Page 42 of Silver

Silver’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Still looking?”

“I’m missing one,” I grumble.

“You have two options. Either you keep searching, or you take a punishment. Your choice.”

My breath hitches. I don’t even know what the punishment might be, but I’m exhausted from reading this stupid essay. My eyes are crossed.

“In either case, you also need to address your quiz. You got two questions wrong. Again, I won’t tell you which ones. You can study for it once more and retake it, or again, you can trade the information for a punishment. That would make three in total.”

I stare at the monitor and make a decision. “I’ll take the punishment for the essay, and I’ll redo the quiz.”

He grins. “Good choices. You’re excellent at negotiation.” He points toward the screen again and walks away.

I dive back into my actual book, knowing which two questions I probably got wrong. That’s an easy fix. If I find the correct answers, I’ll know.

Sure enough, I realize where I errored quickly. “I’m ready to retake the quiz, Sir.”

“Okay, but you only get one chance. Anything you miss this time becomes a punishment.”

“Yes, Sir.” I hate that I don’t know what the fuck he’ll be doing for this punishment, but I’m going to take the risk. I’m exhausted.

“The quiz is in your folder.”

I open it and chuckle to myself. He switched the order of all the questions. Of course he did. It doesn’t take me nearly as long to redo the test. “Done,” I declare, feeling absurdly too knowledgeable about this chapter.

He doesn’t move from his desk, and I watch as he opens my quiz and goes through it. Finally, he turns. “Good girl. I’m proud of you.”

I sit taller, smiling victoriously.

He comes to me, leans over, and takes my mouse in his hand.

I watch as he opens a search bar and pulls up a grammar lesson on non-restrictive clauses. He highlights two sentences. “Read this. I want you to write ten sentences using this grammar rule.”

Nodding, I take a deep breath.

“Don’t get excited. That’s only half your punishment.”

Sighing, I read over the stupid grammar-nazi rule. I remember it from years ago, but it’s not something that sticks out in my head. Then I do as he’s asked. I’ll be able to switch to an English major by the end of the week at this rate.

The end of the week… Am I insane? I can’t stay here. This is madness. I’m living in an alternate universe. I need to remember that the first chance I get, I’m running to the campus police. This grammar nazi is certifiable.

For now, I need to bide my time. I start typing examples.

My slave driver, Silver, is a sadist.

Silver’s friend Rook is dating his sister.

The only other woman living in this house, Briana, is also a hostage.

I keep going until I have ten.

Silver chuckles when he reads through them. “Naughty girl.”

“I did the assignment,” I point out.

“You’re a sassy little slut,” he retorts, bending to undo the shackle. “Stand.”

I rise, wincing. My butt hurts from sitting so long. It also hurts from being spanked far too many times. Oh, and the fucking ginger. I’m still burning inside from that evil root.