Prisoner of the Night Clan

by Renegade

Copyright © 2003

renegade@wrongmail.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I (me) do not own these characters herein (except for the ones that you've never heard of before, because they came out of my head like Athena, just less messier) ME, Joss Whedon and whoever else can own them (just wish they'd treated them better) but I own nothin' except one very pregnant cat...
Distribution: The Mystic Muse http://mysticmuse.net
Just ask – please.
Feedback: Of course, any helpful sexy suggestions or just plain "I love this" will work.
Spoilers: Nada (unless you've been under a rock for the past five or so years and you didn't know Willow and Tara were playing for the local Rugby team).
Author's Notes: Spanks be to Susan for helping me choose a storyline outta my head.
Pairing: Willow/Tara & Others

Prologue    Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4    Part 5

Prologue

Willow Rosenberg, Free Agent mage and assistant keeper of the Magicks Supply Shoppe in the Galen township of Quinlan, was in trouble.

Lots of it.

Yep. No denying the trouble here. She mused looking at the high sheer stonewall she'd levitated over trying to get away from the Civil Guards. Her lip curled into an amused sneer. Not like that's anything new.

The auburn tressed mage ran her hand over the surface of the wall. The wall appeared textured but to the touch it was as smooth as glass. She cursed under her breath and turned. She was in a lush botanical garden. Calls of exotic birds echoed around her. She knew where she was – she was on the other side of the "Wall". She was on the Night Clan's grounds.

And there was no way out.

Willow had heard the stories. Anyone who trespassed onto the Grounds without invitation was never heard from again. The Mistress of the Night Clan did not like interlopers and she (whoever she was) held absolute power in her domain.

Not to mention she holds more power than the Imperial Mistress herself. What with controlling the entire "flesh" industry…stupid, skanky, sex fiend. Willow growled inwardly as she began to pick her way through the large, jungle like, botanical garden.

The Free Agent had tried to levitate back over the wall, but the Night Clan's strong hold was protected by some sort of magicks induced barrier and she couldn't get more than five feet off the ground before hitting the invisible ceiling.

Leaving Willow with only one option. She would have to make her way to the huge twisted silver gate and figure out some way to get pass any sort of guards that might be there.

"This is what I get for spying on the Mage Guild meetings." Willow grumbled to herself. She was nearing the edge of the botanical garden when she sensed two presences in the night. Willow froze and held her breath, desperately pleading with the Goddess Quinlan to let her not be seen.

She stood stock still for several minutes. Thinking they had gone – Willow proceeded forward again cautiously.

"Where do you think you're going?" A husky voice asked from the darkness. Willow spun around readying a fireball. She summoned the burning orb, which flashed brightly as it formed and then shrunk until it extinguished.

The redhead mage looked in disbelief at her palm. "Hey, that's never happened before!"

"Of course, it hasn't," The smoky voiced woman stepped forward into the semi-moonlight. She had long wavy dark hair and dark eyes. Her arms were well defined and she wore dark pants made of the finest animal hide. She had an intricate tattoo spanning the length of her upper arm. The woman quirked an eyebrow. "Are you having performance issues?"

Willow pursed her lips and tried to summon another fireball. But this one didn't even form, it flickered and then extinguished. "What in the frilly heck is going on?"

"Don't worry Loki! We have a harmless little pussy cat on our hands." The smoky voiced woman called back over her shoulder. "You can come out."

From the shadows, another woman appeared. She had the same tattoo on her arm and the same dark pants. Her hair was dark and short. Short to the point of looking like it was a few days growth from shaved. She was brandishing a sword in her hand.

"You realize you're trespassing right?" The longhaired woman asked. Willow said nothing only setting her jaw into her "resolve" face. The longhaired woman looked Willow over blatantly.

"Fine, have it your way." She moved towards Willow. "You're coming with us. By order of the Night Mistress under the decree and charter of the First Imperial Mistress, you are hereby declared property of the Night Clan. You have waived all rights and privileges you might have held in the Imperial Order of Guilds and Clans or your status of a Free Agent of the Quinlan Alliance and are hereby charged and subject to the laws of the Night Clan."

Willow, who was partially listening to the political jargon, swung at the dark haired woman when she was within striking distance. Her blow took the dark haired woman by surprise.

A smile appeared on Willow's face as the longhaired woman touched her jaw where redhead had struck her. The woman looked directly at Willow.

"You shouldn't have done that. You just made life worse for you," she growled. Suddenly, Willow found herself restrained. Her right arm-twisted behind her back so tightly that it felt her shoulder would pop out of its socket. A strong hand gripped the base of her skull so tightly her ears began to ring.

Willow, being proud of herself that she'd actually gotten a hit in hadn't noticed the woman named Loki move behind her and restrain her. Loki forced Willow to look at the dark haired woman.

The redhead forced a laugh. "What are you going to do kill me?"

A half smile graced the longhaired woman's lips. "No. We don't decide that, the Mistress does. But, it's entirely possible that she'll have you killed. You laid a hand on her personal guard and Bound submissive."

The longhaired woman leaned in so close to Willow that her sultry lips were nearly brushing Willow's. "That's a big no-no here. You don't touch a Mistress' property unless you want to lose various appendages or your life." She whispered before flicking her tongue out and over Willow's lips. The dark haired woman closed her eyes as she tasted Willow.

"Hmm, strawberries. Maybe she'll just play with you before she sends you to the Eternal lands." The longhaired woman straightened. "Bring her."

The woman restraining Willow, quickly and forcefully squeezed the base of Willow's skull. Willow's vision swam and then darkened before she fell into unconsciousness.

She sensed Faith and Loki returning from the Botanical gardens. She closed her eyes and wallowed in her sub's energies.

Faith's energy was powerful and erratic. She allowed her energy and power to run all over the place. She was fiery and unpredictable – but totally submissive to her.

Loki was just as powerful but her energy was steady and strong. She was the opposite of Faith. The voice of reason in the whirlwind of chaos. But the two complimented each other perfectly. Tara felt blessed by the Goddess Quinlan to have such beautiful, strong sub missives. Especially, since both of them were from the Assassins Guild, which had no Mistress/sub or slave hierarchy .

Both Loki and Faith had willing come to Lady Tara and offered their services as Personal Guards and shortly after willingly submitted and given their allegiance to Tara.

It was a rare thing for an Assassin to give up their freedom and submit. It was viewed in Quinlan as mark of wealth and greatness. Tara had received the privilege of two beautiful and strong women submitting and it had sealed her place as Night Mistress and as the Representative to the Council of Guilds and Clans. For that she felt, though she would never say, indebted to the two women.

There was a knock on the heavy red oak doors of her chamber. Tara stood and looked at herself one more time before crossing the large circular room.

She wore a deep purple sarong wrapped low around her hips and drawn up to reveal most of her right leg. She wore another piece of black cloth around her breasts. The clothing revealed a detailed tattoo of a Eastern dragon in flight that originated at her right shoulder and came down her back, wrapping around her midriff and ending at her right hip. She also wore intricate silver armbands that matched the silver garter she wore around her right thigh. All and all the ensemble gave her an exotic appearance even though she was readying herself to sleep.

She knew it was Faith and Loki at her door. They were the only two that had Tara's permission to come to her chambers after the last bell of the day.

She had also given them permission to enter without knocking but the two stood on ceremony. Loki insisted that they maintain an appearance of formality so that Tara's reputation and status as the Night Mistress was unblemished. Even for this, Tara was grateful for her sub.

Tara pulled open the door. A half smile graced her lips as she took in the sight of her subs. They wore the uniform that Tara had decreed would only be worn by those closest to her. Black leather pants, a deep blue swordsman shirt that clung to all the right curves on the two Assassins. Loki had torn the neckline down of her shirt revealing her small but near perfect cleavage. Faith had torn off the lower section of her shirt, revealing her tight stomach muscles and accentuating her bust.

Tara would have had any other member of the clan in shackles and punished for altering a decreed uniform. But she felt that she couldn't really ask that Loki and Faith. So she had compromised. On certain days, when her mood was high and she was ready to fight at the drop of the hat she found any reason to punish her two favorite subs (which they didn't mind) and if she was happy she let it slide. But generally, she felt her subs were more disappointed than not on the days she was happy.

"I'm glad your back," Tara purred and pulled Faith by the shirt into a searing kiss. As she laid claim to Faith's lips she looked at Loki out of the corner of her eye. Loki watched impassively.

God, they're amazing. Tara thought.

She knew Loki and Faith were very, very close. But since the only mandate of the Assassins guild was that no member could ever have a committed partner, they never professed their relationship. So, they professed their commitment and oath to Tara who allowed them to carry on with each other, as long as she was invited, since she WAS their Mistress and she loved them equally.

Tara snaked her tongue out into Faith's mouth. Faith willingly let the Blonde ravish her mouth before launching her own oral attack back. Faith sucked Tara's tongue sensually in and gently bit it before pushing her tongue into the Blonde's warm mouth.

The two kissed heatedly for a moment before Tara broke away.

"So, what did you find out there?" She asked leaning over and kissing Loki's ear and then running her hand over the woman's head. "You need to be shaved again." Her own words sent a fire down to her core.

So much fun to be had when I do that. She thought lustfully as she looked pointedly in Loki's gray eyes.

Loki let a small knowing smile escape. "Yes, Mistress."

Tara gave a slow wink to Loki and turned her eyes back to Faith. "You were saying?"

"We found a trespasser, Lady Tara. We took her into custody. She's down in the dungeons. She tried to use magicks but your barrier prevented that." Faith informed her as she watched Tara trace her tongue over Loki's jaw. Tara smiled as she pulled away. She could sense Faith's arousal.

"I thought I felt something in the way of magicks. I suppose I'll go see her in the morning and decide what to do with her. But that's tomorrow and I want you tonight," she growled to her subs.

Willow woke to, what felt like, a drum and fife brigade marching through her head. Groaning she lifted her hand to her forehead and massaged it gently.

"Hey, good for you! You finally woke up."

"Sssh! Quiet time now." Willow hissed as she continued to try and massage the pain away.

"Sorry," Came the whispered apology. "It's just that judging from the marks on your neck, you were subject to an Assassin's hold. Those things are bitches to wake up from, trust me."

The redhead waved off the comment as she sat up slowly. "Don't worry, I believe you."

