by Ella Ford
It was ten o’clock, long after the museum had closed to the public and the last of the administration workers had gone. Even the janitor had finished his rounds hours before and wished Kate a good night and a safe journey home. Kate had wished him the same, before spending a long time fretting about what she was about to do, eventually falling asleep at her desk.
Tonight, Kate would deliver her resignation letter and never look back. It was finally time to end her five year career as assistant to the curator, and this saddened her greatly. She truly loved her job and was grateful for the opportunity to work at such a prestigious institution, but after years of being passed over for the role of curator she’d decided it was time to take her talents elsewhere.
Today had been the final straw. After reaching the final stage of interviews for the curator role in the ancient Greece wing, she was removed from consideration for the job. It was the same old story: “we recognise your abilities and your commitment, but a promising external candidate has been approached and he is interested in the role.” She’d thanked them for their time, assured them that she would be happy to work with the new curator and meekly returned to her desk.
Kate had spent the rest of the afternoon blankly staring at her monitor. She’d given it everything this time. Her presentation to the governing board was masterful, the answers she’d given to their probing questions were eloquent and hit all the right notes. She’d even made the effort to improve her normally bookish appearance - a fancy haircut, makeup and nails professionally done, all rounded off with seamed stockings and heels so high they made her nervous to take the stairs. But attempting to fire up the passions of the dinosaurs on the board of governors was a lost cause and in the end they’d chosen to employ another dinosaur who would run the wing in the same way it had been run for the last hundred years.
As she’d sat there, counting the hours till she could return home and dive headfirst into a bottle of wine, she’d considered her situation. Kate was twenty nine, educated and brilliant. She’d sacrificed her friends, family and relationships for her career and all for very little pay off. Reluctantly, she’d admitted that her time here was at an end and had decided to quit there and then, quickly penning a terse resignation letter before getting cold feet and spending hours staring at it.
The thunder rolled again and brought her back to the present. It’s time to stop being a baby and get on with it, she told herself. Turning her attention back to the letter, she added a final flourish, hit print, proof-read the printout and placed it in a crisp, white envelope. She stared at it, took one final deep breath to settle her nerves and placed the envelope on her boss’s desk.
--
With the deed done, she picked up her coat and purse and headed out of the office to brave the storm. Her route out of the museum took her through the exhibits that she’d spent so long accumulating and perfecting. At this time of night, the wing was dimly lit and perfectly calm. The rain on the skylights above had slowed to a gentle pitter-patter and the only other sounds were the click of her heels on the granite floor and the light swish swish of her nylon stockings brushing together with each step. She loved the museum like this, its tranquil stillness was a stark juxtaposition to the usual cacophony of tourists and school children.
She reflected on the ancient artifacts among which she now walked. Towering statues of heroes and gods, casting long shadows in the low level lighting. Goddesses and noblewomen, posed for eternity to entice and enchant. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the dream, but Kate found herself admiring these frozen forms, their taut muscles and heaving breasts conjured feelings in her, both familiar and exotic. She longed to be a part of their world, a culture so obsessed with decadence and lust; how very different to her own life.
She giggled to herself as she realized that she was standing in an empty museum feeling horny. Kate shook her head and thought that maybe it was a good thing she was finally leaving this place. She was clearly going stir crazy spending so much time around all of these chiselled bodies, endlessly erotic but utterly unobtainable.
“Back to internet dating and whatever passes for chiselled bodies out in the real world,” she thought wistfully.
Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted by a lightning flash and roll of thunder. The flash caused the shadows of the statues to flicker and dance, and her attention was drawn to a side room off the main corridor by a faint noise. It was nothing more than a whisper, mostly lost in the roar of the thunder, but nevertheless enough to attract her attention. It sounded like stone grinding against stone, but distant and indistinct. She stopped and waited, but heard nothing else. She was about to write it off as her fertile imagination, when a second lightning flash lit up the darkened museum, and for a second time she heard the same whispering grind. She gathered her wits, plucked up her courage and walked across to the room to investigate.
The room contained two of her favourite pieces: a pair of statues recently unearthed from a dig site on a small Greek island. Most of her efforts over the last two years had been concentrated on obtaining these artifacts and bringing them to the museum. She had doggedly pursued them, some would say obsessively, using all of her skills of persuasion to close the deal. Finally the Greek authorities had agreed on a loan arrangement.
In truth, she wasn’t entirely sure what drew her to them, because they were superficially unexciting, portraying neither high profile Greek figures nor an event from the mythologies. The pair was named “The General and his Prize” and consisted of a male and female piece. Both figures were completely naked, but for the traditional hair adornments for their period. The male piece stood at over six feet tall, his gaze focused at the ground in front of him. His right arm was outstretched and his hand gestured at the point where he gazed. Quite what the pose signified was lost to antiquity, but Kate believed that the gesture was aimed at the second piece. The female statue’s intent was more obvious. She posed in a kneeling position, her feet tucked behind her and arms hiding her breasts and crotch. Her face was downturned in submission, her gaze falling at the feet of the male figure.
