Page 12 of A Descent Into Darkness

I waited a moment for Edward to walk away before sliding my fingers under the door. A silent acknowledgment of my appreciation. A desperate plea for reassurance. Did we share something special last night, or was I just longing for companionship? His fingers found mine, linking us together briefly. My heart fluttered at the feel of his touch, and just as quickly as it began, he let go and made his way down the hall. Leaving me alone with my thoughts, yet again.

James madea nightly habit of visiting through my door. Sometimes it was brief, sometimes we sat for hours silently, our fingers entwined. We had been spending a great deal of time together and I indulged our growing friendship. Long days at sea seemed less daunting while in his presence. He was the only person on this ship with whom I found an ounce of kindness. He seemed to actually care about my wellbeing and not just my ability to satisfy a need. Although he looked at me like he wanted to devour me, he had never touched me inappropriately. James was a handsome man. Tall and fit. Blonde wavy hair, kissed by the sun. Piercing forget-me-not blue eyes, rimmed in kohl. A strong jaw line. I wondered what his body looked like. What his kisses felt like. Was his beard soft, or rough like Edward’s? Was he a gentle lover or a sexual deviant? I found myself wishing I washisproperty.

Edward had made me his plaything. His interests were dark in nature. He was not your typical man. He enjoyed inflicting pain. I think he got off on it. The more I cried out, the harder he went. If I were being honest with myself, I did find some pleasure in the pain. It gave me reason to feel the way I did, to justify my tears. I had no choice in the matter. I was his property. I could either play along, or fight at every corner. It was simply easier to just accept my fate.

Crack!

I gasped, surprised by the immense intensity of the pain. The sound of the whip only seemed to deepen the burn. Like a million bees stinging my back, my skin was set ablaze.

Crack!

I cried out this time, unable to hold back the tears. I could feel a warm trickle of blood spilling down my backside and down my thighs. My vision began to blur. My endorphins rushed to anesthetize my broken spirit.

Crack!

The world around me was caving in. The pain was too much. Darkness descended upon me as my legs gave out.

“I’m not done with you yet.” He slapped my ass, rousing me from my stupor. “Wake up!” His words were harsh and demanding. I could feel Edward releasing me from the shackles. The only thing keeping me standing. He draped my limp body over the edge of the bed. Spreading my weak legs with his knee, exposing my core, and allowing him access. He smeared the blood from my wounds across my ass and between my sex, mixing it with my arousal.

A shameful moan escaped my throat as he pushed into my wetness. I couldn’t hide my pleasure from Edward. My body betrayed me, and he sought out the sick part of me that enjoyed his torture. I hated this part of me. The broken, deviant side.

“Your pussy is dripping for me. You like the pain, don’t you?” His voice was laden with lust.

I tried to muffle my pleasure as he thrust deeper anddeeper, pounding away at my broken body. Hoping this would be the time I’d get my release—that the pain would somehow end in pleasure. Just as quickly as he began to thrust, he grunted, jerking his hips as he climaxed, leaving me broken, bleeding, and wanting. Unsatisfied yet again. I was simply for his pleasure. I didn’t deserve release.

“Well done, my pet,” Edward praised as he pulled his cock from my battered body. “I’ll send in James to clean you up,” I laid motionless on the edge of the dirty mattress. Edward had never whipped me before. The pain had pushed me to my limit. If I was going to survive Edward’s torment, I was going to need help. It was time to wield my magic.

“Katherine,” James gasped as he entered the room. I hated that he had to see me like this. “What has he done this time?” He leaned down, wrapping me in the bloodied sheets and scooped me up into his arms.

“Whip,” I murmured. The weight of my body pressing against my wounds brought me painfully back to reality. “Gentle,” I pleaded, as tears streamed down my cheeks and shame filled my heart.

“I’m so sorry. We’re going back to your room now. You are safe with me.” He tried to reassure me, and I wanted to believe him. It was not lost on me that he was the reason I was here in Edward’s possession.

“In my desk,” I whimpered. “There is a list. A list of things I need. Take it to the cook and bring it back. Quickly,” I pleaded. I had made the list my first night aboardQueenAnne’s Revenge. I had no idea what to expect from Edward, and until now I had managed without it.

He set me down on the bed gently. Peeling back the sheet and assessing my wounds. His hands hovered over my broken skin. “You’re going to need bandages.”

“Bring an empty rum bottle with you. James, don’t leave me alone long.”

Concern was plastered on his typically stoic face. He turned to look at me before leaving the room. “You have my word. I’ll be right back.”

“What is all of this for?”James asked as he placed the collection of herbs on the desk. Along with a pitcher of fresh water and a bowl of rags.

“It’s for pain,” I winced trying to stand up. "Help me to the desk. Please.”

“Let me clean your wounds first.”

“No!” I barked, holding out my arms to stop him. “I’m sorry. Let me do this first. You can clean my wounds after.” I reached for the bowl and dumped out the rags. I needed relief fast. I didn’t care if James saw me working magic. It was a risk I had to take. I had no choice. If he exposed me, I would accept my fate. Death would be an easier path than what Edward seemed to have in mind for me. I placed the herbs in the bowl and topped them with fresh water. Closing my eyes and holding my hands over the bowl, I shifted my focus, calling on the embodiment of Earth itself, Gaia.

“Serenus potentia, doloris levis esse, virtus herbis, transmutare ex aromata. Pax et conforto, dolor recede, hoc elixir fiat, auxilium concede.”

I poured the elixir into the empty rum bottle and took a small sip, sighing with relief as all my pain instantly vanished. I wrapped myself tightly in my sheet, covering my nakedness and shielding my newly exposed truth.

The elixir was colorless and odorless. I would be able to pass it off as mere water. Edward would be none the wiser and I could continue my service pain-free. I said a silent thank you to Gaia and turned to see James wide eyed, his mouth gaped open in disbelief.

“What did I just witness?”

“I’m not a witch.” I spoke the words with conviction, hoping he would let it go.

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