Page 7 of Inhuman Nature

“I think—” As DJ began to suggest that Rake intervene, the Dom made a few jerky motions and pulled back.

DJ got a better look at the sub’s face as the Dom tucked himself away. His pale eyes looked empty. At least his facehad hardly reddened, which DJ would have thought impossible, given how long he’d held his breath.

DJ should have known the worst was still to come, however.

The Dom pulled a pen from his pocket and wrote something across the sub’s cheeks, before giving him a pat on the head that looked anythingbutcaring.

And then the Dom walked away.

DJ followed the Dom’s progress through the club, Rake doing the same above him. There was a moment when he thought the Dom might be going to retrieve some aftercare items, but no. He joined a group of Doms DJ somewhat recognised, and left with them through the door to the exclusive area. DJ waited a beat before whipping his head back to the sub, who, as he’d thought, had been left completely alone.

“What the fuck?” Rake stood up so suddenly that DJ almost tipped over. “Sorry, sweetheart. It’s just… did that guy leave his sub by himself? That’s against the rules. You’re not supposed to do that.Ever.”

DJ stood on shaky legs. He’d barely realised he’d been kneeling for close to half an hour by that point. Even on a soft pillow, it still hurt. “I can’t see anyone else who’s in on the scene, can you? Like, he’s not left anyone looking after him?”

Rake shook his head, his fluffy black hair bouncing along with the movement. “There’s no one else. It’s against the rules.” Rake’s indignation would have been endearing if DJ hadn’t been so concerned for the other sub.

“I know, Sir. We should go over and see if he’s all right.”

That suggestion took the wind out of Rake’s sails, however. “We’re not supposed to get involved in someone else’sscene without their consent.”

“That asshole Dom revoked his right to consent when he left the room, and the sub can’t express his consent unless we ask him. So I say we do that. We have good reason to believe that someone has broken the rules. That means we should intervene, Sir.”

Trying to out-logic Rake was never easy, but the situation warranted it. Appealing to his dominant nature helped, but it was probably DJ pointing out the injustice that sealed the deal.

Rake nodded decisively. “Right. Come on, sweetheart.”

They hurried over to the sub, whose head hung low. He didn’t move, not even at their approach. DJ’s heart twisted in his chest. To leave anyone alone after a scene of that nature was beyond cruel, not to mention dangerous.

“Are you all right?” Rake used a softer tone than DJ had expected. For someone so strident, Rake knew how to come across as gentle when he needed to.

DJ fought to not outwardly react when the sub lifted his head. Combined with the sub’s desolate expression, the writing across his face readingfree use sluthad DJ squirming.

The sub looked between Rake and DJ, bewildered, his eyes flitting towards the room where his Dom had gone. DJ waited to see if he would give them any kind of answer to Rake’s question.

Of course, the sub couldn’t say much with the gag in, but he didn’t eventryto communicate with them.

“I’m going to take your gag out so that you can talk to me,” Rake declared.

That got the sub’s full attention. He shook his head fromside to side: a clear denial.

Rake hesitated, turning to DJ. “What should I do?”

Normally, DJ would say that Rake should listen. But DJ didn’t see in the sub a desire to keep the gag in to please his Dom, or because he was enjoying the treatment. All he saw was someone who truly feared any repercussions.

So, DJ knelt to face the sub directly, careful not to touch him. “We’ll only take it off for as long as necessary, okay? We want to check in on you.”

The sub appeared mollified by the promise, giving a hesitant nod. DJ looked at Rake, asking him silently to remove the gag, which Rake swiftly did.

Drool fell from the sub’s mouth as he stretched his jaw. DJ wanted to help him wipe it off, but he wouldn’t touch him without permission.

“Is someone here with you?” Rake asked.

The sub’s gaze rose to meet Rake’s before lowering again. “Yes, Sir,” he rasped.

“Are they in the room?” Rake prodded.

The sub glanced upwards. “My Master is in the other room, Sir.” His voice was stronger this time.