I have had a many private messages asking me to explain what the Gardens are exactly. I will explain a bit of the club and also its hierarchy. I have also been told by numerous people that my chapters are not up to snuff and confusing so I hope to fix that. I apologize. I just am extremely emotional lately and I've thrown myself into writing to deal with my broken heart and stress of life. Thank you all for the advice and patience. I will do better. Please ask me questions and things I need to address to fix the story.

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A hush took over the crowd as the elegant Mistress was lead out on stage by her crawling nude pet. The room was lit with lamps in the shapes of candles and torches. No natural light was allowed. With the Gardens being a private club and for member's safety and their reputations security was a big concern. If the activities in the Gardens were brought into public, they could destroy careers. Only the workers and members knew of the clubs existence. They kept it funded by donations and member's fees with a strict contract signed that if broken, the perpetrators would be severely dealt with.

Anonymity was key to the clubs continued existence. The Gardens included members that were some of the most powerful and influential people in the world. The New York Chapter alone could fund itself and its other United States locations alone. The Underworld Gardens was built to resemble Persephone's journey into the underworld to Hades. Greek influences and pomegranate colors trimmed columns and the golden light cast shadows. Marble floors seemed to always be shined. When on stage the light's made it so the performing couple would be seen completely but they could not themselves see the audience.

The show theater was based on the Greek Theater in Delphi. It could accommodate around 500 people. An amount only ever filled during special Gala's and events. The seats encircled a stage that sat in the middle with an entrance on one side. The lower seats were available to all members while usually only the honored Gods used the boxes on a regular basis, while you could rent on for an evening if one choose. This allowed love making or masturbation if the need arose in privacy. Many times moans and cries could be heard filtering down from the audience as the subs and Doms acted out the scene

The hierarchy of the club included Gods and Goddesses, then the demi gods, and finally mortals. The Gods and Goddess were on top. They had their own private rooms, boxes and also afforded special privileges. They sat on the board, voted on club laws, discussed yearly finances and also planned the Gala's that raised money for selected charities, usually a theme was chosen for each event. All privately donated, for anonymity again. These honored few were voted in when another God died or retired from membership, or rarely voted out. You had Zeus and Hera, they were the male and female CEO's so to speak, while the other God's were the cabinet. You could earn a position on merit, not on social influence in the outside world. Which is why new God's were only allowed in with a unanimous vote of said board.

Elizabeth had earned the Title of Athena. A perfect choice for the Bureau Chief. The Goddess of Wisdom, Strength, Law and Justice. Marcus was a board member as well. It seemed that the Titles chosen for the men and women of the board seemed to reflect their personalities perfectly. His title was Dionysus, the God of Wine and Theater and anyone familiar with Greek mythology knew he fit the bill of the gluttonous God.

Only Dominants were allowed to become God's. A few Board Members were switches but most were true Dominants. The Demi God's were members like Olivia that earned their way in as a Mortal, i.e. pet. Or they were sponsored in by another Demi God or God and after a period of time, it was decided if could become a full member with a vote. Unlike the voting for the board, this was a majority rules election.

Demi God's were full members and could rent boxes or special privileges, if approved. There was a wing of the building dedicated to the God's rooms, while another wing was purely for Demi God's. Each room was the same and if given enough notice, they would be outfitted with the needs required. While the God's rooms were their own and out fitted to their own preferences.

Mortals was the code word for pets. The board toyed with the idea of having pets you could use for the evening, almost a rent system. But that was quickly disregarded. Too many risks and the fact it was basically prostitution. So Gods, Goddesses, and Demi Gods would have to bring their own Mortals/Pets into the Gardens when wanting to engage in any sessions so to speak.

Though at first Olivia had been extremely intimidated by the theater. She did not know if she could ever be on display while a scene involving her was happening. Elizabeth had let Olivia watch a few different performances and get a feel for how she felt. Though extremely uncomfortable at the beginning Liv found it to be quite exciting and the thought of being on stage turned from fear to intrigue.

Olivia went back and forth on if she would ever want to try a public scene. She was scared of the possibility of getting outside the clubs walls and ruining her career or life, but the thrill of being seen was just so tempting. What finally convinced Liv to try it was when she watched a fairly prominent public official perform as a sub and no one judged. That gave Olivia the confidence she needed and she trusted the club in keeping it within the Gardens. The young brunette could not get the idea out of her head. It became so enticing that she was the one that approached Elizabeth with the request of performing on stage. Liz had made sure that the young woman was sure that this was she really wanted to do this before agreeing.

