Trevor frowned and fidgeted with the fabric of his shirt. “I still think I should go popped.”

Noa groaned and held her head in her hands. “Oh my god, this is so fucking boring! Why did I ever volunteer for this?”

“Well, I dunno, dude–” Trevor froze. “Er, uh, I mean, not… dude… lady… yeah. Sorry.”

“You’re good,” Noa sighed. “I just wish this final whoever-the-fuck would come by so we could officially close up here and head inside. I could really go for a drink right about now.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty boring out here.” Trevor reached into his pocket. “I got some games on my phone.”

“Hang on,” Noa said glancing over at a figure approaching them, “this might be them.” She looked down at her tablet and double-checked the only name left to cross off the list of guests. “Does she look like a ‘Maria’ to you?”

“U-Uh… uh…” Trevor mumbled.

“Trev? Are you listening to… me…?” Noa looked up at the woman sauntering towards them. She didn’t think she’d ever seen someone so beautiful in her entire life. Her long, golden-blonde hair seemed to almost float around her alabaster shoulders, but it was her eyes that drew Noa in the most. She couldn’t quite tell what color they were – they seemed to shimmer and shift the more she tried to focus on them – but they were absolutely captivating.

And the woman clearly understood the effect she had on people. She walked with pride, as though she owned not just the building, but the atoms and molecules that made up the space itself. It was the kind of confidence only someone who knew they were gorgeous could pull off.

She flashed a perfect smile at Noa and Trevor. “Good evening,” she said, her voice soft and smoky. “Reservation number 70?”

Neither of the superheroes standing at the door spoke. They just stared, slack-jawed, at the angel who had graced them with her presence.

“…Reservation number 70,” the woman repeated, a little more forcefully this time. “Maria Beaumont?”

“Oh!” Noa exclaimed. She cleared her throat and looked down at the list. “Y-Yeah, uh, you’re in. Mode, get the, the thing.”

“Hm?” Trevor sighed, smiling dopily.

“The thing. The–” Noa jostled the velvet rope separating Maria from the gala. “The thing, Mode.”

“The…” Trevor looked down at the rope. “Oh… yeah.” He parted the rope and let it fall to the floor. “Enjoy the party… pretty lady…”

Maria giggled – the sound made Noa swoon. “I do apologize for my tardiness. The traffic is just awful. Have you two been waiting out here this whole time?”

“Y– it’s not, like, uh– ” Noa blushed and laughed nervously. Get a grip, she thought to herself. So what if she’s hot, you can’t go around embarrassing yourself. “I-It’s cool. Fine. Yeah.”

“Well, I just feel bad about it,” Maria replied. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll buy you both a drink?”

“Uh…” Trevor scratched his head. “It’s an open bar…”

“Oh, I see.” Maria hummed and stroked her chin. “Has it just been the two of you out here this whole time?”

“Yeah,” Noa nodded.

“Then you must’ve been rather lonely, yes?” Maria stepped closer, hooding her eyes. “I could offer you a bit of… companionship, for the rest of the night.”

Noa made a strange, squealing noise in her throat. “I– we– I mean, that’s– th-that’s very nice of you–”

“Yeaahhh,” Trevor sighed, that same stupid grin on his face. “Yeah, totally.”

“Wh-What he means to say is,” Noa stammered, “is that we’re ve– very flattered, but we have… other commitments. Right, Tr– Mode?”

“I don’t know what comment mints even are,” Trevor said.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Beaumont,” Noa said quickly, grabbing Trevor by the arm, “but we really can’t–”

Before Noa could say another word, Maria glided forward and planted a kiss on her lips. “Now, now,” she whispered, running a hand through the superheroine’s hair, “don’t try to argue with me. We both know you want this. Why fight it?”

Noa’s brain short-circuited. She froze in place, eyes locked forward, struggling to understand what the hell was happening to her. “H-How– I– Um–”

“‘How do I know you want to run off with me?’ Is that what you’re trying to ask?” Maria batted her eyes.

“Y-Yeah. Yes. Yeah.”

“Well, it’s quite obvious, really.” Maria traced the contours of Noa’s shoulder with her finger. “Neither of you have been able to take your eyes off me for even a second this whole time we’ve been talking. Mr. Mode has an especially lovestruck puppy-dog stare, by the way. But both of you also share another thing in common.”

