Pet - Chapter 9 (Patreon)

I do wish that I could understand the men around me. Remus for some reason decided to bring me along with him to this meeting between him and the Leviathin around us. He’s been silently listening to the conversation around him, occasionally chiming in. Not once has he raised his voice or shown any signs of anger.

He seems to be calm. He has me next to him, kneeling, and I can feel his fingers occasionally playing with my hair while he listens. I don’t dare speak or protest. I just listen to the foreign conversation around us. We’ve been in this room for a long time now, and Remus has been sitting in his throne like seat among the other men. Now that I knew his back story, it’s strange to even look at the Leviathin around me. They’re just ordinary compared to Remus.

What exactly is Remus anyway? What is his mother supposed to be? I can see now why the people of his race gaze at him with such awe and sometimes fear. I don’t even think they know what he is. They just know he is powerful, and not one to be messed with. I jump as Remus speaks above me. His voice carries throughout the room, loud and authoritative.

Each time I hear this language being spoken, I have to use all of my willpower to just sit still. It’s such a beautiful language, unlike anything I have ever heard. The men around the room gaze at Remus, nodding their heads in understanding to whatever it is he said. None of them seem to mind the enslaved female he has at his feet. They haven’t looked in my direction since we first entered the room.

Remus says something once more, and the men all bow before gathering their papers and exiting the room. I keep my gaze trained down as the last of them leaves, leaving me and Remus alone in the large room.

“Stand, Iris.” Remus’ voice comes out of the silence, and I slowly rise to my feet, keeping my gaze down. I feel his hand over mine, and my body is being yanked down so that I am on top of him. His fingers are underneath my chin, shifting my gaze to meet his.

“You are surprisingly well behaved today.” A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

“Any reason in particular as to why?” His gaze dips from my eyes to my chest.

“I asked you a question Iris," he says and I realize I still hadn’t answered him.

“No,” I murmur. He chuckles underneath me, and begins playing with my locket.

“Could it be, perhaps that with a little positive reinforcement you become a little more obedient?” he says. I want to slap him for being so smug with me. In all honesty ever since he told me about his mother, I’ve been afraid to test him. To be anything but obedient. I’m sure Remus could kill me with a snap of his fingers, but what’s stopping him from making that death horrible? Nothing. If he can give me a drink that expands my life for him to suck it out of me, there’s no telling what else he’s capable of.

He finally grows tired of playing with my emotions and stands to leave the room, knowing that I will obediently follow behind him. We’re walking down the hall , heading to the car like transport pod we arrived in. Remus is walking in front of me, with his head held high. I take notice of the Leviathan around us as he passes them by. Some immediately bow while others swoon. He doesn’t even acknowledge them. Sometimes I wonder if it’s possible that Remus may not even like his own race.

The way he interacts with them, it just seems as though he feels that they are beneath him as well. Especially since he’s not even full Leviathan, and the race imprisoned his mother at one point. I’m guessing his mother must be a very kind woman to be able to forgive the people that turned on her, and give her son to them to lead them and conquer them. Or maybe she did it for her husband, Remus’ father.

We reach the elevator, and Remus’ gaze never falters.

“Do you hate your race?” I ask out of the silence. I wish in this moment that I had a camera, or even a photographic memory. Because my question surprises him. His stone features break as a look of shock crosses his features and he gazes to me in confusion.

“What?” he asks. I half expected him to threaten to take my tongue out or something, but he’s shocked me once again.

“I..you just don’t seem to fond of them,” I say. I want more than anything to change the subject. I should have kept my damn mouth shut. But when something about him bothers me, I immediately open my mouth to speak my mind.

Remus lets out a breathy laugh, gazing at me with an unreadable expression. Before he can speak the doors to the elevator open, and Remus steps out ahead of me.

Once we arrived back to Remus’ temporary home in the city, he immediately leaves. And I’ve been here getting primped and dressed ever since. It’s scary being around other humans with inhibitors. They’re like zombies. They do everything but have empty expressions. If I try and reach to remove their inhibitor, they get an angry look on their faces and tell me Lord Remus won’t like it.

So now I’ve been sitting with hostile zombie-like people, letting them get me dressed up. The sound of the door opening sounds, and the servants immediately stop what they’re doing, bowing their heads and backing away. I hear Remus’ slow and deliberate footsteps behind me and immediately bow my head as well.

I tense when I feel his fingers along my shoulders, lightly tracing my flesh. His fingertips trace from my shoulders to my hands, and he slowly pulls me up from the seat. He lightly tugs on me, and I stumble forward so that my chest is flush against his. He moves his feet underneath mine, and begins slowly spinning around the room with my hands in his and his other arm around my back.

