Chapter Seven

??You have to pay for that,?? a gruff voice said when Fae plucked a shiny orange fruit from a display on the sidewalk in passing. Fae blinked at the old man with the cruel, twisted face.

??Why??? Her breath caught when he grabbed her wrist. ??Let me go!??

??What seems to be the problem??? Another man came to her side, put his hand on her shoulder, and glared at the old man.

The old man released her.

??She??s stealing from me,?? he muttered, shuffling his feet. ??I??ve no stomach for thieves.??

The younger man thrust his hand in his pocket and shoved a handful of change at the irate vendor. Then he gently drew Fae away, guiding her with a gentle press on the small of her back. He stopped when they were well out of sight of the vendor.

??You are very new. Who??s keeping you???

Fae hugged herself and stared at him. ??Keeping me? Why would anyone keep me???

A smile flashed across the man??s lips. He looked her over in a way she found unsettling. His hand slid up her side. ??Several reasons. But since you are apparently unclaimed, I will take on the delightful duty. Come.??

Digging the heels of her bare feet into the sidewalk, Fae shook her head. ??No. I??m sorry. I lied. I have been claimed????

??Then your master has been careless.?? He picked her up when she refused to budge. His shoulder dug into her gut as she kicked her feet and fought to dislodge herself. He carried her into an alley. ??If you insist on being difficult, I have no problem teaching you your place.?? He set her on her feet and pressed her against a brick wall, reaching under her skirts to push her thighs apart. ??You??re lucky I found you before something bad happened.??

??Don??t!?? Fae struck out and her thumb gouged his eye. He yelped and swung his fist. Fae hit the ground, her face throbbing, panic numbing the pain. ??Mistress!?? She screamed when he grabbed at her then rolled and pushed to her hands and knees. He was suddenly behind her, one arm barred around her waist, the other tossing up her skirt.

Footsteps came to a stop at her side. Fae looked up.

A woman, a beautiful woman, hair the bloody red of dawn, eyes hidden behind dark glasses that reflected Fae??s tear-streaked face. ??Cresil, release the girl.??

The man let her go. The woman offered her hand to Fae, her calm expression chasing away uncertainty. Fae let the woman help her to her feet.

??She??s unclaimed,?? the man grumbled.

??Well, I??m claiming her. Do you care to dispute it??? The woman pushed Fae behind her and faced the man. He glared at them both but backed to the mouth of the alley.

??You won??t be able to keep her safe from everyone,?? the man said before hustling around the corner.

The woman sighed and glanced over her shoulder at Fae. ??Better hurry home to your protector, little girl. Your freshly fallen scent will bring out every two-bit demon in a five-mile radius.??

Fae tugged her dress straight and did her best to brush away the clinging dirt. ??I don??t have a protector.??

Putting her hands on her hips and turning fully, the woman looked her over. She clucked her tongue. ??Can??t have been more than a week since you stepped over the holy line and got knocked on your ass. Someone tempt you then ditch you???

??They didn??t ??ditch me,?? I left.?? She parroted the detached once-over the woman had given her. Her eyes lingered on the woman??s nails, painted a bright, alluring red. The woman??s lips were the same color as her nails. They looked as plump and juicy as the strawberries Travis had fed her. Fae wanted to touch them, and she wondered if the woman would mind. Without thinking, she reached out and brushed her fingertips over the woman??s lower lip.

The woman caught her hand and let out a little laugh. ??Now I can see how you got in so much trouble so quickly. Not happy just watching????

Fae shook her head. ??Oh, I was very happy watching. But touching.?? Fae smiled, recalling the touching that had gone so deep, that felt so wondrous. ??Touching is glorious.??

The woman??s lip curved. ??That it is.?? She started walking. Fae followed, almost at her side but not quite. The people walked around the woman, so Fae would stay close to her back. She didn??t want them bumping into her anymore. ??So, does the fool who let you slip away have a name???

Frowning, Fae slackened her pace until the woman latched on to her wrist and urged her on. ??Cravis and Travis are not fools. I just didn??t like seeing them with the beautiful women in the club when they insisted that I rest. I didn??t want to rest; I wanted???? She blushed and ducked her head. ??And Cravis said I could only share pleasure with him and his brother. Why can they share it with those women???

