Her eyes opened slowly. She didn’t know when she’d fallen asleep. Sophia’s memory of the entire night was…missing? She remembered making it back to her bedroom. She remembered the desire that had consumed her. But she couldn’t remember anything beyond that, nor could she recall any dreams she might have had. It was almost a relief.

Almost.

Something still felt wrong. She didn’t feel like she’d just gone to sleep and woken back up. She did feel refreshed, but something was missing. Sophia couldn’t explain why she felt like she had a gap in her memory, but the thought nagged at her all the same. She kicked the blankets off of her and looked out the window. The sun was barely up. There was still plenty of time for her to get herself put together before heading to Miles’ home.

She picked up the clothes she’d discarded without care before bed and put them with the rest of the laundry. Need to take care of that at some point soon. Sophia yawned. She raised her arms over her head in a stretch. They felt odd this morning, now that the sleep was leaving her. She straightened her arms out in front of her.

Her elbows.

Those markings.

She nearly cried out before biting her tongue. Thick black lines over both of her elbow joints.

Sophia ran to her bathroom to try and scrub them off. They didn’t even smudge. A part of her wanted to try and scratch it away, but she stopped herself. Even if there was something strange going on, it was still her own skin. Anything that would hurt her needed to be a last resort.

Sir. He must– She felt her train of thought completely halt when she realized how she’d referred to him. It felt good. Why did it feel so good? I need to talk to M– to M–Sir. I need to stay calm. I need to talk to Sir. Sophia bit her lip. Maybe… Maybe this new development will help him understand what’s going on. He really seemed concerned last night, so maybe– She dug through her clothes for something long sleeved, eventually turning up a brown sweater. She took a calf-length skirt to go with it. Anything that would keep people from asking questions.

He can try and figure out what’s going on with me while I’m working. Sir– her pulse quickened– will solve this. He has to. She didn’t know why her faith in him was so unwavering today, but it was better than giving in to the panic that was rising in her chest. She quickly tied her hair in a bun before taking a minute to calm herself and get into the carriage outside. It was waiting for her, just like S–Miles had told her it would be.

The carriage slowly came to life, rolling its way back down the path it came from. It was so quiet inside. Sophia huddled in the furthest corner of the seat she could force herself into and pulled her knees to her chest. With the shock wearing off, she felt a dam burst inside of her. She began to cry softly. What is happening to me?

***

She didn’t cry for long. The last thing Sophia wanted was for Miles to see her so upset. She dried her eyes on her sleeve and composed herself. Soon enough, she found herself at his door. She raised her hand to knock on his door. “It’s open, Sophia.” His voice instantly set her at ease.

Sophia stepped inside. A pleasant buzzing disrupted her thoughts. “Sir?” she called out, trying to ignore the arousal that was building between her legs. She received no answer as she made her way down the hall. Miles was standing in the doorway to the sewing room. There was a smile on his face, and his gaze felt intense. “I– I’m glad you’re here today. I need your help.” She pushed the sleeves of her sweater up past her elbows. “It’s gotten worse.”

Miles took her arm in his hands and leaned forward, bringing it close to his eyes. His hands felt so good. She immediately began to crave more of his touch. “And when exactly did you see these for the first time?” He sounded contemplative. “Is it possible that they were there last night? I’m curious.” He rubbed her elbow with the hand he was using to support it. Sophia hadn’t imagined that he could be this gentle.

“Well, I–” She could feel just how red her cheeks were. It was embarrassing. She was a grown woman! Surely she was beyond feeling butterflies when an attractive man gave her even a bit of attention. Something about him just made her feel small in his presence. Focus, Sophia. She took a deep breath, clearing her head. “No, I don't believe so. When we spoke yesterday evening they weren't there.”

“True, I would have seen them. What about after that?” He straightened himself back to standing, but didn't let go of her hand. It felt nice.

“The strange thing is that I just… Can't remember anything after you left last night. I remember going inside, and I remember going back to my room, and nothing else. But I really only noticed that just because of how strange my last few days and nights have been,” she explained. “I've had some very vivid dreams fo–”

“I'm not really interested in dreams, Sophia.” He rubbed his chin. “Is there anyone else who practices magic back in town?”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean? Would you not know if someone did?”

