+1+
ALL WITCHES BURN
The words are spray painted in bright orange across our garage on Saturday morning.
I’d overslept and woken up to a parade of cars driving slowly pass the house. I’d run downstairs to get a better look.
Sera is already outside. She is knee deep in the flowerbeds with a bag of dirt, potted plants and a shovel. I watch confused as she eases a plant out of a pot and settles it into the flowerbed.Oversleeping was an oversight. I had plans today. Plans that involved sneaking out before Sera woke up. Since the Greenfield's incident we’d been sleeping separately. Sera knew something and she wasn’t talking. We’d made it through the week on amiable terms but I was fed up with Sera’s secrets. I had to find out what she was doing the night of the fire.
“I can’t believe this”, I say inspecting bright orange graffiti. I untangle the water hose and try to wash the paint away. It just removes some of the top layer. The paint is florescent and probably glows in the fucking dark. I try turning up the water pressure and promptly lose control of the hose. In my attempt to wrangle it I dowse Seraphina in water.
“Paris, what the fuck. Put that down.”
“Sorry”, I manage to shut it off, “I know that’s not usually how I get you wet in the morning.”
She rolls her eyes but she’s slightly amused. Which means I’ve started the morning melting the ice queen exterior. It didn’t hurt that her pale gray shirt was now clingy and see through. Sera turns back to the flowerbed.
“I’ll have to call a professional to clean this”, I say because I can never stop talking even if we are fighting, “Fuck we can’t afford this. How can you be so calm?”
She keeps her focus on the flower bed, “They want me to be angry. I’m not going to give them the satisfaction---These are phloxes. Emile says they attract butterflies.”
“You’ve been talking to Emile?”
“He very knowledgeable. He’s…nice.”
I take a look at the graffiti again then open the garage doors so the paint won’t be visible. Sera seems annoyed she didn’t think of that. I run back inside to shower and change clothes. When I head back out to my car Sera follows me.
“Where are you going?” she asks. But it’s not a question. It’s more of a demand.
“There’s a Harvard alumni chapter in Hartford. They are having a social. I need a distraction.”
It wasn’t a total lie. There was a Harvard alumni chapter in Hartford and they were having a social. It was just two weeks from now.
“Be back before 5 p.m.” She says taking off her gardening gloves, “Bring back another pallet of blue and pink flowers.”
I keep my voice low, “Sera, You’re not in control anymore. Not until you tell me why you ran Sky off the road. Or how your earring ended up in Cortland Day’s bedroom.”
“Is that where you found it—“
“That’s exactly where I found it, Seraphina”, A sliver of anger slips out with my next words, “It better not be what it’s starting to fucking look like.”
Her mouth parts a little and I register the reaction as shock. She steps out the way of the car and hurries back inside the house.
+++
Eight months ago when I crashed my car into my high school rival’s BMW it had been communicated to me that if I ever set foot in New York again…he’d kill me.
It was an idle threat considering Helios lived in an upstate backwater town 200 miles from the city. There was no fucking way he would know I was speeding into downtown Manhattan. I missed the city. I hadn’t been back since that day I told Seraphina we were moving to Harrison County.
I feel a pang of nostalgia for the fast-paced all-consuming life we’d had here. Maybe once things calmed down we could visit. If our relationship survived whatever the hell was going on.
I pay an exorbitant amount of money to park my car then catch the subway to Rapture. The lobby is sleek and modern with a hint of dark Victorian. The leather furniture in the lobby fills the space with the intoxicating scent of leather and smoke. The dusky industrial lighting is purposefully intriguing and sensual. Just the right mix for a premiere BDSM club. I ask for the manager the minute I step in
“Can I help you “, the general manager asks.
“Yes. This is about the Sunday Saints and Sinners event two week ago. My client was working that night. I was wondering if there was any footage available.”
The manager sizes me up.
“Are you a deluxe member?”
“No. I work for Seraphina Grigori. She was one of the Domme’s working the event.”
“Doesn’t sound familiar. What’s her legal name?”
“That is—her working name is Athena. I really need the event recording. I was supposed to get it for her last week.”
“Oh, yes. Mistress Athena. The events coordinator was looking for her”, The manager reaches under the desk and pulls out an envelope, “She didn’t pick up her check after the event.”
“So, she was here?” I accidentally say out loud
“Yes…”
I refocus.
“So about the event footage?”
