The Monster Within
4: [in the garden,
we wait with bated breath]
part II
"Complete the maze. You have 2 hours remaining." A horn went off without warning and there was a mad dash. As Clarke approached the rose bushes she spotted an entrance and dove through it.
Rolling to a stop Clarke took a knee, peering through the greenery surrounding her. Pink and white petals decorated the landscape, broken up only by the wicked curve of displaced thorns, lying in wait for soft flesh to bite into.
She kept her breathing quiet as the leaves pressed in, warm and waxy against her skin. She could hear the scratch of tiny creatures all around her, and vaguely, the sounds of the other competitors.
Clarke started forward, listening hard as she placed one foot in front of the other.
Puzzles were usually Blake's strength, and she tried to think like he would while she made her way through the first few twists and turns.
She paused for a second and there was a thud behind her. Whipping around Clarke came face to face with Kane's pet, who was completely naked save for a studded blue collar. Clarke sized her up, her hands going to a defensive stance, but the girl merely pushed past her and continued running.
As she darted out of view Clarke heard a scream and looked around wildly. Curling into the shadow of a bush she winced as the barbs ran down her back and shoulders right through the sheer lace. Eventually she managed to locate the slave who was crying out.
In the row beside her Declan had a dark-haired girl bent over. He had one hand in her braids, and used the other to push aside the flimsy animal print cloth that served as her protection. Clarke swallowed hard, but she couldn't look away.
The girl looked helpless in his arms, her eyes wide and glassy.
When Declan buried himself inside her Clarke's hand closed over a stem full of thorns and the pain jolted her back.
She crawled away as moans started to fill the hedgerows. Every time she looked into the bushes there were slaves contorted in positions of pleasure and pain. She felt Lexa's hands on her own body as she moved through the maze, slowing her down.
Turning a corner, she ran straight into another slave.
The woman was bulky, buff, and covered in tattoos. Clarke recognized one as a law enforcement motto, then ducked as the woman lunged at her.
Landing on her ass Clarke realized she couldn't take the woman out, not without arousing suspicion.
She gritted her teeth and didn't try to escape the next attempt. They wrestled, and Clarke was grateful for Lexa yet again when she easily slipped out from between her assailants hands. Taking off at full speed she didn't look back, only stopping when she found herself in an open field. A fountain gurgled in the center, the water blinding as Clarke stumbled over to it.
Four paths snaked out in different directions and Clarke squinted, deciding on the best one to take.
At the sound of pounding feet and people closing in she sprinted ahead. Dirt kicked up around her while she plowed around a few more corners before coming to a breathless halt in a manicured patch of flowers. Blake stood panting upon a stone podium, with two empty spots beside him. A young man wearing a staff t-shirt stood in the corner, and he waved Clarke to the podium.
"Second place." He stamped the back of her dirty hand, then returned to his post.
"Good job." Blake managed as his chest heaved and Clarke had a sinking feeling. She couldn't bring herself to reply, Lexa's face materializing in her mind.
Minutes passed in excruciating silence until Kane's slave appeared from the underbrush, taking the third place spot with hunched shoulders.
"Here you go Octavia."
She got her stamp, the horn sounding loudly afterwards, then they were all flushed out of the maze and brought back to the starting line where their masters waited.
Clarke didn't look up as Lexa re-attached her leash, and Lexa didn't have any words for her. She was gentle however as she brought Clarke to one of the outdoor showers. Turning the water on she stripped Clarke down and took her hand, guiding her under the spray.
Clarke closed her eyes, letting the dirt and grime wash away. Her cuts stung, but it was a familiar pain.
Lexa didn't bother to towel her off when she was done, watching the rivulets of water slide down Clarke's body. It was almost enough to keep the rage at bay, but not quite. She felt the knot take hold in her stomach. The ceremony hadn't even started yet and Lexa already wanted to kill someone. Trembling, she put Clarke back on her lead.
"Come."
In the common area the slaves sat in the sun, their masters reliving the chase. They handed out appreciative pats or hard smacks, and Lexa gave neither as she strode in.
Clarke looked up from under lowered lids, acutely aware of her naked body. She never thought her occupation would take her here, where the physical exposure was complete. She couldn't decide if it worse or better than the broken bones.
Clarke started as Lexa slipped a hand into the small of her back, leading her to the front of the group. Lexa pinched her ass in response, and Clarke took it with no reaction.
"Look at that, it's a newbie take over! I'll need Finn up here as well and you Marcus." Their host announced.
Kane and Finn joined them, a flatscreen between them and their host. Clarke took in all the beaming faces, disoriented.
