Sheila awoke stiff and sore the next morning, still replaying the horror of the Day of Sorrow over and over in her mind. She stretched a bit to work out the kinks in her muscles and swung her feet over the side of the bed. She put her head in her hands, remembering the things she had said and done, the feeling of power and sexuality that had swept over her as she tasted the blood.

After Venger had taken her on the floor, he had entered her nearly seven or eight more times, each time more kinky and twisted than the time before. And Sheila had begged him to do it, begged him to take her and use her body. Begged him to pleasure her, bring her to climax over and over. Venger had happily agreed, spilling twice his normal amount of seed inside her, trying to ensure conception.

The thief realized that tonight and the day after that would now be exactly the same. There was no escape. She had truly believed that her friends would come for her before Venger broke her completely. They hadn’t.

Her disappointment last night had effectively killed the last little bit of hope left inside her. It was the only part of her spirit Venger hasn’t already crushed. Everything else good in her the dark lord had already taken or stripped away.

Getting up, she moved to the wash basin to attend to her morning needs. Haunted eyes stared back at her from the mirror that was perched atop the nightstand. For a long time, she just stood in front of the mirror, examining her skin, which bore fresh bruises and cuts. They would not be there for long, for she knew that Venger would heal her when he stopped by for his morning visit. He hated to see her with anything less than perfect skin and yesterday’s abuse had injured her badly.

She picked up the silver backed brush and began attacking her hair. It was tangled and knotted from Venger’s fingers the previous evening. The very memory of his ministrations on her body made her shiver. Even after last night, she still enjoyed what he did do her. What made it worse was that last night, under the influence of the blood or not, she had begged Venger to hurt her, take her in every sexual position possible.

Compounding that horror was how much she had enjoyed it in the days before the Day of Sorrow. Despite her protests, the thing she had suggested and begged for last night were things that she enjoyed, things that turned her on.

Sheila still hated the very idea that it was Venger who aroused her. That hate was lessening however, as the days passed and the small bit of desire and love inside her grew. But she hated herself even more because she seemed to delight in the sexual pleasures that he lavished on her body. Even after all he had done to her, breaking her spirit and robbing her of her dignity, she reveled in the sensations as they washed over her each time he taught her a new sexual trick or tired out a new toy on her.

I disgust myself, Sheila sighed inwardly. I hate Venger. How can I like what he does to my body?

There was no getting around it, however. Sheila loved sex and more specifically she loved kinky sex. Somehow, she could not see Hank doing these kinds of things with her. But oh, how she wished he would!

Taking one last swipe with the brush, she rummaged through the bureau full of clothing that Venger had given her a few weeks ago, looking for something decent to wear. She still loathed the idea of dressing for Venger, but more than that, thought of the punishment she would receive if she didn’t. Also, much as it sickened her to admit it, she liked the clothes that Venger gave her. They were sexy and womanly. They made her feel powerful and feminine. She knew it was all part of the mind games Venger played, but it was something she couldn’t seem to resist.

The thief pushed aside her old tunic, boots and invisibility cloak tucked neatly into the top drawer. Idly she wondered why Venger had not yet taken it from her. One of his main goals in life seemed to be to wrest the Weapons of Power away from them.

Maybe he’s waiting for me to hand it over, to prove to me that I’m completely his, she thought angrily.

Finally, she found a melon colored skirt with the usual slit up the side so that her right side and most of her crotch were exposed. Digging around, Sheila found a matching thong-like strip of cloth that Venger considered panties. She had given up on the idea that Venger might provide her with proper underwear of any sort. No, the only things he left her were garments designed for one of two purposes: either to keep her in a state of constant sexual arousal or to arouse Venger himself.

She also selected a brilliant orange short corset with the nipples cut out, save for a microscopically thin band of cloth that magically tightened across her nipples as the fabric molded itself to her body, leaving her midriff exposed. Running her hands down the length of her body, the thief felt the familiar heat of sexual arousal wash flare up inside her and the first hint of wetness in the thong. Oh how she wished that Hank could see her like this!