??You were jealous.?? The woman sounded impressed. ??How naughty of you. Lust and envy already. You??re just ticking off the cardinal sins, aren??t you???

??I didn??t mean to???? Fae bit her lip, knowing the woman was right. The knowledge of right and wrong had been imprinted on her soul before birth. That she didn??t know she was committing the act was no excuse.

The woman stopped beside a sleek, black vehicle and pointed at the other side. ??Just get in the car. We??ll talk at my place.??

Fae circled the car, trying to figure out how to open the door. Already inside, the woman reached out and the door clicked open. Settling in the seat, Fae leaned out of the way while the woman tugged the door shut. The sudden lurch of the car had her holding on to her seat for dear life. The woman held the wheel before her with one hand and stretched to pull a thick strap over Fae??s chest and waist. Fae??s pulse sped a bit as the restraint tightened against her.

??That??s just to keep you safe,?? the woman said, sounding amused. ??Although, if I weren??t in such a hurry to get out of here, I could show you how much fun it can be fooling around with the vibrations of the car running through you.?? She straightened and watched Fae from the corner of her eye. ??Can you feel it, thrumming through the seat? Imagine if someone had their fingers deep inside you.??

The car hit a bump and Fae yelped, the words and the motion sending a little jolt of pleasure between her thighs. Her cheeks heated and the woman laughed.

??Oh, we??re going to have fun.??

They drove for a ways until the sun began to fade. The buildings grew fewer and now there was land. The car turned onto a dirt road and parked. The woman came around to open the door for Fae, giving Fae a moment to take in the natural surroundings. It was quiet and peaceful. The peace made Fae remember. The mistress hadn??t answered her call.

??Do you know where the mistress is???

Fae??s words cut through the silence, but the woman didn??t seem surprised. She??d clearly been waiting for the questions.

??Yes, I know where she is.?? The woman walked to the edge of a lane strewn with dark rocks leading deep into the trees, all swallowed by darkness. The trees rustled together as they stood there, seeming to call out in impatience for them. Fae had to force herself not to heed the call, to listen instead to the woman at her side. ??She will not come, Fae. Surely the brothers warned you????

??They said I could not go back.?? Fae cocked her head. ??But I don??t want to go back. I only want to speak to the mistress. But she won??t answer me.?? Fae frowned. ??Perhaps I must find the place she left me??perhaps she cannot hear me from here????

The woman grabbed her arm before she could go. ??No, Fae. She can hear you just fine. But she will not be answering, not ever. You are damned, and she has no further interest in you.??

??Damned??? Fae covered her mouth and shook her head. ??But????

The woman pulled Fae to her chest, holding her as she cried, stroking her back. ??Hush, child, all will be well. That??s why I??m here. I used to guide the impure, the Fallen. I suppose I can do so again. I??ll give you all the tools you need to survive, make sure you know the rules.??

??I should have known??I should have????

The woman petted her hair. ??The knowledge is there, Fae, but without knowing the questions, what use is it? When everything calls to you at once, how can you know what is warning, what is tempting, and what is simply beautiful and new? What was wrong then is not wrong now. Now the questions will be welcome. I??ll try to make sure you fall no further.??

Scrubbing her tears away with her fists, Fae looked up. ??The voice told me I could ask anything, but the mistress didn??t like my questions????

??I don??t know this voice you speak of, but I know your questions marked you as different. The mistress was frightened by that. She knew it wouldn??t be long before your desire for knowledge, forbidden knowledge, would lead you astray.??

??But it is no longer forbidden???

With a smile, the woman shook her head. ??I will tell you what is forbidden. Soon. First, let??s go to my house. We will sit, we will enjoy a meal, a drink, and then you shall ask me all the questions that plague you.??

Fae nodded and followed the woman down the path. She stopped, staring down at her feet. That they were bare had never been a problem before. Now, on the sharp, black rocks, it meant the fragile flesh was cut open, blood slicking stone.

??Keep walking, Fae, it is but a small payment. For a taste of your blood, this place will protect you????

??From what???

??From those that would hunt you.??

Fae blinked but kept walking as she thought out her next question. It was very hard to think with the pain. ??Who would hunt me???

The woman glanced back. ??Oh, many. Those who are good. Those who are evil. They??ll all hate you.??

A small house was revealed between the trees, all stone and wood. It was a very pretty place, but Fae could hardly see it. She was thinking on that word.