“Event recordings are for deluxe members only. Mistress Athena is more than welcome to apply. We have some openings. The admission process is 2-3 months. “
I knew this place started at $15,000 a year. I needed a new tactic.
“I really need to see those recordings. Maybe we can work something out.”
The man smiles and shakes his head. He probably gets this all the time.
“Sir I’m going to call secu—“
“Paris!”
I’m a little surprised to hear my name being called. A neatly dressed Cuban man, who I’ve only see in pictures, makes his way down Rapture’s main staircase. He holds his hands out as he approaches me then pulls me into a hug. He smells distinctly of tobacco, whiskey and leather.
“Dom Hidalgo”, I say in greeting, “I didn’t think you knew my name.”
He lights a cigar and slips the manager a $100 dollar bill to keep quiet about it. Hidalgo was famous in the community for his expansive high-end BDSM resort in Florida. He unapologetically lived and flaunted the lifestyle in a way only the uber wealthy could. His infatuation with Sera, and insistence that she escort him whenever he was in New York, paid for half my law degree.
“Of course I know your name. I’ve certainly heard Mistress Seraphine scream your name more than a few times. ”
“What?”
He looks taken aback.
“…It’s her safe word”
“Oh. Right.” I say and then something hits me, “Wait…you were here a few weeks ago. At the Saints and Sinner party.”
He smiles.
“I’d never miss an event at Rapture --especially after I got my favorite Domina invited.”
I nodded along like I knew Hidalgo had helped Sera book the Rapture gig. Had she told him about our finances? I always told her very little about our finances. I never wanted her to worry and I always made sure she had her own money that I couldn’t touch.
I clear my throat.
“You were with Seraphina on that Sunday.”
He smiles at the memory. It was nice to know you could be in the scene for over 35 years and still have encounters worth remembering.
“Yes. I convinced her to sneak out early. She finally let me buy her a beautiful set of needles for those half-dollar sensitive nipples-- “
“Do remember when she left?”
He pauses and looks at me like I’ve said something out of hand,“She left way too early. I remember that.”
“Did anything seem off about her?”
“I don’t know. It was what? Two weeks ago? What’s all this about.”
“Just a legal situation I’m handling for her.”
“Somehow I doubt that. You’ve been out of law school…what? A few months?”
“I’m working on something important. Please don’t let Sera know I spoke to you.”
“Don’t worry I’ll keep your secret”, He says bringing the cigar to his mouth, “I actually like you Paris. You’re a good submissive husband. You know your place, you stay out the way, you serve Seraphine well and you’ve done an admirable job of not getting her pregnant.”
It was going to be impossible to keep him on topic.
“Look, I’m just trying to account for her time. Actually…when she was with you what was she wearing?”
“Several well placed lash marks.”
“I mean before that.”
He thinks hard about this,“I do remember forcing that cheap black dress off. I made her change into something that I felt suited her statuesque body much better.”
I remember the elegant silk strap and gold accented lingerie she’d been wearing the night of the fire. It had looked very expensive…
“…you gave that to her.” I realize.
He nudges me, “I guess that was a gift for you to.”
I try not to gag at that comment, “You don’t remember what time she left?”
“No. I was surprised she could walk so quickly after having her mouth, ass and pussy fucked at the same time. Especially considering the challenging plug sizes I purchased.”
I realize this is working in my favor. Dom Hidalgo is boastful. He wants to brag. He is so ready to assert his own dominance over me that he will tell me anything about his night with Sera.
“Did Sera say anything about Harrison County or someone named Sky when you were together? What about Day…did she mention a Cortland?”
“I don’t know what any of those things are.”
I look at the manager then back at Dom Hidalgo.
“Dom Hidalgo…I really need to see the tapes from the party. Do you think you can help?”
Hidalgo smiles then heads to the elevators. I follow without being asked.
+2+
The top floor of Rapture looks like a swanky mid- 20th century hotel. Everything about it is seductive from the hardwood floors to the warm oak doors and gold lettering. His room is decorated in dark hues with rich brocade wall paper, modern leather furniture and erotic black and white art.
“This club is like my home away from home. So I treat it and the people in it like I do at my home. Before you enter you can either take your clothes or your shoes off. I’m sure you know which one I’d prefer.’
I take my shoes off and follow him to his bedroom. The leather tufted headboard gleams and smells like it has been freshly polished. It is a mass of dark sheets and red pillows. It looks a lot like how Sera had decorated our bedroom.