Kate enjoyed the not-so-subtle erotic tension between the two. The submission of the female, the dominance of the male. She romanticised the general as the conquering commander, the victor in some long forgotten conflict. The female was his prize, taken as the spoils of war, her life now his to do with as he pleased. In truth, the tableau was a little risque for the normally restrained sensibilities of the museum, and she’d secured the exhibit by agreeing to place them in this side room, rarely visited by anyone other than the most committed scholar of ancient Greece.
As she entered the room, she noticed the statues in their expected places, but in the dim light, the male figure seemed more imposing, the female somehow more diminished and suppliant. The lightning flashed a third time causing the shadows of the statues to lurch briefly towards her. Kate stepped backwards in shock and backed into the doorframe. She laughed to herself.
“I’m not a child, why am I so spooked by shadows?” she wondered, and turned to leave, satisfied that it was her imagination and the emotion of the night that had made her so jumpy. As she was about to leave, a mad urge crossed her mind. She’d quit her job, it was her final night in the museum and she’d probably never see these pieces ever again. She’d never again be able to enjoy their flawless forms or speculate on the nature of the eternal, erotic dance. She turned back to the general and her gaze landed on his manhood. Moderate in length, yet exquisitely sculpted. Kate was suddenly filled with a desire to touch it, to caress the cold marble and enjoy the finely etched texture. If nothing else, it would give her something to think about later with that bottle of wine.
She shook her head, “What is wrong with me? It’s a stone statue for goodness sakes!”
But even as the thought crossed her mind, she realized she was walking across the room and was now in front of the general. He stood a full foot taller than her, and Kate now fell in the statue’s line of sig
ht, his penetrating gaze falling on her face. She shuddered and took a final step closer, reaching out with a hand that was shaking with a strange desire that she couldn’t explain.
As her fingertips caressed the stone cock, lightning flashed again and Kate withdraw her hand in surprise, stumbling away from the general. As she stepped backwards, she tripped on her heels and fell on her backside just as the dim lights in the room flickered and failed. The thunder rolled a split second later there was a sudden noise from inside the room itself - the same stone on stone grinding that she’d heard before, but more distinct and clear, ending finally with a loud crack and then... silence.
Chapter 2
Kate initially thought one of the statues had fallen over and smashed. She tried to steady her nerves and get back on her feet, struggling to untangle her purse from her arms. She slowly sat up onto her knees.
“Remain kneeling woman, do not attempt to stand,” a strange voice spoke to her. It was male and deep, confident and assured and strangely familiar. It spoke in ancient Greek, which took her a few seconds to recognise, but eventually her university education kicked in and she was able to understand, though the accent was strange to her. She looked around, but the room was dark and her eyes hadn’t yet adapted. She tried again to get to her feet, intending to get out of there as quickly as possible and get back to that wine plan. Today had been simply too much. As she attempt to stand, she felt a large hand grip her shoulder, pushing her back to her knees.
“Are you hard of hearing woman? Did I not command you to remain kneeling?”
At that moment, the lights in the room returned. The backup generator must have kicked in, she realized in the back of her mind. She blinked her eyes twice to clear them and looked around. In front of her, the plinth that was previously occupied by the general was completely empty. There was no sign of the statue that had previously stood there, it hadn’t fallen over and smashed, it was simply gone. Kate did a double take at this and then remembered the hand that had touched her shoulder. She turned to her left and immediately jumped sideways at what she saw, her legs kicking out in front of her for traction.
Off to her side stood the general and his prize, but they were no longer statues of cold stone. Instead, they were flesh and blood and moving around like regular people. The prize still knelt on her plinth but now her eyes darted this way and that. The general stood beside her, near to where Kate had stumbled. He no longer gestured at the female but had instead adopted a fighting stance, knees bent and arms raised as if ready to grapple. Kate nervously studied the pair and realized that the general was defending the female. It seemed that they were as confused she was.
“Wh-wh-what do you want?” Kate stuttered, it was all she could think of to say. The general appeared to relax his stance slightly and glanced around the room.
The general spoke, “Do you not know me woman? Did you not free us?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Kate cried, “I was just leaving the museum and the lights went off and…” Kate stopped talking, noticing that the general’s quizzical expression suggested he didn’t have the faintest idea what she was talking about. “Please don’t hurt me,” she added.
The general relaxed his stance and his face softened.
“Woman, I do not mean to hurt you. Are you in distress? Do you require assistance? My consort Ianessa has a tender touch that can be quite comforting. She will attend you.”
The general looked to his companion and gestured in Kate’s direction. At his command, the woman stood and walked across the room towards her. Kate inched backwards at her approach but her eyes were drawn to the woman’s naked figure. Ianessa’s breasts were not overly large, yet they were full, with small, dark nipples. Her dusky skin was tanned and soft, her eyes deep pools of green. Long tresses of dark hair hung over her shoulders and framed her face and chest. Kate found her breath coming short and fast as she studied this woman’s slim body. She stopped withdrawing as she backed into the wall and allowed the girl to approach.