Gingerly, she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was in a dungeon of sorts. The walls stone and the gate of her cell were made of thick metal bars. A torch burned directly across the walkway in front of her cell, sending orange light and dancing shadows into her confined space.

The cell its self was rather large about the size of a room at an Inn. There was the bed in which she laid on and on the other side was a trench about two hands wide and about three hands deep which ran the length of her cell and then disappeared into a wall, through it flowed water.

Must be a prison for the wealthy. They have running toilets. Lucky me. Willow thought sarcastically as she looked at the plumbing that was a good fifty years out of date. The redhead continued her examination of the cell. There were a few etchings in the wall from past prisoners; the only thing Willow did not see was…

"Hey, where are you?" Willow asked aloud not seeing the person who had been talking to her a moment before.

"I'm right here," Came the answer. The voice was right next to Willow's ear. The redhead jumped and looked at the empty space next to her.

"That's not funny," Willow replied in a shaky voice. To her disbelief, she watched as a form began to appear on her bed. First the legs, then the hips and torso followed by the head.

"No, being dead isn't funny. I have to agree with you on that one Love." The ghost spoke. He looked down and noticed that his feet had not materialized. "Damn it! I can never get those to show up!" He cursed pumping his leg as though he was stomping his foot.

Willow stared with her mouth agape. She was looking at what was left of a blonde haired man who was dressed in a style that was at least as old as the plumbing.

"W-who are you?" Willow managed trying to control her knee jerk reaction of fright.

"My name is William," He offered with a smile that faltered quickly. "But everyone calls me Spike."

"Spike? Why Spike?" Willow asked calming down a bit, as she realized the ghost was not going to harm her.

"Because that's how I died, Love. Back about sixty or so years ago, I jumped over the wall because I wanted to see the women of the Night Clan. Well, I saw them. They were taking a bath in the natural hot springs they got here. Anyhow, I tried to get a kiss from one of them but when I touched her, the guards were all over me. Seems I'd touched one of the higher Mistress' slaves and that landed me in here for a week and then walking a plank into a pit full of spikes the next." Spike finished miserably.

Willow stared at the specter wide eyed. "That's barbaric!"

"Yeah, things were a bit rougher back then. However, that was when there was a bitch of a Night Mistress. She was all about the blood and gore. Her subs and slaves had worse than I did. It was a bad time back then…" Spike trailed off and looked at Willow, who was pale with horror. "What?" he prompted.

"W-what are you talking about?" Willow asked. Spike looked perplexed.

"What do you mean?"

"subs and slaves?"

"Where are you from?" Spike asked slowly.

"Galen," Willow replied.

Spike nodded knowingly. "That explains it."

"Explains what?" Willow demanded. Spike was making her feel naive and stupid. Two things that Willow did not like to feel.

"Why you don't understand." He replied simply.

"Don't understand what?" Willow demanded standing.

"The way things are here. Tell me, did you go school?" Spike asked as he shifted on the bed stretching out his back and leaning against the wall. Willow idly wondered how it was that he was not falling through the stone.

"I went to school. I went to the Galen Township School of Metaphysical Arts. Finished top of my class." She said proudly.

"Oh, very interesting. Tell me, did they by chance go over the history of Quinlan? Specifically, why there are two townships in the country? Galen and Herisena?"

Willow opened her mouth to shoot a hotty remark back at Spike when she realized that no, her teachers and professors had never discussed the history of the two townships. In fact, they had never really discussed it at all.

"I figured." Spike replied to her silence. He patted the bed next to him. "Take a seat Love and I'll tell you why."

Slowly Willow resumed her seat.

"How much do you know about the teachings of Quinlan?" Spike asked.

"Enough," Willow rolled her eyes. How stupid was this? A ghost who was going to give her a lecture about religion. "I know that the Goddess taught that the world should be run through a series of Mistresses and Servants."

Spike raised an eyebrow. "And how do you define Mistresses and Servants?"

"Just like anything else! There is someone above you and someone above them until you reach the Imperial Mistress. It is like school. First, you are an adept and then a student and then an apprentice… so on, so forth. You just work your way up through the ranks or stop whenever you attain a level that you wanted and then go down your own path in life."

Spike got a sarcastic smile on his face. "Yeah, figures. You're not reciting the teachings of Quinlan – you're reciting the teachings of Galen, her lover."

"Wha-huh?" Willow was confused.

"Alright Love listen. Back about a millennia ago, Quinlan, Goddess of all Life descended to the realms of flesh and took on the form of a woman. Because humans were just floundering about lost and confused. There were wars, struggles for power and if it had continued, we would have eradicated ourselves. Following so far?" Willow nodded.

"So Quinlan came down and ended the war that was occurring by seducing, then dominating both of the leaders into submission. One, Galen she dominated by love and all that nonsense and the other Herisena she dominated by a mixture of willing restraint, pleasurable pain and strict rules."

"As time went by Quinlan taught both her lovers how to keep order. Taking her example, the two leaders began to pass down the teaching. Galen taking a "servant" and Herisena taking a "submissive" and then it just trickled down. Quinlan told both her lovers that you can not force anything upon anyone and those that could not handle the physicality or mental regime could be free or they could indebt themselves as slaves so that they could have the protection of a Guild or Clan."

"The lands were then divided equally into the townships of Herisena and Galen. Quinlan ascended leaving an impartial Imperial Mistress as head of the Quinlan Alliance… She left Galen and Herisena to be the provincial leaders of the townships, but she mainly wanted them to follow her teachings."

"Galen didn't believe so much in discipline and therefore wrote his own version of events. Herisena adhered strictly to how Quinlan had taught her. For that, the township of Herisena expanded and prospered. While Galen became smaller and smaller as more and more of its people came to Herisena. Finally, the Galenian Council decided to effectively isolate themselves from Herisena. They rid themselves of the original teachings of Quinlan and adhered strictly to Galen's version of events."

Spike looked directly at Willow. "That's why you know nothing about the Mistress/sub or slave relationship. That's why you think it's barbaric and that's why you're in trouble."

Willow was defensive. "That's a bunch of lies and how am I in trouble? All I did was try and get away from the Civil Guards-"

"You don't trespass onto other Guild's or Council's property. It is a respect thing. You get permission from the Mistress of the Guild or Clan. In this case, the Night Mistress. Its all about protocol, respect and submission. That is what Herisena is built on. Breaking those things result in severe consequences."

Spike sighed. "Especially, in the Night Clan. The Night Clan holds power by controlling the "flesh" industry. This Clan is the embodiment of Quinlan's teachings. Power through seduction and submission. Being here is like being in a church and the Night Mistress is the high priestess. Everyone that comes here, and trust me everyone that is anyone does, submits ultimately to the Night Mistress. Even the Imperial Mistress herself."

"Long story short, Love. You trespassed on the wrong grounds and to make it worse, you touched one of her personal subs. No one touches her subs. You're buggered, Love." Spike finished.

Willow was pacing by this time. "Yeah, okay, yeah – but they can't do that! I'm a Free Agent from Galen. I don't submit to their rules."

Spike smirked and sat up. "Did you miss that part when you tried to knock the Mistress' sub out?"

"How did you know about that?" Willow demanded.

"I'm a ghost. I'm trapped here. I see everything. Besides, you gave up all your rights when you sat foot on their grounds. It's in the Alliance Laws. You can not set foot on private grounds without permission or you give up all your rights and become property of whatever Guild or Clan you trespassed on."

The redhead opened and shut her mouth a few times and then looked at Spike with fear in her eyes.

"Tell me you're kidding! Please!" She pleaded.

"Sorry, Love, I'm not. Besides…" he paused and listened. Footsteps came down the corridor. "Looks like you're about to meet your new Mistress."

"No! Hey, wait!" Willow shouted but Spike gave a short salute and dissolved into nothingness.

The redhead turned as the footsteps neared. She squared her shoulders and tried to stand taller. If this place was about submitting – there was no way she was going to.

The feeling of soft caresses over tender flesh was what brought Loki out of her deep slumber. The shorthaired woman reveled in the caress. She'd never been one to show pleasure in tenderness but secretly she loved the feeling of Faith's cool fingertips over the welts that her Mistress would inflict upon her.

Loki pretended to be asleep even though it was becoming harder not to let a moan escape her full lips as the fingertips continued to caress the angry strips of flesh down her back. The fingers moved up to her multiply pierced ear. They traced down the outside, rising over and dipping down between the silver rings.

The Assassin shivered pleasurably and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"You like that?" Her Mistress' seductive voice whispered into the ear she was playing with, her warm breath causing more shivers in Loki. The Assassin was surprised but not disappointed that it was her Mistress that was pressed into her back and not Faith. Though, Loki cursed herself for not being able to sense her Mistress.

"Did you sleep well?" Tara purred into Loki's ear, nipping gently at the lobe.

"Aye, Mistress," She replied.

The Blonde gave a contented moan. "Roll over onto your stomach."

Loki did as she was told. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her Mistress, clothed only in her naked beauty, climb on top of her and straddle her firm ass. Loki bit back a groan as she felt the warm, moist heat from her Mistress' center. Tara began to rub and rock herself on the firm flesh. The Blonde sighed lustfully as a fire began to build within her core.

Tara ran her smooth hands up Loki's sculpted back and to the woman's stubbled head. Luxuriating in the contrasted feel Tara began to grind harder.

"So, pet…." Tara asked in a husky voice as she felt Loki rock back against every thrust of her Mistress' hips. "Are you needed anywhere today?"

"No, mi'lady." Loki managed back. The pressure of Tara's body, combined with her own thrusts was driving the Assassin wild.

"Good. I have, ah – oh goddess – a job for you." Tara moaned the last part as Loki began to clench her buttock muscles – giving Tara's engorged clit more friction.

The Blonde quit speaking as her climax approached.

"Goddess!!" She screamed as she came, pushing Loki's head down roughing with one hand and raking her nails across the sub's back.

Loki wanted to come as she felt Tara's sweet essence ejaculated on her back, but her Mistress had not given her permission to do so. The Assassin bit her own sculpted shoulder in exquisite agony as Tara collapsed on top of her.

Loki smiled a bit as she waited for her Mistress' breathing to return to normal.

"Mmm," Tara moaned as she began to tenderly kiss Loki's shoulder, running her hands up the sub's toned arms until their hands were interlaced, palm to back. "Thank you," she whispered into the Assassins ear.