Hidalgo turns the large screen TV on and enters a password. The screen fills with a live feed of the party. It look rapturous from the high angle. The camera methodically pans across a rig, giving it a more cinematic feel.There are several angles and he stops at the one in the Dungeon hall set up on the 6th floor. The hall was crowded with people watching and waiting in lines. There were six Dommes there with equipment. A voluptuous blonde in particular had the longest line.
Sera’s line was moderate. She did mostly bondage and suspension. Most people were there for impact play--which wasn’t really her specialty. She looked nervous which was strange. Sera was good at playing up her indifferent, demanding and cold personality at events. Not that night. That night she looked overwhelmed. Guest came in groups to ask her questions or to grab a business card. People who came over to grab free (New Aeterna branded) condoms kept touching things and messing up the booth.
Some people even pulled her aside when she was working with a client. She had to keep an eye on her tip jar and at one point had to borrow change from another Domme. She was overwhelmed and the only Domme handling things on her own. I should have hired someone but I didn’t have the time or money.
Dom Hidalgo fast-forwards. My eyes stay on Seraphina. Hidalgo slows the video down when he appears on camera in a bespoke black suit and fedora. All eyes were following him and I could tell he loved his notoriety.He only had eyes for Seraphina. He strode through the crowd and stole a brief kiss from her. Hidalgo speeds up the video and I watch as he appeared and disappeared from her side all night. At one point he bought her a drink and when she took it without giving him a second glance. He grabbed her and turned her to him. There is no sound but it’s clear he was verbally disciplining her.
“She knows I expect to be thanked for anything I give her. Orgasm or otherwise”, he explains like I wouldn’t already know that. I watch on the video as she defiantly pours the drink on the floor and get someone to clean it up for her.
“I should have had her get on her knees and lap it from the floor--ass in the air so everyone can see that cheeky little tattoo of hers.”
“Can you speed it up”, I ask focusing on the tape. I just wasn’t (completely) in a mood to indulge in his cuckolding, “this is kind of important.”
“Important how?”
“Important because the night of this party Sera either committed arson or tried to kill my boss’ wife…or both.”
He does a slight double take and speeds up the tape.
I watch as Sera focused on getting through her clients. Again and again Hidalgo would make an appearance and then wander away. Every time he came by to seduce her, Sera would subtly sit on the table next to the tip jar and run a worried hand over it then pretend to get distracted by a potential client.
“Very loyal to her business. I’ll give her that.” Hidalgo notes with some admiration.
On the video I watch Hidalgo slip a few bills into the jar. I watch Sera do her little act again-- fretting over the tip jar in front of Hidalgo. Sure enough Hidalgo would put a few more bills in when she wasn’t looking. She was playing him and he didn’t even realize it.
Eventually her area clears out. I watch Dom Hidalgo come behind her and wrap his arms around her. He pulled her to the main floor where people have started dancing. I can’t hear the music but they began to dance. It’s sensual and carefree. Hidalgo isn’t much taller than me and seemed to know how to handle a taller partner. His hand brushed and explored her body in a way the edged up against the clubs’ policies. Sera looked delirious and high—but she hadn’t had a drink all night. She was in her element, happy and bursting with tension. Being worshiped. Treated like a fucking queen. It looked like they were going to start having really good fucking sex right then and there.
I check the time stamp. It was barley 6 o'clock.
Two hours from that moment Sera would be at the gas station of Old Mill drive.
Two and half hours from that moment Old Town Hall would burn down
Three and half hours from that moment Sera would run Skylar Day off the road.
My nails dig into my palm the more I think about it. Something happened to set this all of.
Hidalgo is lost in the screen. He thinks he is watching himself use his years of prowess and seduction to convince a Domme to be his for the night. In reality Sera had really just manipulated him into paying our mortgage and fucking her.
Then something off screen catches Sera’s attention. I get closer to the screen thinking this is going to be it.
Sven Oslo dramatically pops out the crowd making overly dramatic “long time no see” gestures.
“Sven Oslo was there?” I ask.
I watch as Sera makes an awkward re-introduction. Sven had worked at Hidalgo’s resort for years, but Hidalgo never remembered him.
“Hmm?” Hidalgo says, “Him. Yes. The Norwegian came in handy actually. I was running out of hands and needed someone to lick her clit. Kid also had high-quality pot.”
I watch as Sera begins to pack-up early. She had two subs I don’t recognize help take her stuff to her car. The trio meet back up and seemed to be making a game plan. Hidalgo leaves with Sera on his right and Sven on his left at 6:21 p.m.
