Page 102 of Tell No One
The castle was old but had been restored. Norbury was telling him all about its history, but Tag was now having trouble concentrating. Maybe he’d never leave this place.
They went in through a large wooden door, and Tag stumbled to a halt when he saw what was waiting in the hall: a naked boy-man with a thick leather collar around his neck, pads on his knees and covers that looked like paws on his hands and feet. He had a wagging rubber tail in his arse and a leather mask on his face complete with muzzle and pointed ears. All that could be seen were his eyes.Is this Prince Ahsan?
“Good boy.” Norbury bent to stroke him. “Have you missed me?”
The…dog nodded.
“Have you been well behaved?”
“He’s been very good. We’ve been working on obedience, haven’t we?”
Tag saw the boy shudder and looked up. The newcomer had icy blue eyes, blond hair and a cruel smile, and was dressed all in black.
“Good flight?” the man asked.
“Smooth, thank you, Lincoln. This is Tag and Kareem. Lincoln is my right-hand man here. This is my pup, Sonny.”
Ithadto be Ahsan.
“Like a playmate for a few days, Sonny?” Norbury asked.
Uh oh.
The pup nodded and the tail wagged harder.
“Take Tag to the tack room,” Norbury said. “Show Kareem where the staff quarters are.”
Kareem grabbed Tag’s arm.
“Hey!” Tag tried to pull away but couldn’t. “You didn’t say anything about this. When am I going to get paid?”
“You agreed to be a companion,” Norbury snapped. “Isn’t a dog a man’s best friend? Do as you’re told and you’ll get your money. Don’t do as you’re told and you’ll be beaten.”
The pupwas pawing at Tag’s leg and Tag stopped struggling.Shit!
Kareem muttered threats in Tag’s ear as he dragged him after Lincoln and the pup who moved surprisingly quickly on all fours, half-sliding down the polished floor, his tail waving in the air.
Once Lincoln had opened a door halfway down a corridor, he reached for Tag. “I’ll handle him now.”
“He’s trouble,” Kareem said.
“Nothing I can’t deal with. Keep going down the corridor and you’ll find the staffroom second on the right.”
Lincoln had the sort of voice that made you want to do as you were told.
When Kareem had gone, Lincoln turned to Tag. “I hope I don’t need to lock the door.”
“No…sir.”
“Take your clothes off.”
Oh fuck.Tag stripped, putting his clothes in a neat pile on top of his shoes.
“Good boy. See that, Sonny? I didn’t even have to tell him to be neat.”
Ahsan was on the mat on all fours, his brown eyes fixed on Tag.How can he breathe?
“I don’t mean to be awkward,” Tag said. “But…”
