Inayah treaded close behind Salem's figure. She fought the urge to reach out and grasp the lapel of his coat for guidance as he led her down a winding hall, down a descent of stairs and further past the cells he had her locked in.

Inayah had stopped counting after four turns and followed obediently. He halted before a metallic chamber and pulled out a set of keys, wedging it into the silver door.

"This," Salem stepped aside and waved a hand like a magician who had just performed a trick, "is where I keep my enemies." 

Inayah's eyes widened as they took in the room all around. 

Silver. Everything was silver, from the walls to the floor and ceiling. Stone and silver hardened to prevent escapes. Four cells had been placed, each with large silver shackled embedded to the walls and what looked like a dog plate in each.

The cellar stunk high of urine and blood and something decaying. Inayah almost vomited had it not been for Salem's unnerving presence. She stepped forward hesitantly, her gaze roaming from one cell with blood and fur matted all around, to another with deep claw marks on the wall and floor. As though an animal had tried and failed at escaping.

A rat ran across her foot, forcing her to stop and take another trembling breath.

The further in she walked, the angrier and hopeless she got at the thought of Lycus being held captive in such conditions. She did not speak, not until Salem halted by a certain cell and drummed his gloved fingers over the silver bar. 

"Good evening, brother," his sonorous voice called to the figure hidden in absolute darkness, "I bring a visitor." 

Still no reply. Inayah studied the darkness, trying to discern where Lycus could be, but nothing came forth. She cast Salem a sidelong glance only to return at the realization that he was watching her. 

"Go on," Salem nudged at her lower back, forcing her a step towards the cell, "call to him, surely he will reply."

Inayah swallowed, her throat jerking at the action, and cleared her throat. Her lips parted then shut, then parted again. "Lycus?" She managed tentatively.

The darkness shifted, stirring to life but just barely. 

A guttural growl echoed from the corner, and the sound of clinking chains followed as the creature prowled not further from the blackness. Golden eyes glowed from the thickness, focusing on Inayah.

"There he is!" Salem remarked, clapping his hand in finality. "Dear brother, why do you hide in the corner, come forth. Show yourself to my dear slave."

The creature did not move.

Inayah was conscious of Salem's expectant gaze. She cleared her throat and stepped towards the cell just as the creature shifted again, was it hunching back and easing forward? Her fingertips reached for the bars then curled around them. Her lips curled in a smile but failed and settled for a grimace. 

"Inayah." Lycus whispered-growled, and she nodded, her stomach awash with relief and nerves. 

A hand settled on her shoulder, "there we have it! Reunion is over. As you can see, both of you are healthy and fine, aside from the punishments-"

The chains suddenly jostled as the beast within the cage lunged forward.

The velocity of his movements caused Inayaht to stumble back, slamming against the opposite wall. Salem had not moved from his point, meeting his brother head-on with a smile of devious victory. 

The man that stood before Salem was Lycus, and yet he did not look human. His body had expanded and shifted somewhat to that of a wolf on bipedal legs, dark tufts of fur surfaced along the length of his muscular body, canines the size of her forearms baring themselves in a snarl as he regarded his brother.

"What did you do to her?

The corner of Salem's mouth quirked, "What did you think I did?"

Inayah watched them a moment longer, noting the thick shackles around Lycus' wrists and ankles, a large collar latched around his neck. Where they touched had his skin burned and slowly bleeding, unable to heal.

"Inayah," her gaze rose to Lycus who watched her softly. He began to speak but could not fully form words, not with canines muffling each word and the presence of his brother. His eyes searched her face thoroughly for bruises and wounds, then swept over her chest, and finally legs. All wounds are hidden beneath the slave dress.

"Salem-"

Salem raised a hand, "That will be enough. Mathilde will bring down your meal should I remember." He gestured for Inayah to rise and follow him. 

She rose gingerly, aching to remain but knew better. Casting Lycus one last final glance of misery, she walked ahead of Salem. Maintaining her expression of nonchalance though her heartbeat with intense misery, Inayah allowed him to guide her through the mansion and towards the manor.

"What do you think?" Salem finally questioned whilst pouring himself an amount of whiskey. Inayah watched him drink, the bobbing of his Adam's apple, and found her voice; "Will you release him?"

"Hmm," he began thoughtfully twirling the glass in hand, listening to the tinkling of ice against the sides. "No."

"No?" She pushed, and he nodded, "he will remain in the cellar?"

"Yes." Salem downed the glass and set it down, "I find myself in no hurry to release him."

But why? She wished to ask but held her tongue, realizing that more questions could irk him. Her head lowered, "As you wish." 

She could feel Salem's gaze on her, "What do you think?"

"I think anything you do is fine."

Salem's laughter briefly attracted her gaze, "Playing the good slave will not put you on my good list, Inayah." He paused, "do you like him?"

"No." She replied rather too quickly, and his smile thinned. "I do not." Inayah fixed again.

"Is that so?" She nodded, "do you have feelings for me?"

Inayah hesitated for a drawn moment, mulling over his words carefully; "You are my master," she began, "I will serve you as you wish." 

"As I wish?" Salem pushed and she nodded. His head tilted whilst scrutinizing her, "Strip."

Inayah froze, "Pardon?"

"Strip, slave." The command was gentle yet hard, expectant steady gaze lingering on her face.

Inayah clenched and unclenched her hands, she worked at measuring each inhaled breath before reaching up. Her teeth grit together as the button at the back of her neck opened. The gown was suddenly light and carefully, with deliberate slowness, dropped her hands allowing it to fall from her body.

Hectic spots of red began to form over her cheeks as Salem's gaze roamed her body. He stepped forward with a pleasant hum, and carefully dragged a wistful finger over her shoulder. "I forgot what it felt like to be inside you," his hand carded through her hair then pulled it up into a ponytail which he held with a silk ribbon. His lips brushed the shell of her ear, "why don't we make a deal, hmm?"

Her heart twisted, "Master-"

"Aht aht," he pressed a finger to her lips, the other hand roaming down over the gauzed wound, "if you let me fuck you before Lycus, I'll let him go."

Something bitter clawed up her throat.

"I could take you forcefully before him... but where's the fun in that?" The hand cradled her jaw, a soft wet kiss pressing on her cheek. "What do you say, slave?"