As always, The Twilight Saga, and everything related, belong to S. Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 9
I don't know what to make of this scene around me. Is this a lifestyle choice? I mean, I have seen some depraved things in the minds of others, but it is a different thing entirely, to witness it first hand. If it is a lifestyle choice, is it the way Izzy chooses to live? She seems so at ease in this roll. Relaxed, happy even.
I could play the part if it meant I could be rewarded in the end. It's not like I would pay for the choice with any sort of pain. Only Alice might have any clue, and even that doesn't bother me. She and Jasper play rough at night. Not exactly this rough, but I don't think Alice would bat an eyelash at this whole scenario. It only takes me a moment to decide that I would willingly be her submissive, if it were what she desired.
I am drawn from my thoughts when Izzy mumbles, "Sir." A tall man with long black hair is strolling towards us. Izzy stands and Stephanie turns her head.
"Madam," he greets her warmly. Izzy looks down and sees Stephanie looking at the man's face. Swiftly she kick the girl over, "Sir did not say you could look at him. Shame on you." Izzy's tone is once again hard and cold. I feel sorry for the girl as she lays on the floor whimpering.
"Come here child," the man addresses her. Stephanie fumbles to get upright and walks, on her knees, towards him, with her head down. "You didn't mean to break the rules now did you?" His tone is wicked.
She shakes her head no violently.
"Would you prefer your lashes here or on the platform for all to see?"
She bows her head further.
Somehow this indicates she would rather have them now, because he stands and reaches for a chain out of Izzy's case. A second later, he has hooked it to the binding at her wrist. Izzy steps forward then and I see for the first time, a full view of the suit she is wearing. I don't have time to appreciate it. The whimper coming from the girl, forces me to watch her. Her arms come up violently behind her and I see that it's Izzy who is pulling the chain. The man slams a long thin wand across the girls back and it bends when it meets her covered skin. She winces only a little, but makes no other sounds. He does it again, and again, quickly and harshly beating her for looking at him. I see tears slide down either side of her face, but still she does not make a sound.
No longer able to watch her suffer, I drop my head. What the fuck is wrong with him? I should just snap his fucking neck! I swallow down my growl and a mouth full of venom along with it.
As if she can read my thoughts, "Dubby, sir, that's enough," Izzy says quietly but with force.
"As you wish," he answers, and takes his seat.
Izzy quickly undoes the chain and drops it back into the silver case, before taking her seat again. "Come child," Izzy pats her thigh, "rest your head now." Stephanie shifts on her knees and makes her way over to lay her head in Izzy's lap. Izzy pulls a small cloth from her pocket and gently dries the girls tears.
This world, it's beyond what I can understand. I know depravity. But this?
Loud music pulls me from my thoughts. I see people start to move about then, and my eyes follow them to a dance floor.
A very large, very tan man comes to stand at our table. He looks over Stephanie before he speaks, "Mistress?"
She answers, "Yes Jacob."
"Do you require my services this evening?"
"You wish to sit before me tonight?"
"Oh yes, mistress. It would bring me great pleasure." Then he too falls on his knees in front of her, and bows his big head. Long dark hair falls in a curtain around his face.
"A moment, while I decide," she says. He nods and then looks up at me. Instantly I am hit with his vulgar thoughts. It chills me to the bone, what he would like for Izzy to do to him. On the top of his list is pulling hard on the ring that goes through his scrotum.
Holy fuck. No fucking way in hell. God damn am I glad nothing can pierce my skin. I think if I was able, I would break into a sweat.
The man in the other seat gets up and walks towards the platform. Instantly Izzy bends to whisper in the girls ear, "Are you hurt badly?" The girl shrugs. "Come, let me tend to you." Izzy helps her to her feet.
She hooks her finger behind her indicating that I should follow, so I move from behind her chair.
"Jacob," she says, "wait here, while I take care of Stephanie."
He nods at her, "Yes mistress."
I follow the pair as they make their way through the place and into a long hallway. Stephanie is a step behind Izzy and I stay an arms length behind her.
"Wait here," Izzy says as she leads Stephanie into the ladies room. I can hear Izzy talk to her, "Let me have a look." She hisses a moment later. "I'm sorry Stephanie. You really must learn not to cross Sir." I hear water running and more hissing.
