by Ivy Barrett
Tears blurred her vision as the full import of what they’d done unfurled. She would be free. For the first time in years, she would be free. “And what will I find when I arrive at this mysterious destination?”
“An apartment building with a vacant flat. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s furnished and should provide everything you need to live independently. A close friend owns the building and your expenses are covered. No one will question your arrival. You can stay as long as you like. Oh, I almost forgot. Our engagement is off.”
* * * * *
Danette spent the next three days savoring her freedom yet aching for her Master. What good was a life of her own if the person she longed to share it with was locked in a cage? She watched demonstrations and protests spread like wildfire. Palmer had mobilized the university students with amazing speed.
On the fourth day, Ashton left a message asking her to return to his apartment. He was waiting on the roof when she arrived.
“I’m getting good at harboring fugitives.” He smiled and scanned open the door.
“How serious are you and Corry?” she asked as they headed down the corridor.
“Very serious.” He shot her a sidelong glance. “What’s going on between you and Korbin?”
“Nothing at the moment,” she said wistfully.
They had barely settled around Ashton’s kitchen table when the doorbell rang. “That’s probably Palmer. I’ll be right back.” Ashton went to open the door and returned with his mother.
Fury blazed in Elaine’s eyes. “He knows. I don’t know how he found out but Hayford knows.”
“He knows what?” Ashton asked.
“He knows Corry is here and he has given me two days to convince her to turn herself in or he will have all three of us arrested. Damn it! You probably should have kept her stashed at the Pleasure Palace.”
“She was only completely safe as long as she was alone. Each time I went there I took the risk of someone recognizing me. I wasn’t going to—”
“I’ll turn myself in,” Corry said. “I won’t have you endangered—”
“No!” Ashton and Elaine protested in unison.
“We’ve come too far to back down now,” Elaine went on. “They’re frightened. They know this is something they can’t control and it has them scared to death.”
“We have to resolve this quickly. If it becomes a pissing contest, there will be no winner.” Ashton looked at Corry and she nodded.
“We need to educate them,” Corry said. “Allow the council to reevaluate the situation based on firsthand data. Petitions and vidfiles are easy to brush aside. It’s a little harder to ignore the sunken eyes of a starving child.”
“What are you suggesting?” Elaine asked.
“A field trip.” Corry grinned. “We transport the entire council into a shuttle and take them on an extensive tour of the outer settlements. Let them experience what this rebellion is all about.”
“You have the prototype?” Elaine asked. “The council thinks your people destroyed it to keep it from falling into their hands.”
“We still have it, but there’s a major complication. Only Korbin can access it.”
Chapter Eight
The unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh jarred Korbin from a fitful sleep. He rolled off his bunk and sprang to the balls of his feet, ready to meet the unseen assailant.
Leaning so close that the energy barrier sizzled, Korbin was able to see into the hall. Ashton and a rather busty brunette struggled with a half-conscious guard. Dragging the guard’s hands to the small of his back, Ashton snatched the magnetic restraints off his belt.
“What the hell’s going on?” Korbin eyed him suspiciously.
“What’s it look like?” Ashton snapped. “We’re breaking you out.” After securing the guard’s hands, Ashton unfastened his control band.
“Sure you are.”
“Fine. Stay here, but you’re about to get some company.” He deactivated the energy barrier and rolled the guard into the holding cell.
Korbin stepped over the unconscious man and helped the woman drag a second guard into the cell.
“Why would you help me?” Korbin looked from Ashton to the woman and back.
“I need something only you can get and Toni owes me a favor.” Ashton reactivated the barrier while Toni unbuttoned her blouse. A sleek, molded camisole supported her lush breasts and hugged her trim torso.
They hurried down the corridor and into the control room. Ashton looked at the grid and said, “The stars are shining on us tonight. We’re down to four.”
Korbin didn’t say a word. There would be time for questions later. In tactical formation, they crept down the outer hall, pausing at the corner to assess the hub.
