Chapter Thirty Two
The air in the art room was thick with the scent of oil paints, a smell that usually comforted me, but today it mingled with the undercurrent of tension. My mind was whirling as I worked on the canvas before me. It was supposed to be a garden, but the crimson flowers had taken on a wild, almost sinister twist, probably reflecting my rather mixed up feelings about tonight. It was the Second Trial tonight and Bast was picking me up from the art room at eight and taking me straight over to the Underworld clubhouse so I could get ready there. I had spent most of the night and all of today bouncing between feeling terrified, nervous and excited, and had finally given up and come over to the art room to try and forget while I painted. Normally the movement of my brushes over the canvas calmed me, but today it hadn’t worked. It didn’t help either that David had turned up just after me, and kept dropping in to chat.
He’d just popped in again, and was leaning against the table to my left, eyes fixed on my brush movements, which made me even more nervous.
”Paige,” he began. ”About the ball... were you ok? I tried to find you afterwards, but they said you’d gone off with the Reapers and no one knew where you’d gone.”
I dropped my brush into the water jar and smiled at him.
”Oh, that,” I said, forcing a lightness into my tone that I didn”t quite feel. ”It was just a prank by the Reapers. Nothing to worry about. I’m sorry I didn’t come back afterwards, I was quite tired out by all the excitement.”
David frowned, shifting from one foot to another. ”You sure? Looked pretty intense from where I stood.”
”Trust me, it”s nothing.”
”Anyway,” David shifted closer, his gaze dropping to my mouth for a fleeting second. ”I hope you didn’t think me too forward at the ball. I was hoping we’d have a little more time together.”
“Oh, um… no, you were fine,” I said, not wanting to offend him, but also not really wanting to encourage him either. He”d been a little more forceful than normal at the ball, but I’d put it down to nerves and alcohol.
“That’s good. How about we go grab a drink now? Clear the air?”
I hesitated, glancing over at my unfinished painting. A part of me yearned for that normalcy, to just be Paige having coffee with a normal guy, away from all the craziness creeping into my life. But Bast and the others needed me, and my own excitement was growing as the afternoon wore on.
”Sorry, I can”t,” I said. ”I”ve got plans already.”
”Plans?” His expression darkened, a shadow crossing his usually friendly face. ”With who?”
”No one important,” I mumbled, picking up my brush again. ”Just plans.”
”Right,” he said, his jaw tightening. “That’s fine. Another time then?”
“Sure,” I said, trying to focus again, but really just wanting him to leave. Bast would be picking me up soon, and I wanted a few minutes to collect my thoughts before he arrived. David didn’t seem to get the hint though.
”Word is you”re seeing Tristan Blackwood.”
I laughed. ”Is that what they”re saying now?”
”Are they wrong?” His gaze didn”t waver.
”Tristan and I are just friends,” I said, my voice steady though the mere mention of dating Tristan sent a thrill through me.
”Friends,” David echoed.
”Yeah, friends.” I forced another laugh, this one a little more convincing. ”You know how people love to talk.”
David pushed off from the door, his movement fluid like shadow play. ”Sure, they do.” His eyes hadn’t left mine, and there was something in them—a flash of concern or maybe disappointment—that made my stomach twist. ”But that’s good,” he said. ”Because Tristan and his friends... they”re trouble, Paige.”
”Trouble?” I echoed.
”Bad news. The kind you steer clear of.” He leaned in, concern creasing his brows. ”You deserve better than that crowd.”
”Thanks for the heads-up,” I replied, though a little spark of defiance sizzled within me. No one got to tell me who was bad news—not anymore.
”Seriously, Paige—”
The rumble interrupted him, a deep growl that vibrated against the windows. We turned as one towards the sound. Outside, a blacked-out Range Rover slid to a stop, its presence ominous against the backdrop of wilting autumn leaves.
”Looks like your ride is here,” David muttered, a tinge of distaste curling his lips as he peered through the glass.