“That’s it”, he says, “I don’t have cameras in my room, so I can’t show you the best part of the evening. We had a good round and then she left in the middle of round two.”
“But why did she leave?”
He snaps his fingers.
“I do remember something. She took a phone call. It must have been important with how fast she jumped out of bed to pick it up. She went into the bathroom and then ran out. She said she needed to get back to Connecticut. I figured it must have been serious.”
“What makes you say that?”
He shrugs.
“She left without changing. She took the pot which pissed off…Sven is it? You know Sera’s usually a good quiet sub but she was unusually talkative that night. I guess being a Stepford wife wasn’t suiting her. I told her if you gave me permission I could train her into being the perfect submissive housewife for you.”
“I-I don’t think I’d want that.” I say honestly even though I was starting to feel like I should want that.
“Seraphine was just very specific about what she wanted from me that night.”
“What was that?” I ask.
“Fuck her so hard she won’t think about sex for a month. There was so much pent up desire I thought she was going to burst. Silicone doesn’t quite do it the same. I can tell when someone hasn’t been properly fucked and needs to be. She needed to be. If she would have stayed I could have made that pussy good and sore.”
Hidalgo begins to rewind the video and watch it again.
This had been a mistake. If I wanted to know what was going on with Seraphina, Hidalgo was not the person to ask. Hidalgo was a perpetual Alpha Dom. To in his own head. To attune to his own needs.
Sven on the other hand.
“I need to go. Look if anyone asks…we never spoke. Okay.”
“I’ve been in this business for 40 years. I know a thing or two about discretion.”
+3+
I run to catch a train to Williamsburg.
The call box on Sven Oslo' warehouse studio broken so I slip right in. I knock on the door hoping Sven, and not one of his five roommates, answers.
“Mr. Councilman”, Sven says when he opens the door, “You aren’t the first politician to knock down my door today.”
He’s freshly tan and his hair has grown a bit making him look a little bit younger.
“Sven, if you are letting politicians pay you for sex, you are going to find yourself wrapped up in a scandal one day.”
“Always a buzzkill, Paris. I was joking. But you look like you need something.”
Sven leads me into the open space. I look around and notice we are alone. Sven is shirtless except for a red leather harness and collar he’s outfitted with gold carabiners. Something similar to a suspension rig is set up in warehouse high-celing rafters. All the beds and pallets have been pushed into a corner.
“What are you doing?” I ask looking at the set up.
“It’s like a self-suspension rig. I spent the spring with this guy from cirque du soleilei. I’m thinking about doing a kinky erotic acrobatic adult show. Maybe perform at bashes ? I’m still looking for investors…”
“Money is tight right now. I need to talk to you but I need it to stay between us.”
“I get it.”, he says closing the space between us. Sven tilts my chin up and kisses me. The taste of his cherry lip balm is familiar and strangely comforting. I am losing focus but it felt like ages since I’d been kissed or touched really. Even before the fire Sera had been punishing me. Withholding.
“I can’t”, I say eventually breaking away from Sven. My cock ached a little and I remembered the chastity cage which had been a dirty fun idea when I wasn’t at odds with Sera. I should have asked her the key weeks ago but there never seemed to be a good time.
“I know you’re an atheist but don’t be such a choir boy.”
“No. I literally can’t”, I sa yshowing him.
Sven backed off.
“Fuck. Sera’s is hardcore possessive. It’s always the quiet ones.” he says.
Focus. I remind myself.
“Sven, what I’m about to ask needs to stay between us.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“I’ve got a few opening at New Aeterna. You can rent the dungeon for free.”
“I’m listening.” He heads to a mini fridge and pulls out a Red Bull.
“Two weeks ago after the Saints and Sinner’s party Dom Hidalgo said Sera got a phone call and ran out…do you know what is about. Has she said anything to you?”
He smiles.
“No. It was weird though. Whoever it was called three times. She ignored the first two calls but when she picked up something changed. I thought someone had died with how upset she was.”
“What times was this?”
“She left around 7:30. Hidalgo had that stupid singing chair show playing in the background.”
“Did Sera mention anyone named Day or Skylar?”
“No. All I heard was her say ‘hold on wait. I’m on my way’ then she left. I asked her if everything was okay and she said yes. It was so fucking awkward after she left. Hidalgo went back to the party to see if any of his other regulars were there. He said I could stay for a minute but I better be gone by the time he came back.
“That guy is something else.” I say.
“I’d kill to be him though.”