"In third place, we have Mr. Kane!"
His slave bowed her head and he acknowledged the crowd.
"And in second, the lovely Ms. Woods, making a great debut!"
Lexa took the applause with a stiff smile and Clarke sighed.
"And the winner of today's event, the man who gets to spin the wheel, Mr. Finn Collins! Come on up here!"
Clarke averted her eyes as Finn approached the screen, her butt naked partner behind him.
"Here we go, when you're ready just hit the button." The host pointed Finn toward the screen, where a red circle blinked. Finn tapped it and a game show wheel popped up, spinning manically in a rainbow of color.
Whoops from the crowd rang out as it slowed, flickering over phrases that didn't yet mean anything to Clarke. Finally it stopped, the words "pick a pawn" spreading out in white. The applause was loud and joyous.
"Alright Mr. Collins, this ones pretty self explanatory. You may have any pawn you want for your pleasure this evening. Who will it be?"
Clarke felt her stomach flip when Finn grinned and lifted a hand, pointing directly at her.
"I'll take the princess from second place." He announced and all the air left her.
"Good choice! How about it? Can we hear it for Finn in his first event?!"
The crowds response was muffled to Clarke, their faces melting into each other as she processed what had just happened.
Lexa stood stock still for a moment, before pushing Clarke towards Finn.
"Well done. You enjoy yourself Mr. Collins." The host shook his hand, his piggy eyes lingering on Clarke until Finn tapped her shoulder.
"Follow me." With a smile he started for the house, waving to the crowd as they applauded their departure. Clarke stared hard at the ground, her limbs moving in slow motion.
Blake walked with his hands in front of him, but his body wasn't cooperating with his mind.
Meanwhile Clarke remained in limbo, unable to believe Lexa was still there, watching her walk away as Finn's prize.
As they returned to the house she made eye contact with Blake, who tried to smile with a stiff jaw.
It was the nature of the club, but Clarke couldn't think of being anyone else's. Especially not Finn's. But she didn't really see a way out of this one. She'd have to be a good agent, as always.
Finn brought them back up in the lift, and Clarke worked on pulling it together. They couldn't break their cover, or the mission would be over.
Her heart thudded in her throat as they entered a bed room, and it was a wonder she didn't choke on it. Finn closed the door and turned to them, bringing his hands together.
"Okay, Caroline you're gunna need a few things." With a wicked expression he pulled a few tools from a drawer, then fanned them out for Clarke to look at.
"Which one would you like to start with?" Between his fingers there was a leather riding crop, a thin wooden paddle, and some sort of tasseled device. Clarke stared at him.
"You see, your husband has been a very bad boy, and I think he deserves some punishment."
That word again, "punishment". It flared red and hot in Clarke's mind as she checked out the selection.
She felt a thrill, adrenaline pumping through her. She had to play her part, after all. Taking the crop she twirled it around in her hands, looking up at Finn. He cocked a brow at her, his half smile hypnotizing.
"Don't be afraid to go hard, Ethan could use it." His voice took on the same growling texture as Lexa's, and for a moment Clarke hesitated. There was something about them, something she couldn't understand. But she was determined to find out.
Turning slowly to Blake she met his gaze.
"Sit." She ordered.
By the foot of the bed he went to his knees, breathing hard.
Blake was a great example of the male form, but Clarke pictured Lexa when she stroked his face with the worn leather. Giving him a slap she sucked in a breath as he winced.
"Go on." Finn urged her, falling into a chair beside them. She smacked him in the chest and his muscles contracted, his skin reddening. Fascinated, Clarke trailed the crop over his abs. Blake was rock hard, in probably the most compromising situation he'd been in yet with his partner.
Clarke hit him hard in the stomach and he grunted, his abs twitching.
Focusing on the same spot she worked him until Blake's chin fell onto his chest, half-throated moans emanating from him.
Gently, she played with the lithe lines of his exposed thighs.
"How do you feel Caroline? You think that's enough?" Finn asked her, his brown eyes dark and swirling, like Lexa's got. Clarke didn't respond, overwhelmed, and Finn walked over to her.
"Do you think he's suffered enough?" Finn grabbed Blake, pulling his head back by his hair. Clarke struck his face one more time and Finn took the crop away.
"Come on, get up." Yanking Blake up he gave his ass a smack and Blake glared at him.
"If you could get on the bed for me please." Finn asked her nicely, and Clarke had no choice but to crawl up onto the bed. She wanted to pull her knees to her chest, but she resisted the urge.