“Mistress, will you allow me?” breathed Ianessa, her first words were whispered and quiet, yet hypnotic and alluring. She crouched down beside Kate and held out her hands, as if to indicate they held no weapons.
“I… yes, please,” responded Kate, her eyes locked on the dark eyes of the girl, not quite sure what she was agreeing to but utterly unable to resist this young temptress. She felt her heart racing in her chest, and a flush rising up her neck. Ianessa responded by lowering her hands to Kate’s thighs and started gently caressing her legs. Kate flinched at Ianessa’s touch, halfheartedly pulling back, even as her stockinged legs parted slightly to allow easier access.
Ianessa’s soft hands slowly traced the length of Kate’s legs, probing for signs of injury but also imparting a warmth to Kate’s flesh that she had never felt before. A pleasant tingle that caused Kate to blush and sigh. Ianessa reached Kate’s feet and gingerly removed her stiletto heels. Kate glanced again at Ianessa’s face and found the consort to be transfixed by her patient. Whatever strange desire Kate was feeling at this strange woman’s touch was obviously reciprocated by Ianessa. Kate gasped as Ianessa’s hands lightly squeezed her foot. She bit her lower lip and pulled back slightly.
“Does Mistress not like it?” inquired Ianessa, her voice hesitant yet playful.
“I… I’m not… I do....”
The general spoke again, “You will forgive Ianessa my lady. Her skills lie in the carnal arts and as such she is conditioned to give pleasure where she can, and enjoy giving it. The many long years we were encased in that accursed stone prison have left her unfulfilled and eager. I must confess, that I too have missed the warm touch of a female hand. Both Ianessa and I rejoice that a consort’s desire has finally proved strong enough to break our bonds!”
Ianessa had resumed her caressing and probing, and was deftly unbuttoning Kate’s blouse. Kate tried to push her away, but her arms somehow ignored her wishes and instead reached out to touch Ianessa’s soft skin. In response, Ianessa reached a hand between Kate’s legs, forcing them apart, eventually finding its way past Kate’s damp panties and onto what lay beneath. Kate trembled as Ianessa’s fingers began their work. Her back arched and she closed her eyes, sighing deeply.
Outside, lightning flashed again and Kate momentarily regained her senses, snapping her legs together.
“Wait, wait, I am not your consort,” Kate cried, her attempts to sound forceful and resistant betrayed by her breathlessness and the eager Greek woman kissing her naked stomach. “I’m leaving right now, I don’t want anything to do with you people,” she moaned halfheartedly, not entirely believing it herself.
“You are free to leave lady, yet I believe you will not. The powers that brought us together are greater than your wilful desires” the general responded. With two large strides, he crossed the room and approached Ianessa, grabbing her hair and pulling her head back and away from Kate’s body in a single stroke. Ianessa groaned but did not struggle.
“Ianessa, kneel,” he commanded, pointing to the left of where Kate lay against the wall. Immediately, Ianessa withdrew her attention from Kate’s body and returned to the kneeling position. This time, rather than protecting her modesty, her arms were folded behind her back pushing her chest forward and exposing her breasts. Her eyes looked to the ground, her face intent. Kate remained transfixed and longed for the warm touch of her fingers to return. She shook her head to clear it and looked back to the general.
“Okay… you’re right. I’m still here,“ she addressed the general directly, “but I want answers. What do you mean you were imprisoned? Who imprisoned you?”
The general looked to the window, his expression suddenly grave.
“I was a great war leader. I led my people to many great victories and great riches. I took many women, and most of them came willingly. Ianessa too came to me when I commanded it, her village conquered and her people fled. She became my favourite consort, and brought me great pleasure. Yet s
he was promised to another, the governor of the province, in return for great riches and lands. When the governor saw that his prize was being taken from him, he beseeched the gods to provide recompense and return Ianessa to him. But the capricious gods played a cruel trick. We were instead cursed to stand as statues in the court of the governor. Our release would only come if a second consort, one who possessed the same qualities of desire and obedience as Ianessa, was found to take her place. I know not how far and long the governor searched, though I fear his quest would have been in vain. Yet, here we are, walking free.”
Kate realized that as the general was speaking, she had moved herself from her position against the wall. To her surprise, she found that she was now kneeling beside Ianessa, her legs folded beneath her and her arms crossed behind her back. She’d removed her blouse and bra and discarded them without even noticing. Dimly, she realized that the general had been talking about her. She was the second consort, possessed of sufficient desire to break the bonds of an ancient curse. Had she known this subconsciously all along? Had she strived for years to engineer this situation? The vigor with which she’d pursued the acquisition of these statues was surely no coincidence. Nor was it really just a whim that she had reached out to touch the general’s manhood at the exact right moment. Did she find herself alone in the museum, dressed like a whore tonight because of the interview or because a consort would want to welcome her master appropriately?
Kate glanced over at Ianessa, still gazing meekly at the floor, and remembered the dream that had haunted her sleep for many a year. This situation ought to feel strange, absurd even, yet instead it felt entirely right to her. This is what she wanted, what she had worked towards - her destiny, her fate.