The Long Road to Ruin Ch. 11

She sucked in a deep breath. Here goes nothing! Vico groaned when her fingers wrapped around the thick stalk of his erect cock. Shiloh's stomach clenched at the sound of his moan. She wasn't sure if he was indeed enjoying this or if he was only toying with her. The feel of the rod in her hand, iron hard with skin like silk, sent a rush of pure lust down her spine. She knew deep down no matter how hard she fought it that she did indeed want this. She wanted to please him. For wrong or right, she needed this.

A growl issued forth from Vico's throat, urging her on. Shiloh pushed her face into the dark nest of pubic hair, inhaling the tart, masculine scent while soft yet wiry wisps of hair caressed her cheek. Opening her hand, she kept it cupped around Vico's cock but free enough to let her tongue play over the thick length. To the music of Vico's moans, she traced a wet path over the raised, pulsing veins, letting her tongue skim over the velvet heat. Reaching the head, she deftly explored the curve of flesh where the straight shaft blossomed into a plump, reddish cap.

Shiloh followed a wet trail of pre-cum to the tiny slit that topped Vico's cock and delicately probed with her tongue. Vico's hiss of pleasure was all the encouragement she needed. Her mouth descended, taking the thick length to the root. She closed her eyes, lost in utter bliss. This act, to fill her mouth with Vico's cock, to feel the wet silk of Vico's skin against her tongue, to breathe his unique scent and taste the sweet pearls of Vico's pre-cum was magic. The world fell away. Vico became everything and all to her. Shiloh's beginning and end. She tightened her lips around the shaft and sucked for all she was worth.

With an expertise born of sheer joy in the doing, Shiloh worked Vico's cock. Her tongue danced and teased while her lips slid up and down the hard length. Her cheeks hollowed and released with the force of suction she applied. Vico was babbling incoherently, words and moans interspersing while his hips strained upward, following the movement of Shiloh's mouth. She gently cupped Vico's balls and rolled them, rhythmically squeezing, pushing him over the edge.

Vico's body stiffened then arched, the first rush of his cum bathing the back of Shiloh's throat as he came. She pulled back, wanting the taste, fresh, mild, salty and sweet.

Shiloh dropped her hand to her clit, rubbing frantically while swallowing each spurt of seed Vico released. Using her lips and tongue, Shiloh massaged Vico's cock, encouraging the aftershocks, the quivers that tightened Vico's body and brought more of his flavor to her seeking mouth.

Soon Vico's cock lost its rigid hardness and Shiloh, assured she had every drop, let it slip from her mouth. Vico's hands landed her shoulders and fisted in her hair, pulling her up to eye. "I suppose I should be glad you suck like a whore," he grinned meanly.

She pouted prettily, batting her lashes at him as an angry red blush crept into her cheeks. "Bastard!" Shiloh growled at him as she brought her fist up and punched him in his gut.

A small 'oomph' slid from his lips. He backed away from her and pulled back his hand, slapping her across the face. "You should learn to recognize a compliment when given, birdie."

The force of Vico's slap knocked her to the floor. She trembled and cried out as she landed on her sore bottom. She rubbed it and glared at him. "It's not much of a compliment coming from a braying ass like yourself."

"Ah, the haughty princess returns," Vico chuckled, "Remember what I said."

"To the hells with you," she shot back. "I shall do as I want to do, you craven hedge-born whoreson!"

Shiloh gathered herself to her feet and began to pull her dress back on. She grabbed up her cloak and went on the hunt for her short sword. She could feel Vico's eyes upon her, watching her every move. She glared back at him, meeting his stare evenly.

"Nath will want to know about your Dhorn encounter. I suggest you tell him," he growled as he laced his pants back up.

Shiloh nodded and sighed. "I have to complete my lesson, Vico. I told you the last ring is in the house next to this one. I must retrieve it. I have to complete my lessons."

"If you spent more time actually working on them and less time on your back, you'd have them done already and you'd wouldn't keep 'The Family' waiting." Vico walked away without a second glance. "Come."