“A-And that’s?”

“You’ve both, ah, ‘pitched a tent.’”

Noa’s eyes widened. She turned away and covered her erection. “I-I’m sorry! That’s– I mean, I-I never even get those anymore– a-and it’s hardly– barely! Barely ah… appropriate…”

Maria laughed. “Oh, trust me, you’re hardly the first people to be turned on by looking at me. I know I have that effect on people. And I am definitely interested in getting more, ah, acquainted with you two.”

“R-Really?”

“Well, let’s be real here. You’re both attractive young people in basically perfect shape, and you obviously have energy to spare. Who wouldn’t be interested?”

“Uh. Um.” Noa swallowed. “I-I guess, uh… We could go… some…where… a-after we check in with our boss, ‘f course.”

“Oh, but must you?” Maria pouted, batting her eyes. “Surely she wouldn’t mind if we just split off from the party?”

“There’s, uh… p-pro-protocols.”

Maria hummed softly. “Is that so?” She turned to Trevor and smiled. “What about you, handsome? Any qualms about showing me a quiet little corner?”

“You’re pretty,” Trevor sighed.

Maria turned back to Noa. “Men, am I right? The second they see a beautiful woman, all the blood drains out of their brain and right into their cock.”

“H-He’s not too bright, even on the blurst–” Noa winced. “Best of… days.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be the one to know about that.” Maria purred and caressed Noa’s cheek. “But, maybe you’re starting to feel something similar? Getting a little fuzzy, perhaps? A little dumb?”

“Wha…” Noa blinked. “What’re you…?”

“Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh,” Maria shushed. Her body pulsed with a strange aura, almost blinding Noa with its light. “Don’t worry that pretty little head, babe. Just give in to your desires. You know you want me.”

Noa whimpered. She could feel her cock straining against her dress, her cheeks flushing, the blood pounding in her ears. “I… I do…” she whispered. “But–”

“But nothing,” Maria snapped. There was another pulse, another wave of energy passing through her and into Noa that made the superheroine’s mind reel. “You’ll guide me to a quiet room and fuck me. Nod your head and agree.”

Noa felt her head nod, like a puppet on a string. But she couldn’t help but agree with the sentiment. She found herself gliding, leading her beautiful guest and her dumbstruck comrade down the hall and away from the prying eyes of the party.

And all the while, she swore she heard Maria’s melodious voice whispering in her mind.

Zariel felt an arm wrap around her waist and almost yelped. But Lorelei placed a finger to her lips and shushed her. “It’s just me,” she cooed, smiling warmly. “I’d like to introduce you to some friends of mine.” The therapist turned to Alexander. “We’ll catch up with you later. Have fun!”

“H-huh?” Alexander’s eyes widened. “B-But Doctor Lawson–!”

Zariel scowled as Lorelei walked her into the crowd. “Excuse you! Who gave you the right to just whisk me away like this?”

“Hush,” Lorelei replied, casually picking up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “You’ll like these people. They’ve been dying to meet you.”

“Oh?” Zariel raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that? You been breaking hip–” She realized she was about to say “hippo laws,” which she knew was definitely wrong, but she couldn’t remember what they were actually called. “Y-You know,” she glowered, “you’re not supposed to be talking about your patients with friends.”

“You know me better than that.” Lorelei took a sip from her champagne and sighed. “These are old friends. They heard about me being in town, and knew you two were in therapy, and, well… you can hardly fault them for putting two and two together, can you?”

“I… I guess not…” Zariel muttered. Wait, did E.E. announce Alex and I were in therapy? Or were we just “suspended?”

“Lorelei!” shouted a woman’s voice from the crowd. “There you are!”

“Ah, Georgia!” Lorelei smiled. She dragged Zariel over to a table, where two other women were already sat down. One was thin, pale, with long reddish-orange hair that stretched down the back of her baby-blue dress. The other wore a grey pantsuit and lilac head scarf, a few stray strands peeking out around her angular, olive-tan face.

Lorelei pulled out a chair and motioned for Zariel to sit. The superheroine scowled, but obliged her. “This is Georgia,” Lorelei said, waving her hand towards the redhead.

