Black on Black

Title: Black on Black

A/N: Novel-verse rather than anime-verse, I'm a canon-nazi about staying in character and a fanatic about the novel. Fic based on the song, Black on Black by Dalbello.


The view was nothing less than magnificent, a vast expanse of silver and blinding white reflection. Breathtaking in its beauty, intimidating with its precision, this view of the city was the pride of a privileged few. During the day, the cool shadows etched geometric patterns on the structures of glass and steel, a pristine and precise artwork designed to emphasize its own matchless perfection. The sun glittered on the sharp edges of buildings engineered to be masterworks of function and utilitarian grace.

He wondered if Tanagura had been designed with this particular view in mind. Although the clean lines of the city were an aesthetic achievement in harmony and cool logic, it was a brutal kind of fascination that drew him again and again to stare down from these lofty heights. It compelled him to stand here with the wind lifting his black hair like a seductress, beckoning him with the false promises of freedom.

Not that he was about to fall, he wasn’t seduced quite yet, or desperate enough to throw himself from the edge of Iason’s penthouse balcony. If he even hinted about it, cast his gaze longingly towards the ground as if expecting someday to meet it up close and personal, he was sure that he’d find the unbreakable glass doors locked and the whisper of a breeze he’d come to cherish would be a memory.

It wasn’t desperation or despair that made Riki stalk the sky above Tanagura. It wasn’t the illusion of freedom or the false harmony of perfection that drew him either. Instead it was only the wind, pure and sweet here so far from the slums of Ceres, and the reminder that this was not where he belonged. Without that daily reminder, he might someday forget the truth. That for all its privilege and lush accommodations, a prison was nothing but a prison.

With one last look at the sky, Riki sighed and stretched his arms above his head in a gesture of supplication. As if he begged the gods for their assistance and received no answer, Riki shrugged and went inside.

***

Although unaware that he was being observed, Riki’s gesture wasn’t lost on Orphe. Guiding the remote cameras to focus in close on the pet’s face, even an android could define the expression of bitter resignation. Still, it was worthy to note that the pet’s current behavior seemed quite docile when compared to his first years of residence in Eos. However, considering it was this particular pet, nothing could be assumed. Resigned or not, Riki looked far from beaten into submission.

“As I have said before, this pet of yours is an interesting creature, Iason.”

Gracious as was befitting his rank, Iason nodded, accepting the compliment that was truly no compliment. “He does have his moments.”

Orphe raised an elegant eyebrow. “Doesn’t it concern you that he spends so much of his time out there? With all the amusements available in Eos, he chooses to isolate himself on your veranda?”

“It does not concern me.” In fact, Iason looked quite frankly bored by the subject. “As I have informed him, he is free to go where he wishes within Eos as long as he doesn’t disrupt the others. What he does with his time is hardly something I dwell upon.”

As administrator of Eos, it was something that Orphe had found to be a continuing headache. Settling himself on the white sofa across from Iason, he crossed his legs and leaned back, affecting an expression of mild annoyance. “You expect matters to be resolved at this point? Iason, please don’t joke.”

Raising his eyes, Iason’s lips curved in a slight smile. “You should know me better than that.” He reached for a pale glass of wine, holding the delicate stem between his fingers as he inspected the vintage. “Don’t tell me you’ve been listening to idle gossip, Orphe.”

“It’s not idle or gossip this time,” Orphe said, his voice stern. “I’ve had complaints about that little show you put on last month. Pets are supposed to be the attraction of a coming-out party, not their owners.”

Placid to the point of chilling the room several degrees, Iason met Orphe’s eyes directly. “What is it that you want me to say? I conceded to your demand that Riki attend the coming-out party and be placed on display with the other newcomers. Everyone had their chance to take a nice long look and as you saw, he’s completely under my control.”

Orphe frowned. That Riki was under Iason’s control was undisputed, but no one had missed the unusual intimacy that seemed to exist between master and pet. The rumors had faded during Riki’s absence, but now that he had returned so had the gossip. Love bites decorated the mongrel’s body like declarations of ownership and the strangely erotic defiance that blistered the air when Riki was near Iason was not something that Orphe thought should continue unchecked.

“So becoming the subject of disgusting scandal and rumor is nothing to you?”

Iason sipped from his glass, taking his time to answer the question. That Orphe refused the voice the actual rumor was something of an amusement and he enjoyed the other Blondie’s consternation. “I have done nothing so inappropriate in public,” he said mildly, stressing the last word with a subtle emphasis that spoke volumes. “Speculations on my sex life are quite vulgar, wouldn’t you agree?”

Orphe stared at him. “So you admit that you’re sleeping with that…thing? Really, Iason, your diversions are too perverse!”

