White Shimmer

4] A Shimmering Birth Mark

While I am strangely entranced by Bastian's control over me and his fingers sliding against my bottom lip, I wonder if my freedom will ever be regained.

As from this moment, I had lost all control.

In the Paradox Palace, all power was in the Protector's hands.

... and Bastian clearly liked his position.

And I was weirdly okay with it, mentally I was calmer than expected. But perhaps I was just in shock?

"You're going to stand up, Seri," Bastian murmurs, "And you're going to undress so I may finally review you."

"What does that mean?" I breathe the words past my lips onto his fingers and I stick out a tongue to taste the saltiness left behind as he finally drops his hand, but holds my gaze as I do so subconsciously in the moment. 

Bastian slowly smiles at my reaction but thankfully doesn't embarrass me by mentioning it.

"A review is purely physical. I can work out what acts you'll be best suited for as a Pleasure Pet," Bastian steps back and raises his hand, "Come on, I won't have all night. Get moving."

"Oh, okay," I'm surprised that he sounds far more professional now.

This also helps me stay calm.

I try to keep any sexual vibes out of the moment by jumping to my feet and doing exactly what he says.

I take off my work belt and coveralls.... then I eventually slip off my top, looking at my feet as I reach for the bands of my panties.

"Not necessary," Bastian murmurs in approval... and I have the weird sense that he is rewarding me for undressing so quickly. He was giving me a slight break from the intensity of the situation.

Now, I cross my arms over my exposed breasts, medium sized, not too small, not too big. I just lick my nervous lips and look down as he slowly walks around me without reaching in to scare me.

I couldn't believe within seconds of my actions, I was naked and being appraised.

In Bastian's Lair.

But here I was.

Was I a fool...? Or was I smart for following orders thus far?

I'm sure this could be a lot worse if I had shown any defiance.

"...the mark of the paradox," Bastian whispers in shock as he stands behind me.

I spin around, my eyes wide as I look up to see if he is joking.

I don't know what he means by what he said, but it sounds scary and serious.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"You have a birthmark on your back," Bastian meets my gaze, "A white shimmer along your hip. It's a part of a extremely important prophecy."

"Am I... still going to be a Jewel?" I ask, "Please tell me I'm not going to get sacrificed or something."

"No," Bastian shakes his head, deep in thought as he turns from me and rests his chin in his hand as he looks down and thinks, "Hmmm... that was..." he looks up and meets my gaze, "Unexpected. Seri."

"Hmm? I'm... still confused about what this means," I murmur, now showing a slight tad of panic.

"You're marked as she who will bind the palace and protect the stone," Bastian explains, seriously and without any humour, "The Protectors work as one council. Four brothers, born at once - my brothers. And another set of 4 quadruplets. Another four brothers. Which make up the other half of the council of Protectors. My family controls the elements. The other four... well... they use magic via darker... extractions."

"What?" I whisper.

This was a lot to take in.

"Vampires," Bastian scoffs on the word, but clearly holds respect for the four brother that he's mentioned who aren't related to him, "Anyway..." he turns back to me, hesitates... and eventually holds out his hand, for me to shake, "It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Seri... bearer of the Paradox."

"Um, okay?" I whisper as I reach out and grasp his hand, and I'm still freaking naked except for my panties. 

The moment his fingers thread through mine, I gasp as Bastian grasps me tight, lets out a laugh and pulls me forward, jerking me into his chest.

"Little fool," Bastian murmurs and I look up into his eyes while my breasts are somewhat hidden by his chest, "You shouldn't have accepted the job, Seri. Falling into my trap. Instead, you should have run far... far away."

"What's the catch... about this... prophecy mark or whatever it is?" I blurt out the question.

Clearly there was a catch and he was about to tell me.

"It's not a simple thing of fate, Seri," Bastian shakes his head, smirking, "Now you must be a Pleasure Pet but not just for me any longer," Bastian explains in a content drawl, "But for all of the council. 8 of us. After all... we are all fated to fall in love with you. And that is what will bind us together."

Wow.

Um.

What?!

Okay.

That was the last thing I expected to hear.

But for some reason, I believe his ridiculous statement. My heart, weirdly... was warming in acceptance. My intuition even said yes to his dramatic words.

And in this moment... I believe my whole life is about to change.