I wince at his use of the words.
“…is everything okay Paris ?”, Sven asks genuinely.
“I don’t know. “
Sven goes through an open rack and pulls out a dry cleaning bag with the dress Sera had worn to the party. The dress she had left behind in Hidalgo’s room.
“That was a 10$ dress from a thrift store bargain bin. You didn’t have to.”
He shrugs, “So, what days can you schedule me.”
Oh. Right.
“You weren’t exactly helpful. You didn’t really tell me anything Hidalgo didn’t.”
“Can you stop being an asshole for like five minutes? Sera sent me pictures of that house you aren’t actually hurting for money.”
“ We run on a tight budget and the minute I give away free studio space I devalue the business.”
“…but you were willing to do it when you thought it’d benefit you.”
“Sorry--”
“Did Hidalgo tell you about Sera complaining about that fucking town? She said she hated it. That you kept fucking up and she was tired of having to follow you everywhere. She said she wanted out of that town.”
I thought about the earring in Day’s bedroom. If I died Day would get away with embezzlement and Sera would get to start over. She’d miss me but she’d eventually get over it. I close my eyes and remember the moment Seraphina gave Day her business card. He was her type. Sera was everyone's type.
“Hello? Paris?” Sven waives his hand in front of my face.
“I gotta go.”
“What about the free studio time.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t afford it Sven.”
“I think you can.” He says blocking the exit.
“Move.”
“Paris what I said earlier about you only caring when it benefits you. I have proof.”
“I’ve got to go--”
“December 29th. 2013” he rattles off the date like it should mean something.
“What?”
He flips through a jewelry box full of memory cards and pulls out a silver one.
“A few years ago Sera had a session with a client I wanted to check out. She told me how to get into the security system at New Aeterna. I stumbled across this in the deleted archive.”
He turns on a projector and adjust the lights. Then I remember the date. It was the night Sera and I slept on the floor of the dungeon. She’d been sleep deprived and drunk. In a delirious haze she’d dragged me across the floor to the cross and left me there. I remember viscerally how she’d passed out and cracked her head on the floor. Sven keeps fast forwarding past three hours of me crying.
Eventually Sera was able to unfasten one of my arms but she passed out again. Sven plays the video in real time as I drag my unconscious wife out the studio and up the steps. I watch myself clean up the studio and leave her. I’d just started networking with the DCC and hadn’t wanted to cause a scandal. I knew the cops would hassles us like they usually did. So I fled and called in an anonymous 9-1-1 call. Sera was fine. She didn’t remember anything.
“Did you show this to her?”
“I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. So are you going to schedule that studio time?”
“No.””
He looks regretful.
“What do you think the people of Harrison County would think of this?”
“You wouldn’t.”
“You’re right. I won’t. I’ll hold on to it. I don’t know…it might come in handy down the road. Americans really like to know everything about their political figures.”
He tucks the card into his pants and starts to work the suspension again. Adjusting the straps on his arms and seamlessly pulling himself up.
“Give me that card, Sven. I’ll pay you.”
“Something tells me it will be worth more in the future. Also it’s not about money. You keep thinking you are the nice guy Paris. You’re not and this proves it.”
Sven does a seamless flip with help from the rigging before gently settling down. That video could fuck up my career. I’d look like a hypocrite to sex workers. I’d look like a monster for leaving my wife there. No one could see that.
I lunge for Sven and he bats at me wildly. Our bodies get tangled in the ropes and rigging. I focus on getting that memory card. He manages to rams his elbow into my nose. I shove him away and the pulley system he is attached to sends him reeling back into the wall.
“Fuck”, slips out of my mouth and I rush over to him.
Sven picks himself up and shakes it off. His nose is bleeding but he seems fine. I notice that the memory card has skittered across the floor. He doesn’t even go after me as I reach for it and snap it in half.
“Whatever”, he says resetting the harness.
“Don’t you ever fucking threaten me or my career again?” I whisper harshly.
Sven shakes his head and starts practicing backflips again. I grab Sera’s dress and slam the door shut behind me. I take a step down the hall and something…falls? I hear a loud thud and a rasping gargle that is cut short. I turn back to the loft and open the door. The mounting holding one of the suspension rigs has broken free from the ceiling and is on the floor. It looked like Sven had been dragged up and slammed back down. At one point a bungee cord had gotten caught around his neck ….
FUCK
“Sven.”
His eyes are vacant and bloodshot. His neck is gruesomely broken.