“I don’t recall asking your opinion,” Iason said, the menace in his tone like a blade hidden under a pillow. “Not you or any other Blondie in Tanagura has the right to dictate my private affairs.”

Standing, Iason crossed the room to examine a detailed map of Tanagura, superimposed over a less precise rendering of Midas and the surrounding facilities. With a touch of his finger, the maps flowed and combined, real-time information scrolling at the rate only a Blondie could comprehend. Glancing over his shoulder at the annoyed Orphe, he tapped the center of the map’s screen and a schematic of Jupiter Tower appeared with Eos Tower behind it.

“As long as I perform my duties to the specifications required by Jupiter,” he said without trying to disguise his contempt, “matters of social custom are below consideration. Don’t you agree, administrator Orphe?”

The significance of Iason’s display wasn’t lost on Orphe, not any more than cool disdain of his tone. Iason answered to Jupiter directly, just as Orphe himself did. And as long as that ultimate authority remained unconcerned with Iason’s disgraceful habits, whatever Orphe or the other Blondies thought did not mean anything to Iason.

“I do agree,” Orphe said quietly, conceding the discussion as concluded. As expected, Iason was going to obstinate and unreasonable, which was why the other Blondies including himself would continue to tacitly ignore the issue. When it came down to fact, Iason’s odd relationship with his pet did not affect the day to day operations of Tanagura or its sovereign rule over Midas and the rest of Amoy.

And Iason knew there was nothing they could do about it. However, as Iason had his duties, so did Orphe. Rising from his seat and folding his arms over his chest, he decided it was time to use his authority as administrator of Eos and by extension of that authority, administrator of Pet Law.

“Iason, I believe you agreed to certain stipulations when you requested to bring Riki back to Eos Tower.”

“I did.”

“I’m so pleased you remember.” Orphe looked anything but pleased. “You agreed to monitor his behavior, see that he conducts himself within certain perimeters and does not cause undue upset to the social structure of the pets.”

“And I have done so,” Iason retorted, waving his hand in an elegant gesture to include all of Eos. “As promised, my mongrel pet has come to heel. No fights, no destruction of property, and he even attended his second coming-out party as you requested.”

Orphe gave Iason a severe look. “But he has upset the social order of Eos, Iason. Since his debut, I have received no less than twenty formal complaints and at least a dozen informal inquiries.”

“Regarding Riki?”

Smiling demurely, Orphe moved in for the kill. “The pets are in something of an uproar. Their owners have extended multiple invitations to you for Riki’s appearance at a sex soiree. Since you’ve refused each and every invite, there are some hurt feelings.”

Iason leaned against the wall, nonchalant and unaffected. “Hardly my concern,” he said in a deceptively light manner. “The sore vanity of spoiled love dolls does not fall under the scope of my duties.”

“It does mine,” Orphe said, smiling with false sincerity. “I can’t ignore the complaints of the owners. Your inclination to keep Riki to yourself wasn’t a problem in the past, none of the pets wanted to be anywhere near a slum mongrel. However, in light of his returned status and that erotic display at the cotillion, it seems they’ve decided your pet is a rare delicacy they should sample.”

Iason’s face was expressionless as he absorbed the implications of Orphe’s comments. “Is it not an owner’s discretion where and how to mate their pet? I have done nothing outside convention by being selective. It’s perfectly within my right to refuse.”

Laughing softly, Orphe crossed the room to open the door for Iason, signaling his final decision on the matter. “Of course it’s within your right, Iason. That’s not disputed. However, you promised me that he wouldn’t be the source of any disruption. You can fulfill that obligation by having him attend a sex soiree within the next few days.

“And, Iason,” Orphe continued, smiling with gentle admonishment, “by attending I mean attend and participate fully. As you’ve demonstrated the fascinating properties of his pet ring, I have no doubt that Riki will be able to rise to such an occasion.”

***

Muttering curses under his breath, Riki sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the door. Four freaking days he’d been locked in his room and damned if he knew why. He wasn’t allowed to roam the rest of the extensive penthouse apartment, wasn’t allowed to sit outside on the balcony. Not that he’d had much interest in going to any of the salons or gyms that the other pets frequented, but he was mad as hell that he was under house arrest for no good reason.

He’d just woken up one morning to find his door locked, that was all. Cal apologized every time he called, but even the furniture wasn’t able to open the door. His meals were delivered through the wall service and his room had its own bath. His only diversion was the selection of videos and games available on his entertainment unit, but he’d already given up in disgust. The games were simple, childish, and designed to coddle the weak egos of pampered pets. The videos were just as bad, just slush for brains that were never designed to think for themselves.

He was going to go stir crazy soon, he just knew it.

“What the fuck did I do this time?” he muttered, flopping back on the bed with an exasperated groan. Not that this was the worst of the worst, Iason was getting more creative all the time when it came to sadistic ways to punish him. Induced madness by boredom hardly ranked up there when a guy could be fucked almost to death.

