Lidon checked the chronometer on the computer readout. He was moments away from waking her from her exhausted rest, to ply her cooperation with more persuasive lovemaking. He'd tell her she'd had a full sleep cycle, helping to confuse her sense of time and making her doubt her senses. Fatigue exacerbated the uncertainty they tortured her with, and made Cassidy more susceptible to losing her conviction that sex with the Kalquorians was a sin.
She'd soon find his methods were nowhere near as gentle as Degorsk's. He looked at the blank wall where the restraints he'd planned had still not been installed. No matter. The anti-gravity cuffs would work well enough for his purposes this time. Cassidy would be just as vulnerable to his inducements. Using physical means to secure her obedience didn't bother him as much as the mental games. She'd already shown some enjoyment of rougher play. With Degorsk's blessing to incorporate punishment into her re-education, Lidon was ready to find out how rough she liked it.
He stood and stepped to the bedside. Her sweet, round face surrounded by the cloud of almost-white hair was the loveliest thing he'd ever seen. Looking down on the soft curves of her body, knowing it was his to enjoy for the rest of their lives made his groin throb. He swallowed, thinking of all the pleasurable acts he would perform with her in the years to come.
At his command, a drawer over the bed slid soundlessly from the wall. Lidon took four cuffs from the drawer, and it retracted to blend seamlessly into the wall once more. He strapped the anti-gravity shackles on her wrists and ankles. Cassidy moaned in her sleep but didn't wake as he worked.
As soon as he had her properly cuffed, he ordered, "Elevate prisoner three feet, vertical X-formation."
Cassidy slowly rose into the air, pulled upright by the wrist cuffs. Her eyes fluttered for an instant before closing heavily once more. Her head lolled until her chin came to rest on her chest. Exhaustion owned her, but not for long.
Lidon pulled her body away from the bed so it hung suspended over the floor. Then he went to the workstation where a hypo of stimulant waited, left by Degorsk. It would wake Cassidy without negating the effects of the extreme weariness on her mind, leaving her vulnerable to suggestion.
Lidon injected her and tossed the hypo away. He counted down the seconds it took for the stimulant to work its way through her body, admiring her pale, lush figure as the shackles held her spread-eagle in the air. He walked around her, drinking her in from every angle before stopping at her side.
His breath warming the delicate cup of her ear, Lidon whispered, "Time to wake, my pet." His hand swung and connected with one fleshy cheek of her buttocks, making a satisfying smack.
* * * *
Cassidy cried out at the sharp pain as heat radiated from her hindquarters. She pried her weighted lids apart to see Lidon standing over her. She was shocked to find herself upright and hanging in mid-air.
Lidon pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Good morning Cassidy. Did you have a good night's sleep?"
She stared at him. Had she really slept the night through? It felt as if she'd only just closed her eyes. Her head throbbed with heaviness.
Lidon moved, and three explosive slaps warmed her bottom. She yelped in surprise at the sudden, unexpected hurt. Dear God, was he spanking her?
He kissed her cheek again. She stared at him, exhaustion bringing tears to her eyes. And something else upset her. He was displeased. With her. She didn't like that.
Whatever made him put out with her enough to warrant this punishment wasn't readily apparent. Fighting the irrational urge to apologize for making him unhappy, she snarled, "Don't hit me! You have no right!"
His face was patient, his voice gentle, his purple cat's eyes intense. "I asked you a question, pet. It is impolite to not answer your mate. Such disrespect warrants punishment."
In her dazed state, she couldn't remember his question. Cassidy's lip trembled as the hot sting of her rump spread. She bit back the pathetic sobs that wanted to escape, pulling her lips back in a snarl. "You are not my mate," she whispered.
Lidon smiled. He caressed her breasts and her sex clenched, adding to the heat down below. Cassidy caught her breath.
Stop wanting him. He's a monster.
"I think it would be nice to start our day with lovemaking," Lidon said. "You would like that too, yes?"
