Page 63 of A Master's Destiny
Her gaze immediately lands on me. “Certainly.”
Hanging up the phone, she tells me, “Mr. Davis, please leave. An assistant is waiting in the hallway to escort you.”
The room falls eerily silent as I pick up my tool bag and exit the room. I’m sure everyone, except for the possibility of Kat, assumes it’s my walk of shame.
Slater wears a self-satisfied smirk on his face, while Ashford stares at me intently with no emotion whatsoever.
The staff member waiting for me in the hall leads me to the room where the fire play practicum will take place later tonight.
“Mr. Davis,” Master Nosh calls out, standing up from behind the table.
I feel the heavy weight of all their stares as I walk up to the trainers.
Master Nosh barks, “We have little time, so speak quickly.”
Nodding to him, I address all four trainers. “I believe the soy candles I purchased were purposely switched by another student before my practicum with honey began.”
All four of them stare at me in shock.
“That is a very serious allegation,” Master Nosh states gravely.
“I know, and I would not be coming to you if I wasn’t certain.”
“Who, exactly, are you accusing?” Vendari Steele asks, in a cold voice.
“I believe Ashford purchased candles made of beeswax in the exact same colors I had, then switched our bags before the practicum began.”
Laird frowns. “What reason would he have to do such a thing?”
“I honestly don’t know other than wanting to discredit me.”
“What proof do you have, Mr. Davis?” Master Nosh demands.
“I went to the shop where I purchased the soy candles and confirmed with the shopkeeper that a man matching his description purchased the same colored candles made of beeswax the day after I bought the soy ones.”
I pull out the candles from my tool bag and lay them out. “As you can see, there is very little difference between the two sets of candles. Because the difference is so subtle, I failed to notice the switch when I was setting up my scene.”
Laird seems particularly upset. “Why would Ashford put a submissive in danger?”
I shake my head, equally concerned. “I have no idea but before the practicum, he bumped into me in the hallway, and it caused a scuffle between Slater and me. At the time, I assumed it was simply an accident on his part. But, after speaking to the shopkeeper today, I now believe that is when he switched our bags.”
Master Nosh calls one of the staff members and gestures for him to lean in, whispering something in his ear. The man nods and immediately leaves the room.
Maestro Leo looks unconvinced. “The plan seems far too complex.”
“I don’t think it was something he preplanned,” I explain. “I believe Ashford saw an opportunity and took advantage of it the night he was in my car and saw me purchase the candles.”
Master Nosh frowns. “Why was he in your car?”
“All of us were meeting at a bar nearby after Saturday’s session, and he rode with me, along with Miss Reid and Ravenson.”
“And they can confirm he was with you when you purchased the candles?” Laird asks me.
“Yes. When we arrived at the bar, Ashford accidentally knocked the bag out of my car when he exited the vehicle…” I suddenly wonder if he did it on purpose.
“Then Slater picked up the bag and showed everyone the candles.”
“Slater?” Maestro Leo asks, frowning. “Do you believe he was involved, too?”
