Captive

by Hannah Steenbock

  And play she did. Zell watched it with a mixture of fascination and disbelief. Both Humans were obviously aroused, and the Diles watching them were chanting encouragement.

  Finally, the woman grabbed the man’s buttocks she had whipped extensively and pulled him close to her, taking his member into her well.

  She rode him, while he was still dangling from the ceiling. The Diles were going wild, hooting and cheering. When both of them moaned, shuddered and gasped their release, several more Human women and men entered the scene and were grabbed by the Diles.

  The Master stopped the pictures and turned to Zell.

  “This is what I meant. Choomans enjoy pain with their sex. I chose a mild version. It can be much more intense. Sometimes it leads to death.”

  Zell was shaking his head and once again, the Master looked at him with interest. “Or is this not something the Tribes do?”

  Zell had to clear his throat before he could answer. “No. I have never seen anything like this in my life.”

  “Can you explain this for me?”

  “I don’t think so. Maybe this kind of game comes out of being bored with life and sex?” Zell wished he had an answer. What he had seen deeply disturbed him, and he didn’t know why.

  “That is a plausible explanation.” The Dile stood up, unfastened his leash and told him to stand. “Would you do such a thing?”

  “No.” Zell was shaking his head. “I believe sex should be for mutual pleasure.” He paused, thoughtful. “Although they both did enjoy what they were doing. This is confusing.” He took a deep breath and looked at the Master. “I just don’t want to hurt a woman. Especially not when taking pleasure with her.”

  The Dile nodded. “I can understand that. Come, I’ll take you back to your rooms. You have given me much to think about.”

  Chapter 7

  Girma still felt sore enough not to want any lovemaking, and so Zell didn’t insist, especially after the pictures the Master had shown him. Instead, he let Girma teach him more about her plants, and he watched her playing with the harebit, taming it in the process. She talked to him about the needs of the little creatures, and he idly wondered if his Tribe could ever use the idea of taming and breeding harebits. Not that he would be able to tell them, of course.

  When the Master entered, Zell was relieved. Spending two days talking about plants had been nice but was getting boring. When a second Dile entered after him, however, he was instantly alert. It was a female, with brown markings in her green skin.

  She noticed that he wasn’t restrained in any way and hissed, turning to the Master.

  “Why is he walking around like that? He should be chained to the wall, waiting to be used.”

  “Ssasssal, that is my choice.”

  “He’s dangerous. Didn’t you say he’s a Wild One?”

  “Yes, he is. And he is much more intelligent than any pet I have met so far. I have learned much from him.”

  “Even more reason to keep him restrained.”

  Girma came running in from the yard, and the Dile laughed. “Ah, now I understand. She keeps him tame.” She turned to Girma. “Is he any good, little pet?”

  The girl looked up and frowned. “Who?”

  Ssasssal lashed out. Her blow was hard and unexpected, and Girma ended up on the floor. “That’s ‘Who, Lady?’, you cheeky pet!”

  Zell balled his fists wishing he could defend Girma, but he knew that attacking any Dile was an immediate death sentence.

  Girma got up slowly. “Yes, Lady.”

  “I meant him.” The Dile pointed at Zell.

  The girl smiled. “Yes, Lady, he is.”

  The female Dile turned to appraise Zell. Her green eyes met his, giving Zell a start. He had never seen a Dile with the same eye color he had.

  She smiled lazily. “He’s handsome, I have to say that.”

  When she strode up to him, Zell’s stomach clenched. Ssasssal was behaving just as he expected a Dile to. Her avid grin matched the stories he’d been told.

  “And he’s quiet. I like that in a pet.”

  She put a hand on his cheek, cocking her head, smiling at him. “Yes, I think I like him. But I have a feeling he doesn’t like me.”

  She turned to look at Girma who was rubbing her arm, then grinned at him again. “You care about her, don’t you?”

  Zell didn’t say anything. She whipped up her hand and slapped him hard, her claws out.