Sheila finally rooted through her jewelry box, examining each of the baubles in turn. Venger liked her adorned with many of the items that he had given her. Her back still smarted from the whipping he had given her a few days before for failing to wear any of the jewelry and she didn’t want a repeat of that particular torture for awhile.

She slid two thick gold armlets encrusted with fine jewels to her upper arms. A chain dangled from the right armlet that attached to a gold ring encrusted with Fire gems. She snaked the chain around her forearm and slid the ring over her finger, to complete the piece. Sheila also draped a heavy gold collar necklace around her neck so that it rested at the base of her throat. She clasped golden anklets around her thin ankles. A gold and Fire gem tiara and golden heeled sandals completed the look.

In an odd way, she no longer minded wearing the jewelry, once she found out where it had come from. At first, the idea of wearing anything from the box had repulsed her, but Sheila had grown used to the idea. Now, she saw it more as a way of honoring the memory of the women who had been here before her, especially Rianna, the queen who had spoken to Sheila through the opal pendant

Studying herself in the mirror once more, Sheila decided that Venger would be happy with her look today and sat on the edge of her bed to wait for his morning visit. She did not have to wait long. The heavy door which kept her a prisoner in the suite of rooms shimmered once as Venger passed through and then snapped back into its usual enchanted and unmovable form.

"Good morning, my queen," Venger fairly sang and he bowed in a rather courtly manner. "You do look lovely this morning."

His eyes swept over her a she stood up and walked towards him. There was no sense in making things anymore difficult than they had to be. She was tired of the pain. If she disobeyed, he'd simply cast a spell and make her move anyway. Better that she go with the last bit of dignity she had left.

"Good morning, Venger" she replied in as pleasant a tone as she could manage while her eyes flashed dangerous.

"Do not look at me that way, Sheila" Venger reproached her. "I am only here to see that you are well, as always. Unless you wish me to undertake more, ahem, pleasurable ventures? As you did last night, perhaps?"

The dark lord knew how much liked the things he did to her body, knew that she liked her pleasure tinged with a bit of pain. Yet he also knew that she despised him. The mere fact that she felt this way gave him great satisfaction, more so than he had ever imagined.

"I'm fine," she replied and tossed her head, feeling the small spark of blood power ignite once more. "I don't need anything."

At that moment, she had never looked more lovely to Venger and he felt his lust grow, his penis hardening in response. The golden sunlight spilled through the glass dome overhead, bathing her in a golden glow and illuminating her body through the sheer fabrics. He could see the moisture glistening on her inner thigh as the thong pressed into her folds. Her breasts were slightly swollen this morning, probably from last night's ministrations.

With a wave of his hand the cuts and bruises from the night before vanished and Sheila's skin was once porcelain smooth. He began tugging at his own robes and let his hand brush against his enormous erection in anticipation.

The thief's hand automatically went to the juncture between her legs as the marks on her body vanished, leaving a clean slate behind. She whimpered as she realized that she had become even wetter when she saw him touch himself.

Venger was on her in a flash. He held her hand on her mound and seized her lips in a rough kiss.

"Please yourself" he demanded and pushed her back onto the bed.

A finger slid between her folds and searched for that most sensitive spot to seek relief. Slowly the dark lord tugged off her clothes, jewelry and undid the corset, running his thumbs over her erect nipples. His fangs nipped at the tight buds and she screamed in delight as he scored the tender flesh. All the while, her hand moved between her legs, covering her in her own slickness.

Sheila considered stopping but Venger pressed his lips to hers and she tasted the sweet blood once more. Sexual energy flew through her and she spread her legs farther apart, the cool air making her shudder. Her fingers moved faster now and Venger, now naked before her, began fondling his penis. She stared in amazement. She had never seen him touch himself before. But she was still seeking relief for herself, the panties doing their job earlier in ensuring that she was extremely aroused.

Without warning, he pounced on her. She felt his member throb against her leg and she wrapped her legs around him instinctively, seeking him out with her hips. Before she could rub her juices against him, he flipped her over and began running himself over her bare behind.