I’m confused as hell when a low hum comes from his throat. He moves us to the rhythm, the melody sounding foreign yet beautiful coming from him.

“Tonight, there is going to be a ball.” I look up at him, but his gaze is distant. He’s not paying attention to me.

“There will be slaves there, Iris. And there will be things happening that you are not used to.” His grip on my hand tightens, and he pulls me even tighter against his chest if that’s even possible. I flinch but keep my mouth shut. He isn’t in the mood right now.

“If you do anything to disobey me, or put any form of slander across my title, I promise you Iris.” His gaze finally travels down to mine, and I feel a shiver run up my spine from the cold gaze that meets me.

“I will make you regret it," he says in a serious tone. I nod my head, trying to keep my wits about me. A smirk appears, and he slowly lowers his head. I feel his warm breath against my throat, followed by his lips. He presses a soft kiss on my neck, and I feel his tongue lightly trace atop my flesh.

“I haven’t shown you the real me, Iris.” I jump and let out a soft squeal when I feel a sharp prick on my throat. Remus’ lips immediately close around the pain, and I feel a slight tug. He licks the spot, and moves his mouth to my ear.

“Don’t make me kill you tonight,” he murmurs in my ear.

Whatever this was, it is a spectacular event. Remus has me dressed in a completely white gown. It’s beautiful and elegant. He is also wearing his usual white, and his hair is pulled back in a ponytail tonight. Even the jewelry he has on me gives off a white hue. He’s once again walking ahead of me, and to my utter surprise there is no leash on me or around my throat.

We get to the large double doors, and the man says something to Remus in their native tongue. Remus watches him with a blank expression as he scurries away, and then turns to me. He stares me down and I have no idea what he could possibly be thinking. He takes a step close to me, and reaches for my arm.

My skin is tingling where he touches it, and he brings a beautiful jewel-encrusted bracelet around my wrist. It’s thick in width. I don’t speak as he places it around my arm. His gaze is dark as he stares it down. So I know immediately that it can’t be good.

“This, is something I’ve modified specifically for you, Iris. It’s like your personal attachment to me.” He holds up his hand, pointing to the ring that’s around his finger.

“If you try and take that off, it will dig into your flesh and slice through your veins before you can place your fingers around it. Already it is coding itself to your DNA. So if I wish to make you feel pain..”

Suddenly, a shockwave of pain rips through me. My skin is on fire, and every single cell in my body feels as though acid has been dumped on it. I open my mouth, trying to scream, but nothing comes out.

“Oh no, Iris. You can’t scream. See, because I haven’t allowed it have I?" He smiles wickedly at me. Tears are beginning to form in my eyes from the pain, and I feel myself growing weak. Then, it stops. It’s as if it never were. As if it never existed. I can’t even describe it. I just know it hurt.

I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding, and look at Remus in horror. He steps close to me, placing his fingers underneath my chin and bringing my face to his, placing a light kiss on my lips.

“Behave, Iris," he says right before the doors to the grand hall opens revealing hundreds of LEviathin dressed like royalty. They all stare at their ruler in awe and excitement, thunderous applause erupting from the crowd. A man appears next to me, and Remus turns to us.

“Go with him.”

I watch from the throne as Remus gives a speech to his people. They all listen with smiles, applause, and awe. I wonder what it is he could be saying to them. I watch him closely as he speaks. He doesn’t really give off any emotion as he speaks over them.

I wonder how these people interact with him? From what I’ve seen, they don’t really socialize with him. They only ever listen. Listen and show their praise. Have they never thought of revolting against him? Remus waves his hand slowly, and says one last sentence in that language before stepping down from the balcony, and through the throngs of people. Some bow to him, and some place kisses on his hands.

Do they know the sadist that their ruler is? Or do they just choose to ignore it and praise him for everything that he does?

Remus finally makes it to where I am, and bows slightly to his people before taking a seat at his throne above me. The party slowly moves into swing, light music playing and the lights slightly dimming. I watch in fascination as the people interact with each other.

A man appears by Remus, and begins speaking to him. I’m shocked when Remus begins to smile and laugh along with the man. He has dark hair and bright green eyes that are unlike any that I’ve ever seen before. Almost as if they’re glowing. His gaze moves to me, and I immediately look away trying to hide the fact that I was caught staring. He says something more to Remus, and Remus then speaks to me in English.

“Come, Iris.” I tense when Remus's voice sounds above me and slowly stand to make my way towards him. His purple gaze follows me until I am standing next to him. The man says something to which Remus nods, and grabs ahold of my arm.