On top of that, his dick was hard all the time. He had an erection that just wouldn’t ease up, leaving him uncomfortably, embarrassingly aroused. Horny fantasies flicked through his waking thoughts until he was ready to scream and he couldn’t even roll over in his sleep without his dick yelping for his attention. Not that he could do anything about it, he could jerk off until his hands cramped up and his penis was raw, but release was specifically denied.

Iason Mink was a first class Blondie bastard.

To distract himself from sexual thoughts that only made the ultimate hard-on more difficult to bear, he indulged in graphic fantasies of violence. Smashing both fists into the Blondie’s face and actually doing some real damage. Iason beheaded and left in a pool of blood. Iason with his dick chopped off and rammed up his own ass was another favorite, although thinking about that one usually got Riki a little too excited and defeated the purpose.

Yeah, he’d love to see Iason on the receiving end of a Ceres-style party. Gang-raped until he was bleeding from both ends, screaming for mercy and beaten to an unrecognizable pulp. Riki had seen more than his share of slum violence, but even as leader of Bison he’d never participated in such depravity. His thoughts on the subject, and Guy’s, were that a quick, decisive victory was better than a messy revenge.

In the slums, you gave back what you were given twice as hard. Payback was more than a necessity, it was simple survival. Riki didn’t believe in giving anyone a second chance to get the jump on him.

Hell. No.

If anyone had ever deserved a brutal, humiliating death…Iason was right at the top of the list.

Just as he was retreating into his favorite fantasy, the one where he hacked off Iason’s testicles and fed them to the Blondie with a fork, a soft chime signaled for his attention. Riki sat up, glaring at the door until it silently slid open.

“Fucking prick!” Quick as a flash, Riki was on his feet to confront Iason. “What’s the deal?” he demanded angrily. “Why keep me locked up in here for fucking days? This your idea of entertainment, asshole?”

Sullen as frozen steel, Iason met his anger with a smile that never reached his eyes. “And here I thought solitude might have improved your manners. Seems not to be the case, doesn’t it?”

“Seems not,” Riki bit out furiously. “Four days you keep me caged up, not a fucking word about why!” Still fuming, he pointed at his crotch where evidence of his frustration was straining for Iason’s attention. “And what’s with this? Some kinda game you’re playing?”

Iason’s mouth twisted to the side, amused by Riki’s outrage. “You haven’t been enjoying yourself?”

“You know I’m not,” Riki hissed, his eyes narrowing into slits of jet-black anger. “Turn the goddamn thing off already!”

“Certainly.” Riki’s blood pressure suddenly dropped, the painful arousal was cut off like a switch and replaced with an aching cold void that was the very opposite of satisfaction. With a groan, he fell to his knees and clutched his groin. After four days of intense arousal and no relief, the sudden lack of sensation was like a blow to his privates.

Iason smirked. “So easy to bring you to your knees these days, isn’t it? Where’s all that mongrel pride now?” He took a handful of Riki’s hair and yanked his head back, forcing the angry human to meet his eyes. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Fuck you,” Riki said, lips trembling. The pet ring was like a weight around the base of his cock, a burden too heavy to bear. Provoking Iason was useless, but he just couldn’t help himself. Staring into those beautiful eyes of the coldest blue, he found himself thinking again of the brilliant sky above Tanagura.

Freedom or its illusion was still his demon and his savior.

Iason frowned, studying Riki’s face. He released the mongrel’s hair, dropping his head with a disinterested expression that was entirely feigned. “Clean yourself up,” he instructed. “I expect you to be ready in thirty minutes. Cal will be along to help you dress.”

“Why?” Riki’s voice was still rough, scowling at the floor and wishing a thousand deaths for Iason Mink.

Pausing at the door, Iason didn’t look back at Riki. “Only an informal gathering we must attend,” he murmured, a slight twist to his lips that the mongrel couldn’t see. “I expect you to find it quite dull.”

***

Scrubbed and groomed, but otherwise unadorned by any of the paints or perfumes favored by most pets, Riki stood quietly at Iason’s side. Although he wanted to know what the hell was going on, he could tell already that Iason was in an extremely bad temper. Moody bastard for a Blondie, but especially dangerous when he was like this.

If you didn’t know what to look for, you’d never see it. Iason barely glanced at him when Cal fastened the pet collar around Riki’s neck, taking the platinum braided leash almost like an afterthought. To anyone else, he appeared serenely composed, placid to the point of indifference, and the embodiment of harmony and grace.

In short, a perfect Blondie master of Tanagura.

However, because Riki had seen Iason’s true nature more times than he cared to remember, he wasn’t fooled by the act. The elegant fingers that held the leash were hard with tension, the faint half-smile on his lips looked like it was carved from stone. And his eyes glinted like sharp blades in ice, ready to disembowel the unwary creature that caught their attention.