She nearly came as she languished in the heat he gave off and the power that pulsed there. Her mind berated itself as she moaned in pleasure but she couldn't stop.

"I know how much you like me from behind," he breathed into her ear.

Sheila only groaned in response.

He pulled her to her knees and forced her hands to rest on the bed. Her reached a long finger between her legs and slowly moved along her valley, eliciting moans and squeaks as she drank in the touch. He fondled her from behind, slowly allowing his fingers to tickle and tease her most sensitive areas. The thief moaned deep in her throat.

Finally, he pushed her legs apart and entered her from behind. She was tight around him and he moaned and sighed as he filled her. Sheila cried in response and he continued to push into her. She had never felt anything so wonderful as begin taken from behind. Finally her reached her end. Gently, he pulled her up so that she leaned back into him and he got to his knees. She was lifted off the bed, still impaled upon him. His hands circled around to her breasts and he held her that way for a moment, letting him settle himself inside her.

Then, he began to move her up and down on his shaft. She was so wet with desire that she moved easily along the length of him. He lifted her by her breasts, pinching the hard nipples as he went. She wrapped her arms around his chest so that her breasts arched out into his touch. He moved her faster, all the while pinching and twisting her nipples so that she felt the pain she craved while he pleasured her. With each thrust up, he pushed her down onto him at the same time. He sunk his fangs into her shoulder and let himself taste her sweet blood.

Over and over her slammed her down onto him until she thought that she might split open. She could feel herself coming close to orgasm as her body relished the pain and pleasure that sang along her nerves. When she could not stand it any longer, she let go and felt the waves of climax crash over her. Deep inside her, Venger came with her, spilling his seed in a hot rush that made Sheila come all over again.

She slumped back against him and he lowered her to the bed, pulling out as he did so. Sheila could feel their fluids trickle down her leg and noted that he had ejaculated far more than usual, probably a result of yesterday’s ritual. Venger moved to the side of the bed and rested a hand on her back.

"Rest now, my lover," he said as he cast a spell to send her into a deep sleep. "I will be back for you again soon."

Sheila tried to answer him, but a black curtain descended behind her eyes and she felt herself sink into a healing sleep.

The next thing Sheila knew, hands were shaking her awake and she opened her eyes slowly. Instead of looking into fiery red eyes, she was staring into crystal blue ones framed by blonde hair.

"Sheila!" the out of focus face screamed, "can you hear me? Can you get up?"

She tried to get her mouth to form the words but found she couldn't. The remnants of the spell were still confusing her.

"Eric!" the blue and blonde blob yelled, "Get up here! I need help!"

Sheila again tried to speak but the words died on her tongue as the inky blackness overtook her again.

Hank shook Sheila several times but he couldn't seem to get her to fully wake up. He had called for Eric when the thief had slipped back into unconsciousness once more. The ranger could lift Sheila easily enough but doing that and getting back down the stairs to reach Eric and the teleportation bubble was too much. He needed the cavalier to come to him.

"Hold on, I’m coming!" a voice echoed far below Hank, followed by the pounding of metal boots on the stone stairs.

Glancing around the room, Hank shuddered as he imagined what Sheila might have experienced here over the last three weeks. Thick chains and handcuffs hung on a hook over the center of the bed. Racks full of whips, chains, collars and sex toys lined every wall of the suite. Even the lounge chairs in the other room had straps clearly designed to hold someone down. What lay in the rooms beyond that, Hank didn’t even want to guess.

He looked at Sheila once more. She was covered in bruises. Dried blood had trickled down her shoulder and covered her breasts from what appeared to be a bite mark at the juncture of her neck. Her legs and especially her inner thighs were coated in a still somewhat sticky white fluid and yet more dried blood. A harness and chain covered in fire gems curved along Sheila’s breasts, glittering and glinting in the firelight as she breathed. Hank clenched his fists in anger as the reality of the thief’s probably numerous rapes sunk in. Anger at himself too, for not working harder to rescue her sooner.

