by Red Phoenix
Brie watched with concern as Sir followed Marquis into the living room.
“They’ll be fine,” Celestia assured her.
I’m not so sure, Brie thought as she gathered the plates.
Her worries were confirmed when she returned from the kitchen to hear Sir growl angrily, “What the hell did Brie tell you?”
She cringed at the venomous tone behind the accusation. Celestia came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist in support as they listened to the heated exchange.
“She said nothing, Sir Davis,” Marquis Gray answered. “I only had to look at her face to know that things are not well between you.”
“And how is this any of your business?”
“I was her trainer, your colleague and, I thought, your friend. I consider you a rational man, but your current actions dispute that. I understand that you are weighed down by your mother’s situation, but that should not dictate how you relate to the rest of the world.”
“You know nothing.”
“Let me be frank here. You are not the person I used to know.”
Sir roared defiantly, “And you’re not my father, Gray!”
“Damn it, man. You promised to care for and nurture that girl in there. Have you forgotten the vows you made in front of the entire community?”
Sir’s voice had become low and ominous. “I repeat, this is none of your business.”
“You’re mistaken to think so. We are a community, Sir Davis. We look out for one another, and I see you starting to spiral out of control. I must do something for both your sakes.”
“You’re overstepping the line, here.”
Marquis’ answer was confident and sure. “No, I am not. You must deal head-on with the situation concerning your mother, and include Miss Bennett in the process, or you will lose her.”
“You’re being over-dramatic, Gray.”
“And you’re a blind fool if you believe that.”
“Don’t throw those words around so casually with me,” Sir warned. “I’m not your sub.”
Marquis Gray went for the jugular. “I only suspected you were a fool when you took Miss Bennett during training, but now you’re proving I was correct.”
Sir spat angrily, “And you’ve held that single indiscretion over my head ever since.”
“Your impulsive nature showed a lack of control and common sense.” Marquis added in a tone of disbelief, “To think that as Headmaster you risked the Center’s reputation and your position to play with a trainee? It was inconceivable to me.”
Sir’s voice dripped with acid. “Stop with the lecture, old man. You’re not my father.”
“Well someone needs to be, since you’re acting like a child.”
“You’re sorely mistaken if you think a past indiscretion gives you the right to pry into my personal life. I won’t stand for this.”
“Running away, Sir Davis?” Marquis taunted. “I know that has been your modus operandi since you were a boy, but it doesn’t work for adults. Demons don’t ‘disappear’ on their own. They must be faced and dealt with.”
The timbre of Sir’s voice was frightening when he replied, “Stop pushing me, Gray, or I will be forced to push back—and I know you better than you think.”
Marquis was unmoved by the threat. “Your response highlights the depths of your spiral. As I stated before, you are not the man I once knew. No wonder Miss Bennett is floundering under your care. The answer is simple. Confront the issue with your mother, or you will destroy everything you have built, including your relationship with Miss Bennett.”
“I will never forget this, Gray,” Sir growled, heading back to the dining room.
Marquis’ sarcastic laugh followed him. “No, I’m sure you won’t, but let’s hope you’re man enough to take heed.”
“Brie!” Sir barked.
She let out the breath she’d been holding and looked apologetically at Celestia before moving to Sir’s side.
“We’re leaving. Gather our things and meet me in the car.” Without looking back, he marched to the front door, slamming it behind him. Brie scurried to pick up her purse and coat, while Celestia covered the custard dish and handed it to her.
Brie took it with shaking hands, a tangled mess of emotions. She froze when she felt Marquis Gray’s firm grip on her shoulder.
“This was unfortunate but necessary, Miss Bennett.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“Don’t run outside wildly, reflecting your Master’s irrational outburst. Walk to the car with confidence. It is important that you support him through this, but do not become his emotional punching bag. You do not deserve it, and it is not what he needs from you.”
She glanced up at Marquis, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. “Thank you, Marquis Gray.”
His encouraging smile calmed her frayed emotions. “We’re all forced to face our demons at some point, Miss Bennett. I believe it is part of God’s plan. Whether we meet them with courage or fearful avoidance is up to the individual, but the consequences of those decisions determine the rest of our lives.”
She clutched the custard dish to her chest, admitting quietly, “I’m afraid for Sir.”
“I trust he will come through this. He is not a weak man.”
“No, he is not,” she agreed vehemently.
The car horn blared from outside.
She jumped, but took a deep breath and nodded to Marquis Gray before walking to the door and opening it. Sir needed her strength. She would give it to him on her terms, because that was what he needed from her.
A Gift of Flogging
The ride home was quiet. Not filled with the raging anger she’d expected, but a brooding silence, which was worse…
Rather than disturb him, Brie sat up straight and stared ahead. I am téa, sub and lover of Sir Thane Davis. I am his condor. I will always stand beside him, I will always love him, and I will be his strength when he falters. It is my joy to do so.
“What did Gray tell you?” Sir snarled.