“And I’m Shahirah,” the darker-skinned woman interjected in a husky London accent. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Jaguar.”

“Hey,” Zariel replied flatly.

“I see you still have a lot of work to do, Lorelei,” Georgia giggled in a peppy Southern drawl. “I’d hardly call her ‘personable.’”

“Oh, she’s nicer than she looks,” Lorelei smirked, sitting down next to Zariel. “She just needs to warm up to you.”

“And the best way to do that,” Shahirah interjected, “is alcohol. What’re we having?”

“A John Daly,” Georgia said. “Kinda stereotypical, I know, but it’s what I’m used to.”

“I’ll stick with this,” Lorelei replied, holding up her champagne glass. “She’ll just have water.”

Zariel growled and gritted her teeth. “Actually, I’ll have a beer.”

“Oh, Zariel, no,” Lorelei tutted, “that’s simply too much. We wouldn’t want you getting drunk and causing a scene, would we?”

“I’m a big girl. I can handle a couple beers.”

Lorelei flared her nostrils and huffed. “If you say so.”

“…Alright, then,” Shahirah said, clearing her throat loudly. “Two pints and a John Daly. I’ll be back soon.” She turned and headed for the bar, shaking her head.

Georgia rested her chin on her hands and grinned. “So, Jaguar. Has Lorelei hypnotized you yet?”

“Wh-What?” Zariel sputtered.

“Well, that’s kinda, like, her thing,” Georgia tittered. “And she’s damn good at it, if I say so myself.”

“Please, Georgia,” Lorelei smiled, “you flatter me.”

“Don’t sell yourself short!” Georgia insisted. “You really pulled a miracle on me. And I’m sure you’re doing the same for Jaguar too. Ain’t she?”

“She’s… um…” Zariel shrugged. “She’s helping.”

“Would you care to demonstrate?” Lorelei asked, placing a hand on Zariel’s back.

“Ex-Excuse me?” Zariel gulped.

“Just a quick drop, then back up. Nothing more.” Lorelei looked at Zariel expectantly. “Humor me a little, please?”

“Um… I-I guess…” Zariel shifted in her chair. “But that’s all we’re gonna do, right?”

“Of course!” Lorelei beamed. “You can trust me.”

Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far… Zariel sighed. But I’m sure these other ladies would speak up if she tried to pull anything weird. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“You always are, aren’t you?” Lorelei’s hand moved up to the back of Zariel’s head. “I don’t even have to do an induction anymore. I can just snap my fingers and you’ll sink down into trance for me. It’s practically effortless for you by now.”

Zariel felt her cheeks flushing. “P-Please, Doctor Lawson, can we–”

“Aw, look at that! So eager, too!” Lorelei laughed. “Have you been feeling needy, my dear? Aching for that peaceful bliss? The comfort of my voice becoming your thoughts?”

“Stop… teasing me…” Zariel muttered. “Just get this over with, please?”

“You don’t get to decide that.” Lorelei glared at Zariel. “I’m the one who controls your trance. You aren’t allowed to choose.”

That sentence made Zariel’s stomach lurch. “Wh-What’re you–?”

Lorelei snapped her fingers. “Five.”

Zariel gasped and blinked rapidly. Her fears, so keenly felt just a second ago, were now dulled and forgotten. She sank back in her chair and slid to the side, nearly toppling over before Lorelei grabbed her arm and pulled her upright.

“Easy, now,” the hypnotist purred. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“Nno…” Zariel murmured.

Georgia squealed and smiled excitedly. “God, she looks so dang cute!”

“Oh, I see I came back at a good time,” Shahirah chuckled. She set down the drinks and smirked, watching Zariel with rapt attention. “You always end up picking the ones with the most adorable trance faces, Lorelei.”

“It’s one of my more underrated talents,” Lorelei chuckled. “And… let’s put you at a two for now, Jaguar.”

Zariel hummed softly and shook her head. The fog had cleared a bit, but she still felt somewhat hazy. “H-Hey, that’s… I thought you were gonna… bring me up? Like, all the way?”

“I don’t recall saying I’d bring you up ‘all the way,’” Lorelei replied. “And besides, a two out of ten isn’t that big of a problem, is it?”