She ignored the heady combination of fear and desire his words incited, concentrating on her moral duty. "No."
His smile grew, as if he'd hoped for her disagreement. The next instant, he was spanking her again, his heavy palm smacking her buttocks hard and fast. She jerked in her bonds, writhing to escape the punishment, but there was nowhere to go.
"You bastard! Stop!"
He didn't stop. No part of her soft mounds was left untouched. Lidon's spanking was thorough, and her rump turned roasting hot under his attention. The sharp whacks and her enraged screams filled the room.
Even as hurt consumed her backside and fury filled her mind, the heat of the blows radiated, transmitting sensation to her sex. Knowing Lidon could end the spanking and take her anytime he wished compounded the arousal, making her wet with need.
When he stopped, Cassidy hung limp in the shackles, sobbing as much from fury as the ache throbbing from her hindquarters. And humiliation was there too, in large quantities. What was wrong with her to find pleasure in pain?
"The correct answer to my question is 'yes, please.' I will ask again. Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?" Despite the vulgarity of his words, Lidon's tone suggested he was the most reasonable man in the universe.
Her soul was at stake. Never mind the agony her body was taking perverse delight in. She had to be strong. She had to deny the innate evil of her nature as a woman.
"No. You can rot in Hell." She tensed for the coming punishment.
He spanked her again. Her buttocks clenched in agony against his open-handed blows, but her devil flesh responded to the harsh use with renewed desire. Honey crept down her inner thighs.
The spanking lasted longer this time, and Cassidy's cries were ragged with combined pain and want. A part of her sluggish mind conjured the fantasy of Tranis taking her while Lidon continued the discipline. Her secret flesh flexed, thrilling to the vulnerability of her captivity.
Lidon ended the punishment, and she hung limp in the cuffs. Wanton whore a voice whispered in her mind. Depraved slut. Like all other women. Like her.
No.
"Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?" His voice was gentle, as if he'd never hurt a fly, much less punish a helpless girl.
She couldn't answer, because she was afraid of her response. Saying no would prolong the delicious chastisement. Her yearning for more discipline at the big alien's hands was as shocking as the desire to say yes so he'd bury his sex in hers, relieving the need that drove away all sense and principles. Either way damned her soul. So Cassidy simply hung in the anti-grav cuffs, groaning helplessly as craving warred with ethics.
When she didn't answer, Lidon resumed the spanking. She no longer struggled against the blows, though she couldn't help but cry out at each painful crack of his hand. Her being was centered on the luscious feeling of being at the handsome alien's mercy. Arousal swelled in her lower regions, growing with every sweet strike on her hot flesh. The feeling intensified as the punishment continued, the demand for release about to be realized.
Before pleasure overwhelmed her senses, Lidon again halted the discipline. This time when she sobbed, it was from loss. So close…
"Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?"
She gasped for air, trying desperately to calm the intense arousal. "Stop doing this. I will never be your Matara."
He spanked her again. She noticed he was hard, his erection straining his formsuit. Her orgasm loomed, the first tickle of completion tightening her sex.
Just one more strike from his big, wonderful hand…
He stopped. "Answer the question."
She groaned, the sound a bereft exhalation. She'd been right
there, and she actually hurt from need. Cassidy never knew desire could become painful. Her head throbbed in tandem with her nether parts.
"Last chance, pet. Yes or no?"
"Yes, damn you." She couldn't remember what she was agreeing to. All she knew was the terrible need would be satisfied by any touch he gave her.
"I'm so glad to hear you want me as I want you."
Instead of giving her that last sweet blow on her throbbing cheeks, his fingers brushed her engorged clitoris. It was all she needed, and she arched with a delighted scream as the orgasm finally crashed against her. She rubbed frantically against his hand, the pressure ripping spasm after spasm from her overwrought body. After a moment's startled hesitation Lidon took over, capturing her straining bud between his fingers to bring her anew. His arm circled her waist, holding her still while he massaged her wet flesh.
