Page 78 of Mistress A-0002
Squeezing my lids shut, they wouldn’t stay closed as I winced. To see Vivia was all I wanted. To gauge these emotions that left me confused and drowning was vital. After all, this was the last time I’d ever see her again. The last time?—
The sound that left me was involuntary. I clutched to the black button up wanting to push from this floor and punch my fist through Mistress Two’s chest. But it wasn’t her. Yet it was. Together, they were one. Just as she said. And fuck if this ghost didn’t have my heart. I could feel it ache at who I was forced to stare at. I’d have much preferred to be trapped facing the woman I hated than to have hate for the woman I loved.
“Change back and tell me what you want.”
“Oh, we’re past negotiations,Main Master Elec.” She motioned to my shirt, kindling the need for me to continue removing it. I could barely get my fingers to work through the new trigger. The moment the material hit the floor, she sighed, her demeanor shifting as she took me in. “Such a waste. It’s truly sad how all my hard work has come to this. I’ll have to reset everyone. I’ll need a child. An heir. I’ll—” A sob broke free from nowhere. The shift was enough to pull me from the fog I was starting to float in. “You’ve ruined everything. No, that was Braddock’s bitch blank slate. If she would have—No. This is just…”
“This Braddock situation really got to you. I can get you help, Melissa. We can work on this together.”
But was she Melissa anymore? I felt lightheaded. Tapping. It had my gaze cutting over to her hand on the end table.
“You can’t help me, Elec.Tap. Tap-tap.“You can’t even help yourself.”
My jaw clenched. “The Council…can help.”
“The Council,” she spat out. “You don’t think I know they’re watching. They’re sleeping now. They know nothing.They remember nothing,” she said louder. “The Council sleeps. They forget.”
“No. Come. Closer. Come—” Pain shot into my head and on instinct, I reached for it. Blood flashed. Pounding. Impact, over and over. Phantom pain webbed like lightening through my hands.Tap.Tap-tap-tap.“Come.” I growled, needing to swing. Needing to squeeze my hands around her neck. “Closer. Come.” But blurry images were all I saw as I searched for more words. They kept coming, far away but close. Distorted but right before my eyes.
Tap.
Tap-tap.
The room wavered and gravity sucked me down some black hole of nothingness. My thoughts sputtered, and I could feel myself falling and spinning. I was twirling so fast. Time seemed to last forever. I gasped, coughing and sucking in air. I was on my back. Clarity wouldn’t come as I forced open my lids.
Blurriness. Colors merged, clearing as I repeatedly blinked.
Tap.
Tap-Tap.
Tap
A loud sound left me as I rolled to my side. My hand went to help with balance but stopped as soon as hardwood came into view. I knew that rich color. I knew the pale pink and light blue rug that rested not inches away.
“You’re an absolute mess. What am I going to do with you?”
“I…”
Nothing. No thoughts. No agenda or mission. All I could do was look around while I tried to remember what I was doing on Vivia’s floor.
“My father’s going to kill you if he finds out you snuck in again. Why did you sleep on the floor, Elec? You could have come to the bed. Don’t you want to sleep with me?”
Big eyes looked wounded as she stared over from the edge of the bed. Was I supposed to answer? Could I answer? My mouth opened but nothing came out.
“Elec.” A pause as her eyes studied my face. “I said come get in my bed.”
Vivia. Pouty lip. Dark hair. Tanned skin against the white nightgown.
I dropped my gaze to the carpet, scanning the room as if I were looking for something.
“Elec Wexler.Are you feeling alright?”
My gaze lifted at her impatience. I was dizzy. I…needed something.
“My head hurts.”
“Oh.” Her voice softened and she stood from the bed, slowly walking towards me. “You must have partied too hard with your friends last night. You really need to stop that. You’re supposed to be proving yourself to my father. What’s he going to think if he overhears what you’re doing?”