Ashton pulled the pistol out of his waistband as Korbin darted to the other side of the corridor. From this angle he could see Toni and the guards.
She tucked her hair behind her ears, pushed the sides of her blouse back and moved into the corridor. “Oh, thank God. I am so turned around. I usually come in a different entrance, but the public lot was full.”
“How can we help you, ma’am?” one of the guards asked.
“Ma’am? Do I look like a ma’am?”
Three of the four guards were mesmerized, offering Toni their undivided attention. The fourth, however, scanned the corridor with renewed alertness.
Korbin looked at Ashton. The tension in his expression made it clear he’d come to the same conclusion. Korbin pointed to the pistol and then to himself. Ashton shook his head. He wasn’t sure if Ashton didn’t have another gun, or if Ashton just wasn’t ready to trust him with one.
“I’m so bad with directions,” Toni simpered. “Is there any chance you could show me?”
Two of the guards were around the counter before their suspicious companion could protest. Ashton mouthed the word “now” and rushed down the corridor. He fired on the steadfast guard, propelling him away from the controls.
Toni launched herself at the nearest guard while the second frantically reached for his weapon. Ashton blasted the two remaining guards in quick succession. Korbin cursed his helplessness.
The guard Toni had engaged ducked her roundhouse kick and grabbed her from behind. She slammed her head back into his chest, but he only grunted.
“Drop it or she’s dead,” the guard snarled. He was tall and burly, easily twice her weight.
“Toss me the gun,” Korbin whispered, his gaze fixed on Toni.
It took Ashton a moment longer to accept that he couldn’t make the shot. The guard repeated the command. The choice was simple. Ashton could trust him or surrender.
Keeping the barrel pointed at the guard, Ashton tossed the gun to Korbin. He caught it and fired with deadly accuracy. The guard rocked backward and fell, his weapon never discharging.
“Well, that was fun.” Toni shook off a shudder and swept her arm toward the door. “After you.”
* * * * *
“The executive council is nothing if not predictable. They’ll convene an emergency session tomorrow at nine o’clock, and that’s when we make our move.”
Korbin heard the premier’s wife speak, but his mind had yet to accept that any of this was real. As if Ashton’s actions hadn’t been shocking enough, they’d shuttled to a remote flat to find Corry and Danette waiting for them. Palmer arrived a short time later, making Korbin’s stupor complete.
“When did you all turn rebel?” He looked everywhere but at Danette, afraid he’d give himself away. He’d thought of little else, aching to see her, touch her just one more time.
“Ashton converted on Temple-Tuttle.” Palmer smirked. “The rest of us took a little longer to convince.”
Ignoring the knowing sparkle in Palmer’s gaze, Ashton asked, “How long will it take you to retrieve the transportation device and install it on my mother’s schooner?”
Corry quickly explained what they had planned, bringing Korbin up to date without elaboration. “Can you have it
ready by tomorrow morning?” she asked.
“Installation will only take an hour or so. Retrieving the device before morning could be a problem.”
“Why? Where is it?”
Though Ashton’s tone was casual, Korbin hesitated to explain. “In a storage compartment.”
“Why are you being so evasive?”
Korbin glared at Ashton. “Why are you being so helpful? How do I know you’re not after the device? The executive council would do anything to get their hands on it. Am I really supposed to believe you’ve turned rebel overnight?” He shot a suspicious glance at Elaine to reinforce his point.
Corry moved to his side. “We don’t have time for this. I trust them and that’s going to have to be good enough. What do you need to retrieve the device? I…have a good idea where you hid it.”
His gaze narrowed. How could she possibly know, unless she knew about…
“Is it in one of the training rooms?”
Shit! She knew. He swallowed hard and glanced away. How had she learned? It didn’t matter. They had work to do.