It made the hair on the back of Riki’s neck stand straight up. The vague unease he’d felt before had only increased when he’d gotten dressed. Unlike the formal coming-out party from last month, he wasn’t dressed to impress. The clothes were faded gray trousers that looked like they’d been salvaged from a garbage heap and an ill-fitting jacket over a stained t-shirt.

Clothes like this wouldn’t look out of place in Ceres, but he’d stick out like a sore thumb among the gaudy citizens of Midas. Dressed like a bum from the slums, he could imagine the snickers and jeers he’d get from the other residents of Eos Tower.

He caught sight of Cal’s horrified expression before the furniture could duck away from his accusing stare. Iason didn’t insist on dressing him up in any of the spangles and sheer costumes that other pets paraded around in, but this had to be some kind of sick joke at his expense.

“What kind of party is this?” he muttered as Iason led him into a lift.

For a long moment, the Blondie seemed inclined not answer. Riki sighed, watching as the lights on the display flickered and counting off the levels of their descent until a soft chime signaled their arrival.

“In Eos, there is only one kind of party.” Riki jumped when he felt the Blondie’s hand on the back on his neck, hard fingers digging into his flesh until he winced and tried to pull away from the pain.

“Behave yourself,” Iason whispered as he twisted the back of Riki’s hair. “Do as you are told and keep your mouth shut. Even slum trash should be able to handle that much, don’t you think?”

“All right,” Riki muttered, holding back a yelp when Iason gave him a quick shake. “I fucking said all right! What’s your problem tonight?”

Ignoring the question, Iason said nothing else as the doors of the lift opened. The sounds of music and high-pitched laughter greeted them, startling Riki so much that he involuntarily took a step backwards just as Iason pulled the leash tight. Iason raised an eyebrow and Riki a condescending look that seemed to say Already? as if he’d overestimated the mongrel’s ability to behave properly.

Biting his tongue, Riki followed Iason as if he was being escorted to his own funeral. He knew what was going on now, another stupid mating party. It wasn’t the first time he’d been dragged along to one of these events, forced to sit at Iason’s feet while the pets made fools of themselves. Paired off or in small clusters of threesomes and foursomes, high on the heavy-duty aphrodisiacs or just drunk on intoxicants, they’d screw for hours and eventually pass out on the floor in a wet mess.

At least he wasn’t expected to participate. Bad enough that Iason could turn his body into a quivering puddle of lust against his will, the hot shame of being screwed in public would probably kill him. Who would let a dirty slum mongrel near their expensive love toys anyway? Without a pedigree or invitation, he was an unlikely possibility and unattractive for their sex games.

“There you are, Iason. Fashionably late or were you just trying to sneak in unobserved?”

Riki stiffened at the sound of Orphe’s voice, his spine gone rigid and defensive. He had developed a rather intense dislike for this particular Blondie, the one who ran Eos and administered to the business of its pets. Although he’d never once spoken to Riki directly, every word he’d heard out of this guy’s mouth was a calculated insult covered in warm honey. Orphe seemed to consider Riki’s very existence as an offense against Blondie sensibilities, a blemish on the perfect face of Tanagura itself.

Of course that was a sentiment shared by anyone not born in the slums, but Riki knew an enemy when he made one. Hating Riki wasn’t just a matter of principal for Orphe, it was personal.

“Sneak in?” Iason sounded magnificently amused by the question. “How can you say so when I’ve brought your guest of honor? I trust all the arrangements have been made?”

Guest of honor? What the hell is going on?

“Exactly as you have requested,” Orphe replied, sounding quite amused. “You really do nothing halfway, Iason. Everyone is intensely curious about what you’ve got planned for him.”

Riki went cold inside, the uneasy feeling suddenly blossoming into anger. His face flushed, his lips tightened over his teeth as he bit down hard on the instinct to fight. Fists clenched, he took a deep breath and glared at Iason.

“What is he talking about?” the mongrel growled.

Iason laughed softly for Orphe’s benefit. “This time I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed,” he said, his false smile brittle as cracked ice. “Since you insist on a show to placate your concerns, I intend to provide one.”

Delighted, Orphe made an elaborate gesture for Iason and Riki to follow him. Riki planted his feet, gripping the leash in his fist when Iason tried to pull him along. “Not so damn fast,” he said, glaring daggers at the Blondie. “What’s going on?”

Iason seized his arm, nearly yanking Riki off his feet. “I said to do as you’re told,” he said, making the threat plain. “Do not forget that your body is my property, Riki. You belong to me, no one else. Even tonight, I do not intend to let you forget it.”