??Hate? But why? What have I done???

The woman opened the door and laughed. ??You, sweet child, have the best of both worlds. You can taste the forbidden fruit and not pay for it. The payment has already been made. You have no duties; you answer to no one. You are betwixt and between, and so long as you heed my advice, you will stay that way.??

The wind picked up and pushed at her, as though urging her inside. Fae ignored it. ??I don??t know if I want to stay that way if it makes others hate me.??

Shaking her head, the woman motioned her forward. Fae stepped in.

??Sit. I will care for your wounds,?? the woman said. Fae sat on a lovely white divan, reclining back when the woman pushed her hand against her chest. Perched at the foot of the divan, the woman pulled her feet onto her lap. Fae was grateful the woman??s robes were black; she wouldn??t want her blood to stain them.

A thought occurred to Fae. ??I am sorry. I have not asked your name.??

The woman took hold of Fae??s ankle. Fae bent her knee and the woman lifted her foot. The bottom of it held many tiny cuts, all dripping blood. Fae watched in wonder as the woman flicked out her tongue to catch some, closing her eyes as she rolled the blood around her mouth.

??I am Andrais.?? She held Fae??s foot closer, lapping up the blood with an expression on her face that spoke of tasting something delicious. ??You are very sweet, Fae.??

??I am??? Fae shivered as Andrais licked up her foot again. The pain receded. All Fae felt was the tingling left behind with each lap of the woman??s tongue.

??Oh, yes. I can see now why the brothers chanced taking you.??

??But what they did?? It is why I can never return???

Andrais nodded, her full attention on drinking in the rest of the blood until the flow stopped. When it did, she took Fae??s other foot. ??Was it worth it, Fae???

Fae bit her lip. It was very hard to think with the motion of Andrais??s tongue bringing all things to life within her. The licking reminded her of when Travis had licked her. The thought made her squirm, heat rising between her thighs.

??I don??t know???? Fae??s words were breathy. She watched Andrais suck at her toes. Andrais saw her watching and leaned over, kissing the other side of her foot, then moving slowly up. She braced herself with one hand on the divan while she stroked her fingers along Fae??s bent leg.

??Tell me what they did to you.??

Fae began to speak, flushing as the words left her mouth, telling Andrais of every detail, unable to stop once she??d started. Andrais was still moving her hand up Fae??s leg, very slowly. Fae stopped talking, closing her eyes, wishing Andrais would do?? She wasn??t sure what, but she wanted something.

Andrais stood and Fae opened her eyes, the cold that came from the lack of contact almost making her cry out in protest.

??Stand up, Fae.??

Fae sat up, swung her legs over the side of the divan, and stood, relieved that her feet didn??t hurt. She stood before Andrais and the woman looked her over, eyes hooded as she gave Fae a secret little smile.

??They tied you up. Did you like that???

Fae??s tongue ran over her lower lip. Andrais seemed to be watching the motion; it made her smile more. Fae wasn??t sure how to answer her question.

??The ropes hurt my wrists.??

Andrais nodded. ??Because you tried fighting them when the pleasure became too much. But they were in complete control. Did you enjoy that???

Fae looked down. Heat rose high on her cheeks. Andrais came forward and wrapped her arms around her.

??Never be ashamed of how you feel, Fae. Embrace it. I think you will be a very good pupil, and if you are, perhaps you have nothing to fear.??

Fae lifted her head and looked into Andrais??s eyes. Andrais kept looking from her eyes to her lips. It made Fae want to kiss her, but she needed answers first.

??Why would I have nothing to fear???

Andrais cupped her face, rubbing her thumb along Fae??s lower lip. She pressed her body close so Fae could feel all the wonderful soft curves against her. ??Cravis and Travis, as they like to be called now, are very old, and very powerful.??

Impatience spoke through harsh breaths and Andrais responded to it. She removed Fae??s clothing as she spoke.

??If you can make them love you, they will protect you from all.??

Fae forced her eyes to stay open as her clothing fell to the floor. ??How will I make them love me, Andrais???

Breathing hard, Andrais slid her hand to the nape of Fae??s neck. ??Oh, easily enough, I think. They claimed your innocence, which will give them a sense of ownership??a nice little hook in their hearts. To reel them in, give them all they desire. I will show you how.??

??But, Andrais, what if I don??t want to give them everything???