She followed him and made her way to the door of the house. She picked the lock and let herself inside with Vico at her heels. She searched the lower part of the house, but found not what she was looking for. Heading for the stairs, she made her way to the upper portion of the house. She could hear shuffling in a room ahead of her and made her way to the door. Just as she was about to touch the door handle, it swung open and a brown haired man stepped out. "Hey! You there! Thief!!" He grabbed her wrist and painfully twisted it.

Shiloh gave him a sweet smile. "Can't we talk about this please...?"

He loosened his grip on her wrist and eyed her suspiciously. "Okay, I'm listening."

"There is a man with me downstairs who is forcing me to do this. I have to get the silver ring you have in your pockets, he said."

"What silver ring?" A puzzled look crossed his face as he examined his pockets, producing a ring, much to his astonishment. "How odd, this thing doesn't even belong to me."

He studied the ring, still eyeing Shiloh, who lowered her gaze dutifully. "Foolish girl, this isn't silver. It's just a cheap imitation. So you mean to tell me a man forced you to steal this from me?"

She glanced up at him, putting a miserable look on her face. She nodded and lowered her eyes again, studying her feet.

"Poor girl."

"He will beat me again if I don't bring him the ring." Shiloh removed her cloak and pulled up her skirt, showing him the darkening bruises Vico left on her bottom. "He did this to me when I lost it."

He eyed her bottom and licked his lips. Pulling her around to face him, he flashed a lecherous smile at her. "You've got a pretty face. How about I give you the ring, and you give me a...?" He grinned insolently, reminding her of Vico, and pointed towards his trousers.

"Oh...." Shiloh replied, as the consequences raced through her mind. She needed that ring, but she didn't feel like incurring Vico's wrath any further.

"You have to admit that's a small price to pay to get what you want," he leered at her expectantly.

She sucked in a deep breath. "Well okay."

He grinned at her and unbuttoned his trousers. Then he grabbed her head with both hands. His member protruded obscenely like a snake. "Oh yeah...!" He stuffed it deeply into her mouth. "Yeah, look at me with those big eyes, little slut!"

Shiloh jerking back from him, pulling his member from her mouth. She grasped the base of his cock, squeezing to let the blood make the tip hard when her lips closed around it. She probed the slit with her tongue, lapping up the first of the salty precum.

Shiloh opened wide and took in all of his cock. It was quite hard and she knew she could oblige his demands without deep-throating, but that wouldn't last long, she knew.

"Fuck, you're good!"

Suddenly, he pulled out. A spray of warm fluid landed on her face, running into her eyes and hair. It's really messy. He grinned. "Now you look like a real slut." He stuffed his member back into his trousers. "I think you were worth that. The ring's just a cheap imitation anyway." He threw the ring down in front of Shiloh, who was trying to clean herself as best as she could, then picked it up. "Now get out of here."

He dragged her to the door and pushed her out on the street where she came face to face with Vico. She lowered her head and showed him the ring. "It's done."

He lifted her chin, his eyes raking over her. He nodded. "I won't always be around to save your sorry ass! Do not do that again!"

"I did not ask for your help! I could do without you beating me! Now will you just go away and leave me alone!"

"Can't do that. You'd be dead without me," he grinned and walked away, leaving her standing alone with her mouth gaping over.

DAMN HIM! How dare he?

Shiloh followed him, but she lost sight of him in the crowd. She decided to take the three rings back to Master Yance and complete her 5th lesson. She left Western Betancuria behind and headed back to the Marketplace. She quickly approached Master Yance and waved at Timmy, who lingered near his side. She smiled at Yance and greeted him.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Got all three rings?"

"Yes, I have them right here." Shiloh handed them to Yance with a smile.

"Hm. You've acquired them indeed. I'm surprised. Honestly, I thought you'd not be able to do this." Yance nodded his head at her.

Shiloh beamed proudly at the merchant.

"I'll tell Nathan that you're a decent thief," he smiled at her.

