The Sultan and the Beggar pt 4.

Benjamin hung up the phone, apparently David found his new set of tapes not nearly as funny as the last batch. Two days before:

                The room smelled of urine as Benjamin entered. David was leaning over breathing in a high pitched squeal as the air fizzled out of his lungs. He had been laughing and was now trying to catch his breath.

                 "Something funny sir?" remarked Benjamin.

                "This-This is hilarious. Watch. Watch." David clicked the mouse on the computer screen that rewound the security recording of the foyer in his mansion. The image showed Christopher on the right side of the screen standing before the front door just as a woman in red knees him in the groin. Benjamin's eyes widened as a sickly lump formed in both his stomach & throat. David howled in laughter, clenching one arm around his waist as the other slapped the table. "That's fucking hilarious!" he roared.

"yes sir, indeed a knee slapper" Benjamin's dry throat forced out the words. If seeing the poor boy get assaulted by his ex-wife was this funny, Benjamin wondered how he would feel knowing the boy had his way with Danielle. Silently Benjamin blessed whatever god was in control that there were no security camera in the bedrooms. David's laughter subsided with a sigh as he wiped a tear from his eye.

                "Lunch is ready sir." Benjamin interrupted; his own eyes were beginning to tear up as the ammonia was ravaging his nostrils.

                "oh, ok. Save this, don't erase this, I will need a good laugh every now and then." David paused, "It's too bad I have a terrible poker face, otherwise I'd sue the bitch for assault with this evidence." David stood.       "You did good Bennie. The kid is back in his place then?"

                "I had him drugged as you insisted sir." replied Benjamin.

                David nodded as a huge smile took up most of his face and walked out of the office in his hotel suite.

                Benjamin shook his head as he looked at the frozen image of the boy lying on the ground in pain. "Poor kid" Benjamin felt a deep sorrow for Christopher as he knew the boy would be distraught if not at least confused at the whole encounter. When the boy had woken up in the mansion he was terribly lost, Benjamin had thought he was going to panic or hyperventilate.  Benjamin turned to leave the room himself before something else caught his eye, a figure in the top left corner of the screen. "Danielle" He sighed, and pressed play on the keyboard. As the scene played out Benjamin felt the lump in his stomach grow. He took a deep breath, pressed rewind, stopped just after the front door closed and clicked erase.

                Two days later Benjamin was cursing himself for not reviewing the tapes before handing them over. But he surely didn’t expect this to happen.

No, NO! That’s it! I’m done with this! He yelled. That kid’s gone far enough!  Fucking my slut assistant was pushing it but sleeping with my wife?! Bastard’s gone too far!  I’m ending this! David threw down his scotch and got up from his chair where he was watching the recorded video tapes of his house and office.  Down in the Lobby he dialed his butler at home. Bennie, get dressed and meet me at my house, I’m getting rid of that kid for good. No, that bastard slept with my wife. I can undo the damage he did to my company but sleeping with my wife, that’s my business and no one else’s.  He what!? The divorce is finalized? I’m gonna kill him! With that David hung up on Benjamin and hailed a taxi.

                During the ride to his house David had plenty of time to plot out his revenge on Christopher. “That punk is going to pay” David called Benjamin again. “Bennie are you here? Good I need you to get into the garage and get me a few items, don’t ask questions. I need you to get some rope and some duct tape. Yes, I’m going to make sure that bastard doesn’t ever touch another woman again. Hell I might even castrate him,” Heading towards his front door, punching in the codes for the alarm David carefully closed the door behind him, not wanting to alert the visitor that had worn out his welcome. David took the servant’s hidden hallway behind the stairs, through the kitchen and up a staircase that opened up into the hallway.  Taking a few steps he pushed in a wooden lever in the chair rail and popped open a secret door that lead into a secret room. Feeling the wall he ran his fingers across a couple of bumps and lifted out eyes belonging to the painting on the other side of the fake wall, leaving two peep holes.  David looked into the room searching for Christopher. He could hear moans. A woman’s cries and a man’s grunt, “Horny bastard is at it again, if it’s my wife I’ll just kill him now” David started feeling for the lever that would turn the fake wall into another door when he saw movement.  In the corner of the room on an easy chair a woman with brown hair was grinding her hips on the lap of what David assumed was Christopher.  “Well, at least he’ll live to experience his torture.”  David’s hand fell from the lever. The moaning from the next room was erotic and tingled David’s member.