Andrais kissed her chin, then the edge of her lip, finally just kissing her mouth in a deep, hungry way that made it clear she was tired of talking. She moved away with a sigh and answered while she stripped.

??I??d be surprised. But in any case, save your defiance for when you??re secure. Don??t add pride to your sins just yet.??

Fae nodded, not sure what Andrais meant, but too distracted now to care. Where Fae was long and lithe, Andrais was curved, and Fae thought she must be the most beautiful creature alive. Fae??s breast had fit neatly into the palm of Cravis??s hand; Andrais??s were large enough he couldn??t have covered one with his fingers spread. While Fae??s hips curved gently, Andrais??s curved out, rounding out to thighs that looked nicely padded and an ass that could be molded just as nicely as her breast. Fae felt a twinge of jealousy. If only she could be so lovely.

Andrais read the thought in her eyes. ??All different flavors, little one, all beauty in its own form. Be shy, but be aware of what you possess.??

Fae nodded, trying to do as Andrais said, but unable to completely shake the feeling. Andrais seemed to sense this. Shaking her head, she motioned to a fur rug on the floor, before a fireplace that hadn??t been there a moment before. For some reason it seemed Fae had noticed nothing but the white divan at first, and now she saw nothing but the rug and the fire, its glow lighting on her flesh as she followed Andrais to the rug.

They both lowered to their knees. Fae was sure Andrais would touch her, but instead Andrais moved to her side, pointing at something behind Fae. ??Would you like me to tie you up???

Fae looked and saw the chains where there??d been none, embedded in the floor, curling inches away from where she sat, and heat ignited within her once again. All she could do was nod.

Andrais helped her lie down. Fae stretched her arms over her head and arched her neck back to watch Andrais close the shackles on her wrists. Then she watched Andrais crawl across the rug, more shackles closing around her ankles.

??Try to pull free,?? Andrais said, coming to lean over Fae??s face. Fae tugged at the chains. Andrais??s red lips drew in a satisfied curve. ??Now tell me what you want.??

??Please??I want you to touch me.??

??Touch you??? Andrais put a single finger in the center of Fae??s belly. ??Here??? Fae shook her head. Andrais shrugged and put her finger on Fae??s nose.

Fae giggled. ??Kiss me, Andrais.??

Andrais bent down, pressing her lips to the same place where she??d first touched. ??Here???

Fae shook her head. Then grew bold. ??Lower.??

??Good girl,?? Andrais said with approval. She rewarded Fae by kissing down her stomach, moving to lower her head to kiss around the soft, bare folds between Fae??s thighs. Fae moaned and tugged at the chains, wanting to return the pleasure Andrais was giving her. Andrais lay on her side, her thighs near Fae??s face. Braced up on one elbow, she leaned down, the tip of her tongue passing into the wet folds. Her tongue was smaller than Travis??s, moving with a precision that spoke of giving what she enjoyed receiving. Fae closed her eyes as hot juices spilled from her, fueling the flames Andrais lapped to life between her thighs. Sure she would go mad with the lustful attack, she forced her eyes open. She needed an outlet for what she was feeling. And then she realized Andrais had shifted close enough to give her just that.

Kissing Andrais??s rounded hip first, Fae strained against the chains until she could lick along the hot juncture between Andrais??s thighs as Andrais was doing to her. A taste of thick, sweet cream, just a tiny one at first, made her want more. She fought to get closer, to push her tongue in farther. Andrais obliged, lifting one knee to bend it out of the way and jutting her hips forward.

Fae licked at a rise of flesh, and Andrais sucked in air through her teeth, looking down, seeming surprised. Fae smiled and licked at the slick flesh again. Making her tongue hard, she dipped as far as she could reach into the cleft that quivered and throbbed around her tongue. Then she moved back up and sucked the tiny nub between her lips. She played her teeth carefully at it and Andrais arched back, crying out. She moved out of Fae??s reach so all Fae could do was watch her writhe against the floor.

??So fresh and new, but you??ve got some skill,?? Andrais said when she could speak again, though even then it was little more than a gasp. ??Just no resistance, no control, no mystery. You??ll need to learn all this.??

Fae watched Andrais rise and walk away, leaving her bound on the floor. When she came back, there was something in her hand, something long and gleaming. Andrais was smiling again.