A moment later Izzy comes back through the door, and leans against the wall. "Edward, kneel down in front of me so I can talk to you." I hesitate, not wanting to follow suit with all the others who have dropped to their knees in front of Izzy in the last hour. "Please," I can hear the pain in her voice, so I drop down in front of her. "Look at me, Edward." For the first time since she pushed me through the front door, I look into her eyes. There is something unsettling there.
She begins to whisper quickly, "Stephanie is relatively new to all of this and was certainly not ready for what just happened. Dublin is a monster most of the time, and takes pleasure in pushing the limits and causing pain." I hear the song change and she looks up with dismay. "He is about to take the platform now. I would advise that you not watch his show." She pauses for a moment, "Oh I wish I had dragged you back to the parking lot instead." She reaches out and brushes her fingers through my hair. "The confusion in your eyes, it pains me, because I know you are innocent to these kinds of things."
I sigh, "It's alright. I think I can manage." I've slaughtered human beings for Christ's sake, I think I can handle this. Not my finest moments, but it has desensitized me to this sort of pain. It only bothers me that Stephanie is seemingly innocent. "Is she going to be OK?" I ask.
"She is mostly suffering from shock and indignation. Stephanie will be fine soon enough. When she is finished, we will walk her out to her car. If you want, you could go, too."
There is no way in hell I'm leaving her here by herself. "No, I'll stay," I answer.
"I won't linger after my show. We'll leave when it's over, okay?"
I nod at her.
"Your doing very well at holding your tongue. Would you like a reward?" she says with a smile.
I cock an eyebrow at her, "Oh yes please mistress."
She laughs lightly and it's a beautiful sound. "Your very good at that. It pleases me Edward. Let me show you how much." She slips her hand into her pants and lets out a small moan. I can smell her arousal now, and I am eager to see what she will do. A second later a very wet finger slides across my lips, and my tongue darts out to taste what I can already smell.
Instantly I forget where we are and I am in my happy place. I close my eyes and savor the taste of her. Yes, I would walk on my knees behind this devil for the rest of eternity, just to have her. To call her mine. Once my lips are clean I smile broadly and open my eyes.
"You may stand now," she says. I do, and brace an arm on the wall beside her. "Why Edward, did you like that?" I nod and lick my lips again. "Would you like some more?"
I lean in and hiss my reply, "You have no idea. That and so much more."
She reaches out to touch my chest and I lean away from her. She gives me a smile, that makes me feel like she could eat me for breakfast. My how the tables have turned. I wonder if she bites?
The door opens and a weary looking Stephanie steps out. She hands Izzy the ball and leather wrist restraints. I fall in line behind them, as Izzy leads Stephanie towards the exit. A few steps outside Izzy motions for me to wait.
I watch the girls walk to a small white Honda. Stephanie looks pitiful, when Izzy tilts her chin up with her fingers. She runs her fingers around Stephanie's jaw and brushes her hair back. "Please, Stephanie, don't be like this. It pains me to see you so sad." Izzy cups her face and kisses her lips tenderly. I watch the girl's eyes brighten as the kiss deepens. I am not even jealous. I can see that Izzy cares for her, and is trying to make her feel better. They break after a few moments and Izzy takes her keys and unlocks the door for her.
"Take some Advil when you get home. No more than four at a time, and no more than twenty four hundred milligrams in a day." Stephanie nods. "If it's very painful, soak in a cool tub, okay?" The girl nods again. "Call me straight away if you need me. I'll be along shortly." The girls smiles and Izzy helps her into the car.
Izzy turns to walk back towards me and I take all of her in. A pair of smart high waisted pinstripe pants, with a white pinstripe button up shirt. Her hair is swinging behind her as she takes fast steps. She has a cross look on her face.
"Come on," she motions to me.
Her pace is hurried as she makes her way back to the table. She drops the ball and restraints into the case and closes it firmly. I stand behind the chair she was sitting in, and watch her pace.
Suddenly she stops. "Jacob, you'll accompany me on the platform tonight." Her voice is hard again.
I look up to the platform where Dublin is unlocking restraint from a pretty blonde. Her bare back is angry and red, as she sits the wrong way in the chair, looking over her shoulder. The blonde stands then and turns towards us. There is a chain hanging across her ribs, hooked to her nipples. She doesn't remove them, when she slips her shirt over her head.
I recognize the song that starts to come through the speakers. I can't place it, but I know I've heard it before.
