide for him.

I get two steps before Ashe grips my wrist and steps closer, looking into my eyes in fierce desperation.

‘It's my body. Not Coles. Mine. He doesn't get to violate it and take it away from me. My father doesn't get to scar it and make me ashamed of myself. And you do not get to tell me that I'm too fragile to enjoy my body when I want to. So if you are not up to letting me reclaim the rights of my own flesh, then I will find another to do so. Because I get to say when I'm touched. I get to say who touches me. No one else. Not Cole. Not my coven. Not even you.' She swallows as if it hurts to do so and steps closer so she's toe to toe with me. ‘Don't let them take my body from me. I'm in control of it. No one else. And I trust you to know what I can take and what I can't.' Her gaze falls, and her voice lowers. ‘If I let fear take hold now, I've lost. Please don't let me lose. Please.' She looks me dead in the eye. ‘Dorian.' Hearing my name from her lips has my breath catching. ‘I want you to play with me. Unless you're lying and you don't want me anymore.'

I thought I loved this woman with all I had, but I swear, the black hole where my heart should be just grew to love her more. I have her hand in mine, and I'm heading to the seclusion of the woods in a second. But she refuses to budge. Looking back, I see her watching me. This isn't a done deal. Not by far.

She wants something else. And I'm nothing if not a giver.

For her, at least.

‘Tell me the game, Poppet Doll.'

Her hands rest on my shoulders, and I'm guided back until I hit one of the fallen logs. She shoves me down and stands over me. Her legs part, so mine fit between her thighs. My face is level with her breasts.

Fuck…

Her finger rests under my chin, and she lifts it.

‘Play with me here.'

My eyes narrow. ‘Others are watching.'

‘Strange. You didn't have a problem face fucking me in front of everyone last time I was at the fire with you. Remember that? When you surrounded me. Had me on my knees. Passed my mouth around like I was nothing but a hole to screw.'

Her fingers drag roughly through my hair, and she grips the roots, pulling my head up as she stands over me.

‘That was different,' I tell her. ‘We didn't love you then. You pissed us off, and we wanted to make you pay. So yeah. We used that smart mouth as we saw fit, and we proved a point to those watching that you belonged to us.'

‘You didn't love me then, and you don't love me now.'

‘No, I didn't love you then, but I love you now, and there's nothing you can do about it.'

The anger I feel through the link has my cock even harder, and her grip on my hair makes me wince.

Honestly. I do not mind one bit. Her causing me pain is surprisingly pleasant.

‘You want me to play with you in front of these sorry fucking creatures?' I ask.

‘Yes.' Her words are a low warning as she leans over me. ‘I'm giving you a chance, Shadow Master. If you deny it, I won't offer it again. Fuck me right here. Right now. Or you will never fuck me again.'

Shit. This woman. The link tells me she's angry but scared, too. Scared that Cole has claimed a part of her that she will never get back. Scared that what he did will in some way affect how we see her. How we want her. How we'll treat her.

Scared that I love her. Scared that I care.

And perhaps scared that she may feel the same for me.

A desperate need ripples between us. She needs to be in control. Needs to think she can prove I don't love her every inch by degrading her in front of others. That I can see her as what I used to see her as. A vile little blood whore.

She has many beautiful holes to fuck, and if she wants me to play with her, I fucking will.

And I will love her, too. I can do both quite easily. Fuck her like a whore and worship her like a queen.

Her darkening soul and malicious little attitude are an impossible thing not to adore, and if this is the game she wants to play, I'm all in.

My hand slides up the inside of her thigh, and when I slip between her legs, I find her soaking wet. Her eyes close as I circle her entrance. Her pretty mouth parts with a breath. The effect of my touch carries through our link, and I have to shift to give my erection some room.

‘I'll play with you,' I promise her, feeling her warmth soaking my fingers and knowing I have no intention of denying my girl even if she refuses my conditions. ‘But first, I want you to do something for me.'

‘I'm not doing anything- oh my god!'

Her pussy tightens around my fingers as I sink them inside. Her head falls forward, and she rests her forehead on mine as she lets out some delicious pants.

‘Now I have your attention, Poppet Doll, listen up. You're pissed at us. I know that.'

Her eyes fling open, and if there was ever a look of warning, this was it. The very embodiment of "Watch what the fuck you say next".

Her eye twitches and she prepares to step back. So I swirl my fingers wider, and pleasure overrides her impulse to leave.

‘I want you to forgive us and give us another chance.'

‘You killed my father,' she whispers, biting her lip as I work her.

‘He was not your real father,' I remind her.

‘He raised me.'

‘Barely.'

I hiss as she pulls on my hair again.

Such fire and anger in them. Why do I enjoy it so much?

‘Tell me one thing that man did for you that was kind,' I say. ‘Just one thing.'

I keep my fingers moving at a torturously slow speed as I wait.

‘He…'

My thumb runs over her clit, and she whimpers, her free hand gripping my shoulder for support as I slightly nudge her legs wider with my knees.

‘One thing. One act of selfless kindness. One thing he did for you that was just for your benefit. For your happiness.'

She slowly shakes her head.

‘I can't,' she admits in a breathy whisper. ‘There is none.'

Her nose rests on mine, and I see that her teeth are sharp. Her hair falls over our faces so no one can see them but me.

‘He beat you, Poppet Doll. He sold you. He abandoned you when you needed him most. He heard you scream as they tied you up. He heard your cries as they cut you over and over again, and yet he still ran. He drugged you with Skullcap wine. Tortured a triggering command into you, so you have to obey any command given, or you will suffocate, and then he gave that command to Cole. The only action I regret in his death was that it was too quick.'

‘Dorian,' she whispers as I work her closer to an orgasm. ‘Tell me…'

‘Tell you what?'