***

His arms bound above his head, Riki focused all of his rage and humiliation into a fixed glare of pure black hatred. Iason, for his part, was completely unaffected to be the recipient of such undisguised loathing. If anything, he seemed pleased to have earned his pet’s absolute contempt. Watching from the sidelines, Orphe shook his head and wondered again at the strangeness of Iason’s tastes.

A slum mongrel should know his place. And if lifted from that place like a rat fished from a squalid sewer, you’d think he would be grateful to his benefactor. Iason nearly had to drag the thing in by the scruff of his neck, enduring the most vulgar of language with uncharacteristic fortitude. When two the furniture assigned to this occasion hurried forward to bind the mongrel, he actually broke free and took a swing at Iason’s face.

A pet attempting to strike its master? The sheer absurdity of the situation was enough to even make a Blondie hesitate. Such violence could not be tolerated in Eos, especially not in the public setting of a sex soiree.

“I will expect you to pay restitution if he damages any of the others.”

Iason openly smirked at him. “Afraid for your reputation, Orphe? You did insist that he attend your party. Doesn’t the responsibility lie with the host?”

Orphe wasn’t amused. “Irresponsible owners are held accountable,” he said in a light tone, looking away from the mongrel’s fierce glare. “I’d hate to rescind his license.”

Ignoring the veiled threat, Iason waved the attending furniture away from Riki. They’d bound his hands above his head as instructed, secured his ankles with short chains so that he was unable to kick anyone. As requested, an A-frame metal stand had been bolted to the floor, sturdy enough to restrain his aggressive behavior. Although still fully clothed, Riki’s body rippled as he flexed his muscles, straining against the bonds as if tempered steel and synthetic ropes could be broken by his willpower alone.

The wild beast, prowling behind the iron bars, unbroken and unbowed. A magnificent display for the eyes of all, Riki was anything but a trembling virgin or frightened sacrificial lamb.

“If you were going for bondage, you could have at least dressed him appropriately,” Orphe sniped, annoyed by Iason’s preoccupation.

“He is what you see,” Iason murmured, not taking his eyes from Riki’s angry face. “Bad-tempered and aggressive, really one to bite the hand that feeds him. But isn’t a mongrel from the gutter far more interesting than a pampered lapdog?”

Uneasy, Orphe wasn’t sure he agreed. Interesting was fine, but dangerous was another. “He’ll terrify the other pets with that vicious glare of his.”

“I’ve thought of that.”

Riki bared his teeth as Iason approached him, a snarl on his lips when the Blondie stopped to slip something from his pocket. “What are you up to, bastard? Quit fucking around already, I’m sick of your stupid games!”

“I’m sure you are,” Iason said, his tone almost affectionate. “I thought I told you to behave yourself and do as you’re told. You’ve only brought this upon yourself, Riki.”

Riki lunged at him, swearing when the chains didn’t let him kick or swing his arms. “Get me out of here,” he growled, his eyes wide with useless fury. When Iason leaned close to caress the mongrel’s cheek, Riki twisted his face away in disgust. Iason lazily ran a gloved fingertip down the mongrel’s chest, smiling at the sudden gasp when he rubbed Riki’s nipple through the thin t-shirt.

“Nothing to say?” Riki squeezed his eyes shut, his mouth trembling as Iason pinched the flesh until the nipple hardened. “Won’t even look at me now?”

Smiling darkly to himself, Iason brushed Riki’s hair away from his forehead. “Have it your way then,” he murmured, sliding a blindfold over the mongrel’s eyes. Riki jerked, trying to twist away from Iason’s hands, but the Blondie held him by the hair until the blindfold was securely in place.

Starting to panic, Riki was already breathing hard. “Take it off,” he pleaded, his voice rough and distressed. Anger and pride were deserting him quickly, not being able to see what was coming at him was an old fear. He hated the darkness and more than that, he hated being alone in the darkness while others watched.

“Don’t worry so much,” Iason’s voice was a gentle whisper that did nothing to calm his fear. “I won’t let you forget who you really belong to.”

Something cold and metallic slipped into his ears, blocking all surrounding sounds. Blind and now deaf, Riki swallowed hard against the rising terror. This wasn’t happening, he was trapped and vulnerable…unable to defend himself. No means to fight back, Iason always had the upper hand and enjoyed burning that fact into his skin like red-hot brand.

“No…” His panic rose from a whisper in his mind to a piercing scream. “No!”

Some things are so…sacred…

Iason’s voice. Riki caught his breath, bit back the fear like biting down on his own tongue. He could hear Iason’s voice…in his mind.

***

Like all the salons within Eos Tower, this one was luxurious and understated at the same time. The raised dais in the center of the room was padded by layers of thick carpeting, decadently soft in order to prevent abrasions on the delicate skin of pets. Plump cushions of varied size and color were scattered around the “playground” as it was affectionately called, while attending furniture stood ready to dispense refreshments or sexual stimulants on demand.

