ni

my hair. Tears streamed down my face, stumbli

leased me and I crawled away, dropping to

e terrifyingly calm. "Did you thi

used my name before. I was just 'pet'

.. I panicked.

rds. He stalked forward and grabbed my ha

es

ten at all. You're not a good pet. Stupid, weak, stubborn... What did I pay for?" His

, feeling small and in

athroom and

er defiance seemed foolish now. When he returned minut

ushing to comply. The water reached my ankles before he turned it off. Then

He set down a low stool and sat, his tall frame

then caught myself. He

ed by my growing awarene

s sca

ar my foot and I jerk

aga

ought I co

ater hit my foo

rsational, like we were discussing the weather.

ash of hot water, an

e moved the kettle closer, steam risi

my very freedom. I killed someone and he made it disappear. My skin was bright red, tears a

my leg up to my thigh. His touch was possessiv

mehow that was worse than anger. "I thought I

y lips. Took them between his fingers and twisted. I

I was shocked. Wasn't this it? But of course

I felt the strength in him, the casual display of

he returned with a balm. His touch was tender as he treated my

g. "Why couldn't you let me rest tonigh

h murder, pet. Who else

ness. My body belonged to him anyway. He was right –

sor

rply. "Speak onl

h,

tood. "It's like talking to

ste

nd him. I stumbled to my feet, hissing

I couldn't be locked in

windows. No latches. Nothing. Last time he left me here for days with

sobbing. I understood now – really understood. Every

but instead of my Master, a police officer entered

est for the murde

ng against the frame with his arms cross

ening?" I struggled against

, but I broke free and fell to my knee

Tears streamed down my face but his expression remai

Master started laughing. Deep, ric

our face!" My Master

ell, Mr. Ch

ening?" I looked bet

n I looked at my Master, he was holding a gun. He advanced toward me, all coiled power and danger.

I couldn't speak, fighting the urge to vomit when I glimpsed the you

...

ced at the body. "He

told

made the... s

t I

chin, forcing me to look at the dead man. "I k

nding shivers down my spine

d, genuinely m

y i

e words came eas

served to die. No man but

suddenly remem

r ex," he mused as he tu

cuf

d without turning. "We'll

ad men on my conscience. Now, I'm absolutely ce