Chapter 4 - The Greeting

She grabbed me by my hand. We started our walk down the hallway. The walls were red with black flower patterns. The floors a dark red with a lighter red making up a checkerboard pattern. Plaques that held swords sprinkled in with decorative paintings.

It held a very medieval feeling. It took a bit of twists and turns before they arrived at the dinner table.

The table was huge. It could seat about 20 people, and it did. The bottom part of the table had big men dressed in black suits accompanied by girls. One of which, the man who dunked me in the freezing water. He had beach blonde hair with a scar over his left eye.

My body was taken by an overwhelming feeling of dread. I stood close to the Mistress but hid behind her to try and ease my anxiety. It didn't help I noticed all eyes were on us.

The Mistress grabbed my arm and pulled me out from behind her. My eyes began to water excessively, and I felt like I would cry again. Something about him, something about that man's presence suffocated me. Whether it be a memory or just his aura. The Mistress had an annoyed look about her. She gave me a face that said: "what did I just tell you?"

But as she examined my face that faded away.

"It's okay. You are mine. you wear a collar to signify that, remember? With that on, he won't lay a finger on you." she whispered to me quietly. I nodded and continued to walk beside her. she reached over and grabbed my hand, she locked her fingers in mine as we walked to the table.

I blushed a tad bit, not because she was close to me, or holding my hand, but because people were looking at me. I knew I was being perceived as weak. I hated when people looked at me with those eyes. The ones that mocked you, the ones you could see the way they visibly looked down on you.

Soon we reached the mistress's seat. She pulled out a chair for me signaling to sit. So, I did. A smaller woman sat across from me. I could tell she was shorter than me even though we were sitting. Her hair was as red as fire. Freckles polka-dotted her cheeks. She twirled a piece of her long hair in her fingers. Her icy blue eyes on the Mistress.

So this must be "Katie bug" Mistress was talking about.

Don't assume. It makes you look like an ass.

The Mistress bent down and kissed the woman right on the lips. I caught myself staring at them before looking somewhere else. Anywhere that wasn't on them.

"I've missed you, Mistress. Where have you been?" she asked in the most custie voice I've ever heard.

Oh, gag. No wonder the Mistress is moving on.

She's not moving on. She's just not satisfied with one.

She'll be satisfied with one night with us.

You're gross.

I'm you.

I sighed and shook my head. There I go again, arguing with myself.

"Oh you know, having to deal with the fucking IDJITS!" she yelled. Her voice booming down the table.

"What'd they do this time?" The smaller woman sighed running her finger lightly over the mistress's arm.

Instead of explaining, she simply pointed to me.

"They got the wrong girl." Mistress said flatly.

"what am I going to do with them, Katie bug?"

I rolled my eyes.

Called it.

"Well, I think you should give them the punishment they deserve. Slit their throats and cut em' up. Put them in chum buckets for sharks to eat." The redhead smiled. Her burgundy lips curled into a malicious smile.

"The sharks wouldn't want to eat them. They stink too much, a shark would stay ten miles away." the Mistress chuckled.

"Besides, hate to admit it but if I killed them for a fuck up I wouldn't have a gang."

Wow, a little over the top if you ask me.

Never mind that, they're talking about sharks.

So?

So?! We're from the midwest. We live in Missouri. THERE ARE NO SHARKS IN MISSOURI! Garr maybe, but definitely not sharks!

So we're somewhere by the ocean. Big deal. Hey! Maybe we're in California? We always wanted to live in California.

You are missing the point!

No, you are.

I clenched my jaw. I was highly annoyed with my own brain. Silently I wondered if it was even mentally healthy to talk at myself the way I do. Hell, sometimes, I black out and do things that are out of character for me. I never remember when it happens, someone always tells me.

I was pulled out of my mind when my stomach began to growl. The mistress looked at me and smiled before turning her attention back to Katie.

Eventually, girls in maid outfits come out with silver platters. The smells of the food fill my nostrils and cause my mouth to water.

When the food was put in front of us, they pulled the lid off to reveal what exactly we were having. Steak, and not just any steak. Pan-fried steak basted in garlic butter. Thyme added somewhere in the mix.

I was too focused on the food to give any mind of what the mistress was talking about with Katie. But, as soon as I heard my name, my eyes snapped towards them.

"And that's how Ashley became a new pet. I hope you don't mind darling."

"Of course not! As long as you give me love and attention, I don't mind at all." Though something in Katie's aura told me otherwise. Now, something was off about her...Something beyond the sense of jealousy.

