The Light Under Dark (#1 Masters of the Dark Series) ✅

PROMISE TO FAIL

Tana began to notice a pattern over the days (or hours, she couldn't really measure the passage of time) that gave her a little serenity. This strange man had not yet delivered the script to her or told her about the alleged contract. What a strange situation. Outside, Tana was distant and relatively calm. After the first conversation with this man, she decided - in a way - to completely shut down. She visualized herself as a doll. Some dolls needed batteries to move, speak, and perform basic functions to entertain children while playing. So, Tana decided that she wouldn't so s**t anymore.

She was not born to entertain head-sick people like this man. Had all the decisions she had made throughout her life led her to ... this? The existence of her she would be miserable. Tana refused to give these people the satisfaction of seeing her suffer, of seeing her cry. To see her humiliated on the floor while pleading among furious cries that her freedom be given back to her. Even though she was stoic on the outside, on the inside Tana was devastated and exhausted. She had tried to stop breathing but it was useless. Her survival instincts screamed and forced her not to give up. Couldn't humans die of their own free will? Couldn't humans die of sadness and helplessness? Unforgivable.

“Someone smells pretty bad.”

Her captor announced behind her as she entered the room. Tana had identified how the door worked and its security. Before opening from the outside, she could hear padlocks and locks being unlocked and then a long beep. As the door closed, another beep was emitted. If the door was opened from the inside, five short beeps could be heard and then the door opened, leading her to think that there was a touchpad inside. Even if she tried to escape, she would not be very successful in achieving her mission.

The man's fingers caressed Tana's neck, this made her nauseous and she almost choked trying to keep the vomit in her throat. When she realized that he had stopped right in front of her, she emptied her stomach in front of him. When she heard him whimper and curse like a sailor, she smiled triumphantly and began to laugh hysterically. Unfortunately, she enjoyed her victory very little because the man slapped her so hard that a copper flavor was born inside her mouth.

“This is gonna cost you.” He threatened, anger was laced in his tone. For a moment she feared he would dare to slap her again but took comfort in the idea -and reality- that he needed her and not the other way around.

“Serves you right.”

“You won’t be eating today, then.”

“Let me starve. It’s the smartest thing you can do. Either kill me or let me go.” She knew it wasn’t wise for her to be provoking, but she couldn’t help it. I need to be smarter than him. “How long have I been here?” She dared to ask, even though the answer terrified her Tana dared.

“Not enough.”

“I see.”

“Now, I think we should talk about your contract. I’m sorry it took me so long to bring it but Richard has been very busy.”

“Wow! That’s so considerate of you. Don’t worry, I’ll forgive the transgressions.”

“What transgressions?”

“You keeping me locked up!”

“Ah. Well, as I was saying…”

“Please! Just… get this thing off my eyes. It’s driving me insane not to be able to see!”

To Tana's surprise he agreed with the only condition of not being bathed in vomit again. She nodded fervently as he untied the knot in the cloth. It took her a little time to adjust her eyes to the light in the room. Tana studied every aspect of the place. The room had white walls and marbled floors. There was not much furniture except for a huge bed, a dresser and two armchairs next to a false window. After a few seconds she resigned herself and turned to see her captor. Tana was surprised to see a young man with feminine features in front of her. She wouldn't have labeled him as handsome, no, he was undoubtedly the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Slightly wavy copper hair, sparkling eyes that had been dipped in golden honey. A natural tan peeked out from the V of his open shirt.

He arched a brow as he dragged one of the armchairs closer to her and sat down. In his hands he held a neat stack of papers.

“Oh, so you do have a contract. Amazing.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know, maybe because you kidnapped me? You’re holding me here against my will?”

“You’re here to work.” He countered looking unbothered as he went through the so-called contract.”

“The hell I am!”

He sighed, from his pocket he fished a small remote and pushed a button.

To Tana's right a motorized sound caught her attention. In front of her eyes the wall began to open wide and what he saw almost caused him another wave of violent vomiting.

“Is this what you need to be nice and quiet?”

“What is this!”

Madox photographs adorned the wall. Pictures of him leaving restaurants, of him going to the gym. More pictures of him while showering, while asleep, while making love to Tana in the kitchen.

“I also have videos if you’d like to see them.” Tana began to cry now. She wasn’t here to work. This… this was something else. “I must say,” he began in a conversational tone, “you two are quite something in the bedroom. I almost feel bad for the guy…”

“Please don’t hurt him!”

“… he’s all in, thrusting and pounding that sexy ass of yours and all you do is perform for him. Now, tell me…”

“please! Don’t do this, he is innocent-” she continued to scream to no avail.

“… do you really think you’re fooling him with your fake orgasms?”

“Stop it!”

“Do you?” His tone was unforgiving.

“Please don’t hurt him! I’m begging you!”

“That is up to you.” He cut in, “Now, answer the question.”

“I don’t know.” And that was the whole truth. She enjoyed s*x with Madox but ... it hurt to admit it ... there was no chemistry.

“Well, one of the major points in this contract is for you to never fake an orgasm. You come or you don’t. Simple.”

“You’re crazy.”

“No. I am a businessman. I expect for this contract to be honored.”

“f**k you! I won’t honor s**t!”

“If you don’t then Madox will pay for your transgressions. Like I said, it’s up to you.”

Tana stopped to think about her options. I have none. If she did not comply to what these people demanded of her, then she would be putting Madox's life in danger. “What do you want me to do?” She whispered in defeat.

“Let’s start with your trial period.”

Was he serious? Trial? They had abducted her to be on trial?

“Our system is quite easy. For anything you do good you will earn points, said points can be redeemed for items or something else. However, you need to understand that not everything holds the same value, so be wise whenever you want to exchange your points.”

“You’re out of your f*****g mind.”

“For each time you displease me or breech the contract you will lose points. Like the vomit, your balance is quite sad at the moment, so the trial will help you start over.”

“How will I know how many points I have?”

“I’ll give you a digital wristband that will count them for you.”

“Nice…” She hated him. She hated her life. She wanted to kill him and soon she found herself vowing to take his life with her bare hands.