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by Assassin Master [Whispers] (mobi)

  the kiss after tasting and fondling her.

  “You are no longer untouched, very good. Your training will begin in earnest shortly.”

  “I have seen the men look at me. I am so frightened,” Carrie said. Still her body trembled.

  “Do not be afraid, little one. You are new and they are interested. I will make certain you are well- trained before they will be allowed to touch you. Some are not as patient as I am. I do not want you struck because of their ignorance. Some of my older men will show you more leniencies. You will be given to them first,” Seth informed her.

  Carrie’s tears were falling at a steady rate as she

  grew more overwhelmed with each of his words. “Come now, it won’t be all bad,” Seth chastised. “How can repeated rape be not all bad?” she

  sobbed, snuffling loudly.

  Seth sighed and, taking her hand, sat her down on a beautiful wooden bench in the shade. He dried her tears and brushed the hair from her face. “My women here are quite happy, Carrie. They were as frightened as you are now when they first came, but they learned quickly if they did as they were told there were great rewards for them.”

  “How can slavery have rewards?” she asked bitterly.

  “They are well fed, clothed and sheltered. They have friends within these walls. One of the women here is unable to have children, yet the others share

  theirs. Her help is coveted. She is a wonderful surrogate mother. They are given gifts. They do not have the stress of working and not being able to make ends meet, all medical and dental necessities are met, never denied. The threat of starving is never held over their heads. No cheating boyfriends to cause jealousy and heartache.

  “They have no need of money; all is provided for them in abundance. Because there are many, no task is too hard upon any one of them. They are well protected, cared for...and, Carrie, they are all wanted. They would not be here if they were not.” Seth said the last with meaning, knowing of Carrie’s deep desire to be wanted and needed and loved.

  “What of my freedom? What of my desire to voice

  an opinion?” she asked.

  “You have the freedom of living without daily stress and, as for opinion, I have often heard the men engaged in lively debates with a few of the women. As long as you have been given permission to speak your mind, you may do so without fear of retribution. Just remember to wait for the words, little one, or you may anger someone into thinking you are talking back,” Seth warned.

  “Is that why you were going to strike me?” Carrie asked, as one confusion seemed to evaporate. She realized why she had angered him. She was saddened; all her life she strove for a place where she could succeed. Now she was not even allowed to speak

  unless given permission. It was heartbreaking; all of her years at school, gone in a moment. The man before her looked as though it were the most natural thing in the world. What would become of her? How could she learn to cope? There must be some way, something she could be allowed to do…

  * * * *

  “Yes,” Seth said, answering her question, now smiling. She was a bright little thing. She would learn swiftly. If only Tyr would relent and allow him more access to her. He had been guarding her like a rabid hound the last few days. Only a call from his brother, Wolf, had granted Seth these few precious moments. Even then, Tyr had been reluctant to leave her. As he moved to retrieve her, Seth had told him she needed the air and exercise, and he would guard her well, allowing no one else near.

  “Seth?” Carrie asked timidly. Her clear blue eyes lifted to gaze at him.

  “Yes?” From her hesitant look, he knew she was

  going to ask him for something. He hoped he could grant her request. This would be a major step towards her acceptance of him. It would aid and encourage her training if she had something to strive for.

  “I want to run,” Carrie pleaded.

  Confusion settled over Seth’s face and he felt his chest fall. “If you try to escape it would not go well for you. We are surrounded by desert. You would surly die if we did not find you; trust me when I say there

  are brutal renegades who would take great sport with you. These men have no compassion or mercy for anyone, including their own. Also, the weather in this area can be extreme in one way or another.”

  “We are completely secluded; there is no real

  town or residence for hundreds and hundreds of miles. You would be tracked relentlessly by me and my men. Once found, if you still lived or hadn’t been stolen, you would be punished severely for your insolence.”

  “I will not run away, I swear, Seth. I would be too

  afraid out there all alone in an environment completely foreign to me. Is there not anywhere I can jog? Even if I am not free, it makes me feel like a wild spirit to move quickly,” she begged.

  Understanding lit Seth’s eyes and he felt a great relief. It was not escape she sought. In the distance there were mountains with trails he rode his horse over. She could run there. It was not a custom to allow the women past the walls, yet he had taken another riding after seeing her love of horses.

  His eyes saddened at the thought. Lilly had been

  his first. A rare dark-haired, green-eyed beauty with spirit he had captured on his own. She had been full of life and defiant and unruly. It had taken him a long while to tame her. He had learned great patience and gentleness from her, not wanting to cause her injury, as she strove to defy him.

  Only once out of frustrated anger had he struck

  her. Her tears had fallen softly and quietly as blood dripped from her nose, and he had felt sickened as she huddled in a corner, terrified of him, her hand clasped to her breasts while ragged wheezing had rumbled from her small chest. When he had sought to offer her aid, she had raised pleading hands and screamed in terror as he approached.

