Dark Citadel

Chapter Fifteen

The jerk hadn't bothered to explain anything. Fuming, Kari had barely finished her first drink when three chimes sounded over the music. Heads lifted all through the room.

“Wha—” She closed her mouth quickly, earning herself a frown from Sir, but nothing more.

“The Gardens are open.” He led her to an open door on the right wall and into a room with a stone floor and darkly paneled walls. About twenty members congregated there. On the far side, a door leading outside stood open. The scent of night-blooming jasmine and newly cut grass wafted in.

An older DM, one of those who'd touched Kari's breasts on Wednesday, faced the crowd. His light blue eyes met Kari's, and he winked.

She flushed, then wondered if she'd ever lose that response. Probably not. Really, modesty should have been her middle name.

“My name is Sam,” the DM said. “I'll be your contact for any problems during this role-play. There are rules, and as Master Z has decided upon the punishments, you want to listen closely. He can be a sadistic bastard.” A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd.

“For those who haven't participated before, the game is this. Your sub is released into the Garden with a head start. You search for her or him,” he added, nodding at a gay couple and a Domme with a male sub. “Once found, take whatever satisfaction you and your sub have agreed upon, either right in the Gardens, inside on the equipment, or upstairs in private.”

Kari's eyes widened. On the first night, Sir had asked her about her fantasies. “A gorgeous barbarian taking you against your will? Have you had that one?” Her insides quivered. Was this real?

Sir leaned over to whisper, “When I catch you, I will take you right then and there.” His hand slid over her bare butt, squeezing possessively.

She bit her lip against the surge of arousal.

Sam continued, “Resistance is expected, but serious fighting is forbidden; no deep scratching, punching, or hard kicking for either subs or Doms. Subs, the club safe word is red, and DMs will be in the Gardens.”

“Doms, you may only capture the sub whose band matches yours.” Motioning the gay couple forward, Sam fastened bright green glow-sticks around the Dom's wrist and matching ones on his sub's ankle and wrist. “Chasing anyone else's sub is forbidden. Of course, if one blunders right into you, feel free to cop a feel and then swat her to get her running again. Anything more than that…” Sam's smile was pure evil. “Well, the last Dom who tried for more was flogged by Mistress Rachel until her arm wore out, and then his membership was canceled. Pissing off Z isn't smart.

“The game lasts two hours, and three chimes mean the game is over. Subs, a few idiots have managed to hide by removing their glow-sticks. This is your warning. At closing, the DMs search the Gardens. Any sub still outside is considered available for use by any and all DMs who join the search.”

As Sam finished his lecture, Dan realized Kari had pressed so close to his side, she almost melted into his skin.

She looked up at him with big eyes. “I don't think I want to do this.”

So modest and so passionate. Why did the discrepancy bring all his Dom urges to the forefront? He rubbed his cheek against her silky hair and whispered back, “I know you really do want to. I can see…smell your arousal.”

Her eyes widened, probably from his language. And then, brave little sub, she nodded.

The line moved forward as Z vetted the players; mind games like this brought out his overprotective nature. Now Z shook his head at the couple in front of them. “Sorry, Adam, but Beth isn't ready for this yet. She's terrified.”

“But—” Adam scowled and shrugged. The bunched muscles in Beth's bared shoulders eased as she and her top for the night stepped out of line.

Dan smiled at the slender redhead and received a fleeting smile in return. He'd once considered topping her before realizing she only chose weaker Doms. Sub or not, she wasn't about to give up much control. Something nasty must have happened in her past to make her so wary.

He and Kari stepped up to face Z.

“Little one, do you understand how the game works?” Z studied Kari. “You'll be running away from Master Dan. When he catches you, he gets to do whatever he wants.”

Kari shivered, then nodded.

Z glanced at Dan. “She has a nice mixture of fear and anticipation.” Smiling, Z nodded to Sam, who fastened a bright pink glow-stick around both their wrists and another around Kari's ankle.

“Pink, huh.” Dan shook his head at Sam. “Thanks a lot, you bastard.”