"My pleasure mi'lady," Loki replied frustrated but content to feel Tara's body and soft words.

"Would you like to come," her Mistress asked huskily, running her tongue over Loki's shaved head.

"If it pleases you," Loki grunted trying hard not to resume the flexing of her hips.

"It would, but I think I'll make you wait. I have to see about the trespasser." Tara whispered. "Then, tonight – if you behave – I'll reward you." She promised with an erotic bite to Loki's sculpted shoulder.

The Assassin groaned. It was going to be a long day.

"Faith is watching the show room today. So, it's just you and me. Get dressed and then we'll see what is to be done about that trespasser." Her Mistress said climbing off of her sub and heading towards her own Chambers, which was adjacent to Faith and Loki's.

Loki reached for a bathing cloth but was stopped by her Mistress.

"Oh and don't bathe – I want to be able to smell myself on you all day."

The Assassin smiled, "Yes, Lady Tara."

Tara gave a half grin and padded off towards her chambers.

Tara walked from her dressing chambers, dressed in a long, sheer black skirt with a slit that came up to the top half of her left thigh. A red silk piece of cloth draped down her chest, the material barely covered her full breasts and tied in the back by a thin string.

Her hair was pulled up and back but long strands hung loose from the silver clasp. With a glamour spell, Tara had made the strands hanging down a deep raven black, while the rest remained Blonde.

To complete the ensemble, she put on her tailored calf high black boots that magically reflected the light.

The Mistress of the Nigh Clan smiled as she saw Loki waiting patiently by the doors, remembering all that Loki had done for her. Her life would have been very different if it hadn't been for the beautiful Assassin.

"How do I look Loki?" she asked turning once to show off her figure.

The woman smiled slyly, "Ravishing."

Tara giggled and swatted her sub on the ass, loving the sound her hand made when it contacted the leather.

"You better watch yourself," she growled. Loki cocked an eyebrow.

"Or…what?" She asked cheekily

Tara growled and grabbed the taller woman by the shirt pulling her down slightly so she was eye level with her. Blue met gray.

"You know what," she said before give Loki a quick, searing kiss and then pulling away roughly. "Let's go."

Willow stood, hands clenched into fists as she heard the sound of footsteps. She tried to look as defiant and strong as she could, even though her stomach was turning somersaults.

The redhead saw the woman called Loki first. Loki looked into the cell, her face an unreadable mask.

"You slept well?" Loki asked as she reached down and unlocked the door.

"What does it matter to you?" Willow snapped as she watched the woman pull open the door. Quickly, Willow ran through options to escape but decided that without her magicks she wasn't much of a fight against the visibly stronger woman.

Loki held Willow's eye and shook her head. "It's going to be bad for you if you don't learn how to control that tongue."

"Yeah, well, what are you going to do about it?" The redhead mage challenged. A bemused smile crossed over Loki's face as she produced a leather strap the length of Willow's forearm.

Willow's eyes widened as she realized what exactly Loki intended on doing. Before the red head could react the woman had grabbed her, spun her to the ground and had her knee on the back of Willow's neck.

"Really, you think people would learn," Loki sighed as she gagged Willow roughly. Yanking Willow up by the back of the shirt – Loki pulled the redhead who was struggling uselessly to the back wall and fastened her shackles that Willow hadn't noticed before.

Stepping back, Loki surveyed her handy work and then tilted Willow's chin up.

"Now there are a few rules here. The first one being that you are going to meet the Mistress of this house. You do not speak to her unless she asks something of you." The woman smiled without humor.

"I know you might have a little problem with that, that's why there is a gag in your mouth. Two, if my Mistress deems it and she allows you to be unrestrained and you should, by some random whim, try and touch her or hurt her – I will personally cut off both your hands before you realize what's going on and the third rule is this – you will treat her with the utmost respect because she's the one that decides what happens to you, if you catch my meaning."

Loki rubbed her thumb over Willow's chin. The redhead put as much hatred as she could into her eyes as she stared at the woman. "Do you understand?"

Willow yanked her head away from Loki's grasp.

"I'll take that as a yes," she smirked and walked back to the cell door. She stepped outside and to the side. "She's ready, Mistress."

Mistress, my ass!! Willow screamed in her mind. She's probably some gross old crone who…Oh Goddess.

If Willow's mouth hadn't been gagged, it would have fallen open at the vision that stepped into the cell.

A woman, whom she could only describe as breath taking, stepped into view. Willow's eyes traveled up and down the woman's form. From the sculpted legs to the intricate Dragon tattoo, to the full breasts that were barely covered to the angelic face with striking blue eyes.

Her aura was one of confidence and sensuality and Willow briefly forgot for a moment that she was shackled to the wall.

The woman approached. Hips swaying, allowing the material of her skirt to slip and slide around her voluptuous hips. She sauntered up to Willow and stood mere inches from her. Willow's eyes, involuntarily traveled down to the woman's cleavage – her heart sped up as she took in the full flesh.

NO. BAD WILLOW!! She screamed at herself. This woman is holding you against your will. DO NOT be ogling her…oh, but she's so ogle-able with those gorgeous… focus Rosenberg!

The woman smiled a knowing smile, almost as if she'd heard Willow's thoughts. "Hmm, how interesting…" she said quietly as she examined Willow's face.

Willow's eyes locked onto the blue ones in front of her. She willed herself to look away but she found that she couldn't.

"You know you trespassed onto my property, correct?" The woman asked stepping back from Willow. The redhead almost groaned in frustration, the woman's proximity had been heady and now that she was gone it was almost painful.

All Willow could do was nod. The Mistress took a few steps to the side and looked Willow up and down from a different angle as if sizing up a meal. The redheaded mage shivered pleasurably at this thought – before mentally slapping herself.

"You know what happens to people who trespass?" The Mistress asked as she took a few steps back and looked at Willow from a different angle.

The redhead shook her head in a negative. The Blonde goddess stepped up close to Willow again so that her lips were almost brushing the leather in Willow's mouth.

"They either submit…" She trailed her lips up Willow's jaw to her ear, "Or die." She whispered gently. A rush of warmth flooded Willow's core. The mage struggled desperately within her to get a hold of some sort of rational thought.

She was being held against her will – why was she suddenly aroused? Okay, prisoner bad. Bad. Very Bad. Not a turn on…Ugh.

The Blonde gave Willow a seductive half smile which only served to speed up the redhead's heart more and turned back to the woman called Loki.

"pet, would you release her? She needs to make a decision…" She ran a hand over Loki's stomach. Willow watched Oh, lucky stomach…I wish I was… HEY! FOCUS!

Loki just nodded and released the redhead. With out the help of the shackles, Willow's knees gave out from the flood of arousal and she dropped to the floor. She just stayed there trying to get a grip on herself.

Out from under her eyelids, she saw the woman standing in front of her. Willow didn't move. She couldn't. She felt like a mouse in front of a cat. A very sexy cat, but a cat nonetheless.

"Here's how this works," The Mistress spoke squatting down gracefully in front of Willow, who for some reason she couldn't explain, knew to keep her head down.

"Either you remove all your clothes as a sign that you willing submit to me and this clan's rules. Or, Loki here removes your clothes for you and you are executed in humiliation. You have exactly thirty seconds to decide…"

With that the Mistress stood and took a step back.

Willow's mind was racing. Everything in her mind was screaming that she remain defiant and die than lose her freedom, but some deeper part was telling her that she must stay. Even if she was subject to this beautiful woman. There was something that called to her from this woman and she didn't know if it was the sheer lust she was feeling or something more…. The battle raged in her mind until…

"Well?" The Mistress asked.

Willow looked up finally at the gorgeous woman standing before her. Behind her and off to the side Loki was pulling a knife from her boot readying for Willow's choice.

Silently, Willow straightened and began to remove her clothes.

Willow was about to remove her first article of clothing when –

"Stop." The Mistress ordered firmly. The red headed Mage stopped her arms in mid movement and looked over at the Blonde goddess in front of her. The Mistress had her hands on her luscious hips and her head was cocked to the side.

"As much as I would be tempted to let you continue I don't really want you to take off your clothes off and submit yourself…yet." She walked purposefully over to the redhead and grasping the hem of the shirt in her delicate, yet strong hands pulled the material back down over Willow's midriff. The red headed Mage suppressed a shiver of delight as the back of the Mistress' knuckles lightly grazed Willow's sensitive flanks.

Willow looked uncomprehendingly at the Mistress. The Blonde took a step back and explained: "You see what I just said, submit or die, is an archaic law of the Night Clan – but a law nonetheless. When the Night Clan was first formed it was established that anyone who crossed over our walls without invitation would either submit to the Mistress at the time or be executed."

She stopped circling and gave Willow a seductive half smile. "But these days we are a bit more civil. Now, you can choose to submit, or a life of servitude or you can spend your days down here in the dungeon. We don't really kill anyone anymore – but it's a custom that must be upheld – at least until the time comes that it is changed."

Willow let out a relieved inward sigh. At least, she had a few more options. If nothing else she could choose a servants life until she could figure out a way to get of the Clan's stronghold and back to Galen and her own Guild.

"Loki, my pet, be so kind as to remove that gag from her mouth," She glanced over at Willow and gave a secretive smile. "Even though I do so enjoy the sight of it in her mouth. I don't think she's use to it."

The Mistress' attendant She an attendant right? What else would she be? came forward and gently removed the leather restraint. Willow remembered the woman's earlier threat and despite wanting to curse and lash out, she kept her mouth shut.

The Mistress raised an eyebrow and smiled towards Loki. "She learns well doesn't she?"

"Yes, Lady Tara, she does." Loki replied moving away from Willow. When she had taken up her position back a half step and slightly off to her left, the woman called Tara spoke again.

"Now, Love, what is your name?" She asked gently her blue eyes twinkling in the orange light.

"Willow Ro-" Willow began but was silenced by Tara raising her hand.

"I do not want to know your full name. It would give me too much power over you. If you find this life to be to your liking and you find a Mistress or if you yourself become a Mistress – you would never want anyone to know your full name – unless you are becoming Blood Bound to them." The Mistress chastised, and then she smiled again at Willow, who thought her heart would stop at the sight of that beautiful smile. "Now, what is your name?"

"Willow," The red head said again.

"Willow," The Mistress rolled the name around in her mouth.

The red head held back a smile. She liked the way her name sounded coming from this woman.

