Page 102 of Wrapped in Their Arms

Bright felt sick—he knew what that meant.

He means to make us perform.

Noelle’s soft breath hitched beside him.Burn’sbody tensed like a spring drawn too tight.

Goddess, help us,Brightprayed.

And then they descended the stairs, one creaking step at a time, the darkness swallowing them like a beast swallowing its prey

57

NOELLE

Noelle’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic, trapped-bird rhythm that echoed in the silence of the winding stone staircase.Theair grew colder and damper as they descended—the only light coming from a faint, sickly green glow-strip along the wall.

Thune’s massive, three-headed form loomed behind them, his heavy, shuffling footsteps a constant, menacing reminder of their captivity.Thecontrol to the pain collars they wore was clutched in one of his huge, gnarled hands, a simple silver remote that held the power to send them all to their knees in agony.

What’s going to happen to us?Thequestion was a desperate, silent scream in her mind.Whatare we going to do if he tries something?

She didn’t even know what she meant by “something,” just that in this place, with this creature, it was bound to be terrible, humiliating, and painful.

The stairs finally ended, opening into a vast, cavernous room that swallowed all sound.Itwas pitch black untilThunegrunted and slapped a panel on the wall.Harsh, overhead lights flickered on, one after another, revealing the space in all its terrifying glory.

Noelle’s breath caught in her throat.Itlooked like a sex dungeon.She’dnever been in one, but the images fromBDSMerotica novels she’d guiltily read paled in comparison to the real, visceral presence of the equipment surrounding them.

The walls were rough-hewn stone, but anchored to them were polished steel racks displaying an array of intimidating implements.Floggerswith multiple tails of black leather and soft suede hung beside single-tail whips that looked like they could split skin.

There were paddles of various sizes and materials—smooth wood, perforated leather, even one that appeared to be made of thick, clear acrylic with holes drilled in it—presumably to cut wind resistance.

ASt.Andrew’scross, stark and imposing, dominated one wall, its restraints hanging open like waiting arms.Inanother corner stood a spanking bench, upholstered in black vinyl, with straps for wrists and ankles.

Suspension cuffs and heavy chains dangled from a reinforced beam in the ceiling, and glass-fronted cabinets held rows of gleaming metal clamps, plugs, and other devices whose purposes she could only guess at—their cold, clinical appearance at odds with the raw sensuality they implied.

The air smelled of old stone, oiled leather, and a faint, coppery tang that might have been blood.

In the very center of the room, sitting directly on the cold stone floor, was an enormous, low-profile mattress, covered in plain black fabric.ToNoelle, it looked like an altar.Atthe far end of the room was a large, overstuffed couch clearly built for someoneThune’ssize.Perchedon one arm was a sleek, mechanical drone, its single, unblinking red eye dark.Infront of the couch was a large viewscreen, currently blank.

Thune settled his immense bulk onto the couch with a groan that shook the floor, his three heads bobbing in unison.Thesprings protested loudly.

“Now then, piggy-wigs,” the middle head rumbled, its voice a grating bass that vibrated inNoelle’sbones.“Thethree of you are about to have some fun.”

As he spoke, the drone on the arm of the couch whirred to life, its red eye glowing.Itrose silently into the air and floated towards them, coming to hover just overhead.Simultaneously, the viewscreen flickered on, displaying a crisp, high-definition image of the three of them from the drone’s perspective.Noellesaw herself, pale and wide-eyed, flanked by the tense, shirtless forms ofBrightandBurn.It’sa camera.He’sfilming us.

“Now get on the mattress,” theTrolloxcommanded.“Yes, all three of you.Oh, but first, take off your clothes—we want to be able to see your pretty little bodies.”

A violent shiver wrackedNoelle’sframe.Shedidn’t want to get nude—the thin fabric of her dress wasn’t much cover, but it was better than no protection at all.

Thune noticed her hesitation.Heraised the silver remote and waved it menacingly.Alow, warning hum emanated from the collars around their necks.

“Come now, piggy-wigs—show us what we want to see.”

The three of them exchanged a look of shared dread and grim resignation.Burn’sjaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek.Bright’sface was a mask of controlled fury.

ButNoelledidn’t want to be shocked again.Thememory of the searing, incapacitating pain was too fresh.Withtrembling fingers, she reached for the fastenings of her dress.Thesoft rustle of fabric was deafening in the quiet room as she let it fall to the floor, leaving her standing completely bare.

A moment later, she heard the rustling sounds ofBrightandBurndiscarding their own trousers.Thecool, damp air raised goosebumps on her naked skin, and she fought the urge to cover her breasts and the triangle of dark curls between her legs, knowing she would only shock herself if she did, thanks to the non-contact collar she wore

“Good, good,”Thunegrated, his six eyes roving over their bodies with clinical appraisal.“Nowthen,Iknow the three of you have to be all together in order to breed, but we think it would be good to see you in pairs to start with.Let’ssee…which of you has the biggest equipment?”