Page 72

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” He slowly straightens and stands up like a panther ready to pounce. “If you are into certain kinks.” He takes a sip from his glass before adding, “The submissive kind.” His teeth shine under the rose lights.

“Sounds good,” I hear myself reply.

If he dominates me, I’ll become helpless, thoughtless. I won’t keep replaying that awful scene over and over in my head. In front of my eyes.

I see a sink on the right and go wash my face and mouth.

“No sex,” I tell him as I dry my hands.

“How can I not oblige? But know that I’d be willing if you reconsider,” he clarifies. “Safe word?”

I know what he’s talking about, and I don’t need to think too hard. “Four.”

“Four. Alright. Take off your clothes, leave the underwear on.”

Uri’s familiar scent washes over my senses as I remove my sweater and shirt, but the memory of him with that guy makes me move faster. My mind is reeling.

Am I really doing this?

“Red lace. Nice. Kneel on the bed. Arms out.” As I do what he orders, I notice he took the robe he was wearing off, and now he’s only in his blue silk boxers.

He ties my hand to the bed’s headboard tight enough to hurt. It feels good and off at the same time.

His thumb brushes over the number four burned on my inner wrist. “A lucky number, perhaps?” he asks me, still sporting that wolfish smile.

“The opposite,” I mutter.

His low whisper reaches my left ear. “You’re about to experience paradise.” Something cold brushes my back. It’s smooth and flat. “Just do what I fucking say.”

His voice feels wrong. Bile is coming up my throat again, but I stay put. I need this. Need to erase Uri from my head.

“Give me the pain,” I let out between gritted teeth.

“As you wish.” I can hear the delight in his tone.

Twenty-two years ago

Project: Blood Assassin

Subject: Seven

Day 700

Time 18:03

Subject Seven’s experiment is showing promise.

Pain seems to amuse the Subject. Inflicting it, not receiving it.

One of the guards entered Seven’s cell today to give him his daily corporal beating. The electric rod was defective, and the Subject took advantage of the situation, using a loose brick to hit the guard in the head. Then Seven proceeded to zap him in the face, stomach, and groin. The satisfied smile and eagerness in the Subject’s eyes were proof enough of Seven’s deep gratification in causing the guard’s suffering. We can trigger more events in the future and decide from there how to proceed.

The Subject is also an innate manipulator. Seven has a good read on people, using their weaknesses against them. It could be troublesome, but I believe we can turn it to our advantage with some extra coercion.

What is concerning is Seven’s impulsiveness, stubbornness, and rebellious behavior, which are all prolonging some phases of the experiment. We need to find a better way to subdue the Subject.

So many interesting possibilities to explore and force on him.

nine