“But you're so pretty in pink, Master Dan.”

Fighting was forbidden in the club, so Dan just thumped Sam in the chest on the way past. Sam barked a laugh.

Once clear of the line, Kari tugged on Dan's arm. He leaned down to hear her whisper, “But you do look pretty in pink, Master.”

“Just keep it up, sub, just keep it up,” he warned.

When she giggled, his brain went stone-cold dead. He'd never heard her laugh, not like that. He grinned, wanting more. He needed to… No, he didn't need anything. No more evenings, dammit.

They walked a few more paces while he subdued his emotions.

“Master?”

He nodded permission for her to speak.

“I run, and you catch me. I understand that. But I'm not much of a runner, you know.”

Dan tipped Kari's face up. “I enjoy a good chase, so I'll add an incentive. If you don't try hard—say, if I catch you within fifteen minutes—then I'll show you how the spanking bench works in the bar room. Do you understand?”

If her blue eyes got any bigger, they'd take over her whole face. “Yes, Master.”

He could hardly wait to get his hands on her. “I'll even be nice and give you a fighting chance.” He removed her cuffs.

“Dan.” Nolan strolled over.

Damn, it was good to have him back. “We got fog tonight?”

Nolan nodded. “Z went all out. There's dry ice in every fountain.”

Dan smiled at Kari's puzzled expression. She'd understand soon enough. “You doing the subbie preps?”

“My favorite job, especially since returning. You wouldn't believe how overdressed women are in Iraq.” Nolan nodded at Kari. “Clothing? Oil?”

Dan studied the little sub. Her eyes were wary but bright, her breathing fast. Not too scared. He could have her prepped in his favorite way. “No clothes, lots of oil.”

“Well, now, that will be my pleasure.” Nolan turned to Kari, his faint smile fading. “Sub, hang your shirt on the hook over there and return to me to be prepared.”

Her eyes whipped up to Dan's.

“Kari, go with Master Nolan.”

“But…”

Nolan scowled, his voice cruel. “What do you say to me, sub?”

She flinched and gave Dan a look of betrayal before dropping her eyes. “Yes, Master.” She unbuttoned the shirt and pulled it off slowly.

Nolan smothered a grin as Dan's sub hung her shirt on a hook and tried to act nonchalant. She looked around, obviously hoping no one saw her. Of course, everyone did. Grins appeared on the other Doms' faces; even Master Z's lips curved up before he turned to the next couple.

Nolan remembered this little one from last Wednesday. No man with a dick would forget those lush and responsive breasts. Considering Dan's preference for voluptuous and sweet, Nolan figured the Dom might end up keeping this sub. A good thing. He'd been alone too long.

Nolan stomped on the envy rising within him.

As Kari approached, he looked her over slowly. Coldly. Part of prep included increasing a sub's anxiety, and with his scarred face, he was damned good at it. Odd how a man could enjoy scaring a sub and simultaneously want to cuddle her up and reassure her. Just one of those oddities of being a Dom.

He set a hand on her curvy ass just to feel her recoil and pushed her outside. The night air was warm and humid, perfect for playing in the Gardens.

Behind them, a sub in a lacy corset and tight latex pants let out a high shriek, then darted out the door and into the Gardens. Nolan glanced down at Kari. She chewed on her lip, obviously dying to ask why that sub got to keep her clothes and she didn't. Dan had trained her a bit, since she managed to keep silent.

A few feet to the right of the door, another DM, Jake, leaned against the wall, the sprayer at his feet. The DM's appreciative gaze ran over Kari. “Who's this?”

“Dan's sub.”

“Oh, yeah, a newbie. I saw her on Monday. Very cute.” Jake gave her another approving look, then straightened. “Don't move, chica.”

Nolan stepped back as Kari froze in place like a terrified rabbit. After pumping up the sprayer, Jake opened up. She flinched as the fragrant oil hit her, covering her shoulders, above her breasts, across her back, drizzling down her skin.

