Free Dom Wars - Round One by Lucian Bane

were doing something right, maybe the creativity part.
    Silence fell as everyone stared at the screen, each no doubt assessing their chances to gain enough points to win.
    The blonde turned to go, but paused. "I would suggest you all try to get a good night's rest. Tomorrow is the group event and auction. You'll know details when you arrive." She took a half dozen steps. "Oh, and remember," she raised her finger in the air, "you're being judged at all times. " Heels clicked on the tile floor as she left the room.

Chapter Eight
     
    I sat next to Tara, holding her hand. Because that would hopefully ensure more respect if they thought we were an actual item. I hoped. I didn't know any of these people except the one I wished I didn't, so it was anyone's guess if it'd do a damn bit of good or not.
    The dining room from last night had been cleared except for chairs grouped at one end. The tiled floor had been covered with utility carpet, and large covered crates sat against one wall. The blonde announcer stood before the group, all seated in the chairs. "The numbers you each wear represents your team. After you mingle for thirty minutes, we'll begin the group play. Basically, you'll each be required to perform, for the group, whatever you find in the envelope with your team's number on it. From the beginning, we deliberately withheld the standards we're using to judge you by, except for the general information you were given at dinner last night. We can't allow anyone to play to the judges."
    Somewhere to my left, a female cleared her throat as if to speak, but the announcer didn 't stop for her.
    " And remember, the natural Dom is being judged. That means we don't want it to be merely a role you play when it's convenient, but who you truly are. A true Dom. The game begins on announcement via the PA system. Good luck."
    Tara tugged me with her to the waiting envelopes on an elegantly engraved silver tray that rested atop a small, heavily carved table that stood in the exact center of the room, directly under the magnificent crystal chandelier.
    She led the way to a secluded corner while I discreetly watched our opponents' faces, searching for some hint that might give us a competitive edge. Standing so that my body shielded her from the others, she opened the envelope. "Shit, flogging? Fifty lashes?"
    My heart lurched as I peeked over her shoulder at the dreaded word on the page. "You'll flog me."
    " What? No, I can't."
    " You can't? No, I can't."
    She grabbed my arm and pulled me closer and began hissing. "What do you mean you can't? You're a Dom !"
    " So what?" I hissed back. "Did you think all Doms have to like making women hurt?"
    Forehead scrunched up, she appeared to think about it. "Kind of."
    " Maybe some do. Maybe even a lot. But that's not me."
    " You cut me pretty good." Her voice betrayed her disbelief.
    " Because I had to."
    "You didn't seem to be too bothered."
    " Dead wrong again." I shook my head. "You didn't notice I did everything I could to reduce the pain? To keep the cuts small and shallow? To keep your mind occupied?"
    She glared at me, then rolled her eyes. "I don't want to beat you with a flogger! I'm not violent."
    I raised my brows.
    "Unless somebody pulls my hair." She looked over my shoulder, then back to my eyes. "Can't you pretend? One more time? It's only fifty lashes."
    " Only fifty ?" I wiped my hand over my mouth and shook my head.
    " You spanked me. How's that different?"
    " That was with my hand. And I can soothe you when I spank you." My mouth had gone dry with the desperation of my need to convince her.
    " I'll let you soothe me after, I promise, you can… do whatever you want."
    I raked my hand through my hair wanting to pull. Not being able to soothe her flesh with my tongue and lips after every lash would unravel my fucking mind and soul. Fifty times over. "You need to do it."
    " I can't!" Her hiss had become a faint squeal and I worried she would draw unwanted attention.
    " Why not? Just