by Red Phoenix
Brie bowed. “It is an honor, Master Nosh.”
She remembered the Master from her training days, when she and the other submissives had been given the unique opportunity to critique the training Doms at the Center. That had been the day Faelan impressed her with the power of a simple feather.
The intimidating Dom only nodded to Brie, saying nothing.
“Master Nosh is a man of few words,” Master Coen announced, joining them with his arms draped around both his submissives. His smile was barely visible underneath the metal mask that covered three-quarters of his face. It gave him a distinctive gladiator vibe.
His girls wore masks made of colorful cock-feathers, which contrasted nicely with the cold metal of his mask.
“I was told you never had a chance to discuss your film with Nosh, Miss Bennett, but he is a wealth of knowledge.”
Brie appreciated Master Coen’s lead-in, and took the opportunity to address the Master personally. “I hope you will consider sharing some of that knowledge with me, Master Nosh. I know many fans of the original documentary hope for a peek at the Dominant Training Center in the second film.”
After an extended pause, the man spoke in a voice so deep it made Brie’s insides tremble. “I will consider it.”
He turned to Master Coen and put his hand on his shoulder, gesturing to the rest of the group.
“Yes, I suppose now is as good a time as any,” the Headmaster conceded, speaking to the entire room. “Master Nosh and the Gallants already know, but have the rest of you heard the latest news at the Training Center?”
Mr. Gallant kissed Ena lightly on the back of her hand and nodded.
Master Coen stunned the room with his announcement. “I will be stepping down as Headmaster.”
Silence settled over the room.
“Don’t look so glum. I’ve been recruited to head the first sister school in Australia.”
“Oh, now that is interesting…” Marquis remarked.
Mr. Gallant gave Master Coen a congratulatory pat on the back. “Reason enough for celebration tonight.”
Ena disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a small but decadent-looking chocolate cake. “Who would like a piece?”
It seemed to break the dazed spell Master Coen had caused, and Captain requested a large slice. He proceeded to sit down on the couch, placing the plate on the coffee table. “Pet, lief, come.”
Brie watched Mary stand up and walk over to him, gracefully kneeling on one side of Captain while Candy knelt on the other. He waited until the entire party had been served before he cut a small piece for Candy and then another bite for Mary. Darned if the Blonde Nemesis didn’t demurely eat from the fork Captain offered with a slight blush on her cheeks.
Mr. Gallant told the group, “Although this is a vanilla affair, try to have a little fun.”
Headmaster Coen wanted nothing to do with the cake, but for a little entertainment he insisted his submissives share a piece using only their hands. He watched with obvious lust as they sensually licked the frosting off each other’s fingers.
Mr. Gallant watched with amusement and swiped his finger over the top of Ena’s cake, spreading the rich chocolate over her lip. “Charming,” he praised. “You look good enough to eat.” He leaned over and removed the offending chocolate with a lick.
Brie smiled to herself, nibbling at her cake.
“Oh, Brie, do you remember when you brought over the custard?” Celestia asked, giggling.
Brie whimpered, “Must we bring that up?”
Celestia leaned in and whispered to her, “You’ll never know how much that endeared you to Marquis. He enjoys seeing his students humbled. He believes everyone needs a little grounding.” She nodded discreetly at Mary, who was looking up at Captain with adoration as she accepted another bite. “Whenever one of their students overcomes an obstacle, it is a victory for the entire staff.”
Brie smiled. “I agree. Seeing Mary dig herself out from her horrible past is truly inspiring.”
Celestia said quietly, “You can’t help but wonder what Faelan would have thought…”
Mr. Gallant cleared his throat, making both Brie and Celestia jump. Brie was sure she was about to be reprimanded for gossiping when he took her to the side to speak to her alone.
“Captain and I believe you and Mary should talk.”
“I would love to, Mr. Gallant.”
“Please use our bedroom upstairs for privacy’s sake. It’s the last door down the hall.”
Brie walked over to Mary to ask her to join her upstairs, and was pleasantly startled when Mary deferred to Captain. “May I leave the room, Vader?”
He placed his hand on her head. “Yes, lief. Enjoy your time with your friend.”
“Thank you, Vader.” Brie was stunned that Mary seemed genuinely content under Captain’s rule. She turned to Brie and smiled. “Lead on, stinky cheese.”
“Mr. Gallant said we could use his room upstairs,” Brie informed her as they walked out of the room.
“His bedroom? Now that sounds naughty, doesn’t it?” Mary murmured, placing her hand on the railing as she headed up the stairs.
“You’re not going to do anything weird, are you?”
Mary tossed her hair back and shrugged. “We’re just going to talk. Right, bitch?”
Brie shook her head, but laughed. At least the old Mary hadn’t been eliminated under Captain’s training.
Mr. Gallant’s bedroom had impressive double doors that opened into a large room complete with an oversized bed, a reading nook and a wet bar. Mary looked around, running her hands over the oak counters of the bar and the red leather of a chair next to a bookcase. “Talk about a Master suite.”
“We’re not here to snoop in Mr. Gallant’s room, Mary. We’re supposed to be talking.”