Obviously, she loves the Mistress, so jealousy is to be expected. But there was something else too. Something I couldn't put my finger in. And normally, I was good at analyzing people. That way I could control any situation.

Katie chuckled lightly turning her attention to me.

"You know, it's funny, no other pet has survived more than 2 weeks. One died while she was on a run outside. Poor girl just...dropped dead. She wanted to see if she could just push an extra two miles. Another girl drowned while she swam. Then there was this one time. I remember being really close friends with this girl, she loved to sit out on the balcony. Sometimes she'd lean over the railing. She died by falling off. Such a shame really. She was super pretty. I liked her." Katie told me this all nonchalantly. I gave her a slow nod.

"Alrighty then.." I said looking back down at my food.

Okay, now you can fear for life.

Gee, ya think?

"But Don't worry. They all had some sort of underlying health problems. The first girl had a hole in her heart, the second one had epilepsy. Had a seizure while swimming. The third one was found with a brain tumor. Apparently, while she was leaning over the railing she had passed out. And, her limp body just leaned too far forward." Katie assured me.

"Uh, yeah, cool, thanks.." It felt a bit awkward having such a casual conversation about death. She seems to have come to terms with death as she talked.

I picked my knife and fork up and dug into the steak in front of me. The first bite was chalk full of flavors. I almost moaned at how good it was. Of course, I restrained myself. That would be a strange thing to have to explain. The other two did the same. Katie rested her hand on her chin as her eyes stared at me.

"I know how you feel y'know. Scared. Tired. Wondering where the fuck you are. But, you'll come to terms with it." She said smiling at me. Her smile is sweet, and light. The aura around her seemed to change to a more pleasant one.

"I was the same way.." she continued.

"But, I'll gladly spend time with you. I'll teach you everything I know! I'll tell you, it gets lonely being the only pet sometimes. Especially when Mistress is away. Which, sadly, is pretty often. She always comes home at night though. There have only been a few times where I haven't had a chance to warm her bed. I'm glad I finally have someone else to talk to."

Man, she's more of a chatter bug. I'm just trying to enjoy my steak.

You gotta admit. She's cute.

She is cute...

Finally, I agreed with myself about something.

"You two should go on a walk later. Get to know each other." The mistress suggested. Katie nodded.

"Yeah! I think that's a great idea. Get to spend some quality time with my new friend. Let her know the ends and outs."

The mistress smiled at Katie. Obviously, she was thrilled at the idea of us getting along.

I simply nod in response to both of them.

"Yeah, that'd probably be beneficial." I agree with Katie.

The rest of the meal was spent with Katie and Mistress.flirting with each other. It was obvious that the mistress had very strong feelings for Katie.

Soon enough, once I was done with my steak, Katie's attention turned towards me again. They had just gotten into a conversation about me being a little defiant. The mistress expressed her frustration to Katie as if I wasn't there. Every now and again the small woman would glance at me with a small smile through their conversation. I paid no mind to it.

"She will come around, Mistress. Oh and Ashley! Before we finish up here you have to try this wine!" She said pouring the blood-red liquid into the glass.

I thought it a little spontaneous, but that seemed to just be how she is. Once she was done pouring it, she handed it to me. I looked at the mistress with my eyebrow raised. She simply nodded as if telling me to go on.

I took a sip of the dark wine. I couldn't taste any hint of sweetness, it was just totally bitter. I swirled the liquid around my mouth. I tried my best not to let it show on my face that I wasn't enjoying it. I took a deep breath, and slowly drank the rest down. I knew it was always rude not to finish alcohol that was poured for you.

"It's okay. I'm not much of a wine person." I commented, my face twisting a bit in disgust.

"Oh really? Hm. More for me then." Katie shrugged before getting up. Her dress was black as the night. It was beautiful but...

Holy shit. At least you don't have to wear that.

At least the see-through is only in her stomach area... still that would be embarrassing.

"Mistress, may we be excused from the table?" Katie said with her hands behind her back as a sign of respect.

Mistress closed her eyes and nodded.

"Don't be too long girls. Also, Katie, when you're done show her to my room." She commanded. Katie giggled lightly.

"Yes, mistress." She replied before she motioned for me to follow.

I stood up and made my way towards her. I followed her outside. White pillars stood tall around a plot of green bushes, with delicate roses hanging off of them.

Salty air hits my nose. The sound of waves crashing into the land filled my ears. The squawking of seagulls lightly painted into the symphony of the waves.

That was that. It confirmed I was not at home anymore, and I would never be home again. My friend's faces popped into my mind.

What are they going to do without me?

They're gonna be fine. They're strong.

I miss them already...