Turning, the ranger began rooting through the open bureau drawers beside the bed. She was stark naked and he wanted to find something to cover her, to give her back a bit of dignity. Yet the only thing he found in the drawers looked like scraps of fine fabrics more than clothes. He did find her invisibility cloak, tunic and boots, however.

A roar from below told Hank that Eric was having far more trouble with the red dragon than they had anticipated. Even with the Presto guiding Eric with his magician’s inner sight, the cavalier was still having to dodge the dragon and Venger’s booby traps along the stairs while protecting their gateway back to camp. It had only been Presto’s flying spell that had allowed Hank to reach Sheila with this much ease.

Hank turned back to the thief and began trying to unhook the sparking harness, but he couldn't find a clasp or latch of any kind. Then it hit him. Venger had magically molded it to Sheila’s body. Only magic could undo it. The ranger hoped that Presto was feeling up to a challenge when they returned to the campsite.

Realizing that he could not get her tunic on over the harness, Hank began to search for anything that he could use to cover Sheila. He tried cutting down several tapestries with his bow but found that his weapon didn’t work too well here, probably for the same reason that Dungeon Master could not enter and Presto had to stay far away in order to get his magic to work properly. There was too much dark magic and too many evil spells lurking in these halls.

Finally, Hank heard a shout as Eric, now wielding a sword in addition to his shield, smashed open the rest of the heavy wooden door so the cavalier could push the pinkish purple bubble into the room ahead of him. Hank left Sheila’s bedside for a moment to help tug the enormous globe into the room. Once in the room, it floated benignly at the foot of the bed, waiting and pulsing.

"Eric, give me you cape!" Hank demanded, as the cavalier goggled at the room he had just entered filled with both beautiful works of art and an array of sexual torture toys.

Without reply, the dark haired man swept the cape off his shoulders and handed it to the ranger, the cavalier's eyes still sweeping the room in horror and fascination. Hank winced as he saw the jagged cut on Eric’s upper right arm and the fresh burns below it as the fabric was swept aside.

God, Presto, I hope you’re not tired, Hank thought to himself. There are a lot of wounds for you to patch up when we get back.

Hank tucked the cape around Sheila and lifted her off the bed just as a roar of anger rose up the stairwell.

"It’s Venger!" Eric screamed as he rushed to the remains of the splintered door. "Hurry up, Hank, we’ve got to get moving! I think he wants barbecued cavalier for lunch!"

The ranger grabbed Sheila’s clothes off the nightstand and was about to shove Sheila into the hovering pink bubble when her eyes opened again and she gestured with a clumsy hand towards the dresser Hank had rummaged through moments before.

"The jewelry box," she whispered. Bring it. Please."

Hank groaned. While the thief seemed to realize that she was being rescued, she was also not making much sense. He couldn't imagine why she would want anything that had to do with Venger. Eric however, was clearly ready to get out of here and if that meant taking the box with them, he had no problem with that. The cavalier grabbed the gem-encrusted case and the small doll that sat on top of it.

"Let’s go! Now!" Eric shouted over the din of collapsing stone as the walls crumbled around them. "That bubble won’t work if it gets hit and I don’t want to become the latest addition to the dungeons in this lovely garden spot!"

The ranger shoved Sheila and her clothes into the bubble and pulled himself through the jelly-like walls. Eric was close behind, the box and doll clutched in his hands, his sword not sheathed n a belt at his waist. Once inside, Eric opened his mind as Presto had taught him only the day before and let the magician’s power flow into his body.

For Eric, the feeling reminded him of the time he had taken over the job of Dungeon Master for a short time. Power surged through him and the innate knowledge of what to do next filled his mind. He pressed his hands upward on the bubble’s ceiling and he felt them begin to rise. With a twitch of his fingers the globe began to rotate and he could feel the sensation of weightlessness that he associated with teleportation permeate his body.

As the walls of Venger’s Palace of Torture imploded, the bubble teleported out of sight. They never saw the tower disintegrate under the bomb that Eric had left behind. Nor did they hear Venger’s howls of anger and his cry of pain as he was separated from the woman he had grown to love.