Glaucus was never seen alone, always with a girl at his side. “What flavor of the week is this?” Circe would joke. They would laugh and he would ignore the girl most times to speak with his best friend Circe about the days events, upcoming parties, things he planned on doing… On occasion they would double date, catching the latest drama by Ovid.

Glaucus was notorious for falling in love just as quickly as he would fall out of love so it was common for Circe to be confused about who he was talking about most times. On rare occasions when he felt that this girl was “the one”, he would ask Circe for a love potion so that the girl would fall in love with him just the same, making it easier for him to marry her. Circe would give him a potion, but it was never for love. She provided him with a revealing spell. Once the girl drank it, she could see right through Glaucus and his intentions. Every time, the girl left him.

He was only interested in bedding most girls. The idea of commitment was problematic to him as he had all this love to give and so many people wanted it. He would constantly complain to Circe who quietly sat and listened to his ranting, offering advice on how better to approach women or how to handle his relationships, mainly, staying faithful. He blew her off constantly but he always came back with the same story and the same “I don’t know what happened?”

One afternoon while talking, Glaucus asked Circe, “Hey, why don’t you have a boyfriend? Or better yet why aren’t you married?” “because all men are just like you!” she jabbed. “Besides, there is only one man who has caught my eye, but he doesn’t know that I exist.” she said, sadly. “Who is this scoundrel?” Glaucus asked.

Staring into his eyes, she said “Don’t worry about it, he’ll come around one day.” “Hey Circe, have you ever tried using a love spell on him? Truthfully I haven’t had the best luck with them but I bet you could snag this guy in an instant, you are beautiful you know.” he said softly. She closed her eyes, lips parted in anticipation, hoping he finally realized she had been talking about him the whole time. “ See you later” Glaucus said from a distance, already out the door.  Frustrated, Circe went to her garden to pull weeds as a distraction. He was too dense to see how much she loved him.

He visited her again two days later. Glaucus clearly unaware that he had left her in the middle of a moment, already turned the conversation to ask her for advice. “There is this girl I met a while ago. She is very friendly, though a little shy. Hasn’t dated much and is unwilling to see me out in public. We have so much in common, I know that if she gave me chance that this would work out! What do I do?” he asked her.

“I don’t know what you want me to tell you!” she snapped. “Whoa!” Glaucus said, taken aback. “What’s wrong with you today?” he queried. “Ugh. Nothing is wrong. I just don’t get how you can bounce around between all these women and always claim you’ve found the one but here you are, still single and unmarried!.” “Ok! Maybe I should leave you alone, sheesh” he said under his breath, turning and leaving before she hurtled more insults in his direction.

Circe had stopped entertaining Glaucus in her home, finding ways to keep busy so he wouldn’t stop by as often as he did before. She wanted to forget about him. Clearly he would never see that she was there , waiting for him to acknowledge her feelings. He was more of a client, looking for love magic workings than a real friend or a potential suitor.

Circe took a day off and headed to the beach.Needing to get away she wanted to meet up with her friend Scylla who loved the beach so much she was there every morning without fail! Walking towards the water she sees Scylla, but she isn’t alone. “Great” Circe thought to herself. “Now I’m going to be the third wheel..” walking closer she gets a look at the person who is splashing water at Scylla and realizes it’s Glaucus! Rage set in as she walked towards them. “Hey Scylla” Circe yelled over the waves. Hearing a voice, she turned and saw Circe waving at her from the surf, she motioned for Glaucus to look, then headed towards her, Glaucus staying behind. “Hey Girl” Scylla said nervously, “what brings you to the beach?”

“Oh, I was just hoping for a girls day at the beach, but clearly you have company…” she snickered. “Oh.. yea…” Scylla said, turning towards Glaucus. “He’s been coming here often, trying to get me to date him but I always refuse. I know you like him”  she whispered. “Him?” Circe pointed lazily. “He isn’t worth one drachma! Always asking me for love potions, never caring about what others feel, he’s a total fuckboy and you should stay clear of him… from one friend to another.”  “I’m not into him anymore” she added, “ he can go with whoever he wants, I wish those women the best of luck!”

