My Demon's Realm

Discipline

There were many times that I felt like a pet in Asher's presence. Like when he whistles to get my attention, how firm his voice gets when he tells me to come over and sit on his lap and the ever-present threat of punishment if I disappointed him. I hate disappointing people.

Ever since that day Courtney and Asher were messing with that spot behind my ear, I started feeling an odd tingling feeling up and down my spine. It doesn't hurt, but it's not normal and it kinda freaks me out, like, maybe they did something to my nervous system but I couldn't figure out what.

I was just laying on my side on the living room couch, having cocooned myself in one of Asher's many plush blankets. Maybe I was hiding myself from him, maybe I didn't want to talk to him. I was homesick. It was a stupid fucking feeling, I know- and I've always hated living with my parents, but somehow, right now, all I can think of is wanting to see my dog again. That dog had saved my fucking life from how depressed I was. He was a service dog, Coco, a black lab, he was trained to help me manage my fainting spells and help me with my auditory processing disorder. I'm disabled as fuck, and he was the only one who really helped and it took me so long to convince my parents to let me have him. Mostly my dad, he's allergic to the dander and absolutely refuses to take meds for it. Apparently he can just 'pray the blocked sinuses away'.

So, I'm homesick for my dog, so what? Life goes on. I'm way too good at getting by with less and less and less. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I hear a gentle, yet mildly amused voice but I can't make out the words. It sounds like my ears are underwater, this happens whenever I'm stressed- the world stops making sense. Asher pulls the blanket away from my head and I can tell that he's concerned by my lack of response as he sits back on his knees on the floor next to my head. He's talking, I know, but I still can't make out what he's saying... maybe something about if I'm okay? No, his tone is getting firmer like it does when he's giving a command the second time. Fuck, what do I do?

"S-sorry, Master. I can't hear you," my voice sounds tearful, I can tell, and I am actually crying at this point. Shit, now he's practically yelling, he looks annoyed. I strain my ears, my eyes locked on his lips. Yes, I can read lips.

"Did you or did you not go outside last night without my permission?!" he's yelling. My eyes widen and my jaw drops as I realize how serious he's being. Is this one of those times he would punish me for?

"Uh-uh I-" I swallow and clear my throat, giving him the best apologetic expression I can muster, "please forgive me, Master, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight last night." It's true, I was crying pretty much all day yesterday and being left alone while Asher was running errands didn't help. There wasn't much to distract me from my feelings and thoughts. Asher grabs my chin, holding my head in place so I can't look away, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

"That is no excuse, mortal," he's furious, "I ought to teach you a lesson, yes?" I'm scared.

"N-n-no, it won't happen again, I promise!" am I going to start sobbing? It feels like it. His grip on my chin tightens.

"Oh? And how would I know that you're being honest, mortal?" he pauses then leans in a little closer, getting into my face, his jaw clenched, "I can't. That's the answer. I'm going to have to do something in order to make sure. Understand?" I nod a little, I'm not sure what else to do. I've always been taught to be lenient to authorities. That, and I have a strong fawn response.

He stands up, looming over me as he brushes off his pants and stretches a little. Suddenly, I find myself hanging upside down by my ankles, and I let out a startled yelp before tucking my chin to my chest to try and see Asher's face, his expression is... cold. Distant. I slowly let my body relax, my arms dragging along the floor as I stare at the ground while he carries me towards the downstairs bath... my mind is racing, what is he going to do, how upset is he, can I do anything to fix it? He sets me down on the counter, laying me down on my back as he instructs me sternly,