Layla

by Claire Marta

  When the pile of subs realizes the attention is focused on them they look up from their conversation, expressions full of innocence. Adam snorts before turning back to us.

  “You already know Bane and Carlos. Alistair over there is single and has no submissive at the moment.”

  Layla shifts and I glance at her. Her attention is still on the subs, sliding my hand to her hip I give her a small squeeze.

  Wide eyes flick to mine, “pay attention.” I reprimand.

  “Sorry, Master.” Her voice is lower than normal. She shifts again but turns her attention to the fae now standing before us.

  “Pleasure to meet you both,” Alistair says, his green and blue swirled eyes focusing intently on Layla.

  I hate dealing with the fae. Tricky bastards. Knowledge is a powerful tool and the fae have made trading valuable information into a sport. I despise people who believe just because they know something others don’t they can play games.

  Not all fae are like that of course, but I’ve lived long enough to know that it’s better to steer clear.

  “And you.” I try to look friendly enough. I’m sure they can all see through it.

  “I’m so glad Adam was able to extend the invitation.” Mistress Mystic rises from the chaise and glides over to us. “I have a feeling you’ll fit right in.”

  The Mistress is in a loose dress that does nothing to hide her voluptuous curves, her lips are painted a deep red that is downright sinful. There’s an air about her that would make a weaker man’s knees buckle.

  Layla stiffens at my side. She confessed that she had never met the Mistress before. Adam hired her and Carlos deals with the non-submissives on staff. From the wicked smile on Mystic’s face it’s obvious she’s caught on to Layla’s nerves.

  “You’re such a pretty thing, aren’t you.” Mystic purrs, running a finger down Layla’s cheeks.

  Layla lets out a little gasp. “Th-thank you, Mistress,” she whispers.

  I’m aware of how Samuel takes a step closer to Layla. My ears pick up the sounds of the subs untangling themselves and coming to join our group.

  “Oh,” Layla shifts more. Her heart beat picks up as she finds all the attention on her. “Oh, no.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Taking a good look at my sub I find her eyes wide with fear. “I...I think it’s happening again.” She whispers.

  She moves closer to me and a wave of magic rolls off her. Shit.

  I should have anticipated this. Layla can’t control her alluring magic and in a room full of subtle sexual tension and beautiful people of course it would want to come out to play.

  “T-Thomas…”

  I grab Layla around the waist and haul her into my arms, just as Bane, Samuel, Carlos, and Mystic take steps closer to her.

  “What the fuck is going on?”Samuel’s submissive demands. “Samuel you better not take one more step towards the pretty girl.”

  “Now is not the time for your dramatics, imp.” Adam reprimands. “Girl, you need to get yourself under control.”

  “I can’t!” Layla cries. She squirms in my arms but I hold her tight.

  “You’re a fucking idiot, dragon.” Alistair says. “Bringing a virgin siren here.”

  “What the fuck did you just say?” I growl.

  My dragon is close to the surface, he wants to protect what he thinks is his. He wants to tell the fae bastard to shut up. The trembling girl in my arms is not one of those sea demons.

  “You heard me. She’s not a full-blooded siren, that’s obvious, but that’s what her magic is. A virgin who has no control over her power. You should have known better.”

  Fuck!

  “Where can I take her?” I demand.

  Multiple sides of me are at war. My most primal instincts want to claim this girl, not only to help her, but to mark her as mine. One side wants to cast her and her tainted blood far, far away from me. And then there’s the side that healed her through Enrico drugging her. The last thing she needs is something like this.

  “The dining room table will suffice.”

  “What the fuck is going on?” Adam demands.

  Alistair leads the way out of the room. Layla tries to fight me as I pull her along. “No, please...I’m s-sorry. I can’t help it.”

  “A virgin siren has no hope of control its magic. Thomas has to rectify that.” Alistair explains.

  “What?” Layla trembles in my arms.

  “Hush, nymph.” I mutter.