                ”OH Chris, Oh Danielle!” The hot groaning, even the creaking of the chair were elements of a perfect porno. David decided to give himself a release since he had worked himself up so much. “Who knows, maybe it will help me shoot straight”, David whispered with a chuckle. He unbuckled his pants and reached for himself, stroking at the sight of Danielle’s ass spread across Christopher’s lap.

Christopher grabbed her ass and squeezed before picking her up. She stood while he pulled himself out. “Done already” David whimpered, as he watched Danielle turn around and bend over. “Shit, I didn’t know she liked that position.”  David had a full view of Danielle’s breasts as Christopher pumped her from behind. Bouncing and waving at him, David got harder as he stroked his cock. “Yea baby, when all of this is done I’m gonna fuck you from behind just like that, only harder.” 

                David watched as Christopher reached around and grabbed Danielle’s tits squeezing and pulling her up to stand. She lifted one leg up and rested it on the coffee table in front of her. He reached around placing one nipple in his mouth while his free hand reached down between her thighs and began stroking her wet lips below. Danielle moaned louder and louder, she screamed when his finger rolled over her clit. Over and over again, his finger ran back and forth bringing her to a climax as she threw her head back screaming and her legs squeezed together, hips thrusting. Christopher removed his other hand from her tit and grabbed her waist to keep her from falling over.  He removed the hand from her clit before she was finished, leaving her unsatisfied. He slapped her ass in mid air as she yelped. He did it again and again, smacking the clean skin making soft pink marks on her tush. With the last slap he rubbed her thigh and slid his hand back up her torso, massaging the breast that was overflowing in his hand. He leaned his head down kissing her neck, sucking, nibbling, bringing her to a new arousal. He placed her nipple back inside his mouth and sucked; she yelled as she became even wetter than before. Christopher slid his hand back down between her thighs and pinched her clitoris. Her yells became screams. He began rubbing, and rubbing again. Back and forth, across, around until Danielle squeezed his member with her vagina walls and erupted. “OH god I’m coming!!” OH! She screamed while Christopher thrusted his member inside allowing himself enough pleasure to come with his lover.

                Then there was silence. Silence that is, in the room that Christopher and Danielle were in. In the tiny hidden hallway there were muffled sounds emanating from David’s own climax. Danielle opened her mouth to compliment Christopher when he shushed her. Hearing the sounds coming from the wall he walked over to the gun cabinet and reached for a (gun size). Aiming it at the sound coming from the wall Christopher called out a warning.  “Come out whoever you are, I have a gun and I will shoot.”

                From behind the wall David begins zipping up his pants. “You little punk, you think you own this house? Well forget it, that’s my gun, and my bitch you’re screwing, and I’ll have you rotting behind bars before the night is over.”

                Christopher aims the gun, “No I think you’re mistaken this is my house, and my gun and this woman you just called a bitch is my lover.” Christopher takes a quick glance at Danielle, her face pale white with fear.” Now come out with your hands up. I’m sure there are doctors that can help you-“

                “You son of a bitch! I’m gonna kill you, you think you can come in here and just take whatever you want. David aims through the wall and pulls the trigger. The bullet flies between the two figures and hits the wall behind them. Christopher aims his gun and sees two moving eyes behind a painting, he pulls the trigger.

Tonight on 7 news, an unknown peeping tom was killed inside the home of CEO David Lawrence. He was discovered hidden inside a wall in the two million dollar mansion when David and his lover were getting ready for bed. The two reported that they heard a muffled sound coming from the wall.  When they confronted the sound they discovered there was a man and that he was hostile. The man then opened fire on the couple of which David returned fire to subdue the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. David said he had no idea of the hidden passage ways that were built into his home but plans on reviewing and sharing the floor plans with the police to investigate as to how the offender got in without notice. The man was in his early to mid fifties and has yet to be identified.

In related news CEO David Lawrence has made some respectable changes to his company’s profile. Many of its current employees will be seeing raises before the end of the month, and it is rumored that David has a new project in mind that will require a whole new department and staff.  The companies’ CFO Mark Wallence states that, “While David’s change of heart is reminiscent of an overnight scrooge turn-around; we welcome the change with open arms.” Even his Ex-Wife wasn’t holding a grudge as they finalized their two year long divorce settlement on Tuesday.”   The company’s stock increased 12% in the last week.

