Mistress A-0002

“ I t was an accident. I mean, maybe my mind wasn’t in the right place. She was a slave. Just…not mine to hurt like that, I guess. Fuck . It was going fine. We were messing around, making out but then… Sebastian . He’ll have reported it. Definitely.” He paused. “I have to go back.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

Jett and I had barely made it to The Six before he doubled back, leaving me standing at the entrance of the restaurant to race back to the elevator. He had been speaking a million miles a minute since I found him by the lobby, and all I could think about was Elec breaking my pull from the tapping. He shouldn’t have been able to do that after my trigger with the watch.

“ Wait . What about Sebastian’s slave? Jett?—”

“If I don’t go, they’re going to think I’m guilty. I’m not because she consented. The Main Master will want to hear my side. It’s important.” The elevator doors were beginning to close, but I wasn’t close enough to stop them as Jett threw me a forced grin. Or was it so forced? Maybe not. Did I detect excitement? A slight thrill? He didn’t seem worried. Should I be?

The doors shut, and within seconds I was pressing into the button, angrily. What in the hell was going on? Maybe I should have listened more to what Jett was saying on the elevator. I wasn’t because I had my own problems. Now this? Something with Sebastian’s slave?

By the time I made it to his side at Sebastian’s apartment entrance, it was too late for me to get the upper hand on Jett or anyone else. Blood. Screaming. I tried wrapping my mind around what was happening. On what my son must have been thinking. I warned him about other Master’s slaves. And he knew the rules. He hadn’t cared. He never did pay much mind to anything but what he wanted. But this? A consensual relationship between my son and the slave? No…this wasn’t right. The truth was in their expressions, and both were clear. She held absolute terror. Jett… I knew that look from the years of being his mother. From living through his schemes. Deception. Privilege. Evil. Everything he had confessed were lies.

“I must apologize for Jett. He told me what happened on our way to dinner. It appears he got carried away during…relations with your slave.”

Even though I could hear myself lying and trying to make excuses for my son, it didn’t take a genius to put two-and-two together concerning the scene. The hate as Jett looked between the men he should have embraced and tried to become a part of was overflowing. He couldn’t stand them. Jett thought himself above them all. And me…with every word he spoke, I felt myself become even more distant. Sympathy died as I listened to him lie about his supposed consensual affair with the slave. My mind raced as Elec explained they had Jett on video forcing his way inside. And I believed him because I knew my son. Rage smothered my heart as it hit with a manipulation a mother should have never felt. Sebastian was murderous, going crazy…and…I suddenly wanted him to teach my son a lesson. Maybe more. Betrayal. Fury. I tried to keep composure through Sebastian’s threats, but it was nearly impossible.

“You think you’re getting away with this because your mommy’s big shit, but let me tell you something kid, I will ride this to the fucking execution stage outside. There’s an axe out there with your name on it. If I can’t have your life, I’ll make sure the one you live outside of these walls are ruined. I don’t give a fuck who you are in the circle. There’s a line you don’t cross, and you fucking sailed right over it. If you think I’m bluffing, turn and ask Mommy just how much trouble you’re in.”

Jett’s face was hardened as he glanced up to me. Fear. Smugness. Despite the rules, there was a small possibility I could get him out of this with his life. I could save him if I used my power of persuasion. But did I really want to?

“Main Master, we need to take her in. She may be bleeding internally. We won’t know until we do a scan.”

Elec nodded, holding Sebastian back as he kept trying to get to Jett. I saw the holes in the slave’s body. Blood. It was everywhere. Dripped and splattered on the floor. It leaked from the tiny holes puncturing her skin. I knew the weapon he had used just as I knew he’d been dying to get another victim to practice a lobotomy on. He’d fucked her with that weapon. Blood was soaking the clothes between her legs. It covered Sebastian’s lap. And I wasn’t the only one putting it together. Elec followed my gaze, meeting my stare head-on as he gestured to his High Leader.

“Nineteen, take him to Hell Row. He can wait there as I collect the evidence.”