  “Well hurry up and do it so my husband can stop looking at her like he wants to fuck her. He doesn’t even like women!” Elias snaps.

  “One moment.” Alistair disappears through a door, from the sounds coming through it I’m guessing it’s the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry.” Layla cries. “I...I didn’t know. I…”

  “Shhh, settle.” I run a comforting hand through Layla’s hair. “It’ll be alright.”

  “I don’t understand,” she shakes.

  “I know. It’ll be okay.” I’m lying to the both of us right now. This is as far from okay as one can get.

  Alistair returns with a bundle of fabric. “Cook will keep dinner for us, she asked that we protect the table.”

  He spreads the sheet out and when he’s finished I pick Layla up and set her on it. “Trust me.” I tell her.

  Giving her a hard kiss I shove her dress up to her waist and tear off her panties.

  “That’s hot.” Someone comments.

  Ignoring them I undo my belt and fly. Shoving my slacks down to my thighs I guide Layla to lie down on the table. I don’t want to do this, this is so far from consensual as you can get, but I couldn’t handle anyone else touching her. I just hope she understands there was no other way.

  She whines, her fingers cling to the sheet. Someone hands me a condom and I roll it over my already hard dick. I might have more control than others, but Layla’s magic still affects me. With every second that passes it gets stronger and stronger.

  I force myself to tune out the shuffling feet of the others, the harsh breathing, the whispered words, I need to stay in control.

  Layla needs me to focus on her and her alone.

  “I’ll take care of you.” I promise her.

  Grasping her ankles I maneuver her so her feet are planted on the table and she’s spread wide for me. The scent of her arousal is heady. Whether it’s from her magic or not isn’t important.

  Pulling her to the edge of the table I don’t give her any other warning before I press into her with one steady thrust. This is not how it was supposed to happen. But as I’m learning with this girl, nothing can happen the “normal” way.

  Layla screams. Tears roll down her cheeks. Her magic pulses and the strength of it almost knocks me on my ass.

  There are gasps from the others but I ignore them. “Easy. I got you.” I stop once I’m all the way inside her. Her body trembles around me.

  “Please. Make it stop.” She pleads.

  So I do.

  Pulling out slowly I thrust in quickly. Layla gasps, I can’t tell if it’s from pleasure or pain. My dragon says it doesn’t matter because the way she tightens around me is so fucking good. My human side begs to differ.

  After everything she’s already been through, this is just another nail in the coffin. I hate it, her nature is turning me into someone I’m not, but I can’t not help her.

  I keep up the steady in and out for a few minutes, letting the girl get used to being penetrated. Layla cries out with every thrust.

  Moving faster I grip her hips. She screams again and my dragon basks in the sound. My hips smack against her ass as I fuck her.

  Sliding one hand to the small of her back to pull her closer I reach down and flick her clit with the other. Trying to give her as much pleasure as possible, she deserves that if nothing else.

  “Oh!” She moans and trembles, not because she’s afraid, but because I’m making her feel good.

  I play with Layla as I shorten my thrusts. Her
gasps and moans fuel my desire.

  “Come for me, girl.” I order.

  Layla cries and her tears bring me closer to the brink.

  Leaning over her I snap my hips. My dick throbs with the need to come, but I hold off. “You will come for me.” I growl before pressing my lips to hers.

  She gasps and I thrust my tongue in her mouth as hard as I thrust my cock. She shakes and her pussy tightens around me with her orgasm.

  Warm and snug I keep my thrusts shallow, grinding into her. She releases the sheet to clutch at my shoulders. Her fingernails dig into me, the bite of pain shreds my control.

  I fill the condom with hot bursts of cum.

  What I wouldn’t give to be filling her with my seed.

  I break the kiss once my cock stops pulsing.

  Layla’s blue eyes are wide and filled with tears. Though she’s no longer emitting any magic she’s as alluring as ever.

  Layla

  Thomas pulls out of me making me wince. My thighs quake, my body awash with pain. Shock has my brain tumbling like a tiny stone in the ocean. It felt like he’d just ripped me apart. I can still feel the agonizing imprint of his cock inside me. The brief explosion of a forced orgasm had done little to ease the experience or bring any pleasure.

