Page 35 of Brie's Submission
“Can trainers bid?” she asked, half joking.
“No, but I’m curious. Who would you choose?” he growled in her ear.
“You and Sir for a little DP.”
He snorted. “Will never happen, I guarantee it.”
“Why not?”
“Never mind why not.” He moved away from her, gathering Brie’s clothes from a chair and handing them to her. “Get dressed. You’ll have a long day tomorrow.”
She knew she had said something wrong, but was too content to question him further. She slipped on her hose and skirt, then asked Marquis for help when she couldn’t get her corset tight enough. “Sting said I should wear it tighter.”
He came over to her and helped her with the ties, almost taking her breath away when he pulled the cords. “Yes,” she squeaked, “that’s good.”
“Do you do everything we suggest?”
“Of course—that’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
“A natural sub through and through.” He tucked a curl behind her ear before opening the door to the auditorium.
Their private time was over and his countenance instantly changed. He returned to being distant and menacing. She walked away from him, feeling a little shell-shocked by the change in him after their tender moment together.
Brie could see that the other girls were getting set to leave. Lea looked in her direction and gave her a thumbs-up. She returned it with a little grin. Mary completely ignored her, standing up to leave with a self-satisfied look on her face.
“Miss Wilson and Ms. Taylor, remember to get here early. The auction starts promptly at three in the afternoon, and you will return here at eleven for an hour-long debriefing. Get plenty of sleep. You should be fully rested for tomorrow’s event,” Mr. Gallant encouraged.
Brie wondered what he was doing there. Were they planning to kick her out of the program tonight? The possibility frightened her.
Ms. Clark confirmed her worst fears when she stated, “Miss Bennett, you will stay after class.”
Lea looked her way and put her hands together in a sign of prayer before she left. Mary smiled knowingly and sauntered out of the auditorium as if she owned the place.
Brie looked at the ground to appease Ms. Clark and asked, “Where would you like me to sit?”
“You are expected to stand before the panel,” the Dominatrix ordered.
She walked before them, her heart beating wildly. To find her calling and then have it snatched from her seemed incredibly unfair. She wasn’t going to stand for it!
Brie looked up and stared each of them in the eye. “I have done nothing wrong. You have no reason to expel me from the Training Center.” Brie looked down once she had finished speaking, but not before she noticed the look of disgust on Ms. Clark’s face.
“You have been called here tonight because of Mr. Davis’ indiscretion. In the twenty-five years this school has been running, we have never had such a breach of decorum,” Mr. Gallant informed her. “Such an act threatens the integrity of the program.”
“It was my mistake,” Sir asserted. “Miss Bennett should not be made to pay.”
Master Coen sounded displeased and snapped, “Maybe you should resign as headmaster.”
“If you feel it is necessary.”
Ms. Clark interjected, “We cannot afford to lose Mr. Davis. The school has been extremely successful under his leadership. I say the sub must go!”
“Miss Bennett shows promise,” Marquis Gray said with conviction. “It would be irresponsible for this school to allow her talent to be wasted because of a trainer’s misstep.”
Master Coen countered, “I have reason to suspect you have also fallen under the spell of this student. I believe she is a detriment to the school, not an asset.”
“How can grown men talk about this woman as if she has mystical powers?” Mr. Gallant asked. “Miss Bennett is a hardworking, dedicated student who has done nothing but attempt to meet our rigorous standards. If we have trainers who lack restraint, that does not reflect badly on her. Miss Bennett isnotthe one to blame in this situation.”
“Which brings me back to my original suggestion,” Master Coen stated. “I believe Thane should step down as headmaster.”