"That's a beautiful name. My name is Lady Tara. You may call me Lady Tara or Mi'lady, which ever is easiest for you." The Blonde replied. She paused and looked Willow over again.

The red head couldn't shake the feeling that she was being sized up for a reason.

"I heard that you tried magicks to escape my subs – tell me are you a part of the Mage's Guild?" Lady Tara asked Willow. Lady Tara…I could get use to that…I could get use to her.

The red head nodded, her enthusiasm picking up. "Oh yes, I'm from the Galen Mage's guild. I graduated from the School of Metaphysical Arts and began apprenticeship with the Mage's guild under Master Giles, he's kinda droll though, anyhow-"

"Mistress? Should I return the gag?" Loki asked over Willow's babble. Lady Tara shook her head amused.

"No, I actually find it…cute, in a way."

Willow looked wide eyed at Lady Tara. Oh Goddess, I did a lot more talking than I was suppose too…wait, did she say she found my babbling cute?

"Sorry," Willow apologized sheepishly.

"That's quite all right," Lady Tara squared her shoulders. "So, Willow, what do you choose? Do you choose to be a servant or do you choose to stay in the dungeons?"

"Do I have to choose right now?" Willow squeaked.

Lady Tara did nothing but smile gently at Willow. The red head gulped. Oh, I didn't want to choose so quickly. Couldn't you have a trial period in each option? So you know what each choice is like…wait! What am I talking about? I'm gonna escape anyway….

Tara watched as Willow's emotions played across her face. She wanted nothing more than to let Willow go.

Even if it means I would never see her again – I don't want her to suffer being in a place she doesn't want too…Tara! What are you doing? Are you going soft? She trespassed into your Clan's grounds. It's your sacred duty to protect this place and those inside. Since when did you start feeling compassion for those who break the laws that have been set for a millennia? Get a hold of yourself! The Mistress of the Night Clan does not behave this way. Tara reprimanded herself.

Taking a deep breath, the Blonde seperated herself from the situation and when she next spoke her voice was the cool, focused, sultry yet purposeful that it always was when dealing with people other than her subs. Oh, but how I wish she was my sub…the things I would do...

"Have you made your choice yet?"

"I-I don't know. I'm from Galen, I don't know what each option entails…you're laws are so much different here…" The red head spoke.

Tara just wanted to melt when she heard the almost girlish confused tone to the Mage's words. The Blonde pursed her lips and then sighed.

"I will do one thing for you. You shall spend the day seeing what the Clan is. You already know what life in the dungeon would be like – so I will show you what a life of a servant would be like also. Then, by sundown, you must make your choice."

Tara looked Willow up and down again. "I can't really take you up there as a trespasser – I'd jeopardize my position. So, just for today – you will see the Clan as paying visitors do. You shall act as though I have given you a personal invitation. If not – I shall have Loki return you to the dungeons and you can live out your days here. Are we understood?"

Willow nodded. "Yes, Lady Tara."

Tara flashed a genuine half grin but caught herself before Willow could catch it. Goddess, I love the way Lady Tara sounds when she says it…. Focus Tara!

"Good, now if you'll walk with me, I must make an appearance at the Show Room," With that said Tara turned and a walked out of the cell briskly. A moment passed before she heard Willow's footsteps rushing to catch up with her.

"Sorry, Mi'lady – I didn't catch that you wanted me to walk beside you."

"Of course, if you were a guest, you wouldn't have to walk behind me unless you'd paid to do so…." Tara replied.

"Um, Lady Tara, can I speak freely?" Willow almost whispered as they started up the stone stairs at the end of the hallway.

A small smile played at the corner of Tara's lips. "For the time being, yes."

"What do you mean – paid?" The red headed mage asked carefully. Tara laughed.

"You really have no idea where you are at, do you?" Willow remained silent.

"The Night Clan is a place of worship – for lack of a better term. When Quinlan departed she said that following what she had done in life was the greatest form of sacrament to her. Quinlan ordained a Clan that was founded based on pleasure and pain. The two basic elements of a human's physical existence. She taught that experiencing all the pleasures and all the pain of the flesh brought you closer to her and made you one with her spirit. Thus, the Night Clan is the only Clan that was founded by the Goddess herself."

The came to the top of the stairs and stopped. Loki, who had been following quietly behind them step forward and opened the large wooden door in front of them.

"Thank you, pet." Tara caressed Loki's cheek as she stepped through the doorway and into a wide hall with vaulted ceilings and blood red tapestries that draped down the walls. Tara heard Willow gasp. She looked at the red head bemused. "Impressive?"

"Impressive?" Lady Tara asked

"Yes." Willow replied. Tara laughed a bit and Willow couldn't help but be entranced by the melodic sound. The Mistress of the Night Clan began down the hall.

On one side were large paintings of men and women in various stages of undress in the throes of pleasure. On the other were paintings of men and women in shackles and other restraining devices – being whipped or tortured and from what Willow could tell – they still looked to be in the throes of pleasure.

"As with any temple, people pay to come and worship. It's homage to those that choose to be in service to Quinlan. This in turn is homage to the Goddess herself. I rarely perform rituals or sacraments anymore unless it is someone of high position or power or someone that has enough coin to warrant my abilities and position."

Willow was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm the High Mistress of the Night Clan, I'm considered the closet thing to representing the true form of the Goddess on this plane of existence. So, unless someone is important enough or wants to pay the price of homage to be "taken" by the Goddess' representative – I do not bother "worshipping" with the lay people. Mostly, I run the day to day orders of the house and I lead the ceremonies on religious days. Or, if need be, I enact the beauty of Quinlan's teachings for a crowd."

The red head was still confused. "So this place is nothing more than a flesh trade?"

Tara stopped and turned her blue eyes narrowed. "No. This is a place of worship, but being from Galen – I don't think you understand that."

With that she turned and continued walking.

Willow swallowed hard. She could tell that she had offended the Mistress, and though usually she'd be proud of herself, somehow it felt horrible to her.

They came upon a set of double doors and again Loki opened them.

In side was a large round chamber – with bowls full of fire set atop pillars lighting the room.

"This is the Show Room," Lady Tara announced her voice unreadable. "If you can not understand our ways here – then you never will…"

Willow took a tentative step into the room and stopped her mouth dropping open. Before her was a sight she'd never would have seen in her wildest dreams.

Part 2
The Show Room

Willow stared in utter amazement at the sight before her. "Holy Goddess," she breathed. Lady Tara quirked her mouth up into a half smile that the red headed mage found as breathtaking as the Show Room itself.

"That's what we were going for… come Willow." Lady Tara said and entered the domed chamber.

The Mage was in awe as she looked around. The domed ceiling was painted with a mural that depicted Quinlan's accession to the heavens. The peak of the dome was a stained glass window that filtered the sunlight through, casting dancing colors on the already stunning artwork.

"What do you think?" Tara asked quietly pulling Willow out of her awe. Willow lowered her view from the ceiling to the room itself. She gasped.

In the middle of the room was a large silver fire bowl in which a good-sized fire was burning. All around the room she saw groups of two to four people engaging in activities she'd never even conceived of.

The group closest to them consisted of two men. They appeared to be the same age. One was completely naked and bent over a lavish purple bench. The other, dressed in only a studded leather girdle, was thrusting deeply into afore mentioned man as he whipped him with a riding crop.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Tara whispered into Willow's ear as the red head watched the two men climax together. Willow only opened and closed her mouth a few times. Tara's mouth hitched into a smile. "Not your thing? Hmm, let's see if we can find something that you like…"

With that Tara laced her arm with Willow's and guided her around the circular room. They stopped in front of three beautiful women – one of which was suspended in a leather harness like device that hung off of a beam that protruded from the wall. She was blind folded as one woman caressed her with a feather and the other with the tip of a knife.

The two women doing the caressing walked about the suspended one randomly choosing places to caress. Willow could see, clearly, that the bound woman was incredibly aroused.

"This more like it?" Tara asked gently. Willow's eyes were wide and she couldn't tear herself from the sight of the bound woman's glistening pussy.

Tara's eyes twinkled as she disengaged herself from Willow and approached the two women caressing the other. She spoke quietly for a moment to them. The two nodded. Tara then went and whispered something into the bound women's ear. She too nodded.

As the three women returned to their play, Tara walked around to the suspended woman's open legs. Reaching down with a long fingered hand, she gently ran the tips of her silver ringed fingers over the glistening folds, causing the woman to arch a bit.

Tara smirked and then pushed her fingers deeply into the woman. The Mage felt her own core contract at the sight. Lady Tara thrust into the woman for a moment before withdrawing and walking back to Willow.

"Is this what you want? Do you want a woman?" She raised her wet fingers and held them in front of Willow's face. The red head breathed deeply as she smelled the woman's arousal on Tara's fingers.

"Uh…" Willow tried to speak but her mouth was way to dry. Tara smiled mischievously.

"I guess not," Tara replied huskily, before slowly bringing her own fingers to her mouth and sucking them clean. Keeping her eyes locked onto Willow's. She pulled her fingers out of her mouth and flicked her tongue over her own lips. "Mmm, delicious."

Willow's knees suddenly felt very weak.

"Are you all right?" Tara asked reaching out and steadying the red head as the Mage swayed a bit.

"Uh-huh, just a little – uh, o-overloaded." Willow managed the best she could since all her blood had gone south.

Tara pulled Willow close so that her full breasts were brushing Willow's. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to throw so much at you. Here, let me show you the main altar that we use for large ceremonies."

The Mistress guided Willow past a few more groups – which the red head didn't notice since her mind was replaying the sight of Tara pushing into the harnessed woman. Willow shivered, for some reason she was jealous. She wanted to be that woman.

Tara led them around a purple silk screen that divided the Show Room in half.

"This is the main altar," Tara spoke pulling Willow's attention out of her own mind and to a raised stone dais that wasn't so much high as it was large. Rooted around the altar were four massive red stone pillars which atop sat smaller silver bowls in which fires burned, lighting the main stage area and casting the rest of the room into shadows.

In between the pillars were smooth wood posts that were a good three feet taller than the average man… At the top of the posts was a steel meat hook. Willow shivered; she could only guess what it was used for.

Atop the altar were two silver beams that crossed and connected diagonally, forming an X. At the top of each beam hung a length of chain that Willow saw could be adjusted and secured on the back side of the cross. Where the beams connected to the dark red stone of the altar floor were two smaller lengths of chain. Off to one side of the cross was a black chest that was inlaid with silver.