Quickly though, that was shaken out of my mind as we approached green hills. A brown trail of dirt making a small path that dipped down close to the sea. I could see the water. It was green up close. But, the farther away you looked. The bluer it became. I smiled taking in the sight. This was my first time near the ocean. I looked down into it, noticing how the sun reflected on its waves.

"So, we really are by the ocean." I say, trying to confirm it officially.

The warm sun was hitting Katie's dress, causing it to be completely see-through. Her breasts were a good medium. Not too small, not too big. I could tell they were perky too. She noticed me looking at her, but all she did was smile.

"Yes, is this your first time near it?"

I nod.

"I see...You know, if you bring it up to the mistress, she will gladly take you here."

Now that, I shook my head.

"I honestly don't think she would. Not that, I don't trust what you're telling me. Its just...She seems to be more interested in sex than going to a beach."

Katie let out a sweet laugh. "Oh, no. Our mistress is actually really sweet and understanding. The more time you spend with her the more you'll know."

I perked up a bit hearing this. The burning sense of curiosity was now ignited.

"She's...sweet?"

"I know it sounds odd. Mistress was rough with me too at first. It's more of a front though. She just wants you to understand who's boss. I wasn't exactly keen on the idea of having sex with a woman. In fact, I used to think it was an evil sin. She never forced me into it. Sometimes she would fondle me, or leave marks. Similar to the one on your neck." She pointed out.

"but she never forced me to have sex with her. She'll just tease you a bit."

I blushed and quickly covered the area with my hand.

Katie put her hand on mine. She locked her fingers between mine and gently pulled my hand away from my neck.

"Don't be ashamed of it. Wear it proudly. Our Mistress knows we have feelings. She will always treat us like normal human beings. For the most part. You should be proud to have such a kind mistress. Be glad, the other people here are not so kind. Especially enemy gangs."

"Wait, so, more people do this?"

"Duh, it's actually a pretty common thing. In fact, most of them are in the midwest from what I hear."

Oh, great.

"I don't know why though. Everyone in the Midwest are nothing more than meth addicts."

I nodded in agreement with the last statement. There are a lot of meth heads in Missouri.

"Except me. I'm from Missouri." I added.

Katie rolled her eyes and smirked.

They're fucking soul mates.

Agreed.

"Anyway, I'll let you in on a secret. The reason we are around is that our Mistress is lonely. Often times it's not about sex. She wants to be cuddled and embraced. She wants to be kissed. She wants more than just to be in control. She sincerely wants a relationship with us. Just one she is in control over. Sometimes, she does want sex. But who doesn't? No one is a virgin anymore."

Except for me.

"And to top it all off she's really kind. I may have been a little rough around the edges at first. But you know what? Our mistress took me off the streets. I was half dead freezing on the side of the road. No home, no place to go. And then I woke up here. Warm, chained to a bed. But warm nonetheless."

I'm sensing a pattern here.

"Raven is..." Katie paused. Her face seemed to droop a bit before she let out a gasp.

"That name, NEVER under any circumstances repeat it! Only I am allowed to say it at this time. If you call her that, you and I both will be punished! Promise me you won't say it."

I looked at her blankly. All this scuff over a simple name? The woman held out her pinky.

"PROMISE?" Katie said louder.

I nodded and took her pinky into mine.

"Alright, promise."

Katie chuckled and got closer to my face. I blushed and leaned back, but she just got closer. Her eyes stared into mine while she smiled.

"Someone told me mistress loves blue eyes when I first arrived. I guess it's true." She said and backed away.

"Come on Ashley, let's go inside. Our mistress is waiting."

I follow closely behind Katie as we begin our walk back. I sigh thinking about everything Katie has told me.

Right before we re-entered the mansion she stopped.

"Tonight, when you're with Mistress, whether I'm there or not I need you to do something."

"What?" I raised my brow.

"I need you to hold her, talk with her, make her feel loved. If you do this, maybe you will come to love her just as much as I have."

I stood there a moment and chewed my lip.

"I just... I don't know. Can I really just roll over and accept this as my new life? I don't think I can..."

Katie gave me a sympathetic smile.

"If you can't accept it. You'll end up dead, sweetheart." Katie said putting her hand on my shoulder.

I looked at her, the concern written all over my face.

"I don't mean to scare you. But, I've seen it happen. Mainly to the slave girls, they try to run and normally it ends with them being riddled with... Bullet holes. You're a pet, Ashley. You got off easy. You get sex, money... Hell if you're trustworthy maybe even some power. Mistress takes care of our needs. All you have to do is be good, and ask. Why are you fighting that?"

