Page 14 of Master B-0361

I took in the full-size bed and collection of simple dresses hung up along the back wall.

Nothing.

I spun for the front door, trying to get control of the colliding emotions that blinded me with a mix of rage and…fear?

“Margaret.”

Had that been a damn yell? It was close, and there was nothing I could do about it as I jogged and jerked open the door. Was the slave stupid? Ignorant? Did she have any idea the monsters that were looking for naïve slaves like her? Out there, they’d eat her alive. They could hurt her.Kill her.

My jog turned into a run as I headed for the lobby. Surely, she wouldn’t have been stupid enough to go out of the building. I mentioned coffee. Maybe she’d come to find the cart?

“Eight-forty-two.Margaret.”

Her name echoed from the walls, swallowed up by the hum of voices surrounding me. I broke into the small crowd, scanning the Masters and Mistresses who were out with their slaves.

“Margaret?”

A couple turned my way but ignored me as I swept past more of the crowd, moving deeper into the room as I scanned the small stores all around. Where the hell was she?

As I spun in a circle, still jogging toward the store, I could feel the sweat already beginning to soak into my shirt. I didn’t know this woman. I didn’t want to…yet…I couldn’t dismiss my brother’s words either. He saw Maggie in her as clear as day. I didn’t, but was it because she didn’t look like Maggie, or did I just not want to see the truth that so obviously sucked me in to begin with.

“Margaret!”

The room got quiet as stares turned in my direction. None. None of them were her. I forced myself into the closest store, eating up the aisles. Minutes passed. Longer as I went in every door and store that I came across. It was close to lunch now.

Nothing.

No Margaret.

“I’m going to kill her. I’m going to beat her alive.”

“Sir?”

I ignored the slave cashier, more stomping from the last store I could check than walking. I had tunnel vision, and I saw nothing but the elevator as I kept a fast pace. I felt sick. I felt…something aside from sadness. Aside from mourning and pining after a dead woman. It was enough to slow my steps, but not by much.

“Three-sixty-one.”

I didn’t even slow as I glanced over spotting Mistress Two. She was jogging from my hall, trying to catch up with me.

“I’m sorry, Mistress. I’m looking for my slave. She wasn’t in my apartment. Did you see my brother?”

“I did. I had a very nice talk with him and helped him out. I must apologize for the Main Master’s actions. He overstepped his bounds, but I’m trying to help him out with that too.”

“About that.” My finger punched at the elevator’s button as I waited. “He said he reported it. What do you know of this Council? I want to attend his meeting with them.”

“With the Council?” Her head shook. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

That was enough to have my attention. “What do you mean? I run my family line. I have every right to be there. What was done to my brother can’t be overlooked. I want to make sure of it.”

“I sympathize with your concern and wishes, but I’m afraid it can’t be done. The Council meets with no one. The Main Master will face them, and whatever happens…happens.”

“No.” My head shook. “I have every right to be present. It’s in the rules. This concerns my family. I have every right to stand as a witness.”

She got quiet. “I will make some calls. I just wanted you to know that I’ve helped your brother, and he’s going to be okay. I will contact you soon with what I hear.”

“Thank you.”

The door opened, and I jerked to a stop at the multiple people inside. But only momentarily. At the shocked expression, I couldn’t stop the deep rumble that left me as I fisted my slave’s dress and jerked her through the doors. I briefly noticed Jett on the other end of the elevator. His mouth twisted in aggravation, but it only lasted long enough for him to see Melissa and nod to his mother. I didn’t give it attention. I only had eyes for Margaret.

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