This is a copyrighted work of fiction. All rights reserved.
All characters engaged in sexual acts in this story are at least eighteen years of age.
This chapter contains descriptions of torture that may be disturbing. Please read at your own discretion.
Many thanks to editor Lin Hall and beta reader nomoretears00. You are keeping me honest—well, sort of!
Sex Slave - 7: Matsen
Rees hadn't spoken to Keven in weeks—not since he found out his friend had taken Tolsten as a lover. Most of the slaves quickly figured out that Keven and Tolsten were together. Tolsten could not keep his hands off Keven and Keven did not try too hard to discourage him.
It twisted Rees up inside to watch them together. He had been raised to believe that what they were doing was wrong. Men were made to be with women, not with other men. His own unwelcome experience with male-male sex fueled his discomfort.
Rees grieved for his lost friendship. Keven tried several times to talk to him, but Rees rebuffed him. He did not have anything to say to Keven that was not spiteful. At first he had been furious with Keven, but as time passed, his anger faded until he just felt hurt ... and lonely.
He began to wrestle with the moral implications of male-male sex. Was it really always
wrong
? He had to admit, Keven seemed happier. Tolsten seemed ecstatic. Clearly they had a positive relationship.
One day Rees chanced to be chained behind Keven on the slave gang, and he ventured a question. "So, you're gay now?"
Keven was surprised that Rees had spoken to him. He smiled warmly and replied, "No. I don't think so. I still like women. If we ever make it home, I imagine I'll settle down with some sweet girl and raise a family."
This surprised Rees. He'd thought that you had to be one way or another. He followed up with another question, "But while you're here, you're going to have sex with men?"
"With Tolsten, yes. I don't see that there is any harm caused by it. Do you?"
Rees did not have an answer for that question other than a vague assertion that it was wrong, so he said nothing.
"It's incredibly fun, really," Keven added. He stopped just short of saying, "You should try it." Rees was standing too close; he didn't want to get slugged.
Rees nodded and the conversation ended, but the painful silence between them had been broken. They slowly began to repair their shattered friendship. Rees tried very hard to be understanding and non-judgmental. Keven tried to be patient with Rees and keep his relationship with Tolsten discreet, at least when Rees was around. He could see how uncomfortable Rees became when they got intimate.
But their friendship was not as easy as it had been before. Keven knew that Rees had been deeply shocked by his behavior. It would take time to rebuild the trust they had once shared. And now Tolsten was in the mix too. It didn't help that Tolsten liked to flirt with Rees, which annoyed Rees and amused Keven. However, Rees and Keven had been through a lot together and had similar beliefs about most things. The exploration of their differences added another layer to their friendship, ultimately making it stronger.
****
About a month after Keven and Tolsten became lovers, they were summoned. Tolsten was beside himself with dread. He clung tightly to Keven's hand as they exited the slave pens.
Once outside, Keven immediately noticed that their treatment by the slave handlers was different from usual. The handlers seemed ... cautious. Their hands were gently but firmly bound with long leather straps in front of them, rather than behind their backs. Two handlers held the hooded choke-chain devices, but they did not use them.
They were led by the straps on their wrists down the long twisting passageways of the estate, through lush courtyards with tinkling fountains, and past countless rooms filled with opulence and whimsy.
At the entrance to the private part of the estate, their handlers passed them over to a different set of handlers and their journey continued. The new handlers, Keven noted with interest, were treating them even more carefully.
Are they afraid of us?
They seemed agitated and Keven's apprehension grew.
Eventually they arrived at Master Rim's private amphitheatre. Keven had anticipated their destination but still could not stop the tightness that constricted his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Tolsten was as pale as a spirit and his large, expressive eyes betrayed the fear that gripped him.
Keven's heart skipped a beat when, instead of being led around the winding passageway to one of the wedge-shaped rooms, they were herded up the steps into the audience section. They were made to sit on seats in the front row. The handlers produced manacles and chains, which they used to secure them to their seats. Both their wrists and ankles were chained, and there was little play in the restraint system. They could only move their arms a few inches from the arm rests.
