His Property

by Allison West

  The man carried her down the corridor, away from James. The guard who had dragged her from the van opened the door to the room. She was tossed inside like a toy, before the door was slammed and locked behind her.

  "What the hell is going on?" she shouted, slamming her fists into the wooden door.

  A strange voice kicked on in the room. It sounded automated, non-human. "Remove all clothes and step into the glass chamber."

  The room was small, the walls painted a dull gray. There were no windows, no hint of the moon rising outside and turning the day into night.

  "No." She shook her head, refusing to do as they said. What would they do, strip her down? There was a door at the far end of the room. She tried the handle, finding it locked.

  "Remove all clothes and step into the glass chamber," the voice repeated itself, the tone the same. It must have been a recording of some kind. Otherwise, they'd likely be growing annoyed with her insubordination. Who were these people, and what did they want with them? Were they part of the quarantine facility and claimers, as Hailey had put it, or something else entirely?

  "Hello!" Aria screamed, pounding again on the door.

  A click sounded over the intercom, and a male voice cleared his throat. "Ms. Aria, if you'd like to leave the room you're in for more comfortable accommodations, please do as you're told. Otherwise, I'll be forced to come in."

  How did they know her name? Could they see she didn't following their instruction? Were they watching her? She spun around on her feet. Nothing looked anymore suspicious than the entire situation she was in. The room was bare and confined to a glass stall on her left.

  If undressing would get her out quicker, how bad could it be? The prisoners that morning had scrubs on. Perhaps she was being forced to shower and receive new clothes to fit in as a prisoner among the population.

  With trepidation, she removed her shirt and pants. She was slow, taking her time, though she didn't know what good it would do. Was James undergoing the same treatment? Would she see him again if she just hurried up and got this over with? She shimmied out of her panties and bra, opening the heavy glass door. It reached the ceiling, and she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

  The lights in the room shut off, and a red flood light glared bright as day in the stall. She covered her most intimate areas, afraid this was some sick way for people to watch her. Though watch her what? There was no water, and though the room slightly reminded her of a shower, like back in Brayleigh, she knew that wasn't what this was. There was no faucet, no hint of where the water would even flow from.

  The door clicked, and there was a figure on the other side of the glass. It was nothing more than a shadow. "Those are my clothes!"

  The red light moved around her in a circle, catching a glimpse of every curve at all angles. A slight hum followed before the red light shut off, and the light in the room flickered back on. The room smelled of antiseptic. Were they trying to kill any virus that may have remained on her skin?

  She didn't move from the glass stall, as someone was still just a few feet away, and she was completely naked. "Who's there?" She knew she couldn't be lucky enough for it to be James.

  A female voice answered Aria. Her tone remained calm, soothing, but she didn't give her name. "I've got a fresh change of clothes for you. The good news is you're not contaminated with the virus, though you are running a slight fever."

  Was that right? She didn't feel sick, though she hadn't quite felt like herself either. Perhaps the virus hadn't infected her in a way that they expected? She'd take any bit of good news she could get.

  She eased open the glass door, shoving her hand out. "I'll take the clothes," she said. This woman didn't get a free show.

  "Don't be shy," she said, placing the warm material into Aria's fingers. She pulled it into the glass stall, her own little changing room.

  In her fist, she held a white blouse and a short red and black plaid skirt that barely covered her ass. Her stomach clenched. These were the same clothes that woman at the quarantine facility had insisted she put on for some angel who intended to settle her debt. Shit.

  "Do I get panties and a bra, at least, to go under it?"

  "After your piercing."

  Her stomach plunged. "What?" She had to be joking. She slipped into the outfit, pulling the skirt on first and then the blouse. The buttons had been removed. She couldn't shut it, even if she wanted to.

  "We have a special buyer who has joined us and is paying for your services."

  "My services?"

  She opened the door and led Aria into another room, this one with a padded examination table. "Lie down."

