The Slave World (22)

(22): Level one restricted

As daylight hours gave way to early evening I began to grow concerned at the lack of texts from Adam. I should have had some sort of reply by now I thought as I gazed at my blank phone screen. My texts to him had grown more worried in tone until finally I had texted: ‘just let me know you’re okay, okay?’

I had tried phoning Mark but it seemed his phone was not responding. Normally that just meant it was in an area without a signal, but in conjunction with text silence from Adam I was beginning to feel justifiable levels of paranoia setting in. I sat on my sofa with my knees drawn up as I pondered what to do. Kassa was clattering around in the kitchen cooking some Polish recipe that we were going to have for dinner, but anxiety meant I had no appetite. A bottle of wine was open on the coffee table and I reached for the glass as I considered all manner of worst case scenarios.

Supposing Adam had been found out? Supposing he had made some mistake and even now he was in a basement of the house being beaten black and blue with a wooden baton until he talked? Supposing the men had found out about Mark, and now he was dead, face down in some woodland area as a shallow grave was being dug to conceal his body?

No this was just paranoia talking. Adam was busy somewhere and Mark was simply out of signal range. It was far too early to start worrying. I gnawed at one of my fingernails and drank some more of the wine. The other nagging concern I had was what would happen to me if Adam and Mark were gone. I was supposed to be Adam’s kajira. If the men found out the truth what would they do with me? I touched the steel ring locked around my ankle and I shuddered at the possibilities. They wouldn't exactly let me go would they.

I heard the doorbell ring and as per usual Kassa went to the front door to see who it was. I heard the low level of words being exchanged down the hallway followed by footsteps and Kassa calling through to me: “Caitlin, handsome man to see you.”

“Adam!” I was up off the sofa in an instant and I ran straight through the door and into the hallway, ready to hug him with relief. Only it wasn’t Adam. I skidded to a halt and stared at the presence of Andromedus from the House of Three Moons standing in my hallway. He wore a suit with an open necked shirt that had to be bespoke tailoring due to his enormous size.

“Kajira,” he said with a smile that lacked any trace of human warmth.

I saw Kassa hovering by the open doorway into the kitchen. Out of sight of Andromedus she gave me a subtle thumbs up as if to suggest I had done well with this latest boyfriend.

“What are you doing here…” I began.

Andromedus did not seem happy by the question. “Have you forgotten the correct form of greeting, kajira?” He took a step towards me and flexed the fingers of his broad powerful right hand. I heard knuckles crack from this monster. “Tower, now!”

“Please… we’re not alone,” I said as I glanced towards a very curious Kassa who made no attempt to remove herself.

“You think I care? Greet me as a kajira is supposed to greet. Tut vahsi!”

There was no way out of the flat except past Andromedus. And even then how far could I get before he pressed a button and did something to my ankle ring? I knew he was dangerous and I knew he was protected. Slowly, with no other option to hand, I lowered myself down onto the carpet and knelt before him in tower with my hands resting on my thighs. “Master…” I whispered feeling humiliated, knowing Kassa was seeing this.

Andromedus nodded and turned to regard Kassa.

“What is this?” she asked of me. “Why you kneeling and call him master?”

“Because she is a kajira, a slave,” said Andromedus as he regarded my flat mate. “Do you not know?”

“No, I have no idea,” said Kassa in amazement. “Caitlin never mentioned she is into this.” Kassa seemed pleased, as if this was a secret that she wished I’d shared with her. “Oh, Caitlin, you such bad girl - such dark horse with slutty secrets! So this is what you do on dates with men? I had no idea you were into sexy kink.”

Run, Kassa, I thought to myself. Get out of here now! Can’t you see how dangerous this man looks?

But Kassa had no intention of leaving now. She watched in amazement as Andromedus lifted my head by my chin and then regarded my jeans and cotton top. “Remove your outer garments, kajira. Show this free woman how submissive you are. Har-ta!”

I must have gone beetroot red by now. Kassa’s eyes were literally popping out of their sockets as I reluctantly pulled the top from my body and then unzipped and struggled out of my tight fitting jeans. I knelt again in tower wearing just the black silk underwear I had recently bought on Adam's instructions.

“See,” said Andromedus to Kassa. “She is kajira. She obeys men, and free women such as yourself.”

Kassa walked into the hallway. “You could have told me, Caitlin. If this is what you like. Is not my bag, but understand English girls enjoy being submissive. I would not object you want this.”

“You are East European?” asked Andromedus.

“Yes, Polish.” She smiled at Andromedus, sensing power, money, and brute strength – three things that appealed to her. “Polish girls not submissive. This not my thing, but have been to clubs where rich men enjoy being spanked by Polish girls. I do spanking if they want.”

Andromedus chuckled. “Earthmen are weak. I would pity them if they weren't so pathetic.”

“I think you not type of man want to be spanked,” said Kassa as she moved closer to Andromedus. “I think you very different.” She seemed pleased with our guest. “I approve. And you not wear shitty Tesco denim. I like you.”

“Caitlin should have told you,” he said. He looked angry with me. “You live with a free woman, kajira and you dare to live as her equal?” Andromedus turned back to Kassa. “This slave is not your equal, Kassa. You may command her from this moment on. She will obey you or I will know the reason why.”

I screwed my eyes shut in embarrassment. This couldn’t be happening to me.

“Does this mean I do not need pay rent?” asked Kassa as she regarded me with one hand on her hip.

“You pay rent to a slave?” said Andromedus.

“Yes. Every week. But I not know she is slave until now.”