“I'm not all seeing, Sophia. I'm a mage, not a psychic. Come here.” He pulled Sophia into the sewing room. There was another table across the room from where she had been working, almost completely covered by a collection of books. “When I arrived home last night, I was still intrigued by your predicament. Those markings you have are magical in nature, which would explain why you haven't been able to remove them on your own.” He picked up one of the books. “Sigils,” he said simply, pointing to a diagram on the page. “I'm worried that someone in town may be trying to put some kind of hex or curse on you.”

Sophia found herself speechless. She sat down at the sewing bench and put her head in her hands.

“I told you before that I could prepare a room for you, and I believe that it would be best if you stayed with me until we can determine the source of this. As long as you are under my roof, no one will be able to continue the spell. My main concern is slowing its spread.” He approached her from the other side of the table and lifted her chin. Her eyes met his. She couldn't look away. “I know this is sudden. But you're asking for my help, and this is what I can offer you. You'll continue your work on my collection, and I'll figure out what's happening to you.”

“I– I, I can't just, I have–” Sophia stumbled over every word, desperately trying to collect her thoughts. His eyes were so gorgeous. His black hair was tied behind his head. She felt a tingling in her fingers and in her chest just looking at him. “What do you mean? No one in Nebela would want to do anything like that to me!”

“Do you have an alternative theory then, Ms. Reed?” His tone was cold, his face narrowing into a glare. “You came to me with this. If you've solved this on your own, then by all means, heal yourself.”

What if it's him?

Her heart was racing. His ire had completely disarmed her. She also felt she had no other options. No one else in Nebela had this kind of expertise. “No, Sir, I don't have any other explanation,” she whispered. His face relaxed in an instant. She felt a pleasant buzz in her head again. “I should at least make a return trip home to finish up a few last errands. And I'll need to pack some things– Gods, Jeanette is going to never let me hear the end of this,” she muttered, standing to make her way back to the carriage.

Miles stood firm where he was, placing his palm gently against Sophia's cheek. She froze. “You should stay here. Make me a list of what you need from your home. The last thing we should do if you truly are being targeted by someone is sending you back outside. Here, you will be protected by the wards on my property.”

“Yes, Sir.” She felt completely overwhelmed, but reassured by Miles’ promise to keep her safe. Something about him made her want to believe what he was saying; not that she was in danger, but that he could shield her from it. If she couldn't believe Miles, who could she truly trust? There wouldn't be anyone in Nebela with the magical aptitude needed to protect her. And the way he looked at her with his hand on her cheek, the faintest hint of a smile on his face…

Miles scribbled a quick list of items Sophia mentioned she would need from home. She cursed herself for not being able to clean before sending him to collect her things, but it was the least of her worries at the moment.

He made for the door, then stopped. “Ah, right. If you're too shaken to work, I understand, but you might want something to keep yourself occupied. Sit, please.” The mage went back to the wardrobe and pulled the doors open. Sophia sat back down in front of the sewing machine. He placed a white blouse and a short navy skirt down on the table. “Something simple. I think it might help take your mind off of things.”

She put her hand on the garments. “Yes, Sir. I think you might be right.”

He placed his hand on the back of her neck, squeezing his fingers gently. She couldn’t help but gasp. “You should say things like that more often.” He walked away, his hand lazily tracing over her shoulder as he left.

She heard the front door close. “Yes, Sir.”

***

Sophia didn’t understand how she had ended up here. It was a crowded Saturday night at the tavern. She was meeting someone here, helping Sir get some magical component he needed from a merchant who dealt in such wares. No matter how hard she tried, she never could understand what Sir’s work involved, even when he explained it to her. Sometimes she wondered if he confused her on purpose. Surely not. Such things just aren’t my strong suit.

Normally she wouldn’t get involved in something like this. Sir liked to handle his business himself, but he couldn’t tear himself away from whatever experiment he was currently working on. But what really made Sophia confused about this specific exchange is that he’d sent her in a cropped white blouse that revealed the entirety of her stomach and a skirt that only just kept her from exposing herself to the world if she was careful.

Without anything underneath.

She hated just how exposed she felt, but couldn’t deny that there was something of a thrill to go along with it. Sir told her it was essential, and that it wasn’t her place to question his instructions. She pushed her way through the crowd. The building had a cacophony of voices, echoing all around her. She finished a lap around the common area and sighed. She barely knew who she was looking for. They were going to find her.