“You know, I’ll tell him to leave, why don’t you set your blanket down It’ll-” “Nah, don’t worry, we can catch up another day, I don’t want things to be awkward.” “see you later, Scylla!” Circe said, waving. She clutched her blanket close to her body, walking quickly. She held back the tears until she reached her house and then let loose.

She was angry that he never looked at her the way he did Scylla or any other girl for that matter. She was furious that he only wanted to use her for her skills. She was jealous that Scylla had his attention and didn’t even want it! Why was this so unfair!  She cried over her mortar and pestle, grinding herbs into a dark paste, enchanting the mixture to do her bidding. She would have her revenge, Glaucus would pay for the hurt he has caused her.

The following morning, she went back to the beach. Scylla was already in the water, bathing as usual but she was alone. “Maybe, I’m being to hasty” Circe said to herself. Then she saw him. Picnic basket in hand with a large bouquet of flowers and her rage stirred up again. She watched them play in the water and waited for the perfect moment. Glaucus was chasing Scylla, trying to hug her while she giggled and got free every time.

Circe walked up to the water, unnoticed and let her potion flow into the water. “Let Glaucus pay for what he has done to me!” she said, pointing at the black pool. It took the form of an eel and shot into their direction, swimming rapidly towards glaucus, but as fate would have it, Scylla stepped in the way, unaware of what was happening, she was bitten.

Screaming the water covered her and she was dragged underneath. Glaucus, terrified went head first to save her and quickly popped back up. He ran towards the shore where he spotted Circe, smiling at him.  At the same moment he scrambled out of the water, Scylla emerged, screaming again. Horrified, Circe realized that the potion never reached Glaucus, instead, it went after Scylla. The jealousy she harbored directed the spell. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Glaucus shouted at Circe.

“Why would  you do that to her?” he screeched. “It wasn’t aimed at her” Circe tried to explain. “The potion was meant to exact my revenge on you!” she growled. “Well, look at her!!” he pointed at Scylla. She remained in the ocean but they could see the tentacles with dog heads floating about her legs. “She’s hideous!” Glaucus cried. “How am I supposed to love her now?” he asked. “You never will!” Circe said.

“No man will ever love her now, thanks to you!” she sneered. “Me? Because of me? Did I throw that spell in the water? Did I turn her into a monster? NO! This is your doing.” he said storming off.
Circe waded into the water, trying to get close to Scylla. “I’m sorry” she said sadly. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, it was all meant for-” Scylla cut her off “Please don’t try to explain any of this, my life is ruined. Why?  Because you were jealous and instead of believing me, I am now a monster. I don’t even like Glaucus, just as I told you yesterday. How could you do this to me?” “But-” Circe tried to explain when the six heads reared up, snarling. Getting the message, she left Scylla crying in the ocean.

Months passed and she heard about Glaucus getting into trouble over a nymph. Circe’s heart, a stone, unable to think on him with the same feelings. She decided to make things right, she made another potion and would heal Scylla.

Approaching the ocean, Scylla motioned for her to stop. “Don’t come any closer!” she warned. “I’m here to help you!” Circe said, holding up the bottle. “Dont!” Scylla cried out, drawing closer to the surf. “I have learned a valuable lesson. I was visited by a water nymph who told me that these heads represent, all the things I have lacked in previous relationships. They remind me of the things I should demand from a partner.

One day there will be man that will honor these qualities, and so I will wait here for him. The heads reared up again but they were docile this time “that one is self love. I am always willing to give it to others but never save any for myself” she pointed. “This one over here is acceptance, I’ve always had a hard time with breakups and this has taught me that I need to let things go. This one is Honesty. The key to a long lasting relationship. Independence is over there by self love! By choosing to stay, I have carved out my destiny. Next to honesty are boundaries and respect. Without them, my life will be filled with so many more Glaucus’ wishing to take advantage of my sincerity then leave me behind. “

Circe still holding the potion said “Scylla, that’s great that you’ve discovered this, but you can uphold these tenants without those tentacles.” “You’re right, but then the lesson won’t really be learned. Thank you Circe for trying to make it right, but you did me a favor instead.” Scylla waved at her friend and went back to playing in the ocean with her new aquatic friends.