"Alright, you've had your punishment, now you get your reward." Finn announced, shoving him forward.
Clarke remained seated, her hands in her lap. Blake didn't move.
"Ethan." Finn's voice was dangerous again, and Clarke shivered as she heard Lexa in his tone. Then the tremors spread further as she finally looked at Blake, really looked at him. This was going to hurt.
Blake followed orders, gently laying Clarke on her back.
She screwed her eyes shut. Blake gripped her hips for a moment, breathing in and out deeply.
As he prepared to enter her there was a knock at the door, and Finn threw his hands up.
"What. The. Fuck." He griped.
Clarke kept her eyes closed as Blake let go of her, sitting back on his calves.
The knock came again, and Clarke chanced a glance at the door as Finn haughtily opened it.
"This better be good." He grumbled until Lexa's face appeared on the other side.
"Hey Lex, what's up?" Finn ran his hands through his hair.
"May I speak to you? In private?"
Clarke heard her voice and immediately sat up, her cheeks blazing.
"I'm kind of in the middle of something." His reply was short, but Lexa took him by the shoulder and dragged him from the room. As the door slammed shut Clarke and Blake released the breath they'd both been holding.
"Holy shit." Blake whispered, flipping around to sit on the edge of the bed, his head falling into his hands.
"...I second t-that." Clarke managed, barely getting above a whisper.
When Finn returned his face was white, and he promptly grabbed Clarke's arm and lifted her off the bed.
"You owe me big." He bit out as he handed her back to her rightful master.
Lexa nodded, swiftly attaching her slave to her lead. When Finn was out of sight she gave it a hard pull and Clarke drifted down to all fours.
Shell shocked, Clarke crawled after Lexa on auto-pilot. From floor level the mansion seemed to go on for eternity, a dizzying array of rooms and nooks and crawl spaces pressing in. It was all just one big maze.
"I gave you an order." Lexa snapped at her and Clarke looked up to find herself at the threshold of Lexa's office. Relief flooded her, followed by embarrassment as she realized she had no idea what Lexa had asked.
"I'm sorry." Clarke replied and to her surprise Lexa merely brought her up to her feet, leading her into the office and closing the door.
Lexa wrapped her arms around Clarke, kissing her deeply. Clarke kissed her back, going limp as the last few hours took their toll. Lexa held her up by her face, her green eyes going dark.
"You are mine." She said slowly and clearly.
Clarke nodded, her breath hitching as Lexa's hold turned painful. The hurt spread through her, awakening every nerve.
Lexa let her go as she gasped, folding her arms over her chest.
"I'm indebted to Finn now thanks to you." She began with a cold stare. "So you're going to have to pay for that."
"Yes Lexa." Clarke replied, her answering gaze fearless. Anticipation colored her cheeks as Lexa brought her to the desk.
"I want my office spotless, do you understand?" She turned to Clarke, undoing her leash with inhuman speed.
"Yes Lexa." Clarke couldn't help staring at her as Lexa bent to retrieve a few things from the desk drawers.
"Turn around." Lexa ordered and Clarke felt her muscles tense, preparing for the unknown. Instead of spanking or whipping her though Lexa simply slid a garment over her pet's shoulders. Expertly, she tied the maid's outfit together.
Clarke looked down at herself, thinking that she was better off naked than in the form accentuating costume. She tried not to move, but the feeling of being humiliated started to twist through her.
Lexa spun her around again, applying a light clamp to each of her nipples. Clarke yelped and Lexa shut her up with a look.
Next she lifted the nearly non-existent skirt, tying a leather cord around Clarke's waist. As Clarke stood there vibrating Lexa added another cord. This one was weighted, and the cold metal landing between Clarke's legs made her grimace. She struggled not to fidget as Lexa watched her. Her chest was burning already, and the weight felt heavier against her clit with every passing second.
"You can start with the blinds." Lexa handed her a feather duster and Clarke took it with shaking hands.
Lexa dropped into the great chair, resting her chin on her hand.
"Now." Her tone was scalding, and Clarke took a few wobbly steps toward the windows. The movement made her body ache like nothing else.
The duster felt like it was made of lead as Clarke lifted it, and as she reached for the nearest blind her taut nipples pulled against their captors.
"Fuck!" She swore under her breath, tormented. Breathing rapidly she had to fight for every motion. By the time she made it to the top of the shades the metal weight was sliding to and fro between her legs. Wet and slick, it always seemed to hit her in the worst possible place.
The blinds shook as she worked on them, her agony extending to the vinyl.
