Two bits of information before we begin:

First, I am very interested in your reviews. Especially if I cross the line from "dark-but-tolerable" into "so-cruel-I-vomited-while-reading".

Connecting to that, just as a bit of a warning—remember the warning from the very first chapter? The bit about "dark themes"? When I said dark themes, I meant it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Black Cat, only The Man and Woman. Personally, I wish I didn't.

Chapter 28: Regina Part III

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"You've never been to a party like this before, have you?" Echidna asked with a smile, as Creed made a show of being impressed with the cocktail dresses, suits and abundance of champagne.

"Never," Creed said softly. "Are they always this big?"

"Sometimes. But after awhile they get rather dull." Echidna sighed and brushed invisible dust off her black low-cut dress. "You have to be on your guard, Creed. Some people take advantage of young people who have too much to drink."

"Okay." Creed nodded, somehow managing to maintain an innocent look even as old memories surfaced:

The hotel room was dimly lit, and Creed's head swam from the drinks he had consumed.

The man had promised him a family, shelter, and a place in society. An opportunity he couldn't refuse—not that he would have refused even if he had been sober. The man had not told Creed what he had to do to get what was offered.

Or that it involved another person.

"Ooh, a new catch…" the woman had purred, her black cocktail dress fitting her curves perfectly. "Such pretty eyes, wouldn't you say dear?"

"He's mine, Fiona," the man growled.

Creed nearly gagged at the smell of cigars that assailed his senses.

"Sir, I don't understand," Creed had said shakily. "What are you going to…"

Creed shook his head, banishing the memories quickly. It had been two years since his first brush with the dark side of adulthood, and he did not want to remember the experience. After a few seconds he resumed his charade of innocence and decided to mingle. He hoped that Train was doing well—and was managing to do his job, and act as well.

Of course he is, Creed thought with a smile. He's Black Cat—my partner. Together we'll get the job done.

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Really, Echidna, Creed thought smugly an hour later. You're making this too easy!

Echidna was slightly tipsy, holding onto Creed's arm tightly as he lead her to her suite. She gave him her key without a second thought.

Creed didn't bother to memorize the details of the place—only her bed, which Echidna collapsed onto with a soft laugh. Her hair became a curtain of surreal green, obscuring her pale face from view.

"Thank you for…bringing me up, Creed," Echidna slurred, her red lipstick-smeared lips curling upwards. "You're a good boy."

Creed turned away, pretending to blush. "Oh, it's no trouble, Miss Parass."

Echidna's drunken laugh grated on his ears. "So innocent." He heard her get shakily to her feet, and walk over to him. "Why can't more men be like you?"

"M-Miss Parass, what're you—" Creed stammered as her too-soft hand cupped his cheek. Inwardly he was almost dancing with joy at his good luck. "We shouldn't—"

"Don't…want to know what it's like?" Echidna's words were becoming less formal by the second. "…Making love to a beautiful woman?"

Creed blocked the memories that threatened to resurface again and managed to continue his "nervous" charade. "I suppose so. But, Miss Parass, you're so sophisticated. How can I possibly—"

"Creed, you don't need to do…anything. Just let me do this."

Creed forced himself not to shudder as she kissed him and began to unbutton his shirt. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, unable to stop the memory that emerged despite his efforts to control them:

"Such a sweet little thing…" The Woman—The Man's mistress, Creed had assumed—said with a smile as she kissed his neck, unbuttoning his ratty shirt and discarding it without a thought. "Do you think he'll reach the top before we do, dear?"

Creed had never felt so humiliated and used in his life. He could do nothing to stop them, and if he didn't cooperate with them the whole ordeal would be prolonged. He could hardly breathe—they were too close—

Creed grit his teeth when Echidna began to loosen his belt.

No. No, I can't think about that. Not now, I have a job to do!

"What's wrong?" Echidna asked slowly, her eyes wide. "Am I hurting you?"

"No—no, Miss Parass," Creed said with a small smile. "Just…can we do this on the bed?"

"Yes, of course."

Creed's mind whirled when he found himself lying sprawled on the bed. Echidna had somehow managed to wriggle out of her dress. She kissed him with careless passion, and Creed continued to play his role of the "innocent youth". He let out a soft cry when she trailed kisses down his body clumsily. He made his breath ragged and forced.

Inside, however, he felt sick as he continued to relive the event that had changed him beyond repair…

Creed couldn't think straight. He lay immobile on the carpeted floor, pain and the remains of pleasure he hadn't wanted his only companions. The Man and Woman were gone—for the moment. He supposed he was meant to wait for their return, and then…

Creed had sat up with difficulty and surveyed the damage. His skin was mottled with red marks and sweat.

He had shuddered and nearly vomited. He was trembling. He tried to get up, but he toppled to the floor instead. His entire being ached with humiliation and anger. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have let some creep and his woman do this to him for promises he knew they would never keep?

"I might as well offer myself back to them again," Creed said with a bitter chuckle.

And then he had an idea. A horrible, wonderful idea.

As if right on cue, The Woman re-entered the room, looking quite smug as she gazed down at him. Creed stared up at her, letting out a small mewl of submission.

"Miss," he asked pathetically, rolling onto his back and giving her a soulful look. "Would you please me again?"

"Certainly." The Woman smiled and knelt down beside him, clearly more than willing. "You'll make a fine pet."

Creed got on his knees and leaned stiffly forward to kiss her, letting her take the lead once again. He moved gingerly, his body aching from what they had put him through. He wanted her to see how much pain she and her lover had caused him. He rested his hands on her shoulders, positioning himself as comfortably as possible.

His fingers tapped lightly against her neck. He gave her his most submissive smile.

And started to squeeze…

The sound of gasping alerted Creed to the present.

Echidna was clearly in the throes of pleasure—whatever Creed had been doing had been undoubtedly good. Her eyes were closed, her body was writhing on his, and Creed remembered exactly why he hated bedding anyone but Train.

Still, he had to keep up appearances, and Creed made sure his every action was hesitant yet needy.

Now then, time to think of something much more interesting, Creed thought with a small smile.

Train lying naked and spread-eagled on a bed with velvet sheets, the smell of gunpowder and blood in the air.

Creed felt his pulse quicken and made his movements grow more erratic.He smiled as Echidna cried out and collapsed against him. Gently he rubbed her back, noting idly that she was crying softly. She was too weak for his taste.

"Miss Parass, are you alright?" he whispered.

"…Yes, Creed, I'm fine." Echidna replied haltingly, her tears falling annoyingly on his arm.

"Good."

He tried to appear casual as he wiped the tears from his skin.