“The flat is yours now. Caitlin may live here on your terms until you decide otherwise,” said Andromedus to Kassa. “Show me the bedrooms, kajira.”

I did. And I knew what he was going to say next as I showed him the larger of the two bedrooms which was mine.

“It is not right that a slave should have the largest room. Move your things out into the living room, kajira. This free woman has your room from now on. You will live in the smaller room, or perhaps the free woman will simply chain you in the kitchen at night. The choice is hers.” And yes, he made me go into my room and empty it of all my things. As I carried my laptop out he took it from me.

“Master, I need that.”

Andromedus handed it to Kassa. “You decide when she is permitted use of such devices, if at all.”

Kassa seemed lost for words as she was simply given my laptop, but she wasn’t exactly objecting to the upgrade in the living arrangements or her new rent free status.

“I think is good to share flat with slave,” said Kassa as she regarded the five year old laptop. Kassa couldn't afford one of her own of course. “This is not joke? I really have bigger room and no rent now?”

“That is correct,” said Andromedus. “And you have the services of a kajira.” He motioned towards me. “Caitlin, on all fours before the free woman and kiss her feet. Har-ta!”

I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole, but I dared not anger Andromedus while Adam wasn't here to protect me. I could imagine he might beat me almost to death just on principle. I crawled to where Kassa stood and I lowered my lips to her pumps.

“You know what to say, kajira.”

“Cas kajira por aspin servall, domina,” I said in misery. My pronunciation was pretty good by now.

“She just said 'how may a slave be of service, Mistress', in Gorean. She has had a little training, as you can see, but not nearly enough.”

“You very interesting man,” said Kassa as she left us to move her things into her new bedroom.

“Why did you do that?” I asked as I knelt before him again. “That was cruel. Cruel and humiliating.”

“I did it because your master is too soft with you. You lack training and you lack discipline. It is strange, in many ways Adam is very Gorean, far more so than I would expect from an Earth man, but when it comes to you...”

“Where is Adam? He hasn't answered my texts?”

“He doesn't have to. You are simply his slave. He is not accountable to you, kajira. You lack respect and humility. If you were not in a private collar I would whip you now.”

I shrank back in fear. I had no doubt he meant that.

“Your master will be away for a few days. He seemed concerned that you might be worried so he recorded a message for you.” Andromedus produced his phone again and displayed the screen where I could see it. It was a video recording of Adam speaking directly to camera. He was smiling and looked relaxed, which didn’t mean anything to be honest. If someone put a gun to my head and told me I’d be shot if I didn’t look relaxed and smiling, I’d probably beam away like a Cheshire cat.

“Caitlin, I have some business matters to attend to, so you won’t see me for a few days. I’ve asked for you to be shown this recording so you won’t be concerned by my absence. When I’m back I look forward to you serving me in a slip of white silk with silver bangles on your left wrist.”

The last bit was a direct message to me. 'White silk' was another of our code phrases and it meant ‘I’m not being forced or coerced into saying any of this'. And 'silver bangles' meant he wanted me to know that he wasn't certain that everything was okay, so I should watch my back. I knew he had standing procedures in place with Mark, procedures that I wasn’t privy to, and that Mark would no doubt be aware of what was going on.

“You’ll be a masterless kajira for a few days,” said Andromedus as he pocketed his phone. “I did suggest that we house you in the slave pens in our basement, but he said you were to be left in your flat. I think he is too soft with you, kajira. He allows you a long leash.”

“If you say so, Master,” I replied meekly.

“And I think there is a streak of passive aggressiveness in your demeanour at times, Caitlin. I do not think Adam has actually broken you. A few day and nights in the House of Three Moons would resolve that.”

“Yes Master.” Fuck you, I thought, because I’m not going back there for any of your precious slave training ever again.

“Your flat is a shit hole,” he said as he gazed round at the interior of the run down tower block. “I had considered making use of you while I was here but looking at the state of this place...”

“I’m not available for use,” I said quickly and saw the narrowing of his eyes. He obviously didn't know. I suppose he wasn’t used to a kajira telling him he couldn’t have her. “My master has restricted me,” I quickly added. “I am not to be touched or used.”

“Has he? I do not approve of such things so early in a girl’s slavery,” said Andromedus. “Your master seems too protective of you. He does not bring you to the house for training. He does not offer your use to other men. If I was a suspicious man I would be suspicious.”

I said nothing. I didn’t think it was a good idea to antagonise him in any way.

I kept my gaze lowered as I heard him checking his phone app. He would see there that I was level one restricted by Adam.

“You will never learn your true slave belly while your master restricts you like this,” said Andromedus as he tapped at the phone. He then held it for me to see. “Look up, girl.” I did and to my dismay I saw my profile with the words ‘Caitlin is available for use’ displayed in place of the message ‘level one restricted’. He had changed the setting Adam had selected for me! He obviously had some override authority!

“My master wouldn’t want that! He wants me to be restricted!”

“Your master isn't here.” He tapped a few more times and then smiled that animal like smile. “I suggest you set your alarm early tomorrow morning. You will need to be in central London by ten.” He showed me the screen now and I saw a circle radiating out from Covent Garden. The circled space delineated an area of London away from this flat. “Between the hours of ten and six you will be confined to this area. You will not hide in this tower block and watch TV. I take it you are aware of the game we call ‘kajira catch’?”

I gave a mute nod as I felt my chest constrict in terror.

“You will have eight hours to try and evade capture. Any man who finds you during that time can make use of you. By the end of the day I think you will fully understand what it is to be a kajira serving men.”