"Annis."
Her eyes were still adjusting to what seemed to be the blinding light of the hallway. She was a little unsure who had called her name.
"Yes?"
"Why did you come here?"
Her eyes were clearing now. She seemed to be in some sort of anti-chamber. There was a roaring fire which cast a golden sheen across the wood paneled walls. Her feet were sunk into a plush Persian carpet and the other members of the panel were sitting in high backed chairs gathered around the fire. There were a few of these around the room, some facing the windows away from her; others stood empty, their plush leather inviting her to sit down. She daren't.
"I'm sorry, did you ask me why I came here?"
It was Ojas who answered. "Yes, Annis."
"I - I came here for... many things, I suppose. Mostly, I came for guidance. I really don't know a lot about myself sexually. Though I am a virgin, I - I've been drawn to the submissive sexual style. Actually, I think that's why I am still a virgin. I've been with too many men who wanted me to take control. In every other aspect of my life, I am in charge; I think I just want someone to take charge of me. Is... is that alright?" She looked at their faces. Imperturbable.
Etan was rubbing his chin, looking at her very seriously. "Annis, are you thinking of leaving us in the next day or so?"
"No." After a moment of silence from the panel, she added, "I will stay."
"I'm sure you will have noticed," began Megan, "that this is unusual for us to do at this point, but your Master wants ..." she stopped and glanced at Etan who continued.
"Annis, the man who will be your Master is very keen to take you as you are. His wish is that none other will bring you to orgasm and that none other will touch you until he has done and without his explicit permission. I am inclined to grant his request."
Annis stood there, waiting.
"You are not afraid?" asked Ojas.
"I am neither more afraid nor less afraid than I think I would be meeting him now or later," answered Annis.
"So, you will accept this?" asked Megan.
"I will submit to whatever you think is best for me," answered Annis.
"Blindfold her, then." The voice came from nowhere, it seemed. Before she had a chance to look for the person to whom it belonged, blackness covered her face. This blindfold did not cover her entire face, instead it stopped just under her nose, leaving her mouth free. She began to panic, breathing heavily and trying not to scream. She stood, shaking, before them all.
It was Etan's voice she heard. "We will return to the others then. Annis, I'm sure we will meet again."