“So they’re hiring.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yes very good news, especially in this economy.”

“Definitely, well that’s all we have folks hope you have a good ni-“  Click

Danielle turned to Christopher.  “David, do you think you’ll ever get your memory back?” The look on her face was all concern, with perhaps a little dread. 

Christopher looked into her deep brown eyes, “If it meant losing you, I wouldn’t have any of it back.” He reached over cupped her breast and began kissing her neck as she giggled. “Oh, and do me a favor, call me Christopher. David is my middle name,”

Tales of the Night Part 3

I had fallen asleep at some point only to wake up to what I had hoped was a dream. No. Still in the room with no windows, still naked, and with Zach sleeping next to me. I’m sure there were some ladies who dreamt about waking up next to a foreign prince, I, however, would have liked to wake up in my own bed. Not next to a maniac. Though I had to admit that he’d taken decent care of me after our play session, until I remembered that his end goal was to kill me. I sat up and found a quick reminder that he’d never removed the ben wa balls. My muscles clenched around them in a knee-jerk reaction and my breath caught.

I took a deep breath and my gaze went to the pile of my clothing in the corner. Was Matt still listening? Was he any closer to finding me? I had already survived one night, but I didn’t know if my tale was enthralling enough to buy me another night or not.

I jumped when the door opened and another woman walked in with a tray of food. Her black hair was piled on her head in a poor excuse for a bun, and her blue gown contrasted with her darker skin. Her gaze met mine and widened.

“Oh, I expected…”

“For me to be dead.” I finished for her. “I’m still alive for the time being.” Both of our gazes slid to Zach and she sat the tray down.

“It is unusual, I normally come in to find a mess, but here you are.” There was something strange in her voice that I couldn’t place.

I pulled my knees up to my chest for some sort of cover. “You help him?” We hadn’t thought he had an accomplice, my mind was quickly switching from submissive mode to FBI mode. This was new information, we’d have to bring him in with any accomplices that we could find.

“Not by choice, my dear. I am his wife. My duty is to stick by him, despite his choices on how to take revenge.” She held herself straight and folded her hands in front of her.

I frowned. “Revenge? What did these women ever do to him?”

“His actions are revenge against me.  I slept with his brother.” She gave a graceful shrug and I looked back to Zach. Killing woman after having sex with them was a hell of a way to get revenge. “He makes you help as part of your punishment.”

“You’re a sharp woman. He’s been fond of you for quite some time now. Which is probably why you’re still alive.”

She was probably telling the truth about that. If I survived this I needed to make sure I took more care when I was out in the club, or stop going to the club at all.

“Have a good day.” She spun and left. I lay back on the pillows and sighed. I needed to bring this guy in, but I had to survive tonight to do that. Zach groaned and rolled over, throwing an arm on top of me. I let out a huff of air and wondered when he’d wake. I allowed myself a moment of weakness and stroked his arm. A throbbing between my legs started at merely touching him, and at the memory of last night. I started to crave my sexual release already.

I had drifted off to sleep again, but Zach’s movements woke me up. Sitting up, I found him getting dressed.

He looked over his shoulder at me. “I have business to take care of, but don’t worry, I’ll be back to continue our time together.” He grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me up against him. Shoving his lips against mine, he gave me a scorching kiss before throwing me back onto the pillows. “No clothing, I will know if you touched it. I will have Mira bring you some food.” He picked up the tray that the woman had brought before and walked out with it.

I drifted in and out, Mira, Zach’s wife did bring me food eventually, but she hadn’t been happy about it. Like it was my fault she was in this situation. Maybe she shouldn’t have cheated on her husband…or married a sadistic murderer. The ben wa balls inside me jiggled every time I moved, driving the throbbing need inside me to a unbearable level until I thought about taking my pleasure into my own hands. The problem was that I knew exactly what that would result in. Pissing Zach off and possible, likely, death. Never had I faced death as a punishment for stepping outside spoke or unspoken boundaries as a submissive. It put a new, sick thrill into the whole submitting thing.

The door opened and Zach walked in with a tray of fruit. He had changed into a business suit, the tie was now loosened around his neck, with the top button of his collar undone, the shirt was untucked and his belt already undone.

I took a shaky breath and closed my eyes. I needed to find that quiet spot in my mind again, needed to let submissive me out of her hiding place. When I opened my eyes, Zach was watching me.