He’s dead.
“Sven?”
I feel vomit rise in my throat but I hold it in.
“Oh fuck”, I say to the empty space, “It was…fuck. SVEN”
I reach for my phone and stare at the black screen. How did I explain this? This wasn’t my fault. I pushed him. I must have… fucked up his rigging. I must have. I must have…
Fuck
If I call it won’t take long for the NYPD to connect me to the investigation in Harrison County. Rainer used to be a NYPD detectives, she probably knew people who could make this look very bad for me. Blood would be in the water. No politician could overcome being found with a dead hooker even if he was a friend.
I look around the loft. Sven was beloved in the BDSM community. Would they believe this was accident? Or would that community turn on me too? I swallow regretfully. They would certainly remeber our fight from Halloween. There were people who wouldn’t see this as an accident. He was dead. There was nothing I could do for him. I could only help myself. I set Sera’s dress back on the rack and wipe down everything I touched. Then I bolt down the fire escape.
+4+
I’d screamed and cursed at myself the whole way back to Harrison County. When I pull into the driveway I take several deep breathes and pop a few muscle relaxers I’d taken from Sven’s loft.
I push the door open and fix a complacent smile on my face. To my surprise I see Sera sitting on the couch in a short red silk romper lined in black lace. She has a leather crop across her lap. Her hair is pulled back tight in a sleek ponytail.
I’m even more shocked to see Josie Landow sitting next to her. Josie had hidden herself beneath a boxy black short sleeve t-shirt with a dressy rectangle neckline and burgundy slacks. I expect to see Carver Landow being punished or humiliated somewhere in my living room…but no. It is just the two of them.
Technically, if Sera was with a client (not that she was supposed to see client in her home) she should stay in her dungeon downstairs. Then again Mrs. Landow probably found the space intimidating. As far as I knew she didn’t have the same kinks as her husband but was supportive.
“Oh…Supervisor Prince how are you—“, Mrs. Landow begins.
“No.” Sera cuts in. Her eyes go to the digital timer on the table. They were having a session? That was odd. Sera had a low tolerance for Mrs. Landow who was a bit to talkative and nosey.
“Don’t’ greet him.” Sera continues, “Paris is like your husband. He’s submissive. A submissive should always greet you first. It’s okay to keep them waiting for a response. That instantly focuses them on you. The minute you are waiting on them is when they start thinking they can get away with things.”
I drop my keys and Sera’s eye cut to me. Her expression send chills down my spine. Did she know? How could she?
It wasn’t my fault
It wasn’t my fault
“Right”, Josie says.
“But you don’t have to do it all the time”, Sera says looking at the clock, “Just when you and Landow are role playing—“
“Just on Saturdays I think. For an hour…I think. Just to try it.”
“That’s good. Once you start, you’ll want him to be yours all the time. Now, it’s always best to give subs an order the minute you see them. You get the satisfaction of being obeyed and your satisfaction is what they crave.”
“Okay…”
Sera glances at the timer again, seemingly frustrated it isn’t moving faster.
“Paris, bring us some sparkling water. And don’t forget to take your shoes off.”, she turns back to Mrs. Landow, “It’s a reminder of the dynamic. It would be a requirement of any submissive in my house. Some Doms don’t allow their subs to wear clothes at home. You can do that if your husband’s body pleases you. Or if you think the humiliation is fun. Even if it’s just his kink you can still incorporate things you like.”
Mrs. Landow shrugs and self-consciously adjust her outfit, “I don’t know. All I like to do is crochet.”
Sera thinks on this.
“Then make him to do with you. Ideally sitting at your feet as a reminder of his position. He can hold the yarn or whatever, like a good pet. Or you could sit on his face. You know what? Maybe you can find a way to work the needle into your play. Landow’s talked about it but I don’t really do that—“
“That might be too much for me,” Mrs. Landow flushes, “I don’t know how my husband got into this so quickly. He turned fifty-five and just found himself I guess.”
“Not really”, Sera says, “He’s always had submissive tendencies and fantasies. He just thought people had to be young and attractive to be in the lifestyle. He was just afraid to jump in until he discovered online forums.”
This catches Mrs. Landow's attention.
“…he talks to you about things like that?”
Sera takes a beat too long to answer. She seems to realize she said too much. Clients often got vulnerable and personal with Mistresses. Especially during aftercare or when coming down from subspace. For married men it could be a slippery slope. The minute a client started confiding in his Mistress more than his wife--issues arose.
