Page 69 of Mistress A-0002

“You can’t do this. She’s mine, and she hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Actually, she has. You may be off limits to me due to the Council, but she’s not, and I believe your slave has information to an investigation the Gardens is looking into. One regarding this Corbin Frasier. I have every right as the Main Master to take her downstairs and try to retrieve that information by any means possible. She’s always been so loyal to you. We both know how that’s going to go.”

I leaned more towards him as I met his glare head-on.

“I hate you.You lie.” I snapped with my free hand trying to ignore the agony of his hold increasing. Again. Nothing. It almost caused me to yell out. “The Gardens couldn’t possibly be looking for Corbin Frasier. But I’ll oblige you since you’re so desperate to know. Corbin was a filmmaker. A pampered, entitled little shit who had a smooth voice and a big cock. He was studying the fascinating mysteries of the mind. I gave him material. Too bad he had an accident before he could use it. Not that those were the videos he was looking to make public.”

“So, he’s dead.”

“Blackmail isn’t something people forgive, Main Master. I’m sure you understand that. Corbin had enemies. Whether his accident was truly that or not is a mystery. The body was never found. I guess no one will ever know.”

“Don’t be so sure of that.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” My head shook in disgust and anger. I tugged hard, trying to get my wrist free. “You think you’re so much better than me. You think you have this all figured out. Letme guess…Vivia.” His expression didn’t change. Hate. So much hate. “You know nothing. Your first mistake was turning your back on me. Your last was involving the Council. I know you were behind all of this. You want an enemy, fine, you’ve got one. But if we’re battling over love, let’s meet on a level playing field.”

I ripped my hand back, breaking free. No thoughts. No hesitation. I turned, grabbing the knife next to my plate, surging and plunging it into the side of Muriel’s neck. Once. Twice. I twisted, pulling it free to throw across the table. Blood went splattering over the white tablecloth as the blade stopped just shy of Elec. “Now we’vebothlost the love of our lives. Let the real game begin.”

Blood sprayed out, pouring into her lap from the opened wounds. Her body was motionless as Elec surged to his feet, racing for her. Muriel didn’t so much as blink. She was a statue as death approached. Free from pain. Free from the torture of telling my secrets. And me, I felt nothing but rage.

Nothing…but a need for revenge.

Main Master

Did I have something to prove to myself? Something to prove to her? Oh, there was so much I wanted Melissa to see. To feel before her life was no more. I tried weighing my wants against those programmed into me, and through all the contemplation, I came to one conclusion. Master One was right. I had sold my soul to be Main Master. The cost had been high. Too high, not that I knew that then. Recorded, yes. My bloody signature on the proverbial Main Master contract was stamped in time forever. Right on a video tape, the most damning evidence one could have. Had I known the true price I’d pay by sacrificing love, would I have still chosen my title? Chosen…myself?

“Two Masters this morning. Dead with no apparent cause.”

I glanced up from hitting the punching bag to take in the worry on Nineteen’s face. “Mistress Two?”

“We’re not sure. It’s nothing we can prove. She rarely leaves her apartment. When she does, she mostly stays quiet. Mostly, but she does seem to be saying something at random moments. She has been in the vicinity of the Masters, but from what we can see from the tapes, she doesn’t appear to trigger them in anysort of way. No whispering when she’s close to them. No hand movements or looks that we notice. This might not be related.”

“Alright. I want autopsies done immediately. Let’s rule out foul play. What about the soldiers?”

“We retired the one you requested. The rest have been keeping their distance, but they’re still in their roles.”

“Pull them off.”

“What?” Nineteen stepped closer.

“I said pull them off. They’re finished. Melissa can’t get to me anymore, and she knows it. I’m fine.”

“But the elevator. I can’t?—"

I threw Nineteen a look, slamming my fists into the bag in a quick combination. He didn’t argue as I continued to circle around and hit.

“What else, High Leader? Continue with the update.”

“All is prepared for the trial today,” he said, tight-lipped. “Master Three-sixty-one was alerted. The board members know not to be late.”

I hit the bag harder. “What of Jett?”

Nineteen raised one of his eyebrows, losing a little of his anger over me releasing the soldiers. “He lies. He clings to his supposed innocence. He cries and begs to see his mother. The guards ignore him, but they’re ready for a new assignment.”

“I bet. What else?”

I threw one last punch, walking to the treadmill.

“Mistress Ninety is still awaiting your call concerning her request for shared custody for her slave’s twin.”

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