Disclaimer: Bioware owns almost all.

A/N: This chapter was actually fairly difficult for me to write. It is rated MA for language, violence, and sexual content.

Chapter 6

Brulin Ton was a slaver whose appetite for both flesh and food was renowned throughout the Terminus. His name was synonymous with greed and gluttony and his dealings with various merc bands were shady at best. Ton was well known for his keen mind. It was said that he could out-volus any accountant and make a profit off vorcha piss. He was an incredibly dangerous man and Arch had scheduled a meeting with him.

As before, Arch bought the services of the local stylists and transformed me into a ravishing picture of beauty. A new dress, black and slinky, hung from his wardrobe and his face lit up with desire as I modeled it for him. Time enough had passed that seamstresses were no longer needed to alter the fit. I had grown into a woman with all the curves and passions that lie within.

I expected the meeting to proceed along a similar course as it had when he met with Aria, and my expectations were not disappointed. However we did not go to Afterlife. It would not do to host a meeting on another's home turf. Instead, Arch arranged for the meeting to take place in one of his warehouses with entertainment to follow at a nearby club. He attended the meeting without me, leaving me to fend for myself at the club. I loved it.

He had set a guard on me to secure my safety while on my own. I reveled in the minute amount of freedom given me and attempted to work the room as I had seen the asari dancers do. I noticed little effect, but at the time, I did not yet know what to look for.

Few heads turned as I made my way to the bar, the fabric of the dress clinging to my form as if it were sopping wet. I enjoyed the feel of it, how it seemed to slither against my skin, extremely sensual yet surprisingly comfortable. I had to resist the urge to laugh as the bartender gaped at me and covered my amusement by ordering a drink. He poured a measure of brandy, a brand I knew Arch favored, and started a tab under his name.

I remained at our private booth, hidden in the shadows and observing the goings on. The brandy burned as I sipped it, warming my body as it went down. My head grew light and the bass of the club pounded in my veins. Although it was a pleasant feeling, I stopped after one glass. I did not share Arch's love for the stuff.

He arrived an hour later as the energies of the club peaked. Patrons thronged through the doors while the dancers took to the stage. The heady scent of flesh and sweat permeated the air, thick and titillating. Arch took one look at me and smiled hungrily, his dark eyes sparkling with what I presumed was the success of his meeting. I returned his smile as best I could, my excitement fading as I saw Ton and his entourage emerge from behind him.

Arch slid into the booth beside me, a snifter of brandy already in hand. He leaned in for a kiss, rich and dark as the amber liquid in his cup. I returned his attentions as I had been trained, knowing Arch acted only partly for show. As he broke our kiss I saw Ton's eyes drift over my figure, raking in the shape of my body. My dress left very little to the imagination after all, which had been Arch's intent.

Arch noticed as well and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore the heat of Ton's obvious gaze. Arch placed a hot hand on my leg, grasping me as if to protect his property, but the grin spreading across his face said otherwise.

"She's quite something, isn't she Ton?"

The plump man nodded, his eyes lingering on my breasts. "Quite so, Arch. Where did you find her?"

I felt his fingers dig into my skin and took a deep breath to compose myself. It would not do to yelp like a child in front of company. He traced a formless pattern with his thumb as if contemplating an answer. Arch opened his mouth as if to speak, but paused as a group of scantily clad servers approached with drinks. He waved his hand in a sweeping gesture, inviting Ton to partake in the pleasures offered.

"Please, enjoy yourself tonight. Business is completed and we must celebrate."

I watched Ton's eyes roam over an asari server's body, jowls quivering as he licked fat lips. He reached out, brazenly groping the server and pulling her to him. A trickle of forced laughter escaped her lips and our eyes met briefly. I understood perfectly the emotion that flashed in her gaze as I was disgusted by Ton's mere presence, but I said nothing; did nothing. I considered myself safe so long as I held Arch's attentions. Ton would not dare trespass on his property.

