Syria watched him, his hands squeezing Mia’s breasts. They moved together, and Mia dropped her forehead to Syria’s belly, letting the silks hold her weight as the man’s movements expanded and rocked the three of them, as though they were a pendulum marking each passing minute.
When he stepped away, the candle man released the silks, slowly lowering Mia to lie flat on Syria’s body. It seemed over now, and Syria relaxed. They’d gotten through it.
She caressed her friend, the still-visible marks on her back. The men who had serviced her stayed near, and now all their hands worked over Mia, massaging, caressing. All their skin became one, and Syria felt them on her as well, grazing her gently, following the curves of her body. Something hot dripped along her skin and she saw the candle branding them all, blood-red wax falling on her shoulder, one man’s wrist, Mia’s back, and the other man’s arm.#p#分页标题#e#
She couldn’t take the photograph but she seared the image of them in her mind, limbs, clothes, naked skin, and red wax, surrounded by ropes, ghost-like wraiths, and sex.
She had survived.
2: Aftermath
They slept together a while, Syria and Mia, on the plush chaise in the dressing room. The attendants rubbed balm into Mia’s skin then covered them both in furry blankets.
The music still swelled outside the door and Syria knew the festivities went on. Whiffs of cooking meat and other luscious scents occasionally penetrated the walls. Syria laid her head back on Mia’s chest to wait.
Sometime later, the door opened, and Madam entered the room. Syria watched her cross before them and pushed against Mia, causing her to stir.
Madam was patient and waited for them both to fully wake. Mia sat up and they huddled close, ready, Syria guessed, to accept their ejection from the exhibition, or whatever might happen.
“You did well, submissive,” Madam said formally, tall and broad in the Sapphire robes, like a life-sized gem. “No one expected a public display, but it was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, and the monetary contributions following your act will ensure the exhibitions continue for some time.” She passed them each a jade silk purse. “Gifts for you. You are invited back, should you want to come. You know how to find me.”
She moved to leave, but Syria held out her hand. “Madam, I would still love to learn more ties.”
Madam bowed. “You know how to find me.”
When she left the room, Mia jumped up. “This was nuts! Did I really basically gangbang on a stage?” She whirled in a circle, clasping the blanket to her. “Holy cow!” She opened the jade purse. “Gold coins? What?” She dumped them in her hand. “What a strange thing!”
She plopped back on the chaise. “I’ve done some crazy shit in my life, but this just about beats all. Did you see those girls having sex with all the men? What the hell?”
Syria reached for her clothes, piled neatly on a table by the chaise. “I know. This wasn’t what I expected at all.”
“It’s like a sex club, but with bondage, the good kind.” She bit the gold coin. “Ouch. Why do pirates do that?”
Syria laughed. “The softer the gold, the more pure it is.”
“Huh. I should have known that.” She held the coin up. “Teeth marks. That’s a good sign?”
“I’m guessing so.”
“Crazy.”
Syria looked around for her bag, but it wasn’t with her clothes. “I guess I’ll have to go back out there for my purse.” She wrapped the coat around her. “I think we’ve been dismissed.”
Mia rubbed her butt, then pulled the boy shorts on. “Yeah, I think I’ve had enough for one day.”
Syria tied her belt. “I was surprised you said yes. You have no idea who those guys are.”
Mia shrugged. “Risk is part of the job description. It seemed like an amazing thing to experience.”
“It was.” Syria opened the door a crack. “I think things are winding down. I don’t hear any music.”
“You want me to go with you? I just have to pull myself together.” Mia looked in the mirror and grimaced. “I look like a used-up whore.”
Syria laughed. “Your makeup is a little smudged.”
“Ha. I’m a poster child for Pond’s cream.”
“I’ll be all right. Let me find my bag and I’ll be back.” Syria opened the door and slipped into the hall. Her livelihood was in that bag. She hoped no one had peeked inside or worse, set it too sharply on the floor.
She tiptoed down the hall. All the doors were still closed. The lights were more dim than they had been when she’d come through with Kana. Where was everybody?