Chapter 135

   Burke lay there in his room. He futilely reached out to his ilharn with his mind. There was only an echoing silence. Nothing he tried connected him. He knew it was useless, but he tried summoning the cold to shatter the lock. All he got was a headache. He couldn’t believe that he’d fallen into the hands of a human trafficker. All of the scenarios he could conceive resulted in him raped, tortured and killed.

   The finally opened and the young man entered flanked by the two goons.

   “You are to be educated in pleasing a man. You will not be touched, but you will watch.”

   One man casually stripped off his clothing while the other one stood beside Burke. He tried to turn away but the goon forced him to watch as the young man knelt and took the other goon’s penis in his mouth.

   Burke felt sick watching this. His fathers had taught him there was nothing wrong with having sex or wanting to have sex, that sex was a wonderful expression of a couple’s love for each other. This travesty being played out in front of him was not about love.

   The young man carefully explained everything he was doing. This was a much more thorough sexual education than anything he’d ever experienced before.

    After both goons were finished, the three of them departed, leaving a stack of books behind. Burke idly flipped through the top one. He hastily put it down, his cheeks flaming. Boredom soon drove him to reading the books. He lost track of the days as they blurred into each other. His only entertainment was the books and the daily teaching visits.

   Eventually, the goons came to lead him downstairs to meet his fate. He stood there waiting for the man to acknowledge him.

   “Ah, Burke, have you read the books I provided?”

   He nodded, blushing.

   “Good. The client has arrived. He will examine you shortly to determine your suitability for his purposes.”

   Soon enough the door opened and another man walked in. Burke had to struggle not to vomit. The man practically radiated evil. He looked ordinary enough, but he stank of blood and pain.

   “Is this the one you’ve acquired for me?”

   “Yes, sir, it is.”

   “It is male.”

   “A herm.”

   “Virginal?”

   “Of course. I do know what I’m doing.”

   “Hmmm…vampire born?”

   “Yes, sir.”

   The stranger walked slowly around Burke, assessing him like a piece of meat. “You’ve tattooed him.”

   “Yes. It is standard practice. Is that a problem?” the procurer asked nervously.

   “No, they will not interfere. He will do, however there must be a reduction in price since he is not exactly what I ordered.”

   “Of course, sir.”

   They haggled for a few minutes, but Burke could tell the procurer was only doing it for appearances. All too soon a price was agreed upon and Burke was dressed and escorted to the man’s car.

   “Where are we going?”

   “You will not speak unless spoken to and you will always address me as ‘Master’.”

   “Like hell I will!” Burke protested. He screamed as agony suddenly shot through his body.

   “The tattoos do more than merely mark you. They are magically binding compulsions. Displease me and you will feel agony unlike anything you’ve ever felt before. The best part is that it leaves no visible marks.” The man explained dispassionately. “I trust there will be no further outbursts?”

   Burke nodded as the pain faded. He’d truly never felt anything like that. He began to suspect that he’d have been better off he’d been sold as a sex slave. Whatever this man wanted with him, it couldn’t be pleasant or conducive to a long life…