At last she quieted, her head dropping to rest on his thickly muscled shoulder. "Matara, Matara," he whispered, his hands stroking up and down her body. "You are twice the treasure I hoped for."
He moved to stand before her, pulling his formsuit free of his torso, yanking it down to the boots that came to knee height. Cassidy looked at him, his flesh pointing at her like twin divining rods. The remains of her climax still rippling through her belly, she thrust her hips towards him.
Lidon closed the distance between them, his sexes going to their intended orifices, drawn by irresistible force. His first thrust was heady delight, and Cassidy's head fell back, her ecstatic groan falling from her lips.
Lidon kissed her, his tongue as wonderfully demanding as the penises drumming into her. His strong arms held her close, enveloping her in a demanding embrace. She moaned into his mouth, her loins catching fire again. His hands buried in her hair, holding her firmly in place as he plundered her mouth. His hard body was a perfect counterpoint to her softness, and her flesh molded against him. She was bewitched by his unyielding sense of entitlement to take what he wanted from her. The more he imposed his will, the more eagerly she succumbed.
If only she didn't want Lidon and his clanmates so much…how could she be saved when their every lascivious demand thrilled her to her very soul?
His groin moved against her clitoris, stimulating her until she jerked helplessly in her bonds, her sex spasming hard, drawing his essence from him. They came together, shuddering against each other as passion had its way with them. Afterward, Lidon pressed gentle kisses all over her face, murmuring gentle words of gratitude and praise. She basked in the warmth of his attention, the loving gestures so at odds with the brute's evil nature.
But as Cassidy's lust ebbed, the judgmental inner voice resurfaced, stealing the joy of afterglow from her sated body.
Shameless whore. Vile, immoral creature. You deserve to burn in Hell.
"No," she whispered.
Just another lewd slut. She taught you well, didn't she?
"Stop. I couldn't help it." Tears overflowed her eyes.
"Cassidy?"
After all I've done for you, all the work to rescue your soul, you still insist on repeating her sins.
"It's not my fault!" she shrieked. "Shut up!"
"Cassidy, calm down."
You are your mother's child, not worth saving.
"No! Not like her! Not like her!" She buried her face against the strong, warm chest of the man in front of her, desperate to hide from scathing disgust in her head.
"Degorsk, return to quarters immediately."
The muscular arms around her body tightened as if to shield her from the accusations that came louder and louder. She huddled against him, seeking protection.
Whore! Fornicator! Slut!
Cassidy crumbled beneath the judgments. "I'm sorry. I'll be good. I won't be like my mother. I promise to be good!" Her pleading voice filled the air despite the muffling pressure of the body her face pressed against. She hadn't meant to sin, to break the law. They would kill her if they found out.
The sound of the room's door opening and thumping footsteps made her scream. They were coming for her, coming to brand her sinful flesh, coming to beat her until she was bloody and broken. Coming for her as they had come for her mother.
Pressure against her neck. Degorsk's gentle voice. "It is all right, precious girl. You will have a nice sleep now and feel better."
The dark face filled her vision. He was one of the men who had put her in danger, but he was her savior too. The authorities couldn't take her, not with the three aliens defending her and acting as living shields against the judges and executioners.
"Don't let them take me. Don't let them put me in the prison."
"You are safe, Cassidy. No one is taking you from us." That was Tranis, and he spoke with grave reassurance.
"I didn't mean to be like her. I tried to be good." Her eyes slid shut.
"You are a very good person, my love. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
The kind voices drove the ugly ones in her head away, and she held onto them as sleep descended.
* * * *
The men released Cassidy from the shackles and Degorsk smeared soothing cream on her reddened buttocks while Tranis held her. Lidon filled in his clan on what had happened in their absence: decoding the strange 'Armageddon' entry, Cassidy's overwhelming response to discipline, and her hysterical negation of being like her mother.