“Well–”

“It’s not like you’re finding it that hard to think, right?” Lorelei continued, barreling past Zariel. “You’re not feeling too fuzzy, too distant?”

“I-It’s not about that…” Zariel grunted and rubbed her eyes. “Please, Doctor Lawson…”

Lorelei sighed. “Very well. One.”

“Thanks.” Zariel didn’t actually feel all that different, but having the concrete knowledge that she was fully awake was comforting.

“So, you’re using the 1-10 fractionation file with her?” Georgia asked.

“Actually, she did it herself,” Lorelei said. “Would you like to tell them about that, Jaguar?”

Zariel glared at Lorelei. “Aren’t these sorts of things supposed to be confidential?”

“You weren’t exactly using my files for their prescribed purpose,” Lorelei smirked. “Would you rather I tell them myself?”

“…Fine.” Zariel took a long, slow drink of her beer and sighed. “So. I saw her hypnotizing Saturn, during one of our sessions. And it… I-I became interested in hypnosis.”

“Interested how?” Shahirah asked with a knowing smile.

“I was simply curious about the process,” Zariel lied. “So I borrowed a few of the files from him, and listened to them. And that’s really all there is to it.”

Lorelei snapped her fingers. “Seven.”

“Wh-Wha…” Zariel’s eyes fluttered shut.

“Tell the truth, Jaguar,” Lorelei purred. “How did the files make you feel?”

“Hhh… horny…” Zariel murmured.

“And why did they make you horny?”

“‘Cause… your voice… your words… I… I wanted…”

“Yes?” Lorelei grinned.

“Wanted, to…” Zariel sighed blissfully, a dreamy smile on her face. “Obey…”

“Good girl,” Lorelei cooed. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“No, Doctor Lawson…”

“You like being honest with me, hm?”

“Yes, Doctor Lawson…”

“That’s right. So now, whenever I ask you a question, you’ll always answer truthfully. You won’t hold anything back, and you’ll never, ever lie to me. Is that clear?”

Zariel mumbled softly. “Yes… Doctor Lawson…”

“Very good.” Lorelei petted the back of Zariel’s head. “Now, let’s bring you…” Snap! “Back up to one, now.”

“Mmmrr…” Zariel opened her eyes. “Um… I… that was all out-loud, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was,” Lorelei replied.

“So…” Zariel looked up at Georgia and Shahirah. “You guys heard…?”

“Every word,” Shahirah nodded.

“And might I say,” Georgia added, “you looked, just, super hot right there.”

“I… what?” Zariel blinked.

“Well, it’s true!” Georgia giggled. “There’s just nothing sexier than a girl with her mind totally melted by trance, right?”

“Some people might disagree with you,” Lorelei chuckled. “But, I don’t know. What do you think, Zariel?”

“I don’t…” Zariel swallowed. “I’m more turned on by being entranced than watching someone else… be…” When she realized what she was saying, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Oh, god, why did I say that?! I didn’t expect that suggestion to work so easily!

“Oh, getting flustered, hm?” Lorelei’s eyes sparkled with devious intent. “That’s okay. I’ll ease up on you a little. No more invasive questions in front of strangers.”

Zariel breathed a sigh of relief, though she couldn’t help but feel like Lorelei had something else up her sleeve. “I… I think I need some air…”

“Take your time,” Lorelei replied. “But don’t run off too far, understood?”

“Y-Yeah…”

“What was that?”

“…Yes, Doctor Lawson.”

“Good girl.” Lorelei pretended not to notice the shiver that ran up Zariel’s spine.

Zariel walked as fast as her heels could take her and landed at the bar. “Rum and Coke,” she muttered to the bartender. “Hold the rum.”

She sighed and rubbed her face with her hands, trying to calm herself down. Why did I ever agree to this? I look like an idiot in this stupid dress. And I feel like an idiot, too. And what’s with those other women Doctor Lawson introduced me to? Did she plan this? Was she always intending to show me off like some trophy and humiliate me?

“Zee?”

Zariel tilted her head up. “Keani?”