“I think it was on his intake form.” Sera eventually finds the lie. Maybe she’s a better liar than I thought.
“I—are you okay”, I hear Mrs. Landow ask. I hear a pill bottle.
“My…mouth is still a little sore. I went to the dentist today.”
I’d forgotten Sera’s appointment with Hollins Dental was today.
“You poor thing. I heard about the glass in your food. Just awful. A lot of the high schoolers work at the restaurant. I bet one of them was did it.”
“Supervisor Hollins took a look this morning. He had to remove the broken tooth.”
“I’m surprised he saw you. He hasn’t seen a patient since he got elected. He wasn’t even that good of a dentist but it’s his family’s practice. I used to go when they had evening hours.”
“His father was there too. He kept trying to flirt with me. He’s what? 80-something? I don’t have an age limit but I had a bad feeling.”
“Hollins, Sr. has always been that way. I should let you rest, dear.”
I was glad to hear Sera had gone to the dentist. Maybe she’d made friends with Melanie Hollins. She seems approachable.
“It’s fine. Besides I shouldn’t complain”, Sera says, “It’s nothing compared to what’s being going on in town.”
I pause at the bar and really tune in. This was why Sera was doing a session with Josie. She wanted information on the investigation. Who better to ask than Rainer’s right-hand.
“…there is this awful rumor. You don’t want to hear it.”
“I can handle it, Josie.” Sera says.
“Well…the Skybirds—the wives feel very strongly that you set the fire.”
“That I know.”
“I told them that you are a very nice quiet God-fearing young person, but they wouldn’t listen. They keep coming by the station with their PI and pushing Rainer to investigate you. Rainer had me set up a meeting with some federal agents last week. I think it was about you.”
“Fuck—I mean…Rainer won’t find anything. Those wives are batshit.”
“They are just scared."
“They also think I’m a turning ticks in the gas station parking lot.” Sera sounds amused by this.
“Women my age are still getting used to how sexually open things are nowadays.”
“Please, I’ve met woman older than you who know there way around a whip and paddle.”
This seems to endear Mrs. Landow, “I bet the wives would love a little info session like this, so they can learn what you do. I mean we all read 50 Shades in our book club and saw the movie.”
“I doubt they want to dominate their husbands”, Sera says, “They are all submissive.”
“Oh”, Mrs. Landow sounds scandalized and delighted, “That’s a saucy things to say.”
“It’s how I understand people—Paris, Hurry up”, Sera snaps that last part. I stop eavesdropping and actually pour the waters, “I forgot Josie--it’s best to give subs a time limit or the poor things will dawdle. Also it gives you an incentive to punish.”
Sera was suddenly getting back on track with the session.
“I don’t know if I can…do that....”
“That’s fine. Leave the punishing to me. Send me an e-mail before his next session with the things you want me to punish him for. You just handle projecting your dominant side.”
“So Josie… do they have any other leads on the arson?” Sera asks and there is a false casualness to her tone.
I got it now.
She was manipulating Josie Landow for information. Just like she had Dom Hidalgo. Just like she did everyone.
“No. Rainer is running out of resources.”
“That’s unfortunate”, Sera says.
“At least the insurance payout will be good for the town.”
Insurance payout?
I rush back into the room and nearly spill the waters.
“There is an insurance payout?” I say focusing on Mrs. Landow.
Mrs. Landow covers her mouth, “Oh gosh. Goodness I said way too much. You didn’t hear it from me…but I’m surprised you didn’t know. It’s 5.2 Million dollars. Shoot. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I have to remember to close my mouth. Fuck. That was more than enough money to cover the funds Day and company had embezzled. Hell, that was enough to cover the stolen money and skim a little off the top. How fucking convienent.
“Paris”, Sera looks pointedly at the clock, “You’re interrupting our session and upsetting my client.”
“I’m sorry, Darling.” I say while still trying to do the math in my head.
Sera turns back to Josie.
“Let’s get back on track. Submissive really need two things. Structure and tasks. Tasks can be things that please you or things that will help them develop better habits or skills. Like, maybe there is a curse work you don’t like him using. Tell him if he says it he has to drop everything and do push-ups or eat your pussy. Every time he slips up you get to see the defeated look in his eyes and it will change your life. You can even trick him into saying it. That’d be fun.”
“That might be a bit much.” Mrs. Landow confesses.