She turned to him, not allowing herself to react to his hostility. “He told me to stand beside you.”
“Really?” It sounded as if he didn’t believe her, but he turned his eyes back to the road. “I can’t tolerate people prying into our lives.”
“I understand, Sir.”
He added, “I appreciate that you did not run to him with our problems.”
“We are partners. What happens between us is private.”
“At least you understand that,” he spat venomously.
“Marquis only meant well.”
He replied under his breath, “As if his opinion matters to me.”
Despite his protests, Brie knew very well that it did matter to him. Everyone respected Marquis Gray—including Sir.
Over the course of several minutes she watched his expression change from anger to pain. Sir suddenly made a U-turn and headed for the foothills, ending up at the same place they’d gone to when he’d broken down after the initial confrontation with his mother.
It was high above the city, with an impressive view of LA. Sir got out of his Lotus and walked around to the other side, opening the door and taking her hand to help her out.
Brie took it as a positive sign.
They stood in the dark, watching the vibrant city below. Even as far up as they were, the sound of sirens, horns blaring and dogs barking floated from below, while cars constantly moved through the congested streets as airplanes flew above their heads. The city was alive—a living, breathing entity.
Brie had grown up in a small town, but she loved LA for its diversity and promise. Great things could happen here; she still believed it.
“Seeing the Beast was unnerving, Brie. That unnaturally preserved face with its expression of superiority, still beautiful even with all the tubes. Although I’ve been told she’s brain dead, looking at her I felt she might open her eyes at any moment.”
“How did seeing her like that make you feel
?”
“I wasn’t prepared for the opposing emotions. I thought I was, had spent two days in Japan bracing myself for it, but seeing her…”
Brie could almost imagine the love and loss he must have felt, despite the fact that his mother had been so cruel to him. Sadly, Ruth was his mother, and that bond was so deep it couldn’t be severed.
“I fully expected to be overwhelmed by emotion, but not by the one emotion that consumed me.”
“What was that, Sir?”
He shocked her with his answer. “I wanted to punch that smug look off her face. A grown man shouldn’t feel that way.” He looked up at the night sky and sighed with frustration. “Even in that state, she has power over me. Every cruel deed, every unkind word still resonates in me.
“That was when I realized that all the issues in my past I’d thought I’d conquered, all the growth I’d assumed I’d made were just an illusion. I’m still that boy, standing in the doorway, helpless to stop what is about to happen as she watches my father lift the gun and end my world.”
Brie wrapped her arms around him, laying her head against his shoulder, wishing desperately that she could take away the painful memories.
“I looked at her lying in that hospital bed and had to fight the urge to physically choke the life out of her.” He brushed his hair back, a look of resignation on his face. “And yet…”
“You still love her.”
“Love is an ugly word when it’s associated with that woman. My feelings are tangled in a hatred so dark it scares me.” He groaned, looking up at the stars again. “I counted on having resolution with her someday—it didn’t matter whether it ended well, I needed that final confrontation with her. I never realized how much I depended on it. To have it stolen from me is a loss I cannot bear. I’m left floundering like a drowning man.”
“It’s completely understandable,” she assured Sir, hugging him tighter.
His voice broke when he admitted, “I know this should be a simple decision, Brie. She needs to die, but I find myself…struggling.”
Brie took his hand in hers. “I stand beside you, whatever you decide.”
“Being next to me is a dangerous place in my current state.”
“I will not fail you.”
He disengaged from her embrace. “But I will fail you.”
She tried to protest, but he hushed her.
“Marquis is right. I had no business collaring you. My past makes me unfit to be your Master. I knew that, but for a moment you had me believing differently.”
She refused to listen. “You followed your heart. You’ve always insisted that if I trust my instincts, they won’t steer me wrong. It was sound advice, Sir.”
He disagreed, shaking his head. “Instincts and the heart are two different animals. The heart cannot be trusted.”
She smiled, taking his hand and pressing it against her cheek. “But it led me to you.”
“You could have done so much better, my dear.”
Brie could hear the painful truth behind his sarcastic tone, but she shook her head in defiance of his words, still smiling at him.
“I will hurt you… Hell, I already have. I’m broken, and no amount of wishful thinking can change that. I’m not what you need.”
“Sir, you have chosen a path of integrity and followed it relentlessly. I admire you, and am honored to be collared by you. I’m willing to suffer alongside you now because I see a future ahead full of promise. It will be glorious.”
He cupped her chin. “You are naïve and sweet, but naivety is fragile and sweetness can quickly turn to bitterness.”
“Who I am is enhanced by you, not diminished, Sir.”
He gave an amused smile, shaking her chin from side to side. “Stubborn.”
“Like a condor.”
He laughed out loud.
Brie wanted to follow Marquis’ advice and be the strength Sir needed. With trepidation, she told him, “I have a humble suggestion concerning your mother.”
He raised one eyebrow, the expression on his face changing to one of suspicion. “Speak.”
