The following chapter includes depictions of trauma, unintentional suicide, and implied consensual intoxication. Reader discretion is advised.

Adjusting to the change in light, Elva finds herself in a small, comfortable room. Several glowing orbs adorn the ceiling while two armchairs, sitting opposite, comprise the only furniture. A door on the opposite side is the only other entrance. “Please, sit, kitten,” Mistress says as she motions to the armchair on the left.

Hesitantly, Elva wanders to the armchair and sits stiffly into the cushioned seat, hands nervously clenching her contract. Something about the way Mistress sat and looked calmly into her eyes afterward soothed her.

“Well, kitten?” Mistress’ voice seems to sing to her. “Have you read your contract?”

Suddenly Elva remembers the scroll she’d absently carried with her. Flustered, she replies, “Yes, I did…”

“Do you have any objections?”

Elva looks down at the contract before contemplating the terms she read. “…no.”

“Do you have any questions?” Mistress’ voice flutters as if she expects one. When Elva fails to reply immediately she continues, “because I do have a few I’d like you to answer. Perhaps that will help you come up with a question, kitten.”

Nervous about what she might ask, Elva nods for her to continue.

“First question, kitten. Why summon an incubus?”

After waiting briefly to collect her thoughts, Elva replies, “My grandmother’s grimoire had a list of demons she knew how to summon. I knew I would need payment to sign a contract, but I didn’t know what else I could offer.”

“So you sought to offer your body as payment?” Blushing at it being spelled out so plainly, Elva nods yes. “And yet you still haven’t answered my question. More specifically, why an incubus, not a succubus?”

There was a soft, almost sadness, in Mistress’ voice. Hesitantly Elva replies, “I guess I hadn’t considered the alternative.”

Slowly leaning into the left side of the armchair, Mistress inquires seductively, “Are you disappointed~ by the alternative~, kitten?” Her red eyes stare unwavering as she pulls her ponytail over her shoulder, resting the thick, wavy mane across her left breast. Lost in the crimson locks, Elva can’t help but shake her head no. With a warm smile, Mistress says, “Thank you for being so honest, kitten.” Elva blushes and fidgets lightly at being complimented.

“Next question,” she asks before assuming her original posture. “Just how frightening was your life before?”

Caught off guard, Elva hesitates to respond. “Uhm, what do you mean by frightening?”

“You already know I can read your thoughts, kitten. The men with torches you compared me to when you contemplated your torturous fate. May I see them?” Mistress reaches out her hand for Elva to hold.

“You can do that?” Elva replies, wondering what else Mistress was capable of.

“Only what your eyes saw, and only so long as you’re touching me and allow me to see.” Gently retracting her hand, Mistress says with a soft kindness, “I promise you I will never intrude in your memories without your permission,” before extending her hand back out.

Still hesitant, Elva extends her hand, stopping just short of Mistress’ hand. “Will I have to see?”

“No, little kitten. Just think of any small detail and I’ll see the rest when we touch.”

Trusting the kindness in Mistress’ eyes, Elva lowers her hand and tries to think of the torches as her hand touches that of Mistress.

“That’s plenty kitten, I can see the rest,” her soothing voice calms Elva’s mind, comforted that she doesn’t have to relive anymore. “Oh, sweet kitten, how they made you suffer,” a deep sorrow emanates Mistress’ words as she gently grasps Elva’s hand. “No person should need to feel such fear in her life. To spend so many years in hiding.”

Tears welling in her eyes, Elva can only stare in awe at the compassion she felt. ‘No one has said such kind words since I lost Móra.’

“And they won’t be the last ones you hear, kitten.” Holding her hand tighter, Mistress’ gaze and voice continue to soften. “I don’t want you to fear me, kitten. The reality is a slave’s energy tastes the sweetest to me when they’re in bliss. Beyond what your body provides, adoration is what I desire from your companionship.”

Struggling to maintain her composure, Elva can’t say anything in response as she wipes the tears from her cheeks.

“Shh, hush kitten. I promise you’ll never have to fear the men with torches again. You’re safe with me,” her words trail as her expression changes subtly, though not unnoticed. Returning to her previous smile, Elva is left little time to contemplate what she saw. ‘Why did you look like you were in pain too?’

Retracting her hand, Mistress hurriedly says, “Last question, kitten. What do you feel when you see me? Don’t lie, I’ll know.”

Wondering why she’d ask if she already knew, Elva takes a moment to observe Mistress. Hands folded delicately with red-polished nails, a single silver band on her right finger leads her eye to the intricate lacework of her detached sleeves; her dress adorned in the same lace, the wide straps rounding her neck leave her shoulders and collarbone mostly exposed. Her legs are gently crossed, a side slit in her dress reveals the rosy flesh of her leg and upper thigh. The corset she wears shapes her slender waist so smoothly, drawing attention to the low cut and high slit of her dress displaying her… endowments.

