This is a work of FICTION, made by and for adults. The following chapter includes depictions of trauma, mentions of unintentional suicide, and forced servitude. Reader discretion is advised.

After a brief moment, her eyes adjusted to the intense change in lighting and Elva found herself in a small, well-lit chamber with bright walls that reminded her of sunny summer skies. As she stepped forward, her feet felt the odd, dark floor, like short grass that was strangely soft.

As Elva looked up she found four glowing orbs—the same as the one in her cell—casting a warm glow on the white ceiling. Finally, Elva turned her attention to the room itself and found that two cushioned armchairs sat opposite each other, while a door on the wall opposite side of the room marked the only other exit.

“Please,” Mistress calmly said as she waved her hand to the armchair on the left. “Have a seat, kitten.”

Hesitantly Elva looked up at Mistress and then at the armchair before slowly stepping forward and lowering herself into the seat. ‘It’s… quite comfortable,’ Elva thought as she held the contract in her lap and settled into the embrace of the plush cushioning.

With a light smile, Mistress stepped forward and took the seat opposite Elva; she gracefully crossed her left leg over the right as she sat down. Folding her hands in her lap, she looked intently at Elva.

“Well, kitten?” Mistress’ soft voice and warm smile felt so disarming to Elva as she stared ahead, almost mesmerized by her beauty. “Have you read your contract?”

The question snapped Elva out of her daze; she blinked and nearly lept back in her seat before responding. “Oh, yes,” she shyly said as she looked down at the scroll. “I did.”

“Do you have any objections?” Mistress asked calmly.

Elva took a moment to think on the various passages before she looked back up to meet Mistressʼ gaze. “No,” she finally answered.

“Do you have any questions?” Mistress didn’t hesitate to ask Elva; her expression held more intrigue now.

For a moment, Elva sat with her mouth slightly agape. There was still so much she didn’t know or understand, but she couldn’t think of where to start.

Finally, Mistress broke the silence. “Well, if you can’t think of one right now,” she crossed her right leg over the left as she leaned back into the chair, then gently rested her chin on her left knuckle while her right hung under her chest to support her elbow. “How about I start?”

Shyly, Elva closed her mouth and nodded. Though she felt less nervous, she fidgeted her toes in anticipation.

“So, what made you summon an incubus?” Mistress tilted her head lightly.

“Um,” Elva took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering. “Well, I needed protection, and Móra’s grimoire only had a few summons. I couldn’t perform them all or offer payment for the other one I could, so…” Elva lightly blushed as she hesitated to finish her reply.

“So you sought to offer your body,” Mistress continued Elva’s thought.

‘Not so bluntly, but,’ Elva reflected as she fidgeted before replying, “yes.”

“Yet you still have not really answered my question, kitten. Why an incubus,” her tone softened, “and not a succubus?”

Elva took a moment before answering; not only was she unsure herself, but she got the feeling Mistress would be upset if she gave the wrong answer. “I… guess I didn’t consider the alternative.”

“Are you,” Mistress’ eyes softened as she lowered her hand from her chin and cradled it under her breasts, “disappointed by the alternative, kitten?” she asked seductively.

After taking another moment to look at Mistress, Elva could only blush and shake her head no as she nervously clutched the contract.

Finally, Mistress smiled lightly and closed her eyes. “I’m glad you think so.” As she opened her eyes, Mistress relaxed her arms into her lap. “Next question, kitten. What about your life before was so frightening?”

Elva started ahead blankly for a moment. “Um, frightening?" She gulped nervously as she began to hear the sounds of shouts and screams. “What do you mean?” Elva asked, nervous about Mistress’ intentions in asking.

“You know I can read your thoughts,” Mistress stated plainly. “You compared me to some ‘ugly hunters,’ I assume the same ones you needed protection from.” She leaned forward, unfolded her arms, then reached out her left hand. “May I see them?” Mistress asked tenderly.

Quizzically Elva looked down at her hand before returning her gaze to Mistress’ eyes. “You… can do that?”

“As long as I’m touching you,” Mistress clarified. “I will only see what your eyes saw and what you allow me to see.”

For a short moment, Elva hesitated, then she leaned forward and began to reach out her hand. Before hers touched Mistress, though, she looked up nervously and asked, “Do I have to see them?”

“No, kitten,” Mistress replied tenderly. “I’ll be able to see; please, think no more of their shouts and screams.”

After releasing a light sigh, Elva lowered her hand and touched Mistress’ warm palm.

“Thank you for trusting me, kitten,” Mistress kindly said. She slowly closed her eyes and held Elva’s hand gently. After a few seconds, she said, “I’m so sorry, little kitten,” as her expression grew sorrowful. “You’ve endured so much fear… and you’ve been so alone.” As Mistress opened her eyes she reached out with her other hand and held Elva tenderly. “It’s cruel for someone so kind to experience so much pain in such a short life.”

Taken aback, Elva couldn’t respond for a moment. Her mouth hung slightly agape as she felt tears begin to wet her eyes. ‘No one… but Móra has said such kind things.’

“I don’t want them to be the last kind things you hear, kitten,” Mistress softly replied to her thought. “I don’t want you to fear me, kitten; fear easily spoils the taste of energy. I find that a slave tastes the sweetest when they are in bliss. I wish for you to look at me with adoration, kitten. Not fear.”

Elva took a moment to wipe her tears with her sleeve. ‘Adoration… that doesn’t sound so bad.’ The sounds of raised voices continued to cloud Elva’s thoughts, though, and she found it difficult to stop her tears.

“Shh,” Mistress gently hushed Elva, “you’re safe here.” Her tone changed for a moment, almost as if she was uncertain of her words. “I promise you’ll never fear the hunters again.”

The moment was long enough for Elva to notice, however. ‘Your eyes…’ Elva managed to push out the screaming as she looked at Mistress’s expression. ‘Why do they look sad?’

Mistress pulled her hands away and returned them to her lap. “Last question, kitten,” she began as she leaned back into the armchair. Her expression grew cold and collected as she looked at Elva. “What do you feel when you look upon me?”