Chapter 48

Monroe's voice snapped me out of the semi-trance I had been in since Monroe began tying Nessia. "Zach, feel the bindings." He waved me closer. "Never too loose and never tight enough to restrict blood flow." He pulled Nessia up by her braid so she was in a straight kneeling position. "You should always be able to slip a couple of fingers under the ropes. If you cannot you know they are too tight."

I bent down and felt along the rope; a zing passed through me at the contact of her warm flesh. With all the art I turned away from as a child I finally understood what my mother meant when she said it called to her. This, what Monroe had created, called to that dark place inside me.

"Now, dear, I need you to bow forward again."

I heard Monroe's words through a vacuum as he helped Nessia into the position he desired. She didn't hesitate and moved as Monroe directed. I must have had the same look of ecstasy on my face that she did. It was rolling through me, over me, and surrounded me. This