Page 21 of Mistress A-0002

“Go, get to work. I’ll be here when you get back.”

I nodded, grabbing my cell and heading for the door. I didn’t turn back to look at her. I couldn’t today. I had to focus. I had to find Elec and squash this once and for all.

Dialing, I shut the door behind me, walking towards the elevator. Ringing sounded in my ear, making me frown as voicemail eventually clicked on. I pushed the elevator button, cursing as I waited. As the door was opening, my phone rang. My pulse jumped.

“Main Master.”

“No, this is Nineteen.”

I pulled back my phone, taking in the number to our High Leader. Dammit.

“Nineteen.”

“The Main Master is busy with a developing situation. He wanted me to take a message.”

I stepped into the elevator, hitting my intended floor.

“Tell him we need to talk. It’s important. I’ll be in my office. I have a few sessions today, but I’m free when he can spare a few minutes.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him.”

“Thanks.” I hung up, breathing through the worry. Elec was busy. He wasn’t avoiding me; he was busy. Busy. Fuck.

The doors opened, and I dialed the extension of my guard, Loxly.

“Mistress Two, how can I help you?”

“I need you to dial me out of the Gardens. I need to contact my patient, Hale Rivers. Can you put me through?”

“Yes, Mistress. Give me a moment.”

The line went on hold, and I headed for the coffee cart, seeing the lobby busier than usual. The slave who worked the cart smiled as I approached, already starting my order.

“Hale Rivers.”

“Hale, it’s Melissa. I wanted to check in to see how you were doing after our meeting a few days ago.”

A pause. “Melissa, I was going to come see you today.”

“See me? I thought you were leaving the country.”

“I didn’t go. I…I think I’ll be returning to the Gardens soon. I have some things to tie up.”

I grabbed my coffee, throwing the slave a smile as I turned, heading towards my office.

“Coming back? Hale, in your session you told me that you believed Elec messed with your mind. That he offered you a position as a Master and that you believe he made you want to accept it. I put you under. I cleared your mind of anything he might have said. Do you think I failed or missed something?”

“I don’t know what to think. I was going to talk to Sebastian about it, but I changed my mind. He’s in Chicago and busy with work. I was going to come back to talk to you, but…I’m not sure I’m ready to be back yet.”

“Because you’ll want to stay.”

It wasn’t a question. I shoved my door open. Elec outsmarted me again. What was he doing that didn’t allow me to alter his own commands. It made no sense.

“Come back when you can. I’ll be here for you when you do. You can call me any time. I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, Melissa. Mistress,” he corrected.

“Absolutely. Take care, Hale.”

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