Chapter 24

Ifreeze in the doorway, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. The dim moonlight filtering through the curtains casts an eerie glow over the room, illuminating her sleeping form.

She looks so peaceful, so innocent.

I clench my fists, trying to steady my breathing as I take a step closer. The floorboards creak beneath my weight, and she stirs, murmuring in her sleep. I hold my breath, praying she doesn’t wake up.

But she opens her eyes, her gaze meeting mine with confusion and fear. I reach out a trembling hand, my voice barely a whisper as I say her name. Her eyes widen in recognition, and then I see the fear in her eyes turn to realization as she recognizes me.

Well, the masked me she’s come to fear and crave in equal measure.

Poor Cora. Always trying so hard to be a good girl. She doesn’t know that that’s not even what I need from her tonight.

I’m out of control. Crawling in my skin and desperate for an outlet. I’m hurting, needing to hurt, needing…something.

Cora. I need Cora. She’s the only one who can bring me back from the brink of insanity right now.

She scrambles back against her headboard, eyes wide with fear and confusion. The streetlamp outside her window flickers, casting dancing shadows across her face as she watches me approach.

I can see the questions forming in her mind, the same ones that always arise when I show up uninvited in the dead of night.

She’s trembling now, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she searches my masked face for any hint of what I might do next.

But there is no plan, no calculated move on my part tonight. I am a storm unleashed, a tempest of emotions and pain that only she can temper.

As I reach out to touch her cheek, she flinches, but doesn’t pull away. And in that moment, I know she understands. She sees past the mask, past the darkness that surrounds me, and into the heart of the broken man standing before her.

With a soft sob, she reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it tightly as if to anchor me to this moment, to reality. And for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I let myself be held.

Cora’s touch is like a lifeline, grounding me in the midst of my turmoil. I sink to my knees beside her bed, the weight of everything I’ve been carrying crashing down on me.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I lean my forehead against her trembling hand, seeking solace in her warmth. It doesn’t matter. She can’t see my tears through the mask. I won’t let them fall, won’t reveal any weakness to her.

She doesn’t speak, knowing that there are no words that can ease the storm raging inside me.

Instead, she simply sits with me in the darkness, her presence a balm to my shattered soul. The minutes stretch into eternity, but I don’t move.

I’m a bow pulled tight, ready to snap. An arrow ready to fly and unleash destruction and pain. I’m barely holding on, shaking with the effort of holding myself back.

I know tonight I’m going to cross a line, and I’m desperately trying to stop myself, knowing that in the morning Cora will hate me, that I’ll hate myself even more, but also accepting that if I don’t cross that line with her tonight, I’ll do something even more reckless and dangerous, something I can’t take back or make right.

With a snarl, I shove Cora’s hand away from my masked face, standing abruptly from the bed. The sudden movement startles her, and she recoils, fear flashing in her eyes once more. But I am beyond reasoning, beyond the grasp of sanity at this point.

The mask I wear is not just a physical barrier; it is a shield to protect her from the darkness consuming me.

Turning my back on her, with a violent gesture, I tear at the mask, ripping it up to reveal my tortured soul beneath. My chest heaves with ragged breaths as I remain turned away from her, unable to bear the shame of my own vulnerability as I tear at my clothes until I’m naked.

Then, unable to face her, unable to face what I have become or what I’m about to do, I reach for the mask and pull it back down into place. The weight of my actions is already pressing down on me like a leaden shroud, suffocating me in guilt and self-loathing. But wearing the mask makes it somehow slightly more bearable.

I click my fingers, pointing to the floor at my feet without words, and Cora scrambles to comply, easily reading the turmoil and tension rolling off of me in waves.

As soon as she’s standing before me, I shove her to her knees roughly, even though she was about to kneel of her own accord.

Such a good girl, but doesn’t she understand I don’t need or want her compliance tonight?

But I need a release, and she’s the only one who can give it to me. The darkness within me demands to be set free, to be unleashed upon the only person who can bear its weight.

As I stand over her, my hands tremble with a mixture of desire and revulsion at what I’m about to do.

But there is no turning back now.

The mask hides my emotions, my true self, as I reach down and grip her hair in a tight fist, pulling her head back to expose her vulnerable neck. Cora’s breath hitches in her throat, a mix of fear and anticipation in her eyes as she waits for the inevitable. With a guttural growl, I lift my mask a little, then lean down and sink my teeth into her skin, drawing blood and a sharp cry from her lips.

The metallic tang fills my senses, fueling the frenzy within me. She struggles beneath me, but I hold her fast, lost in the ecstasy of the moment. My body sings with pleasure and pain, a twisted dance of torment and rapture that only she can provoke. And as I finally release her, panting and sated, I know that what comes next this night will haunt us both forever.

