I'd been in Seth's home for over a week, now, working away diligently. It amazed me how the the time had flown by.

Brushing my hair behind an ear, I shot him a sideways look. It took great effort to calm my heart. I was really daydreaming, there. How embarrassing, I hope he didn't notice. "I think maybe another week or so, yeah."

"That quickly?" He dusted down the front of his crisp jacket. I couldn't help but notice it was a different garment than the one I'd splashed paint on. I didn't have the guts to ask if he'd thrown the other one out.

He's a billionaire, remember? He can afford a hundred new suits when he feels like it.

I wiped my stained hands on my shorts self-consciously. "Yes, if all goes well, I'll be out of your hair by then."

Saying it out loud, regret cut into my chest.

Then I'll have to leave.

I'll never see that dungeon again.

How had I not thought about that until now? Once I was finished with the mural, Seth would have no reason to keep me here. Then... when he expected Opal to show up... and she-I-didn't, how would he feel?

"What if I wanted you to stay longer?"

My reaction was delayed. I almost stepped backward, digesting his words. Is he serious? "Why would you want that?" I recalled Veronica's comments about how Seth had a thing for me.

He probably just likes the attention... or... or something.

Dammit, I couldn't make sense of this.

Shrugging, he tucked his hands into his pockets casually. "I have other rooms I'd like painted."

Other rooms? I peeked at the gold door below us, sure that he'd noticed. Seth said nothing about it, only smoothed a hand over his styled hair. "Think about it, you might find staying here longer to be to your benefit."

Excitement welled inside of me.

Oh yes, I knew how I would benefit.

Onyx will have more time with me. The decadent thought had me thrilling. Eyeing the mural, a new thought-an old thought that had gotten buried until now-surfaced.

CCAD will be enrolling again soon. How could I balance painting for Seth, with wanting the letter that would allow me access to the future I'd been chasing?

Swaying on my heels, I said, "I was really hoping to catch the next admission period at CCAD."

"You could do both. Think of the money you'd save staying here, and Corbin could take you to the campus everyday. At night, you could work on your art here. Wouldn't it be perfect?"

I parted my lips, then closed them. That would be amazing.

It was also terribly risky.

Here, I'd be able to build up funds, go to class, and achieve my dreams.

I'd also be tempted-constantly-to break the rules as I ran off to meet Onyx. I couldn't hide my identity from Seth forever. Surely, the more time I spent here, the greater the risk?

But...

"I'll consider it, okay." The words escaped. I couldn't get them back.

"Good." He beamed, a smile that was much more genuine and cheerful than any I'd seen him wear before.

"Does that idea make you that happy?" I asked, arching my eyebrows.

Seth's shoulders went stiff. "What do you mean?"

Pointing, my own mouth tugged up at the corners. His mood was contagious. "You just... I've never seen you smile so much before."

As if waking up, his face melted back into the usual relaxed lines. "I guess I am in a good mood. But never mind, I've got things to do, so I'll leave you to it." He spun on his polished heels. I could sense the restrained speed in him, he was fighting the urge to jog down the steps.

I watched him go, confused by what had just happened.

Could it be...

No. Was I so egotistical?

But then, why couldn't it be about me?

Even if it was about me...

Which ME had him so happy?

He asked me to stay. That can't be about just my art. Seth was growing fond of me. I wasn't crazy. His smile was too real.

Then again... Thinking about the last encounter with Onyx, I propped my elbows on the railing. Did I leave a good impression in the dungeon? Is it Opal that's got him so cheerful?

My hand slipped further up my cheek. Uncertainty roiled through my veins. I couldn't tell what Seth wanted.

Maybe he desires both of us.

My playboy assumption was right. He didn't care if he indulged in two different women. Seth was rich-powerful. He had to be used to getting everything.

I'm not special.

Not at all.

Turning back to the painting, I forced the grim worries away with more work.

I was bursting with anxiety, pacing my room and wondering if my plan was actually a good idea.

I hadn't seen anyone go through the golden door in days. Clearly, the events didn't happen every night.

But just minutes ago, people had knocked-and Corbin had let the masked attendees inside the mansion.

If I go back, what then? It was wild before, even if I came out in one piece, but couldn't it get worse?

I had no idea what Onyx might have planned. The only other thing I'd seen in that dark place was the sexual torture of that blonde girl.

My new Master had exposed my inner desires. It was funny, remembering how I'd struck him, demanding he release me. I'd been angry, rebellious.

He'd proven I didn't really want to leave at all.

Onyx had climbed inside my head. Now, he could command me to bow to his wishes without much trouble.

He managed it with bondage, pleasure...

And a spanking.

Thinking of that, I covered my mouth to muffle a moan. That was incredible. How could it be bad, going back to him?