“Surprised you’re here,” her fellow team-member said. “Didn’t think E.E. wanted you invited.” Keani had, for once, chosen to wear something other than her wetsuit and worn-out sweater, trading it for a metallic blue suit with the sleeves rolled up.

“She didn’t,” Zariel groaned. “I’m my therapist’s plus-one. Same with Alex, wherever he ran off to.”

“Really?” Keani turned towards the crowd and squinted. “That’s her with the glasses, right? I ran into her a few days ago.”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t like her.”

“You don’t?”

“Vibes are off.”

“They are?”

Keani nodded. “Rancid.”

“Huh.” Zariel finally noticed that the bartender had delivered her drink. She took a long sip and sighed as it went down. Too sweet. Fountain Coke always is.

“Hey, level with me.” Keani leaned in close and kept her voice low. “Is she doing any weird shit?”

“Define ‘weird,’” Zariel chuckled bitterly.

“When I ran into her, Alex was with her,” Keani explained. “He was totally out of it.”

“Sounds about right.” Zariel tapped her glass with her finger. “She’s been doing some hypnosis stuff with us.”

“Hypnosis?”

“Like how you quit smoking, only instead of smoking it’s ‘wanting to murder each other.’” Zariel took another sip. “Well, she did also help me quit smoking weed, but still.”

Keani hummed noncommittally. “Anything else?”

“Y’know, it’s not really like you to be so… chatty.”

“I told you. I don’t like her, and I don’t trust her.”

Zariel opened her mouth to speak, but froze. Wait, should I tell her about the sex stuff? I know that’s not normal, but… what would Keani think? That I’m some kind of freak? Would she tell E.E. about it? Anyone else? “…I mean, besides that, it’s been pretty normal.”

Keani furrowed her brow. “You sure?”

“I appreciate you expressing concern or whatever,” Zariel replied. “Really, I do. But I’m fine.”

“Hm.” Keani shrugged. “Alright.” She turned and walked away without saying another word.

“Nice chat,” Zariel called out. She downed the rest of her soda and rubbed the back of her neck. Fuckin’ A, man. And E.E. thinks I’m the one with the social problems.

“I do hope you don’t plan to spend the whole night up here,” Lorelei said, sneaking up behind Zariel.

“Go away,” Zariel groaned.

“Oh? What’s the matter?”

“You know what it is.” Zariel slammed her glass down and glared at Lorelei. “You humiliated me in front of some random strangers. Now they’re gonna run around telling all their friends that Jaguar is some… some…”

“Some what?” Lorelei placed a hand on Zariel’s shoulder. “An excellent hypnotic subject?”

“They’re not gonna be talking about that part.”

“Then which part?” Lorelei’s eyes sparkled. She leaned in close, whispering in Zariel’s ear. “Maybe when you told them… that it made you horny?”

“S-Stop it…” Zariel muttered.

“Why?”

“Because… b-because it’s embarrassing…”

“And you think I care about that?” Lorelei kissed Zariel just behind her ear.

“F-Fuck,” Zariel gasped. “Doctor Lawson, wha–”

“Shut the fuck up,” Lorelei snapped. “You’re mine, Zariel. You gave up your control ages ago. If I tell you to jump, you ask how high. If I tell you to kill, you ask how many. And if I make you a court jester…” She giggled, wrapping her arm around Zariel’s waist. “Well, all you need to worry about is how you can best amuse your queen.”

Zariel laughed nervously. “Y-You’re joking about the ‘kill’ part, right?”

“No.”

“…Eh?”

Lorelei chortled. “Oh, sorry! I just had to see that look on your face!”

“So you were joking,” Zariel scowled.

“Of course I was!” Lorelei slapped Zariel lightly on her bicep and rolled her eyes. “God, Zariel, lighten up a little.”

“Not in the mood.” Zariel pulled away from Lorelei’s grip and stood up. “Hope you have fun with your friends or whatever.”

“Ah! Not so fast, young lady.” Lorelei grabbed Zariel’s wrist tightly. “We’re not done with you yet.”

“You’ve had your fun,” Zariel replied, gritting her teeth. “Now, I’m gonna head home, and–”

Lorelei snapped her fingers. “Ten.”

“–relaaaa…” Zariel whimpered and fell into Lorelei’s arms. Her mind quickly emptied, leaving her in a deep state of trance.

