Page 9 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Men will want to seduce you. Let them. Men want to be in charge. Let them think they are. If you need to seduce them, let them think they are the ones seducing you.”

“So, I’m convincing them to do what I want them to do, and making them think they came up with the idea?”

“Exactly! You are a smart girl, Anna.” Devin’s wide smile and sparkling eyes warmed her from head to toe.

Anna beamed, thrilled she had caught on at last, though her head was beginning to hurt from trying to absorb everything she’d learned in the last few minutes.

Devin spent the next few minutes telling Anna about the Gatherings that occurred on Friday nights at the Manor. Some were formal, filled with rituals and business, while others were informal get-togethers. Regardless of the formality, however, Anna would present herself to Devin at each one and sit at his feet until he wanted her. As Anna came to understand it, the informal Gatherings, more often than not, resembled orgies rather than meetings, though quite a bit of business was conducted. Men were more open to suggestion just after a good orgasm, Devin explained.

He stood. “Come, I’ll show you the Great Hall.”

Chapter 4

Anna followed Devin as they moved through the complex network of hallways and staircases. All she knew was that they were heading downward, and after a few twists and turns, she became completely disoriented. Devin assured her she’d never have to find her way around alone. That she’d always have a guide to take her wherever she needed to go.

While they walked, Devin continued explaining things about the Manor, including what he meant by “his girls.” “They’re sex slaves. Generation after generation of girls have been born in this house to do the bidding of the current Master. Me being the current Master, my father before me, his father before him, etcetera. Some girls have certain specialized skills. I also have breeders whose sole job is to produce the next generation of slaves.”

“What if they have boys?”

“That doesn’t happen very often. We have ways of leaning the odds in favor of female babies. Of course, I need males, but not as many. Ian was born to a breeder.”

Ian’s a slave?

“Other girls specialize in hard play. Masochism, if you will. Several are especially talented in that area and they enjoy special privileges. All the girls are identified by their collars or necklaces. The breeders wear a simple silver chain and they have their own special area of the Manor. Common girls wear a silver collar. Masochists wear a silver color with a red inlaid design on it. That way, the men know what to look for when selecting a girl. But all of my girls are experts in the sexual arts. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here. I’d find another job for them or eliminate them.”

“Eliminate them?” Anna looked up from the floor as she followed Devin down a staircase. Did that mean what she thought it meant?

He paused at the bottom of the stairs and turned back to look at her, raising his eyebrows. Anna froze a few steps up. “I’m sure you understand what I mean. There’s no benefit to keeping a useless slave.”

Anna bit her lip. Would he eliminate her if she disobeyed? Was it even possible for him to do so? Could she be killed? Years ago, he’d told her she couldn’t be killed, but maybe there really was a way. Why was that idea comforting?

He gave a wry smile. “I’ve had to eliminate very few girls before their time. I need cooks and maids, too.” He shrugged and turned to lead her down another hallway. “Everyone who works here was born here. Everyone born here is a slave. The men provide security and manage the house and the girls.”

“So Ian is a slave?”

“I consider him more of a friend. He’s in charge of the Manor when I’m not here. But, yes, he is a slave.”

Anna chewed her lip. He kept bringing up The Brotherhood. Jack had mentioned it many times over the years, too. What was it? Why did they mark people? Why did they have slaves?

“Everyone involved in The Brotherhood is marked. How you’re marked depends on what your role is. Jack has a mark. So do I.”

Anna frowned, drawing her brows together in confusion. She didn’t remember ever seeing a mark on her guardian’s body.

Devin stopped walking again and turned around. “Haven’t you ever wondered about that double-ring piercing through the head of his dick?”

“I...” In truth, she’d never thought much about it. It had always been there. The double rings, connected by a thin metal bar, were about a centimeter in diameter and pierced the top of the crown of his cock. Anna only knew not to catch her teeth on it.

“That’s the mark of a Brother. All of us have that. Some have more.”

“Oh.” Some of Jack’s friends had them, but others didn’t. “I never thought much about it.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to. Slaves have a single ring through both nipples. Female slaves also have one in their belly and another on their left outer pussy lip. Slaves who are extra special to their Masters have their clits pierced.” He smiled.

Anna winced as Devin turned away and walked down a wide marble staircase. She wasn’t pierced. She wasn’t a slave, but what was she?

At the bottom of the stairs was a pair of enormous arched wooden doors with decorative iron latches and hinges. Devin pushed them open with effort. “This is the Great Hall.” His voice echoed in the dark room. A series of clicks sounded as lights flickered on above them.

The Hall was massive. Two levels of balconies circled the edge of the room high above Anna’s head. The walls were mahogany; the floor covered in deep red plush carpet. Paneled doors were set into the wall at regular intervals. Hanging from the gilded ceiling were five large iron chandeliers with countless flame-shaped light bulbs. Clusters of leather chaise lounges and easy chairs were situated throughout the room.

---