By the time we were back at Daniel's Court, I was exhausted. The sky was beginning to lighten, the night gone entirely. My feet hurt as I stepped out of Yaru's bubble car, making me wince.

"You'll get used to it," Yaru said as he followed me. "The long days get easier."

"I hope so," I replied, desperate to be alone in my room. I wanted to cry, the tears already threatening to fall if I thought about my day too much, but I wasn't safe yet. I wasn't sheltered.

I was inside before I remembered Daniel's words the night before. He'd want to see me. I couldn't run away and hide just yet.

Yaru padded along beside me, neither of us speaking. There wasn't anything else to say. We'd talked over my night in the car on the way back. He'd done nothing but praise me and give me some tips on how to keep Bernice at bay. I still had a lot of work to do to seduce enough men before my unveiling, however.

Now I was about to find out what Daniel thought.

Yaru stayed with me as we traipsed through the corridors and up stairs to reach his office. Although I didn't voice it, I was glad I still had my mentor with me. My memory of the day before wasn't solid enough for me to be confident of the right direction. I didn't want to be wandering and getting lost at this time of night.

Just like the night before, Daniel was sat on the edge of his desk, watching the numbers and boxes change on a large screen. His arms were folded across the front of his muscular chest. Almost immediately I felt a rush of warmth between my legs.

Then I noticed the other courtesan in the room. Bernice was knelt in front of him, her breasts out, sticky with his cum.

Yaru coughed, announcing our presence.

"You can go," he said to her. She covered herself up, bodily fluids and all, and got to her feet.

Not even trying to hide the smug grin on her face, she sauntered past.

Yaru waited until she was gone from sight and earshot before he walked farther into the room. I followed, wary. Daniel didn't sound as happy as he had the previous day.

"How did it go?" he asked before Yaru was in front of him.

"As well as could be expected, given the situation."

"How many potentials?"

"At least four."

"That the conservative or optimistic estimate?" he asked, taking his eyes away from the screen long enough to glance at me and Yaru.

As his eyes caught me, his jaw dropped. It closed again a fraction of a second later. His attention fixed on Yaru's face, not leaving it again.

"Conservative."

"Good. Do you have a plan for tomorrow?"

Yaru nodded, "Naturally."

"All right. You can go."

Yaru inclined his head before heading out of the door, no other words spoken. Exhaling with relief, I followed.

"I didn't dismiss you yet," Daniel said, almost growling the words. I froze just before the doorway. By the time I'd turned he was on his feet, standing at arm's length. His eyes drank me in, lingering on my breasts and crotch.

"Mhairi painted this, correct?"

I nodded, not sure I dared to trust my voice and speak. His desire was evident on his face, and the thought sent tendrils of heat down my body.

Without thinking, I looked to his groin, wanting to see if he was as aroused as me. He was, his trousers bulging.

As he came closer he reached out, his fingers trailing down a branch towards a blossom painted on one breast. I sucked in my breath, not sure if I wanted him to continue or not.

I wanted to be angry at him, especially after seeing what he'd been doing with Bernice. But I couldn't. His eyes were too full of desire, and my own body was still too desperate to be sated.

The thought of taking him between my legs made heat explode. I squeezed my legs together.

Almost as if he noticed my arousal his hand moved again, his fingers brushing my nipple, teasing it into a hardened bud.

"Bloody expensive stuff," he said suddenly, breaking the mood as he continued to trace the pattern on my skin.

"It went down well. I scanned a card from a man who'd been discussing it with a guy called Kioshi."

"Kioshi talked about this?"

"Yes," I replied. "Emailed to say how much he'd appreciated the respect it showed."

"Then maybe you do know what you're doing, after all." Daniel relaxed, his hands sliding around my back to pull me closer, until my torso was pressed up against his. I could feel his hardness pressing against my abdomen.

"God, I would so love to fuck you right now."

A smile crept across my face. I knew I shouldn't want him, but I felt smug. He might have practically bought me, but it was clear I had more power over him than I'd first thought. And I was almost as hungry to screw.

I reached behind my own back and took his hand. Making sure my eyes were still fixed on his face, I pulled to the side, out of his grasp. At first he resisted, but then he gave way, letting me take a hand and lead him around his desk.

Aiming for the pile of cushions, I made it clear I was willing to give him what little I could again, hoping that this time he'd reciprocate. Right before I reached the soft area, he suddenly stuck his foot out. I tripped, sprawling forwards, my landing at least cushioned.

Daniel didn't let me get up or reposition myself, his body following, pinning me beneath his weight. Within seconds I felt his hardness, the small stretch of fabric covering my pussy the only thing stopping him pushing up into me.

