by Zenia, Zara
“And you would be?”
“James Silver.”
“American?”
I give a slight chuckle. “I suppose so. I was turned during the Revolution, while fighting the Red Coats. My sire was British.”
“And you did not return to Britain with your sire?” Theophilus asks.
“No, as I said, he was killed shortly after my turning.”
Theophilus frowns. “And your nestmates did not take you in?” His eyes narrow as he watches me with suspicion.
“I am afraid I never met my nestmates. Well, not many of them at any rate, and the ones I did, well, you can imagine their animosity toward me, a rebel at the time.” And their sire’s murderer. Though I really consider it more of self-defense. He took my life, I thought it only fair that I take his and theirs in return.
“And what brings you here to Tucson?”
“I am looking for a new place to build a home and wanted to pay my respects to Lucius and ask permission to stay. I’ve only just arrived in town.”
“Why Tucson?”
I smile. “I did my research. Lucius is a benevolent king. He respects humans and shifters. I must admit, I have always believed life is better suited to those who get along with the humans and only take from the willing. And while I can no longer enjoy the sun, I can enjoy the effects it has on the environment here. Canada, I must say, was rather bleak.”
Theophilus sits, studying me, as if he can sense there is more to my story. “I suppose I can allow you to stay on here in Tucson, at least until Lucius returns from his trip and makes a final judgement. However, one step out of place, and I will gut you and leave you to turn to ash in the sunlight. Do I make myself clear?”
“As crystal.” I nod. “Does your generosity extend to use of the dungeon? I am rather parched, and I hoped to quench my thirst here among what I hope are the willing?”
“You are a dom?”
“I am, yes.”
“Are you aware of the rules?”
“Rules?” I arch a brow, wondering if they are different than any other BDSM club run by other vampires.
He hands me a paper. “Read this over.”
I do as he asks and take the paper from him. My gaze roves over the document, and I nod. “No permanent harm shall come to my subs.”
Theophilus takes the document back. “Very well. I have just implemented a new matching system using questionnaires. Of course, should Lucius decide not to go forward with it, the questionnaires will be destroyed, so it is optional. I have hopes that they will serve to match doms with a compatible sub that will continue to please them. Would you care to try it?”
“What all does it involve?” The idea of being matched to a sub who might serve me in a more permanent nature was intriguing, but I’m not sure if I am ready for that.
“There are various questions of likes and dislikes, preferences, that sort of thing. Think of it like a dating app.”
I consider his words and wonder if it might help me be more accepted here in Tucson. It couldn’t hurt to indulge him on this. “Very well, what do I need to do?”
Theophilus smiles, clearly happy that I’ve complied with his idea. “Fill this out, and we will try to get you matched to a sub who will suit your needs.” He hands me a five-page questionnaire.
“This will take me a bit,” I say, looking it over.
“It is thorough. Any subs who are unsponsored must submit one as well before we allow them to participate.” He stands. “I will return for you in a little while. If you need anything, have any questions, ask Tiberius, here.” He gestures to the vampire who brought me to the office.
“Thank you, I will.”
Taking a breath, I look over the questions. I begin to answer them, checking the box for dom, but it also lists sub and switch. Then I mark my preferred blood type, A negative, and a secondary choice, O negative. As I answer the questions, I start to wonder if the humans answer this same questionnaire and if they found it odd to ask their preferred blood type. I glance up at Tiberius, tempted to ask.
“Theo created a different one for the humans,” Tiberius says without my putting the question into words.
I nod and continue. Checking off, strong, independent, obedient, female— I start to mark no preference on hair and eyes, but then decide to mark brunette and redhead as well as blue and hazel eyes. When I reach body type, I frown. Can I be that picky? Do they have such a wide variety of women available that I can pick the exact one I want out, like shopping for a car? I glance up at Tiberius again.
“What now?”
“I’m simply curious about all these questions. Do you have such a wide selection?”