Looking up Willow saw that four pyramid shaped cages were suspended from the ceiling over the stage.

"Do you like what you see?" Lady Tara's voice purred into Willow's ear, causing shivers to run up the red head's spine.

Willow opened and closed her mouth a few times and then finally managed: "I don't… I don't know what everything is for?"

Lady Tara smiled mysteriously and reached out running her fingertips lightly down Willow's arm. The skin that she touched tingled deliciously. "I'll show you."

The Mistress sauntered over to one of the posts that surrounded the stage. "This, my dear Willow, is a whipping post. It's meant for punishment or … pleasure." She purred the last word and looked at the Mage with smoldering blue eyes. Willow gulped feeling like she was a bird that was being stared down by a cat.

"You see, what happens-" She cocked a finger towards Loki, who Willow had forgotten about, and motioned for the woman to come to her. Loki was beside Tara instantly her head bowed in a submissive position.

Lady Tara reached out and caressed the side of Loki's neck. She whispered something into Loki's ear. Loki nodded and moved away into the shadows, only to return a moment later with a pair of cuffs with a chain between them. Tara smiled seductively at Loki as she took the cuffs and attached them to Loki's wrists.

"The submissive is bound," She nodded to Loki, who gripped the chain between two hands and swung it up onto the hook so that her muscles were pulled nearly taunt and she was facing the post. "This way the most sensation is experienced by the submissive, and their body is the most prostrate for their Mistress."

The blonde sighed as she took in the form of her submissive. Willow had to agree. The way the post stretched out the Assassin's body caused the red head to wonder what it would feel like to be that open to someone. Especially, someone like Lady Tara…

Willow's mind flashed with visions of herself being naked. Her nipples rubbing up against the grain of the wood as her arms were stretched out above her. Without her consent, her breath hitched and Lady Tara looked knowingly at Willow before giving the red head another enigmatic smile.

"Come with me Willow."

The Mistress turned and advanced to the stage. Willow hesitated. Lady Tara turned back. "Yes, Willow?"

The red head turned and looked back at the Assassin that was still stretched prone against the wood. "Are you going to let her down?"

Lady Tara gave a half smile and shrugged. "Loki can take care of herself. See."

Willow looked back and in the few moments that it took for Willow and the Mistress' exchange, Loki had managed to unhook the shackles from the whipping post and then release herself from them. Willow's mouth dropped open.

"Impressed? That's not the only thing she's good at releasing…" Tara stated with enough double meaning to make the red head blush. Loki just gave a mischievous smile and wink at Willow.

The red head found it difficult to swallow as she followed the Mistress up to the cross on the stage.

"This," Lady Tara turned, a seductive glow to her face. "Is my favorite, mmm, implement. Do you mind?"

The Mage shook her head as Tara placed a hand on Willow's lower belly and gently began pushing her back towards the cross. Willow's body was humming with energy, originating from the place Tara was touching her.

"You see, the submissive is lead to the cross and then pushed up against it," Willow felt her body being firmly pushed up against the cool silver. She shivered, though she didn't know if it was from the coolness of the cross or from the strong sexual energy that was radiating off of the Mistress.

"Then the submissive is bound, feet and hands-" The blonde nudged Willow's thighs apart by gently nudging them with her own. Lady Tara then ran her hands up the length of Willow's arms all the while holding the red head's gaze.

Willow stared helplessly into the deep blue eyes. Her brain tried to work but her body was burning with arousal.

"This leaves the submissive open to anything the Mistress may whim. Or, anything the submissive may want…" Tara's eyes were hooded with apparent arousal as she held the red head's gaze. "Is there anything you want Willow?" She asked huskily her lips brushing against Willow's.

The Mage's mouth went dry. She licked her lips. She didn't know if it was to bring moisture back to her suddenly parched lips or if it was to try and catch a fleeting taste of Tara.

"Uh…" Was all that Willow could manage before they were interrupted.

"Lady Tara," A singsong voice spoke from behind them. Willow thought for a moment she saw Tara cringe but the movement was so quick she couldn't be sure. Tara held Willow's gaze for another moment and then let go of Willow, turning slowly to face the interloper.

"Yes, Drusilla?"

Drusilla was the last person Tara had wanted to see.

"Yes, Drusilla?" Tara asked with all the enthusiasm as a child going to church. The lithe dark haired woman put on a face of mock hurt and pouted.

"Mistress isn't too happy to see me, is she?" She asked to a deathly thin looking sub to her left. The sub looked up; his expression glazed and shook his head.

"No, Mistress." His reply was as hollow as his cheeks.

"Tsk, tsk that makes me sad. Especially after all that I've done for her…" Drusilla replied audaciously.

Tara looked at Drusilla, her blue eyes cold. "You haven't done anything for me."

"Such anger…" the lithe woman shook, "And they call me the Mistress of Blood-"

"What do you want Drusilla?" Tara cut in.

"I have a patron coming in today. Since he's very important, I thought I would greet him personally." Drusilla looked about her. "But it seems that no one is here… except someone who is not suppose to be." A wicked grin crept onto the lithe woman's porcelain features. "Who are you hiding Tara?"

Lady Tara's nostrils flared at the Drusilla's impertinence in calling her by her name and not her title. "I'm not hiding anyone."

"But you are Mistress," Drusilla stepped around Tara and looked at Willow. "My my, a young powerful thing with fire in her hair and eyes…"

Drusilla walked to Willow and looked the red head up and down, sizing her up. "She's very strong. She's very young and… she's never been touched."

Tara's eyes shot to Willow's face in time to catch the shock and mortification that played over the red head's features.

She's a virgin! Oh Goddess… Arousal shot through the blonde followed closely by fear. Virginity was commodity, especially in the Night Clan. Tara realized that Willow was going to be sought after by every Mistress in the Clan. The red head would have to be on guard…

Drusilla turned back to Tara. "She's not wealthy enough to pay the tithe to lose her virginity here… why is she here?"

Though Lady Tara's face was composed, in side her emotions clashed. She couldn't tell Drusilla that Willow was caught trespassing because that would put the red head in danger worse than death, but she also couldn't lie and risk being found out – that would cost her her position and put both Willow and her self at risk. Come on Tara think…

"She paid the tithe." Loki spoke from behind Drusilla. Tara looked up quickly at her sub. Loki's gray eyes caught Tara's blue ones before she dropped them into a submissive gesture. In that moment, Tara caught her sub's silent apology.

"Really now Loki?" Drusilla turned and stalked up to Loki. "And if I were to ask you where the money went?"

A grin played upon the corner of Loki's mouth.

Loki don't say anything stupid… Tara held her breath. Even though Loki and Faith commanded respect for being the Tara's sub they were still subject to respecting even the lowest Mistress's in the Clan. The blonde silently hoped that Loki wouldn't do or say anything that would command punishment.

"I'd tell you it's none of your business." Loki replied to Drusilla.

Tara groaned and cheered inwardly at the same time. In one minute, Loki had managed to save Tara's position as the Night Mistress as well as save and release Willow from her debt. But she had disrespected a Mistress, which meant Tara would have to release Loki to Drusilla for a time.

This thought made Tara sick. Drusilla was known for her cruelty to her subs. Granted her subs for some reason unknown to everyone else, seemed to enjoy it.

Lady Tara, though, did not relish the idea of Loki be subject to Drusilla for any amount of time. Drusilla had been trying to get a hold of Loki and Faith for sometime. Drusilla craved Loki for the woman's ability to take the most severe punishments and still walk away and function normally. On the other hand, Drusilla wanted Faith because the lithe woman lusted after the dark haired Assassin.

Tara saw the gleam in Drusilla's eye as the lithe woman turned and faced Tara. "Mistress, your sub has disrespected me. I demand retribution."

"And you shall have retribution, what do you wish?" Lady Tara replied formally even though she wanted to hit Drusilla as hard as she could.

"I wish to punish her." Drusilla stated, a hungry look in her eye.

Tara gritted her teeth. "You may punish her, under the condition that it is performed her in the Show Room for the public to see. And she is not permanently marred in any way."

Drusilla looked disappointed. "As you wish."

"The punishment shall commence at the mid day bell." The Night Mistress said in a tone that left no room for discussion.

"Fine." Drusilla threw back and turned on her heel leaving the altar. "Come slave – we must find my patron."

With that the Mistress of Blood was gone. Tara looked towards Loki who was still in a submissive stance.

"pet, go and ready breakfast for me as well as my new found guest."

"Yes, Mistress." Loki replied and left quickly. Tara watched Loki leave with a sick feeling in her stomach. She had deemed that Loki's punishment be in public but that didn't mean that Drusilla would hold back at all. She worried for her.

Turning back to Willow she managed a smile. "Willow. Do you care to join me for breakfast? Then we shall return to the Show Room and take in a few of the scenes, so you can see what we do here."

Willow nodded. "Yes, thank you Lady Tara."

Tara led them out of the Show Room and towards a large, ornate staircase. Willow sensed a change in Tara's mood as they ascended the stairs.

"Lady Tara, can I ask you a question?" Willow began.

"Of course, Willow. Besides, you don't have to ask to speak now. You are officially a guest now – thanks to Loki. What can I answer for you?" Tara replied solemnly.

"What just happened back there?" Willow asked chucking a thumb over her shoulder towards the direction of the Show Room.

Tara laughed tersely. "Politics."

"O-okay." Willow was confused. She looked over at the blonde.

Tara's brow was furrowed. "We'll discuss it when we reach my chambers, it's safer."

Willow nodded and walked the rest of the way to Lady Tara's chambers in silence, wondering what exactly she'd gotten herself into.

As Tara led Willow towards her chambers, thoughts ran ramped through her mind.

Part of her was completely intrigued by the beguiling red head that was walking beside her. In the twenty five summers that she had been alive, Lady Tara had never met anyone that had captivated not only her attraction but also her mind and soul as quickly as the Mage had.

Through all the patrons and Mistresses she had experienced, even with her own two devoted and loving subs whom she loved and adored, she'd never felt as strongly as she was feeling towards Willow.

It disturbed and yet fascinated her at the same time.

Tara came up to the two red oak doors of her chamber.