Fortunately for her, Sophia didn’t have to wait long. A hand caressed her left arm. “Well I do suppose he was right. You do stick out in a crowd.”

Sophia turned to speak but felt her voice catch in her throat. The merchant was a beautiful red headed woman, her shoulder length hair in gentle curls. As their eyes met, Sophia could somehow tell that this merchant was also a mage of some kind. I suppose that makes sense. The most likely people to have magical components are people who would use them. Sophia nodded at the woman. “I’m Sophia. I take it you’re Sir’s friend?”

“You could say that. I think he might not, but I certainly consider him one. The name’s Ella.” The other woman was also a few inches taller than Sophia. “Follow me. I’ve rented a room already, and we need to talk.”

She nodded. Ella grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the crowd, skillfully weaving between the other patrons. I wonder what she means by standing out in a crowd. I’m certainly nothing special…

The room was upstairs, away from the noise of the drunken party. Ella opened the door to a large room and ushered Sophia inside. As she did, Ella muttered something under her breath while holding her gloved palm against the door. “There,” she said, stepping towards Sophia and rubbing her hands together. “That should give us some privacy.”

“Right. Do you have the… the, whatever it is,” Sophia stammered. Not actually knowing what she was asking for made her cheeks burn with embarrassment. “And this is a lot of to do for a simple pickup. What am I missing?”

Ella grinned. “You really don’t know, do you?” She asked, stepping forward to stand directly in front of Sophia. She snaked her hand around Sophia’s neck and gently grabbed a handful of hair on the back of her head. “Yes, I have what he wants. And I will give it to you. But there’s just one other thing we have to do first.” Ella used her other hand to grope Sophia’s breast, eliciting a surprised moan.

Sophia felt completely blindsided, but her body responded instantly. She felt her cunt throb with Ella’s touch, begging for the woman’s attention. Ella yanked Sophia’s hair; Sophia cried out, as much in pleasure as pain. “Wait! Sir wouldn’t–”

Ella scoffed loudly. “Listen. You don’t talk to me like that. A doll listens and obeys.” She kissed Sophia hard on the mouth before she could respond. Sophia moaned again, feeling her muscles suddenly lose all strength. She was completely limp in the redhead’s arms. Ella dragged her to the bed and had her sit at the end. She groped Sophia’s breast again, this time leaning in to bite her neck. “You’re part of the deal today,” she hissed, her warm breath on Sophia’s ear. “I bring his binding agent, then I get an evening with you. It’s funny that he didn’t tell you, doll.”

Sophia could barely form a coherent thought. Every time Ella called her doll she felt the gears in her mind screeching to a halt. dolls don’t think. She wanted to ask why Ella wanted her so badly, but the words wouldn’t come out.

“There you go…” Ella smiled at her. Sophia tried to force her arm to move, straining to stand. She didn’t seem to have any kind of control over her limbs. This didn’t make any sense. Why would Sir just… offer her to someone like this? Without telling her? It was… The thought made her…

“I’m impressed, doll. You look like you might still have something resembling a thought rattling around in that head of yours.” Ella’s fingers were on Sophia’s chin, tilting her head back until their eyes met. Ella had beautiful emerald green eyes, and Sophia couldn’t help but get lost in them. “Let all of that go now. Remember, dolls don’t think.”

“D-d-” Sophia’s tongue formed the letters slowly. She gave up trying to repeat the woman’s words. It would be better if she just listened. Everything was always better when she listened.

“There, there, dolly. We need to get that pretty, silly little head of yours as empty as it's ever been. Do you know what Sir told me about you?”

The way she referred to him felt so mocking, like Ella was making fun of her for being involved with Sir. Sophia did her best to try and remember if Sir had said anything to her, or if she’d maybe overheard something. She closed her eyes an–

“dolls don’t think,” Ella said, her voice overwhelmingly commanding. Sophia felt the few thoughts she still had floating around her head slip away from her. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how quickly she reached for them, they each shattered into pieces before she could make contact. Sophia’s eyes fluttered back open and met Ella’s gaze.

