She had walked deep into a den of sin and desire. And Evie was feeling naughty.
“You’re forgetting yourself.” Natalya’s lips made a minuscule twitch of amusement.“There are protocols down here, and you should address me with the appropriate respect. And with an appropriate tone.”
A warning. A chance to change course. Evie continued heading for doom.
“Cool place.” Evie made a show of looking around. “Looks pretty bland, though. Going with leather and steel is such a cliché.”
Natalya’s eyes narrowed, and her mouth tensed. People were looking. Alotof people were looking.
“You’re being rude, darling.” Natalya’s voice was low. “That’s very unwise down here.”
Hooked.
Evie crossed her arms, jutting out her chin. “What are you going to do about it?”
Silence. Deafening silence. It made it much harder to sell the cocky persona Evie had put on. It was made almost impossible when Natalya, very slowly, rose from her seat. Her long, black satin dress hugged her like it was a liquid.
“I don’t think I heard you right.” Natalya’s voice was dark with warning.
Evie took a deep breath. She’d practiced what she was going to say before coming down here. She’d thought it was silly in the moment. Now she was thankful she’d done it.
“I asked what you were going to do about it.Natalya.”
Someone in the crowd snickered. Red flames rose in Natalya’s pupils as she stepped closer to Evie.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” she asked quietly.
“I have an idea.” Evie had predicted this question too. “I know how keen you are on respect and such. Figured I’d test the rigidity of your principles.”
In a moment of daring, Evie inspected her nails with feigned interest. “I’m finding them quite lax, to be honest.”
The words had an effect. A few slivers of scarlet appeared in Natalya’s violet eyes at Evie’s blatant impertinence. Then they faded, and her expression changed to one that was threateningly gleeful. A Cheshire smile that promised madness and delightful horrors.
“It is true I consider politeness a virtue. You seem to have lost your manners.” She grabbed the hem of Evie’s corset, pulling slowly until she was forced to step closer to Natalya. She was radiating heat. “Some discipline might ensure they’re not as easily misplaced in the future. And punishments make for wonderful reminders.”
Evie raised an eyebrow. Then she rolled her eyes. With exaggeration and clearly on purpose.
Natalya snaked a hand to Evie’s neck, moving so fast it made her yelp in surprise. Natalya squeezed, and the intensity of the touch wasjustsharp enough to be unpleasant.
“I’m going to give you a choice.” Natalya smiled, and it promised disaster. “You may take your punishment in one of the private rooms or on one of my stages. When you let me knowwhich you’d prefer, you better be polite. Otherwise, I’ll choose for you, and you won’t like what I pick.”
Evie froze, eventually snapping out of her stupor enough to look behind her at the rest of the hall. At the stages holding all kinds of equipment, made to bring pleasure and pain. At the crowd of people who she’d personally ensured was watching with keen interest.
“What’s the matter,darling?” Natalya tightened her grip. “You got everyone’s attention. Don’t you want to give them a show?”
Evie didnot. She was mortified just thinking about it.
From what Lily had told her, Natalya could be very creative with her punishments. Evie knew there wouldn’t be pain, but there were still untold things she didn’t want to have happen in front of an audience.
“No, please,” she said quickly. “Not the stages. A room, please. Natal—I mean, Mistress, I would like a private room. Please.”
The words stumbled out rapidly. Evie couldn’t recall ever saying ‘please’ so many times in such a brief timespan. And she’d almost messed up. She’d only just caught herself from being rude again by not referring to Natalya properly.
“Would you look at that?” Natalya mused. “Your manners weren’t lost at all. You just needed a little incentive to find them.”
Light laughter rolled through the crowd, and Evie’s cheeks felt hot.
“Drago!” Natalya yelled. She was still looking at Evie. Still holding onto her neck as Drago dutifully walked over.