“It’s like a switch flips, I can see it in your eyes, your demeanor. Like you’re two people.”

“It feels like it some days.” I whispered and averted my gaze.

He ran a hand through my hair. “Did you touch yourself?”

“No.” I knew I made the right choice. “I didn’t have permission.”

He gave a gentle tug on my hair. “That’s a good girl. Now, hands behind your back.”

I put my hands where I was told and waited. He turned to the trunk he’d brought in earlier and pulled out another length of rope. He stepped behind me and tied it around my wrists, making sure I couldn’t move my arms to the front of my body.

“Legs apart.” He turned to the chest for two more pieces of rope.

I remained on my knees but opened my legs. He tied my ankles to my thighs so I wouldn’t be able to stand. The cool air brushed my slick sex as he moved around me. I cursed realizing that I’d be ready to take anything he wanted, just for some release.

He pulled on my hair while was behind me. “Do you know why I denied you your release last night?”

The answer I wanted to give was not the right one. “No, Sir.” My voice was short as I tried to anticipate his next move.

He knelt behind me and ran a hand over my shoulder and cupped my breast. “Because my subs do not get their release until I push them to subspace, right before I kill them.”

My heart jumped into my throat as my body betrayed me. He tweaked my nipple and rolled it between his fingers. “Then I should count myself lucky, Sir.”

“As you should.” His other hand snaked over my shoulder, mirroring the motions on my other breast. “Tonight, we’ll see if you are so lucky.”

I moaned as he stretched both my nipples. Moisture grew between my legs as he continued his assault. My pussy clenched around the balls still inside me, wanting anything that it could get. Zach’s hands were suddenly gone from my body and I heard the rustle of clothes behind me. He moved in front of me and I found I was at the perfect height for what he was expecting.

His cock was in my face, I had to straighten to take it into my mouth and he guided my movements with his fingers entwined in my hair. Bobbing, gagging and licking, I did as expected. Giving head was not on my favorite activities list, but I knew how to pleasure. I had been trained well. He pulled me back and laughed. “You’re good. I should have had you on your knees last night.”

“Thank you, Sir.” I caught my breath and waited to see what he had planned next. He went to the chest and came back with a harness with an attached vibrator. Torture, this was going to be torture, or he was planning on killing me tonight.

“Lean back the best you can.” He gave a wicked smile and I complied.

It wasn’t easy, my muscles stretched in protest as I leaned back, but years of martial arts and workouts made it possible for me to stay limber.

He squatted in front of me and inserted a finger into me. I moaned as he moved it around before hooking it around one ball and pulling it out. I knew a string attached them, but he used a finger for more teasing. Both balls came out with a little pop and he tossed them towards the chest.

“Mmm wet are we?” He took the harness and positioned it on me. I moaned at the feeling of the vibrator replacing the balls. It took a moment for my body to adjust to the currently silent toy. He buckled the harness on me and then helped me back to my original position. I gasped, the tip of the vibrator pushed against my insides, in the perfect spot.

Zach showed me the remote to the vibrator in his hand. He clicked a button and it gave a very low hum. “Very good, now, open again.” He palmed his cock and I nodded, closing my eyes and taking him into my mouth. As I worked him the vibrator hummed to life, the faster I went, the faster the speed on the vibrator went. I moaned around his cock, but I knew despite the pleasure in me, I wouldn’t hit subspace and the vibration wasn’t enough to make me come, no just to tease and make me lose my mind. I needed pain to be added to the mix to truly get the release I craved. But I wouldn’t be getting it, he was simply taking his pleasure from me. On one hand, I knew I’d survive the night, on the other…I craved my release.

I felt him tense before the stream of hot seed shot into my throat, he pulled his cock out of my mouth and I went to spit the cum out. He put a hand over my mouth and shook his head. “No, swallow.”

I closed my eyes and swallowed, trying not to gag at the taste. The vibrator was on low now, just teasing enough to keep me wanting.

As he did the night before, he untied me and checked the rope marks and helped me stretch, but again he left the toy in me.

“So you survive another night. Tomorrow night, you will not be so lucky. But come, tell me a story.”

It was going to be hard to tell him anything with the constant hum of the vibrator inside me, but I had no choice if I wanted to live. I told him the story of The Merchant and the Genie.