“You’re such a wet blanket,” she pouted, flopping onto the king-sized bed and looking up at Brie. “So talk.”
“I’m not saying a word until you sit on the edge of the bed. Show Mr. Gallant and Ena a little respect, damn it.”
Mary spread her hands over the comforter as if she were making a snow angel. “Just think, Brie. Our illustrious teacher fucks his submissive on this very bed.”
Although it was an alluring thought, Brie didn’t want to start down that path with Mary. “That’s it,” she snapped. “We’ll sit on the floor—a place you’re used to.”
Mary rolled her eyes, but flopped onto the floor, crossing her legs. She kept looking around the room, fascinated by it. “I bet we’re the first students ever to see this hallowed place. Why do you think he has a bar in his bedroom? Don’t you think that’s a bit strange?”
“I don’t care, Mary. Talk to me about you. How have things been going with the Captain?”
Mary let out a long sigh. “Getting all serious on me, huh? You’re no fun.”
“Well?”
She looked away when she answered. “It’s fine. No, actually it’s better than fine.”
“So what’s happened since we last talked? Did he stop making you watch them kiss and snuggle?”
“No,” Mary said with a slight grin. “I’m…getting used to that.”
Brie nudged her on the shoulder. “I knew it! You’re an old softie inside. I couldn’t believe that you let him feed you in front of us tonight. It looked like you actually enjoyed the attention.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Deny it all you want, it was obvious to everyone in the room. It was sweet.”
“Now I know you’re just trying to piss me off.”
“No.” Brie put her arm around Mary. “I’m not. There’s a real change in you. Why can’t you just admit it?”
Mary paused, suddenly getting serious on Brie. “I don’t want to jinx it.”
“Jinx what?”
“At first, being around them was nauseating. But the more I saw how Captain was with Candy, how he genuinely cared for her, the more…”
“The more you wanted it for yourself?”
>
Mary snarled, “I’m not lusting over Candy’s man, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“No, you twit. I meant you want to be treated that way by other men.”
Mary rolled her eyes again. “You totally don’t get it.”
Brie growled in frustration. “Then explain it to me.”
“I…” She seemed to struggle with the words. “I feel accepted for the first time in my life. I’ve never felt that way before, and I don’t want to lose it.”
“Accepted you how? Because Faelan accepted you, fangs and all. What’s different?”
“They accept me for me, damn it,” she said, pointing to herself. “Just me. Not for my looks or how great I can give a blow job…and I’m far better than you—just saying.”
Brie ignored the jab, realizing the importance of what Mary was saying. “So they accept you as a person, not as a sex object?”
“No, you idiot! What I’m trying to tell you is that they accept me as…” She could hardly say the word, and just whispered, “….family.”
Brie felt a chill go through her and goose bumps rose on her skin. It took everything not to cry, but she knew how much Mary hated tears and valiantly fought them off. “That’s profound, Mary.”
“I know. A few times at their home, when we were just hanging there, not doing anything special, I felt whole.” Mary’s lips trembled. “I’ve never felt that before, Brie. Ever.”
“You deserve to, my friend.”
She shook her head. “I was afraid Captain might be a mental-case making me call him Vader. I was sure he was planning to act out some Daddy fantasy on me, but fuck it, he really means it. He’s been respectful to me this entire time—no wandering touches, no flirtations or sexual glances. You know what I mean. Those stolen glances that let you know where their mind’s really at.”
“Sure.”
“In the past I would have been offended that he was ignoring me. Hell, that’s how I relate to all men. But staying with Captain has been different. I really feel a connection to him that has nothing to do with sex.”
“Like a father figure.”
“Exactly.”
“What about Candy?”
Mary smiled. “My relationship with Candy is just icing on the cake. I see every woman as competition, but she’s the first one who doesn’t bring out my cutthroat nature, and it’s not because she isn’t hot. It’s just that…I don’t feel the need to compete with her.”
“Wow, that’s huge.”
“See, I thought of all the people I know, you might understand. It is huge—it’s fucking huge! Even my shrink is impressed.”
“So I take it the counseling is going well.”
“Reiny, that’s my pet name for him—God, he hates it—he says I’ve been much more open this time around. Seems hitting rock-bottom has that effect on the strong.”
“Did he say that or did you?”
“Well, maybe not in those exact words, but let’s just say he’s impressed with my progress.”
“That’s great, Mary. Sir will be thrilled to hear it.”
“Yeah,” she growled. “Don’t think I’m unaware that everyone’s been talking about me behind my back.”
“Seriously, you’re not that important. People are concerned, yes, but Miss Wilson isn’t the main topic of conversation.”
“Sure I’m not…”
Brie let out a snort. “I can’t tell if you’re fucking with me or being serious.”
Mary grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
“Well, at least it’s good to see you acting like yourself again.”
“Brie, I have to ask…”
“What? Anything.”
She paused for a long time before asking Brie, “How’s Faelan? I haven’t stopped thinking about him, not for a second since he left.”
Brie frowned, wishing she had something positive to share. “I’m sorry, Mary. I have no idea where he is and I haven’t heard from him since we left the commune.”