"Thank you." Shiloh returned the smile and waved goodbye. Pride surged through her. She had finished 5 of her 7 lessons. Her 6th lesson was an actual mission. Breaking into the wizard's tower and swapping out the clock that Cata had given her for the one in the wizard's bedroom was her objective. She felt the need for a bath after all had happened this day and get ready for her rendezvous with Lenton. She had the address where they would meet and needed to prepare for it.

She would do Alfons' mission after her date with Lenton was over. She didn't intend on spending the whole night with Lenton. Part of her hoped that Vico wouldn't follow her and interfere. She wasn't in the mood for another altercation.

She quickly raced back to the Bear Pit and entered the establishment. She rushed through the common room and up into the kitchen, running past Nelina and Caron. She didn't even glance at him as she passed by, making her way into her room and shutting the door behind her.

Shiloh threw off her blue dress and hung it in her wardrobe. She never wanted to wear that dress again. She had purchased two new ones and still had money for a few more if she checked at Gaston's. It was another chance to practice disguising herself. She was proud of her skill and liked pretending to be something she wasn't. It kept her mind off of who she was.

She mentally shook herself. Don't think about it, she scolded herself as she readied her bath. She slid into the heavenly feeling warm bath and sank down into it until it covered her whole body. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. It felt so good. She came back to reality as she felt something pinch her sharply. She yelped in pain and jumped, splashing water onto the floor. She looked around for the culprit. Her eyes focused upon Chella.

"Do you intend to drown yourself, dear?" Chella asked.

"No, but did you have to pinch me? That hurt!" Shiloh growled back, her eyes flashing her anger.

"You weren't answering me when I called your name a dozen times so I had to get your attention somehow," the matronly woman smiled.

"Oh, I must have been daydreaming or something."

"Must have been some daydream. A message came for you along with this." Chella handed her the single red rose along with an envelope. "I'll just leave it on your bed. You should be more careful, dear. I may not know exactly who this is from, but I have a good idea what it's about. I want you to remember our talk and your contraceptive root."

"Thank you, Chella, for understanding and being there for me." Shiloh glanced up at the woman who'd become a second mother to her and smiled genuinely. "Can you hand me a towel? I'd like to get out."

Chella nodded and pulled a clean towel from the wardrobe. She gasped as Shiloh stood up and stepped out of the tub. She jerked Shiloh around and viewed her bruised bottom. "What in the name of the Gods happened to you? Who did this to you?"

Shiloh turned quickly and took hold of the towel in Chella's hand. She wrapped it around herself and began to dry her body off. "Vico happened," Shiloh sighed heavily.

"Why?" Chella demanded.

Shiloh licked her lips. "It's a long complicated story, Chella. I did something that angered him and he punished me for it harshly. It happened a few hours ago. I would rather not talk about it."

"You must tell Master Nathan," Chella implored her with begging eyes.

"I have told him about Vico's behavior towards me and he's done nothing about it. That's why I was so mad last night. I've decided to stay away from Vico." Shiloh replied determinedly.

"Then I shall talk to him."

Shiloh shook her head, "I don't think any amount of talking will help. Let's just pretend you didn't see a thing on my ass and leave well enough alone. I beg you, Chella. You are not the one who will be forced to deal with the repercussions of it."

"Be reasonable, young lady. Someone has to put a stop to this. I will not stand by and allow Vico to abuse you." Chella's voice raised a few octaves.

Shiloh looked her in the eye, telling her the real truth. "It's not abuse if I like it."

Chella stammered and stuttered for a few moments. "How absurd?!?! How could you like that?"

"I can't really explain why's of it, Chella. I just do. Call it a 'mutual obsession stemming from a traumatic experience.' My psyche is a bit warped due to the events in my life thus far. I need that to make me feel good. I don't expect you to understand it. I really don't understand it myself."

Chella shook her head, muttering something inaudible beneath her breath. "I will hold off in talking to Master Nathan for the time being, but if anything else happens to you I will go to him in a heartbeat."

"Fair enough, Chella. And since I plan to say away from him, all should work out fine." Shiloh smiled as she returned her attention to drying off and clothing herself in her new low cut black mini-dress and thigh high boots.