Seated in the viewing area reserved for the highest ranking elites, Iason nodded but did not smile as other owners tried to catch his eye. They filed into the room in small groups, whispering with an excited tenor in their voices and eyes alight with expectation for the evening’s entertainment. If any of them had been lucky enough to meet the gaze of the powerful Blondie, they would have felt an unusual tremor in their android bodies at the chill in his eyes.

It was a social coup for the administrators and bureaucrats of Tanagura to find themselves here at a Blondie’s invitation. Among them there were many sly glances and whispers about whose pet would be selected to mate with Iason Mink’s notorious mongrel. Ordinarily, only the best pedigreed pets were deemed acceptable for a Blondie and exclusively mated to each other as a matter of course.

However, of the thirteen ruling Blondies, only two were in attendance tonight, and only one of them had brought his pet.

More congenial than his companion, Orphe sat at his ease beside Iason and sipped from a glass of deep red wine. As the other owners took their seats, he watched Iason closely for any hint of what was to come. There was quite a bit of murmuring and questioning glances thrown their way, as the center pavilion was mysteriously dark, a draped pillar at its center. He smiled to himself, amused by Iason’s flair for the dramatic.

“Rather quiet, isn’t he?”

Iason didn’t look at him. “Gagged, actually. I warned him about keeping his mouth shut, but…”

Whatever Iason was about to say was interrupted by the sound of giggling and sweet, high-pitched voices. Escorted by a properly deferential piece of furniture, a group of young female pets was entering the room. Blushing eagerly, their charmingly inadequate garments were sheer to leave nothing to the imagination. Every slender figure was graceful, limbs delicate and perfectly proportioned, their eyes were bright and their hair glistened in the soft lighting.

As the pets assembled on the raised dais, unconsciously posing and preening for their owners’ appreciation, Iason remained expressionless and silent. Orphe found his sour temper to be rather ungracious under the circumstances and leaned over to nudge the Blondie with his elbow.

“So tell me,” he said, his eyes glittering with a hint of malice. “Which pet have you chosen to mate with your mongrel, Iason?”

Iason raised his hand to signal the furniture at the nearest edge of the pavilion. From above, a blinding light bathed the dais and cast the rest of the salon into shadow. A shudder of expectation rippled over the crowd like an earthquake and a code of silence stilled their voices. Eyes turned toward the draped figure at the center as a solemn faced furniture approached to unveil the guest of honor.

“Which pet?” Iason asked, sliding his gaze sideways to look at Orphe. “You mean, which invitation did I accept for him?”

“That is the idea of a soiree, Iason.”

Smiling that strange, dark smile again, Iason leaned back in his chair. “All of them.”

***

His arms were shaking from tension, his muscles ached from being bound. He’d cursed and spat and called Iason a bastard pervert until he’d been gagged. Riki couldn’t see anything, hear anything and now his mouth was parched. His rage was a dry desert wind, scorching his thoughts and making him lightheaded. Just how long was he expected to stand here?

Riki thought he could feel the gazes running over his body, his nerves stung just from the thought of them all watching him. Dread licked his back with cold sweat and he gnawed angrily at his gag until his jaw hurt. He could take anything they wanted to dish out, if he could only see it coming! He twisted against the ropes, not giving a damn what if those elite bastards were enjoying the sight of a slum mongrel strung up on display.

He must have seriously pissed off Iason to have earned this, but he couldn’t think of how. Mouthing off in public had earned him serious punishment in the past, made to wallow in his own debasement and writhe on Iason’s cock until he screamed. Riki couldn’t think of what might come next, but Iason’s casual threats about being put in a violent sex show were foremost in his mind.

Had to be it, bastard was going to have him raped in public so they could all get a good laugh at his humiliation. Only…it didn’t seem right. The angriest he’d ever seen the Blondie was when he’d been caught screwing Mimea behind Iason’s back and he didn’t think it was because he had messed up another Blondie’s breeding plans.

He’d been honestly scared then, the cold and violent expression in Iason’s eyes terrified him to the bone. Riki had sworn in that moment that he was about to die and said his goodbyes to the living world. Unexpectedly, Iason let him live and Riki had nursed his wounds with the vow to escape, no matter the cost.

In the end, it had cost him dearly. The illusion of freedom for eighteen months coupled with the hollow ache of despair had been a cruel trick, a masterful plot by the Blondie to drive home the point that he held all the cards. Iason pulled the strings, Riki danced to his tune. It was that simple.

Contemplating that fact, Riki jerked when he felt a sudden breeze like the shroud over him had just been lifted. He hadn’t realized he was covered, unable to see or hear or speak. Now the air licked over his body and made his skin crawl. He twisted his head, yanking hard on the ropes until he felt them dig into his wrists…and waited.

