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Edwin lowers to his knees in front of me with the intimacy of worship. His gaze lifts to my face, and he looks at me as if I’m the only person in his world that matters. It’s alarming how badly I want that to be true.

His hands move between my legs where he spreads my lips, handling me with authority as he swirls the cold metal plug around my wetness, pushing it into my pussy to warm it up. I flinch at the chill, then steady myself.

When he pulls it out, it’s coated in my wetness. The green jewel on the end matches my green ribbon. He spreads me again and pushes the plug against my asshole while I do my best not to whine when it stretches me. It pops inside, leaving only the jewel visible. Visible because it’s meant to be looked at.

It’s not as bad as the one he used on me last night. This one is small and smooth. It sits there as a constant reminder, a weight that changes the way I stand.

Then he holds up the final clamp. It looks like a clover with four inward-pointing pins. There’s no doubt it’ll hurt, but I keep myself from making a sound.

Before he uses it, his fingers make everything worth it, spreading me while circling my clit. My body responds too easily, heat rushing to the point of contact. I hold back my moans, worried the men behind the door will hear.

It’s only temporary, though. He places the hole of the clamp around my clit and twists each of the pins in until they press against my sensitive bud. My entire body jolts, and I clutch the cloak at my thighs. The pain is concentrated and immediate, pressing from four directions at once.

“This is to keep you stimulated,” he says.

The chain connects all three clamps, but he has one more chain to attach.

My leash.

It hooks on the ribbon around my neck and hangs between us.

Edwin steadies me with both hands on my shoulders while I struggle to even out my breathing.

“Channel the pain. Let it take the place of what’s eating you.”

For the first time since I met him, I see worry on his face.

I know this will be difficult. Part of me believes it will cleanse me, because pain keeps me here. Alive.

“Out there, it’s only you and me,” he says. “Keep your eyes on me.”

I nod. Even that small motion sends a fresh pulse through the clamps.

Then he opens the door. The air changes, warmer from the flames burning throughout the chamber and thick with incense.

He leads me forward by the leash, and every slight tug translates through my body in a way that forces me to stay aware of each step. I grit my teeth and keep my face composed.

If this is how it begins, I’ll only survive what follows by embracing it.

The chamber is full now, cathedral-like in its scale, with its two tiers of balconies overhead. Rings are bolted to the stone floor some ten feet apart with leather cuffs attached to them. My stomach twists imagining the position they were designed to hold.

Across from us, Patrick enters with Bridget. Her leash hangs from the ribbon around her neck as she moves on all fours, head lifted as if she’s proud of it. Putting on a show, knowing all these men are watching her. Humiliation is a costume she wears on purpose.

Men line the upper levels in their dark green cloaks and silver masks that reflect the light without expression. Their stillness makes them feel less human. I’m dying to know who everyone is.

It’s hard to believe someone was murdered on this very floor not even twenty-four hours ago. The stone is clean, and the room perfectly prepared. Violence is simply part of the schedule here.

In the center stands Liam, unmistakable under his cloak and mask.

“We are here to witness The Breaking,” he says. “A Trial of tolerance. Tolerance of pain. Of humiliation. Of being at one’s lowest and pushing through. Can the physical body and mental strength overcome the harshest of circumstances?”

I steady my breathing through my nose. The clamps throb with every heartbeat. The leash chain sways when I tremble.

“Put your Aspirants in their places.”

Edwin guides me to where the cuffs are bolted to the floor, and hesitation grips me when I understand what’s happening. Vulnerability is at an all-time high.

Edwin slips the cloak from my shoulders, leaving me naked except for the ribbon and metal adorning my body, every movement making the clamps bite deeper.