Brie forged ahead despite her sudden misgivings. “Nothing needs to be decided now. Your mother owes you for the wrongs she’s done. She can wait until you’re ready.”
Rather than the gratitude she’d expected, his eyes blazed with renewed anger. “I do not care for the suggestion. It was not wanted, nor is it appreciated.”
It seemed all the progress she’d made had been swept away in an instant. They walked back to the car in silence.
While Brie was sipping her morning coffee the next day, Sir’s cell phone rang. She picked it up off the counter and walked it over to where he was working. He took it from her without a word.
“Hello?” he said into the phone. Those were the first words she’d heard since their ‘discussion’ the night before.
“Why?” Sir growled, obviously not pleased with the caller.
He stared at Brie briefly before replying, “It’s not your right.”
Sir listened intently, then flared his nostrils in anger, snarling, “Fine, I’ll be joining her, then.” He tossed the phone onto the table in an angry huff.
“Who was that, Sir?”
“That was the infamous Marquis. He’s asked to film a session with you as his partner.”
“With me? But why?”
“That was exactly my question. However, his explanation has merit and I won’t be the one to hinder your filming career. You should know, however, that I insisted on attending the session.”
Brie shook her head, knowing how badly he wanted to avoid Marquis. “You won’t need to, Sir. I’ll talk to him and respectfully decline his offer.”
“No, Brie, I’ve already agreed to watch.”
“When is the filming supposed to take place?”
“Today, before training classes begin at the Center. He asked that you call him to go over the particulars of the scene he’s planned.”
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
“This is not your doing, Brie. I’ve only agreed because I believe the opportunity is a good one for your career.”
She accepted his answer, but left the kitchen table feeling a little light-headed.
A scene with Marquis Gray? She hadn’t been under his hand since Graduation Night.
When she called Marquis, he informed Brie that it would be a flogging scene—an instrument he knew she enjoyed. He also told her that he was planning to use a new flogger he’d been practicing with recently, one she might find a little intimidating.
Because of her unwavering trust in Marquis, Brie had agreed to the scene, but began to have second thoughts when she entered the Training Center a few hours later with Sir.
Sir picked up on her unease and stopped her in the hallway. “If at any time you wish to end it, you have my full support.”
She was grateful for his sensitivity and encouragement. “I’m sure it will go well, but I appreciate you saying that, Sir.” He nodded, resting his hand against the small of her back as he escorted her into the room.
Marquis seemed pleased to see them both, but directed his attention to Sir. “We’ll keep this short, Sir Davis, since both of our time is limited.”
“It’s best we don’t speak, then,” Sir replied. “Let’s waste no more time than necessary.”
“Agreed.” Marquis turned from Sir to ask Brie, “You understand the dynamics of the scene, yes?”
“I do, Marquis Gray, but may I see your new flogger before we begin?”
“Certainly.” Marquis pulled the hugest flogger she had ever seen from out of his bag. Brie couldn’t even count the number of tails on the two-handed instrument. She touched the strips of leather, feeling a sense of trepidation.
“How many tails does it have?”
“Eighty.”
She cringed. “That many?”
“It has a real thud to it,” he replied with a glint in his eye.
She backed away from the flogger. “To be honest, I’m�
�a little scared of it.”
“I appreciate that you are fearful of the flogger, Miss Bennett. However, trust that I will warm you up to receive its unique…sensation.”
She looked over at Sir, unable to hide her concern.
“You’ll be fine, Brie,” Sir assured her, taking a seat beside the camera.
His assurance bolstered her resolve to continue with the filming. “It may take me a few minutes to set up, Marquis Gray.”
“Not an issue, Miss Bennett. I need to set out my instruments and warm up.”
She worked in silence, intent on the job at hand. It wasn’t until Brie caught Marquis in motion through the camera lens that she was hit by the fact she was really about to scene with the Master.
Although it was true that she had scened with Marquis while Sir observed during training, it felt completely different now that she was collared. She found herself glancing apprehensively at her Master.
“Brie, come here.”
She walked over to Sir, staring hard at the floor. He took her face in both hands and gazed into her eyes.
“I want to see you enjoy this scene today. This is not just about your film. This is an opportunity to let your father see what we do and why it suits you so well. He could never watch if I were your partner, but you and I both know he has respect for Marquis Gray.”
She looked at him with new understanding, agreeing with his assessment.
Sir leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I don’t want you looking back at me during the scene. This is about you, Gray and the flogger.”
“I understand, Sir.”
Brie still felt apprehensive, but there was already a positive to doing this scene with Marquis Gray. Sir was talking to her again, and for that Brie was eternally grateful.
She checked her equipment one last time, stating regretfully, “This will have to be a static shot.”
“Of course it will,” Marquis answered. “It helps with the documentary’s authenticity. If the girl behind the camera is in the scene being filmed, it stands to reason there is no one else working the camera. As long as the area I blocked out is in the shot, it should be fine.”