Arch's grin widened and he held up his snifter in a toast before drinking deeply to cover his satisfaction. I studied his movements, observing the tension slowly drain from his body. His grip never wandered far from my legs, but never did he block Ton's view of my more desirable assets. It was hard to miss the lust in Ton's eyes, his lecherous gaze never straying far from my person. A feeling of unease stirred within my body and I longed to escape his attentions.

Another round of drinks arrived, accompanied by a trio of asari dancers. They took up positions in the small nooks of our booth, the up-lighting from the tiny stages highlighting the overt eroticism of their movements. I used the distraction to excuse myself, extracting my body from Arch's grasp and making my way out of the booth. With something akin to relief, I crossed the club and entered the ladies' room, relaxing and taking a moment to steady myself.

The bass thundered against the walls, muffled rhythms vibrating the floors. I studied my reflection in the mirror, ignoring the other women in the room as they passed curiously by. My face was flushed from the heat and I wiped my brow. The cool was soothing and it worked well to calm my nerves. I breathed deeply once more, ignoring the odd mix of scents wafting through the air, and gathered my wits. I would need to be fully composed once I returned. It would not do to misstep and anger Arch, not in front of a business associate.

I took one last deep breath and left the ladies' room, weaving through the anonymous patrons and making my way to the bar. I was in need of a drink and had no intention of waiting for another server. The bartender saw me immediately. He fulfilled my request and slid an amber beverage toward me. I nodded in thanks and brought the glass to my lips when I felt hands upon my body. I turned to find Ton next to me, his fat fingers playing with the straps of my dress.

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and attempted to step away, but he pulled me close. His breath was foul and hot against my neck, and the hunger in his eyes still burned even now. Disgust blossomed in my core and radiated outward accompanied by shivers of fear. I had to step carefully lest I damage the deal Arch had brokered with this man.

"Excuse me," I said sweetly, the bitter taste of false niceties souring my mouth. "But I must get back to Arch."

His jowls quivered with hearty laughter and he pulled me even closer. "Dance with me."

It took me a moment to register his demand amidst the cacophony surrounding us and even longer to realize he was serious. He gripped my hand in his sweaty palm and pulled me behind him. My mind worked furiously, gauging his strength, scouring my memory for any tidbit of information I had on him. Never had I expected to dance with anybody, not even Arch. It was an eventuality I had not prepared for. I did not know how to dance.

The beat changed slightly as he dragged me onto the dance floor, pushing through the crowd to the center. The space our path had generated quickly closed over and we were swallowed by a sea of flesh. He pressed his body against mine, his hands firmly placed on my backside. I did my best to follow his lead, sipping on my beverage to hide my disgust. Perhaps he would realize I could not dance and tire of me, but as he continued to grope me like an animal in heat, I knew this would not be the case. I would have to suffer the man's nauseating presence until I found a way to escape.

He swayed almost drunkenly to the music, pulling me with him as he rocked to and fro. I downed the rest of my drink, the burning liquid a welcome distraction as he continued to paw at me. The bass pounded in my blood while a mix of anger and disgust brewed in my veins. I decided that I had had enough when he reached under my dress and attempted to grope me anew.

I tried to push him away, but had underestimated his strength. His eyes darkened with anger and he tightened his grip on me, within me, squeezing sensitive flesh until my eyes filled with unshed tears. His lips curled in an almost feral smile and I felt the measure of his excitement against my leg. He strengthened his grip and my cry of pain was lost in the blaring music. I felt his lips against my skin as he tasted the flesh of my neck, the thick stench of his breath turning my stomach.

In my torment an idea began to take shape and I closed my mouth against the pain Ton inflicted. It would not be wise of him to damage Arch's property, no matter how powerful he believed himself to be. I also knew that Arch never liked his prizes taken without permission, and that also included me.

"Arch will be looking for me," I rasped into his ear. Ton grunted in response, my statement doing nothing to dissuade his appetite. "He is protective of his property and takes great insult if it is mishandled. It would be wise of you to release me now."