Tiberius chuckles. “Not yet, but Theo is hopeful this will take off, and he can demonstrate his business acumen to Lucius. So far, he had done fairly well at matching subs to doms using those questionnaires. He likes to know upfront all of your preferences—he says it helps him direct doms to their most suitable subs and vice versa.”
I finish filling out the paperwork and then hand the clipboard to Tiberius. “I’m not necessarily looking for a permanent sub, at least, not right now.”
He nods. “I’ll tell Theo.” His gaze moves to my bag. “I assume you mean to bring that down to the dungeons?”
“If you will permit me?”
“I’ll need to see what you’ve brought. We generally provide all implements. Though some doms do prefer their own.”
I hand him the bag and watch as he looks through it. “All but the whips and paddles are new.”
“As I mentioned, we have a few other doms who like to bring their own toys. These are fine. We just have to be sure they are safe before allowing them down into the dungeon. We take our responsibilities very seriously here at Club Toxic.”
I nod and take my bag back from him. “And as you saw, nothing in there is silver either—I have no wish to harm any shifters who happen to be participating.”
“We rarely have shifters, here at Club Toxic, but they do come upon occasion. So you shouldn’t have to worry about that too much.”
“Good to know.”
Chapter 3
Carolyn
“I am sorry I took so long—a guest required my attention, and it took me longer to get away than I thought,” Theo says, returning to us.
“If we are keeping you from your duties—” I start to say, but he cuts me off.
“No, no. It is all fine now.” He smiles and his eyes sparkle. “Now, did you fill out the questionnaire? Do you have any questions?”
“No, but I did wonder about the medical information it asks for?” Why on Earth would they need my blood type?
“Yes, those are just precautionary. Our lawyers insist upon it, with this type of club, you see. Just in case, we have a medical staff, and we keep blood on hand, for emergencies, but we have never needed to use it, thankfully. It is just required by law.”
“Oh, I had no idea.” I don’t recall having to do this in LA. Is this some weird new thing? Hesitantly, I hand him the clipboard.
“Yes, this looks as if everything is in order. I will take a look through our questionnaires and see if I can’t find a compatible dom for you. For now, why don’t we go on downstairs and see what or who might interest you?”
I nod and Theo takes each of us by the arm, escorting us downstairs. There are numerous areas, sectioned by curtains, and people dressed in all kinds of BDSM attire moving about. “How many spaces are down here?” I ask.
Theo laughs and says, “Enough that we can please everyone who comes to play.”
“Isn’t this place cool?” Bella’s eyes are bright as she looks around at the various areas.
We both catch glimpses between curtains as people move from one scene to another.
Theo glances at Bella. “Augustus has been looking forward to your session, Miss Bella. If you would like to go find him, I will continue to escort Miss Carolyn.”
Bella glances at the time on her phone. “Not yet, he said not un
til ten.”
“Very well, then. Why don’t I escort you both to a scene, and then if you do not mind, I have a few things to attend to, so I shall leave you in the care of one of Atticus. Never fear though, Miss Carolyn, I shall return to see how you are doing.”
“Thank you.”
He offers his arm, and I slide my hand through and walk with him to one of the curtained areas. “Ah, here we have a lovely scene. The dom is Christian, the sub, I believe, is Vivian. Both work here at Club Toxic.”
I see a woman with blonde hair kneeling over a round cushioned bench. Her hands are tied with silk scarves to the legs of the bench. The dom has a wooden paddle and is spanking her ass while she counts. We can hear every little pant she makes between each swat.
As I watch, I can feel my panties getting wet.
“I think you will enjoy this one, so I shall leave you to watch with Atticus and return for you in a bit,” Theo says, but I barely notice as he leaves with a chuckle.
“Thanks for hanging out with us, Atticus,” Bella says glancing up at him.
“I’m here anyway,” Atticus answers, shrugging. He’s a big man, built like a wrestler.
“Well, we appreciate it,” Bella replies, jostling my arm. “Don’t we, Care?”