??First lesson, Fae. Control. Cravis and Travis take pride in their own experience and skill. You mustn??t make it too easy. If you do, Cravis will become bored, and Travis will find no use for you if you do not amuse his brother.?? She waited for Fae??s nod then continued, kneeling between Fae??s thighs. ??This will feel very good, Fae, but you must not succumb. Hold off until you can no longer, and tell me before you lose control.??

Fae nodded, eager to prove to Andrais that she could do as she said. It was harder than she thought it would be. As Andrais pressed the tip of the sleek metal rod into her tight, wet sheath, Fae found herself writhing and whimpering. Since Andrais had left her before climax, her body latched on to the chance to have it now. Her puffy little lips seemed to suck at the rod.

Andrais swiveled the rod in a taunting circle as she leaned over Fae. ??The sounds are nice; you may keep making them???? She thrust the rod in deep until it was almost fully enclosed in Fae??s body. ??But master how it makes you feel. Do.?? She pulled it out and plunged it back in. ??Not.?? Now she moved it about, causing Fae??s hips to try to mirror the motion. ??Give.?? She drove it in deep, so deep she had to force her fingers in alongside it just to pull it out. ??In.?? She kissed Fae, her tongue dipping into Fae??s mouth, mimicking the steady motion of the rod.

Fae squirmed. She tried to cry out, but Andrais drank the sound between her lips. She rotated her hips, but this made the building climax no easier to control. Suddenly Andrais stopped. Fae made a pitiful sound in her throat, trying little twitches of her hips to complete the calling orgasm. Andrais held her still with the press of her body.

??So close, aren??t you??? Andrais whispered, lying over her. Fae nodded, her body??s cries keeping her shifting mindlessly. Andrais jammed the rod deep into her, leaving it there. ??You were supposed to tell me????

??I??m sorry.?? Fae??s words sounded more like begging than an apology.

Andrais shook her head. ??I will punish you even as we move on to the next lesson, so it will work out well. Cravis and Travis are demons, and as is their nature, they enjoy inflicting pain. You will have to learn to deal with that if you convince them to keep you.?? She waited again for Fae??s nod then kissed her to ease the harshness of her words. ??I??m going to hurt you, Fae. Do you want me to???

Fae blinked at her. Her body wanted more, waiting for release was a small torture, but she so wanted to please Andrais. ??Do what you would with me????

Andrais put her hand back between Fae??s legs. Finding the edge of the rod, skimming just past the soft, pink lips, she touched her fingers to it. Then shoved in hard. Fae clenched and cried out. God, it hurt, but still, even as Andrais pulled it out and stabbed it back in, it brought a different sort of pleasure. Fae focused on this rather than the pain. As she started to fall into the flow of pain and pleasure, Andrais did something new.

Her mouth lowered to Fae??s breast. Fae liked being touched there, being sucked there, so she didn??t protest. Rather than suck and fondle gently, Andrais bit down hard. Fae gasped and fastened on the rod Andrais still jabbed in deep and hard. Thrown over the edge, she screamed as she came.

Andrais laughed and shook her head. Then she crawled back, pulled out the rod, and lowered her mouth to the glistening lips, so wet they spilled over, making the hairs of the rug cling together beneath her. Fae whimpered, knowing what Andrais would do now. She watched her lower her mouth, but it was still a shock when her tongue pushed into the throbbing depths. Moaning and struggling, Fae bruised her wrists and ankles against the shackles. Andrais didn??t stop until Fae came violently in her mouth. Every muscle grew taut as the tremors racked her body. Then went limp as the euphoria faded. Fae felt utterly drained.

Undoing the chains at Fae??s ankles, Andrais crawled up to do the same at her wrists. ??Perfect. Lacking control, but still, perfect.??

She lay behind Fae and spooned her body so they both faced the fireplace. The heat of the fire, of Andrais??s bare flesh covering hers, lulled Fae to sleep. She heard Andrais whisper as she drifted off.

??You??ve done well. A bit more practice and those boys will have an enticing mixture of purity and sensuality they will not be able to resist. You will profit by what comes naturally, earn your protectors. And none will harm you.??

The assurance seeped into her dreams. Trading her body for safety. For profit. By Travis??s definition, that would make her a whore. She supposed now that she was Fallen, she couldn??t expect any better. And really, what more could she want?