This was not the first time nor would it be the last time Olivia would be nude on stage while a sea of people observed her intimate display with her Mistress. Each time was an adrenaline rush and though it was supposed to be a punishment the brunette couldn't help but become extremely aroused. Elizabeth was punishing the detective for pushing a new relationship to fast. The older woman also planned on punishing Alex as well for her part.

There were many reasons for this scene tonight. The sins played through Olivia's head as she rose up with her Mistress's command and took her place at center stage. An X shaped object that was a little over six feet tall was wheeled in by two of the club's workers. On each of the ends of the X was a strap. The blonde Mistress turned her brunette pet toward the prop face first. Elizabeth then kissed Olivia's wrist before fastening it to the top right side of the X. She repeated the action to the other wrist. This left Olivia's back and ass exposed to her Mistress's whip.

Elizabeth then traced Olivia's spine with her finger tips that made the young woman's back curve, reflexing to the tickle as the strong feminine hand palmed her bronze skin toned ass cheek. Squeezing lightly, the Dominant blonde massaged the firm globe while she kissed and sucked on Olivia's neck marking her. Elizabeth suddenly pulled away much to the annoyance of her pet. A quiet whine escaped Olivia's suddenly dry lips. A firm spank on her behind let her know that would not be tolerated tonight. This shut the pet up rather quickly.

Olivia looked out into the crowd but the light kept the viewers shadowed. This made Olivia imagine who could be out there watching her. This was the thrill, for all she knew, no one was there in the dark expanse. Or it could be filled with all her coworkers and friends. The young woman was brought out of her thoughts as she felt rough hands slide her legs and ankles over and strap those in to the bottom sides of the X. Olivia now was flush with the prop, a human X bared and bound for her Mistress to do and use her as she wished. The brunette felt her sex dampen as she fully realized the situation she was in.

CRACK

The crowd gasped along with the strapped pet. All brought out of the mesmerizing moment by the striking and intimidating Elizabeth Donnelly. She had cracked a whip with the grace and mastery of an accomplished tamer. In truth Elizabeth would never use this real bull whip on anyone it was to bring all to attention. She selected her favorite scene whip. It was a single lash that would rise the skin in a red strip quite nicely.

The audience along with Olivia knew that Elizabeth took deep pride in her art as she called it. The prop and the whip were her tools, and the punishment inspiration, and the pet… a blank canvas. The quiet was silent, the only noise was the staccato rhythm of the Mistress's heels on the glossy smooth marble. As the Mistress got into position, the pet's breathing was starting to quicken. She could not anticipate when the whip would come into contact.

This pause created a dramatic tension that thickened in the air. Elizabeth done this for multiple reasons. One, it drew the audience in. Two, it let her pet stew for a bit. Think about her disobedient actions and truly comprehend why this punishment was happening. And lastly, it amused her, let her prepare mentally for what she was about to do, and think of the art she was about to create on her pet's canvas.

Olivia thought of her sins. She rushed her relationship with Alex to break neck speed, and while she was not the only one at guilt, she didn't stop her blonde accomplice from escalating it further. Olivia also knew how dangerous alcohol could be because of her mother and job. She made Liz promise her that if caught in a situation where alcohol caused or could cause damage to the brunette, then Elizabeth would severely punish her. It was actually lucky that the photo they took went to Liz, and not out to more people on Olivia's phone.

Elizabeth was being harsh because of that promise. She knew Olivia needed to be put on track, and to know better. Next time they could accidently send a photo to someone less tolerable or somehow get out in public and be scandalous. A sex crimes detective and an attorney for the state drunk half nude and in an intimate embrace could end careers sadly, even if explained as a costume party or something.

Olivia was falling back into bad habits and she was thankful that Liz was setting her straight again. She wasn't looking forward for the second phase of the punishment but it was a duel reason. Physical, then mental. This will make her remember in the future to be more careful around alcohol and also that if she really wanted a lifelong relationship with the young ADA, then she needed to cool it on the innuendoes, teasing, and rushing things. It was okay at times but Alex was in a very delicate stage in training and also in this barely born relationship. The detective knew that Alex would soon have to pay for her sins in this mess and she was nervous, but she trusted Elizabeth. Liz saved her, and she would make Alex great.

SNAP

"AH!" Olivia screamed as the whip met with her back.

The next chapter will be the rest of the punishment. I really am sorry for how bad and lazy I have been with this last few chapters. I will do my best for the future. I hope you can all forgive me, and again … if any of you have questions or confused please ask and I will fix it.