  She didn't budge any closer. Is that where they were going to shove a needle into her? The woman still hadn't specified what they were going to pierce, but by the fact she was still half-naked under the clothes, Aria knew the answer.

  "And if I don't?" Aria cleared her throat, already knowing they'd force her. It wouldn't be the first time they'd done something objectionable this evening. She shifted anxiously on her feet. "Maybe you should wait to do the piercing." Perhaps she could convince this woman that it was a bad idea?

  The woman's short blonde bob framed her face. She wore a white skirt and matching shirt. She waited for her to answer, her look of disapproval growing immensely.

  "You said I was running a fever. Shouldn't we wait until I'm healthy to do the piercing? I mean, if there's an affluent buyer, I'd hate to not be ready for him."

  "Aria, dear, we're already on borrowed time. You'll need at least a month to heal, possibly two. The buyer is already here. He's going to grow impatient waiting for you to please him. He's paid good money for you." The woman didn't waste another moment. She pushed the red button beside the door, and a moment later, the wooden door swung open and two giant men, burly in stature, came toward Aria.

  In one swift motion, they hoisted her onto the table and strapped in her arms. Her shirt fell open, even though she attempted to shut it.

  She kicked her feet, shifting her hips, trying to roll free, though how far could she get pinned to the table? The plaid skirt inched up, exposing her shaved folds to anyone with eyes.

  "Grab her leg," one of the men said, and they were both gripping her ankle, pulling it into the stirrup and locking her in place.

  "Look at that freshly shaven pussy for Master," the other man said, getting a good long look at her folds. "He'll like that a lot."

  Aria sneered at him in disgust, wanting to leap and attack him, but she couldn't break free, no matter how hard she tried.

  "That's enough," the woman said, and Aria didn't know whether the woman was scolding them or her. With her back to Aria, she poured a glass of water, holding the foggy cup up to Aria's lips. "Drink this. It'll help with the fever."

  Aria felt reluctant to accept anything from them, let alone trust anyone here. The woman pressed the cup to Aria's mouth, giving her no choice but to drink or wear it. The liquid was tart as it slid down her throat.

  "Now, try to relax," she said as the three of them left the room.

  Tears threatened her eyes. What was that? Where was James? What were they doing to him right now? Aria bit down on her bottom lip to keep from crying. There was a knock at the door, and then the handle squeaked as the door opened. Why bother knocking?

  "Well, hello," a male voice answered. "You can call me Master."

  Was he crazy? What did that make Aria, his slave? She didn't answer him.

  "You'll be relieved to know you're not infected, and your friend you came in with, he'll be fine too."

  Aria shifted slightly, glancing at him. He was eerily familiar, with his chestnut hair and deep green eyes. Was he at the club? It wasn't as though she'd seen many people in Grace. By the sight of his emerald eyes, she was sure he'd had the vaccine. "James?" she attempted to sit up, but the restraints burned against her skin, keeping her trapped to the examination table.

  "Yes, that's his name," Master said, nodding. "Before I take you
both home with me, I'll need to perform an examination. I'm also going to do a piercing, for your pleasure and for mine."

  She knew this man would do whatever he wanted with her. She tried to think up an excuse and change his mind. "A piercing isn't a good idea," Aria said, trying to reason with him in the same way she had the woman earlier. "I'm running a fever. If you pierce me, it might not heal properly."

  "A fever?" he repeated, grabbing a glass tube from the counter and shaking it.

  What the hell was that, and what did he plan to do with it?

  "I'm going to have to take your temperature, the old-fashioned way," he said, grabbing a pair of gloves. He snapped them on and grabbed a seat, wheeling himself closer to her exposed pussy. The door squeaked open without so much as a knock.

  Her vision blurred, and for a moment, the figure entering the room looked like James. A fog surrounded his head, and then she was certain it was James. What did they put in that cup the nurse had made her drink?