”Seems so,” I said, watching as Bast stepped out of the driver”s side. His figure was imposing, even from this distance—dark jeans, black leather jacket, authority oozing from every pore.
David”s frown deepened. ”That”s Sebastian Blake, isn”t it?”
“Yes, he’s here to pick me up.” I crossed over to the sink and began to wash my hands.
“I see.” David smiled at me. “Well, you have a good time, Paige and I’ll see you later.”
“See you later, David. Have a good weekend.” He nodded and left the room and I took a deep breath as I dried my hands. David was a nice guy most of the time, friendly and caring, and a good artist, but every now and again he got a little too intense. I suppose I wouldn’t have minded if I was interested, but I felt no attraction to him at all and I didn’t want to encourage him.
I made sure my station was tidy, and turned the lights off. The door swung open, startling me. My heart skipped a beat as I met Bast’s intense dark eyes. I felt a flutter of nerves, yet there was something magnetic about him that drew me in.
”Paige,” he said, his voice low and rich. He leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest and watching me silently.
For a few moments, he just watched me. Those dark eyes studying me silently from where he stood. It wasn”t an unnerving gaze; it was just intense, as if he were looking not at me but into me. His gaze slid from my face to the paintings behind me, lit up by the light flooding in from the hallway and the dying light from the windows.
”Is this your latest work?” He asked, gesturing at the garden scene blooming on my canvas.
”Yes,” I responded quietly, tensed as his gaze flickered from the painting back to me.
I watched as his eyes took in my paint-splattered dungarees, lingering on the swatches of colour adorning my hands. He reached out and picked up one of my painted canvases, examining it closely. His touch was surprisingly gentle for someone who demanded such fear and respect around campus. ”Your work... It”s beautiful.”
I blinked at him in surprise. I wasn”t used to receiving compliments from anyone other than David. ”Thank... thank you.”
He set the canvas down and stepped closer to me, his presence filling the room with a tension that made my heart race. ”Why do you paint?” He asked suddenly.
I shrugged, looking down at the splatters of paint on my overalls. ”It”s... it”s freedom, I guess,” I replied quietly.
”Freedom?” His voice was laced with curiosity.
”Yeah,” I looked back up at him, meeting those cold dark eyes. ”When I”m painting... I”m in control. It”s just me and the canvas.”
I found myself trapped once more in that intense gaze. This close to Bast, it was impossible to ignore how handsome he was - dark hair, high cheekbones, and a firm jawline that added just the right amount of edge to his beauty. I could feel the heat radiating off him as he stood in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne; a blend of cedarwood and spices that was intoxicating.
”You”ve got something,” he said suddenly, reaching out and brushing a thumb over my cheekbone. There was a smear of cerulean blue where he had touched.
His touch sent an electric jolt through me; I bit my lower lip to keep from gasping aloud. His thumb traced a path down to my lips before retreating. I was rooted to the spot, my pulse pounding in my ears.
His eyes slid back onto my current work and he cocked his head to one side.
”What are you painting now?” he asked, coming to stand beside me.
”A garden.” I murmured.
”Interesting.” His lips turned into a smirk of amusement as he looked back at me.
”Why”s that?”
”Nothing,” he said. ”It”s just something different than what I expected.”
”And what”s that?”
His eyes darkened and for a moment there was silence, then he leaned closer.
”I expected something darker from you, Paige,” he whispered in my ear. His warm breath against my skin sent chills down my spine and his fingertips stroked down the side of my face, causing heat to bloom under his touch.
”But perhaps,” he continued, moving back slightly to lock onto my startled gaze. ”I”ve yet to see your true colours. Maybe I will tonight. Shall we go?”