“Don’t you think it’s fucked up? I’m finally getting my shit together, but he’ll never know I love him?” A tear escaped, but Mary brushed it away angrily.
“He knew that, Mary,” Brie assured her, trying to stop her voice from quavering. “I believe that’s why he never gave up on you.”
Mary buried her face in her hands, trying unsuccessfully to hold back the tears.
Brie looked away, knowing she was about to fall apart herself. She was angry that fate had been so cruel to them.
Mary took a couple of deep breaths, then silenced her tears. “Well, I’m done talking.”
They stood up together, but Mary walked over to the dresser mirror to wipe away any remaining tears and fluff her hair before presenting herself to the group again. She turned and smiled wickedly at Brie. “Since this is the only time I’ll ever be in here…”
Before Brie could stop her, Mary went behind the bar and tried to open the cupboards. “They’re all locked. I bet this bar is really just a cover to hide all his toys from the kids.” She slapped her hands on the counter in frustration. “Damn! I was hoping to see what kind of kink he’s into.”
“OMG, Mary, get away from there! You have no decorum whatsoever.”
Mary held her arms up in surrender. “Fine, but don’t tell me you weren’t curious.” She shut the double doors to the bedroom, murmuring, “Some other time, Gallant.”
Brie would never admit it to Mary, but she was curious too. Mr. Gallant was a compelling mystery that she’d often contemplated, and it appeared the man was destined to remain that way.
Darkness
Brie arrived to an empty home, even though she didn’t get in until after two in the morning. She wasn’t surprised, however, knowing Sir and Lilly had a lifetime to catch up on.
She drifted into the bedroom to get ready for bed and found Sir’s journal open on his nightstand. She inadvertently glanced at it, hoping it might hold a fantasy of his.
Mother
You are darkness
You seek to destroy
Betrayal as your heritage
Cruelty your legacy
And yet
I care
Forever damned
By the love that ruined me
Yet haunts me…
Still
Brie sat down after reading it. She rubbed her hands over the words, wishing she could remove the profound pain expressed on the page. She knew Sir still struggled with memories from the past, and meeting his sister had only helped to stir the nightmares he’d kept buried deep within.
She closed his journal and kissed it, placing it back on the nightstand. “May tonight bring you a new level of peace, Sir.”
Not being the least bit sleepy, Brie decided to wander back out to the couch with a large blanket to cuddle in. She turned on the TV for background noise and whipped out her laptop to work on her film while she waited for Sir’s return.
She was in the middle of reviewing the footage between Rytsar and his young sub when she could have sworn she heard his name on the TV. She glanced up and turned up the volume when a picture of him flashed across the screen.
“…Rachel, I have a little tidbit about the man we’ve been hearing so much about.”
“Do tell!”
“I did a little digging and discovered our Russian hero is the very same Rytsar Durov from that naughty underground hit last summer.”
“Get out!”
The two women giggled as they fanned themselves.
“Of course, it’s tragic what happened to the girl, but how dreamy it must have been to be rescued by him.”
“Those big buff arms…”
Brie quickly googled Rytsar’s name and was shocked to find a recent news article detailing the captive girl’s ordeal. Upon further investigation, she found that the culprit of the leak was the girl herself. Apparently she had fallen for the Russian Dom and wanted the whole world to know of his heroism.
Brie started hyperventilating, afraid t
his young woman’s zeal might end up costing Rytsar his freedom or even his life. She picked up the phone and called his private cell, a feeling of unease setting in when he didn’t pick up quickly enough.
“Hello?” he finally answered in his thick Russian accent.
“Rytsar, have you heard what’s happened? Stephanie, that girl you saved, just told the world who you are and what you did.”
“Titov specifically told her and her family to remain silent. Why would she do this?” he growled.
“I’m not sure, but I think it might be a case of hero-worship. This girl’s going on and on about how you saved her from the bad guys. Luckily, the only substantial information I’ve been able to glean from the internet is your name and your main residence in Moscow. Get ready, though—the phone is about to start ringing off the hook.”
Rytsar snorted. “No, the landline was destroyed in the fire, radost moya. They will not be able to reach me, and only those I trust have this number.”
“What if you get in trouble because of this.”
“The girl knows little,” he assured her. “Titov spoke to her extensively before they left the Motherland. Besides, without a body or witnesses, there is no crime. Do not fret—you will not be tied to this.”
“That’s right, you don’t know! They’ve already associated you with my documentary.”
Rytsar sounded amused rather than upset. “You Americans and your fascination with the men of Mother Russia.”
“This isn’t a laughing matter!”
He lowered his voice, speaking calmly to her. “I do not foresee it being an issue for you—I will ensure it.”
“What about you?”
“Huh! If something were to befall me, I would not alter the course of my actions. I am at peace, Radost Moya. There is no reason to be concerned.”
Brie’s lip trembled with emotion when she confessed, “I couldn’t handle if anything to happen to you.”
“It won’t.”
Not willing to end their phone call and still wanting to know about his past, Brie prodded hesitantly, “Rytsar?”
“Da?”
“Can I ask you what happened to Tatyana?
The phone went silent.