Prying her jaw open, I squeeze her face in my large gloved hands, and impale her mouth onto my cock. She gags, tears instantly springing to her eyes, but I ignore it.

No, that’s a lie. I don’t ignore her discomfort, I feast on it. Revel in it. Drown in it.

My heart races as I thrust into her mouth, each movement a jolt of electricity coursing through me. Her eyes water, tears streaming down her cheeks, but she doesn’t break. There’s something about her submission, her willingness to endure my torment, that only fuels my desire. I watch her throat work as she swallows, fierce and unyielding.

I can feel the darkness receding, slowly retreating as the release takes hold. But it’s not over yet. Leaning forward, I wrap my gloved hands around her neck, my fingers tightening, my breath hot against her ear.

“This is what you want, isn”t it? This is why you keep letting me come back.”

She nods, her eyes pleading for me to release her, but I won’t. Not yet. I need her to understand, to truly feel the consequences of her actions. The guilt, the shame, the pain.

My fingers tighten, and her eyes widen in panic. I don’t release her until her face begins to turn purple, and when I do, I shove her backward off my cock with another snarl.

She collapses on the floor, sobbing and snatching gulps of air. The sound sickens me and pisses me off.

“Stop crying!” I bark.

She flinches at my tone, but doesn’t quit whimpering.

“I can’t fucking take this anymore!” I shout, my voice echoing off the cold, bare walls of the room. “You’re going to fucking learn your place!”

“You want me, you have me,” I sneer, my voice just a husky growl in the darkness. “But you can”t keep pushing me like this.”

Cora’s eyes are wide with fear and desperation, her body wracked with pain and loss. She knows what she’s done, and I can see it in her gaze. She knows that her actions have driven me to this point, and she’s terrified of the consequences.

But it’s too late for her. Too late for both of us. My mind has snapped, and I can feel the darkness within me growing stronger with every passing moment. I can feel the monster within me beginning to rise, and I can”t stop it now.

With a final snarl, I yank her up and propel her against the wall, her body limp and almost lifeless against the cold, unyielding surface. My fingers grip her throat again, my hand covered in her tears, and I look into her eyes.

“You wanted this. You wept for this. And now you’re going to fucking get it.”

I squeeze her throat again and force my other hand between her legs, plunging two fingers roughly into her cunt. She cries out, but when I withdraw my gloved hand and hold it up between us, we can both see her arousal coating my leather-clad fingers. I thrust them into her mouth, making her gag.

“Don’t act like you don’t want this, Cora. Your body betrays you.”

I release her throat and withdraw my fingers from her mouth. She’s breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the fear in her eyes, and yet, there’s also a glimmer of submission that I can’t deny. She’s shaken, but she’s also aroused.

“You want this. You crave this. And I will give it to you,” I whisper, my voice low and threatening.

As if on cue, the darkness within me surges, and I feel a sudden rush of energy coursing through my veins. I grab Cora’s trembling body and toss her onto the bed, her eyes wide with terror as she looks up at me.

“Wait,” she pleads, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Please?—”

But it’s too late for pleading. I’m beyond reason now. Deaf to her pleas.

I shove her down onto the bed and straddle her, my body heavy and dominant. My gloved hand grips her wrists, pinning them above her head, while my other hand fists my erection.

A voice in my head tells me to stop, to wait, to slow down at the very least and make it good for her, but the screaming monster that’s been awoken in me tonight overrides all sense.

Still holding her wrists, I rip her tiny sleep shorts and underwear off with one violent yank and throw them across the room. She’s whimpering and shaking as I do the same with the flimsy sleep tank.

With a fierce growl, I plunge myself into her, buried deep within her tight warmth. She cries out, a combination of pain and need echoing in the room. I begin to move my hips, thrusting into her hard and fast, my eyes locked on hers. I see the fear and submission mingling in her gaze, and it only fuels me further.

Looking down at where our bodies are finally joined, I feel a stab of satisfaction as her crimson innocence bleeds out onto my cock.

I’m stained with her goodness, infecting her with my darkness in its place.

“This is your punishment, Cora. You never should have pushed me like this,” I whisper hoarsely, even though I know it’s not really her I’m punishing.

It’s me.

Her body twists beneath me, fighting me, trying to buck me off, but I can feel her heat and dampness enveloping me, driving me wild. My cock throbs, pulsing with every thrust. I can feel the darkness within me surging, feeding off of this moment, this release. I know that it”s only a matter of time before it takes over completely.

I lean down, my lips grazing her neck, my breath hot on her skin. “You wanted this. You begged for it, even in your sleep, and now you have it. You can never escape it.”

She whimpers, her voice lost in the sounds of our bodies colliding. I release her hands to see what she’ll do, to give her the chance to fight me, and she raises them to my shoulders, digging her nails in and pulling me closer.