  “Layla, are you alright?” Thomas’s hand cups my jaw but I flinch away. I don’t want him touching me. He’d taken me in front of a room of people. Emotions churn but I keep them bottled.

  “I would like to use a bathroom.” I manage to mumble through numb lips.

  I embrace the freeze that has encased me, knowing it won’t take much for it to crack.

  Stepping back, he allows me to slip off the table his expression intent on my face. “I’ll come with you.”

  “No.” The word comes out sharp.

  “Layla.”

  “I said no.” My shoes are somewhere on the floor, but I don’t look for them. Not waiting for his reply, I stumble from the room and along the hall.

  Eyes watch me go. Voices rise all talking at once the second I’m out of sight.

  Everything aches. I’m angry, humiliated. This was not how I’d ever imagined my first time. It had always been a dream to have something special. Instead Thomas fucked me on a dining room table while my boss her guests had watched. It doesn’t matter to me that they’re used to debauchery and kink. It had been a moment that I’ll never get back. Something that should have been amazing, pleasurable.

  Trust me.

  The words send fresh tears swimming in my eyes blinding me as I find the room I’m looking for. Staggering into the bathroom, I lock the door behind me. I want to go home. Flee to the safety of my tank and hide away from the world. Hands shaking, I clean myself up as best I can with what’s on hand.

  The softer feelings I’d started to feel for Thomas shrink in my chest. The ice holding my emotions at bay finally shatters, leaving me drowning in shock and disbelief. How could he do this to me?

  Curling on the cold marble floor, I try to steady my breathing. Will he expect me to sit through dinner now? Act like nothing has happened? I know it won’t be long before he comes for me. I’d seen it in his eyes. He’d been displeased at my choice to be left alone. This party is important to him. He’d made that clear. A step up in the social ladder.

  It takes a second for the knocking to register.

  Panic tries to choke me.

  “Layla?” The voice muffled behind the wood isn’t Thomas as I fear. “It’s Bane. Are you okay?”

  Getting to me feet I move to open the door. If I don’t let him in, then it will only be someone else next time. I’d rather speak to another submissive than a Dom.

  Bane’s gaze sweeps over me with concern, his expression tight with an emotion I can’t name. Dangling from his fingers are the heels I left in the dining room.

  “No.” Bottom lip wobbling I shake my head.

  Closing the door behind, him he relocks it. “You should talk to Thomas. He’s your Dom and he’ll see you through this.”

  “After what he just did? Please Bane…I can’t.” The last word ends on a sob. Pressing my hands to my face my shoulders shake as I cry. “This evening is a nightmare and I hate him.”

  Muscular arms wrap around my waist, drawing me into the comfort of a chest. “It’s going to be alright.” He soothes.

  “He could have just taken me outside or home.” I hiccup, clutching to him like an anchor.

  Hysteria floods up, my eyes wide and searching his. “He didn’t have to…to…”

  “Layla, breathe. You’re in shock. Why don’t we go get some air?” Bane suggests softly. “It looks like you could do with it.”

  Gently mopping up my damp cheeks with a tissue he cleans me up.

  I catch sight of myself in the mirror. My mascara has run leaving streaks down my face, my hair is rumpled, my lipstick smudged. I’m a mess.

  Slipping on my heels, Bane helps me into his jacket. The warmth within cocoons me and some of the tension ebbs, the shaking stops. He doesn’t say anything else. There’s a sadness in his eyes, understanding.

  When we exit the bathroom the first thing I’m aware of are the loud voices coming from the dining room. Blocking them out, I burrow into Bane’s side, his arm over my shoulders keeping me safe. The fresh cool air hits me when we step out through a door into a garden. I barely notice the beauty of it.

  “Why are you being so nice to me?” I suddenly ask my companion.

