A black door with the word Inferno written across it in red stood in front of the two women. Alex was a little nervous, but as Zabi had predicted she was viewing things differently and was determined to face what was ahead with an open mind. Hand in hand they passed through the door and in to a dimly lit stairwell. The only light source came from red panels at the foot of each wall. These lights flickered erratically to give the impression of flames.
When they reached the bottom of the stairwell as with the other levels a single, access locked door, blocked their entrance.
Zabi winked at Alex then opened the door.
They walked out on to a balcony that over looked a large room. It was nearly a replica of Purgatorio in size and shape, but the walls and ceiling were blackened as if by soot and the stage at the far end was dominated by a large video screen playing images of men and women in various stages of undress, performing erotic dances. The video coupled with the loud guitar music gave the place the feel of a Heavy Metal song in real life.
The main floor of the room was scattered by various restraint furniture. Racks, X frames, pillories and metal suspension frames were evenly spaced out giving the impression of a medieval torture chamber. Each item had a victim secured firmly in to it and at least one person, in most cases several people gathered around inflicting some kind of torture on their respective victims. Squeals of pain and moans of ecstasy could be plainly heard over the music.
What drew Alex's attention the most was the presence of eight or nine enforcers dressed in dark suits, crimson shirts and skull face paint.
"They ensure no one goes too far." Zabi informed Alex after following her gaze. "It is pretty much anything goes, but there are occasions where the line is crossed."
Alex found it hard to believe that lines were only crossed occasionally as she watched a woman stood over what looked like a vibrating leather covered trestle. Her arms chained to the trestle and her feet straining on tip toes as her tormentor slowly raised the trestle so it pressed hard against her sex.
The muscular looking woman Zabi had referred to as Jinn approached them. She was dressed in the standard elegant black suit with a crimson silk shirt and the face paint. The majority of her face bone white with dark circles to simulate the orbital and nasal cavities and lips painted to resemble bare teeth. To Alex she looked rather terrifying, whereas Zabina bounce over to her and gave her a friendly hug.
"Alex, I want you to meet a very close friend." Zabi said as she introduced the tall woman. "Alex, Jinn. Jinn, Alex."
"Hi Alex. So you're the surf bum I've heard about that's captured Zab's attention." Jinn greeted offering a hand. "Dom asked me to wait for you in case you wanted to visit the Inferno."
Her voice was nothing like her demeanour. It was warm and friendly with a slight Australian accent.
Alex took the offered hand and couldn't help but return the friendly grin. "Jinn?"
Jinn laughed warmly. "Yes its short for D'Jinni, an Arabic version of genie. My real name is Jeanie and it sort of stuck from school."
"Well please to meet you Jinn." Alex replied.
"And you Alex, when you feel up to it, we'll make a date to hit the waves." Jinn told her as she opened a door off the balcony.
"What do you think of her?" Zabi asked as Jinn entered the side room.
"She seems nice." Alex replied with a genuine smile.
Zabi smiled slightly nervously. "We had a thing for a while." She blurted out. "It wasn't anything serious, I just needed someone."
The admission shocked Alex. She had never known Zabi to be worried about anything, and yet now she seemed timid and fragile. A strong feeling of protectiveness descended, and Alex wrapped her arm around Zabi's waist and pulled her closer.
"It's alright Zabi. I'm not that naïve to think you didn't know anyone before me."
"It wasn't quite like that." Zabi half muttered. "Do you remember when I told you I am a Switch?"
Alex nodded, she wasn't likely to forget that evening in a hurry.
Zabina cuddled in closer to Alex, almost as if she needed reassurance.
"Sometimes I crave to be dominated. It is like a drug and it can be very addictive. There was a time when I submitted to a guy and he hurt me. It very nearly broke me. Jinn was the one that picked up the pieces and after a while helped me to trust again."
Alex understood all too well how it felt to be broken. Now she realised how Zabi had related to her on so many levels. Alex knew exactly what she had to do next.
"I need to learn what to do Zabi." She replied. "I want to be able to fulfil every one of your needs so you won't ever have to worry about being hurt again."
"Would you like me to ask Jinn to show you?" Zabi asked her eyes glistening.
Doubt crept in to Alex's mind briefly, then the thoughts of how much it would mean to Zabina chased the doubt away. She wasn't that unwise to believe that she could work everything out by herself.
"If you think that is the best way. Let's do it."
They followed Jinn through the door in to a lounge area that was dominated by wall of monitors displaying the activity on the floor below. Zabi approached the tall Australian.
"Jinn, can I ask a really big favour. Alex wants to learn how to dominate me. We would be really grateful if you could help out."
The woman wrapped strong arms around both Zabi and Alex. "Of course I'll help. You're my closest friend Zab, it would be an honour to help out. I'll let Dom know I'll be unavailable for a while."
For some reason Alex giggled at the casual way Jinn talked about Dominic.
"Not only is she Dominic's right hand." Zabi explained as Jinn made a phone call. "They are in a relationship. It's a little odd, but it works for them."
This information put Jinn in a new light for Alex, she was sure it would be very interesting to know what went on between the two of them and just how a relationship would work between two polar opposites.
Jinn showed Alex and Zabi to a comfortable looking sofa while she went in to a bathroom. When she returned she had washed the face paint off her skin. Underneath the paint she was surprisingly pretty with tanned skin and an easy smile. She opened a cooler and removed a handful of chilled bottles of beer. Without asking she handed one to Zabi and one to Alex then popped the cap on her own and took a seat opposite them.
"Now Alex." Jinn began. "I'm going to talk about Zab as if she wasn't here. Don't be offended, I know she won't be."