Tales of the Night Part Two

I swallowed. “How do you know who I am?”

“I do extensive research on all my targets. Including you. I’ve seen you around the BDSM clubs. You are a beautiful submissive. With the right Dom or Master, you are like putty.” He chuckled. His voice had an accent I couldn’t place and I recalled in the file that he was from abroad somewhere. A man of high standing, which was why this operation was supposed to be handled with care. Leave it to my hidden habits to get us in trouble. My eyes flickered to the necklace and I briefly wondered what Matt was thinking of this conversation.

“So you decided to kidnap a federal agent? Not very smart of you, Zach. This goes beyond what can be forgiven, even for a foreign diplomat.” I tried to keep my voice steady as he moved toward me. I had to admit, that in any other circumstance he would have been handsome. Tall, dark, sharp lines to his jaw and with him this close I could tell that his eyes were a deep brown that almost looked black. My breath caught in my throat. He carried an air of authority with him, not one that normally got to me outside of the clubs, but there was something about being naked and chained before him.

He squared himself in front of me and cupped my cheek. “You will be dead before they find you.” He whispered. “I know you have an ear piece and your partner is probably whispering calming promises to you, but know that he will fail. I spend one night of passion with my victims and then I dispose of them.”

My heart pounded. He didn’t know about the mic. Thank God. I dug deep and found that bravery that’s gotten me out of so many situations before. “You must be picking the wrong women if they can only satisfy you for a night.”

He pulled away from me and shook his head. “I get bored. Do you think you are any different?”

“Have I fought and screamed to get away from you yet? I’m sure I have skills that none of the other woman did. I can satisfy your mind as well as your body.” His profile had said he was a lover of literature; I needed to use that to my advantage.

He quirked a brow and I knew I had caught his interest. “You lie.”

“I know many of the classics and I can spin a story better than most. Would you like to hear one?” I knew to survive I was going to have to submit without a fight. If I could show him I was well trained as a submissive and a storyteller, survival might have been an option.

“You are right, you are different than the others. So let me offer you this —something no other has gotten. Negotiations.” He gave a wicked grin, flashing perfect white teeth. I was starting to see how woman could get mixed up with him. I just needed to keep my head on straight for this.

My heart lept at his offer. I could do this. “I want safe words before I submit to you. Just like I’d have in the clubs.”

He rubbed his chin as he thought. Pacing a couple steps back and forth in front of me, he took his time with his answer and I started to think I wasn’t going to get my request. “In return I want your ear piece removed.”

That was fine, Matt had been silent so far and if he started speaking in the middle of this fucked up play session that was about to happen he’d bring me out of the needed mindset. I pulled the device out of my ear and handed it to him. “My safe word is ‘silver’” It was one I was familiar with and used in the clubs, it would be more instinct to use it if I needed and that would help.

“Accepted. I will honor it since I do not know your limit, that is until it comes to our final hour.”

I shivered at these words, I knew what happened in the final hour of my stay with him. I’d seen it in the victims we had recovered. All I could hope was that by submitting and not fighting I could bide my time…of course maybe that’s what the other women thought as well.

“Now, lay back.” His voice dropped an octave and my body automatically responded to the dominant tone. My gaze flickered to the ground as I laid back on some of the pillows. “Stay like that until I get back. If you move, I will not hesitate to punish you when I return.”

He left and a I let out a relieved sigh. “Matt, I’m pretty sure he left to dispose of the ear piece, hopefully you can still hear what is going on, but I can’t hear you.” I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to center myself. The mindset of my submissive-self differed drastically from the mindset of my FBI self. Centering myself I turned off the stubborn, fight-against-everything, mentality.

The door creaked and I opened my eyes to find Zach walking in with a large black chest in his arms. I mentally cursed my body as it tightened in anticipation of what might be in that. I tried to convince myself that this was no different than the clubs and apparently my body decided to believe me. Licking my lips, I gave him a coy smile. If this was going to work, it had to be believable and who knew…maybe the sex and play would be amazing.

He put the chest down and grinned. “I like to play, but from what I’ve seen at the club that won’t be a problem.”

He really had studied me, I responded best to play. I felt a smile curl over my lips. “No, Sir, it won’t.”

“Drop into the role quiet easily, don’t you. It must be so freeing for you to give up all that control.” Zach threaded his fingers in my hair, close to the scalp and pulled.