  "Grab a pair of gloves," the man said to James.

  "Glad you're okay," James said, his voice low as he snapped on gloves before bending down. Aria could only see the top of his head. She knew he was staring at her shaven and slick pussy.

  "Prove to me she's worth keeping," the man said.

  Aria swallowed the lump forming in her throat. What the hell was going on?

  "James?" Aria gasped as he ran a gloved finger over her clit and down her labia.

  "She's wet already. Interesting," the man said.

  Yes, her pussy throbbed and James had barely touched her. She hated how easily her body responded to him. Right now, she didn't want to satisfy any of Master's curiosities, but it seemed she had little control.

  "I will let you go if you promise to be a good girl and listen." Master's voice was soft, calming. "I need you to roll over so I can take your temperature."

  The worry and doubt was expelled from her body. Aria was compliant and nodded, though she didn't understand why. "I'll behave."

  James was at her side, and she was sure it was him, though his eyes had shifted from the sapphire she'd come to love to an emerald, like her own irises.

  Aria had so many questions, but James shook his head once, telling her silently not to ask anything. She bit her lip and accepted what was real.

  "Good girl," Master said, slowly untying the leather binds, his fingers grazing the skin of her ankle soothingly. She felt sick. She wanted it to be James' touch against her skin. After Master worked her two legs free, he walked around to her arms. "Promise me you won't fight me."

  "I promise," Aria said, her eyes glassy as he approached the head of the platform she was strapped to. They'd given her some type of sedative. Even if she wanted to fight him off, she didn't think she could. Master's eyes grazed her breasts, taking note of her hardened nipples. His eyes sparkled as he reached for her hands, freeing them.

  "If you disobey me, I'll be forced to call in reinforcements, and I assure you it will be much worse. Now flip onto your stomach," he said.

  Aria rolled around on the padded table, her head turned, and she shut her eyes. She could easily fall asleep. She knew James was just a few feet away, but this was humiliating, making him watch what Master was doing to her. Was that why James had been brought into the room?

  Master swatted her ass cheeks before separating them. "Stay awake!"

  "I am," Aria whined.

  "Don't cry like a baby." Master spanked her again. "Or this will be your punishment." He let his hand come down hard, leaving a mark against her rear.

  James watched intently. Was he aroused or fascinated by what was happening? Her rear burned from the third swat. If anyone was going to spank her, she wanted it to be James. His hand was firm but warm. Master's touch, she didn't like, callused and wrinkly.

  "I'll obey," Aria said, her voice quivered.

  "You will not cry." Master spanked her again and turned to James. "My hand hurts. Will you finish this?"

  Relief flooded through Aria. James hand swatted her bottom and lingered a moment longer than necessary. He caressed the sensitive skin that had been spanked. "You look like a twentieth century school girl. Are you one of the girls who likes to tease the boys? Wear naughty clothes but never give in?" His hand came down again, and Aria felt her pussy throb.

  "James," she whimpered, but the burning on her rear wasn't nearly as intense as the ache between her folds. Aria dripped wetness, and she wanted release. Would he give it to her?

  "Stop moving," Master said, instructing her as James separated her cheeks and the glass thermometer slid just an inch into her bottom.

  Aria shifted uncomfortably as the tip dipped in, and she felt James' hand on her lower back. "Don't fight it, Aria." James tried to make this easier for her.

  Her eyes flashed open, and she imagined James inching his cock into her, though the thermometer was much thinner and narrower. She glanced over her shoulder at him. He watched her bottom, the glass forcing its way inside her. His ears were red, and his eyes darkened a deeper hue of green. The thermometer eased further inside, and James stroked her buttocks as he waited for the reading. "That's a very good girl," he said.

  After a few minutes, Master pulled the thermometer from her rear. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

  "It wasn't good, either." Aria would never let Master think he was the one turning her on. No matter the consequences.

