Main Master

I f lies were a lesson and trust was formidable…was deception acceptable? Was there leeway for manipulation?

I wasn’t sure about anything anymore. I hated that it was beginning to show. Maybe it was in the determined strides as I stalked through the nearly dead laboratory like a man ready to tear the head off anyone who got in my way. Or perhaps it was the homicidal glare I couldn’t mask as I passed guards and the occasional doctor. I was drunk. Well beyond shitfaced. Wasted, if I wanted to be honest, but I was on a mission. This couldn’t be right. But it was.

Even as my mind tried to dismiss my suspicions over Melissa, the facts were too obvious to ignore. Georgie and Shane had tried to talk sense into me not an hour ago at the club, but I hadn’t wanted to listen. I had no choice. Stating my concerns to Shane about missing time hadn’t been done by accident. It wasn’t a slip on my part. Neither was my denial for their help. I was in trouble. Even if it was nearly impossible for me to process it, I was no fool. My subconscious was taking the lead, and I’d be damned if I didn’t let it rule me. Given the circumstances, the only one I could trust was myself…no matter how locked away I was in my own mind.

I glanced at my watch, furrowing my brow. It was never supposed to be this way. The student was usually the one to try to take power. To overthrow the teacher. Melissa had taught me everything I knew. Mistress Two had shown me off to the Uppers like her shiny, new toy. Manipulating them. Making me a God in their eyes. From the moment Whitlock fell, she said I was meant to be . Before then, she’d whispered of a takedown that never had a chance to happen. Whitlock crumbled to the ground from Bram’s own doing, and I was paraded as the new him . The man I’d spent years training to be. Now that I was here as …she what? Had changed her mind? Wanted to be the Main Mistress , replacing me to rule the Gardens, herself? Or…if I was in control and didn’t know it…was this my game?

“Where’s Dr. Milsap? Dr. Milsap!”

The guard outside the upcoming doors had his mouth opened, but words couldn’t leave him before the lead scientist clumsily rushed from one of the assessment rooms to my left. He adjusted his white lab coat as he abruptly stopped before me.

“M-, I didn’t know you were coming down. I would have been prepared. Was there an issue? Is everything okay?”

I watched his anxiety build, waiting to see his response at my silence. Wariness left no room for direction. Although I expected his worry, I wasn’t going to feed any answers concerning secrets he might have held.

“It’s auction night,” Dr. Milsap said, glancing around. “Tell me we didn’t rush.”

“The female blank slates were ready. They’re fine.”

He let out a deep breath. “Thank God. I thought—Auction nights are always chaotic down here. We wait, hoping not to hear bad news.”

“No issues so far. But I’m not here about the blank slates.”

“No? What can I help you with, ?”

Words wouldn’t come as I scanned his face. My lips parted, only to close in a tight line. Seconds passed. A minute. Two. The doctor shifted nervously as he waited for an answer I couldn’t express. Light laughter had my lids closing as I stood straighter. Clicking. Clicking. I could feel each clack-clack of high heels grinding my ears.

“Well, well. What do we have here?”

Calm. Show nothing. Show her nothing.

Opening my eyes, I turned to look behind me. Any expression I could have held melted as I took in drenched red hair. It was so wet it looked black. Crimson saturated the ivory silk dress in large blotches, making the conservative fit leave nothing to the imagination as it clung to full breasts. The frayed slit on the side was torn higher than the original cut. Each step was…seductive. There was a sway of her hips that had me trying to break the fog that was settling in. The narrowed look on Melissa’s blood-splattered face increased the closer she got.

“Mistress Two.” I cleared my throat, hating how my tie was already hanging loosely around my neck. The need to pull at my collar was nearly unbearable, but I held my stature, not keeping her stare for long. “You look like you’ve had fun tonight.”

She smiled. “Oh, I have. But not you. You look like hell.”

Did I? Fuck. That she could tell just added to my anger. I had an image to uphold. I had to look pristine. My tie was too much insight. The missing buttons of my shirt from my aggravation were even more awareness that she didn’t need to know. Why hadn’t I changed before I came here? It wasn’t like me to forget such an important detail. I wasn’t on my game lately. Not even close.

“I haven’t forgotten about my appointment.”

“And I wasn’t here to remind you, Elec.”

“Why are you here? Were you following me? ”

Another soft laugh. She bit her bottom lip, stepping around me, almost dismissively. It had me turning to watch her every move.

“You think I was following you? Dressed like this? Don’t be ridiculous. I’m here for my slave.”

“You need another?” I gestured to her dress.” It looks like you’ve had your fill. And recently. Your hair is still partially wet.”

“This wasn’t from my slave. I haven’t retrieved mine yet. I’m doing that now. This… these were gifts.”

“Gifts?” Again, my gaze wandered to the torn slit stopping mid-thigh. “Who’s the lucky Master this time?”