When it was finally over she fell to her knees, the duster dropping to the floor as Lexa smirked. The brunette stayed where she was.
"The rest of the room needs to be picked up." Her master declared lazily and Clarke made a pitiful sound. She could barely move, consumed as she was by flame.
"Lexa...please..." Clarke pleaded, a first for her, but Lexa was merciless.
"Contrary to what life may have shown you up to this point Caroline, you are not actually a princess. You are my probate, and you will do as I say or you will leave."
Clarke went rigid for a moment, which only served to make her torture worse as her muscles tightened up. It shouldn't have surprised her that Lexa could make her feel so awful and amazing at the same time, but it did.
Lexa gave her a stern look, and her threat had the desired effect as Clarke took a deep breath, finding her feet. Lexa reveled in the will etched into her face. It was marred by pain, but still fiercer than any Lexa had encountered before.
With the last of her strength Clarke picked up the loose ends around the room, biting her lip to keep from crying out. When she bent to pick up a wayward pen the weight smacked her hard and she doubled over. Panting, she tried to think through the intense pounding of her sex. Tears streaked her face as she forced herself to keep moving.
Painstakingly, she made her way back over to the feather duster, the last thing to be picked up. She wrapped her fingers around the handle, and shoved it onto the top of the desk before collapsing beside it.
Lexa watched her cry for a minute, then liberated her pet from her constraints.
Clarke sniffled while Lexa kneeled down to untie the cords from around her waist. As soon as the weight was gone Clarke felt a rush of release.
The clamps were removed and though Clarke whimpered, it still felt euphoric as the wicked devices released her. Lexa brushed her lips across the ultra-sensitive skin of her nipples and Clarke fell apart, crumbling into Lexa's shoulder as waves of pain and pleasure broke over her.
Lexa picked her up easily, placing her on the edge of the desk. Clarke clung to her for awhile, kissing her desperately as her mind went blank and her body took over.
Lexa pushed her back after a few minutes, stroking Clarke's stomach as the blond held herself up with shaking arms.
"Relax." Lexa's voice was soothing, her hands positioning Clarke until the girl was leaning on her elbows, her legs wide open.
Kissing and biting her way down Clarke's torso it was Lexa's turn to be on her knees as she swallowed Clarke up.
Her nails dug into the back of her pet's thighs while she sucked on her clit.
"Fuck..." Curses tumbled out of Clarke's mouth and Lexa held her gaze, making her stomach burn hotter.
Clarke's hips rose up and then back down as Lexa switched to licking her in long, firm strokes. Her soft tongue was heaven after the rude metal weight. She flicked the tip of it over Clarke's swollen clit and Clarke moaned. She almost felt ashamed as Lexa's lips came up shiny and wet after, but It wasn't enough to keep her sane as Lexa swirled her tongue around her entrance.
"L-Lexa-" Clarke was begging again, hopeless in her desire for her master.
She was left longing though as Lexa rose instead, denying her her climax. Dazed, she watched Lexa unbutton her shirt.
She reached for her but Lexa put her back into position, then smacked her cheek.
Lexa unclasped her pants next, grabbing hold of the back of Clarke's head with one hand and sliding them down with the other.
Clarke made a strangled sound as Lexa entered her with a strap-on. The pressure against her walls made her head fall back, her mouth opening as Lexa filled her carefully.
It wasn't long before Lexa pulled her head back up, forcing Clarke to watch herself take every inch.
She shook as Lexa leaned in to kiss her mouth. It was sloppy, Clarke's ability to do anything disintegrating as Lexa's legs pressed up against hers.
Burying both of her hands in Clarke's hair Lexa slammed her onto her back, fucking her hard.
Clarke gushed, taking it all easily as Lexa held her down. She pressed her mouth against Lexa's neck and gripped her sides, giving herself over to it. Lexa slowed her pace, forcibly kissing Clarke again. Each stroke was slower than the last. Lexa was deliberate and cruel as she pulled all the way out. Every time she slid her tongue against Clarke's she entered her again, bringing their bodies together completely before breaking apart.
"Ahh..." Clarke cried out as the the pressure became unbearable, her grip on Lexa reaching an abusive level. It didn't seem to bother Lexa though as she pressed Clarke right into the desk, keeping her there. Clarke squirmed, on the very edge.
"Is this what you wanted?" Lexa murmured, kissing her throat in a leisurely fashion.
Clarke tried to move her hips but Lexa didn't allow it, biting her earlobe.
"Answer me." She bit down on Clarke's bottom lip, then growled as her slave came instead of obeying her command.
