Page 5 of Ashes to New

He was letting her off easy, which served to heighten her fear.

What was he saving her for? Who was he saving her for?

Chapter Three

WHILE A LIGHT punishment,ten strikes of his belt hobbled Elsbeth. She limped back to her rooms to search for the collar she would wear for the next three months. School was the one saving grace in life. He couldn’t refuse her attendance. A few tears threatened to fall, but she wouldn’t allow herself to cry. Tears were a waste of time, and with each breath, more time would pass.

After a thorough search, the collar was once again wrapped around her neck. It had fallen to the floor during her hasty cleaning spree, hidden between the nightstand and bed. Taking in a deep breath, she once again tucked the more fragile pieces of herself back into the darkest recesses of her mind. A brain vault was what she needed, a place where she could shove all the important pieces of herself and lock them away where they would be safe.

She’d left Forest alone with their foster father for far too long.

It wasn’t hard to locate them. Music played, the soulful deep melody of Hans Zimmer’s “The End” filled the air, setting the mood and lifting the fine hairs at her nape. Clark Preston’s music would change with his sexual appetites. This choice proved worrisome because it placed Forest at the forefront of whatever was to come.

Her bare feet slapped on the travertine tiles of the kitchen. As she moved into the flowing open space of the kitchen and great room combination, the sight of Forest on his knees, harness already attached, confirmed her fears. Clark Preston had begun before hisguests arrived. Her anxiety level tripled. He wasn’t a man with great stamina, a blessing she counted many times. That he’d already engaged with Forest meant Clark Preston intended to be more of a spectator later tonight.

She approached the edge of the carpet, feeling the heat of Clark Preston’s gaze settle upon her bare flesh. Lowering to her knees, she assumed the waiting pose, toes tucked under her legs. She sat straight, her attention locked on Clark Preston, so she wouldn’t miss an unspoken command.

Forest faced her, his eyes full with pain. The harness pinched his flesh, and the collar constricted his breathing.

Elsbeth hated her helplessness to stop the abuse. Her palms slickened with sweat, and her gut twisted at the sight of the purplish hue overtaking Forest’s face.

Someday, Clark Preston would go too far. The only thing saving them right now were the mandatory monthly check-ins by the caseworkers, not that he wouldn’t be able to fabricate a story about how an awkward and troubled teen might have taken his life via strangulation.

A shudder rippled through Elsbeth as she counted out the seconds while Clark Preston sodomized her best friend. Forest bore the torment, eyes closed and jaw clenched, while she thought of something, anything, but what Clark Preston was forcing her to watch.

The moment stretched out, time slipping away, time standing still, time flowing with a mind of its own.

But time did pass until, finally, Clark Preston pulled out. With a yank of his trousers, he dressed himself and then sauntered into the kitchen. He’d yet to make eye contact with her, ignoring her as she knelt by the edge of the carpet.

He pulled out his cell phone and swiped at the screen. “Ah, perfect.” His chuckle had her squirming. “Our guests will be heremomentarily.” Opening the fridge, he pulled out a beer and popped off the top. “Elsbeth, the judge will be joining us tonight. He was quite pleased last time and asked for you again.”

The mention of the judge had her stomach heaving. Fortunately, Clark Preston had his back to her and didn’t see her gagging, but her voice trembled, betraying her state of mind. “Yes, sir.” The words barely made it past her lips.

Clark Preston came to stand beside her and grabbed her hair. Wrenching her head up, he forced her to face him. “He said you were a little distracted last time.” His eyes cut to Forest, who was still kneeling in the middle of the great room, catching his breath. “Give the judge your undivided attention tonight.”

That was the thing with Clark Preston. With a simple glance, he conveyed intent. Behave. Be endearing. Please the fat-assed judge. Failure would lead to consequence, and Clark Preston knew exactly how far she would go to protect Forest from the whip.

“Yes, sir.” Her voice was remarkably steady now.

“That is good, little one.” He turned his attention to Forest. “Clean up. I have a special surprise in store for you.”

Forest opened his eyes. For the briefest moment, he held her gaze, but then his countenance splintered with the knowledge that he, too, would be participating in Clark Preston’s games.

“Yes, sir.” And, like her, Forest’s voice held steady.

The doorbell’s shrill call had her stiffening while Forest jumped. Clark Preston released his grip on her hair.

“Our guests have arrived.” With a snap of his fingers, he commanded their attention. “Come.”

The moment Clark Preston headed to the door, Elsbeth and Forest exchanged looks, taking strength in each other for what they would have to suffer through, but they didn’t dare linger. Forest peeled off the harness, clambered to his feet and preceded her down the hall. She followed without hesitation.

Together, they knelt and waited while Clark Preston answered the door.

Chapter Four

THE MEET-AND-greetbetween the three men continued for an interminable length of time. Elsbeth’s knees ached with only the thin wool of the rug to cushion her from the harsh marble floor.

Judge Henry Johnson kept glancing to where she knelt. Like Clark Preston, he, too, wore a suit. Plaid suspenders held his pants up, and atrocious argyle socks peeked out from beneath his trousers. He had flowing blond hair combed over the patch of baldness on top of his head. His beady brown eyes simmered with brewing lust, and his cock tented the expensive wool of his trousers.