“Good girl,” Lorelei purred. “Now, stand up straight for me, Zariel.”

“Mmm… yes, Doctor Lawson…” Zariel shifted upright, swaying slightly.

“I said straight,” Lorelei said sternly. “Stand tall, soldier.”

Zariel straightened her back out and lifted her head up.

“Right. Now, smile for me. Like you would if you were awake.”

A wide, guileless grin spread across Zariel’s lips.

Lorelei smirked. “Good. Now, I want you to listen to me very carefully as we walk back to the table. Understood?”

“Yes, Doctor Lawson,” Zariel sighed.

Zariel clenched her thighs together and tried – and failed – to suppress a moan. “Th-That’s not… fair…”

“Oh, it’s perfectly fair, Ms. Jaguar,” Shahirah grinned. She held up the D10 die and playfully jostled it in her hand. “All you need is a little luck, is all.”

“Wh-Why do you guys even have that?” Zariel gasped. She glared at Loreli, sitting across the table, watching her like a snake before its prey. “Did you plan this, Doctor Lawson?”

“Nah, it ain’t like that,” Georgia interjected. “See, I just came from a Thirsty Sword Lesbians session and had that die rollin’ around in my purse. And when Lorelei told us about your numbers trigger, we got to thinkin’. Right, Doc?”

“Yes, you’re absolutely right, Georgia,” Lorelei said unconvincingly. “I mean, I didn’t even give you that trigger, right, Jaguar? You’re the one who took the initiative and listened to the file.”

“You’re the worst therapist of all time,” Zariel growled. And I don’t think TSL even uses a D10…

Lorelei clicked her tongue. “I think ‘therapist’ is a word with too many syllables for you right now. Shahirah?”

“On it.” Shahirah shook the die in her hand and tossed it on the table. “Seven.”

“Fuck!” Zariel grimaced. “Come on, Doctor Lawson, can’t we just–”

“No.” Lorelei snapped her fingers. “Down to seven now.”

“Gguuhhhh…” Zariel shuddered and closed her eyes. Her jaw hung slack, tongue threatening to poke through her open lips.

“See? This isn’t so bad,” Lorelei cooed. Her foot brushed up against Zariel’s leg underneath the table. “You like this. Don’t you, Jaguar?”

“I…”

“Say you like this.”

“…I… like this…”

Georgia giggled and patted Zariel on the head. “Aw, ain’t she a cutie? Roll again, roll again!”

“Alright.” Shahirah grabbed the tie, shook it, and gave it another toss. “Three.”

“Hm. That’s disappointing.” Lorelei sighed and snapped her fingers. “Three.”

Zariel stirred, blinking a few times. She knew she wouldn’t be back at 100% again, but she didn’t know if she’d call her current state a three out of ten. “H-Hey… don’t call me cute.”

“But you totally are, babe!” Georgia pouted. “You probably just never seen yourself all tranced out. You’re adorable.”

“Stooooop,” Zariel whined. “I don’t… like that word.”

“No?” Shahirah leaned forward, propping up her chin in her hand. “How about sexy? Hm? You like it when people think you’re hot?”

“I-I dunno…” Zariel felt her cheeks burning and dug her fingernails into her thighs.

“Well, you must want that at least a little bit,” Shahirah asserted. “That’s an awfully skimpy dress for someone who doesn’t want people to look at her.”

“Wasn’t my… um…” Zariel furrowed her brow. She had the strangest feeling that she was goaded into wearing this dress, even though she remembered choosing to put it on. “I-I guess… yeah…”

“Too much talking out of you,” Lorelei said. She picked up the die and dropped it on the table. “Nine.”

“Huh?” Zariel stared at the die and blinked. “That’s a six.”

“No, no,” Lorelei insisted, “it’s a nine. See?”

“I’m not blind, Doctor Lawson. It’s a–”

“Listen to me,” Lorelei said forcefully. “Listen carefully, Jaguar. You trust me completely. My words are stronger than your thoughts. The number on that die, right now, is a nine. Isn’t that right?”

“It’s…” Zariel’s eyes flicked down to the die. She gasped. She could see it clearly now. “A.. a-a nine…”

“See?” Lorelei laughed. “Good girls shouldn’t question their doctors so much. And now, it’s time for–” Snap! “–nine.”