  It had never been his intent to break her spirit. He had determined to find other ways of commanding obedience. He had learned with her. He had loved her. He was positive she had come to love him as well. Seth had been devastated when she had died from a terrible illness. The many specialists he had called upon were unable to help her. Even after all these years the memory still pained him.

  A deep sadness crossed over his eyes and he was startled when he felt a small hand clasp his. Shocked, Seth looked at her. Carrie snatched her hand away immediately.

  “I’m sorry, you just looked so sad. I didn’t mean

  to offend. Please, I am still learning. Please don’t be angry with me.” Carrie cowered back, her eyes settled onto him, obviously waiting to see if he would beat her for touching him without permission.

  Seth picked up Carrie’s hand and held it, pulling her closer towards him. “A show of sympathetic affection is welcome, little one; it is a woman’s greatest attribute. You will never be beaten for giving a gentle spontaneous touch, I promise.”

  Carrie visibly relaxed.

  “What are you two up to?” a harsh voice demanded.

  Seth and Carrie turned and noted Tyr scowling at them. Carrie pulled on her hand but Seth knew that would be her first response and he clutched it tighter. She stopped resisting and she left her hand in his submissively. Seth took note of that. She did learn fast.

  “Carrie has expressed an interest in jogging. There is a safe place in the mountains where she can be followed on horseback. I have decided I will allow it,” Seth informed him.

  Carrie’s eyes brightened. A wide smile spread across her face, causing Seth to smile back. Her features transformed and he thought her beauty was beyond enchanting. He was delighted this tiny creature would be living under his roof.

  “Thank you, Seth,” she squealed.

  “Perhaps I won’t,” Tyr snapped. He was glaring from Seth to Carrie.

  Carrie’s face fell from disappointment; her sweet

  smile evaporated and was replaced by the one of melancholy she so often wore. She rose to her feet before Tyr. Seth released her, seeing the jealousy radiating from Tyr. He could also see Ty
r’s sudden embarrassment from acting too impetuously in his judgment and also his reluctance to recant. He felt amused, wondering how Tyr would handle the

  situation.

  * * * *

  “Please, Tyr. Oh, please allow me to. I love to run. I will do anything you command.”

  “You will do anything I command regardless,

  remember?”

  “Yes, Tyr, I remember,” Carrie said.

  Tyr looked down at her humbled form, sighing with annoyance. He controlled his anger, realizing it wasn’t her fault the first time he had ever seen her smile, a real smile, was at Seth.

  Oh God, she had looked so beautiful, only it had been for another, not him. He realized he was becoming perhaps a bit too comfortable at being her master. The longer he possessed her the harder it was going to be for him to release her.

  A nagging gut instinct in his belly once more

  compelled him to keep her. She was his, after all. But seeing her with Seth made him realize he did not want to share her. His anger had raged when she but held the man’s hand. He would not be able to stand the thought of Seth and the others using her while he was away.

  Tyr lifted her head, cupping her cheeks. “You may

  run, Carrie. Just never run from me.”

  She threw herself into his arms, once more smiling. “Thank you! I will never run from you.”

  Tyr saw the inquisitive, wondering look on Seth’s

  face and realized he had best be careful. He

  reminded himself one little slip and his game would turn into life and death. Though Seth was a friend, this was his life and livelihood. If he thought for a moment Tyr were insincere, his wrath would be swift and unpleasant, to say the least. Tyr unwrapped Carrie’s hands from around his shoulders; he set her at arm's length.

  “Perhaps it is time to begin your training, as Seth has suggested. After all, how will you learn to be pleasing enough to gain your gift unless you are taught?”

  “Excellent,” Seth declared.

  Tyr relaxed, knowing Seth was delighted with the idea. He breathed easier as Seth strolled away, no doubt to inform his women there would soon be another within their midst.

  Chapter Nine

  Carrie sat in a corner all alone. Her knees were pulled up to her chin while she gazed at her surroundings. Again there were no windows, although the area was bathed in soft light. Tyr had informed her windowless rooms were for safety, although she felt it served more to trap those within.

  The room was beyond beautiful, the walls a soft

  grey with many enthralling pictures gracing the walls. She didn’t need to be an expert to understand each was an original and worth thousands. Many canopied beds were situated throughout with filmy drapes surrounding them for privacy. Each color was exquisitely different; Seth had explained when the time was right she would be able to choose her own.

  She had been shown a large bathroom where

  many baths and showers were sequestered within. Past glass double doors she could see the most amazing kidney-shaped indoor pool. A small waterfall flowed into the pool surrounded by leafy vegetation, giving it a tranquil, pond-like setting; soft, cushy lounge chairs spotted the poolside. A massive hot tub almost the same size as the pool was situated to the left, a sauna to the right. Her head once again spun

  with the manor's grand magnificence. She cringed inwardly, feeling like a spoiled, petted, pink poodle, although to her distress, she realized an animal would have more rights and freedom in this setting.

