Page 13 of Master B-0361

“You really need to lighten up, Sebastian. It’s not a big deal.”

My eyes widened. “Not a big deal? So, you’re admitting it, then?”

“I merely tested him. It’s not my fault it worked.”

“Tested?” My fist clenched as I leaned more forward on the table. Elec didn’t seem to care as he continued his breakfast. “Why would you even do that? You know everyone in our circle is off limits.Especially, Hale. He has responsibilities to the wives.The wives.He has duties and vows to the uppers just like you. He’s not some random Master you can mess with, Elec.”

The Main Master’s lips twisted as he put his fork down on the plate. It had taken me nearly an hour to find him. When I did, he ate at the pace of a snail. Or maybe he was doing it on purpose.

“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry? I’m not. He had an attitude; I adjusted it. It’s as simple as that. And you know me. I would never put the wives at risk.Never.Relax. I’ve already reported it. If it makes you happy, I have to face the Council. I’mnot sure what else you want me to do. I offered him a position here. I’m trying to make up for my mistake.”

“Hale will not be a Master at the Gardens. I forbid it.”

Elec sat straighter in his chair, a hard seriousness slipping over his face as he raised an eyebrow at me.

“Forbid it. Why?”

“Why?We’re talking about Hale. He’s not like us. He’s not on our side. I want to keep it that way. Let him take care of the wives. He’s good at that.”

“You think him incapable of murder? Of depravity?” A smile slowly emerged on his lips. “How well do you know your brother, Sebastian? Maybe he’d make a damn fine addition to this place. Maybe even enough to make Alpha immediately.”

“What are you talking about?”

Elec slid back in the chair, standing. I followed suit, joining him as he started a slow stroll through The Six.

“I’ve known you since we could barely walk. We all have secrets, Seb. Let’s just say…your brother hides them very well. He may be able to hide them from you, but he can’t hide them from me.”

“Main Master.”

At Master One approaching, I quickly turned to Elec.

“We’ll finish this conversation at another time. As representative of my family, I’ll be at your meeting with the Council. That’s not a request. Hale isn’t joining the Gardens. That’ll be a direct order. One, he’ll obey. Don’t get in his head again, Elec. I’d hate to lose trust in you. You know how I feel about people I can’t trust.”

His hand gripped tightly to my bicep.

“You can trust me. I crossed the line. It was wrong. He and I were fired up, and I did something I shouldn’t have. I know that. It’s why I reported it. As the heir and head of your line, Iapologize to you. I won’t apologize to him. I give you my word it won’t happen again.”

But I wasn’t sure I believed his word anymore. I thought I was untouchable when it came to Elec. Knowing that he was able to get to my brother suddenly made me uncertain whether he would try to get to me too. It was no secret in college he played around and tried with us friends. He never liked how me and my brother seemed to be immune to his tricks. If Hale wasn’t resistant anymore, what about me?

“I have to go. I’ll see you later.”

I nodded to Master One and his wife, Vera, as I headed for the exit. I couldn’t think past the shitstorm this was going to cause. More, I had no idea what Council Elec was talking about. We had Uppers, but an actual Council? Why didn’t I know that? I’d have to talk to my father. Not that I expected to get much out of him. Some days he was the man who raised me. Other days…he didn’t know me at all.

Approaching the elevator, I hit the button, waiting. The hall was relatively empty. The Six restaurant was by invite only. I was lucky to have one, but with the way things ended between me and the Main Master, I wasn’t sure how long my special treatment would last. Getting on Elec’s bad side was not a good idea, but I had to protect my brother too, and he would always come first.

The doors slid open, and I got on, closing my lids as one thing after another bombarded me. The Gardens was supposed to be my escape. The damn place was more like a curse. All I wanted to do was disappear into my fantasies with Maggie. I wanted to forget everything else. I couldn’t do that until I sorted this shit out with Hale. I couldn’t even start to sort it out until he called me, so that did leave me a little time.

The ding brought my eyes back open. Laughter and voices were plentiful around the food carts and shops in the lobby, butI paid them no attention as I took the keycard from my wallet and headed down the hall to my apartment. I was barely inside when I realized the room was empty. The door shut behind me, and I walked for the bedroom, listening for any sound that might indicate where my slave was.

“Eight-forty-two?”

No water running.

No small bangs or footsteps.

I slowed at the opened bathroom door. The light was off. That had me heading to Mae’s small room.

“Slave?”