“This is Alistar. He’s a general in our army. He was present today during the meeting as well.” Remus plays with the bracelet latched to my wrist, as if in warning as he speaks to me.

“He says you are very beautiful.” I move my gaze to look at Remus in confusion, unsure if I’m supposed to respond to him, or his friend. An amused grin plasters its way onto Remus’ face as he nods his head in the mans direction. I slowly turn towards the man, keeping my gaze down.

“Thank you.” My voice comes out shaky and nervous. Which is exactly how I’m feeling. Remus’ fingers begin tracing patterns along my palm, and I don’t know if he’s doing it to make me nervous or make me feel some form of comfort.

The man speaks above me in Remus’ language, and I feel Remus’ grip tighten on my arm. I have to stop myself from flinching. Then Remus speaks back to him, and his tone is hard and cold. The man immediately quips something back, and scurries away.

Remus maneuvers my body around, and I am facing him once again.

“Tonight is a celebration. A welcoming party if you will. Welcoming me to the city, and celebrating the future.” He plays with the front of my dress.

“Everyone is fascinated with my new pet. You should see the looks you are attracting. Even Alistar wanted you to be a part of his entertainment parties, but I made sure to let him know that is completely off-limits.”

“An entertainment party?” I ask in confusion, and Remus’ gaze visibly darkens as he stares at me.

“My race isn’t ashamed of our sexuality. In fact, we explore it with fervor. So at entertainment parties, the slaves have public sex for the entertainment of the guests. And at the most elite, pets are swapped by different owners, to please and have a good time," he says it so nonchalantly, but my mind is spinning. No wonder Remus’ whole tone changed when he was talking to that man. He’s very territorial.

“Have you ever been to one?” I ask. I don’t know why I ask, but I do. And Remus’ smiles.

“Yes," he says simply.

“But you will never," he adds. I figured as much.

“I wonder how long you can keep yourself this tame, Iris," he says pulling me out of my thoughts. I look at him in confusion, but he says nothing more as a man appears below us with a spotlight shining on him just as the room dims.

“Kneel,” Remus says to me, and I do. Right next to him. After the applause dies down, the man makes grand gestures with his hands, and begins speaking. Once again he speaks in their Native language, and I grow irritated as I sit unable to understand them once again.

“He’s the entertainment master for tonight,” Remus murmurs to me.

“He says it’s an honor to be chosen to present tonight.” He begins translating above me.

“He says for our presentation tonight, he has brought an exotic woman from a land far away. She is of Earth, with skin that is tanned yet shines like the sun.” Remus continues to translate for me, but I feel my stomach drop and my nerves dying as I take note of the giant cage being wheeled into the middle of the room. It has a large cover over it, and the crowd erupts in awe.

The man takes a hold of the cover and pulls it off the cage moving it around to open the side door. He picks up the ends of a rope, and yanks on it hard. Horror fills me when I see it. A woman. A beautiful woman, who has a darker complexion. Her hair is a mass of wild and tight curls, that tickle naked back. Even her face is accentuated with high cheekbones and full lips. She’s beautiful, and I can see the fear etched into her features as she is being yanked roughly into the center of the room with not a stitch of clothing on her.

I look at Remus in horror, but he’s watching the whole thing unfold with a small smile on his face. I can only imagine what’s about to happen for their entertainment. My fingers are slowly digging into my dress as they place a large medal post in the middle of the room, locking her arms around the front of it, so that her back is exposed. She’s looking around frantically, trying to understand what’s going on.

Whatever restraint I had on my emotions snap as the man pulls a rack of whips into the line of view. There are all kinds, some even having tips on them that are deadly. I look to Remus once again and he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it whatsoever. The master entertainer looks up at Remus and says something in their language. Remus smiles even wider and responds. And I stare in horror as the man below nods, grabbing a horrifying-looking whip from the rack. The woman's breathing is speeding up, and I can see the furious heaving of her back.

“Remus...," I say quietly, but he doesn’t respond. The master entertainer holds the whip out, looking for a volunteer obviously, and someone steps forward. A man. He’s handsome of course, and he steps forward, grabbing the whip from the master. He steps forward, lightly running his hand up and down the woman's back as if testing the texture. I feel sick. He steps back, about five feet away from her, and a wicked smile appears on his face as he hauls back, and a sickening crack resounds throughout the air, followed by her cry of agony. I tense, jumping from the sound. Even more so when I see the deep welt that is now in the woman's back.

He smiles even deeper, hauling back and whipping her again.