“That’s exactly what he was talking about. You’re so stubborn. You fight and panic even though giving in would feel so much better than trying to resist,” Ella said. She stood in front of Sophia now, leaning forward to keep eye contact with the entranced woman. She grinned. “Let’s prove that to you. Take off that blouse.”

Sophia’s arms moved on their own, unbuttoning the blouse and slowly pulling it open. She dropped it on the ground next to her and felt a wave of arousal pulse through her entire body. Obedience is pleasure. She didn’t know where that phrase came from, but she knew it was true. Doing what Ella told her to felt incredible. She was made to serve. Her body knew it, but her mind still needed convincing.

“Now flip your skirt up for me, doll.”

She felt her arms begin to move on their own again. I can't just– I need to leave. I need to get what Sir wanted and leave. Sophia felt some life return to her limbs. The adrenaline suddenly coursing through her gave Sophia some semblance of control again. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for the closest way out. Ella was between her and the door, and she was certain that the mage would have sealed it. Sophia looked to the windows. They were only on the second floor. It wouldn't be that bad, right? If it means escaping?

Ella pouted at her. “Are you listening, doll?”

Sophia gasped and desperately tried to hold onto the smallest bit of control she had left. Even if I can’t escape. Maybe I can resist her. May–

“I said lose the skirt, doll. Now.”

The doll stood and wiggled out of the skirt. The only bit of clothing left on her was the blouse lazily hanging off of her shoulders. It wasn’t hiding anything anymore, and she wondered if she should even bother keeping it on. But I wasn’t told to remove it. I can’t make decisions like that.

“Isn’t that much better? Easier?” Ella was smiling now. She was clearly happy about something, though Sophia didn’t quite understand what.

A dopey grin spread across the doll’s face. “Easier,” she sighed. Knowing she was pleasing Ella made every inch of her skin tingle. She felt herself relaxing.

“Sit down now,” Ella commanded. Sophia complied. “There you go. You don’t need to think. All you need to do is exactly what I tell you, when I tell you.” That made sense. She nodded at Ella. “Perfect. Spread your legs.”

Sophia parted her thighs, exposing herself completely to Ella. She surprised herself at how wet she’d already become, but she knew it was exactly what the redhead wanted. She looked at Ella expectantly.

“That’s it, doll. You obey your superiors. If I give you an order, you follow,” Ella said. Sophia smiled again and nodded. “Now, that said… I don’t reward disobedient dolls. Get down on your knees on the floor in front of me.”

Sophia knelt in front of the woman. From the new angle, she could plainly see how aroused Ella was. Sophia’s eyes couldn’t help but drift up to look at Ella’s pussy. “Is there something you want?” she asked, giggling the entire time. “Go on, Sophia. Eat me out.”

She didn’t need to be told again. She crawled forward as quickly as she could manage, burying her face in Ella’s wet cunt. She felt hands turning into fists in her hair and whimpered. Every time their skin touched Sophia felt herself getting warmer, her own cunt aching to be touched. She adjusted herself, parting her legs and letting her hands drift to her own needy sex while her tongue teased Ella’s clit.

“Freeze.”

Sophia stopped. She couldn’t move, her mouth still pressed against Ella’s pussy. “Don’t you dare touch yourself, you stupid doll. I just told you that bad disobedient dolls don’t get rewards. No, no, tonight you’re going to stew in your arousal. It’s the only way you’ll learn, you know.” Ella’s grip in her hair grew tighter and she pulled the doll’s face against her. She was grinding against Sophia’s face, and Sophia couldn’t move.

She felt a warmth coming from Ella’s hands, radiating down from her scalp, into her head, down to her chest, her stomach, her cunt. The warmth quickly turned into a burning arousal. Sophia whined into Ella’s snatch, and the mage groaned. “The sooner you give in, doll, the better it will feel.” Sophia’s face was soaked, and she couldn’t taste anything but Ella, smell anything but Ella. It drove her wild. “I can see it on your face. You’re too dumb to escape, doll. You were– fuck– you were made for this. You just didn’t know it yet.”

Sophia felt Ella cum, and a sense of satisfaction overtook her. She needed this. She was made for this. Ella was right. If it felt this good, it must be true. She was a doll. A toy.

“That’s a good girl. Blank. Unable to resist. You– Gods– You can’t disobey. And you’re going to stay here for as long as I feel like using you.”