Page 19 of Naughty

"Don't make me force you."

I weigh my options. I could fight him. Would I win? Probably not. If I do fight him, he'll still find a way to force me. At least if I obey him right away, I might gather some more goodwill in my favor. Ducking my head, I reach out and take the glass. Better to submit now and find a way to fight later.

My fingers tremble as I grab the glass and bring it to my lips. The scalding liquid flows down my throat, warming me up from the inside out. The spicy notes of ginger and cinnamon fill my nostrils, lulling me into a familiar calm.

Groaning, I stretch and flex my fingers as everything returns to a normal temperature. I wait for the telltale high to sweep through my body. Closing my eyes, I pray up to the Fathers that whatever Master Marcus has me do, it won't hurt Master Claus or Christmas. This vendetta has to stop.

I open my mouth to beg him to let all of it go, but nothing comes out. Fuck. So, that's what he's doing with this one. He lifts his hands, and my body moves, just like a puppet without strings. His mouth opens, and his words pour from my lips. This is worse than any other concoction he's made me down.

Walking towards the door, he opens it and motions for me to go outside. My heart cries out as I leave the safety of the small room. I so desperately want to dive back in and slam the door. No. If I'm being honest with myself, I want to be back in Master Claus' room, bound up in his ropes, his gentle hand brushing away my tears.

My heart cracks as I realize I'll never get that chance again. I don't know what Master Marcus has planned, but I know he won't let me go back with him. Either Master Kris or I will die. That's the only way to be free of this nightmare. I fight as best I can, my steps halting, but his will is too strong. As we near the door, I can hear several voices. My heart leaps for joy when I hear Master Claus. Perhaps he's come to rescue me?

Master Marcus must have seen the hope shining in my eyes because he leans over and chuckles in my ear.

"You left him a note, sweetheart. He's not coming to take you home."

Blood drains from my face. I didn't leave him anything. The last thing I remember before waking up in the cage was Master Marcus hitting me. I was tied up before then. What did he say? What did he tell him?

I want to cry out, to tell Master Claus it wasn't me, but I can't. I know I can't, and yet I try anyway. My head aches and throbs from the exertion, but I keep trying. The moment I stop is the moment that everything goes to Krampus.

"Don't hurt yourself, dear. That will be my job after you help me dispose of Kris."

I plead with my eyes. I beg him with everything in me to let him live. I can't allow myself to be a part of this plot any longer. Ignoring me, he grabs me by the arm and thrusts me towards the door.

"You know what to do. Make me proud for once, Noel."

Again, my body moves despite me yelling at it to stop. As I turn the knob, my heart shatters. This is it. There's no way anything will be okay after this.