Sera sits back and realizes she’s gotten a little overzealous. She’d been expressing her own desires. Sera and I had been at odds for weeks and she was craving someone’s submission. She wanted complete control of someone anyone. Sera looks at me then back at Josie.
“Paris, I have ten minutes left with Miss Josie. I want you to do what she says until her session is over. You are to give her the same respect and discretion she give us. Nothing that happens or said here leaves. Understood?”
“Yes, Darling.”
“Go ahead, Josie. Give him an order.”
“I don’t know. Does it have to be …sexual.”
Sera deflates a little. This was why Sera found Mrs. Landow annoying. Two years in and she still thought her husband had sex with Sera.
“No. I told you. I’d go to jail if I did anything close to sex with a client. . . Look at him—he’s young, handsome, smart, accomplished and obedient. He will happily do whatever you want within reason. Let's hear your safe word, pet.”
“Crimson.”, I say and I think about the red of Sven’s eyes.
An almost imperceptible smile forms on Sera's lips at the word. Her eyes darken a little. She was probably thinking of all the way she could push me into using that word.
“My drink could use some more ice.”, Mrs. Landow says.
Sera and I both start having almost forgotten Josie was there.
“Yes, Ma’am”, I pick up her glass and head for the kitchen.
“You’re a natural.” Sera gives her a neutral compliment.
I bring the glass with extra ice. An awkward minute passes and Mrs. Landow seems unsure what to do next.
“I need somewhere to rest my feet”, Sera says. I slowly get on my hands and knees and Sera props her feet on my back, "Josie, why don't you show me those vacation photos you were talking about ?"
Mrs. Landow relaxes for the last six minutes as she flips through pictures of her and friends on a 50 and over cruise. Sera pretends to be more interested than she is--she flirts a little and comes up with a compliment for each photo. The timer eventually goes off but Sera doesn’t draw attention to it.
“I guess I should get going”, Mrs. Landow finally says, “…I still have question about what kinds of things I should wear.”
“You can wear whatever you want. You just have to be comfortable and confident. I guess I could take you shopping but I’d have to charge for my time. Isn’t that right Paris?”
I nod and she presses her heels into my back.
“I’ll give you a call Mrs. Landow to discuss pricing.” I say. I’d have to research the standard rate for something like that."
“Okay. You two take care. This county is not what it used to be.”
“Do you need me to call you a car”, I ask remembering I hadn’t seen her car out front.
“I drove I…just parked on the next street over…”
Of course. I could see her not wanting her car in front of our tagged house. Sera walks Mrs. Landow to the door and watches her car pull out the neighborhood.
“Josie’s check is on the table”, she says closing the door, “I want my share in cash by—“
“I spoke with Dom Hidalgo.”
“Excuse me?”
“I—I called him.” I lie because no one could know I was in the city, “I had to know what happened that night. Someone called you. Someone called you back here. It wasn’t me so…the only one that’s left is Day.”
“Paris.”
“I get it. He kills me, you kill his wife. To bad you both fucked up.”
Sera just rolls her eyes and hands me the check, “Here take care of this. I’m taking myself out for Dinner tonight.”
I don’t know what else to do so I grab her as hard as I can and try to pull her back to me.
“No you’re not, Seraphina."
She pushes me off, “What has gotten into you, Paris?”
Everything
I think.
I was trying. I was truly trying to be a good person but everywhere I looked there were bodies. My family Al, Hmjeu and now Sven. I should have left well enough alone. But no. I had go digging, I had to ask questions.I could still see Sven’s vacant eyes. How fast a person could slip away. A body without a soul…such dark thing. I feel like it's not the first time I've seen someone die.
“Paris", Sera's voice is harsh. She is just barley keeping her anger at bay, "You know better than to touch me without my permission. Apologize.”
“No. I don’t say that enough to you. No I won’t apologize. Now tell me who called you ? Who made you come back to town?”
She folds her arms and pointedly looks down at me.
“You don’t need to know. You heard Josie. They are closing the case. You will finish your year here and move on to a district attorney position. That’s it.”
Sera calmly heads down to basement and shuts the door. I notice her cell phone is sitting on the coffee table. I dash over to it and place my thumb print over to open it.
It denies me. I try her pin code and it doesn’t work. She’d changed it. I try the passcode one more time but the phone goes black and a call comes in. I toss the phone on the couch as she runs up the stairs. She stares at the unknown number and then picks up.
“Hello? Wait…Who is this…” , Is all I hear as she heads back down to the basement.
I close my eyes and listen to the ensuring silence. Then she starts screaming.