  Zell rode the blow, reigning in his shock, and his urge to fight back as he felt hot blood trickle down his face. Which was what she wanted, obviously.

  “Answer me!” she hissed.

  “Ssasssal. Red is still mine. I do not like it when you damage my pets.”

  “Oh?” She turned back to the Master, a coy look on her face. “I thought you were interested in me and my status.”

  Zell hated the idea of this Dile associating with his Master.

  The Dile was silent for a while before he spoke again. “Yes, I am interested in a contract.”

  “Then you’ll let me try him, won’t you?”

  The Master’s face hardened. “Yes, since you asked. But be warned. How you treat him will influence my decision.”

  Her skin paled. “You’re testing me with a pet? There are hundreds where he came from. All you have to do is go out and hunt more.”

  The Master shook his head. “Red is fairly unique and valuable. As you well know.”

  Ssasssal walked to the Master and put her hands on her hip. “I appreciate that you’re letting me try him. But I do not like that you are judging my way of handling pets. It comes with me, and that’s how you’ll get me. And the children we can make.”

  The Master sighed. “I will decide after I see you take him. He is yours for now.”

  Zell had a very bad feeling about this particular female. Yet there was nothing he could do, and so he steeled himself for the inevitable.

  The Dile smiled in triumph. “Set him up for me.”

  “As you wish.”

  The Master led him to the bed. Zell knew exactly what was expected of him, and he gave the Master a quick nod before lying down and spreading his arms and legs. The Master tied him up, stepped back and sat on the couch, pulling Girma close to him.

  Zell wasn’t happy to have Girma watch what would probably be an unpleasant experience, but he couldn’t dwell on that thought for long.

  The female Dile ran her claws over his chest, then held his chin and examined the cuts she had caused on his cheek. “Those shouldn’t mar your good looks,” she said with an amused hiss. “And they won’t hinder your performance at all.” Her smile was a threat.

  A moment later, she flicked his nipples with her finger, and he felt arousal course through him immediately. Maybe she really was into pain, he thought. When she ran her claws all the way down his belly and to his loins, threatening to draw blood, he was certain of it.

  One hand grabbed his member, the other played with his testicles. His member inexorably hardened in her hand. She pinched his flank, and his member twitched.

  She hissed and leaned over him, letting go of his private parts. With her hands and claws roughly caressing his body, she nibbled on his neck with her tiny teeth.

  When he writhed, she ground against his hips.

  Her fingers found all his sensitive places on his throat, his chest, his flanks and his belly. Soon, she was scratching the inside of his thighs, making him lift his hips in a vain attempt to ease the urge in his member.

  She laughed. “Yes, you are ready now, pet, are you not? Let’s see how long you last.”

  In a fluid moment, she mounted him, taking him inside her cool well. It was slick, yes, but not welcoming. Harsh ridges greeted the tip of his member. He winced.

  That didn’t stop her at all. She squeezed his nipples, and his member obediently hardened again. She took him in deeper, massaging him with those ridges, sending desire through his body.

  And then she deliberately, carefully balanced him between de
sire and pain, using him for her own twisted pleasure for what seemed like hours.

  Her fingers and lips made him gasp and tremble, her well and her claws made him wince. Time and again, she brought him close to a release, only to pinch a nipple or the soft flesh of his flanks so hard he lost the edge.

  Soon, he was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, as his body struggled against the bonds and tried to obey her demands.

  Once more she primed him, with his back arching, his head thrown back, his body shuddering, begging for release. And just as he finally broke through, his member throbbing, aching and pumping, she reached behind her and pinched his testicles with her claws.

  Zell screamed in agony. His whole body bucked, the intense pain and much delayed release rushing through him, mingling and overwhelming his control, mind and consciousness. He could hear her triumphant laugh and Girma’s wild cry from far away before blackness roared in and swallowed his awareness.

  Chapter 8

  When Zell awoke, his entire body ached. He took a deep breath and suppressed a moan. Yes, the Master’s Lady was definitely into pain. He moved a hand, testing to see if he was still tied.