"Are we doing the right thing?" Tranis asked, laying Cassidy on the bed. He wiped the tears still clinging to her cheeks away as if by doing so he could erase her pain. The raw agony in the words she'd spoken dug at his heart.
Degorsk handed Lidon the last of the anti-grav cuffs. "The method of making Earther women slaves to their desires, followed by rebuilding their self-esteem has been the most successful where forced coercion has been required." He squeezed Tranis' shoulder. "I agree it's painful to watch her suffer, but we're giving her a better life in the end."
Lidon put the cuffs away in their drawer. "A life where she's treated like the intelligent person she is. In my opinion, the general committed a heinous crime by ending her education. You should see the log of the books she read on that device she kept hidden."
"Such as?"
"Mostly advanced scientific theories and mathematics, along with political dissertations. I admit what she's studied gave me a headache, and you know what my intelligence scores are. If she grasps even half of what she's read, she possesses a formidable mind. Degorsk, I think you should test her aptitudes."
"I'll do that."
Tranis frowned, more disturbed than ever. "If her mind is that superior, I fear what we're doing may inflict more harm than good. It's essentially brainwashing."
Degorsk smiled sadly at him. "She's already a victim of that by her own people. I've been in contact with Imdiko Govi, who heads the psychological research team back on Kalquor. The evaluations we've done on the women of Europa show some of the worst cases of emotional damage on record."
Lidon limped to the computer station and sat down heavily. "So anything we do can't make these females worse?"
The medic nodded. "Many of them are convinced they're evil simply because of their gender. Cassidy is a prime example of that. Even her intelligence can't get around that illogical idea; she's too programmed. It's monstrous what Earth's government and religion have done." He paused, the frown on his normally cheerful face telling Tranis he debated whether or not to tell them more. It had to be harsh for him to hesitate. Degorsk was an open book with his clanmates.
Finally he sighed. "This information doesn't go out of this room."
"Of course."
"A few on Govi's research team have suggested full memory wipes on the worst of the affected Mataras."
Tranis knew the horrified look on Lidon's face was mirrored on his own. "That's rather extreme."
"The degree of self-loathing these women have for themselves is unfathomable. They may be beyond salvaging. Or so the theory goes."
Lidon growled, "No such thing will be done to our Matara."
<
br /> Degorsk's gaze went to Cassidy. He drew himself up, and his gentle smile returned. "No, she's not that far gone. And it's only being discussed as an option of last resort for the ones who are." He looked again at Tranis. "I'd like to know more about her past and why she's determined to not be like her mother."
Tranis nodded. His stomach still churned over the news some of the women might require memory wipes. He buried his fingers in the softness of Cassidy's long hair and stared at her, drinking in the fragile planes of her sweet face.
Not you, my little one. I'll make it right for you, somehow.
The depth of his emotion made it difficult to breathe for an instant. Tranis forced himself to be calm. Clearing his throat, he turned to Lidon. "It's your turn to play with the general. Good work uncovering that 'Armageddon' notation, by the way."
Lidon rose. "It will be good work when I find out what it means." With one last look at Cassidy, he left the room.
"Are you ready to work with her again?" Degorsk asked. He prepared a tab of stimulant.
"You're sure this is what's best for her?" Tranis studied his Imdiko's face, watching for any sign of doubt.
There was none. "Recovery is painful, Tranis. As her Dramok, you must be strong for her."
"All right." Tranis pulled his boots off.
He and Degorsk stripped and climbed onto the bed, arranging themselves on either side of Cassidy. The medic injected her with stimulant. Tranis molded himself to her soft body, taking in her warmth as her eyelids fluttered opened.
Degorsk spoke as the fuzziness in her expression cleared. "Good evening, precious girl."
* * * *
The faces of Tranis and Degorsk swam into focus. Cassidy felt the softness of the bed beneath, the hardness of their warm, aroused bodies against hers. She struggled against them. "No, no more. Please," she wailed, fighting to get from between them.
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