After one complete circle, Jake stepped back. “Been thinking. We should change jobs.”

“Nope.” Seniority had its rewards. Nolan stepped forward and closed his hands on the sub's soft shoulders.

“No!” She jerked back and put her hands up.

Damn, but the shy ones were fun. Nolan growled, “Stand very still, subbie, or I will chain you to the door and let everyone have a turn. Or do you want to use your safe word?”

Even with the patchy moonlight, he saw her face pale, but she shook her head. Mouth pressed into a tight little line, she lowered her hands.

Taking his time, he stroked the oil over her body, down her arms, her hands, her shoulders, and back, enjoying the satiny skin and curves under his hands. No wonder Dan liked her.

“Spread your legs, sub.” Her hands fisted, but she complied. Kneeling, he spread oil over her legs, smoothing down and then back up. A pity he couldn't do her cunt too, but oil wasn't good for pussies. When he stopped at her upper thighs, her tiny exhale of relief made him grin.

He heard Jake chuckle.

Unfortunately for her, he wasn't done yet. Rising, he gripped her upper arm to secure her—the little rabbit looked ready to scamper—and massaged the oil into her breasts, taking his time. His father always said, “If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well.”

He'd seen Dan force her to play with herself earlier and figured she'd be pretty sensitive now. And yes, her breasts swelled all too quickly under his hands. Damned shame. So he concentrated on her nipples until her muffled whimpers became audible. Until pink arousal showed in her cheeks.

He rubbed the back of his hand over the brown curls of her pussy. Very, very wet. She closed her eyes in humiliation. Well then, his job here was done. “Sub.”

Her eyes opened, and a tremor ran through her as she stared up at him with huge blue eyes.

“Looks like you're ready to give Master Dan a good time. Off with you now.” He pushed her toward the Gardens and smacked her bare bottom hard enough to make her yelp.

She ran. Once past the first tall hedge, fog appeared, pooling on the grass, curling upward like white fingers, giving the area a surreal atmosphere. Slowing, she moved past curving flower beds, heady with fragrance. Tall bushes and trees formed secluded nooks.

In the eerie mist, small fountains glimmered with soft lights, the only illumination in the gardens other than faint moonlight and the glow-sticks that darted here and there like colorful lightning bugs.

Okay. She needed to evade Master Dan for at least fifteen minutes, but how could anyone hide in here? The bushes were too thick to burrow into, the fountains too small to hide behind. Swings and flat lawn chairs offered no shelter. Even the soft grass was cut golf course short.

And look how the other subs' light sticks danced. Way too visible.

Suddenly a man's voice rose. “Masters, the chase is on. Find your slaves and make them pay for trying to escape.”

Kari shivered. This might be just a game, but knowing Sir hunted her, planned to take her, made her insides feel funny. Scared. Aroused.

Spotting a pink glow that matched her bracelet, she ran across an open space and dodged behind more bushes. She stopped next to a gurgling fountain and saw white mist boiling from the water, spilling over the concrete sides like a volcano erupting. The fog suddenly turned silver, and Kari glanced up. Slow-moving clouds revealed the moon before hiding it again, darkening the world.

A sub ran past, her master in full chase. A squeak like a captured rabbit sounded a minute later, then high-pitched begging. Slaps of a hand hitting flesh and cries of pain.

Kari put a hand over her mouth. The sub hadn't yelled out a safe word, so she didn't need help. Did she?

Hands behind his back, a DM strolled toward her, obviously listening for trouble. Kari relaxed slightly.

He spotted her. His gaze ran over her, lingered on her breasts, and stopped on her bracelet. With a grin, he pointed to the left. Kari saw a pink glow heading closer, and she gasped.

“Run, subbie,” the DM said, amusement in his voice, and waved her off.

Breasts bouncing, she ran, weaving through the clearings, trying to find a barrier to block the glow-stick light. She ran some more. Had it had been fifteen minutes? She turned a corner and froze at the sight of a pink bracelet moving across a clearing. Master Dan. His shadow reached toward her like a monster from underground, the cuffs clipped to his leathers rattling.