Pain next? A beating, lashed by a whip? Clothing to be torn off and something sharp and massive shoved in his ass? What kind of torture was Iason planning?

He flinched at the first soft touch, a hand gliding under his shirt to caress his stomach. At first it was tentative, hesitant really, and far too delicate to belong to Iason. Riki kept still, sweat cooling on the back of his neck as another pair of hands explored him. It didn’t hurt, but he still twisted away from those seeking fingers like they were made of fire.

Suddenly, the gag was pulled from his mouth and he coughed, startled by the freedom to swallow and breathe freely. “What the hell,” he whispered, those light fingers tracing the line of his jaw and neck.

They say that opposites attract, so very strange.

He hissed when a moist tongue was dragged across his right nipple, probing and sucking eagerly. That also didn’t feel like Iason, he was quite familiar with how the Blondie liked to play with his body. Another mouth joined the first and Riki shuddered. These lips were soft, silken and supple, very skilled as they brought the sensitive skin to a flushed stiffness. Just a graze of teeth and he groaned out loud, going weak in the knees at the delicious sensation.

Hands on his legs and back, caressing, claiming. More lips joined in, nipping at his chest and belly, teasing him with their intent attacks. Riki didn’t know what was going on, but he was starting to get hard enough that it was uncomfortable. There were at dozen hands on him, pinching and tweaking, lips nibbling at his flesh as if the taste was irresistible. Soft hands, growing more insistent as they pulled at his clothes and Riki’s head fell back, his mouth slack as they dragged at his trousers until he felt the heavy material slide down his legs.

Holy hell, how many of them were on him?

Now is that the way to accept the kindness of strangers?

“Shit,” he whispered, Iason’s voice echoing in his brain. “What the hell are you doing to me?”

That’s a leading question.

The voice in his head sounded cool and bemused, but a shiver went down Riki’s spine just the same as the multiple hands groped at his groin. His cock was hard as stone now and when he felt two, no, three tongues start licking, he whimpered and thrust his hips helplessly.

Don’t you even think of coming before I tell you to.

Riki’s body clenched automatically, reacting to the teasing threat in his mind rather than the warm and moist attentions on his cock. Hard as he was and straining for each sucking lick, the silken heat of the mouths was irresistible temptation. However, his body had been trained by a true master of delayed gratification and he ground his teeth together in an effort to obey Iason’s command.

Ah, the power of suggestion. That’s a good boy.

“Shut up,” Riki hissed, the urge to come like acid in the back of his throat. His cock was engulfed by a hot mouth at that moment and he felt tongues snaking around his balls. All this while his body was being groped, touched, plundered even from behind by a delicate finger. He rose up on the balls of his feet, straining as the muscles of his thighs contracted in hard spasms.

“Asshole! Let me come already!”

I don’t want to make you feel guilty, but are you a little short of breath?

Hanging his head and gasping for air, Riki trembled as he desperately fought back the orgasm.

***

Orphe leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees in a distracted manner. A dozen female pets were all over the mongrel now, sucking and nipping at every inch of his body. Riki was swearing and cursing Iason with every other breath. It was confusing. A pet’s duty was to accept the pleasures offered to him, not to snarl and refuse to come.

“Your pet truly does not know how to behave, Iason.”

Smiling into a glass of wine, Iason wasn’t even watching the show. “On the contrary, he’s been very well trained. What good is a pet that can be brought to climax too easily?”

The pets were getting frantic, indulging themselves and using all their skills on the stubborn slum mongrel. Even to the point of penetrating his anus with their fingers, deep-throating his cock continuously, while Riki only growled and panted hard like a dog. His erection looked rather painful, and in Orphe’s clinical opinion it was self-induced torment.

Casting a sly glance at the gathered audience, Orphe saw that they were shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The female pets continued to whine softly, moaning and touching themselves as they took turns trying to suck Riki off, their frustration starting to leave angry welts on the mongrel’s skin. Riki was panting like an animal, sweat pouring down his flushed face, every muscle trembling with desperation and lust.

“Iason!” Riki writhed, his need so raw that no one in the room had any doubt who was the mongrel’s true master. “Iason, please!”

Satisfied, Iason leaned forward to set his glass on the table and gave Orphe a wicked smile.

“Time to let him off the hook, I suppose.”

The collected owners gasped as one when the ropes suddenly released, sending Riki to the floor with a startled cry. After being suspended so long, his arms and legs were useless and the aroused females attacked with carnal frenzy. Shoving each other, girlish shrieks and wails were raised over Riki’s prone form until one of them, a beauty with deep red lips and dark eyes, pushed the others away long enough to mount Riki’s hips and impale herself on his cock.

