Cruel Master (Captives of the Onyx Brotherhood Book 4) by Zara J Black

Author:Zara J Black [Black, Zara J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Juliet

I slip the paintbrush into the vivarium so Charlie can start to get used to it. The book says it can take a while to gain a spider’s trust and be able to handle them. So why not start right away? She stays right where she is, frozen on the tip of a branch at the top of her tank.

Maybe she’s scanning for prey with her spidery senses. She won’t find any, of course. The only bugs here are the ones I have to feed her. Is it weird that I’d love to see even a rogue cockroach? A reminder that the outside world still exists, beyond Saldar and me.

Speaking of food, it’s time for Charlie’s dinner, so I pop a couple of the mealworms in with her, then pull away. She needs some peace and quiet to eat.

Saldar should be here soon. I hope he likes Charlie’s name. As soon as it came to me, it felt right. Charlotte’s Web was one of my favorite books growing up, even though it made me cry every time.

I can’t stop wondering how he knew about my love of spiders. It makes no sense. It’s like he’s rummaging around in my brain, but mind reading isn’t a thing. Right? Sometimes it’s hard to keep that fact clear. Especially in this place, where he controls everything. Even the bugs.

The lights go out, throwing me into pitch black.

I jump, but the moment of fright passes quickly. He’s been doing this a lot lately for some reason, coming to me in the dark. I take up my assigned position—kneeling, hands behind my back. Sick anticipation shivers over my body. Lights out means playtime, and I’m not complaining.

The door clicks.

I wait, tension spiralling through me, until Saldar’s hands settle around my arms, and he guides me to my feet. I go with him, a willing puppet, leaning into the physical contact. “Over here, doll. The altar. On your back, and spread your legs for me.”

He helps me onto it, and I follow his instructions. This could be good or bad. He snaps my ankles into the restraints, then does the same with my wrists, and even after all this time—however long it’s been—I still shiver at the exposure. At the helplessness of being tied like this.

I’ve always loved the feel of being trapped in place, even though it terrifies me at the same time. I never know what Saldar will do next, and little tingles run over my skin as I wait in the pitch dark. Will he give me pleasure or pain? Both?

Time passes with neither, and I start to fidget. This is new, and I don’t like it. It gives me time to notice the little things that disappear when he touches me. I’ve got an itch right in the small of my back, and shifting around does little to help. The blanket underneath me is bunched under my ass cheek.

I contemplate opening my mouth to ask what the hell is going on but strike that idea right away.

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