Her mask dropped and a mix of hurt emotions took over. “You’re slurring. You’re drunk.”

My teeth clenched as I watched her mood decline even more. “I’m not. I’ve just been…busy.”

“I should go. If you’re busy, I won’t keep you.” She took a few steps, stopping. Thick, wet sections of waves swayed just past her shoulders as she turned back to face me. She shifted and her stiff body slouched, almost defeatedly. I watched Melissa take on the fear and uncertainty of a child. Shaky hands. Helpless eyes. “Unless you’d rather come while I pick up my slave. We can take care of your session on our way. It’s only a few questions. Maybe an exercise or two. It won’t take long.”

“You want to do the session now?”

“You seemed surprised.”

Melissa wasn’t one to break protocol. She was like me, by the book. Rules were rules. But out here I was safer than in her office. There, with no cameras, I’d have no way to see what really happened. Here…

“You’re acting differently.” I scanned her face, seeing the vulnerability she tried hiding. I could almost see the teacher that I’d grown to care for. That I remembered from our earlier years. It was sobering but confusing as she glanced at Dr. Milsap. She snapped, flicking her hand for him to leave. It was such a soft gesture. Not authoritative at all.

More pausing. Melissa sighed, slightly twisting her lips. “I’m fine. I’ve just been thinking about my behavior towards you. I must apologize for—This place, it sometimes makes me on edge. The things I hear from these Masters and Mistresses.” Her head tilted down, only for her to peer up through thick lashes. “I wasn’t prepared. Especially for our private collection. I fear if I wasn’t ready, perhaps I didn’t prepare you good enough either. Elec .” Her tone dropped, and she stepped forward, reaching for my bicep. The moment Dr. Milsap disappeared behind his door, her expression became even more exposed. She pulled me with her as we began to leave the room to head for the slave quarters. Only when we were out of earshot from the guard posted at the door did she begin talking again. “I just worry over you. I know you’re every bit the I helped to create, and you’re so strong. You’ve always been my rock. I can count on you for anything, and I do, so much. I just… for me …I wish I…I’m not sure...” I stopped us, turning her to face me as I locked on her stare. Tears were welling, and her full bottom lip was quivering.

“Melissa… you’re afraid .”

It wasn’t a question. I shook my head at her the moment she went to lower her face and hide what I could see.

“Answer me. Mistress Two . Is that what it is? Are the Masters from the private collection too much? You know their fate. What they want we don’t give. They have no access to the children.”

“I know but?—"

“But what? You’re clearly upset. Do you fear them? Is it what they say in the sessions?”

She quickly wiped a tear that began to stream down her cheek.

“We shouldn’t be talking about this. I…I just think I’m in over my head.”

“I’ll take on more of the rougher cases. Just tell me who you’re uncomfortable with. No one is threatening you, are they?”

She gave a quick shake. “No. It’s nothing like that. Elec…” She sobbed and her lips trembled. “It’s a mix of all sorts of things. The private collection but…so much more. It’s life. It’s duties. I’m watching Masters change, and not for the better. You.” She stopped, catching her breath and composing herself. “I think what’s weighing on me the most is a case that should have been cut and dry. It’s anything but that. You remember Braddock Pierce? I mean, he’s in our circle. You have to know him.”

“Of course I do.”

“What I hear from him in his sessions.” An overwhelming expression flashed, and she took a deep breath. “He’s not well. I’ve tried everything. I’ve pulled out every trick in the book. I’m at a loss. I’ve gone over every diagnosis. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”

Had I just suspected her of being against me? Of wanting to take over as Main Mistress? The woman was a mess. She… needed me . Fuck, was I losing my mind, suspecting her? Or was this an act?

My shoulders softened, and my hand flattened on her back as I led us forward. “It’s okay. No need to cry. Let’s go over everything as we go collect your slave. Tell me what you know. Let me help you.”

A soft sound left her, and she melted into my touch. I listened as she went into detail over his sessions for the last six months. The more I heard, the more confused I became. And not just concerning myself and my missing time, but with Braddock’s. And others? What was happening?

“So…you’re saying he believes himself to be someone else?”

“Not someone else. Not really. I mean, he does want to go by Brad and not Braddock, but he knows who he is. He just thinks he’s led a completely different life. I’ve had him under as deep as he can go. I’ve tried to make him realize who he is, but it’s impossible. I can’t program anything. The last time I tried, his body shut down. I almost lost him. He almost died, Elec. It’s becoming dangerous. Not just the sessions but dealing with him. He’s angry. More than that. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the sessions are usually fine, but within days of being under, he goes into rage episodes he doesn’t remember. Luckily, it’s only his slaves he’s killing, but I worry because he doesn’t even remember killing them. And the episodes, there’s no pattern that I can detect. No triggers. The case is just overwhelming. It’s Braddock we’re talking about here. I used to treat his mother before she passed. I’ve watched that boy grow.”

