About Epiphany: Shining Through

by Lee Benoit
13 pages / 5000 words
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc

Paulo sings in the choir introduced in Heard on High. When he goes to see his friend Jim perform at a BDSM club, he's fascinated by the man's partner, Master Rose. So, when he finds out that Jim isn't feeling well on the night of Epiphany, he jumps at the chance to fill in for the final performance of the holidays, not knowing this is Master Rose's final performance at the club, not knowing how far he'll be pushed. Or how far both of them might fall.

Sample

Tasim

Over glasses of sweet, strong tea, I’m trying to convince my oldest friend that he’s making a mistake.

“This is a lifestyle, Preston, not a religion.”  I’m trying to keep my voice light.

Preston winces slightly and hides behind a sip of tea.  “It’s changed for me, Tasim.  I tried to explain.”

“I don’t care how compelling your Ordeal Path might be.  You’ll wither and blow away if you leave the club.”

Preston laughs.  “Your business will wither, you mean.”

Before I can voice an indignant objection, he holds up a quelling hand.  “Teasing, Tas.  Your club and theater will hardly hiccup when your performing bear retires.”

Preston is hardly a bear, and hardly mine, but I know when to keep my mouth shut, and when to change the subject.

I wave a garish Christmas card at him.  It arrived this afternoon with an arrangement of winter greens and hothouse flowers.  “So, what does Jim say?”

“That he’s sick, that he’s sending a replacement sub for tonight’s performance, that I should consider him my belated Yule gift.”

“Cheeky sub,” I say without heat.

“Rudolph, the blue balled reindeer, had a very shiny knob...”

“Oh, gods, can that be him?” Preston groans as I make for the stage door even before a knock sounds.

“Welcome,” I say, in my best British butler voice.  “You must be Mr. Soares.  I was very sorry to hear our Jim is feeling poorly.  Thank you for filling in at short notice.”

The young man shakes my hand.  “I’m Paulo.  And Jim’ll be okay in a few days—just the flu.”

“Master Rose.  You should remember that when you meet him.”  I hold the shaken hand and use it to draw Paulo into my office, taking the opportunity to appraise the boy.

His light brown skin pales and I notice a scattering of little, dark freckles across the bridge of his nose.  “I’ll remember,” he says, ducking his head and glancing at me from under curly black lashes.

Charming.