  He wasn’t.

  Zell opened his eyes. He was sprawled on the same bed where she had taken him, his body covered with a blanket. Girma was sleeping on the couch, curled up on her side, her hair covering her face, a blanket the rest of her. A slight breeze entered through an open door, and he could even hear a bird sing.

  He almost broke into tears.

  Being given to that sadistic Dile was the bad he had been expecting, but it hurt worse after he had started to trust the Master. That had been a mistake. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself and then tried to roll over on his side. He couldn’t suppress a groan when the attempt woke incredible pain in his testicles. He only hoped she hadn’t damaged him permanently.

  A door whooshed open, and Zell gritted his teeth. He breathed a sigh of relief when the Master entered alone.

  The Dile walked up to him and gave him a long look. “Remove the blanket,” he finally said.

  Zell obeyed, even though the fresh, cool air made his body ache more.

  “Spread your legs.”

  Zell gritted his teeth again. That movement was exquisitely painful.

  The Master hissed, met Zell’s eyes and sighed. “It will heal,” he said finally.

  “Thank you.” Zell was surprised at how hoarse his voice was.

  “She will not be back,” the Dile added, and Zell’s eyes flew wide open when he realized what that meant.

  “I do not like abuse.” The Master sat on the bed and put a cool hand on Zell’s shoulder. “You were brave. I would like to know your true name.”

  Zell blinked in surprise, and the Dile hissed in a gentle laugh. “I am learning about Choomans. I feel I have much more to learn than I thought. I did not expect my little pet to attack a lady with her bare hands, for example.”

  “She did what?” Zell’s jaw dropped in dismay.

  The Dile cast a thoughtful glance at Girma. “When you screamed, she launched herself at the lady. Not that she did any damage, of course. I caught her before they got into a fight.”

  “Thank the stars,” Zell breathed. The last thing he wanted was for Girma to be killed for her rash reaction.

  “I conclude there are feelings between you,” the Master went on, slowly. “Feelings that could only have grown during those days you were together. Feelings that you share.”

  “Yes.” There was no denying it now. He did feel a lot for Girma.

  The Dile nodded. “You tried to protect her. She tried to defend you. Both were brave actions. Actions of loyalty.”

  “Actions of love,” Zell said. “The truth must be spoken.”

  “Love.” The Master was very still.

  “Do you not have love among yourselves?” Zell felt that it was safe to ask the question.

  “It has become exceedingly rare. The subject of ballads and poems.”

  The Dile’s skin changed slightly in color, getting darker with splotches of blue and black. Was that how they expressed sadness?

  Zell took a deep breath. “Master, I need to thank you for what you did for Girma. And thank you for listening to me.”

  The Dile’s eyes focused on him again. “Girma. Is that her name?”

  Zell nodded.

  “I’m glad you taught me how to make a Chooman woman enjoy pleasure with me. It is quite satisfying to do it this way.”

  Zell found a twinge of jealousy rise in his heart. He made it dissipate. Girma and he were just possessions, with no room for such emotions. “I am glad. She will find it easy to be loyal to you.”

  “And you? Can you be loyal to me?”

  Zell took a deep breath. “I believe you are honorable. It is easy to be loyal to an honorable man. But I am still your possession.”

  The Dile twitched. “That is the truth. And as long as circumstances are as they are now, you will remain a pet I own. That is the only way I can keep you safe.”

  “My name is Zell.” He put his fist on his heart and bowed his head to the Dile, and this time, it was a heartfelt gesture. Even if it felt a little silly doing it while lying flat on his back.

  “Thank you.” The Master’s skin returned to its original green and he rose to his feet. “I want you to rest. I will send a medic soon. And I will let Girma tend to you.”

  After the medic had come and gone, and given Girma a salve for the scratches on Zell’s cheek, another for the many bruises on his body and a third for his poor parts, they were left alone.

  Zell slept through two full days, only waking to eat, painfully relieve himself and have Girma treat his injuries.