  “I slipped out while everyone was talking. Mystic’s parties aren’t always like that. There’s always the oppurtunity for sex and kink, but mostly it’s just us hanging out.” Bane motions at me to join him on a stone bench. “You’re a good kid, Layla, and after what just happened, I could see your pain. I just needed to see if there was anything I could do for you. I consider you a friend. I know you’ll probably be expected to go back in there, but the choice is yours. I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

  Glancing over my shoulder, I stare at the house with apprehension. I don’t want to see Thomas. What he did has turned me off sex for life. The thought of ever having it again sends fresh waves of anxiety knotting my stomach. My life is falling apart. I don’t want to see the knowing looks. Hear the whispers.

  Right now I don’t even want to know why he did it. All I want is to run.

  “I want to go home.” I tell Bane pulling the sides of his jacket more securely around me to ward off the chill. “Can you call me a cab?”

  “It’s going to get me in a shitload of trouble, but if that’s what you really want.” Getting to his feet, he gently takes my elbow. “We better be quick though because I’m pretty sure the others are going to come looking for you soon.”

  Bane makes a call, securing me a ride. Luckily there’s one in the area. Sticking to the shadows like thieves, we hurry down towards the main gate, slipping through as side exit, we wait for it to arrive.

  My mind storms with what I want to do next. One revelation sticks like a knife in my thoughts. Fumbling in my purse, I tug out my apartment key.

  “Here.” Grabbing Bane’s wrist I press the cool metal into his open palm. “Can you feed my fish? I need to get away for awhile.”

  The werewolf’s eyes glint with surprise. “I thought you were going home?”

  “I am…just not here.”

  “Lay.”

  I smile weakly at the nickname he’s given me. “I need to know the truth of my birth and I can’t do that here. I need to know if what was said is true.”

  Bane’s fingers close around mine in a gentle squeeze as he accepts the key. “Give me your phone.”

  Fishing it out I hand it to him. Swiping his finger across the screen he quickly adds his number to my list of contacts.

  “Promise me you’ll stay in touch.” He murmurs, handing it back to me.

  Nodding, I shrug out of his jacket and return it to him, before turning to the cab as it pulls up beside us. I slip into the rear of the vehicle without a backward glance.

&nbs
p; Instead of giving him the address to my apartment I ask him to drive me to the nearest beach. I don’t care how much it costs. Right now, all I care about is getting answers.

  Clutching my phone, I cut it off when it buzzes with a call from Thomas. I don’t want to talk. I’m done with that. All I want to do is sink beneath the waves and feel the healing energy of the water. A quick message typed, I tell him I’m severing our relationship as submissive and Dom. Switching it off after it’s sent, I stash it at the bottom of my bag.

  The drive seems to take forever. Thanking the cab driver and stuffing a wad of cash into his hand, I rush from the car, down the road, and onto the sand. Kicking off my heels, it’s silky texture sinks between my toes.

  Moonlight bathes my surroundings in silvery light, the sound of the waves crashing against the beach soothing to my ears.

  It’s the place I first emerged from the sea and only fitting it’s where I return to it. One of my favorite places to visit. The pier isn’t far. Padding across the smooth sand, I make my way toward it.

  The waterproof backpack I keep hidden is still there. Something to keep my clothes dry whenever I come here to swim. Unhooking it from its hiding place, I strip off my little black dress, balling the material in my fist for a moment before stuffing it inside. My bra follows next then the bag containing my phone. My heels are somewhere discarded along the beach, but I don’t care. Locking the backpack in its hiding place, I hurry naked into the ocean.

  The cool water laps at my feet. Moving into the surf, the waves roaring and rolling before me, I plunge in without hesitation. Power surges through me. Every fiber of my being hums with adrenaline as the skin shimmers over my legs, gleaming green scales emerge, fusing the appendages into a tail.

  My people and father might shun me, but I’m not going to leave until I have everything about my family laid bare.

  It’s time to find out the truth of who I am.

  Thomas

  Layla escapes to the restroom, I move to follow her, even though she said not to, except Adam stops me.