“Fuck you,” Jett exploded. “You can’t take me there. My Mom’s more important than you are. Just because you run this place doesn’t mean you’re really the one in charge. You’ll see. You really want to put your replacement in Hell Row? Try it and find out what happens.”

Elec’s deep laugh filled the space as he looked between me and my son. Embarrassment again took over. It ate into what I stood for. Into my entire being. Jett…as the Main Master? The thought had my lips parting, ready to argue the claim. That the scenario was even my idea was humiliating to think about, and it turned my skin into fire.

“My replacement?” More Elec laughed. “Wow. I could almost believe that you actually buy into that. You don’t have the temperament for a Main Master, nor the smarts. The only one you’re replacing is Master Ninety-two. Nineteen, take him to Hell Row. Swap them out.”

The High Leader let go of Sebastian’s other side, nodding to the Main Master as he and two guards headed over, grabbing Jett. My son’s eyes flew to me for help. I gave him nothing with my blank stare.

“You can’t fucking do this. I did nothing wrong. She wanted it! She asked me to come. Some leader you are, Main Master. We’ll see how long your reign lasts. When you fall, my Mother will take over. My mother?—”

Whack!

Had I wanted to erase the suspicions from Elec? Rage had me slapping my son with every ounce of strength I had.

“ I warned you. You gave me your word. If you’re lying about this?—”

“The board will decide his fate,” Elec cut in. “Get him out of here.”

Jett jerked against the hold as they walked past me. Instead of heading down the hall towards the elevator, they went in the direction of the guard quarters and lab. That’s where Hell Row was. With the crows. With the inmates.

“Mom! Mom, I’m telling the truth! Don’t let them take me. Mom!”

I could have followed on their heels. A mother would do that. A mother would feel…protective. I didn’t as I kept my distance, instead heading for my own apartment. I couldn’t think through the schemes my mind produced. To lose Jett, the true heir to the LaRoe family, it would be unfortunate…but not horrible. I could get a surrogate. I could start over with me…or Jett. We had his sperm and DNA. A child could be raised to take Jett’s place. A grandchild. An heir. And I could make sure this one was raised right. A true new Main Master. A leader like none other. After all, Elec wasn’t going to take this well. It was another wedge between us. He was pulling away. The incredulous expression when he’d looked at me from Jett’s words… His trust was growing smaller by the day. By the fucking hour.

But I would fix this. I would get Elec’s mind right, and he’d help me start over with my line. I had time. Not just to train, but to win the Main Master over again. Elec would rule for at least another twenty years. And then a LaRoe could step forward. I could make him perfect. Even raise him down here. Elec would like that. Elec might even pull more to that idea if he could help build him as we both saw fit. A protégé. One who respected him. Loved him . Elec adored kids. It was the entire reason I told him about the abortion. He’d feel my supposed pain, and therefore feel sorry for what I had to do. It could work. I hadn’t thought this far ahead, but thanks to Jett I wasn’t living in the present anymore. Hadn’t I been craving something new? I was bored of the games. Of life. I could do what I do best. Work. Create. Elec and I could mold the perfect leader. Better than him. Better than me . And if I, as a grieving mother , asked him to help me with my idea…how could he say no? I made him. Someone had to continue Elec’s legacy. Why not my blood? It might be exactly what the two of us needed to bring us back together. It would repair what was broken. Or maybe things were too far gone…

No. I never lost. I was the one in control. I could fix this.

“Stop this, Melissa. Lies. You’re delusional. You can’t just create a reality from lies and expect what you want to happen. Delusions. Lies. You’re sick. What did we talk about? You’re not alright. You try to hide it, but I’m a doctor. I know the truth. Delusions. All lies.”

I flashed my key card, swinging my door open with a fury I couldn’t contain as my dad’s words pushed through from nowhere. Muriel jumped from the kitchen, and the bowl she was stirring nearly flipped over. Her hand flew to her chest as I stormed in, slamming the door shut behind me.

“What happened?”

Her pace was fast as she came around the counter.

“Jett. That stupid little—Fucking idiot kid.”