  On the third day, he managed to walk into the courtyard and sit in the sun. He leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes, content to soak up the warmth. He could hear Girma putter around in the yard, mumbling happily and moving things.

  He woke to her gentle kisses. She was sitting next to him, kissing his good cheek and his jaw. He smiled at her and took her hand.

  “So you tried to attack a Dile?”

  “I was so mad at her for hurting you like that, I didn’t think.”

  “I feel honored, but it was rather reckless.”

  “Yes.” She lowered her eyes. “Master told me that she could demand my execution for it.”

  Zell’s heart missed a beat. That Dile would stop at nothing.

  “But since he caught me before I could touch her, the attack wasn’t proven, so she probably wouldn’t get that.”

  He started breathing again. “I’m relieved. What happened then?”

  “He practically tore her off you and had her kicked out of the house. I hear she was very angry. So was he. They roared at each other. I have never heard a Dile roar.”

  She shivered. “Now I know what you meant with nasty Dile, and how they use someone for their enjoyment. I thought all that was merely meant to scare us kids.”

  Zell shook his head slowly. “I fear those are in the majority. We are very lucky with our Master.”

  “Yes.” She snuggled closer, and Zell pulled her into his arms, despite the twinges that caused.

  “He knows that I love you,” Zell said eventually.

  Her eyes went large. “You… love me?”

  “Yes, I do. Very much.” He kissed her. “I would like to be with you forever.”

  She sighed happily. “I would like that. And I wish we could make love. But I don’t think you should just yet.”

  The thought made his member stir and woke new pain in his testicles. He winced. “No, not yet.”

  “I never thought I would say this, but I miss sex. I get… so that I want it very much. It’s been three days now.” She counted them out on her fingers.

  Zell grinned. “You could always ask the Master…”

  She laughed. “True. Would you mind?”

  “No. I want you to be happy.” And he found in his heart that this was the truth.


  How she had gotten the message to the Master he had no idea, but the Dile arrived early on the next day. When he saw them cuddling in the bed together, he smiled.

  “I have never before been summoned by a pet,” he said with a grin. “I find that a very interesting development.”

  Zell quickly moved to make room for the Dile, taking a blanket and getting comfortable on the couch.

  “Thank you for coming, Master.” Girma smiled at the Dile and ran her hand over his arm.

  “I have to warn you. Our meeting is being monitored. I need evidence for a trial. There has been a complaint.”

  Zell almost stopped breathing. So that sadistic Dile had filed charges against Girma. And their Master.

  Girma reacted instantly. “I live to serve you and your needs, Master. And I dare to anticipate them.”

  He laughed his hissy laugh and kissed her. His hands were caressing her back. “Come then. Let us share pleasure.”

  Zell watched the Master caress the girl for a while and was pleased by the gentle way he woke her passion. She even dared to run her hands over the Dile’s rough skin. Soon, however, Zell’s body demanded more rest, and he fell asleep. While he drifted off, a part of him was amazed he had come to trust a Dile with the woman he loved.

  Chapter 9

  Their idyll lasted a few more days. Girma showed Zell how to water her plants and decorated the yard. She even persuaded the Master to hold her young harebit and play with it. She had sex with the Dile. Zell’s collar was changed to a smooth one with a GPS signal.

  One day, however, the Master arrived with four other Diles at his heels, an ornate belt around his middle. He procured the leashes and attached them to Zell’s and Girma’s collars.

  “We have to attend an official meeting,” he explained and looked serious. “Which means formal restraints on both of you.”

  One of the other Diles put the belt on Zell and fastened his wrists to each side of it. Then he did the same to Girma.

  The aircar ride ended in front of a large white building. The Master took the leads, and two Diles each flanked Zell and Girma when they walked into it. All of them entered a room with a table on a dais, two tables set on the floor and shackles on one wall. Zell wasn’t surprised when they were taken to that wall and had their collars chained to iron rings set into it. Of course, they had to stand.