C2083
T hat kiss. That heart-stopping, breath-stealing kiss.
Even as I stared at the older Mistress, Georgie's damn kiss kept repeating in my mind. To look her way would make Doris think I wasn't interested, but it was killing me to stay focused enough to hold a steady conversation. I had a duty, so to speak. I was to remember as much as I could and not forget any names. The only way I'd managed to do that so far was to put my back to the two people who owned me. I'd do what Georgie wanted. I'd make her happy, and then maybe…just maybe, I could buy myself enough time to figure out some sort of escape or future.
"So, I clearly couldn't show up in that disaster of a dress. What would everyone think if I walked onto the stage with my white gown covered in wine? I already have quite a reputation for my outside parties. They'd clearly jump to the conclusion that I'd been sneaking drinks before my speech, and that wouldn't do."
"No," I said, giving her a charming smile. "It most certainly wouldn't."
Her lips pulled back even more, and she nudged her foot into her own slave, who was sitting at her feet, just like I'd been to Georgie. He didn't have to be told what to do. He stood, walking to the bar area that was holding a different array of bottles.
"I must have gotten carried away. Does your Mistress and Master usually converse with you so freely?" Her lids narrowed. "Or maybe they have better things for you to do."
I licked my lips, forcing my interest, even as my heart stopped in my chest. It wasn't that I found Mistress Twenty-eight unattractive. Quite the opposite. Her age didn't sway me in the least. She was beautiful, poised, and a great conversationalist. It was the fucking kiss.
"A little of both, maybe?"
She laughed, nodding. You're a good slave, it seems. I'm a little sad I didn't see you first. Why is that? Define dangerous to me?"
I sobered almost immediately, twisting it with a half-ass grin.
"I think the dangerous part is a little overplayed. I've killed. Who here hasn't?"
The woman blinked, her lips separating as something akin to intrigue took over.
"Killed. You're a crow… You don't say ."
I shrugged. "My Mistress spared my life in the human hunt. It appears she forgot to buy a slave and decided I'm a good toy to play with."
"Are you? A good toy to play with?"
"I guess there's only one way to find out. That is…if the Mistress would like to see for herself."
"You're good." She took the drink from her slave as he approached and sat back at her feet. "You are definitely a good talker. Very smooth. Not smooth enough."
"I'm here for whatever you want."
"Yes, you are. You're smart as well to catch on to this game so quickly, but there's no real chemistry between you and your Mistress. She didn't get you for sex. I guess you'll see that soon enough. Would you like to know what I want?"
"I do."
She took a sip, pausing to take another before she handed it back to the slave.
"I'd like to know more about this crow, you , that captured the attention of a woman who can't help but put her needs above almost everyone else. Yes, you're good-looking, but Georgie loves her husband. Anyone could see that. Why you? Why would she want to keep you…alive? You made it this far. You don't appear injured yet, and the auction was days ago."
I let seconds pass as I studied her face. Dammit. I had to steer her away from my identity. Especially anything having to do with my past. Georgie said not to mention Gilbert. Did they know each other? I had a feeling they did.
"I guess you're right. Being as I was clothed when she found me, I really can't hype myself up in that department. I was hoping, but who wouldn't? She's beautiful. I guess maybe she's keeping me to murder later."
"Georgie isn't one to let a kill simmer, if you know what I mean. Who are you really?"
I shrugged. "I wish I was someone. I'm afraid I'm not. They did mention she was…acting differently lately. Mood swings, I guess? I think that's because of the baby."
The woman's eyes flared.
"Georgetta is pregnant?"
My mouth parted purposefully, and I gave a quick shake of my head. "Not yet, but she's trying really hard. Medications. Appointments. I probably shouldn't have mentioned that. It's not my business to tell."
The woman was staring now towards where I knew my Master and Mistress were seated. I glanced back, feeling myself become rooted to the sofa I sat on. And not because I necessarily wanted to. It was that or jump to my feet and demand an answer as to what the fuck was happening, but I had no rights here. I had no rights to her. Where I expected to see the couple passionately kissing, or even fucking, I didn't expect this.
"Oh shit. I must have gotten too carried away. That darn music drowned out the good parts. We missed the beginning of the show. Quite a bit of it from the looks."
"Show?"
I glanced over at Doris's whisper but went back to taking in the scene that had clearly captured everyone's attention. My Mistress was now blindfolded with a tie and kneeled away from my Master's feet. Her face rested on the floor, and her arms were restrained with a belt behind her back with her ass more in the air. Where he'd been sitting in the chair before, he was now perched at the end of the cushion, rage clearly on his face as he trailed the end of a long skinny weapon up her thigh. The light blonde hair she'd had pinned back was covering her face, and what looked to be red welts dotted with blood were marked all over her bare ass. In slow strokes, Percy was caressing up and down her spine, but I wasn't sure the point of it. Comfort? Stimulation? I was confused. Angry. Lost. The Mistress had said ‘show'. What the fuck sort of show was this?
"What's happening?"
Doris's lips twisted as she threw me a look.
