It was yet another night of the usual. Music, laughter, and the smell of wine mixed in with the feelings of lust permeating the halls.

One by one, the pavilions' regulars piled in, their expressions betraying their hopes of a night of pleasure.

Much was the same as the previous night, except for Poppy's absence tonight. She'd been distraught for much of the day, so much so that Madam Selene had decided to let her skip the evening's responsibilities.

"All written notes must be recovered and recorded." Ordered by Capt. Varga, Political Officer

Chapter 39: World Spins

Sapphire and Yuqi hurried home, their hearts racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. They both understood that what lay ahead would alter the course of their lives—once more. The truth they had guarded closely was about to be unveiled, no longer a secret whispered among a select few but a revelation that would echo through their entire circle of friends.

"I am Selene," the woman said after briefly stepping away to retrieve a robe for me to cover up. "You may call me Madam Selene, or just Madam will suffice."

I nodded as I quickly draped the robe over my naked body. The soft material felt heavenly atop my bare skin, a stark contrast to the rough tunic that clung to my body the past few weeks.

"And you are?" I heard her ask. I hadn't yet had the opportunity to ponder my new circumstance, but that still would have to wait.

"Rowen, ma'am—" I paused, "Madam."

The women beside me could only hold my attention for a brief moment. I'd noted that, despite looking in better condition than the other captives, they still looked just as worn out emotionally. And out of the three of them, only one had presence enough to pay me any mind, but my attention was needed elsewhere.

I hauled myself to the bars that prevented me from leaving and peered through them. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Orin just as he was loaded into the other cart.

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Chapter Six: Out in the Open

Their next meeting wasn’t at the studio. It was a small wine bar in the West Village with candles guttering in old glass bottles and a chalkboard menu that changed with the weather. Ava arrived first and texted a photo of the corner table; Aria stared at the image, at the two empty glasses catching candlelight, and felt the quiet throb of possibility.

Bob finds panties in his drawer.

Over the next two weeks, Jennifer found herself watching James with a new, quiet intensity. It started from a place of care, a desire to monitor him after his breakdown, to take his emotional temperature and ensure he wasn’t spiralling again. But the more she watched, the more she noticed what they had both seen in the mirror that night.

The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.

The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.

The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.

The morning light filtered through the blinds, striping the empty half of the bed beside him. James groaned, reaching a hand out to the cool sheets where Jennifer should have been. Her flight to Singapore had left yesterday afternoon, and the silence in the apartment was a low hum he couldn’t quite ignore.

A text from her, sent from some airport lounge, glowed on his phone screen: Thinking of you. Go show Dr. Mercer your excellent progress! Xo.

He smiled, a little sadly. Excellent progress. Right.

The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.