mind later,” Kyle replied with a wicked grin. He went off to the bar, and Claire took the opportunity to survey the other occupants of the room. Across the room, Melody stood near a table, accompanied once again by the young female attendant. She wore a bright red dress in the same soft fabric as Claire’s. The sashes on her dress were crossed in front to wrap around her tiny waist and tied in a large bow at the back, like the kimono of a geisha. Melody’s hair was slicked back as well, but her head was bare.
Her attendant was dressed in the same attire as Kyle, wearing only a black thong, black cloak, and high heels, once again naked from the waist up. Claire could see that her nipples were painted a bright cherry red that matched Melody’s dress.
Her other traveling companions were arranged around the circle too, with wide spaces separating them. Each of them wore a gown of the same soft, flowing fabric. Every dress was a different rich shade, accented with a matching feathered headdress. Claire couldn’t help thinking they looked like an exotic flock of birds, nesting here as darkness gathered.
Lady Gwen appeared on the stairway. Tonight Gwen had on a full length dress in the deep color of a mellow Cabernet. It was cut in a low V in the front, showing off her magnificent cleavage. She headed down the stairs, gracefully putting one foot in front of the other in another pair of gorgeous stilettos.
No wonder she’s going so slowly. I’m surprised she can stand upright in those heels, Claire thought. They were what the girls at the office called “fuck me” shoes.
But it was the woman coming down the stairs beside Gwen who had Claire staring openly. Glistening skin the color of café-au-lait, head completely shaved, wearing the full battle dress of a classic dominatrix. Or at least, what Claire imagined a dominatrix would wear. Black leather bustier that fit her like a second skin, thigh-high shiny black boots, even black latex gloves reaching halfway up her arms. She, too, wore bright red lipstick, and her dark eyes were set off with extra-long, obviously-fake lashes and glittering gold eye shadow.
“That’s Mistress Jade,” Kyle murmured, handing Claire a glass.
She sipped, never taking her eyes off the newest member of The Dark Side cast. Maybe this place is actually one of those audience-participation weekend getaways, where the guests are part of the show and the actors are improvising based on our reactions, she thought. Could it all be an elaborate hoax?
Lady Gwen moved regally into the center of the circle, motioning Jade to join her.
“Welcome to your first lunar gathering here at The Dark Side of the Moon. We celebrate moonrise every night, just like they celebrate sunset in Key West. Only our celebrations are not for the faint of heart. All of you were drawn here because you longed for a place, a time, where you could shed your inhibitions and give way to those savage hungers you dare not admit, even to yourselves, by the light of day.”
Lady Gwen went on, “But daylight has been vanquished, and here the moon rules. Come forward, Melody. Come and taste what you yearn to experience—the power of submission, the passion in pain. Mistress Jade awaits.”
The young female attendant rose and held out a hand to a nervous Melody, ushering her into the center of the circle. Kyle leaned forward, his mouth against Claire’s ear. “Melody requested this. As you know, she’s been here before. It was her fantasy this time to live out a domme/sub experience in front of everyone. Her erotic thrill will be enhanced by the forced exhibitionism and the public humiliation as she takes on the role of the submissive. She may look nervous, but I guarantee her pussy is already wet.”
Mistress Jade never spoke, merely gesturing her requirements to the attendant.
Gwen moved to the perimeter of the room, issuing instructions and keeping up a running commentary from the shadows. “Melody, on your way here