“Remus,” I say a little louder, and when I look up he isn’t paying attention to me. He’s watching the torture with a smile on his face. Another whip cracks through the air and her cries are even more agonizing. My muscles are coiling, and my resolve is crumbling.

Another crack. Another scream. The people around are watching with smiles. It makes me sick. In that moment, my resolve and reservations to discontinue being rebellious are all but crumbling.

At that moment, I remember who I am. I am Iris, and I lead a group of brave strong women. We stood up for what was right, protecting each other from bullies. My once dormant rebellion suddenly sparks to life. I can’t sit here and watch this woman suffer. I can’t sit here and pretend that I don’t see what’s going on. I may be hurt, I may be punished, but at least I can temporarily stop her pain. I can show her that there is still hope, that all is not lost.

Her cries have turned to wails, and begging. She’s begging for mercy, and the Leviathan are laughing and smiling. I stare in utter horror at the blood that now trickles down her back. And when I look back to Remus, he’s still watching with a smile. He’s enjoying this. My gaze wanders to the guards around us, and the weapons that they have sheathed.

I am a warrior. I am a fighter. And I have trained to be able to protect myself and those that cannot defend themselves. And now, when someone needs me most, I cannot just allow myself to sit and watch her torture just to save myself. My face is wet as I realize that I am crying. Yes. I’m crying for her. For my girls. For my people. This race of heathens believed that they could really just do as they please. How can they whip a living being for fucking entertainment?

I stare in utter horror as the man drops the whip, and makes his way towards her, reaching for his pants. No. Not over my dead body. I jump up as quickly as I can, lunging for the nearest guard, and snatching the weapon he has sheathed. Before he can lunge for me, I spin quickly, running the weapon along his stomach, and he drops in pain.

I look down and realize it’s some kind of sword. Except it’s sheathed in a blue-like aura. I take off through the crowd, and gasps of horror, as well as screams, surround me. I quickly run the blade along the bottom of the dress, making it easier for me to run as I attack the master entertainer. I run the blade right through him, and he drops. A man comes for me, and I quickly dodge, making sure to use the blade as a counterattack. I smile when I hear him hiss in pain, and see that I only got his arm.

I see red as I near the helpless woman and the man that is about to have sex with her in the center of this room while she is bleeding out from her back. He’s gazing at me in shock, and a look of anger crosses his features as he lunges for me. I dodge his hands, quickly spinning the sword and running the blade through him. I’m so angry, so filled with rage, that I cry out and scream as I keep moving forward. All too soon, an agonizing pain is ripped through my body, and I drop on the ground, the man dropping next to me. Even though I’m in agonizing pain, I smile when I see the blood pouring from his wound.

Fingers are in my hair, and I’m being yanked up from the ground to meet a familiar set of purple eyes. I can’t help the vomit that comes up from my mouth. Remus’ gaze is so terrifying. He drops me on the ground, and I can hear the sound of my dress being torn.

I want to fight, to try and crawl away, but it’s all but impossible in my current state. And just as quickly as it started, the pain dissipates. But not for long. A loud snap fills the room, followed by an exploding pain from my left leg. I cry out in agony and look down to find my leg completely bent at an odd angle. Fingers are back through my hair and dragging me through the floor. With the pain of my leg, and my hair I’m screaming in pain and begging for mercy that I know will never come.

Remus snaps something, and before I know it, my body is locked to a post similar to the one that the woman was. I’m basically hyperventilating right now, trying to calm myself down, but I know it’s useless. The room is silent, as my screams die down to whimpers. I hear the sound of footsteps along with the dragging of something on the floor. I feel fingers under my chin, and my gaze is drawn up to Remus.

In his gaze, there is excitement. He looks deranged. Then my eyes travel to what’s in his hands. And I swear, I have never been so scared in my life. It’s a whip. With nine different tails attached to it. And on each of those tails, a metal spike. My eyes widen, and I look back to Remus, and his smile grows even wider.

“Reckless," he says. before walking around me. I feel his presence behind me, and he moves my broken leg. I scream out in agony, at the shooting pain that is burning my every nerve ending.

“Now, my sweet pet. I am going to instill the fear of disobedience in you," he says excitedly. I know that I’m already in a deep enough hole as it is, but I open my mouth anyway, sobbing my belief.

“I... will never.... be obedient, if it means.... watching... an... innocent suffer... at the hands of a monster..” He’s silent, and then I hear his deep chuckle. The room is so silent, you could simply swallow and be heard. The only sound is Remus’ footsteps as he moves the distance behind me.

Then I hear the sound that will haunt my dreams forever. The loud whistle, followed by the sharp metal biting into my flesh, and ripping it out with the drawback. I scream.