I nodded, my mouth dry, and the nerves levelling up as I followed him out to the car. He opened the door for me and I climbed up into the luxurious interior, breathing in the scent of the leather. Bast climbed into the driver”s seat, and we set off for the club. I wasn’t sure what to say and the only sound was the soft hum of the car”s engine and the occasional crunch of gravel under the tyres. Bast glanced at me from the corner of his eyes before looking back at the road, his profile silhouetted against the dimming twilight.
He navigated the sleek car through the winding streets with an expert hand, his other resting casually on my thigh throughout, zipping up electric currents whenever he gave an absent squeeze or trace idle circles with his thumb. I stared out of the window, trying to ignore the effect his hand was having on me.
”How do you handle it?” I asked, breaking the silence.
He looked at me, ”Handle what?”
”The power,” I began, gazing at the passing trees, ”the control you wield... doesn”t it scare you?”
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes followed by contemplation. Then came a smirk. ”Scare me? Darling, power isn”t something to be afraid of; it”s something to be embraced.”
”But what about hurting someone? Or losing yourself in it?” My voice was barely a whisper now, mirroring my lingering fear.
”Paige,” he said slowly as if trying to choose his words carefully. ”Power doesn”t corrupt; it reveals.”
”Reveals what?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
”Who you truly are,” he answered quietly. “Think about it. A few weeks ago you were shy and timid, barely kissed, and then two weeks ago you sucked my cock like a pro and tonight… Well, I can’t wait to see what you do tonight.”
He smiled darkly and I shivered. Before I could respond, Bast”s hand moved higher up my thigh, causing an involuntary shudder to travel through my body. He watched me, a glint of amusement in his dark eyes as he continued to move his hand upwards, pushing between my legs and cupping my pussy through my dungarees. I gasped as the pressure sent a bolt of desire through me.
“What are you doing?” I hissed. “You’re driving!”
“Indeed I am. One of the benefits of driving an automatic.” His fingers rubbed against me and a small whimper escaped me.
“It”s going to be an interesting night, Paige, and I want you in the right frame of mind.”
“And what’s that?” I breathed, gripping the sides of the seat as his movements became more insistent.
He pulled into a parking space behind the clubhouse, and turned off the car. He turned towards me, face in shadow.
“I want your little pink pussy dripping for me the whole time, my little slut. I want you thinking of nothing else except my fingers and my tongue pleasuring you.” He pressed down against my clit and I moaned, my hips pushing up, begging for more.
“Such a good little slut, panting and wet for me so quickly,” he muttered, then pressed his mouth to mine. I moaned into his kiss as he picked up the pace, moving his fingers quickly against me, driving me towards the edge.
“Bast,” I moaned as his mouth moved down my throat. “Bast please…”
“Do you want to come, little slut?”
“Yes… please Bast…”
“Oh you beg so nicely, I’m almost tempted to let you come,” he said, grinning as he pulled his hand away.
“What?” I stared at him, my breathing ragged and my body aching for release.
“I told you,” he said, opening the car door and climbing out. “I want that little pussy dripping wet for me. If you’re a good little whore for me tonight, I’ll let you come later.”
He closed the door and I stared ahead, feeling like I’d had the rug pulled out from under me. I couldn’t believe he’d done that. I was half tempted to slide my hands down and finish the job, but he opened the car door.
“Paige? Are you coming?” he grinned as I glared at him, and ignored his offered hand as I jumped down from the car.
“Bastard,” I muttered and he laughed.
“Oh, if you don’t like that, I am going to have so much fun torturing you later, sweet Persephone.”
I followed him into the clubhouse. It was empty of its patrons at the moment, but there were people that were clearly not university staff setting up tables and benches in the main hall. My eyes immediately went to the cuffs on the wall behind the three thrones and Bast must have noticed my face, because he grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“You won’t be restrained tonight, Persephone.”
I nodded, slightly relieved, but waited until we’d left the hall and the hearing of the staff before asking the question I almost feared the answer to.
“What am I doing tonight, Bast?”
He smiled down at me. “You’ll be serving Tristan, Nate and myself. You serve no one else, and no one else can touch you. Understand me?”