“Yes, it’s in one of the training rooms. I have to have a plausible reason for retrieving it, but they can’t realize who I am. I can com Petra and make sure the room is available, but I can’t draw attention with my actions. I need a trainee.”
“I’ll go.”
Danette’s offer slammed into him like a fist. He still hadn’t looked directly at her.
“Ms. Tiptonn,” Corry began awkwardly, “I don’t think you understand where—”
“I understand. Korbin knows why I’m the perfect choice.”
“You guys lost me half a conversation ago.” Palmer stood. “Are we on or not?”
“If we can’t pull it off, I’ll contact you.” Ashton stood as well. “If you don’t hear from me, be at my apartment at seven tomorrow morning.”
Palmer and Elaine left.
“What do you need from us?” Corry glanced from Korbin to Danette and back again.
“Whose apartment is this and where is the schooner?”
“A friend of my mother’s owns the building,” Ashton told him. “The apartment is vacant and there is no surveillance inside the complex. As soon as you have the device, I’ll meet you with the schooner.”
“We need clothing appropriate to our destination.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Corry departed with Ashton, leaving Korbin alone with Danette.
She flew into his arms, her lips parted and waiting. Korbin kissed her and tasted her. With a frustrated sigh, he set her away from him. “I don’t want to take you there. I’ll have to be just a faceless Dom with no authority. I can’t be Pleasure Master Nine. Too many people know he’s NëvouS, and NëvouS is a criminal. If a pleasure master wants to look at you, touch you, I’ll have to let him. I couldn’t bear—”
She pressed a kiss to his mouth, smiling into his eyes. “I’ve been through it before. I know what’s allowed and what’s forbidden.”
She was willing and there was no other way to retrieve the device. Still, his heart was torn. “Let’s set parameters now. If they expect a show of obedience, would you rather touch or be touched?”
“Be touched.”
“It will be far less suspicious if we actually use the training room. The device is with my—travel kit. Do you realize…”
“I know the sessions are supervised. It doesn’t bother me. You can command me. I’ll obey, even if others are watching.”
“You can’t be too obedient. The private training rooms are only used for new trainees.”
“I know. I was trained at the Pleasure Palace by—”
He silenced her with a lingering kiss.
Corry arrived a few minutes later, carrying a large parcel. “I think everything you’ll need is in here.” She handed him the bag. “There’s an automated shuttle in slot 290. It will activate on your voice command. Com us when you’ve got the device.”
* * * * *
The Pleasure Palace. Danette had never thought to enter its halls again. Concealed completely beneath a hooded cloak, she followed in Korbin’s wake. He held the chain attached to her slave collar as they moved through one of three common rooms.
Couples sprawled everywhere in various stages of undress. The uninhibited atmosphere sent excitement skittering along her nerve endings. Her nipples tightened against the fabric of her cloak and heat erupted in her core.
She’d been terrified when Paul first brought her here, but by the end of her training, she hadn’t wanted to leave.
“Hold there!” The deep voice of one of the Pleasure Masters brought Korbin to a halt.
“Yes, Sir?” Korbin sounded far less assertive than his usual tone.
“Slaves are to be uncovered in the common rooms.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. She’s just beginning her training. I reserved one of the private rooms.”
“Even so, I would see her. Display your slave.”
“Yes, Sir.” Korbin, whose face was concealed by a three-quarters mask, turned to Danette. “Give me your cloak.”
Danette’s hand trembled as she unfastened the garment. She had worked her thick hair into a simple braid and wore a mask similar to Korbin’s. His was black, hers red. Swinging the cloak off her shoulders, she handed it to Korbin, careful to keep her gaze lowered. Supple red boots climbed to mid-thigh, held in place by the crisscrossing laces that ran up one side. A tiny triangle of red material covered her mound, leaving her ass cheeks bare. A boned corset thrust her naked breasts up and together, completing the display.