Chella shook her head, cocking an eyebrow at Shiloh's rather risqué choice of dresses. "Where do you plan on wearing that, too?"

"I planned on working on lesson six tonight. I have to break into a wizard's tower for Alfons and swap out clocks. I needed some dark clothing and this was all that was available at the dressmakers. I didn't have much money so I had to take what I could afford." Shiloh replied, "I thought I looked rather nice in it. It's very form fitting and won't get snagged on anything."

Chella shook her head, but said nothing. She quickly left the room without glancing back, leaving Shiloh alone. Chella was displeased with Shiloh. As the door shut, Shiloh let out a sigh. Perhaps admitting that she liked Vico's brutal brand of passion was too much for the matronly woman to accept. Don't think about it, she scolded herself for the second time.

She moved to her bed and picked up the rose and the letter. Quickly she opened the letter, perusing the contents. It was vague, but she knew who it was from.

Change of plans.

Come to 15 Summer Lane when the bell tolls at Vespers.

She was glad Lenton sent her a note. They had originally planned to meet at an address on River Road. Maybe he knew something was about to happen and wanted to avoid it. She sighed at the thought of Vico interfering. Gods, she hoped not.

She packed a few items she'd need in the haversack that held the clock and slipped it onto her back, then layered her black cloak over it. She picked up the rose and headed to the door. Leaving her room and the kitchen behind, she set foot in the hallway and smiled at Caron who inclined his head at her.

"Hi Caron," she beamed as she skipped towards him. "Are you ever going to get done with these crates?"

"I have the two big one left to inventory," he replied. "Where are you off to?"

"To do lesson six for Alfons. Oh I passed my pick-pocketing lesson," Shiloh chimed happily.

"Heh. Well, good thing we practiced, right?" Caron grinned at her.

"Yes, I had a good teacher."

Caron chuckled at her. "Want to tell me more about it all?"

She shrugged, "There's not a lot to say. I had to pick-pocket three people in the city and steal their rings, then bring the rings to Yance at the market place."

"Heh. Yance? He's still around then? That's good."

"You know Yance?"

"Yep. Was my teacher and mentor. He introduced me to this business." He smiled thoughtfully.

"Really?" Shiloh glanced at him curiously.

"Yeah. Must have been five or six years ago. I had traveled to Betancuria together with a fruit merchant, but I didn't like being an apprentice boy a lot. Way too much work." He grinned again. "I thought about becoming a pimp, which looked like a really cool job. Lots of pretty girls you're in charge for, but you don't have to actually do something but stand around and look grim."

"Oh. A pimp? You?" Her thoughts wandered to Vico and the altercation between him and that Dhorn named Jero.

"Well, I was young and stupid. I had a really rough time for a while just finding something to eat. Yance caught me one day while I was trying to cut the purse of an older lady. I'm not sure whether he was impressed by my technique or just took pity on me, but he took me in and taught me how to do this properly. He was the leader of a whole gang of thieves back then, all of them youngsters like me. It was a pretty exciting time. We all stole together, slept together, hid from the guards, shared our victories. It was like a family, only better."

"But what about your parents?"

Caron shrugged. "I've got no idea who my father was. My mom worked in a tavern, but she was killed when I was little."

"I am sorry to hear that. I know what it's like to lose parents." Shiloh replied, as she flashed a wan smile at him.

"Yeah, well. That's the course of life. And all in all I cannot complain. Well. Except that Vico's not allowing me into your bed."

Shiloh smirked. "In his dreams."

"In my dreams, you await me with open arms," he grinned at her and winked.

"I always shall," she replied as she grinned back. "With open legs too!"

"I'm looking forward to it," he nodded.

"Does that mean you are not disgusted with me for what I told you earlier?" Shiloh asked.

"I thought about it and I realize that Vico would say anything to get his way. That idiot.... he does not deserve you. You are better than that. I intend on proving that to you one way or another."

She smiled dreamily and kissed his cheek. "Shall I see you on the morrow then?"

Caron nodded at her, "Most definitely."

She winked at him as she walked away. All was good and somehow she knew she could have her cake and eat it too.