Page 35 of Skin Trade

“Because she is my friend. I only wanted to help her.”

“Friend. I see.” He clasped his hands together, went to turn, and Payton exhaled in relief, even if he was so close to her. His power was strong, and it bit along her skin, making every hair stand. She was about to move closer to Seth, but Alexander twisted and struck out, slamming his hand across Payton’s face.

She cried out with it, her cheek exploded with pain, her brain rattled inside her skull. She stumbled to the side, and if Seth hadn’t been holding her, she would have fallen right at their feet.

Alexander came on her fast, his hand went into her hair, yanking her up. He tore her from Seth’s grasp. “Ignorance is no excuse for mistakes.” He lifted her high enough that her scalp pulled like it was going to come off. She stood on her toes to save from losing her hair. Her eyes watered and she looked over to Seth, searching for something, hoping, even though she knew there was nothing he could do. This man owned him, and in turn owned her.

It didn’t stop Seth’s expression growing hard and dark, though.

“Your friend,” he said the word friend with such pronunciation that it crawled along her skin, “received punishment for an act she committed against her master. It was warranted and nothing she didn’t bring on herself. Much like you right now.”

Payton tried to hold onto the hand in her hair to give herself some relief, but the more she did, the harsher he pulled, until tears fell down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “Please.”

“I will take your apology by way of twenty lashes.”

Her stomach turned to liquid and he pushed Payton back hard enough that her head cracked off the tiled wall.

“And for every lash you scream, I will add one more. You will learn the art of silence.” He wiped his hands together and then turned to Seth. “What do you think of that?”

“Please,” Payton said. “Please. I didn’t …”

Alexander glowered at her. “Utter one more word and I will see that your lashes are carried out with a three tip.”

Payton put her hand over her mouth, breathed hard into it and nodded. She blinked away her tears.

It was as if there were two Seth’s in the room. The one she could feel and the one she could see. The one she could see was hard, as hard as Creven and Alexander. He was ready to throw her to the wolves for her punishment. But what she could feel was the opposite. As if there was something softer there, something stronger, but not in the way she needed it.

Seth bowed properly to Alexander. “I ask your pardon on this occasion. I would not have brought her if you had not requested it.”

“Are you saying this is my error?”

“No, Sir. It is my error in not teaching her the correct ways before she was brought here. She is inexperienced and I had not briefed her well enough on how she is meant to conduct herself. I made the mistake of assuming, since you requested her, that I didn’t need to. Please, on this occasion, I ask for your mercy.”

“You wish to take her lashes instead?”

“No,” Payton said. “Don’t …”

“Do you not learn, girl?” Alexander said to her.

Payton put her hand up.

“Tell me, do you think he’d take them on your behalf?”

She resisted looking to Seth because she feared what the answer would be. He could take them, and it would have no effect on him. It would hurt, it would split his skin like he was human, but only for a minute and then he would heal and there would be no damage.

“I didn’t think so. He thinks I should offer leniency because of your ignorance. Perhaps we should ask Creven. After all, it is he you offended.”

Creven waved his hand in dismissal. “They’re both pets. Do as you wish.”

“No,” Payton pleaded. “No. Please.”

“Do you say pretty please?” Alexander laughed as he asked her, and others outside the room laughed too. She’d almost forgotten they were there.

She said nothing, knowing she wasn’t meant to. Twenty lashes. She’d taken a whip only twice before. Once across her backside and the other across the top of her legs. It was a pain she never wanted to feel again, like having her skin sliced with fire.

“Very well,” he said. “I am not an unreasonable man. No lashes tonight. But know this, the sentence will remain on your head. One reason and the punishment is brought out. Do you understand me?”

More betraying tears fell, and Payton nodded. “Yes. It won’t ever happen again.”

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