"Wait, wait! I can't hear anything over everyone talking. Let me speak and we'll see how many questions are left when I'm done." I was amazed at the transformation from submissive slave curled in the cop's lap to skilled orator taming the crowd and sending his voice cutting neatly through the noise. I remembered the fact that Kali was Hades' slave as well, the seeming paradox was jarring until I realized that it did not have to be a paradox. Just as I had been told, though not in so many words, submission to one person did not mean submission to the whole of society. Just like I had seen with Bettie, I was able to submit to her, and even enjoy it, but it was not who I was. By extension the fact that I preferred to be submitted to did not mean I wanted to rule the world, far from it in fact. I had no intention of throwing away all the knowledge I had gained and the self-confidence that was growing in me so that I could, in effect serve the planet. I looked at RG and his Mistress and saw them not as sub and dom, not as man and woman, but as two people who were more complex than I could have ever imagined before Dream invited me to the club.

The thought of Dream energized me. I turned to Rose and asked her if she knew where Ariana was holding her slaves. She nodded and began to speak, but that was all I needed to know at the moment. Much as I would have liked to, I didn't plan on running off and demanding that Ariana release all of her servants to me. The fact that I didn't have any form of transportation also helped me keep a firm grip on my inclinations. I looked to Rose again and reassured her. She relaxed as she realized that I meant to get Dream and whoever else would come out. I just needed a plan. A plan and a car, well, to be honest, a few friends wouldn't hurt either.

I looked to RG, but realized he wouldn't be much help locked up as he was, here with his dommina. I looked around the faces of the crowd. I saw Bettie and Raven; there was no sign of Sketch or the others. I wondered where Francis had gone, and as if by magic he plopped down behind us and began to speak.

"I know what you want. I know what you need." His voice was lilting. I could almost recognize a song in what he said. "I know where she's hiding." He continued. "I know where she bleeds."

At that I turned and grabbed Francis by his startlingly purple lapels. "Where is she? Is she hurt?"

"Your slave knows where she is young Xeno, and of course she's hurt. She is ensorcelled by the evil queen. Don't you know evil queens take captives to hurt them?" Francis leaned back when I released him, almost out of range but not quite. My fists ached to grab him again and choke the information out of him, but I knew he would only talk when he was ready. "Patience Xeno, you must learn patience. Today is not the time to save your faerie princess. Care for the one you have and be patient. The time will come soon."

I grumbled and resisted the temptation to reach for him just to see if he would jump. "But what if we're too late? What if-"

"What if what? The evil queen has no power over life and death; her slave is no good to her dead. Your Dream will survive the torments for a few more days." I wondered if Francis knew that every time he opened his mouth he was building on my need to run into the night and rescue her immediately. "She will survive, I cannot say for certain she would survive were you to charge in today while the queen is nursing her wounds. Her pride is her biggest friend and we have dealt it a number of blows. Wouldn't you like to hurt her just a little bit for all the pain she has caused Dream?" I nodded mutely. "Then imagine what it would be like if you were unfettered by human decency. She has no allegiance to decency or kindness. She will strike just because there is a target. Exercise some self control and rise above her level Xeno!" He was emphatic and when he finished speaking, he spun to his feet and left.

Prev page (1/3)

Next page (3/3)