His hands grabbed my breasts, kneading, eager and rough, while his hips jerked back and forth, rubbing his shaft against my thighs and pussy. It was just enough pressure and stimulation to make me hotter, but by the time he cried out, orgasming a jet of spunk over the backs of my legs, I was still agonisingly far from the same pleasure.

Letting out a frustrated whimper, I instinctively nestled into him, but he pulled away, almost laughing at me.

"Not many of my courtesans encourage me to use them. Makes a change."

"You could at least let me orgasm too," I replied, letting him pull me to my feet.

"Hmmm. I'll consider it," he said, walking back to his desk. "Go take that paint off and rest."

Once more, the screen full of numbers and names had his attention, each courtesan's earnings for the day and current companions on display for him to study. I watched it for a moment too before noticing that several of the courtesans must have already been back as well. None of them were in the green for the day, with one exception. Bernice. She'd earned more than any of the others had, and more than several of the lower ones combined.

Frustrated at being stimulated and then denied, and annoyed at my own lack of progress towards finding enough men to attend my unveiling, I made my way back to the main sitting area for the courtesans. On the way I passed near to a back staircase, a door that hadn't been open before now flung wide. As I came closer I heard the unmistakable moans of a man as he screwed a woman who didn't sound like she was enjoying it.

Coming closer to the door revealed one of the courtesans I'd seen the day before. She was held backwards over the bottom of the stairs, her arms restrained by one of the security guards as the other gripped her thighs, his trousers and boxers pooled around his feet. Tears fell from her eyes as she was being used, evidently in pain both emotional and physical.

Gulping, I froze to the spot. My heart broke for her as the guard sped up his thrusts, reaching his climax. As he rammed into her for the final time, she let out a small cry. I finally managed to tear myself away, my stomach threatening to expel what little food I'd eaten that day.

"There, Belle," I heard the guard say behind me. "Told you to just let me get on with it. Now hold still and Rich here can have his turn."

I stopped, horrified at what I'd just heard. Did I go back and try to help her? Was there anything I could even do? A scuffle made my decision for me.

"Jeremy, you idiot, she's getting away," another voice yelled. A moment later Belle appeared, clutching her clothes to her chest as she ran. Her eyes were wide and puffy, traces of tears still on her face as she hurtled past me, almost knocking me over.

I started walking again, intending to catch up to her and provide what comfort I could.

"Don't worry, there's another one here."

My blood ran cold as I glanced over my shoulder. The guy who'd been holding Belle's arms had hurried into the corridor. I sped up, but I could hear the sound of pursuing feet, far faster than my exhausted body could go.

I let out the loudest scream I could as my arm was grabbed. Rich flicked me around, grabbing at my other arm and pushing me up against the wall. I struggled, flailing and wriggling to try and get away.

He growled as my fists connected with a soft part of him, but his grip didn't loosen enough for me to escape. I couldn't think straight, the desire to get away from him too strong.

"Looks like a new one," I heard Jeremy say. "At least I've not seen her before."

"Help me with her, will you? She doesn't know what's good for her."

I tilted my head back and screamed as both men grabbed me, lifting me off my feet between them. Still fighting their every move, I felt them pull my limbs in directions I didn't want them to go.

Not long later I was between them and a hand clamped down on my mouth as my body was pinned up against one of them.

My shouts and screams became dull muffled noises, and my limbs began to ache, the exertion becoming too much.

"Come on, guys, not in the corridor," another voice said. This one I recognised but couldn't place.

"We're trying to get her somewhere out of the way, but she's a feisty one, this one," Jeremy replied.

"Doesn't realise she's already screwed. Might as well save her energy to enjoy what we do to her."

My stomach heaved at the thought and I felt another surge of energy. The grip on my face slipped, freeing my mouth for a moment.

"Go to hell!" I yelled. It only earnt me laughs before the fingers returned and silenced me again.

"Wait, is that the new one?" The new voice grew concerned. A moment later the guard who had rescued me from the other courtesans the day before appeared where I could see him. "Guys, you know Daniel insists we don't screw them until they're unveiled."

"She's still got a backdoor."

"And a mouth," Jeremy added.

Put it in my mouth and I'll bite it off, I thought, but couldn't say.

"Come on, guys. Let her go. She's not ready yet. She only arrived yesterday."

"All the more reason to break her in, surely." Rich grinned in front of me, but Jeremy's grip on me relaxed. I did the same, lulling them into a false sense of security. I had to get away from them. It was bad enough Daniel had used me. These two wanted to do so much worse.

"Have your fun with one of the more experienced women. She won't have a clue how to enjoy it yet. Probably never even had a man in her ass."

"Oh, I hope not. It'll mean she's tight." I could almost hear him drooling, but he'd continued to relax as I'd stilled. I seized the moment and flung my head back, smacking Jeremy in the face at the same time as bringing a knee up Rich's groin. Their grip lessened, giving me the moment I needed.

