Together Bound

Shaffer snorted, crossed his arms over his chest, and paced around so he was at Nick’s back. Leaning in close, he spoke next to Nick’s ear. It was all Nick could do to keep from jumping and flinching away from the hot, fetid breath and low voice. “You’ll have to work on that, Nick.”

Nick closed his eyes slowly and tried to suppress the shiver working down his spine. The fact that Shaffer -- it -- knew his name started his insides churning. A strong hand clamped around his neck and tugged. Obediently, Nick stood, hands at his sides, staring at the floor.

He hadn’t been struck since he was seventeen, not like that. Todd never hit him in that manner, and he’d learned young how to avoid it from the tutors in his village. In the time he’d been with Todd, probably eighty-five percent of his physical contact with another human was from Todd. Very occasionally, Jimmy would give him a hug or a pat on the shoulder, but Nick was happy being off-limits to anyone but Todd. His master never pressed the issue or forced him into unwanted contact with others.

Being backhanded by Shaffer unnerved and incensed him all at the same time.

Far off in the distance, lightning streaked the sky, making its color intensify for a few brief seconds before settling back to deep purple.

Shaffer gave him a shove, and Nick stumbled before coming to a hard stop face-first against a wall. A low, distant roar of thunder reverberated through the building and into Nick’s chest, making every muscle clench. Shutting his eyes tight, Nick forced his mind to focus on the picture of Todd he thought up and hoped this creature that was Shaffer couldn’t read minds.

He felt more than heard Shaffer move in behind him. The creature trailed a pointed finger across Nick’s shoulders, making his muscles go tense and rigid. Leaning in until his chest barely brushed Nick’s back, Shaffer dipped his head and brushed his nose up Nick’s neck and over his cheek, inhaling deeply. “I can smell your master or mistress, whichever it is, on you.” Another deep inhale. “Ah, master, male, virile, his scent is as intoxicating as yours. You’re no orphan. Why are you here?”

Jerking in a sharp breath, Nick scrunched his eyelids tighter against the horrible image of Shaffer’s real face. “My master died.”

Shaffer’s laugh was low, hot air blown against the skin along the back of Nick’s neck, just under his hair, making a few strands ruffle and then settle against his skin again. “Not yet. His scent is all over you, and it’s fresh. That was no spur of the moment tryst.” He pressed his body to Nick’s, rubbing against Nick and blowing out a deep moan that was pure desire. A long, thick, pointed tongue darted out of Shaffer’s mouth and slithered over Nick’s jawline. “I can taste him on your skin, and so much as mentioning him amplifies the scent you give off. It’s quite delightful.”

Nick tried turning his face away, but Shaffer’s hand came up and clamped against his head, holding him in place. His other hand moved around and reached between Nick’s legs, long, pointed finger stroking along the groove where hip met groin. Spikes of cold, raw fear shot through Nick, radiating out from his spine.

“Not interested, boy?” His hand moved to Nick’s inner thigh and Shaffer squeezed.

“Please ... don’t ...” Nick whispered, begging.

A finger trailed through his hair and scraped lightly over his scalp. “Never been with anyone but him, have you?” Nick shivered when its tongue crept down and under the top of Nick’s tunic to slime over his shoulder, another luxurious inhale. “Hmmm ... makes you taste so good, smell so good when you think of his hands, not mine, on you. Lucky me, I’ve found a nice young bonded pair, twice the pleasure.”