"That's us," Izzy announces. She snaps her fingers and Jacob is on his feet in an instant. "Edward." she hooks her finger at me. That must be one of her favorite forms of communication. I come from behind the chair. She points to a spot in front of the platform, "You'll wait there for me."
I kneel on the floor, with my hands behind my back.
Izzy heads up the steps and Jacob falls a few paces behind her. She sets the case on a small table and opens it. She turns towards me, and slams the cane on the floor. "That is your one. Unless you would like them to see just how much you can endure, I suggest you Bow. Your. Fucking. Head."
Fuck I forgot. I drop my head at once.
I hear chains. "Thank you mistress," Jacob says.
The music gets louder, Crucified for no sins No revenge... beneath me, Suddenly it hits me; Cemetery Gates...Pantera. This songs seems fitting.
I can hear people shuffle around me. No one gets to close though. I kind of feel like property and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing.
I desperately want to look up, but think better of it. Again, I try to focus on Izzy, just so I know what's going on. It's like being in a wind tunnel with an episode of The Twilight Zone playing in the background. The noise and the voices seem, far away, but close, too. The thoughts are twisted, and excited. But none of them are Izzy, so I tune them all back out.
I hear a loud crack, and the jingle of chains. Jacob's voice, "More." Then another crack and jingle. Then another and another. Jacob grunts. He seems to be enjoying this. Does Izzy enjoy delivering pain?
It seems to go on and on. Through the rise and fall of the music. The beating matches the tempo. Up and down. Fury unleashed and then drawn back again.
As the song comes to an end, I catch the smell of blood. Carefully I peek up through my lashes at the platform. Izzy is standing with her legs spread wide. Her arms is wrapped around Jacob who is standing in front of her, with his back to the crowd. His arms are out so his frame forms a Y. His hands grip the chain that run from his wrists up to, I guess, the ceiling.
I look from the chain back to Izzy. The arm wrapped around his frame is moving slightly. Her other hand is holding an antique looking shaving razor. Is she cutting him? She's fucking cutting him! Superficial slices, just enough to produce the blood I am smelling. His blood is not at all appealing.
Suddenly the arm that is in front of him jerks down and he cries out and throws his head back, narrowly missing Izzy's face. I hear him mumble "Thank you Izzy. No one does it like you." His tone is quiet and gruff.
I tip my eyes back down. I don't think anyone was supposed to hear him. Wait...Oh jeez, she pulled that fucking ring. My stomach feels like lead.
"Your welcome Jacob," she purrs. "That will be all for tonight."
"Yes, mistress," he answers. I hear the chains jingle again.
Less than a minute later, Izzy is by my side again. "Edward, it's time to retire. Be a dear and fetch my coat please."
I am eager to get the hell out of here, so I do as she asks at once.
I help her into her coat. She hands me the case and I take it. She winks at me and then turns and walks towards the exit. I follow without a word.
She walks behind the building, and suddenly I see all the cars. I follow her to the Aston Martin before I speak. "I'm done being the prop now, correct?"
"Yes, Edward. You can flip your switch now."
"I have questions."
"I'm sure you do, and I have answers. But right now I need to go check on Stephanie. I'm going the ATL tomorrow, but I'll be back the day after. We can talk then."
"The ATL?"
She laughs. "Atlanta."
"Of course, the airport code. You'll be back Friday, and then what?"
"I'll be around the club Friday night. I don't have anything scheduled that night, so I'll go hang out with Liz. If you can make it up I'll give you some time. No charge." She laughs and leans against her car.
I stare down at her for a moment, and I'm suddenly hit with a need to taste her lips. Just to touch mine to hers. "Izzy your the most confusing and dangerous creature I've ever met."
"I highly doubt that Edward." She cocks an eyebrow at me.
I can't help but reach out and touch her brow. "Don't doubt me Izzy. I don't lie." I feel the heat from her skin soak into my finger tip. "Your confusing, dangerous and beautiful." I move the finger from her brow to my lips, kiss it and touch it to her lips.
She sighs, and looks down at the ground. "Edward, I need to go."
I step back to give her room. Once she is settled, with the engine purring, I start to walk back to the front of the building where my car is.
She pulls along side me when I am almost to the Audi and her window slides down. "And Edward," she calls, "a lie of omission is still a lie." With that, she speeds out of the lot.