"Here we are," Tara announced as she reached the doors. Without a reply, Willow sprung into action and pulled open one of the doors. A small crooked smile crossed Tara's features. Interesting.

"Thank you, Willow." Tara whispered. As she stepped past the Mage, she ran her fingertips across Willow's jaw. The Mistress felt the red head shiver at the contact, which caused a mirror reaction in the blonde.

Tara stepped into her chambers and then stepped aside to allow Willow to see her board. Tara smirked inwardly as the red head gasped quietly.

"This is… amazing." Willow breathed.

"Isn't though?" Tara mused. She watched as Willow took in the surroundings. They were standing in a round foray that was divided by hanging wine colored cloths that effectively separated the foray from the Mistress' sleeping area.

The drapes were pulled aside to reveal the Mistress' large four-post bed. On either side of the bed was a large oval window that reached from the floor to the ceiling. Willow moved forward and peered around the drapes. Off to the left of the bed was another freestanding cross. To the right was a low table that was surrounded by cushions. On the table, Tara noted, Loki had obediently set breakfast.

Tara smiled as she saw her sub standing with her hands behind her lower back, gazing out the window behind the table.

"It looks wonderful Loki," Tara spoke rousing her sub from her thoughts. Loki turned and inclined her head slightly.

"Thank you, Mi'lady."

Tara's smile faded as she heard Loki's emotionless tone. The Mistress' turned to Willow.

"Willow, if you like, you may begin breakfasting with out me. I must speak with my pet." Tara spoke gently. Willow nodded her understanding. Tara looked at Loki "pet. Come with me."

The Mistress moved off further to the right, towards a single archway that led into Faith and Loki's private quarters.

Tara stepped into their quarters and turned as Loki entered. She reached out and caressed Loki's cheek.

"What's wrong Loki?" The Mistress of the Night Clan asked. Loki's gray eyes were downcast and her jaw was flexing. Tara knew her sub well enough to know that she was wrestling her emotions.

"I'm sorry Mistress." Loki muttered despondently. Tara's chest tightened at her sub's tone.

"For what, pet?"

"For speaking out of line. For lying to Drusilla and thereby forcing you to give me up to her. For releasing Willow from her debt without your permission." Loki listed off the reasons quickly with shame in her voice.

Tara's face contorted into a sad smile even as her heart was about to burst with pride and love for her sub. She's not even worried for her herself. She's worried that she's displeased me. Goddess she's wonderful.

The Mistress wanted to pull her sub into a comforting embrace but she resisted. She really wanted to know the reason behind Loki's actions.

"Why did you do all those things pet?" Lady Tara asked in an even tone that betrayed nothing of her feelings.

"Because Mistress," Loki finally looked up and held Tara's eye. "I want to see you happy."

Lady Tara sighed. "Seeing you punished by Drusilla's hand does not make me happy."

The shorn woman looked up and caught Tara's eye. "Pardon my boldness, Mistress, but I'm not talking about momentary happiness."

The Mistress opened her mouth to reply only to see Loki's infinite knowledge of her Mistress. It seemed to Tara that sometimes her submissive knew more about her than Tara knew of herself.

Relenting, Tara reached out and pulled her sub into an embrace. Settling her face in the musky, soft skin of her sub's neck she inhaled deeply and then sighed: "I just wish you could have found another way that didn't land you in Drusilla's blood stained hands."

Loki shrugged, gently wrapping her arms around her Mistress' back. "Can you think of any other way?"

Tara pulled back and looked seriously at her sub. "Promise me that you'll use the safe word if it becomes too much."

"And disgrace you? Never, Mi'lady." Loki shook her head resolutely. "I will make you proud."

Tara used her lips and nipped at Loki's chin. "You make me proud anyway."

The sub's patented mischievous grin crossed her features. "Really? So, you'll show me tonight?"

Chuckling, Tara ran her hand over her pet's head. "Of course, pet. I show you nearly every night, don't I?"

Loki nodded. "But at least this time you'll have a reason."

Tara growled and pulled Loki into a fierce kiss before pulling away roughly and purring: "You better watch your tongue, or I'll find something for it to do."

"Promise?" Loki slipped in another cheeky remark.

"That's it," Lady Tara growled grabbing Loki by the back of the neck and pulling her head down so that the Mistress could whisper into her pet's ear. "You just earned me a tongue lashing."

"Oh, yes Mistress!"

Willow sat down and perused over the food that was laid out on the table. There were fruits, breads and exotic looking pastries. The Mage could tell that a good amount of work went into the preparation and she idly wondered if Loki had prepared the meal…

"You haven't touched the food." Tara's husky voice cut into Willow's thoughts. The red head looked up quickly.

"Oh, uh – I… I was waiting for you." Willow managed to get out. It never fails. I look at her and suddenly all my blood leaves my brain. Great, she's gonna think I'm some sort of unrefined scamp.

Lady Tara smiled coyly and dropped gracefully to the cushions opposite of Willow. "That's very considerate of you," she breathed.

Willow said nothing only nodded and watched as Tara picked up a bunch of grapes and delicately began to eat them. The Mage was fascinated. She'd never seen anything so erotic in her life.

Tara held Willow's gaze as she lifted the bunch just above her lips. Her tongue snaked out and curled around the bottom most fruit. With a gentle tug she pulled the luscious fruit from the stem and into her mouth. It was at that moment, that Lady Tara's eyes rolled shut and she chewed the fruit carefully.

"Mmm, delicious," she whispered. Opening her sapphire eyes she looked at Willow. "Would you like a taste?"

Willow nodded dumbly. Giggling, Tara gently plucked a grape and reached over running the fruit over the Mage's lips lightly. "Open up…" she purred.

The red head opened her mouth and accepted the offered fruit. She bit down and maybe it was her imagination or maybe it was the smoldering look Lady Tara was giving her – but Willow could have sworn it was the best tasting grape she'd ever eaten.

Come on Rosenberg! You need to get it together! Willow chastised herself. The red head cleared her throat.

"So, if you don't mind my asking, what happened back in the, uh, Show Room?" Willow asked suddenly taking great interest in the platter that held the pastries. She didn't know why, but for some reason Willow wanted to move into safer territory. Unsexy territory. Definitely need that before my brain explodes.

The Mage suddenly regretted asking as she noticed a shadow cross Lady Tara's face.

"Like I said, Willow, politics." Tara replied grabbing another piece of fruit and picking at it.

The Mage sat quietly waiting for the Mistress to continue. Tara looked up and arched an eyebrow.

"You're not going to let this go are you?" Tara asked. Willow shook her head. The Mistress shook her head. "You're stubborn. I like that."

Relaxing back onto her hip Lady Tara looked at Willow. "As you know, I am the Mistress of the Night Clan. That means that I represent the Night Clan in the Court of the Quinlan Alliance."

"You're a politician?" The red head blurted out.

Tara quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so hard to believe?"

"Yes… I mean… no. It's just with the- sexy and the sex. I didn't…" The Mage stumbled through trying to explain her surprise. Lady Tara laughed.

"Relax Willow. Being from Galen, I doubt you would believe it – but the Night Clan actually holds an immense political power in the Alliance. You see, as I said, the Night Clan is almost a spiritual icon. Since I'm the Mistress, I'm held to an honor code. I represent everything the Clan is about."

Tara grabbed a goblet and poured water from a pitcher into it. Taking a sip she sighed.

"It's a coveted position. The power. The respect. Some view the Mistress of the Night Clan as a rival to the position of Imperial Mistress."

"I obtained my position a few years back when the previous Mistress stepped down. Serving out her commitment to the Clan she decided that she wanted to become a Free agent and marry one of her submissives. So, the Clan was put in the position of having to make a choice between two lower Mistresses that qualified. Myself and Drusilla."

"Qualified? How? I mean, how is one considered qualified?" Willow interrupted.

"The night Clan is all about the exchange of power. A Mistress is only as good as her submissives. The more submissives a Mistress has the better a Mistress she is considered to be, since it's the submissives that choose their Mistress."

"Drusilla had many, many subs. I only had two, Loki and Faith."

"So, why didn't they choose Drusilla?" Willow asked. Tara smiled grimly.

"Because, Drusilla in infamous for hurting her subs beyond acceptable limits. Several of them have "disappeared". Some believe that she seduced weak-minded people who want nothing more than to be accepted, into becoming her submissive. Loki and Faith on the other hand are Assassins who have no allegiance by nature – but they came and willing submitted to me."

"When it came down to the Right of Ascension, the ritual in which the Clan watches displays of a Mistress' qualifications, Loki and Faith were extraordinary in their obedience to me. It was obvious they were devoted. Drusilla's subs on the other hand, one could tell they were just frightened."

"Since the day that I was chosen as the Night Mistress. Drusilla has been doing everything in her power to usurp my position."

Tara fell silent and sipped her water some more. Willow's brain was working trying to process the information.

"So," The Mage asked after a few moments. "What does that have to do with what happened downstairs?"

Tara traced the rim of her goblet.

"It's complicated. You see, I broke Clan rules by allowing you out of the dungeons. As I had said earlier, the ancient mandate is "submit or Die". I don't believe in it. I couldn't bring myself to take away your freedom."

Lady Tara looked meaningfully at Willow. The red head wondered what the Mistress was really saying.

"When I brought you out of the dungeons without your "choice" - I broke the mandate. Only Patrons that have paid the tithe can be in the House of the Night Clan. Drusilla, as obtuse in the ways of human nature as she can be, is incredibly perceptive. She can…sense things. Somehow she was able to sense that you were not a patron. I couldn't lie to her – she would know – she…"

Lady Tara trailed off with a frown.

"She… she what?" Willow pressed wanting to know why Lady Tara, who she'd only seen composed was now acting unnerved.

"She was my first Mistress," Tara whispered.

Willow looked at Tara in shock.

She couldn't fathom Tara ever having been at the will of Drusilla. Not that I really know her, but Tara just seems like such a gentle soul.

Outwardly, all Willow said was: "Oh."

Tara looked at Willow as though she wanted to say something more. She opened her mouth to speak but catching herself, she sighed.

"It's a long story, perhaps I'll tell it to you some other day. If you are here, that is."

"What do you mean, "If" I'm here? I thought…I mean…" Willow stammered.

The Mistress smiled patiently, reached over and laid her hand on Willow's. The soft tips of her fingers played over the back of Willow's wrist. "Just so we understand each other – you are free to leave at anytime, Willow."

