Page 106 of Reforging Onyx

No. Definitely not.

Dominic smiled. “Internet or cell access, no,” he agreed. “Though I could be persuaded to load your tablet up with materials other than your games for you to access.”

“I don’t mind just having the games.” Onyx shrugged. “If there’s anything else I’m curious about, I’ll just ask you.” He sat down at the desk with Dominic, like he always did when it was time to eat instead of sitting on the floor. “Am I allowed to be friends with my tutors?”

Dominic hummed thoughtfully. “They have been well screened,” he allowed. “But I do not have the same level of visibility on them when they are away from the house as I have with Shane, who lives here as well. That said, I am not entirely opposed to you having others to associate with. The rest must proceed with caution.”

Onyx eyed Dominic, unsure of what to make of that. The other witch was really going to let him try to make more associations outside of Shane? He hadn’t expected that. Oh, he knew that Dominic had tried to get him to make nice with the other slaves at the dinner party, but that hadn’t gone well at all. This, though…

Cecile and Lawrie seemed nice enough, and if they were willing to befriend Onyx on top of teaching him, all the better.

“Okay,” he said, relaxing slightly as the servant arrived with their food. Then he had no room for speech because he was too busy eating.

There would be plenty of time for more discussion later.

Chapter 42

Onyx

Everything had ground to a halt since the attack.

Onyx hadn’t exactly been looking forward to lessons, but they had been a novelty in what otherwise became monotony, so having them canceled was a blow. He made up for that by exercising more with Shane, though they hadn’t had any more time to talk.

Besides, what more was there to say? Dominic and Shane were busy trying to find out what had happened — or more accurately, who was responsible for what had happened — and Dominic was leaving Onyx mostly alone. The most they’d come to sex had been when Dominic had given him a handjob that morning. No fingers, no mentions of Onyx taking his cock, simply a handjob. It had been fine, and Onyx had reciprocated, but thank fuck, nothing else had come of it.

Now, though, Dominic had a serious look on his face while they ate breakfast, and Onyx eyed him for a moment before asking, “What? Why are you looking so irritated?”

“Because I am irritated,” Dominic said shortly, but then he sighed. “I am hosting a small dinner party this evening, and I will need you to be on your absolute best behavior.”

The idea of a dinner party briefly sent a flicker of panic through him as he thought about the last one. Would Nathan Warwick be there? His pet? Surely Dominic had learned from the last time that Onyx didn’t want to make nice with other slaves.

As he took a deep breath, though, he realized that it was simply strange. Dominic had canceled everything else. Why would he be throwing a dinner party, small or otherwise, when his house had practically been shut down while he searched for the leak or traitor — or both?

“Why are you having a dinner party?” Onyx asked warily, taking a break between bites of food to watch Dominic and his expression. “You won’t even let me have lessons.”

Dominic took a sip of his coffee. “One does not,” he said each word distinctly, “refuse courtesies to the Council when they are requested. Nor to their representatives.”

Oh.

That made more sense.

“So they heard about the attack?” Onyx asked. The timing was too weird otherwise, especially if the Council was insisting on being catered to. Dread was an icy finger down his spine at the idea of having caught their attention at all.

“That remains unclear, but I believe that to be the case, yes,” Dominic said. “What specifically it is that they are trying to ascertain is unknown. They have not been so forthcoming.”

“I can just stay up here,” Onyx offered as his stomach churned at the idea of being around representatives of the Council that was responsible for sending him to Dominic to begin with. “Then you don’t have to worry about me accidentally misbehaving.”

Or freaking the fuck out, more accurately, though he didn’t want to label what had happened the last time that way.

“Unfortunately, your attendance is required.” Dominic sighed.

“Great,” Onyx muttered. “Just great.”

“I can have you at my feet or on display.” Dominic’s words were matter-of-fact, not indicating any bias of one option or the other. “If that would be easier.”

Onyx balked at the idea of being on display again, reminded of those early days all over again. He was only just starting to calm down after the attack and what had come on its heels, and he didn’t want that memory nipping at his heels. “I’ll stay at your feet."

Dominic nodded, then sighed again. “I must have your obedience, Onyx,” he said, his voice softening. “I would prefer it if it were not the case, but it is. Total obedience. Misbehaving will have to be handled immediately and decisively.”