“Shit.” I pushed my fingers through my hair. “Interesting. But very concerning.”

“I’m stumped. Elec, I’m not sure what else to do. I hate to ask. I almost can’t believe I am, but I owe this to him and his father. Can you sit in his session the day after tomorrow? I need your help. If you’re too busy?—”

I stopped Melissa, glancing to the main door in the far distance. Again, my mind screamed. This wasn’t a woman wanting to take me over. She needed help. She needed me. Needed. Me . She needed my guidance…possible protection. It was clear with her occasional cracking voice that she was on the brink of breaking. There were things she might not even be telling me.

“Of course I’ll sit in, Melissa, you don’t even have to ask.”

“But you’ve been so mad at me lately. And I know it’s my fault. I worry and I overreact. I hover and I snap. You were always better at this than me. You can lead without emotion. I used to be better but lately with all the stress, I’m trying. I really, really am.”

“Shh.” I frowned at the sob, letting out a sigh as I pulled her in, wrapping my arms around her. I felt like the bastard I knew I was. Melissa had trained me. She took me under her wing and had done nothing but be kind and protective when it was me who should have been looking out for her. And I did, or used to, but lately with this odd feeling... With the missing time. “Shh,” I repeated as she cried and hugged to me tightly. “I don’t think either of us were prepared for what we’d truly face here. It's going to be okay; I promise. We’ll bring in more psychiatrists if we need to. This is nothing we can’t get control of.” I pulled back, tilting her head up. “You’ve been going to your own sessions? You’re so worried about me, but what about you?”

She threw me a look, pouting her lower lip even more.

“I don’t like my doctor. I’m afraid I give him just as much of a hard time as you give me.”

I laughed, and she joined in, crying and laughing at the same time. The mix had her patting her hand against the center of my chest. Pat. Pat-pat.

“It’s horrible. I’m horrible .”

“You’re not. But it is important you go. You know I’d be your doctor, Melissa, but I can’t. It’s forbidden with you being mine.”

I know,” she groaned. As she paused, I watched her face transform into different emotions. Her eyes shot up with a power that nearly took my breath away. Why was I looking? I knew better. What was I waiting for? Was I so drunkenly delayed or just being stupid?

Pat. Pat-pat. So light. Barely there.

“Elec, what if after this session I transferred you to someone else?” She reached up, wiping the new tear that escaped. “I love being your doctor, but I think I’m a better friend. And I’d like you a lot more than I like Doctor Almer. He’s a horrid man. And an idiot. You know me. You understand me. Elec, please .”

Fuck if I didn’t soften even more. Any suspicions I had drifted far back as I fought to find words. But I wasn’t stupid. I knew how manipulation worked, even if I was withgoing a war with wonder. With…testing my limits. That’s what I was doing, standing here in a daze gazing into her eyes, wasn’t it? Did I expect this? Did I even in some fucked up way want it?

“I think I’d like that. I like us better as friends too. I’m not the best patient, and I hate that you have to deal with me in that light. Let’s just take one day at a time though. No rush. No cancelling your own appointments or doctor yet. Speaking of patients, we’re almost to slave quarters. Let’s get this session over with. We’re out of time.” I found myself scanning over her face. Going back to that stare that was swallowing me like a black hole.

“Of course we’re out of time. You always just know. It’s like fate. Check your watch. It’s three.”

My brow creased and she stepped out of my arms, closing her lids as she took a few steadying breaths. … My arms …My…watch?

Time.

Time.

How long had I been holding her? Holding. Her. Time. Watch?

The questions barely registered before her eyes opened. Eyes…that looked…different. Intense but rounder? Innocent eyes? Had I seen her like this before? Lots? Never? Fuck, I was too drunk to make sense of how she seemed to transform right before me. Dark hair. Round eyes. Not red. Dark. Hair. Eyes. This was a bad idea. My gut was twisting. My mind was screaming. Bad. Bad. Fucking. Idea.

“Melissa, wait?—"

“ Don’t be afraid, Elec . , Elec. It’s time. Just keep looking into my eyes. See what you need to. What you want .” She stepped forward, closing the distance. Pulling me into the void even more. “We keep doing this, you and me. Do you realize that?” The roundness. The long lashes. Dark hair. Slow breaths. Skin…on fire. Fingers, pushing back into my chest. Pat. Pat-pat . “Don’t worry, I know you don’t. You just can’t help yourself, and that’s okay. Every auction night, you come here. And every auction night…” She smiled as a door automatically slid open beside us. “We find each other right here in this exact location, at this exact time. It’s perfect. Don’t you think?”

My mouth opened but thoughts wouldn’t form as the fog grew heavier.

“Pick me up. Carry me into the room and put me on the bed. I want to show you something. I want to give you what you’ve been waiting for .”