The redheaded Mage nodded looking down at the food in front of her. Frowning at her plate, Willow wondered why she was suddenly so confused.

Since the moment she'd come over the wall, she'd wanted nothing more than to escape. She needed to get back to Galen. She'd come to Herisena on a mission to find out information.

Her mentor, Giles and a few other Free Mages had been hearing rumors that the Herisena Mage Guild was planning to bring both the Galen Mage Guild as well as the Free Mages under their charter, by any means necessary.

Giles had sent Willow to find out if this was true or not – because if it was it would mean a devastating three way Magicks war.

Willow had heard enough while spying on the Herisena Guild meeting to know that the rumors were accurate. She would have heard more if a civil guard hadn't spotted her and chased her.

Now, by sheer dumb luck she had her freedom back. She could leave and inform Giles of what she had uncovered, but the rub was this – Willow did not want to leave. Not yet.

It cost a small fortune to come into the Night Clan's walls and an even bigger fortune to be in Mistress Tara's presence as intimately as Willow was now. There would be no way Willow would ever be able to afford to come back if she left.

But she's worth every coin. Willow mused as she stole a glance at the Mistress.

"What is it Willow? What's troubling you?" Tara's voice interrupted the Mage's revelry.

"Uh…I, uh…was just thinking," she replied. She didn't know how, but Tara always stole Willow's ability to make proper sentences away.

"About?" Lady Tara prompted leaning forward, her blue eyes dancing.

"Um, someone mentioned something about a tithe and uh, it seems I fit into the category for that tithe and I was wondering what exactly you pay the tithe for if you happen to be someone like me who hasn't been with anyone. Not that I'm a loner – I just mean I've never been with someone in THAT way. Well, I kissed someone before but it never went any farther than that because, well, I really wasn't in the position to be kissing her. Well, I was. I mean, I, we, were standing up – but that's not the kind of position I meant and now that I said that I'm embarrassed because, hello, you're obviously the queen of positions and –"

Willow stopped when she felt the soft, moist pressure of Tara's lips on her own.

She didn't know at what point during her babble Lady Tara had crawled around the low table to her and subsequently began to kiss her. But what she did know was she was now lost in a haze of silky euphoria that was quickly becoming arousal.

The Mistress, at first, just held her lips against Willow's. The Mage moaned inwardly and slowly began to move her mouth against Tara's. Soon, the Mistress had sucked Willow's bottom lip between her own and was seductively running the tip of her tongue over Willow's lip and suckling gently.

Fire shot down Willow's spine and into her clit. Desperately, she reached up and cupped Tara's face, trying to pull the blonde in more.

Tara, for her part, pulled away and smiled knowingly.

"You're evil," Willow whimpered. The Mistress' smile became lopsided and cocky.

"Now, where were we… of course, you were asking about the virgin tithe?" Lady Tara pressed on with the conversation, even though she was fully away of what she had just done to Willow.

All Willow could do was nod.

"Well, Willow, the virgin tithe is for those who wish to give a great gift to the Goddess. To willingly give your virginity to a Mistress or Master of the Clan is a high honor to that said Mistress or Master. Mainly because a virgin does not know the ways of the flesh. For someone to freely submit and let their virginity be taken without the first idea of what is about to occur and to do so without being in "love" is a huge show of faith in the Goddess and her ways."

Tara looked into Willow's eyes. "Most who give the virgin tithe – stay in the Clan. Most of the time they become submissives of whatever Mistress or Master performed the right with them. It's any incredibly intense experience for both people involved."

The Mage found herself lost in Lady Tara's eyes. She knew that there was more meaning behind just the words the Mistress was speaking. The redhead searched those endless blues for the Lady's true meaning but she found that she couldn't focus when she looked into Tara's eyes.

Willow opened her mouth to ask what Tara meant but she never got the chance as the sound of a bell echoed through the chamber.

Lady Tara inhaled deeply as she broke eye contact and looked towards the ceiling.

"Mistress, it's the mid day bell." Loki spoke softly from behind Tara. Lady Tara closed her eyes and nodded.

"Thank you, Loki. Are you ready?" Willow noticed that the Mistress' voice had a slight tremble of emotion to it.

"Of course, Mistress." Loki replied as she took Tara's proffered hand and helped her Mistress up.

"Very well then… shall we go?" As she spoke she looked at Willow. The redhead stood up. "Come Willow, hopefully you will find something enlightening about this."

Willow stepped around the door. She had taken a few steps when she realized that Loki and Lady Tara weren't behind her. She turned and felt her heart tighten a little in sadness.

Behind her, Tara had pulled Loki's head down her arms were wrapped about the base of Loki's neck and the other was cradling the sub's head to her neck. Lady Tara was whispering gently into Loki's ear, her full lips moving over the flesh. She paused and then turned and pressed a kiss to Loki's temple.

The sub pulled back a little and Tara pressed another tender kiss to her sub's lips before releasing the woman and walking towards Willow.

Willow looked down quickly hoping that she hadn't intruded on the moment between the Mistress and the sub. It had been so tender and so loving; Willow began to wonder if maybe her long held views on the whole Domination/submission interaction weren't completely off base.

The three women walked in silence back to the show room. Loki stepped around Tara and Willow and knocked once on the door. The heavy doors, now being attended to by servants, swung open.

Tara heard Willow gasp again at the sight of the Show Room. In the hour or so that they had been breakfasting the Show Room had transformed.

All of the tapestries had been pulled back allowing everyone in the chamber to see the main altar.

Tara noted that many of the Night Clan's inhabitants as well as their patrons had begun to fill up the three tiers of seats that ran along the wall that the Cross faced. Others had assembled around the altar itself.

A few of the Mistress' were having their slaves pleasure them as they waited. There were soft moans and the occasional sound of flesh striking flesh.

The room quieted down though as Tara entered and strolled purposefully yet gracefully towards the altar.

Tara noticed as she walked around the altar there was a young Mistress whose sub was still licking feverishly at her pussy. She arched an eyebrow as she neared the Mistress. Through her lustful haze, the Mistress noticed Tara looking questioningly at her. Quickly, the Mistress put her foot on her sub's shoulder and pushed the young man away.

Tara paused for a moment in front of the young woman who looked down in shame. Satisfied by the act of apology, Tara continued towards the front of the altar.

For the first time, she saw that Drusilla had brought her own personal whipping post. Tara flinched inwardly as she remembered the post.

The dark wood was covered in embedded nails. Thus, as the sub or slave was whipped and their body naturally jerked forward, their flesh was pierced by the metal. The nails led to a sub or slave reflexively thrusting back towards the blows to save themselves from the dual pain of being stabbed. With the tensing of their body, the blows hurt worse in themselves. Either way, the pain of the punishment was worse than a normal whipping.

Tara's mind and heart raced with concern for her sub. She well knew that Loki was renowned for her ability to take the most severe of punishments – but Tara and any of the other people she had allowed to punish Loki had never inflicted the amount of pain Drusilla could inflict with the use of her post.

The memory of her one time upon the post passed through Tara's mind. She shuddered. Drusilla only used the Post when a sub or slave had severely angered her. Tara had only angered Drusilla once and she never did again.

Lady Tara looked around in the dancing lights of the torches and realized that she was probably the only one in the room other than Drusilla's own subs who had experienced the Post. The rest of the audience had no idea what was about to take place.

The Mistress was snapped back to reality as Drusilla approached her.

"There you are Mistress." She said the last word with seething hatred. "Is your deliciously naughty sub ready?"

Tara forced herself to keep her cool and hid her fear and rage towards the smaller Mistress. "Yes, she's ready. You may have her for the period of half an hour."

Drusilla smiled evilly and Tara could have sworn she saw demented pleasure pass through her eyes.

"Remember Drusilla, she can not be marred beyond healing. You may not harm her beyond reason. You must obey the safe word and I reserve the right to call off the punishment if I feel it's getting out of hand." Tara laid down the rules.

"Of course, Mistress, but you well know you will lose respect if you do." Drusilla sneered.

"I know," Tara turned to Loki and spoke, her voice emotionless. "pet. For the next half an hour you shall obey Mistress Drusilla."

"Yes, Lady Tara." Loki bowed her head. The Mistress of the Night Clan looked pointedly at Drusilla giving her an unspoken warning. Drusilla just smirked.

"Will the Guardian of the Show Room please bring me shackles," she announced loudly. A look of disbelief and anger flashed across Tara's eyes.

Faith came forward from the shadows. Rage had settled into her body and on her face. Tara could sense that her other sub's emotions were out of control. She knew that the only reason why Faith wasn't attacking Drusilla was for Tara's position and for Loki's safety.

Faith walked to one of the chests and pulled out a pair of shackles and stalked towards Drusilla and Loki.

"Would you be so kind as to remove her shirt and place the shackles on my slave," Drusilla spat the last word at Faith. "And lead her to the whipping post."

The dark woman's jaw flexed. She fixed Drusilla with a look that would have killed her if it was a weapon. She turned her gaze to Loki. It instantly changed and softened.

Tara choked back a sob as she saw the look pass between her two subs. It was tearing Faith apart to have to be the one to strip, shackle and restrain Loki. Faith placed the shackles on her shoulders as she stepped towards Loki. Her hands ran down the Loki's sides gently, sliding her fingers under the hem of Loki's shirt she gently pulled the fabric upwards. Her hands lightly caressing the soft flesh of Loki's stomach and ribs.

Tara forced her face to remain impassive as watched Faith's attempt to comfort her partner even in the face of painful experience.

True to form, though, Faith and Loki went through the ritual with precision making Tara's heart once again soar in pride for them.

Faith returned and stood by Tara. The Mistress glanced at Loki and for a moment appreciated the shaved headed woman's beauty. Her lean strong muscles, her full but not large breasts. The way she held herself with pride even though she was half naked in front of people she didn't know.

Tara turned and looked at Faith.

"pet. Come and sit with me." Tara ordered but her eyes held a desperate need to have Faith beside her.

Faith nodded and with one last look at Drusilla followed her Mistress back to her usual seat on the first tier in the center. Tara sat down gracefully, Willow on her right and Faith on the floor by her feet.

Drusilla waited until they were settled before snapping her fingers. A thin woman hurried to her with her head down holding a long, vicious looking bull whip in her hands.

Tara felt Faith tense and placed a hand on her shoulder. Partially out of comfort to her sub and partially out of comfort for herself.