His teeth grazed my neck and alarm flared in my bones. Fingers traced a path up my dress, slipping under the light fabric and teasing a nipple until it stood erect. Shame coursed through my veins and I tried to pull away from him once again, but with little success. I pushed his hand down forcefully and heard the scratch of fabric as my dress ripped.

"I said release me. Now!"

A wave of anger swept over his face and he raised a hand as if to strike me. I met his eyes with ferocity in my own, daring him, part of me aching for him to hit me. He stilled and I could see his mind working as he weighed his options. Brulin Ton had not gotten to where he was by being impulsive. He would not take any action that could endanger his profits.

He released his grip on me and dropped his hand, anger seething just beneath the surface of his greasy skin. I backed away, ignoring the complaints of the patrons surrounding me, unwilling to turn my back on him. It was only after the crowds closed over again that I turned from his direction and forced my way back to Arch's booth. I had no way to explain my absence other than the truth.

Arch was angry and contemplated his snifter as he swirled the remnants of his brandy. My return to the booth was far past overdue and I could see the fires blazing in his eyes. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down beside him, the upholstery of the booth squeaking as he did so. I started to explain but he pressed his hand to my mouth, halting my explanation before I had even begun. It was then that he noticed the tear in my dress.

His eyes traced a line down my body, noting the stretched fabric and frayed seams. He toyed with the tear, the heat of his touch scorching against my skin. Guilt and anger warred within me, but I held my emotions under control, silently cursing my stupidity for leaving in the first place.

"Ton?"

The single word fell from his lips as if a stone. I nodded, even though he already knew the truth. My confirmation was only for his benefit. He stood suddenly and approached his guard. They shared hushed words, Arch's stance rigid, his voice strained. Once again he gripped my arm and pulled me along behind him, pushing past the club's patrons as the guards hurried to keep up. Arch was furious, but at whom was the question.

It didn't matter, not really. His anger was directed at me and I bore the brunt of it that night. Upon arriving home he practically threw me into the bedroom and shred the dress I wore. He tore it off my body with such strength, such deep-seated malice that my first instinct was to run. Never before had I witnessed anger such as this and my attempts to calm him only served to darken his mood.

He beat me that night, not for simple pain or pleasure, but because I believe he was jealous. Arch would not risk confronting Ton, not after brokering a lucrative business deal. No, in his mind, I was to blame for Ton's indiscretions and would suffer accordingly.

He wrapped the leather bindings tight enough to cut into the sensitive flesh of my wrists. My legs, which he rarely bound, were secured with studded cuffs, the metal nubs grinding against my ankles. Arch did not opt for his usual implements and left his favorite floggers and whips in the drawer, unused. Instead, he chose the one tool I had always feared. My jealous lover approached me from behind, a gilded blade in his hand.

He did not cut me at first, but teased me, tracing the cool handle along my skin. From the look in his eyes he found my fear intoxicating while I found it immobilizing. I fought for control of my emotions, steadying my breath, relaxing my body. However, I soon realized that everything I had learned about Arch's passions was worthless that night.

My heart melted when he cut me, the blade so sharp I barely noticed it at first. Pain trickled like the blood down my back and Arch carved a masterpiece in my flesh. I know not how long it went on, only that he had to revive me at one point during the night. It was then that he finally untied my bindings and only then I saw the barest hint of sorrow in his eyes.

I vaguely remember being carried to the bed and the cool feeling of medigel as it seeped into my wounds. His shadow loomed over me, the sheen of sweat on his chest as he breathed heavily from exertion. I drifted in and out of consciousness, waking only one time to see him standing before his window. I found the familiar pose oddly comforting despite the embers of pain on my skin.

I must have made a small noise for he turned toward me, an unrecognizable look on his face. The sound of soft footsteps whispered in my ears and the bed shifted as he sat down beside me. Hair tickled my brow as he brushed it from my eyes and replaced it with a gentle kiss. It was then that blessed darkness claimed me once more.