The Prey

“Scoot back and place your neck inside the metal collar so I can adjust it for you.”

Though the last thing Mara wanted was to be locked into the chair, she had no choice in the matter. She moved back cautiously until her neck made contact with the cold metal collar. She could see Alex in the mirror as he adjusted the height and then closed the collar around her neck.

Next he cuffed her wrists into place on the armrests and finally closed the metal cuffs at the base of each front leg of the chair around her ankles. Fully immobilized, Mara began to pant with fear.

“Calm yourself. Slow your breathing.” Alex stroked her shoulder. “You only make it harder on yourself when you resist. The goal is to give yourself fully to me—hold nothing back. I own you now, you see. Obedience and acceptance are your only options.”

He stepped away, disappearing from her line of vision. She could hear him opening and closing cabinets. He returned, pushing a little trolley cart on wheels. Reflected in the mirror, she could see various items set out in a neat array on the cart, including whips, chains and other torture devices. Reflexively Mara clenched her hands into fists, all of her muscles tensed, the hairs on the back of her neck rising like a dog’s hackles.

Alex regarded her with a slow, cruel smile. “I like to take this opportunity with the new girls to begin training in pleasure/pain acceptance, in learning that you cannot have one without the other, especially if you are chosen as a ruby, which I’m reasonably sure will be your fate, given your delicious responses so far to erotic pain and stimulation.”

What the fuck was the bastard saying? Mara had no idea, except that it couldn’t be good. Erotic and pain were not words that belonged together.

“While you watch how properly trained girls behave during presentation and selection, I will enhance the experience by stimulating you in various ways.”

He reached for a pair of nipple clamps. Mara gasped and whimpered with fear, her pussy tightening around the shaft lodged deep inside her. Alex caught her left nipple between thumb and forefinger, rolling it until it hardened in his fingers. Then, pressing one of the clamps to an open position, he placed it at the base of her nipple and let it close with a snap.

“Ah!” Mara yelped in pain.

Alex placed his thumb over her lips. “The room is soundproofed, but I want you to practice some self-control. For now, if you cry out, I will gag you. Consider yourself warned.” When he clamped the second nipple, Mara inhaled sharply, but somehow managed to remain silent. Alex tugged lightly on the chain between the clamps, which caused them to tighten further. Mara pressed her lips into a hard line to stifle her cry.

“Better.” Alex picked up a single-tail whip and struck it suddenly against Mara’s inner thigh.

Shocked by the unexpected action, Mara yelped as a long, angry red line of fire appeared on her leg.

“Tsk, tsk.” Alex shook his head. “And here I thought you were making progress.” He turned to the cart and set down the whip. He picked up a ball gag by its strap and dangled it in front of Mara.

“No, wait,” she begged, “I can do better.”

Alex didn’t respond, offering only a cold smile. Stepping behind her, he brought the gag over her face and pressed the rubber ball into her mouth, forcing her tongue back so her protesting cries were reduced to a gurgle. He buckled the gag behind her head and regarded her in the mirror. Mara, unable to look away, stared too. Her eyes were wide with fear above the bright red ball forced between her teeth. Drool was already starting down her chin. Her nipples were hard and red, compressed in the sharp bite of the clamps, the chain swinging gently between her breasts. Her thighs were spread wide, the base of the dildo visible between her legs. Unable to bear the image another second, Mara closed her eyes.

“No,” Alex said sharply. “You will not close your eyes.”

Slowly, reluctantly, Mara opened her eyes.

“Good girl.” Alex nodded his approval, adding with a chuckle, “After all, you wouldn’t want to miss the presentation.” He glanced once more at his watch. “Speaking of which, it’s just about time. The girls should be assembled. The men will be coming in to make their selections.” He stepped toward the switch on the side of the mirrored wall and flicked it, dimming the lights to reveal the room beyond.

The girls were arrayed in various positions around the room, some sitting, some lounging, two standing at the bar, leaning casually against it on one elbow. Each one was perfectly made up as if ready for a photo shoot with a fashion magazine. They were all wearing sexy, slinky outfits suitable for a beach resort—flowing silks, cut low, breasts offered like ripe, round fruit in tiny push-up bras that showed more than they concealed.