Page 30 of Mistress A-0002
“She had him in the lab yesterday as I pretended to head to some evaluation. I watched through surveillance as he attempted a transorbital lobotomy.”
“How did that go?”
“It was embarrassing. The kid has no patience. No skill. She mentioned he has interest in this path. It’s not interest that draws him to the mind, it’s motive.”
“Maybe, but what path is she referring to? What you both do in a business sense, or how you two lead at the Gardens?”
“Probably both, but Melissa is no fool. She knows Jett isn’t Garden’s material.”
“Does Jett know that?”
I looked up, laughing.
“I doubt it. He thinks the world revolves around him. If it wasn’t for Melissa’s status, Jett wouldn’t even be here. He’s the perfect candidate with the worst temperament. I knew when I petitioned the Council that they were still going to allow him in.Melissa owns them, just as I always suspected. They wouldn’t have let him in otherwise.”
“We don’t know that. But it makes you think, who doesn’t she own? You saw the footage of their breakfast. How many people snapped their attention to her when she gave the signal? I don’t like this.”
I pushed to stand from my desk. Shane was by the wall-length windows, glancing down into the city below. I shoved my hands into my pant’s pockets as I approached.
“I used to think I wasn’t owned by her, but what sort of fool believes himself unaffected by the lessons of his teacher? Especially in this field. I knew she was helping me. She never lied about altering my personality. And I allowed her. Even encouraged her. I was fascinated by her skill.This was everything I ever wanted.But I was stupid enough to think it ended there. I mean, if anyone could realize they were being manipulated, it would be me, right?”
“Right…but you weresowrong.”
I glared as Shane started laughing.
“It’s not funny.”
“Oh, it’s a little funny, admit it. You’re the victim of?—”
“Nothing,” I growled. “I’m not the victim, I’m the rapist, remember?”
Shane laughed harder. “Now you’re the fool. You don’t believe that stupid story any more than I do. You’re not a rapist. You were being used, my friend.Used and abused.”
I shoved into his shoulder as Shane laughed harder.
“I should stick my probe up your ass and fry you from the inside-out.”
“But you won’t because I’m the one who’s going to save you.”
I gave a sarcastic huff. “Save me from what? This dinner?”
“From her greedy cunt.”
“Fuck off.”
“Soon. Don’t worry. You’ll have Nineteen close by to make up some catastrophe if you need to escape. I have more digging to do. That’s why I stopped by. Everything’s falling into place.”
“Good. Don’t tell me more. The less I know, the better. And I won’t need an excuse to leave, I have plenty on my plate. Hale, Braddock…fuck. Ethan.”
“Have you heard back from Hale? Do you think he’ll become a Master?”
I smiled. “He wants it so bad that he can’t stand it. But he’s angry at what I did. Getting him under my control was vital. It had to happen. He’ll get over it. He already is. Once he steps foot back at the Gardens, he won’t think twice to embrace this life. Hale was meant to be here. He was meant to be at our side.”
“Wow, I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
“Me either, but you saw what I did. The footage doesn’t lie. The guy got fucked over in the worst way. And he’s always been loyal to those he cares about. I can trust him. I just wish I would have realized this and found out earlier before it got as far as it did.”
“I hear you. The Gardens will help him.We’ll help him.”