Antsy, like I was an addict who demanded a fix, I finally opened up my closet. The mask was where I'd left it, sitting among the others and watching me with empty eye holes.

I scanned the racks for something else to wear, thinking about how Roseli had shown up in something other than black.

There doesn't seem to be any rule about clothing, I guess people just tend to choose darker stuff. Mulling it over, I grabbed an emerald green dress that hugged my body, tight as the way Onyx had gripped my jaw.

Tying my hair up, I stood back to check my reflection. Twirling, I smiled slyly. I could have been anybody, a woman going to some innocent masquerade-not the filthy one I was ecstatic for.

I wonder if he'll like this outfit.

Wanting to please Onyx had become a steady, but insidious craving. I never even worried this much about what I would wear on a date.

This isn't a date, I reminded myself. For a moment, I looked into the mirror. I couldn't see my eyes behind the mask. I felt... different.

But maybe that was for the best.

Seeking the calmest part of my mind I could dig up, I left the room. Peering down from the railing revealed that the foyer was empty, so I hurried down the stairs.

Gripping the brassy wood, I noticed I was shaking. Is it from fear, or anticipation?

Deciding it didn't matter, I'd already come this far, I slipped through and into the dim passage.

At the bottom, I slowed, my blood rushing the closer I got to the purple curtain. Though I was readying myself for it, I nearly bolted when I saw Corbin.

There wasn't a line like last night; one or two people were finishing up, exiting through the drapes as I approached. The chauffeur glanced up at me, his face neutral and impossible to read.

Does he know, did he figure it out somehow? No, calm down!

Gripping the pen on the clipboard, I paid attention this time to the page I was signing. I didn't need to repeat the surprise of last night's role call.

With one more covert look at Corbin, I walked through the curtain and into the strange, underground world hidden beneath the Hollywood mansion.

The room was emptier than last night. They were all here to watch the new slaves get called. Now...

Now, I realized, the other members were off enjoying themselves elsewhere in the tunnels. Turning in place, I nearly slammed right into Onyx before I had a moment to wonder where he might be.

The noise I made was a small, squeaky breath of air. He seemed as much a part of this place as the gold door itself.

His outfit was tight, charcoal. The shirt was open, displaying his glistening rows of ivory muscles.

Still, always with those gloves.

Hugging his long fingers, the smooth material caught the light, displaying the texture for a moment. Onyx linked his hands behind his back, wordlessly staring down at me with an aura of pure confidence.

It filled me, made my knees weak and my tongue swollen.

Kneel, kneel, I reminded myself as I fought the distracting fog in my brain.

Carefully, trying to be more elegant than last time, I dropped to the floor and bowed my head. With my legs bare as they were, I was grateful for the plush rug.

"Hello, little jewel," he mumbled, sounding like he was more pleased than he wanted to admit. Something touched the top of my head, tracing down to brush my temple. It was clearly his hand. When he tilted my face up, he smiled. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes, Master," I whispered, knowing it was true.

His laugh was rich and dark as molasses. "Follow me." He let me go, turning to walk away. Where he had touched me, my skin was scalding with anticipation.

Standing quickly, I followed behind him down the tunnel.

I watched how he moved, enjoying the gentle sway of his wide shoulders. He had a powerful grace, like a hunting panther.

Not paying attention to where we were going, I almost didn't recognize that I'd been down this passage before. When we passed through the open curtains, and I saw the familiar couches, that unforgettable table, I knew.

This is the room I wandered into the first night!

The room where I'd watched the blonde woman get fucked.

Inside, there were no other people, but my nerves still sparked as I stared around. Why did he bring me here?

"Come." He'd moved to stand by that foreboding table, his tone revealing he couldn't even conceive of me resisting. On legs as unstable as wet spaghetti, I walked towards him.

Mere feet away, we sized each other up. I was trying to judge his face, the cut of his smile, looking for any sign that could help me predict what was about to happen.

For his part, Onyx only parted his lips in a toothy grin. "You look lovely tonight. It's a shame you won't be wearing that dress for long."

Those words, mentioned so calmly and factually, caused me to swoon. My mouth went dry, keeping me from speaking. I was grateful for that. Arguing with him would only make this worse.

"Take it off, girl." He flicked a finger at me, strict as ever.

If I don't listen, will he spank me again?

The concept filled me with a burning lust, quick as lightning. Excited by his firm instructions, the way he stood there, unwavering in his position of power, I forced my hands to the hem of my dress.

Inching it up, I pulled it over my head, like tearing off a bandage. If I gave myself too much time to ponder my actions, I was worried I'd freak out. My mask, caught in the motion, almost pulled free. Shit!