Page 24 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

Chapter 6

Mister Weston cameout a few minutes later, his face rearranged into his typical brooding stone-cold expression. But I could tell he was less stressed than normal because the lines between his eyebrows had softened.

That was one thing I noticed. He was so stressed all the time, but when I distracted him, he stopped thinking about his problems long enough to give those frown lines a break. And his eyes always lit up, like he was working really hard not to brat me right the hell back. While initially I’d started annoying him because I thought it would be entertaining, I now saw him as a challenge. Would the super-old-school, rule-following, contract-loving Master break his rules to put little ol’ me in my place? I was keeping track of my actions and his reactions in my notebook and using stickers to track my progress.

Today, though, this would be apiece de resistance. I’d either win my streak by a longshot, or I’d get my ass handed to me. Either result was ideal.

I stood by the coffee machine, pretending to write in my notebook while he fixed himself another cup. “Have any more meetings for the rest of the day?” I asked.

“Three, all at home.”

“Skype?”

“Microsoft Teams,” he sighed.

“Eww.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Well... that’s perfect then,” I smiled conspiratorially. I turned and walked quickly away, looking over my shoulder once to see him staring after me in concern.

“Why?” I didn’t answer, just walked faster, almost breaking into a slow run. Which was hard in heels, but hey, I’d picked up a lot of skills at the CIA.

“Why, Alice?” I shouted after me and began to walk briskly my way.

Perfect. I knew after that whole conversation he wouldn’t be able to resist following me to see what I had planned.

I ducked into the stairwell where I’d hid my weapon of mass destruction, slipping out of my heels and sliding on my tennis shoes, and grabbing the device. Mister Weston appeared just a few moments later, running into the stairwell. He froze for a split second when he saw what I was holding. A lock of shock, horror, and disgust settled on his face.

Before he got a chance to say anything, I’d soaked his t-shirt with a high-powered squirt gun. Of course I was feeling extra violent today, so I’d mixed fine-powdered glitter into the water.

Hey. I never said I was a good person.

As soon as I’d gotten a few good squirts in, I dropped the gun and raced up the stairs, making it to the next landing before he had a chance to chase after me. He followed me up the stairs, shocking me by the speed at which he pursued me. I managed to escape by the skin of my teeth, locking my door moments before he caught me.

I slid down my door and collapsed on the floor, grinning wildly and panting from my run. My whole body buzzed with excitement and adrenaline, and I felt euphoric and high from the excitement and the look of shock on his face.

He banged on the door of my room. “Alice Benson, you little snot! Open this doorright now!”

“Uh-oh, whatcha gonna do, big scary man? You gonnapunishme?”

“I just might...” he muttered.

Oh, my God,that would be amazing,I thought. The thought of Reuben pulling me over his knee and spanking my ass had me blushing and squirming. And yes, I’ll admit, it wasn’t the first time the thought had popped into my mind. Actually it may have been about forty percent of my motivation for all this nonsense.

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