‘How did it feel when you killed him?'

Her eyes open and search mine, seeking out the matching darkness she has in hers. A darkness she has tried to ignore. A cruelty and strength she spent her life being told was wrong.

That to hate was wrong. To fight was wrong. To say no was wrong.

She fought it all, banishing the ways of the earth coven and rising up as this magnificent woman stood over me, soaking my fingers.

‘It was bliss,' I tell her. ‘Every scream. Every whimper. Every bone we broke. Every cut we carved. Every hit landed. We made sure he knew they were all in your name. He knew he was suffering for no other reason than for what he did to you.'

I add a third finger, and she shudders. She's so fucking close. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching her like this.

‘Did he cry?' she asks. ‘Did he beg?'

I know she's thinking of all the times he had her on her knees, taking his cane. All the times he struck her. All the times he ignored her pleas to be released from her engagement with Cole.

I feel it through our link.

‘He begged, Poppet Doll. And we laughed.'

She smiles, so I carry on.

‘He begged for the mercy he should have shown you. And when we cracked open his ribcage and tore out his still beating heart, we made sure the last words he heard was that he died as punishment for ever hurting you. And do you want to know something?'

She nods, unable to form speech.

‘It is the same fate for any who have ever hurt you. I will protect you in every way your father failed to.'

‘You want to be my new daddy?' she teases. ‘My shadow daddy?'

Oh… I like the sound of that. I move aside the thin slip of silk covering her breast, revealing her peaked nipple, and look up at her through my lashes.

‘Call me that again.'

She smirks and bites her lower lip.

‘Shadow Daddy.'

I seal my lips around her nipple. My teeth puncture her skin, and her blood fills my mouth.

She cums hard around my fingers in that instant, clenching around them and gasping her release as I drink her down. Her entire body is rigid. I let her ride it out before moving my fingers and lifting them to my mouth.

I'm overcome with a need to taste her. To lap up her arousal and never fucking stop.

That is until Archie reaches over me from behind and grabs my wrist. He puts my fingers in his mouth and sucks her arousal off me.

Greedy fucker.

She looks like a startled little deer when she sees him standing there. Little does she know he's been watching her every move, right along with Shaw, who stops behind her.

‘Delicious, Pix. As always,' Archie grins, releasing my hand.

I slide off the log and land between her legs, pulling the straps of her dress down her body as I go. It falls to the floor, and I get rid of it quickly, not wanting anything to stand between her and me.

I don't care who watches. Let them fucking watch. Let them see how we own her. How she belongs to us.

She's naked, and her pussy is level with my mouth.

I bury my face between her legs and grip her arse, keeping her pinned to me as I seal my lips around her clit. She hisses a swear word and grips my hair, urging me closer. There is no closer. I lift her leg and rest her foot on the log, exposing her to me more. Her hips move, and she slowly fucks my face.

Archie kisses her, claiming her mouth as I claim her cunt. She has one hand in my hair and one in his. Her hips rock in time with my tongue.

‘Let me play too?' Archie asks. ‘Please, Pix. Please?'

She nods and watches as he walks around her. She follows him until he stops behind her, his hands resting on her hips. He kisses her neck and slowly glides his hands across her body, feeling all of her. Her stomach. Her breasts. He's meticulous to avoid his hands going anywhere near her throat. She looks back at him, and they resume their kiss. Archie's fingers gather her wetness before he starts to play with her arse. His fingers slowly ease in, and she goes utterly rigid.

‘You like them watching?' he asks. ‘Then let them watch me finger fuck your sweet little arse.' He steps aside, clearing the view for anyone who may want to see what he's doing.

I take hold of her cheeks and spread them, exposing her little hole and giving Archie a view that makes him lick his lips.

She yelps when he falls to his knees and sticks his tongue somewhere a tongue has never been for her.

‘Shit!' she complains, a mixture of horror and ecstasy battling inside her. She tries to bat him away.

No chance.

Shaw grips her wrists and tuts, shaking his head.

‘You wanted to play, right?' he says, his brows raised. ‘Then let them play.'

She watches Shaw, taking in the unreadability of his emotions as he looks on.

My fingers return to her pussy and are soaking in a second. Two first. Then three. Archie eases in his, too, adding more and more until she has six fingers working her.

We move together, stretching her pussy and getting it ready for us. I've kept one hand on her arse cheek, as has Archie, and she's spread wide as he tongues her.

She lets out another moan, and I know she's close.

‘You cuming again, Pixie?' Shaw asks.

‘Yes,' she moans.

‘With everyone watching? You fucking whore. Because you know, don't you? That we're showing them who owns you. That you could be laid bare, legs spread and hands bound, surrounded by them all, and none would dare touch you. None would even try.'

‘Yes! Fuck!'

He slams his hand over her mouth and pinches her nose shut as she cums, cutting off her air.

My heart constricts. She's going to panic! She's going to hurl us away and run!

Shaw rests his forehead on hers, unblinking as her eyes widen.

‘I'm right here. Don't be afraid. Cum, Pixie. Just how you like to. With no air in your lungs and a dizzy head. We've got you. You're in control. This body is yours.'

Her eyes water and she grips him in any place she can. But not to push him away. To cling to him. To keep him close. To ground herself as the sheer force of her orgasm rips her apart. Blood slips past his hand and down her chin. She's bitten him.

Then he lets her go, and she cries out in desperate pleasure. Pleasure that turns to sobs. Relief floods through the link. She's regained some power back. Reclaimed a piece of what she had lost. I know it. I feel it. We all do.

‘Thank you,' she whimpers.

‘Our turn,' Shaw growls. ‘Now I want you to remember. I love you. I adore you. I respect you.' He grabs her by the hair. ‘Now get on all fours, my little whore.'