Page 6 of Mistress A-0002
“I know but?—"
“But what? You’re clearly upset. Do you fear them? Is it what they say in the sessions?”
She quickly wiped a tear that began to stream down her cheek.
“We shouldn’t be talking about this. I…I just think I’m in over my head.”
“I’ll take on more of the rougher cases. Just tell me who you’re uncomfortable with. No one is threatening you, are they?”
She gave a quick shake. “No. It’s nothing like that. Elec…” She sobbed and her lips trembled. “It’s a mix of all sorts of things. The private collection but…so much more. It’s life. It’s duties. I’m watching Masters change, and not for the better. You.” She stopped, catching her breath and composing herself. “I think what’s weighing on me the most is a case that should have been cut and dry. It’s anything but that. You remember Braddock Pierce? I mean, he’s in our circle. You have to know him.”
“Of course I do.”
“What I hear from him in his sessions.” An overwhelming expression flashed, and she took a deep breath. “He’s not well. I’ve tried everything. I’ve pulled out every trick in the book. I’m at a loss. I’ve gone over every diagnosis. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”
Had I just suspected her of being against me? Of wanting to take over as Main Mistress? The woman was a mess. She…needed me. Fuck, was I losing my mind, suspecting her? Or was this an act?
My shoulders softened, and my hand flattened on her back as I led us forward. “It’s okay. No need to cry. Let’s go over everything as we go collect your slave. Tell me what you know. Let me help you.”
A soft sound left her, and she melted into my touch. I listened as she went into detail over his sessions for the last six months. The more I heard, the more confused I became. And not just concerning myself andmymissing time, but with Braddock’s. And others? What was happening?
“So…you’re saying he believes himself to be someone else?”
“Not someone else. Not really. I mean, he does want to go by Brad and not Braddock, but he knows who he is. He just thinks he’s led a completely different life. I’ve had him under as deep as he can go. I’ve tried to make him realize who he is, but it’s impossible. I can’t program anything. The last time I tried, his body shut down. I almost lost him. He almost died, Elec. It’s becoming dangerous. Not just the sessions but dealing with him. He’s angry. More than that. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the sessions are usually fine, but within days of being under, he goes into rage episodes he doesn’t remember. Luckily, it’s only his slaves he’s killing, but I worry because he doesn’t even remember killing them. And the episodes, there’s no pattern that I can detect. No triggers. The case is just overwhelming. It’s Braddock we’re talking about here. I used to treat his mother before she passed. I’ve watched that boy grow.”
“Shit.” I pushed my fingers through my hair. “Interesting. But very concerning.”
“I’m stumped. Elec, I’m not sure what else to do. I hate to ask. I almost can’t believe I am, but I owe this to him and his father. Can you sit in his session the day after tomorrow? I need your help. If you’re too busy?—”
I stopped Melissa, glancing to the main door in the far distance. Again, my mind screamed. This wasn’t a woman wanting to take me over. She needed help.She needed me.Needed. Me. She needed my guidance…possible protection. It was clear with her occasional cracking voice that she was on the brink of breaking. There were things she might not even be telling me.
“Of course I’ll sit in, Melissa, you don’t even have to ask.”
“But you’ve been so mad at me lately. And I know it’s my fault. I worry and I overreact. I hover and I snap. You were always better at this than me. You can lead without emotion. Iused to be better but lately with all the stress, I’m trying. I really, really am.”
“Shh.” I frowned at the sob, letting out a sigh as I pulled her in, wrapping my arms around her. I felt like the bastard I knew I was. Melissa had trained me. She took me under her wing and had done nothing but be kind and protective when it was me who should have been looking out for her. And I did, or used to, but lately with this odd feeling... With the missing time. “Shh,” I repeated as she cried and hugged to me tightly. “I don’t think either of us were prepared for what we’d truly face here. It's going to be okay; I promise. We’ll bring in more psychiatrists if we need to. This is nothing we can’t get control of.” I pulled back, tilting her head up. “You’ve been going to your own sessions? You’re so worried about me, but what about you?”
She threw me a look, pouting her lower lip even more.
“I don’t like my doctor. I’m afraid I give him just as much of a hard time as you give me.”
I laughed, and she joined in, crying and laughing at the same time. The mix had her patting her hand against the center of my chest.Pat. Pat-pat.
“It’s horrible.I’m horrible.”
“You’re not. But it is important you go. You know I’d be your doctor, Melissa, but I can’t. It’s forbidden with you being mine.”
I know,” she groaned. As she paused, I watched her face transform into different emotions. Her eyes shot up with a power that nearly took my breath away. Why was I looking? I knew better. What was I waiting for? Was I so drunkenly delayed or just being stupid?
Pat. Pat-pat.So light. Barely there.
“Elec, what if after this session I transferred you to someone else?” She reached up, wiping the new tear that escaped. “I love being your doctor, but I think I’m a better friend. And I’d likeyou a lot more than I like Doctor Almer. He’s a horrid man. And an idiot. You know me. You understand me.Elec, please.”
Fuck if I didn’t soften even more. Any suspicions I had drifted far back as I fought to find words. But I wasn’t stupid. I knew how manipulation worked, even if I was withgoing a war with wonder. With…testing my limits. That’s what I was doing, standing here in a daze gazing into her eyes, wasn’t it? Did I expect this? Did I even in some fucked up way want it?
“I think I’d like that. I like us better as friends too. I’m not the best patient, and I hate that you have to deal with me in that light. Let’s just take one day at a time though. No rush. No cancelling your own appointments or doctor yet. Speaking of patients, we’re almost to slave quarters. Let’s get this session over with. We’re out of time.” I found myself scanning over her face. Going back to that stare that was swallowing me like a black hole.
“Of course we’re out of time. You always just know. It’s like fate. Check your watch. It’s three.”