“What? Oh, yes, thanks.” I nod, but my eyes hardly stray from the scene before us.
The dom unties the sub’s hands and helps her to stand, moving her to a large X that I am pretty sure is called a St. Andrew’s Cross. It’s to the right of the bench she had been on. He proceeds to tie her hands to the top arms of the X and her legs to the bottom parts of the X. Moving to the wall he picks up a flogger and makes a whipping sound with it. It’s long, and when he brings it down across the sub’s chest, she moans. I can see the slightest hint of pink marks on her breasts.
“What do you think?” Bella whispers, so as not to disturb the others around us.
I bite my lip and nod. “I’m… intrigued.”
Bella grins. “I knew you would be.”
As the dom finishes with the flogger, I wonder what he’s got in store for the sub next, but I don’t have to wait long. He selects an O-ring gag and moves back to the sub, fitting it into her mouth. Once he has her comfortably fitted, he turns the X sideways and locks it in place.
“Because you cannot use your safe words, little one, snap your fingers if you find the need for me to stop. Do you understand?” the dom says. We can hear everything going on between them.
She nods.
“One snap for please slow down, two snaps for stop. Show me now. One snap.”
The sub snaps her fingers once.
“And two?”
The sub snaps twice.
“Very good, little one.” He draws his fingers over her body, a smirk on his lips. He gives her pussy a pat. “If you continue to be a good girl, I will let you come. Would you like that, little one?”
The sub nods.
The dom removes his hand from her and smirks again. “We shall see just how good you are then.” He unzips his pants and removes them, showing off his very large erection. The couple are at an angle to where Atticus, Bella and I, and two other couples are watching, so as he grips his cock and moves toward her, we’ll be able to see him entering her mouth.
As the dom begins to fuck her face, the curtain behind us parts, and Theo enters the space with another man. My breath catches in my throat, and my heart stutters. The man is tall, at least six-five, he’s got sharp grey eyes that bore into mine. His lips twitch as he notices me, his eyes roving over me. He whispers to Theo, and I blush before turning back to the scene.
“You should go talk to him,” Bella whispers next to me, her eyes on the scene. “He’s hot.”
His long, jet black hair is pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. His skin is so pale it almost glows. “Should I?”
“You only live once, Care.”
Taking a breath, I nod. “Okay. I’m going.”
Bella smiles. “Thank you, Atticus, for staying with us, but I think I’m going to go find Augustus now. It’s nearly ten.”
“He’s two rooms down on the left,” Atticus answers. “And since Theo has returned, I’ll move on to take Augustus’ place, so let me escort you, Miss Bella.”
“Thanks,” Bella agrees, following him out of the room.
Taking a breath, I make my way over to Theo and the man.
“Miss Carolyn, are you enjoying the scene?” Theo asks, smiling.
“Yes, thank you. I… um… I think I may like to um… play, sir.”
Theo’s smile widens. “I see. Have you found someone you like, then?”
“I am not sure, sir,” I say, my eyes moving from him to the man next to him.
“Forgive my manners, Miss Carolyn, may I introduce you to James Silver?” Theo says.
Keeping my head bowed, I peek up at him through my lashes. “Good evening, sir.”
“Good evening,” he replies, and his voice sends a thrill right through me.
“Now, back to the issue of finding you a dom. I know from your paperwork and what you’ve shared with me, you had an experience that was not pleasant, though I do not believe the relationship you were in was true to the BDSM lifestyle. I think perhaps we should treat you as new to the scene.”
“New to the scene?” James asks, arching a brow.
“If that is what you think, sir, then I will accept your judgement,” I answer.
“She does meet most of your requirements, James, are you averse to training her this evening?”
I stand with my hands behind my back, clutching my bag, my head slightly bowed. He raises my chin with his finger and looks me in the face for a moment. My lips part in anticipation.
Chapter 4
James
When Theo returns to the office to retrieve me, he mentions a possible sub who is new to the club. He did not mention she is new to the scene. I want to question him on it, but he tells me to reserve judgement and give the girl a moment to decide.