  Master spanked her bottom, hard. Her cheeks clenched together, and she whimpered in protest. She liked it when James took control, not when Master played alpha.

  "I know you like that," Master said, his voice thick and dripping with arousal.

  Aria refused to answer.

  "Roll over," he said, and she did as she was told, not wanting another lashing on her bottom.

  Aria shifted around, lying on her back. Her bottom hurt terribly as it grazed the table.

  "Put your legs back into those stirrups," Master said.

  With reluctance, Aria obeyed. She whimpered, the only protest she could make.

  Master came around, staring at her pussy as he took two fingers and separated her folds. "I know about your desire to be spanked."

  "What?" Aria wanted to rub the fog away, but it didn't vanish. Of course, he could tell she was aroused as he stared at her swollen clit and glistening pink flesh.

  "James told me all about your sexual preferences and fantasies. Forget about James," he said. "He doesn't have the money to buy your freedom from Grace. I, however, do," the man said, leaning down and smelling her scent.

  He gestured with his finger for James to come closer.

  James walked around the table, once again staring at her exposed folds. He looked as though he wanted to say or do something. However, he kept his lips shut. Now wasn't the time to start a revolution. They needed to escape and get away from Master and the guards.

  "Show me what she likes. I need to know I'm getting my money's worth on the two of you."

  James removed the gloves, tossing them behind him toward the waist bin. "May I?" he asked, gesturing for the chair.

  Master snorted under his breath but stood.

  James had more control than she realized. He scooted on the small black stool, inching closer as his fingers inspected her pussy, his eyes raking over her clit and labia. His touch was firm and commanding as he rubbed against her nub. "Show him what we share, Aria."

  She didn't want to show Master anything, but what choice did she have, and James was encouraging it? Aria felt conflicted, wanting this moment to be between them, but nothing ever seemed to be.

  "Prove to me you're worth what I paid," Master said. "Or I'll have you both executed."

  She didn't want to prove anything to him, but the thought of James dying horrified her. That had been why James had gone through with it, entering the room, obeying Master's every command. James was protecting Aria.

  James knew exactly how to arouse her, and he was really good at it.

  Aria's pussy throbbed, and her clit swel
led as he touched her, circling the bead with his thumb.

  Master watched with amusement. "That's what I thought. You are very sensitive. Glad to know everything I paid for still works, though we have to be one hundred percent certain," he said.

  James followed his instruction, dipping two fingers into her wetness. He thrust his fingers, feeling the walls inside her pussy swell. His thumb grazed her clit, sending her closer to the edge. Aria's hips moved with his rhythm, and though she didn't want this, she did. She throbbed and burned for release. Her nipples hardened, and he reached with his other hand to tweak her nipple. "Show him you can come," he whispered, encouraging her to continue. She didn't want to; it felt like a betrayal to James, though he was the one arousing her, but she couldn't stop herself. She was no longer in control. When had she ever been?

  "No," Aria said, shaking her head. This wasn't what she wanted. She also didn't want either of them to die. Would Master really do that, after paying for their releases?

  James' voice interrupted the haze surrounding her. "Come for me, and I'll lick your pussy."

  His words were exactly what she needed to hear. Warmth radiated through her body as her insides clenched down, trembling onto James' two digits thrusting and curling against her. Aria shuddered, arching forward, unable to slow the insistent pounding of her heart. The ache in her center dulled as his fingers slipped out.

  James leaned down, kissing her folds, and licking the wetness seeping between her thighs.

  "James," Aria said lazily, wanting to see and be with the man she loved.

  "Perhaps you both were a good purchase after all," Master said, sounding quite satisfied. "You will both please and entertain me in my home. I suspect you are plenty capable, especially with the show you've given me today."

  Aria wanted to throw up, but the bile never reached her lips. She shut her eyes, willing this all to be over. Would James ever forgive her for what happened?

  "We'll wait for the piercing," he said. "You are rather flushed. It's better to wait for the fever to pass."