Her legs wrap around my waist, her ankles locking together and pushing against my ass to draw me deeper.

She’s panting now, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her eyes wide and unfocused.

“You won”t escape me,” I promise, my voice a low growl that vibrates through her body. “I’ll always find you. And every time I do, you’ll know the truth of your desires. You’ll know the darkest depths of your soul.”

At my words, my growled dark promise, her inner walls tighten around me, gripping me like a vice, milking me deeper into her folds.

“You’re mine,” I hiss, my eyes locking onto hers. “Forever and always.”

The darkness within me swells, a churning mass of emotions and desires that threatens to consume us both. I thrust harder, faster, my hips pounding against her, the sweat dripping from our bodies mingling in the air.

“Yours,” she breathes, the word barely more than a whispered surrender. “Forever and always.”

I close my eyes and give into the darkness, feeling it consume me, feeling it merge with me. Every thrust is a sacrifice, every cry of pain or pleasure, a communion.

When I finally come, it’s a violent release, my body shuddering and convulsing over her, my hips bucking wildly as I empty myself deep within her.

The room is now filled with the sound of our ragged breathing, our bodies entwined and drenched in sweat. I collapse on top of her, my weight pinning her down, my heart pounding against my rib cage, my mind a blur of darkness and desire.

“Don”t make me do this again,” I whisper hoarsely into her ear, my voice barely more than a growl. “You know what happens when I lose control.”

Her breath hitches as she tries to catch her breath, her eyes wide and unfocused, her body still trembling beneath me. I can see the fear and submission still in her gaze, but there”s also a glimmer of something else. A spark of recognition, maybe, of something deeper that has been awakened within her.

“Please,” she whispers, her voice barely more than a ragged plea. “I’ll do anything. Just don’t do this again.”

I pull back, my eyes locking onto hers, my face twisted in a snarl. A promise or a threat? I don’t know, but I can feel the darkness within me begin to recede, slowly withdrawing from our bodies and our minds.

I remove myself from her, my body shaking as I pull away, our sweaty bodies slipping against one another, our bare skin still tender and raw from our encounter. My dick, still hard, is covered with her blood.

For a moment, I am not sure what to do next. I run my hands over my head, trying to shake off the darkness that still clings to me, trying to regain my sense of control.

Looking back at Cora, whose eyes are still wide and unfocused, her body still trembling, I wonder if she’s truly begging for more, or if she’s simply too scared to fight back. I know I’m not completely in control…but I’m not sure if I even want to be.

My heart is still racing, my breath still heavy, and I know that this is not over. I can feel the darkness still lurking within me, waiting to be unleashed again. And I know that I will do whatever it takes to keep it at bay.

Slowly, I reach out and cup her face in my gloved hands, my fingers trembling slightly. “I’m going to make you feel better now. Do you understand?” I ask her, my voice low and as soft as I can manage to make it.

Her eyes widen, her breath hitches, and she nods, her gaze dropping to the ground.

“Lie down,” I instruct, and she does as I ask with only a moment of hesitation.

I sink between her thighs, spreading her wide and feeling a stab of satisfaction as I take in the mess I’ve made of her. I was her first. She is mine. I’ve taken something from her that no other man will ever be able to take. It never even crossed my mind to use protection. Why would I want a barrier between us?

With that thought in mind, I pull off my gloves and she flinches when my bare fingers wrap around her ankles, gently lifting her legs to place them over my shoulders.

Looking up at her, I glower and growl, “Keep your head down. Do not look at me. Do you understand?”

When she nods frantically, I lower my head and carefully slide the mask up a little so that I have more freedom to move.

It’s not about me anymore. It’s about her. I have to remember that. I have to be gentle, to be tender. To make sure she feels safe, wanted, loved even. I can’t let the darkness consume us.

I’m not going to hurt her. I’m going to make her feel good. I’m going to give her the pleasure she deserves for being such a good girl for me.

Slipping my fingers into her, I feel the wetness, the heat, the tightness around me. It’s warmer than it was before. I’ve left my mark on her, and I’m not going to let the darkness taint it. I’m going to make her feel like a woman. I’m going to show her the pleasure I can give.

Starting slow, I move my fingers in and out of her, feeling her body arch beneath me. I can tell she’s starting to respond, her breathing growing heavier, her hips rising to meet my hand. It feels so good to see her like this, so open, so needy.

“Do you like that?” I whisper, wanting to hear the words. I want to know that she”s enjoying this, that she wants it.

“Yes,” she breathes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, please, more.”

I begin to push my fingers deeper inside her, feeling her walls clench around me. It’s so intense, so powerful. I can feel her desire, her need, growing with each thrust. She’s begging for more, and I”m more than happy to give it to her now that she’s sated my demons.