I looked down at my toes. It just felt so wrong. My rights were in the hands of someone else. Every move I made would be forever monitored. I wouldn't be able to have friends or see my friends ever again for that matter.

On top of everything, should I really be okay with it just because of materialistic needs? No. What if. What if she was an ugly fat guy instead of an attractive woman? Anyone would fight harder. It's such a double standard.

"Katie, if our mistress was some ugly fat man. Would you still be okay with lying in his bed every night? No matter how sweet or caring he was. No matter how rich, would you still do it? To be okay with all of this just because she actually looks nice. I just can't be okay with it Katie."

Katie nodded and sighed.

"You know, I suppose You're right about that...but I am a shallow bitch. So I don't care. She's not a fat man. Just accept it and stop whining." Her voice monotone. Her face seemed to shift into an angry, annoyed snarl. It was strange to me how someone could flip that switch so fast. Was she hiding it this entire time? She turned back and started walking I followed her down the hall in silence.

Looks like, I really was alone in this.

We approach a new room, one I had never been in before. Of course, the halls look the same so I guess I couldn't really tell.

Mistress did, however, tell Katie to go to her room after we were done. So, I'm assuming That's where we were at.

Katie places a few hard, sturdy knocks against the big wooden door.

"Come." We both hear from the other side. With the Mistress's permission, Katie and I both enter the room.

I felt Katie lean back onto me, getting ready to whisper something to me quietly

"When I first got here and barged in without knocking, she wrote 'SLUT.' Across my forehead and walked me like a dog through the whole mansion. She made sure everyone took a gander too. So, just be wary of that rule."

I gulped pretty hard hearing this. It's not a punishment I'm surprised would happen. After all, my friends would send me kinky things to read all the time. They were about vampires. So, you can imagine the type of shit I've read. Still, it was pretty creative.

My eyes darted around the room. The red and black color scheme was everywhere. The bed, the carpet, hell even the walls. Except it wasn't as medieval as the hallways.

It was interesting. The room was like a bedroom mixed In with a living room. There was a big bed, the pillows red, comforter black. It was also one of the most comfortable looking, fluffiest bed I had ever seen. It took all of my willpower not to jump in right away.

I could also see how the bed was made that the sheets were also red. A red velvety couch sat in front of a tv. I noticed that the mistress owned a PS4. A small coffee table was in between the couch and the Tv. It had nothing more than a water bottle, and a controller next to it.

Wow, I wouldn't think someone like her would like video games.

Well, maybe it's for Katie.

"That'll be all Katie, You're dismissed." I heard mistress's voice. Her voice was stern and powerful. As though being in her room somehow had given her more power. Yet, honestly, I had no idea where she was in the room. I couldn't see her. I watched Katie. She turned to face our Mistress, so I looked where she was facing.

Finally, I spot the mistress. She was sitting in one of the biggest bean bags I have ever seen in my whole life.

Now that. That I had to jump on. I started to fidget a bit, trying my best not to face dive directly into it.

OH, MY GOD, I WANT TO FACE DIVE INTO IT. WE HAVE TOO!

I'll admit, I am fucking giddy at the thought of laying on that thing. My eyes opened pretty wide gazing at it.

"Of course mistress," Katie said bowing, before turning away and leaving the room. I gulped hearing the click of the door shutting.

The mistress smiled at me. She got up from the bean bag and made her way over to me. She stood next to me, and not once did my eyes travel from the bean bag to meet her gaze. I heard a small chuckle coming from her.

"Go on, pet." She said caressing the side of my face.

I immediately looked up at her. Was she really going to let me?

"What?" I asked. Acting as though I had simply misheard what she said.

"You want to dive into the bean bag. I can see it written all over your face. Go ahead."

I practically jumped with joy hearing her say that. I actually cracked a pretty wide smile, before running towards the bean bag and jumping.

My whole body planted on it. It felt like I had just landed on a cloud.

"Oh my God. Yes!!" I said, though my words were muffled talking into the bean bag.

I felt the weight of another join me. She straddled my back chuckling. And honestly? I was too content with being in the bean bag to even care about anything Raven was doing.

Until, I could feel a tug, and with the tug, my dress unzipped completely.

"Except one thing. If you want to be on the bean bag, you gotta be naked."

She said in a teasing manner.

"Really?" I groaned. But before I could even protest she flipped me on my back, and completely stripped me.

"Woah! Hey!" I yelped in surprise.

"What? I just don't want you getting glitter on it. It is mine after all." She plopped down next to me. A small blush ran across my cheeks.

"Ashley, my pet. Can I tell you something?" She asked. Sneaking her fingers up my naked torso.