Suddenly flustered, Elva follows crimson hair as it hangs neatly in thick, gentle waves to the slit in Mistress’ dress. Draped over her shoulder, the lustrous mane lays elegantly across Mistress’ body, the only irregularity being where it crossed her… chest. ‘W–well, those a–are ah… j–just look up now…’ Eventually Elva raises her gaze to Mistress’ face, her ruby eyes and blood-red lips now capturing her attention for a moment. Her soft expression betrayed any impressions of malice Elva might have thought Mistress had in her intentions. Lost in the soft gaze of her shimmering eyes, Elva whispers, “Adoration.”

A warm smile again adorns Mistress’ face. “Thank you, kitten. Now please, you must have a question.”

Flustered after having to compliment Mistress and being thanked in return, Elva fidgets while she thinks. “Um, why kitten?”

Mistress chuckles lightly before replying, “it pleases me, especially how it makes you flush and squirm, kitten.”

Blushing terribly, Elva fights in vain to stop fidgeting. Cautiously she asks her next question, “You said I was dead before. What does that mean for me?”

Sitting back in her armchair, Mistress explains, “You can’t die a second time. Having said that, you can still be injured in all the same ways as when you were alive, including permanent harm. You’ll never need to eat or drink again, although you’ll still be able to experience the pleasure of taste and smell.”

Mistress gives Elva a moment before continuing, “Here in Hell, the only rights that humans have are those granted by their contractors. You’re expected to repent for your sins, which I regret to say in your case is suicide, however unintentional. That kind of sin won’t be pardoned for almost five hundred years, so regardless of if you decide to contract with me, you’re stuck until then.”

‘Five hundred years… just for using the wrong blood…’ Elva’s heart sinks. ‘All I wanted was to feel safe and protected…’

“And you will be under me, kitten. I promise you,” compassion returned to her voice. “It’s in the contract after all, and honoring our contract, that is the rule we demons have to follow, else we lose the freedom to contract slaves.”

Elva takes a moment to accept Mistress’ words, the softness of her voice compelling her to believe. “I guess it might not be so bad, then.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, kitten. Five hundred years would be a long time to a life in fear, especially of your Mistress,” the sorrowful expression on Mistress’ face stops Elva’s heart for a beat. “I can tell you have one more question for me, kitten. You want to know what’s on the other side of that door.”

Startled, having nearly forgotten after sitting down, Elva nods yes.

“Sorry, kitten, trade secrets~. Only masters and slaves are allowed in the playroom.”

‘Pl–playroom? Somehow that doesn’t seem as playful as it sounds.’

Chuckling, Mistress says with a coy grin, “trust me, there will be plenty to play with, kitten.”

Struggling to think of what else she should know, Elva remembers, “the contract mentioned a safeword.”

“Yes, kitten. If at any point during our play you feel uncomfortable, simply say or think teardrop and everything will end.”

Somewhat relieved, Elva finally asks, “what happens now?”

Reaching out her hand again, Mistress requests Elva’s contract. “Please, touch the scroll with me and repeat my words.” Both holding the contract, Mistress begins. “I, Elva, of sound mind and body, so hereby relinquish all rights to my Mistress except those granted by my contract. I vow to devote myself fully to my Mistress and trust in her care and protection for the duration of my time in her services.”

Nervously Elva repeats her words, startled to see the end of the scroll she held beginning to glow in purple and pink hues. “Wonderfully spoken, kitten. The vow wouldn’t have held if any of your words were untrue. Now, allow me to complete the contract.”

With grace in her voice, Mistress speaks aloud, “I, Saoirse, of sound mind and body, so hereby take possession of all rights of my slave except those authorized by her contract.” She pauses for just a moment. “Under pain of death, I vow to care for and protect her as payment for her devotion for the duration of her time in my services.”

Something about Mistress’ vows seemed off, different from what Elva had read in the contract. ‘I vow to protect… under pain of… death? Why would she add that?’

The scroll becomes engulfed in bright light as it lifts into the air before Elva can contemplate those few words. Unfurling, the contract begins to spin and twist until it changes shape entirely. In a final burst of light, an intricately detailed black collar hovers in the place of the contract. Standing up from her armchair, Mistress takes the collar in hand and steps behind Elva. “Lift your hair, kitten.” Blushing, Elva complies, shivering as the warm leather and Mistress’ fingertips wrap around her neck as she sets the collar in place.

Watching Mistress step back in front of her, Elva touches her new collar, gently hugging her slender neck. Reaching around her neck she was surprised to find the collar was now a complete band with no way to remove it. ‘I was collared…’ Something about that thought was horribly embarrassing.

Extending her hand, Mistress beckons Elva to follow her. “Come, kitten. It’s time to see the playroom.” Hesitantly Elva takes her hand and stands to follow. ‘Was her hand this warm before?’ Something about her aroma seemed different as well, making Elva feel warm and flushed.