Wrenching out of the hold, I almost fell over Rich, now crumpled, his hands cradling his balls, his face red. I didn't stop, using my hands to keep myself on my feet. I rushed after Belle, heading for the courtesans' sitting room and the safety of my own bedroom.

I heard yelling and shouting behind me, but I ignored it, sprinting away. No sound of running boots followed me, but I still didn't dare look behind me or slow until I was right by the sitting room.

Panting, I stopped and checked over my shoulder. I was alone. My body shook, but I was already calming. It had been close, but I was unharmed.

Not sure what else to do, and not wanting to linger in harm's way, I did my best to slip silently into the sitting room. Thankfully, the only courtesans in the room were gathered around Belle, helping to calm her and clean her up after her own ordeal.

Mhairi was among them, but she left her side as soon as she saw me, slipping from the group. Her eyes took one look at me, seeming to understand.

"Hurry," she said in a quiet voice, taking my arm. "Get out of sight and hope they pick an easier target."

My eyes went wide as fear gripped my insides and twisted once more. I'd thought I'd be safe with the other courtesans.

Mhairi dragged me into my room and, with shaking hands, helped me put the chair back under the handle. It had only been under there a few seconds when there were squeals from the women.

A man laughed, coming closer. I looked to Mhairi, seeing the fear in her eyes radiated back at me. Neither of us could move, only listen.

"Don't worry, Belle, we've decided we want something a bit more fresh. Where's the new one. Painted like an art scene?"

There was silence for a moment, the sound of my pulse racing past my ears all I could hear. My mouth went dry. They were looking for me.

"If they get in, would you run for Daniel for me?" I whispered.

Instantly her eyes filled with sadness.

"I'll try, but he won't stop them. He never stops them."

A scream brought our attention back to outside.

"I asked where the new one went. I won't ask again."

I held my breath, waiting.

How could this be happening? What kind of world had I woken into?

"Her room," someone said, practically sobbing the words.

Mhairi responded by leaning into the chair.

"We have to keep them out," she said.

I nodded, glad I wasn't alone. Glad I had someone who could think straight with me. As the handle rattled against the chair I leant into it too, keeping it where it needed to be.

"She's locked it or barred it somehow," Rich said.

"None of the doors have locks," Jeremy replied. We heard scuffling of feet on carpet before the handle jerked and slammed into the top of the chair again.

"Barred somehow. Stupid cunt."

The door was shoved and wiggled, pushing the chair against us, but we had the advantage and for now it didn't go anywhere.

"Open up! Daniel doesn't allow his courtesans to lock themselves away. It's not safe."

"Then feel free to go get him and he can tell me that himself!" I yelled back, sounding far braver than I felt. My hands shook as I gripped the base of the chair. Mhairi broke into a broad grin as the door shook, a loud thump making it clear someone had hit it.

Seems they won't get Daniel after all, I thought. My gloating was short-lived, however. Over the next five minutes the door repeatedly shook and rattled on its hinges as the two men assaulted it, trying to get it open. For now it held, the wood and hinges far more solid than I'd have given them credit for, but I couldn't relax, and neither could Mhairi.

And each attack shook through to us until my legs and arms ached and the adrenaline began wearing off, leaving only fear and an anxious, overactive imagination behind.

"What the hell is all this racket?" the voice of the same guard as earlier came again. "You two still pushing your luck with the new courtesan? I thought you were going to leave her alone."

"That was your idea, Kevin. You always were too soft on them. Unless you're going to help us get into her room, sod off."

"Come on, guys. Is one ass worth all this trouble? And what would Daniel say if he knew you were breaking a door? He lets us enjoy his resurrecteds, but he's made it clear, we're not meant to stop them earning him money, or cost him more."

"Damn it, Kevin. You're such a spoilsport. Anyone would think you didn't like to fuck or something if you hadn't claimed Sarah as your toy."

"I like to have my fun. I just don't plan on expending loads of effort when I can screw another woman easily. Let's face it, there's no shortage of easy pussy in this room. Besides, give it time and the new ones get as loose as the old. After her unveiling and a few weeks earning Daniel money, she'll be more cooperative."

"He's got a point, Jeremy," Rich said. I felt myself begin to relax, my fingers stiff around the chair seat, letting go far slower than my mind intended.

"We'll be all right now," Mhairi whispered. "You should stay in here tonight though. And put the chair back when I go."

I nodded, still shaking as I stood up.

"Come on, let's get that paint off you and transferred to this preservative plastic stuff. It shouldn't take long. I've been practicing how to do it."

It was just what I needed. Something simple to do while I recovered. If I ever fully did.