Page 38 of Cruel Master
A Brother? Another Calder spy? I keep such a low profile here; I can’t imagine I’ve drawn enough attention to gather enemies. The only thing I could have done to upset people is create Candice.
It’s possible someone might see her as enough of a threat that they would attack me to get her shut down. But a bullet to the head would be more useful than early-twentieth-century poetry, if that is their goal. This feels like a game designed to mess with me, and try as I might, I can’t see a point to it.
Either way, there’s no point further antagonizing Candice.
“Okay. I believe you. Sorry I accused you.” I pause, then add, “And you’re doing well otherwise? Nothing you need to tell me?”
Candice smiles. “No. Everything’s good with me.”
***
By the time I arrive at the Compound’s main bar, the other three guys are already there, seated at a booth, drinks in hand. I’m late—I procrastinated, as usual. Social events always make me anxious, and this one in particular feels more like a psych evaluation than casual drinks.
Juliet is the only person who brought me out of my shell. With her, I actually enjoyed going out. Some of the time, anyway. She called herself my “emotional support extrovert” and wouldn’t take no for an answer. How will that work once I let her out of her dungeon?
I pull out my phone and allow myself one more minute before I face the horrors of small talk. Juliet must really be suffering now. She’s abandoned the blanket and is sitting by the stream of water, her hair soaking wet. She must have thought a cold shower would help. By the look of her flushed skin, it hasn’t.
All the sex toys are gone from the altar. A quick check of the replenishing box’s camera tells me she’s put them in there. Out of sight, out of mind. A smart move, but she’ll have to take them out if she wants to eat—the mechanism that delivers her food won’t activate unless the box is empty. Once she starts to get hungry, she’ll figure it out, I’m sure.
I check what’s on the menu and can’t hold back a smirk when I see it’s stew again. By the time I release her, she’ll get to her knees and kiss my feet if I promise her a slice of pizza.
“Hadrian? We’re over here, mate.”
Jacob’s booming voice makes me jump. Goddamn it. I’m supposed to look calm and collected. I put my phone away and head over with what I hope is a friendly smile. “Sorry. I was just checking on Juliet.”
“All good, mate. Get a drink and grab a seat. I’ve ordered a few snacks.”
“By which he means enough food to feed the entire Compound. For a week.” Sebastian says with a smile. He’s making a joke, trying to be friendly, even though I know he thinks I’m an oddball.
I try to come up with a joke in response, but my tongue ties, as it so often does. Maybe I should just wear my Saldar costume full time. At least then, no one would want to make conversation with me. “I’ll get a drink. Give me a minute.”
Maybe alcohol will help.
It turns out, it does.
After three beers, words come out in a way that doesn’t feel like torture, and the guys actually seem to be interested. I’m describing Juliet’s prison and all the work I put into the details.
Sebastian lets out a low whistle. “Shit. Ophelia should be glad I didn’t talk to you about any of this before I took her. If I’d realized we could get this elaborate, I’d have come up with something really crazy. All I managed was a pet bed.”
Jacob holds up a finger. “Which bloody Quinn is jealous of, thanks very much. You have to tell me where to get one.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “I had to promise the chap a kidney to get him to make one of the things. He’ll never agree to another. He doesn’t want to become known as the pet-bed man. He’s a master craftsman.”
Gabriel rolls his eyes. “You guys overcomplicate things. I hardly had any equipment for Eve.”
Sebastian brays a laugh loud enough that a couple of people look over. His bottle of wine is almost empty. “Yes, because Eve is the sweetest person on the planet. You didn’t exactly have a challenge on your hands there, did you?”
Gabriel smiles. “You’d be surprised.” He turns his attention to me. “How’s Juliet’s temper? Do you think she’ll lose it when she finds out who you are?”
I take a sip of my fourth drink. I have to make it my last, even though I’m actually enjoying myself. I need to be on top form for Juliet tomorrow, once she’s completed her punishment.
“She’s a Scottish redhead and lives up to every stereotype. If I’m not careful, she’ll kill me.”
Even Jacob looks impressed. “How did you meet?”
For the first time in years, the memories aren’t tinged with pain. Now that I have Juliet back, her betrayal no longer stings with the force it once did. She’s going to spend the rest of her life on her knees for me. It makes the past pale into insignificance.
“We were in school together. I was a bit of a loner, and she’d just moved over from Scotland and didn’t know anyone yet. She loved gaming and anime, and I loved sci-fi, so we hit it off.”