Muriel’s eyes widened. “What happened? What did he do?”

“He pushed his way into an apartment and attacked another Master’s slave. Not just any Master,” I rushed out. “Sebastian Rivers.”

“The heir of the River’s line?”

I could see the panic in Muriel’s gaze as she stared up at me.

“Yes. Sebastian wants Jett executed, and he has every right to request it from the court. What Jett did.” I stopped, bringing both of my hands to my mouth as I truly let the magnitude sink in. “Elec could kill him. Should kill him with what he’s done.”

“There’s no way,” Muriel rushed out. “The Main Master wouldn’t do that. Not to Jett. I mean, you’re not going to let him, right?”

Seconds dragged out as my mind spun with savageries.

“Melissa?”

My eyes slowly cut up with anger, and the top part of Muriel’s body eased back from me in shock.

“You’re… considering it.”

“Don’t look at me like that,” I snapped. “He’s done nothing but bring trouble into the Gardens since he’s been here. Having him in my life has been nothing but a burden. You’ve been with me long enough to know I speak the truth. You’ve seen. It’s one scandal after the next. I keep waiting to see if he’ll change. I thought maybe with this new path there was hope, but no. He just doesn’t stop.”

“But… he’s your son .” For the first time, I found my walls coming up concerning Muriel. Her aghast tone. The tinge of horror in her slightly accusatory stare as she moved her hands in some desperate attempt to find more to say. Weren’t there times my father gave me the same look? Lots of times? “Surely, you’re not considering letting him die. I know Jett is…difficult at times, but he’s your child.”

“And? Do you want me to lie, slave ? You act like I care what you think. I don’t fear your opinion of me. I fear nothing at all.”

“I know that. I didn’t mean to upset you, but this anger will pass; you’ll see. Jett’s actions were severe, but not unforgiveable. He’ll change. He’ll grow wiser and learn from his mistake. You can fix this. If you just talk with the Main Master.”

“Ah, yes. Talk with Elec. That’ll surely change everything.”

She paused. “You’re being sarcastic.”

I hurled my purse at the sofa, heading for the bar as it bounced from the cushion, falling onto the floor behind me. I wasn’t a drinker. I rarely indulged. With the way the last week had played out, I needed a break. To think. To really, really dive deep into what the fuck was happening. I was drowning in the whirl of events. I wasn’t seeing the entire picture clearly. There were too many pieces to this puzzle, and Elec was peering down at all of them from a throne. I may have been good, but I wasn’t God. I wasn’t the Main Master.

“Forgive me if I’m making this harder on you. This is bad.” The last was but a whisper as I poured the drink. “What can I do, Mistress? How can I help?”

Fire burned my throat, and I cringed. As warmth took over my stomach, I stared blankly ahead. Delusional. Delusional. The white wall blurred. I refused to believe I was in over my head. I had to remove myself and see out of Elec’s eyes. I had to get into his mind and dissect the urges he’d be tempted to act upon. My creation lusted for power. For control. Games. Traits weren’t only hereditary. Impressions were made. Behavior was imprinted and instilled by the environment. By the teacher. Elec was in large part…me, just male. What I lacked, he had. I always thought my power kept me stronger, but I was starting to see my disadvantage. Elec was strong too. My downfall was that he’d taken my skills and created his own. Elec’s ability to break out of my triggers was proof of that. So was the exception of Braddock’s female blank slate. Maybe all the blank slates. They were, after all, programmed to obey the Main Master. Dammit. I still had to take care of Braddock and that bitch who survived. If I could alter Allison, I could at least have an advantage over Elec if I needed it.

“Mistress?”

Calmness returned as I poured another drink and turned to face Muriel.

“It’s time to prove your place at my side. First, you’re going to help me with my patient and his blank slate. You’re going to watch, report, or kill if you have to. And when they decide to execute my son, because they will , you’ll bury that fucking axe in his neck if I demand it. Who the fuck does everyone think they’re messing with? Don’t they know who I am? I’m Dr. Melissa LaRoe. It’s about time people start remembering that.”