“Shit!” Thrusting hard enough to raise his ass from the floor, Riki was caught in a grip of animalistic lust. Another pet fell across his chest, rubbing her bare breasts in his face while moaning and touching herself. The others followed her example, mounting his legs and arms, grinding wet clits against his body and crying out wildly when they came.

“Entertained?” Iason asked, nonchalant and unaffected by the sexual frenzy.

“Somewhat,” Orphe admitted. As he watched, one of the females slapped the pet that was riding Riki’s cock, demanding her turn. He was surprised at the violence in their eyes, the raw anger and desire that made the air tremble. The question was, how long could Riki endure this ravishment before his body gave out?

“That D-type pet ring is impressive,” Orphe said, his voice mildly accusing. “Isn’t it unfair to restrain him like this?”

Iason’s response was to slowly remove the glove from his left hand. Holding up bare fingers, he indulged Orphe with a flirtatious smile, flaunting the absence of the control ring.

“I assure you, his pet ring has nothing to do his performance.”

***

Groaning, Riki rolled over, plunging his cock into a wet pussy. He slammed into the soft body, feeling the girl shudder and her fingernails rake down his back. How many pets he’d fucked, he didn’t have a clue. Only that his cock was still hard, the desire like a burning fire in his head. He was so dizzy he was almost sick with it, overwhelmed by the sheer force of his own lust.

And he hadn’t come yet, not even once!

“Hurts,” he moaned, his voice harsh with exhaustion.

Like pleasure and a little pain, the sacred and profane become as one.

Hands pulled him away, pressing his face between a girl’s thighs. Without thinking, Riki plunged his tongue into the musky flesh like a starving man, his hips still thrusting violently into the other girl’s body. It was a good thing he couldn’t see them, he thought, more than a little mortified at how…violent…this fuckfest was getting. Pets were stupid brats, brainless and addicted to sex, but he couldn’t help but screw them hard.

He hated them. He hated every one of these bitches and his disgust spiraled each time he made them come.

“You…fucking…bastard,” he snarled, hoping that Iason could hear how much he hated this.

You’re no sinner nor a holy man. Iason’s voice continued to taunt him, writhing inside his brain like an obscene worm. This is only the real you, Riki. Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed by that?

Angry, he shoved blindly away from the body he was screwing and sat up on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Wrapping both hands around his cock, he pumped himself furiously, trying to come even without Iason’s permission.

Ah…touch yourself and you’ll go blind, Riki.

“So what?” Grinning fiercely, he pictured Iason out there, watching his every move. A thrill went up his spine, crashing into his brain like a freight train out of control. Iason. Watching but not able to touch him. Iason. The Blondie who liked to screw him until he wept and begged.

Unable to touch him!

Two could play this game. As far as Riki was concerned, Iason and himself were the only two in the room now. Spreading his knees wide, Riki licked his lips and pretended that Iason was in front of him now.

“Embarrassed, hell,” he whispered, stroking his cock. “I’m getting off on it.”

Is that so?

“Yeah.” Grinding his hips, Riki reached out, flailing until he found one of the pets, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her face to his groin. Shoving himself deep into her willing throat, he buried his fingers in her hair and pretended it was Iason.

“Are you watching this?” he demanded, fucking the soft mouth so hard his partner started to struggle and fight him.

Yes.

“She’s you,” Riki growled. “You hear me, Iason? I’m gonna fuck your face until you black out, until you can taste my cock in your mouth for days. This what you wanted to see?”

Riki’s words rang out loud and clear across the salon, stunning the crowd to utter silence for a moment before the room erupted in loud chattering. Riki suddenly slapped the exhausted female away from him, hunting for a fresh mouth. The dazed pets crawled away from his seeking hands, avoiding him, but stumbling over each other in fear.

Like an immaculate seduction, no one could look away from Riki as he pulled himself to his feet, standing over the quivering pets. His erection trembled, glistening with sex fluids, his body covered with love bites and scratches, a wild manic grin on his face. There was nothing submissive in his stance, only a raw, untamed sexuality that blistered the air like a furnace.

The very face of danger, he waited for Iason’s word. A blasphemous contract bound by power and obsession, lust and hatred, the tension split the air until Iason relented.

Come, Riki.

“Iason!” Screaming for his master when he came, Riki’s voice pierced the air like an electric current as he climaxed violently on command. The pet owners surged to their feet, their voices echoing against the vaulted ceiling of the salon. Riki couldn’t have cared less, falling unconscious even as his body collapsed and hit the floor with a loud thud.

Ignoring the chaos, stepping over the spent bodies of the pets with complete disdain, Iason went to Riki’s side. He knelt beside his mongrel, running fingers through the tangled black hair with an affection never before demonstrated by the owner of a pet. His expression was soft, almost tender and he leaned down to whisper in Riki’s ear.

“Some things are so sacred…even we sinners are helpless…and fall in love.”