She disappeared inside.
Toma closed the door behind her and stood in front like a sentry. Daisuke came over too, creating a human wall.
Reo quickly went to the other door and shut it, making sure he could see both entrances.
Hiro pulled out a knife from under his fur coat and came closer.
The rest of the Claws’ expressions shifted to menace as they stalked forward too.
Fast, I leaned over, wrapping the chain around the slave’s neck, and yanked him up until his knees were an inch off the ground, snapping the slave's head back with a vicious jerk that compressed the chain tightly against his windpipe. His eyes blew wide.
A strangled gasp ripped from his throat as the metal links dug into flesh.
"You have my grievances for Hiroko." I crouched low, bringing my face level with the slave's. "I amtrulysorry. Whatever your arrangement, whatever she asked of you—I understand. She was a formidable woman, and you served her well."
His lips were turning blue.
Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. The veins in his neck pushed up the fabric.
I pulled the chain a fraction tighter. His hands clawed at the collar. Those fingers scrabbled uselessly against metal.
"But this ismyTiger." I sneered. "Don't fucking touch her anymore tonight. Not her leg. Not her hand. Not even the hem ofher dress. You keep your eyes on the floor and your body three feet from hers at all times."
His mouth opened and closed.
No sound came out.
"And once this party is over, you let her know that you'll be someone else's slave. I don’t know the process. Request a transfer. Find another mistress. I don't fucking care how you frame it—gratitude, personal growth, a spiritual goddamn awakening—but you remove yourself from her service. Permanently."
I leaned even closer. Close enough that he could see the death that lived within my eyes.
The fire.
The bloodshed.
Him and his family burning and withering into smoke and dust.
And then I bared my teeth. "Nod if you understand."
He frantically nodded.
The chain rattled with the force of it.
Toma's voice cut through the room. "She's at the door trying to turn the knob."
I released the chain.
The slave crumpled forward, gasping, sucking air in raggedly, and wheezing.
The door handle loudly rattled as Toma held it still.
Hiro and the Claws melted back into position.
“Keep your mouth shut about what happened.” I stood smoothly, adjusting the leather leash in my hand as if I'd simply been holding it the entire time.
“Be a good little doggy.” Hiro winked at the slave and returned the knife to its place under the fur coat.
Daisuke resumed his relaxed lean against the wall, Hiro examined his cane. Reo picked at a nonexistent thread on his sleeve.