He was right, it was one of the best breaks from work, not have to worry about anything, but to trust myself to someone. I had to convince my head that he wouldn’t hurt me…not yet. Breathing in deeply, I laid back, trying to accommodate my bound hands. His hand skimmed over my outstretched legs causing me to shiver. He dipped between my legs and slid a finger through my wet slit. Yeah, my body knew what was coming. My eyes flickered to his face.

“Do not look at me, pet. You are nothing more than my thing to play with until I tire of you. Understood?” He slapped the inside of my thigh making me flinch.

I bit my lip so I wouldn’t cry out. “Yes, Sir.” I bit out and averted my gaze.

“Good girl.” He ran his finger over my clitoris. “You’re responsive. That’s good, it’ll make this easier.” He pulled away from me and went to his chest. I raised my head to watch him, he turned back around with a few lengths of rope. My heart skipped a beat. Rope meant I could be totally helpless, of course I knew this is what he wanted from his victims, but I never processed what this meant.

“Roll over.”

I complied and counted my breathing to keep me from panicking. I needed that other part of my mind to kick in. Now. I had struck a deal and I was going to ruin it if I couldn’t handle this. He pulled on my hair and like a switch my mind dropped into place. I was under his hand, his care, and it was time to trust him. Soft rope wrapped around my wrists and then the cuffs dropped away. He spread my legs and bent me at the knees. Soon my feet were wrapped up in a web of knots and I was efficiently hogtied. He’d have access to everything he needed with my back arched and my legs up. I’d be sore after, but it would be the type of sore I would relish.

A pair of safety scissors dropped into my view. “What is your safe word, pet?”

Typical routine, confirm the word — he was trying to show that he would honor our deal. “Silver, Sir, and yellow for slow down.”

“Good girl.” The scissors disappeared, but it helped me relax knowing that they were nearby.

I heard him rustling around in the chest. A buzzing filled the room and warned me of what was to come. A faint hum went through me as nuzzled the toy between my folds. A belt wrapped around my waist holding the vibrator against me.  The speed was enough to make me wet, but not enough to give me satisfaction. He moved to the front of me and squatted down. His smooth fingers tweaked my nipples and stretched them, causing me to cry out. He chuckled as he rolled the right one between his fingers before pulling out a nipple clamp. The points of the teeth caught the light as he pulled my bud taut and put the clamp on. I let out a hiss, but breathed through the pain. When my breathing became steady again, he repeated the torture with the left one. Zach flicked each one before he stood, sending a wave of pain and pleasure rushing through me and to my core. I moaned as it mixed with the vibration running through me.

More rustling behind me. I closed my eyes and focused on the small bliss that the toy was giving me. The whistling in the air did not register until the sharp crack of a wooden rod hitting my back echoed through the room. The sting across my thigh made me hiss and try to uncurl myself. Nothing happened except the rope pulling against my arms. The strain only added to the pain going through me. With a click the vibrator went up a speed and erased my worry of the pain. Another whistle and crack and I jerked. Again and again, alternating thighs he continued, clicking the vibrator to full speed so my mind was foggy on what to feel.

It stopped, leaving trails of stinging pain behind. I let out a frustrated growl knowing I’d almost hit subspace and it was taken from me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw him staring at me as he stroked his cock. I turned my gaze back to the front of me and concentrated on the vibrator, I was close to the edge of an orgasm. I craved the release, I needed it. Time seemed to tick by before I felt something inserted into me. One…two…silicone balls slipped past my lips and into my vagina. Ben wa balls…how odd. I moaned at how they felt with the vibrator so close.

Then Zach moaned, a deep throaty moan, and warm hot cum landed on my legs arms and back. I rocked against the vibrator to seek my own released, but the hum stopped. I cried out and caught myself from begging for the orgasm. A few moments later he appeared to take the nipple clamps off. Blood rushed back into them and I did cry out. It pushed me closer to the edge and a wicked smile curved his face. Soon the ropes came undone and Zach helped me move my aching arms and legs, bending and circling them until they felt better. It was such a strange act for a man who planned to kill me. He stepped back and looked down at me. “Good, girl, you have caught my interest.”

He sat down near me and patted the pillows by his side. “Come, tell me a story.”

I knew that I had bought myself one more night of life with my bargain and so I began to tell him a version of The Lady and Her Five Suitors.