After the handlers departed, Tolsten shot a worried look at Keven. "Why are we chained here? What happens now?"
Keven almost smiled. It was endearing how Tolsten looked to him for all the answers, even when he was clearly as much in the dark as Tolsten.
"I can only guess that we are supposed to watch."
Tolsten's wide eyes widened even more. "Watch what?" He whispered, as if afraid to speak aloud.
Keven took a deep breath. He did not imagine that whatever it was would be pleasant. He shook his head in answer.
They suffered their apprehension in silence for what seemed like a long while.
"Well, hello boys!" Master Rim's childlike voice came from behind them. Keven jerked his head around to see Master Rim striding down the aisle, brandishing his long whip. He looked jovial.
"I trust you two are well?" He smiled pleasantly as if greeting old friends.
"Yes, Master, thank you." Keven responded immediately in a polite tone.
What the hell does this fucker want with us?
"Yes, Master." Tolsten's voice was a frightened whisper.
Master Rim eased his considerable bulk into the seat next to Tolsten and beamed at them.
Loud alarm bells clanged in Keven's head. The friendly Master Rim was just as terrifying as the emotionless Master Rim. He tried to control his rising panic. He smiled back at Master Rim, and stopped himself just before he asked to what they owed this honor. He was a slave. He needed permission to speak.
Master Rim's intense blue eyes bore into his and he fought the urge to squirm. He had never seen his master this close before. It was unnerving. He could see details about the man that had previously escaped his attention—such as the enormous brass codpiece in the shape of a penis and testicles that Master Rim wore. Close up, Master Rim was as perfectly coifed as he appeared from a distance, not a single gray hair was out of place. His gaudy outfit was spotlessly clean and the subtle scent of an expensive perfume surrounded him.
The piercing gaze shifted to Tolsten and softened.
Tolsten's eyes were as large as saucers as he goggled at Master Rim. He was shocked to be so close to his master, seated next to him, almost like an equal. For some reason he was not terrified; he sensed no malice in the madman. Still, he trembled. He could not help but eye the treacherous whip that Master Rim had laid to the side.
"I have finished my investigation into the activities of the slave handlers in juvie," Master Rim explained. "I thought you might want to witness their punishment."
Keven's stomach flip-flopped. He absolutely did
not
want to observe any of Master Rim's punishments.
Tolsten's knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrests of his chair. His mind whirled in confusion.
He had been raped, abused, and terrorized by the slave handlers in juvie for years. He was just now getting used to the idea that the nightmare was over. These men were brutal and sadistic, preying on helpless boys. They deserved whatever punishment Master Rim had decreed. He would feel no pity for them.
He looked down at his feet and took deep, even breaths. His heartbeat slowed and he relaxed slightly. At least he knew now why they were here.
"They will be brought in shortly. I'm sure you'll enjoy the show." Master Rim smiled and his eyes began to glow with anticipation.
Keven suppressed a shudder. He gazed down into the wedge-shaped room before them. It was surprising how good the view was; they would not miss anything. He began to steel himself for the upcoming ordeal, wrapping layers of mental gauze around his feelings. He wondered whether Master Rim would let him close his eyes. He was sure that the sounds would be horrifying enough to feed his nightmares.
Suddenly he felt Tolsten stiffen and glanced quickly over at him. To his horror he saw that Master Rim's hand was resting on Tolsten's bare thigh. The youth was not even breathing, his face frozen in shock.
Strong emotion rampaged through Keven: protectiveness, fear, and outrage. He caught Master Rim's eye and glared at him with an intensity that would have wilted a normal man. His eyes flicked down to the hand on Tolsten's thigh and back to Master Rim's face. His body language clearly said, "You take your fucking hands off him!"
With a small sigh, Master Rim pulled his hand back into his own lap and focused his attention on the room before them.
Tolsten began to breathe again, albeit a bit too rapidly.
Keven continued to glare at Master Rim for a few seconds, adrenalin coursing though his body. Gradually, as the madman ignored him, he began to calm down.