"Caning, of course." Her hand flickered. "I forget you're still nearly a child. Not at all accustomed to our tradition." A slight smile came as she watched my Master bring back the weapon and connect hard with the side of Georgie's ass. A deep purple was already blossoming under the repeated blows, and even a few were streaming with a thin sliver of blood. Doris almost appeared to take pride in what she was seeing.
"Tradition?"
"Oh yes. It's not so common anymore, but Jack would have learned how to put his wife in her place if she needed it. That one…she has a strong personality. I'm sure there are times she could use some straightening out. I'm glad to see he's doing it so publicly. Humiliation will do her good. Worked wonders for me," she said, glancing back.
"Do you think he's doing that because of me? What about a baby? What if she's?—"
Doris laughed under her breath.
"She's safe. He'd have to do a lot more damage than that to pose any risk. As for you…your Mistress…I knew something was off about this situation. This isn't about you. You were probably right. She's no doubt under a great deal of stress. After everything, she'll need you."
"My death?"
"Of course. Poor girl. Such a sad life she's led, really." It was more of a slurred mumble as the woman grabbed her drink, finishing it off and waving for another. "I wouldn't say she ever had luck on her side. I mean, when your mother is." She cleared her throat, dropping her voice but continuing on. "Georgetta never stood a chance. She was doomed from the beginning. Never good enough. Never helped, at her mother's request, of course. I'd even go to say she had it twice as hard as the rest. Hardest missions. Harshest punishments. Most of the time she was sent off, we all knew she was walking into a suicide mission. Impossible tasks, really. Maybe she knew too. Maybe that's why?—
The cane connected hard, and my Mistress cried out for the first time, breaking into sobs.
"Each mission, I'd say she went a little crazier. How could she not? Everyone was so afraid for her. Scared of her too, but I was proud. The hospitals couldn't keep her for long. She was dead- set to make her mark. To prove she was Gabriella's daughter, and just as good."
Whack!
Whack!
I flinched at the impact and choking that followed the deep gasp. More cries left my fists clenching.
"What happened?"
"I'm not quite sure," Doris whispered. "How many versions of the truth are the truth? Because one person says so, does that make it right?" She paused. "Georgie called it quits at the perfect time, and she should have. There's no way she would have lasted much longer. She was brilliant, but no one is that good, no matter their training. She was a leader like her mother, for sure, but some mothers don't see that. They don't…embrace competition. Especially ones that prove to be a threat. It's sad. Had she stayed and lived, I think eventually Georgetta could have taken over. We would have followed her. I still do, but it wasn't her time. She did what was best for them all by walking away."
"Ahhh!"
Georgie's face turned into the wooden floor, and her fingers were white from her squeezing her fists so hard. Percy paused, turning to look up at Jack, who nodded as he placed the cane on the small wooden table next to him. Percy undid the belt, allowing her arms to fall free.
"Kneel."
His expression was hard. Still angry.
My head jerked to Doris, who even appeared surprised. I couldn't ask if this was normal. Shouldn't he cradle her and say he was sorry? Clean her? Show some sort of care?
Georgie pushed up, her arms almost giving out immediately. She barely managed to catch herself as she crawled on her hands and knees, covering the distance to place her back at her husband's feet. Mascara was stained across her cheeks, and her full lips were quivering as she scanned the floor in what looked like a lost daze.
"Renounce your position."
A sob burst through as my Mistress's face rose.
"Say it. State your position."
"I have none."
"That's right. I am your husband. You are my wife. Nothing else anymore. Let everyone hear you agree."
She sniffled. "I am your wife. N-Nothing more."
"Sit. Don't look at anyone. Don't speak until spoken to."
"Yes, Husband."
Silence.
It was so quiet as we all kept entranced in what would happen next. Doris thrust her drink towards her slave. "Bravo!" She clapped, sending a slow applause to take over the rest of us. "Perfectly done, Master Two. Utterly beautiful, if I do say so myself. Way to take it, Georgetta. And with such grace. You make all of us Mistresses proud."
Georgie glanced up, breathing hard, but lowering her gaze just as quickly.
"You're positive they're trying to conceive a child? You actually heard them say she was taking medications and actively trying? I better not find out you're lying."
Doris turned back to me, a shark in her depths as something inside of her came to life. I did my best to hide the fear.
"I'm not lying. I heard them very clearly."
"I almost can't believe what I've witnessed. Renouncing her position. This was more than putting her in her place. I'm starting to understand the totality of it, but it's…unheard of these days. Oh, I hope I'm right. I have to be. I think he's grooming her. He's going to make her into such an amazing mother. Tolerance. Obedience. Discipline. Just like the old ways . Good for him. I'm thoroughly impressed by that couple. They just keep growing more and more into what we as elites should be."
I, on the other hand, was thoroughly disgusted and confused even more.
"This was to make her a better mother?"
"And wife and partner. An overall…reset, if you will. But I doubt this will end here. Like I said, it's a grooming process. An in-depth, brutal training, so to speak. Or at least it was. I guess we'll see over time just how far this goes. I truly hope he keeps it up. If he can mold her into the epitome of what we stand for, she may be taking over from her mother after all. Children will help with the image. I sure hope we hear news of one very soon."