  She had been introduced to Seth’s other women,

  who promptly avoided her after Seth and Tyr left to allow them to get better acquainted. Carrie looked at the women, studying them openly. There were nine. All shapes and sizes and colors. One looked to be even younger than she and just as terrified.

  The children were more curious, and Carrie

  smiled tentatively at a handsome, sturdy little boy of about four or five, who approached her with a blue and white striped ball. The child held no fear of her nor harbored feelings of open trepidation. It was more than apparent he had been loved and hovered over and waited on since birth.

  “Wanna play?” he asked.

  “Sure,” Carrie said, eager to be accepted by someone.

  “I throw to you and then you throw to me,” the boy commanded sternly.

  Carrie chuckled. She could see the resemblance to Seth about the child. No doubt the boy had his attitude. He was the eldest of all the children and the others took their cue from him. She played with the boy as the other children crept forward, watching intently.

  The boy laughed with amusement, delighted with

  Carrie’s obvious adoring attention, declaring her to be fun, until finally one tiny little girl climbed into her lap and stuck her little thumb in her rosebud mouth. Huge brown eyes gazed up at Carrie. Long chestnut hair settled over her shoulders in a riot of springy ringlets. She was the most adorable little cherub Carrie had ever seen and she was immediately captivated.

  She held the child to her and smelled in her sweet

  scent, feeling nostalgic. Oh, how desperately she wanted a child of her own to cuddle and love. She looked up, smiling, as a woman approached her. She was undeniably the child’s mother.

  “My name is Maggie,” the woman said, sitting beside Carrie. The child climbed down from Carrie’s lap to toddle over into her mother’s arms.

  “I’m Carrie,” she replied, relieved as she felt the

  silent treatment was coming to an end. The other women now approached, crowding around her with curious interest.

  Maggie was the eldest of them and it became apparent she had been there the longest. Carrie was informed she was to obey her and they would get along just fine. She had felt concern at first, yet she soon understood that Maggie was obeyed because she was well respected, not overbearing or hostile. She also had certain pull when it came to Seth, having had four of his children. Two were away at a private school.

  The pregnant woman, she was informed, had been moved to a special place to await the birth of her child. Seth was taking no chances; he had round the clock medical attention for her.

  Carrie was shown to a beautiful, peaceful place

  where she could sleep for the night if she needed to, though some of the women giggled when Maggie said this. Maggie informed Carrie she doubted she would be left alone for quite some time, with her enchanting looks. After Tyr allowed her access to Seth and the men, she would be in high demand for months. At Carrie’s obvious distress, the woman had wrapped her arms around her and had offered comfort.

  “Don’t be afraid. Seth is not cruel. He saved me

  from a man who beat me daily until I no longer cared whether I lived or died. I owe him my life. He taught me not all men are evil. The men under his command will not beat you. I will make certain you are well taught. Please them and keep them happy, and you will be happy. No one here is overly harsh or pitiless,” Maggie said soothingly, stroking her hair.

  “Except Sergio,” one of the women said, and shuddered, cuddling her young baby.

  “Which one is Sergio?” Carrie asked, feeling frightened. The woman looked terrified.

  “The big, dark-haired, ugly brute who's as hairy as a grizzly bear and equally ill-tempered and unpredictable,” the woman said. Her baby began

  fussing and she put her to her breast.

  Carrie knew who she meant. It was the hideous looking man she had collided with in the hallway her first day. He was often leering at her from a distance and licking his lips suggestively.

  “Sergio will not be overly brutal with you if you submit completely and swiftly. It is less painful if you do,” Maggie said, obviously speaking from experience. “Sergio seems to take great delight in making a woman feel helpless and completely vulnerable.”

  “He is rough then?” Carrie asked, remembering

  the painful squeezing to her bare bottom she had endured.

  “Yes, he is very rough. But it is his ta
ste for different sex which proves painful. Just lie completely still and beg quietly for his mercy; sometimes he is appeased,” Maggie warned.

  “I don’t understand,” Carrie said, now confused. “He likes to take his women from behind,”

  another woman supplied, and grimaced with distaste.

  Carrie remained confused. Tyr had taken her from behind. Though feeling a certain amount of vulnerability, she had not found it any different or unpleasant. Maggie was watching her look of confusion and smiled at her innocence.

  “Carrie, he will not only take you from behind, he

  will take your behind,” she said in explanation.

  Carrie’s confusion turned to a mask of horror at the implication. Tyr had never done that. That would

  hurt! She felt an overwhelming urge to run, the desert be damned. She felt death would be more welcome than to have the hideous man pounding into her brutally.