“Yessssss,” Zariel purred. She closed her eyes and smiled dreamily, slowly relaxing her shoulders and letting her head loll to the side.

Georgia bit her lip. “God, Doc, that was mean, but…”

“But hot?” Lorelei chuckled. “I try.” She nuzzled Zariel’s leg with her foot to get her attention. “Jaguar, dear? How do you feel right now?”

“Hhhorny,” Zariel murmured, leaving a wet spot on the tablecloth with her drool.

“Wow, what a coincidence,” Shahirah smirked, “so am I.”

“Would you like her to help you with that?” Lorelei asked.

“Huh? You mean…” Shahirah’s cheeks went red. “L-Lorelei, we’re in public.”

“So? There’s a tablecloth, she can hide under it. No one would know.” Lorelei paused. “That is, as long as you can keep it together.”

“B-But…” Shahirah protested. “Taking advantage of this girl, that’s…”

“Little late for you to be worrying about ethics, Shahirah.” Lorelei gently picked up Zariel’s head and pointed it at Shahirah. “How about you, Jaguar? Would you like to show this woman a good time?”

Zariel licked her lips and purred. “Yes, Doctor Lawson… whatever you… say…”

“Then crawl under this table,” Lorelei whispered, “and worship her cunt. Like you would if it was mine.”

“Like… yours?” Zariel stirred slightly. “But… we haven’t… have we…?”

“You can’t remember?” Lorelei pouted. “I’m disappointed, Jaguar. Perhaps your memories are hiding a little further in your subconscious. Perhaps we need you to be at a…” She snapped her fingers, the sound cracking through Zariel’s mind. “Thirteen.”

“Ohhhh…” Zariel moaned. She wasn’t smiling anymore; the idea of having any emotion was far beyond her reach now. She was emptier than she had ever been, a simple vessel for Doctor Lawson’s will.

“That’s better.” Lorelei pulled Zariel in closer, whispering in her helpless patient’s ear. “You’ve eaten pussy before, haven’t you?”

“Mmm… yes…” Zariel murmured.

“And you’ve fantasized about me for a long time, yes?” Lorelei continued. “About me controlling you. Ordering you. Making you do whatever I want.”

Zariel mewled and rubbed her thighs together.

“You want me. And I want you.” Lorelei kissed Zariel’s cheek. “Tell me you want me.”

“I… want you…”

Lorelei yanked on Zariel’s hair and growled. “Like you mean it, you stupid slut.”

“I want you!” Zariel gasped. “I want you, I want you, I–”

“Enough.” Lorelei let go of Zariel’s hair and picked up her glass of champagne. “Drink. Get that brain of yours even more fucked-up.”

“Yes… Y-Yes, Doctor Lawson…” Zariel took the glass from Lorelei’s hand and downed it in one big gulp. Some of it spilled down her chin and stained her dress, but she was beyond caring anymore. There was only obedience, the overwhelming need to do what she was told.

“Good.” Lorelei chuckled and grabbed Zariel’s face, turning it roughly so their eyes met. “You’re going to eat me out now, slut. Worship that perfect cunt, like you’ve dreamed about so often. Doesn’t that make you happy?”

“Yes,” Zariel whimpered, eyes fluttering, cheeks warm, sweat clinging to her brow.

“Thought so.” Lorelei lifted the tablecloth. “Crawl across the floor, like the animal you are. Unbutton her– my pants, but don’t pull them down all the way. We need to be discrete, yes?”

“Dis…crete…” Zariel whispered. She nodded dumbly and got down on her knees, crawling with less-than-single-minded determination towards her target. She was aware that Lorelei had been right next to her and had now somehow gotten to the other side of the table, but the thought to question that wouldn’t, couldn’t, form. Lorelei told her to crawl. Lorelei told her to worship. That was all that mattered.

She unbuttoned Lorelei’s pants and carefully pulled her panties to the side. Lorelei was aroused, and that made Zariel feel proud. She hadn’t even started yet, and her owner was already pleased with her.