I slide my fingers out of her suddenly, and she whimpers in protest, but when I replace them with my tongue, she mewls.

“Are you enjoying that?” I ask again, my voice low and seductive. “Do you like the way my tongue feels inside you? It’s made just for you, specially crafted to bring you pleasure.”

She moans, her words a breathy affirmation. “Yes, god, please don’t stop.”

I lap at her, my tongue moving in circles, flicking at her sensitive spots. I can feel her body trembling, writhing beneath me, and I know I’m giving her something she’s never experienced before. I’m giving her what she desires. I’m giving her what she needs.

I thrust my tongue deeper, feeling her muscles clench around me, her flesh quivering with pleasure. I can taste her, hear her, feel her. I’m inside her, consuming her completely.

She starts to whimper, her body arching, her hips lifting off the bed. “Please, more, more,” she pleads, her voice ragged with desire.

I slide my tongue out of her and crawl back up her body, fixing my mask back into place, until I’m hovering above her. I look into her eyes, and I see that fear has been replaced with a different emotion. A need, a hunger, a desire for something more.

“Do you want me to take it further?” I ask her, my voice low and husky. “Do you want me to show you things you’ve never even dreamed of?”

Her eyes lock onto mine, and I see the answer in her pupils. She wants it. She needs it.

I push myself back into her, my erection throbbing and pulsating. I begin to move, thrusting slowly at first, then gaining momentum. Each stroke brings with it a gasp of pleasure, her fingers digging into my back, her nails leaving crescent marks.

She’s moaning now, her cries a combination of ecstasy and pain, her body arching to meet mine. I can feel her muscles gripping me tightly, pulling me deeper inside her, her body responding to my every move.

I reach down and cup her face again, my voice low and seductive. “Does that feel good?” I ask, my eyes never leaving hers.

“Yes,” she murmurs, her breath ragged. “Please, please don’t stop.”

I continue to thrust, my movements becoming more fluid, more passionate. This time, when I feel the darkness receding, being pushed away by the primitive need for pleasure, I know it won’t return. I’m not just taking from her anymore. I’m giving her something she’s never experienced before, and in doing so, I’m healing a piece of both of us.

I lean down and capture her lips in a searing kiss, our tongues entwining, our breaths mingling. I can feel our energies intertwining, becoming one in this moment. This is what I crave, what I need. This is what I live for.

The darkness is gone now, replaced by a fierce desire for her, for this moment. I thrust harder, faster, our bodies slamming together, our moans mingling in the air.

“Yes,” I grunt, my voice hoarse. “Yes, take it, take it all. Take everything I have to give.”

She moans, her body trembling, her muscles clenching around me, her eyes locked on mine.

“Please,” she whimpers, her voice hoarse with desire. “Please, don’t stop. I need this. I need you.”

I thrust harder, my body moving in perfect sync with hers, her cries of pleasure mingling with my own. Everything from before is gone now, replaced by the fierce need for her.

I pull out suddenly, and she whimpers in protest, but when I replace my erection with my mouth, she moans loudly. I wrap my lips around her, my tongue flicking and swirling, savoring every taste, every sensation. The blood coating my tongue, mixed with my release and her arousal, just sends me higher.

“Oh god, more,” she begs, her voice high-pitched with need. “Please, make me come.”

I slide my hands underneath her, lifting her slightly, and thrust back into her, my hips moving harder, my cock hitting her sensitive spots with each movement. “Do you want to come?” I ask, my voice low and seductive. “Do you want to feel this, this pleasure, this release, that only I can give you?”

I thrust harder, my movements becoming more deliberate, more intense. “Yes,” she moans, her body arching, her hips lifting off the bed. “Yes, please, make me come. Please. Make me yours.”

I can feel the release building inside her, her muscles tightening around me, her flesh quivering with pleasure, so I thrust harder and faster, my movements becoming more intense, more primal.

Her cries fill the space, mingling with my grunts as I thrust harder, my body slamming into hers, our moans echoing through the room. “You’re mine,” I growl, my voice low and possessive. “You’re mine, little darkness, and I”m going to give you everything you want.”

I feel the release building inside her, her muscles gripping me tightly, her body responding to my every movement. I thrust again, feeling her release wash over me, her body arching beneath me in the aftermath as she screams for me. I continue moving, milking her pleasure and letting the contractions of her walls draw me to another orgasm myself.

I still, and we lie there, panting heavily, our bodies still connected, our hearts racing. I slowly slide out of her, my cock glistening with our combined releases, still smeared with the remnants of her precious virginity, and I lean down to kiss her again.

“Goodnight, Cora,” I tell her reluctantly as I break away. “Sleep now.”

She’s out before I’ve even dressed and left.