Page 35 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

I read and re-read the note over and over until I’d memorized the words. Then I folded it up, shoved it in the bottom drawer of my dresser, and put on my silky pajamas and my squishy comfy bathrobe. Sitting on the small stool in front of my telescope, I explored every inch of the night sky from my bedroom window and lost myself in the stars.

Chapter 9

Two days earlier...

My Holiday party two days later went beautifully. I had my managers, board members, close friends, and coworkers from all over come to visit and stay at the house. It wasn’t a kink party, but having Rachel, Everly, and a few of the other subs helping was hugely beneficial.

While my friends were around, I spent time asking each of them if they knew Alice Benson, and I was surprised at the results.

Anthony didn’t look pleased at all when I mentioned her. “Yeah, I know her. The ‘Demon of the Underground.’ She was a troublemaker, and played dangerous games with dangerous people. I had to talk to her about consensual bratting a few times, and I heard she abused her safeword. Though based on what you said happened to Rachel, I’m not sure I believe that anymore. Still, you know how I feel about brats.”

Mike Black had met her once but didn’t have enough information to give me other than “She’s crazy, Reuben. Complete asshole. And obnoxious as hell.”

Simon only had good things to say. “She’s a ton of fun. Fucks like an animal, nothing is too crazy for her... she’s a little nuts, but it works for her. If she wasn’t a brat, you’d love her. Pain is her love language. Have you heard from her? She kind of ghosted me.”

Becca was surprised when I mentioned her name. She drew me aside, shutting the door to the kitchen behind us. “Yes, I know her. Why do you ask?”

“Just trying to get both sides of a story.”

“She’s one of my patients. She came to me a few years ago for some sessions at the dungeon after she lost her Dom, but honestly, I wasn’t intense enough for her. I gave her an invite to The Underground. She’s done quite a few scenes with some of the harder edge players. She’s into some really intense stuff; body modification, blood and knives, heavy impact. She did a few scenes with Michael Lewis,” she said, wincing at the name.

“Really?” Michael Lewis wasn’t allowed to play at my club because he didn’t use a safeword. Though he was allowed to be there and observe, only because he was a close business partner, I didn’t trust him not to manipulate people into doing things they were uncomfortable with.

“Yes. She’s extremely intense. I could never hit her hard enough, though she loved the degradation and humiliation we did. I think she and Simon did some primal stuff as well. She likes to fight.”

“Trust me, I’m well aware.”

“How do you know her?”

“She’s staying at the clubhouse of the church, and we’ve run into each other a few times... she glitter-bombed my shirt.”

Becca attempted to hide a smirk. “Uh-oh. She likes you.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” I sighed. “But she’s absolutely insane. I can’t keep up with her.”

“I wouldn’t say she’s insane. You know I can’t share a diagnosis, but I will tell you this. She’s got some mental conditions that make it very hard for her to function as a normal person, and I suspect her bratting is more of a cry for help and a coping mechanism than it is her being a bitch.”

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