Page 42 of Masked Sins
InPurgatory,it’s the exact opposite. Because the building used to be a lumberyard, there’s a large cellar with vaulted ceilings and old coal storerooms. We decided not to add any windows—instead, outfitting the entire section with dim red lights and black flame candles. There are lots of iron fixtures and black paint, manacles and chains everywhere, and sharp edges. There’s a wax room, a rope room, a chain room, a prison room, a spanking room, and a medieval torture room.
Neither floor is obligated to adhere to sadism or pleasure—in fact, we encourage people to explore both. I’ve hired the best dungeon monitors who are here for safety, watching over all play to make sure it’s safe and that the right tools are on hand. They also ensure that safe words are obeyed and are first aid trained should the worst happen.
There are also House Doms and Dommes—experienced tops that are here to give people suggestions or advice, tasters, and demos.
I pay them all triple what they’d make elsewhere.
Observing is encouraged, and before playing in any room, nondisclosure agreements must be signed, as well as safety waivers so that Inferno isn’t liable if anything happens. While people are welcome to play with the House Doms and Dommes, the rooms are also available for private booking.
A steady stream of people crowds the bar to replenish fluids with non-alcoholic drinks or for a breather between scenes. I say hi to those I know, and I introduce myself to those I don’t. I make sure all the people who are curious about kink know about SSC (Safe, Sane, and Consensual) as well as RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink). Most of the people here are experienced enough to know the basics, but we do get some people, like Layla, who read a scene in a book and get curious. Because we welcome those new to kink, I try to do my part. Vetting my people with multiple, thorough background checks and community references is the hardest part of this job.
By the time I leave at half past nine, I’m exhausted. I say goodbye to Jack, the bouncer, and we bump fists.
“You’re heading home early,” he muses, wiggling his eyebrows. It’s true—Inferno usually stays open until two in the morning, and most nights I’m locking the place up.
I shrug. “I have an important call.”
I’ve attempted to keep my cool all night, but now that I get to discuss Layla’s biggest fantasieswithher… I wipe my palms on my slacks.
I had a woman ask to play with me tonight, and I didn’t even entertain the idea before declining. In fact, I haven’t done a scene with a sub in…weeks. My heart just isn’t in it.
“Ah, I see. Well, enjoy yourcall,” Jack says, smirking. “She must be someone special.”
I smile and walk off without answering because he has no fucking idea.
Stopping in a convenience store, I’m in luck when they have both a burner smartphone and a dry-erase board—so that I can communicate with her without having to disguise my voice. I head back to my penthouse, and at five minutes to ten, I send LittleDancer a message.
Should I call you? Or would you rather speak here?
It takes her a minute to answer, so I quickly pull my button-up off and throw my mask and black hoodie on.
LittleDancer
Sure. We can do video or… not? Sorry I’ve never done this.
Don’t apologize. We can do video, but I’d like to keep my face and voice disguised. I have a dry-erase board so that we can speak. How does that sound?
LittleDancer
If only you knew sign language. ;)
I stare at her message. Does Layla know sign language? Fuck, that’s news to me.
I do, actually. I had a sub for over a year who was hard of hearing. You know sign language?
LittleDancer
Yeah… my best friend in elementary school was deaf so I learned for her. Granted, it’s been… decades… but I’m sure we can get me back up to speed.
Which friend?I ask before quickly erasing it. Racking my brain, I don’t recall her having a friend who was deaf, so it must’ve been before I moved in.
Most of my fluency is concentrated around BDSM terms and directions/commands.
LittleDancer
Like I said, we’ll get me up to speed. ;)
Fuck.