“I think so.”
He turned, wrapping his hand around my throat and pushing me against the wall, leaning in close. It didn’t hurt, but he’d startled me.
“No one touches you,” he said slowly. “No one except Tristan, or Nate or me. Do you understand, Paige?”
I nodded. “I understand.”
“Good.” Bast leaned in closer, his lips brushing over mine. “Because if I ever see anyone with his hands on you, I will personally make sure he loses them.”
He released me, and I followed him down the hallway to the bedroom, shaking my head at his dramatics. He almost had me convinced for a moment. The thought of him being that possessive over me shouldn”t have turned me on, but the idea lingered in my mind, and a small smile on my lips as I walked into the bedroom.
“What’s that?” I asked, stopping as I approached the bed. Clothes lay on the dark velvet bedspread, and I had a sneaking suspicion they were for me.
“Your costume for tonight,” Bast said. “Do you like it?”
“There’s not much of it to like,”” I grinned, running my fingers over it. “But I do like what’s there.” A black silk halterneck dress, black lace bra and stockings and suspenders. On closer inspection, I was relieved to find the skirt wasn’t too short, but would probably fall about mid thigh.
Bast watched me, his eyes glittering in the light of the candles set out on the dresser and bedside tables. “Good. We have about an hour and a half. You will find everything you need in the bathroom. Everything provided has been bought especially for you, so please use whatever you want. Tristan or Nate will come and get you when it’s time to go.”
“Ok.” At the implication he was leaving, the apprehension in my stomach only increased.
“I have some business to take care of before the feast begins,” he said. “Someone should have already been in to run you a bath. Enjoy yourself, and I’ll see you later.”
He opened the door, then turned and looked back at me.
“And Paige?”
“Yes?”
“Remember what I said in the car. I want that pussy desperate for my attention tonight, so no touching yourself.”
“What?” My face flooded with heat and he laughed.
“If I think you’ve made yourself come, I will punish you,” he said, and the spark in his dark eyes made me shiver at the threat.
“Fine. I wasn’t going to anyway,” I retorted. “You aren’t that good.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Really? Well, I might need to change your mind about that.”
He pulled the door closed and strode across the room, reaching up to unsnap the fastenings of my dungarees and push them down.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He didn’t answer, dragging the dungarees down my body quickly. He didn’t even bother removing them, just shoved them down to my ankles and pushed me down onto the bed.
“Bast! What-”
There was a tearing sound as my underwear was shredded and then his mouth was between my legs and I cried out loudly.
“Bast, fuck!”
His tongue lapped at my clit before his lips fastened around it, sucking it into his mouth. I moaned, grabbing at his head as he ate me out, hard and fast, his tongue circling and flicking at my clit over and over again.
“Oh my God, Bast!” The sensations began to spiral, heat building faster and faster inside me as he licked me, and I gripped his shoulders hard. I whimpered under his mouth, needing more, and then suddenly, he was gone.
My eyes flew open to see him standing looking down at me.
“I said you weren’t allowed to come.”
“You bastard,” I hissed, reaching down to pull up my underwear, only to find them in tatters. I pressed my legs together, practically shaking with need as I sat up. Bast stepped forward, slipping his hand into my hair and gripping it tightly, forcing me to look up at him.
“You need to remember, Paige. You signed that contract yourself this time. For this next year, until we graduate, I own you. Every inch of you. Even that delicious pussy. And if I say you can’t come, then you don’t come.”
I glared up at him, then gasped as his fingers slid between my legs again, stroking slowly, gently. I ground down against them, craving friction and he laughed.
“Didn’t take long to corrupt you, did it Paige? Sweet little virgin to desperate whore in a couple of weeks. I am going to enjoy tonight.”
He pulled his fingers away, and I bit down hard on my lip, trying not to cry out in frustration as he turned and walked towards the door.
“Get ready Paige. The ritual will be starting soon.”