The Oath: Book 1: Bound

Lila studied him with care. All she saw, with the black painted mask upon his face, were his intense, dark eyes that bored into her skull.

Nervous, she swallowed hard. No turning back.

The gentleman with the white gem grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. Lila sucked in her breath, unable to control the thrill that ran through her body at the rough gesture. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the black-gemmed male take hold of a rather elaborate flogger. From it hung numerous, long strands of thin black leather. With a sharp crack, it struck her side, and she winced. The sound reverberated in the small room. Lightheadedness filled her, and she surveyed her situation. Three men surrounded her and had her tied to what appeared to be two wooden planks in the form of a huge X, and this for the purpose of attaining self-knowledge?

I must be crazy.