As she approaches us, I hold out hope that she will be a willing sub tonight because she is stunning. Luckily, Theo is correct. Now, she stands before me in perfect sub form with her head bowed and her hands clasped behind her back.
I reach out and lift her face up, checking to see if she is truly into this. I see the desire banked in her eyes and nod. “I think, perhaps, Miss Carolyn and I shall get along just fine this evening.”
“Excellent.” Theo grins. “Then the only question is where you wish to play?”
“Private room, I think. It will remind me she is new to the scene and to guide her properly.”
“Very good.”
I offer her my arm. “Shall we see what Theo has available?” I ask, enjoying the feeling of her warm hand on my arm.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Theo did not tell me about your previous experience… Could you elaborate?”
She takes a breath and nods. “Yes, sir. My former boyfriend was more of an abuser than a dom, sir. I found myself intrigued by BDSM before we began our relationship, and he seemed interested in it as well, but what I experienced with him was not what I had read about or had seen in the club in LA. Ours was a perversion of a BDSM relationship.” She shakes her head, as if ridding her mind of things she does not wish to remember. “I liked some of the things—being bound, sensory play, that sort of thing. Though, he did not adhere to my safe words, and often our ‘play’ turned to abuse.” She swallows hard, her eyes downcast. “Is that enough information, sir?”
“How long since the relationship ended?” I ask, concerned that she isn’t ready for this. From my experience, most who have had previous bad relationships with BDSM rarely return to it.
“Four years, sir.”
“And you are sure you are ready to get back into BDSM?” She is a tiny little thing, I can imagine with the wrong dom, she did not fare well. Something about that bothers me greatly.
She glances up at me and gives me a smile. “Honestly, s
ir?”
“Always.”
She swallows and nods. “I’m not sure. I want to be ready. I think I am, in this moment, but I was not when I first arrived here. Does that make sense, sir?”
“It does. Tell me, what did you think of the scene you were watching?”
“I enjoyed it, sir, for the most part, though I do not think I would enjoy the O-ring.” She frowns and looks back down at the floor.
“You are averse to giving oral?”
She shakes her head, and her eyes fly up to meet mine. “Oh, no, sir. Just the gag. I do not mind giving oral, sir.” Her cheeks turn a dusty pink, a color I hope to bring out on the rest of her skin.
“Excellent.”
“Shall I show you to a private room?” Theo asks.
I look at her for a moment and take the darkening of her cheeks to mean she is ready. “Yes, I believe so.”
Theo turns, and we follow him.
“Tell me, have you ever engaged in blood play?”
“Blood play, sir? I do not know what that means,” she says looking a bit confused.
I smile. “Blood play, referring to small cuts, bites… nothing dangerous.”
“I… I think I would be all right with that, sir.” Her cheek color deepens to that dark dusky pink, and I know she is excited.
“Excellent. Anything aside from the O-ring that you are averse to?”
“I am not sure, sir. Nothing forceful or abusive verbal behavior, but other than that, I think I will be okay, sir.”
“Force is not my style, pet, nor is verbal abuse.”
“Here we are.” Theo opens the door to a large private room with a bed, a padded barrel horse, a sling chair, and a spanking bench. One wall is covered in various equipment—floggers, paddles, shelves with dildos and butt plugs. “Everything is clean and sterilized. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you.”
“The room is yours for the next hour. Enjoy,” Theo says and then leaves.
As soon as the door closes, I tell her, “Wait here a moment.”
“Yes, sir.”
I take off my jacket and set it on the top of the bureau next to a bottle of soda and some paper cups and then loosen my tie and take it off as well. I roll up my sleeves and then look in the drawers. Inside are various latex outfits and masks, the next drawer contains other things like fur lined handcuffs and feather brushes. In the third drawer, I find what I am looking for, scarves for restraint. I pull a few out and lay them on the bed.