“She’s fabulous!” The Pleasure Master circled her and Danette tried not to fidget. He wasn’t allowed to fuck her unless her Master gave him permission. She tried to find comfort in that fact, despite her pounding heart. “How far has her training progressed? Does she understand the Offering?”
“Her training has barely begun, Sir, and I am eager to proceed.”
“Where are you headed?”
There was only one reason he’d ask. He intended to watch the training session. Danette swallowed around the lump in her throat. As long as Korbin was the only one to take her, she didn’t care who watched.
“Training room seven, Sir. May we go now?”
“I would sample her first.”
“Of course, Sir.” Korbin moved behind her and drew her arms to the small of her back.
Danette remembered to struggle. Most new trainees would resist. The Pleasure Master stroked her breasts, rolled her nipples until they stood proud and ready for his mouth. He bent and sucked on one while he plucked at the other. Danette clenched her jaw against the sensations his practiced skill evoked. She didn’t want to feel pleasure at this man’s hands.
“When a Pleasure Master lavishes you with attention, sweet slave, you show your appreciation with your cries and moans.” Korbin’s voice sounded harsh and disapproving.
He cupped her breast, offering it to the Pleasure Master. Danette gasped and twisted, moaning loudly as the Pleasure Master worked her nipple.
“Much better.”
The Pleasure Master dragged her panties down to her knees and pushed his middle finger into her cleft. “She’s not very wet. You will have to work on her responsiveness. Build her desire for at least an hour before you let her come.”
“I understand, Sir.”
“Part her for me. I would taste her clit.”
Korbin’s hands moved immediately to her sex, parted her folds for the Pleasure Master. She turned her head and closed her eyes, making soft keening sounds. She loved having her pussy licked, but she didn’t want to surrender to this stranger. Her pleasure was reserved for her true Master. Only for Korbin would she come.
The Pleasure Master flicked her ruthlessly, his touch skillful and persistent. He’d told Korbin not to let her come. She gasped and arched into his mouth as if an orgasm were nearly upon her. As she’d hoped, he pulled back with a laugh.
“See. It’s working already. Deprive her until she’s mad for it.”
Danette reached for her thong, meaning to cover her naked mound. Korbin stopped her. “No. Take them off and give them to me. You’ve lost the privilege of modesty until you learn to respond without hesitation.”
Pushing the scrap of material past her knees, she stepped out of her panties and handed them to Korbin.
“Now apologize to the Pleasure Master and let’s be on our way.”
“I’m sorry for displeasing you, Pleasure Master.”
“You’re off to a good start, slave. You just have much to learn.”
“Thank you, Pleasure Master,” Korbin muttered.
“When you’ve progressed a bit further, I’ll expect a full Offering.”
“Yes, Sir.” Korbin inclined his head and tugged gently on her chain. He led her across the common room and through a wide archway.
“He’ll go to the control booth and watch us,” Danette whispered, head bowed.
“I know.”
After a pause, she whispered, “I missed you,” not daring to glance his way.
“I missed you too.”
Tenderness washed over her at his unexpected response. Was it possible he felt something for her? Their interaction had been unconventional to say the least.
“I’ve thought of nothing but you since I was dragged back to Halley Prime.”
He whispered so softly, she might have imagined the words. Her breath escaped in a ragged sigh. She needed to touch him!
“How long do we have? Do we dare?”
“We’ve got all night, sweet slave, and I suspect you’re going to be very difficult and force me to do all sorts of nasty things to your luscious body.”
“Yes, Master!”
Korbin opened the training room door with the code Petra had given him. Lights blinked on as they stepped through the threshold and he waited for the privacy panel to close behind them. His gaze moved immediately to the walk-in locker, which contained the private storage bins.
“Get on the table. I’ll return in a moment.” He turned her toward the high-padded table and ducked inside the adjoining room. He scanned open the compartment and heaved an audible sigh. This device might well have cost his father his life. But Korbin couldn’t think about the past tonight. He had to focus on the future.