That word, “owner,” stuck out in Zariel’s mind. She didn’t know when she’d started thinking of Lorelei that way. When she started to crave being owned. She liked how the word sounded, but it also didn’t seem quite right. There was another word she couldn’t remember, a longer one, that she knew fit better.

Zariel shook the distractions out of her head. She had a mission. She pressed her lips against Lorelei’s and let her tongue get to work.

She heard Lorelei gasp above her and smiled. There were more voices, the sounds of people talking, but she was so deep and so focused that they may as well have been speaking German for all she knew. She only picked up on the tone of the words, like a dog hearing its master give praise. And judging by the way Lorelei whimpered and mewled, Zariel was being a very good dog.

It wasn’t until a fourth voice joined the table that Zariel’s ears perked up.

“Dr. Lawson,” asked a familiar-sounding woman in a hurried tone. “Have you seen Jaguar?”

“Eleanor?” Lorelei asked. “No, she split off. Why do you ask?”

“I’m afraid it’s–” The woman paused. “Ma’am, are you alright?”

“Y-Yes,” Shahirah muttered. “Just, erm, tired.”

“…Anyway, I can’t say right now,” the woman continued. “Just, if you see her, tell her to find me?”

“Of course, Eleanor,” Lorelei replied.

Zariel heard footsteps that quickly grew quieter. Then she felt someone kick her leg.

“Get up,” Lorelei hissed. “Up, up, come on.”

“I-I’m up,” Zariel murmured. She blinked a few times, feeling the world around her suddenly force itself back into her awareness. She realized who she was actually kneeling in front of and wiped Shahirah’s juices off her chin before crawling out from underneath the table. “That was–”

“Your boss,” Lorelei confirmed. “Better go find her.”

“Yeah…” Zariel staggered to her feet, muttered an apology to Shahirah and Georgia, and walked half-dazed into the crowd. She shook off the last traces of trance as she scanned the ballroom. That was… Doctor Lawson can be really fucking mean when she wants to be, huh? Calling me an ‘animal’ and… and whoring me out to her friends…

She stifled a moan and balled her hands into fists, jabbing her fingernails into her palms. The pain helped her focus. Soon she spotted E.E.’s platinum-blonde braids and approached her.

“Heard you were looking for me?” Zariel asked, slapping a hand on E.E.’s shoulder.

“Christ!” E.E. yelped. Zariel felt a jolt of panic, but she recognized it wasn’t her own. It was psychic feedback, E.E.’s emotions spilling out and affecting her.

And the fact she could feel it – that E.E. wasn’t keeping her emotions in check, that she was too stressed and jumpy to hold herself back – that finally woke Zariel all the way up.

E.E. turned and gasped. “Oh, Zariel,” she sighed, relieved, as the pang of fear evaporated. “Thank god. Dr. Lawson found you?”

“Y-Yeah,” Zariel lied. “Sorry for startling you, I… felt that.”

“Ah, sorry,” E.E. winced. “It was just sudden, is all.”

“Everything ok?”

“No. No, it’s not ok.” E.E. grabbed Zariel’s arm and pulled her away, into a small alcove away from the rest of the gala. “Security’s just detected a breach of our database and I can’t get ahold of anyone else in the building.”

Zariel’s eyes widened. “No one else? Noa, Trevor, Keani…?”

“None of them are picking up,” E.E. replied. “Neither is Alexander.”

“Shit… you don’t think–?”

“Don’t.” E.E. glared at Zariel. “We can worry about that later. You need to get up to the server room and check it out. The breach is coming from inside that room.”

“They got inside the building?” Zariel scratched her head. “You think they used the gala as a–”

“God dammit, Zariel!” E.E. snapped. Zariel felt the anger crackling off her, sparks of it hitting her mind. “We don’t have time for this! Get up there and handle it!”

“…Fine.” Zariel reached down and took of her heels, shoving them into E.E.’s arms. “Bet you’re glad Doctor Lawson brought the fuck-ups with her now, huh?”

E.E. froze. Her mouth hung open in shock. “Z-Zariel, I–”

But Zariel was already running for the stairs. The linoleum floor was cold against her bare feet, but she welcomed it. It cleared her head, helped her get back into the mindset she hadn’t inhabited since she was put on probation.

Jaguar was on the hunt.