All Is Bright - K. Sterling Page 0,7

is for mine. The less you know about my business the better and there are snipers hunting us,” he told them then winced sheepishly. “Later, those of you who need a laboratory or a workshop will be shown to the vault where you can make yourselves at home. I’m going to break it to Professor Elliot while you’re being shown to your rooms and unpacking,” he confided with a bow and waved at Alon.

“Welcome to Blackhurst, gentlemen. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to notify me. I’ll show you to your rooms,” Alon said and Cyril stood back and watched with unease as the party in the foyer made its way up the stairs.

Chapter 4

“What happened to my blacklight?” Elliot asked as he looked around his desk. He lifted up a notebook before he spun. Reginald kept a straight face and his arms crossed over his chest but his finger extended and pointed at Toly. Elliot was livid and giving Blink absolute hell when Alon escorted them down to the vault earlier. The subterranean facility itself was elegant and mind boggling and reminded Reginald of the library at Oxford but it was the fireworks on “the platform” that had everyone riveted. Elliot was clearly in charge in the vault and relished every opportunity to remind Blink and share what he thought of his heavy-handedness. Blink was discreetly cowed and obsequious as he nearly begged under his breath and promised to make it up to Elliot. Reginald was delighted as Alon did his best to shield and distract them from the quiet battle happening at Elliot’s desk but it was fascinating. Eventually, Elliot conceded and agreed to be civil and was doing his damnedest to ignore the upheaval as Grim’s supplies were being delivered in black cases with padlocks and extra refrigerators were being installed.

“My apologies, professor,” Toly said as he pulled the blacklight out of his hoodie and handed it to Elliot.

“It’s fine,” Elliot said tightly as he reached for it. “And you can call me Farris,” he added, making Toly blush and duck his head.

“Thank you, Farris. I will do my best to leave your things alone. I can ask Mr. Blink to send more parts.”

“Tell me something, Farris...” Reginald started but Elliot shook his head.

“Not you. You can call me Elliot or Professor Elliot,” he said but he smiled as he inspected a Man Ray with his blacklight. “What did you want to know?” He frowned as he leaned to get a closer look and Reginald checked to make sure Alon or one of his footmen weren’t lurking.

“How’d you do it?” He whispered loudly and Elliot’s frown deepened but he was still more interested in the Man Ray.

“Do what?”

“Break Cyril Blink. As king of the fucktoys and a former sugar daddy slayer, I demand to see your work. Show your technique,” Reginald demanded playfully. Elliot rolled his eyes as he leaned so he could grab his magnifying glass and went back to the easel.

“First of all, I didn’t break Cyril. He’s learning about boundaries and how to compromise. Second, he’s a man with incredibly high expectations. He doesn’t fuck around with toys. That’s where you went wrong, before. You let a man think you’re a toy and he’ll play with you until he gets bored. I’m not a toy and I don’t play games. And the rest isn’t any of your business,” he said simply. Grim smirked as he took a Bunsen burner out of a box and arranged his things on the table with the ventilation hood.

“They fuck like it’s mating time at the zoo. The whole damn house can hear them.”

“At least we don’t break things or need stitches after we’re done,” Elliot muttered. A red rash crept up his neck and Grim snorted as he limped across the platform to him.

“Are you sure? I thought I spied something nasty under your collar at breakfast,” he said and tried to take a look but Elliot slapped his hand away.

“I knew I should have eaten down here by myself,” he replied and Grim’s face fell and he bit into his lip as he squirmed.

“I’m sorry...Farris. I wouldn’t want you to miss breakfast with everyone else on my account,” he mumbled, stunning everyone. It was wildly uncomfortable so Reginald waved it off.

“Whatever. Don’t be a baby and let us see it,” he said as he hopped off the stool he was perched on and Elliot nodded.

“Sure. Right after I slap the almighty fuck out of