The Academy Read Online Free

cheekbones. But now, Ken Mandarin faded before something ever so much more—ethereal. And Michael struggled to understand why.
    She was in her fifties, maybe even her sixties, it was hard to guess. Her smooth, olive-toned skin was faintly glowing in health, that kind of color you got when you lived in a warm place. Her hair was a rich, lush black, touched lightly with silvery white, making you guess at her age, mocking you with the possibilities. She had large, bold, dark eyes, and a body that Americans would describe as heavy. But when she stood and offered an elegantly manicured hand toward Chris Parker, she seemed as tempting as Aphrodite freshly come from the waves, as stunning as an Italian movie actress, as inviting as a warm embrace.
    Chris took her hand and kissed the back, European style. Michael couldn’t think of any other way to greet this woman. He realized that his mouth and lips had dried out, and nervously swallowed, hoping that Chris would not introduce him. I’ll just fade into the background , he thought, praying that his palms weren’t sweating.
    “Ninon,” Chris said, pronouncing it like it was French. “I was so pleased to get your note.”
    “And I was pleased to see that you have at last truly joined us,” the woman said. “Your writings have been so useful to me, it seemed a shame you were not more active among us. I hope that I am among the first to give you my full support and encouragement.”
    “I’m honored by your interest,” Chris replied. “I just hope that the upcoming discussions won’t be—unpleasant to you.”
    “Oh, my young friend,” she laughed, and her laugh was like something warm and soft thrown over bare shoulders. “I have been here much longer than you, and have faced terrible battles in the past. Surely, you know that it is those moments of unpleasantness which accentuate the moments of joy.”
    “Of course.” Chris smiled, and was that just the slightest touch of color in his cheeks? Well, there was certainly a lot of heat pumping through Michael’s face, and it intensified when Chris turned toward him and indicated him. “Ninon, please allow me to present Michael, who was chosen by Anderson to train under me.”
    Michael felt buffeted when the woman turned her gaze toward him. He bowed deeply, appropriately for a person of such little status, and, he hoped, low enough for Chris’s judgment. She smiled at him, though, and it made everything instantly better. She did not extend her hand to be kissed, for which he was terribly grateful. He didn’t think that it would be appropriate to take one of those pretty hands into his suddenly huge and sweaty paw.
    “Ninon is one of the greatest gifts the modern Marketplace has,” Chris said. “And her specialty will interest you, Michael.”
    “Yes, sir?” Michael managed to say.
    “Ninon exclusively trains pleasure slaves.” Chris smiled again, and Michael gulped as Ninon turned to look into his eyes again.
    “Is that truly a field of interest to you, Michael?” she asked, her eyebrows raising delicately. “As a client, or a trainer?”
    “I—I hope to be a trainer,” Michael stammered.
    “How charming. And fortunate for you, as well. You are at an awkward age for pleasure training,” she said gently. “Too young for the proper experience, too old to be fully trained in the most proper way. But a few months with me, and I would teach you things about pleasure which you could have never imagined.”
    I bet , Michael thought, bitterly hating the way the spikes were digging into his balls and around the base of his cock. “It would be an honor for me to study under you ma’am,” he said. He hated the way it sounded the minute the words left his mouth, but again her smile made everything better. When she turned her attention back to Chris, he tried to breathe in deeply and gently and regain his composure.
    “Surely, you have many allies in this,” she was saying.
    “All I need,” Chris said