I prepared for work like I did every day. Lit a red candle to Lilith, some incense and said a few silent prayers, mostly in the form of “Keep me safe. Let them taste the soles of my boots and not my blood” things of that nature. Being a Domme had its perks, not going to lie. There were always gifts. Perfumes, clothes, lingerie, shoes, anything you wanted, you could ask for. My favorite was always take out and extra tips. You weren’t the only Domme, Switch or Sub on for the night so competition was real. You need a certain something to catch the eye of the person coming in or you might not make any money that day. Lilith always made sure I was provided for but  take out and tips helped keep the wallet full.

Working in an established dungeon offered you protection from the street, randos from craigslist ads or motel encounters that could end fatally. It did however hold this space for many others, more established people who constantly had a string of customers. I learned quickly who were the top money makers and how to befriend them. On occasion they would bring you in on a session and you would earn part of that fee, so cattiness got you nowhere. There were definitely some serious players and it was best to be on their good side, especially when things were slow, they looked out for the newer people :

Mistress Mitsuki : age 25, she was studying to be a doctor and found that Domme work was easy cash for her that gave her time to focus on her school work. She was handy with a bull whip and famous for her relentless canings. She constantly made people throw up from the intensity or pass out. She was a hot commodity for those who wanted to baptized in the pain. She also had a huge food fetish and would host wrestling matches between clients and dommes using food as weapons…. Not my kinda party.

Mistress Alice : age 24, cute as a button, a red haired devil. Dressed up in cosplay a lot, indulged in those types of fantasies though she favored being a nurse the best. Taught me how to insert a urethral sound, how to give an enema and was a true rope queen. Once you fell prey into her web, there was no getting out until she said so. Also a feened with a cane, her technique was impeccable, lines on a bare ass so straight you could use them instead of a ruler! She was called to do a lot of Switch work, as she too enjoyed what she dished out!

Mistress Cricket : age 42, 5 foot dangerous. She frightened me the most. The Mariah Carey of our dungeon…. She came in occasionally, practically retired but still had a few customers that paid top dollar to see her. Never knew anyone’s name, treated everyone like peasants and practically floated through the place. She never did the stand hour session, and only saw patrons who booked four or more hours. Her biggest client was a woman from Kentucky. She flew on every couple of months to see Cricket. Walking in with head lowered, a sullen appearance, we knew from cricket that she suffered with serious depression. She didn’t like a lot of attention and was skittish so she would be escorted to a private waiting area. At the end of her 4 hour session, she would be covered in wax, bruises,and sometimes bleeding if there was any needle play. The difference in her persona was incredible, like two different people.

Mistress Lily : age 26, an aspiring lawyer, she was very private about her life, she refused to be photographed, afraid that her family would see her and reputation would be ruined. Running away from an arranged marriage with a much older man, she became a Domme to satisfy the helplessness she felt in that situation and made other men pay at the end of her Cat O’Nine. She wore the tallest heels out of everyone there and truly enjoyed trampling. She was the go to for all of the water sports requests, including the famous “Ruby Shower” people paid extra to be under. Her favorite was using men to be human toilets. I don’t know how she did it, but she was the number one pick for those things.

Mistress Jamie : age 23, the girl next door type. She was tall, blonde and had huge breasts. The clients would fawn over, drooling at her feet ( literally). She was the best for electroshock play, sensory deprivation scenes, smoking scenes and would always indulge anyone who wanted to worship her body. All acts of worship were of course done over clothing and required a generous tip upfront before she agreed to anything. Saddled with an unwanted pregnancy, she milked her situation, literally. Clients were lining up at the door to help her drain the milk accumulating in her breasts and paid serious money to be considered. She had plans to become a big time model, a Victoria Secret’s angel maybe.

And then there was me , Mistress Lilith : Age 23, young and ambitious. Took on any client that wanted to feel the crack of leather against their skin. Skilled in trampling, fisting, medical play cbt, sissification, and rope play. Moderately skilled with temporary piercings, electroshock,  puppy training, enemas, pegging and humiliation play. I was well rounded and made steady money while at the dungeon.