What if she hadn't used up all the time?

Struggling for breath, she fled, sprinting past more fountains, veering one way, then another. Past a man pounding into a woman on all fours, past a man with arms chained to a low branch.

A hand grabbed her wrist. She squeaked, yanked, and Sir's fingers slid off her oil-covered arm. She dashed away, but he seized her within a minute and again lost his hold.

A couple of yards farther, his body thudded into hers from behind, and his arms wrapped around her waist, securing her.

She struggled, trying to push his hands away. No success. Then she lifted her feet and dropped, sliding right out of his arms. She rolled, pushed to her knees.

With a laugh, he flattened her under his heavy body, knocking the wind out of her. “Sneaky little sub.”

With implacable hands, he flipped her onto her back. She started fighting again, instinctively trying to escape the hard hands holding her in place. His grip slipped, and he cursed, then straddled her, pinning her to the ground with his weight. Using his knee, he trapped one arm long enough to buckle a wrist cuff on. He did the other wrist and secured the cuffs together in front. He sat back on his haunches.

“Sweetheart, you're faster than a rabbit.” His eyes heated. “And very slick.” His hands stroked down her neck and her shoulder.

Holding her cuffs over her head with one hand, he kissed her hard, taking her mouth slowly. Thoroughly. His fingers played with her breasts, erotically slipping and sliding over her oily skin, toying with her nipples until her hunger grew overwhelming. When her hips tilted up toward him, he sat back and grinned wickedly.

The look in his eyes boded ill for her comfort level. What was he thinking? She glanced around the small, way-too-open clearing where fog drifted in small patches of white. No equipment, no benches, or crosses. Good. That was good.

When he rose to his feet, she made her move, rolling over and away. He snatched an ankle before she could rise and then wrapped a cuff around it. The other ankle got a cuff too.

She squirmed harder, and he chuckled. “Fight all you want, little sub. You're doomed.” Pulling her to her feet by the wrist cuffs, he led her across the clearing to a picturesque grouping of three trees. Trees, wrist cuffs—this didn't look good.

“This looks good,” he murmured. “Kneel.”

“Sir,” she whispered, bracing her feet. “There are people here.”

“How about that?” he whispered back. Grabbing her around the waist, he laid her flat and threw a leg over her to keep her in place. She pushed at him. Got nowhere.

“Put your hands over your head.”

Was he insane? “No.” She shook her head frantically. “Not here.”

He sighed and rolled her onto her side, pinning her legs between his own, and smacked her bottom, a hard, stinging blow. She barely managed to muffle her yelp.

“Put your hands over your head, Kari.” His hand stroked over her burning skin. “Or don't. I would enjoy spanking you first.”

He would too.

When he pushed her onto her back, she lifted her hands over her head, horrified at how vulnerable she felt. Outside. In public.

And yet, when he snapped the cuffs to a chain wrapped around the base of the tree, her breasts tightened and she dampened. As he rose to his feet, a quiver of panic went through her. Why had he put ankle cuffs on her? She looked around and realized chains circled the tree trunks with the ends dangling.

He grabbed her right ankle, lifting her leg into the air and snapping it to a chain that was waist high on the tree.

“No, Master. No.” She kicked at his hands. He laughed, snatched her other foot, and secured her left ankle to a chain on the other tree. Her legs now formed a narrow V in the air.

He rubbed his cheek and studied her. “Wider would be good.” Shortening the chain on the left tree, he reclipped her ankle cuff, pulling her legs farther apart. The misty air struck her wet labia like a shock of ice.

“I love being outdoors, don't you?” he said in a normal voice, kneeling between her legs.

“Shhh,” she whispered. “There are people around.”

“We're in the shadows. Mostly.” Then he chuckled, traced a finger through her wet folds, making her squirm. “However, if I'm any good at all, the entire garden will hear you scream when you come.”

Oh God. “I don't want to do this,” she hissed, glaring at him.