The Forbidden Room 01 - The Forbidden Room by J. P. Barnaby

Ethan.
    “Do you have any grapes, Ethan?” she asked, still stroking my hair. He said that we did, and went downstairs to get them. We waited in a fairly awkward silence for him to return. Then, she looked down at me and complimented, “You convey a beautiful aura of submission.” She patted my head like I were her puppy, and continued. “Ethan tells me this is your first collar?”
    “Yes, Mistress.”
    Master Ethan came back into the room then with a small bowl filled with red seedless grapes and Mistress Nicole smiled. “Ryan, come,” she barked at him, and I cringed from the lack of warmth in her tone. It was like Ryan was not even a pet – because you would be kinder to a pet. Master Ethan always treated us well, even when we needed to be punished or trained. But, Ryan came quickly yet gracefully on his knees and stopped just beside me. I could feel the hostility radiating from him and it was evident in every line of his face that he did not like that Mistress Nicole had taken so easily to me.
    “Now, we’re going to play a little game. You like games, don’t you boys?” she asked, almost playfully looking only at me.
    “Yes, Mistress,” Ryan and I replied almost simultaneously.
    “Wonderful!” she cried and clapped her hands together as if we had the option of refusing. “The object of our game is quite simple. I will throw grapes into the air for you to catch. The one who catches the most will be given the honor of pleasing me. Is that clear?” she asked, as if she were speaking to small children.
    “Yes, Mistress,” we replied, again in unison. Without warning, she tossed a grape into the air, and I launched myself up off of my knees to catch it in my mouth.
    “Very good!” she said approvingly, as I thanked my parents for my years on the soccer field. Then, she turned around and looked disdainfully at Lexi. “You, girl – keep score. You can count?” she asked scathingly.
    “Yes, Mistress,” Lexi replied without emotion or emphasis. I nearly growled at Mistress Nicole for speaking to Lexi in such a manner, but Master Ethan seemed carefully indifferent. Mistress Nicole threw another grape in the air, closer to Ryan this time. His erection bobbed as he jumped to catch the grape. I looked over to Master Ethan, and he was scowling. It wasn’t all about pleasing Mistress Nicole, I realized, I needed to please Master Ethan too. I had to win. Mistress Nicole threw two grapes in succession this time. They were directed between us, but closer to Ryan. Launching myself in front of him, I snagged both. Master Ethan smiled in approval, and Lexi winked while Ryan growled. I was certain this was about to get much more difficult.
    Mistress Nicole launched four more grapes to various points over our heads, and while I got one, Ryan got the other three. “What’s the score, girl?” Mistress Nicole asked impatiently.
    “It’s tied at four each, Mistress,” Lexi answered.
    “Okay then, boys, here’s a few more as a tie breaker!” she laughed and threw grape after grape into the air and I didn’t even bother to watch Ryan, or the grapes I couldn’t reach. I just bounded up again and again fielding everything that came near me. I pushed my body and my reflexes as hard as I could; I was determined to shine for Master Ethan.
    Finally, the volley stopped, and Master Nicole looked to Lexi. “Well, girl?” she asked, and again I felt a measure of anger welling inside me.
    “Jayden caught fourteen and Ryan caught thirteen, Mistress,” she answered calmly, still looking at the floor. I sighed in relief, and assumed my position once more as Master Ethan watched Lexi carefully.
    “Well, Jayden – it looks like you have the honor of serving me today,” she said smiling down at me. “I have to say that this pleases me.” In a harsher tone to Ryan she added “I will deal with you later – corner position, now!” Ryan moved quickly, but silently, and knelt facing one empty corner of the room, his