Drusilla took the whip and walked towards Loki.

"You can only count and thank me for your lashes. Any other noise will result in a stricter punishment. If you forget to count – well, let's just say that it would be better if you didn't forget." Drusilla purred as she walked around the whipping post.

She gently caressed the skin of Loki's back before laughing tersely and walking back a few paces. She locked gazes with Tara before spinning quickly and raining down the first screaming blow onto Loki's back. The strike split the flesh open and Loki instantly pulled closer to the pole piercing herself.

"One. Thank you, Mistress." Loki called out loudly her voice already edged in pain. Drusilla laughed again and landed the second strike.

Tara flinched as she saw it land. She reached out and grabbed Willow's hand before she even realized what she was doing.

"Two. Thank you Mistress."

Drusilla landed eight more blows, one right after the other, barely giving Loki time to "Thank" her properly.

"Ten…Thank you, Mistress." The sub bit out, her voice cracking. Her back was crossed with bleeding wounds and her front had punctures from where she had involuntarily jerked against the whipping post.

The dark haired Mistress dropped her arm and hummed a little to herself. She flicked her wrist slightly, causing the tip of the bull whip to twitch like a cat's tail. Slowly, she moved towards Loki.

Willow felt Lady Tara's hand, and subsequently her body, tense. The red headed Mage tried to soothe the blonde by releasing some of her energy to calm Tara.

The Mistress of the Night Clan turned briefly towards Willow: It's all right Willow. I'm fine.

The Mage's mouth fell open. Wha – how?!

Not now Willow. Lady Tara returned, keeping her eyes fixed intently on Loki and Drusilla. Stunned, by the mental exchange, Willow looked back towards the scene.

Drusilla was circling the whipping post, tsking.

"So, you really are a strong little assassin. Most have cried out or passed out by no. No fun. But you…you haven't." She purred. "Now I wonder if it's because you're one of the chosen few that find unbelievable pleasure in the throes of agony or if it's because you're Mistress taught you well."

The dark haired Mistress stopped and ran a manicured nail up the length of one of the wounds, causing more blood to bubble up from the wound.

Willow could see Loki shaking from the new pain and realized that it was by sheer will the sub was remaining conscious.

"Well, which is it? Are you blessed? Or did your Mistress teach you well?" Drusilla asked.

"Mistress Tara," Loki managed, "taught me well."

Drusilla laughed tersely. "Is she really worth all this? Is she worth the pain that you surely must be feeling?"

"She's worth all of this and more," Loki spit out.

Untold rage crossed Drusilla's face. "I don't think you're telling the truth."

Drusilla stepped back and sent the whip flying again.

"Eleven." Loki remembered to count. "Thank you, Mistress."

The smaller Mistress walked back up to the whipping post. "Do you want to know what I think? I think that you are one of the select few that are blessed by the Goddess. One of the few subs that find their pleasure in pain, I don't think it has anything to do with your Mistress." Drusilla regarded Loki's form for a minute, running her tongue over her teeth. "Let's take a peek, shall we?"

With that Drusilla stepped off to Loki's side, so that she was facing Tara directly, and roughly shoved her hand down the submissive's pants.

Willow saw Faith tense and ready as though to strike, but Lady Tara kept her hand firmly on Faith's shoulder.

"Drusilla!" Tara spoke, her voice commanding attention.

The smaller Mistress looked at the blonde, a defiant smirk still on her face.

"Lady Tara, are you invoking the safe word? Because it would be a shame that poor Loki here went through so much for your honor only to have you disgrace yourself."

The red head studied Tara's profile. Her face was impassive but Willow could feel the anger rolling of the blonde.

"I am not invoking the safe word. You chose punishment for Loki – not pleasure. You have violated your spoken intentions. For that reason, by the laws of the Clan, you have revoked half of your time with the submissive. You have five minutes left. Now, remove your hand or I will have you up on that post." Tara finished evenly.

Drusilla cast a death look towards Tara and pulled her hand from Loki's pants.

"My apologizies Mistress Tara," Drusilla seethed and then flashed a brilliantly sadistic smile and turned towards Loki. "Fear not pet – there is plenty of fun to be had in five minutes."

The Mistress snapped her fingers and two thin slaves scurried onto the altar. One held what appeared to be a black leather hood. Quickly, they removed the shackles from the hook they were suspended on. One steadied the sub gently while the other pulled the hood on.

The hood had no eye holes, just a circular opening where Loki's mouth was. Across the opening were thin metal bars. Willow didn't know if it was for intimidation or protection.

With the hood in place, the slaves gently (Willow noted) turned Loki around so that her back was to the whipping post. They lifted Loki's arms and refastened the shackles to the post.

Willow, absorbed in the change of position didn't notice Drusilla procure another whip. This one, the red head recognized, was a cat o' nine tails but instead of leather strips – the flogging tendrils were made of fine chain.

The Mage cringed. She could only imagine what kind of pain the whip would produce, especially with the sub's already punctured front.

For a moment, Willow wondered why they had put the hood over Loki's head but the first wild blow answered that question.

There was no control with the whip. The strike sang and left a splayed pattern of rising welts across Loki's chest and stomach.

"Remember, slave, you may cry out at anytime." Drusilla taunted the bound woman before bringing down another blow.

The five minutes passed slowly for Tara. She watched in helpless torment as Loki was punished by Drusilla's hand.

No. Not helpless. But Loki had asked her not to use the safe word no matter what, that if need be Loki would invoke it. But Tara wondered if Loki was even conscious anymore.

Tara had given up watching Loki. She knew that she couldn't stand the sight of her sub's body being punished, no not punished, tortured. She instead turned her attention to Drusilla.

The smaller Mistress was panting and moaning slightly with every lash she fell on Loki. Lady Tara knew from experience that Drusilla was becoming highly aroused from beating. Had Loki been Drusilla's slave, Drusilla would have long ago released her and made Loki pleasure her.

The Mistress of the Night Clan also knew that if Loki were to scream, the sound would send Drusilla over the edge. Sick, twisted wench But Tara also knew Loki would never give Drusilla that pleasure.

In all the situations in which Tara had given her sub over temporarily to someone else – Loki had never made a noise without first Tara's permission.

Tara smiled inwardly. She knew that Loki and Faith reserved all their passion and unabashed pleasure for her and her alone.

And for each other, of course Mistress Tara thought as she looked down at Faith sitting beside her feet. She gently reached out and caressed Faith's dark tresses. The dark haired assassin almost imperceptibly tilted her head towards Tara's hand. Seeking, though she'd never admit, comfort there.

"Don't worry, pet, it's done," She whispered to Faith before standing.

"Time's up!" Tara ordered. Instantly, Show Room attendants hurried onto the stage. Faith scrambled up and looked at Tara. Tara nodded once and Faith bolted towards the altar and was beside Loki in seconds.

"Come Willow," Tara commanded softly.

The Mistress approached Drusilla. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

The shorter Mistress turned. She was panting and a flush had crept up her usually porcelain pallor. Hatred danced in her eyes for Tara, but she said nothing. Tara looked at her knowingly and then turned towards where Faith was helping Loki out of the hood.

She wanted to rush over there and make sure that Loki was okay but she knew that she was being watched by other members and patrons of the Night Clan. Therefore, it was her sacred duty to appear detached and unconcerned.

Faith had managed to get the hood off by the time Tara reached her pet's sides.

Loki was standing with the help of Faith. From a quick assessment, Tara could tell that Loki was dazed and in her own world. The world in which she was purely detached from her physical body and was wholly in submission to Tara.

"Loki, pet, can you hear me?" Tara asked softly.

"Yes, Mistress." Loki replied in an odd tone. Tara's stomach clenched.

"You did so well my pet. I am so proud of you." Lady Tara continued her voice steady and soft. Tara knew that only she could bring Loki out of her world.

Tears of pain and relief came to Loki's grey eyes as her sub's mind came out of it's recesses. "Thank you, Mistress."

The blonde resisted the urge to gather Loki into her arms and comfort her. Later, I'll repay her later. Instead she turned to Faith. "pet, be so kind as to take her to your room and summon the healers."

"Yes, Mi'lady."

Faith started to help Loki towards the doors, when she stopped. "Mistress, remember that Mistress Elizabeth is coming for your company today."

Tara nodded. "I remember Faith. Go, take care of Loki."

Faith flashed a rare smile and helped her partner towards the doors. Tara watched them go and then turned to Willow.

"So?"

The red head herself looked dazed.

"That was unbelievable. She…I mean…she took that punishment and still managed to walk out of here. How? That's…wow. How did she do that?" Willow wondered aloud.

"It's a gift." Tara replied as she herself started towards the door.

"What do you mean a gift?" Willow inquired, following.

"Hmm, you see – Loki and Faith are truly devoted to me. That's their gift. We've developed a deep bond of trust and respect. At times like this they focus solely on that bond and slip into complete submission to me." Lady Tara explained as they left the Show Room and headed towards her chambers.

"But, how? You weren't the one punishing Loki – Drusilla was." Willow's face was scrunched up in confusion.

Tara resisted the urge to laugh at the adorableness of it.

"True. But I told Loki that I was giving her to Drusilla for the time. Hence, it was my "wish" that Loki be punished. Even though, truly, it was not my wish for her to experience that. But for Loki, it was my command therefore she was able to go into that place of submission." Tara glanced sideways at Willow and saw confusion. She stopped and gently grabbed Willow's hand.

Gazing into emerald eyes she said: "You don't understand now – but perhaps someday you will."

Tara reached up and traced her thumb along Willow's jaw before leaning in and placing a chaste kiss upon the Mage's lips.

"Now, I must go and get ready for a patron. You may come if you like and perhaps if it's all right by her – you may watch a true "ritual" to the Goddess." Tara spoke lightly.

Willow gulped. "You mean…watch?"

Tara gave a half smile. "If it's all right by you and Mistress Elizabeth…"

"Mistress Elizabeth?" The Mage squeaked. Lady Tara nodded amusement on her face at the panic threatening to over take Willow.

"Like in Mistress Elizabeth – her Imperial Mistress?" Willow asked again. Again, Tara nodded.

"You mean – Buffy?"

A full blown smile spread across Tara's face. "You know her?"

The red head's eyes widened as she nodded before they rolled back into her head and she hit the floor.

Part 3
Foreplay