Before seeing a client, I would silently call to Lilith for protection and strength to bend this person to my will. They would know that I wielded the power to control them for those 60 minutes and that I was untouchable, no one in my time there ever laid a hand on me. Not even accidentally. There had been a few attacks and several times when girls ran into trouble but were bound /gagged so no one could help them. Having heard some scary things from other newer girls, I knew never to sub or switch for a client that was not considered a regular, I never did it for any of them. I wore her seal proudly during these sessions and even had a few clients who recognized it. They were instant regulars and always made sure I was provided for, even when they didn’t visit the dungeon. Western union was my best friend in those days.

Lilith was the equalizer in my life. Men came to see me during their lunches as high profile executives, lawyers, doctors, professors in order to indulge in things they or their spouses considered taboo, or shameful. Dressing in women’s clothes, being paraded around to be humiliated, kicked, and beaten was what they wanted to do during their “me time.” I provided a judgement free zone where all this was possible, they in turn lined my pocket so I could be there the next time they needed to escape.

Trigger WARNING Subject : Suicide

**If you are having suicidal thoughts or feelings, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @1-800-273-8255 talk to someone.. Get help… you are not alone.

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She was sitting on the floor of her bedroom in the dark when her husband walked in. “I want to die.” Selma said hardly audible. “ What?” he said softly, so as not to startled her. “I dunno” she muttered. “I just don’t see a point to living anymore. Not like this… who wants to live like this? And you… how many more times are you going to watch me cry? How many more times are you going to pick me up off the floor? How much more of this can you take? It’s unhealthy for you and unfair.” she said defeated.

Jonathan sat on the floor next to his wife and wrapped his arms around her, leaning his head against hers. She tried to push him away, break free from his hold but she was tired of crying, tired of fighting, and his touch was the only thing that brought her comfort. “I am not going anywhere,” he said “and neither are you.” tightening his grip around her. She squeaked feeling the pressure and he loosened it again.”What can I do?” he asked her. “Nothing.” she said defeated. “There is nothing you can do for me at all. I can’t explain why I feel this way, and yet I do. It doesn’t make sense to anyone right?” she leaned into his chest. “Baby, just talk to me, I am listening.” he comforted.

“I have a loving husband, my children are great…. I love my dog, he’s adorable! I work a shit job but I get paid well and have a great schedule. I live in a neighborhood I can’t stand, but its safe, and I sleep easily knowing I don’t have to worry about intruders. I have my own car , I can do whatever I want but none of that matters to me right now. I want the anxiety to go away. I want the voices in my head to stop telling me I am not good enough. I want my body to stop having a war inside of itself so that I can live a normal shitty day just like everyone else….. I just want the pain to end, and this… this is the only way” her voice, cracking.

Jonathan was scared. He knew his wife battled anxiety and depression, sometimes even together and for the most part she held it together. When she wasn’t doing well, he noticed her irritability or the need to sleep for hours without getting any real rest and he would support her, giving her the space she needed. He saw her drag her feet every morning to make it to a place she hated, all to make sure that her family was provided for.

Often times she didn’t cook. No longer in love with her passion, the illness in her mind taking over so they became a family that eats take out sometimes six days out of seven. Her family, again, supportive, did not utter a word about it, though on occasion her children begged for her home cooking and she would comply, feeling again, like a person, just for a few moments. The next day she paid for her enthusiasm with body aches and a migraine. The bottom line…. Selma was tired of it all.

“The only reason I am still here, is because of you guys. My pain would end, sure, but then I would pass it on to you guys… I don’t want to be responsible for that. I mean, this isn’t much better, you watching me like this, helpless… I’m sorry..” she sobbed, clutching her husband tightly. “For now, I am fighting, and even though I said I wanted to die, the truth is I don’t want to leave any of you. I just don’t know what to do about this pain I feel…” she whispered.

Jonathan held his wife, trying to conceal his own tears. There was nothing he could do to help her other than be the support she needed in whatever way she needed it. Right now, he was the warm pair of arms and the heartbeat that reminded her of the people who needed her here and for today, that was enough for Selma. They were always her reason to get up every morning and fight.