"I'm...s-sorry..." Clarke stammered when Lexa pulled away, looking displeased.
In response she slid two fingers into Clarke's collar, yanking her forward.
Clarke's legs were jello as Lexa made her stand up, then promptly turned her around. She bent Clarke over the desk, spanking her several times.
"You're very lucky." Lexa said, nipping the back of Clarke's neck.
"...why?" Clarke asked as she leaned into her, the length of the toy slipping between her legs. It pushed against her clit, sending Clarke back into a feverish state.
"You should be punished more." Lexa's words were halting as she kissed Clarke's shoulders, running her lips over the creases and hollows.
Clarke wanted to be strong and take whatever Lexa could dish out, but she had nothing left. Lexa's skin against hers affected her terribly, and she was still so close. In response Clarke took her hand, guiding it to the epicenter of her agony. Lexa smiled against her spine, escaping easily from her grasp.
"So spoiled." Lexa remarked and spanked her again before taking a step back.
Dropping into a chair she pulled her probate into her lap, keeping Clarke's back to her. Placing one hand around her neck, Lexa used the other to tease her. She couldn't help it, she was too enamored with her slaves reactions. Swirling Clarke's clit with her fingertip Lexa bit her own lip, squeezing the girl's throat harder as Clarke made a frustrated sound.
Sliding into her again Lexa was rough this time around. Clarke gasped as she was brought down hard, her body panicking as her oxygen supply got short.
Lexa toyed with Clarke as she fucked her and choked her, bringing her to the edge and back until Clarke was trembling in her arms. She could see the bruises starting to form on her thighs, felt the dizzying rush as Clarke's heart pounded, sending her blood racing through her veins...
Intoxicated with her fragile charge Lexa forced herself to bring Clarke to orgasm. It was the safest bet.
With her heightened senses she knew exactly where to hit, stroking Clarke's g-spot in short, precise movements.
Clarke clutched at Lexa's forearm around her neck, leaving deep scratches. Her legs went numb, and the tingling spread to the rest of her extremities.
"Ohh..." Her voice cracked, then vanished altogether as her entire being came to a fierce focal point. Lexa let go of her neck and took hold of her hips, the sudden rush of oxygen inflating Clarke's orgasm to heavenly levels. When she hit the peak she leapt off, and darkness pressed into the edge of her vision before overtaking her completely.
Lexa caught her slave as she passed out. With Clarke slumped in her arms it wasn't too difficult for her to find control again. Her canines stopped poking into her lip, retreating to normal levels while her eyes adjusted.
When she could trust herself she cradled Clarke, bringing her to the armchair and settling her comfortably on the oversized cushions.
Lexa kneeled down and watched the rise and fall of her chest for a moment. She kissed the top of Clarke's foot, the closest thing to her, and then got up to get ready for the evening.
-/-/-/-/-/-/
Later that night Clarke gazed up at the sky. Stars were just starting to punch through the curtain of dusk, the candle lights upon the table gaining strength.
Heeling by her sponsors side Clarke felt free. The wind slipped through the black mini-dress Lexa had chosen for her, caressing her skin. She still wore her collar, but Lexa hadn't bothered with the leash and it gave her a strange sense of pride.
Orchestral music floated through the grounds, along with ghostly servers in white brandishing shining silver trays.
The Sign of the Lion loomed behind them, a crescent moon climbing up the tiled roof. It was eerie and ethereal, a perfect marriage of heaven and hell.
Likewise, Clarke was sore, but content. Lexa fed her sea bass and sips of wine from the table, both of them in their own little world. Clarke had forgotten herself completely, lost in the catharsis of Lexa's attention.
She wanted to overdose on her appreciative gaze, to live in the small smiles that Lexa gave her.
Everything was far away as she rested her chin on her sponsor's thigh. Lexa's hand curled around the back of her neck and Clarke felt safe. She fought to keep her eyes open, and Lexa looked down at her adoringly as she started to fall asleep.
Dinner was a low-key affair compared to the excitement of the morning, and the members and their pawns emanated exhaustion.
Clarke couldn't take note of anything as Lexa led her to a bedroom on a floor she didn't recognize. Swaying, she focused on just staying upright while Lexa undressed her.
Her master laid her down on sheets that seemed to have an infinite thread count, a delicious feeling spreading through her. Sinking into the mattress, she promptly lost consciousness.
Lexa sighed, stripping down to just her panties before joining Clarke. She wrapped herself around her slave. She knew she was developing a dangerous dependency, but at that moment she couldn't bring herself to care.
-/-/-/-/-/-/
tbc
thank you for reading