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Views: 512 Created: 2007.08.15 Updated: 2007.08.15

Janet in Training

Chapter 12 - Two Days till Doom

The entire world had shrunk to the confines of the library. Janet sat behind the desk, a pitcher of coffee in front of her, a pile of Journals there as well. The television set was tuned to the financial channel, and Janet watched dumbly as the ticker scrolled across the screen.

'I've lost,' Janet thought to herself, 'it's the end.'

Now there was nothing to do except watch the clock tick away her last few remaining hours of freedom until the meeting with Blanca in Manhattan, which would decide who would inherit Erica's estate.

Just a few days ago, Tiffany and Lauren had visited the house together. Tiffany had dropped enough hints that she was ahead, that Janet would be the loser. Janet remembered the horrible way that Lauren had looked at her, and it had chilled her blood.

Had all of this happened to her in just two years? Slave, Mistress, and now slave again?

"Janet?" called Stephanie as she opened the library door and burst inside, followed by Tina.

"In here," Janet answered, too tired to even stand up.

"What the hell is going on?" asked Stephanie.

"I didn't call you over here," recalled Janet, "what are you here for, Stephanie?"

"You didn't call me. Tina did," answered Stephanie.

Stephanie rushed over to Janet, and placed her medical bag on the desk before she peered in her eyes, felt her pulse. She frowned in response.

"Tina, how long since Janet has slept?"

"Three, four days, Mistress."

"Is this Mistress Tiffany's doing?" demanded Stephanie.

"No, Mistress," Tina answered.

"How has she kept herself awake?"

"With pills and coffee, Mistress."

"Has she had any stimulants in the last eight hours?"

"No, Mistress."

"Good."

Stephanie had ceased to carry her medical bag over the years since she had stopped practicing, but ever since the two incidents at Janet's house, she would always take it with her. She opened the bag, and withdrew a hypodermic needle and a vial of liquid. Stephanie then upended the vial, and filled the syringe, with Janet watching, not comprehending what Stephanie was doing.

"Is Mistress Tiffany around?" asked Stephanie.

"No, Mistress. She will return tomorrow morning," answered Tina.

"What are you watching, Janet?" asked Stephanie.

"Doomsday."

Stephanie suddenly swabbed Janet's arm with an alcohol patch and then injected her with the needle. Janet was so weak, she didn't even attempt to resist.

"What the?" asked Janet.

"Nighty night," answered Stephanie.

Janet was swallowed up by a sudden tide of darkness, and peace for the first time in days. Her head slumped to the desk, and the world receded from view.

* * * *

When Janet awoke, she found that she was in one of the first floor bedrooms. The same one that she and Stephanie had carried Tina to, that horrible night when she had been left alone in the cell by Tiffany.

"Good evening," greeted Stephanie.

"What did you do?" asked Janet.

"You needed sleep, Janet. You were exhausted, so I knocked you out for a few hours. Do you feel better?"

"Yes, thank you."

Janet rubbed her eyes, and saw the contents of her purse lying on the dresser, next to the binder where she had catalogued all of Erica's documents, one year ago! Including the cell phone that had saved her life six months earlier.

"You know, don't you?" accused Janet.

"Yes, after we put you to bed, I went through your purse and I found these papers," indicated Stephanie.

"I must have forgotten to remove them when I saw Blanca three months ago," said Janet.

"Then I found Erica's book in the desk. Very interesting reading. I never knew that Erica could be so devious," observed Stephanie.

Janet was relaxed, and finally at peace for the first time in days. She could talk to her closest friend, and finally explain what she had been subject to for all this time.

"In two days," Janet began, "a limo will arrive in the morning to take Tiffany and myself to Blanca's office. She will read the codicil to Erica's will, which will say that the winner of the stock market contest will inherit Erica's estate. Which will include the loser, who will become the victor's slave."

"Why didn't you tell me?" demanded Stephanie, "now that I know what all this has really been about."

"Because if you would have read the documents fully, you would have found that I had to keep it a secret. That's why I've been under such a strain, Stephanie. Because I couldn't tell you, or anyone," answered Janet.

"I'm sorry, Janet. I didn't understand the pressure that you were under. I'm amazed that you haven't broken under the strain until now," observed Stephanie.

"Maybe I finally did," Janet answered, "Tina?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Could you get me a drink, please?" asked Janet, stirring under the sheets.

"Icewater, Tina," Stephanie ordered, "no stimulants of any kind."

"Yes, Mistress."

Janet waited in silence until Tine returned from the kitchen with a pitcher full of icewater. She poured a large glass for Janet, who first propped herself up in bed, resting on two pillows. Janet's mind was clear, her body partially rested. Now she had to do something that would be very difficult.

"Leave us, Tina," ordered Janet.

"Mistress, please, I want to stay with you," begged Tina.

"Does she know?" demanded Janet.

"I didn't read all of those documents myself," Stephanie answered.

Janet exhaled, and tried to decide what to do next.

"All right, Tina, stay. Because now Stephanie and I have to discuss your future, not mine," said Janet.

"Janet?" cried Tina, "what do you mean?

"If Tiffany wins tomorrow, then not only will I become her slave, but you will be also. Tiffany associates with Mistress Lauren, who believes that the only way to get total obedience from her slaves is to punish them past their breaking point. You saw what she did to my back."

"Yes, Mistress."

"One of her slaves, a girl named Myra met me in Greenwich, and told me that Tiffany was being advised by Lauren, and that she was ahead. Myra begged me to buy her, crying in public. That's when I asked Jessica to help me as an investment advisor, and not just a slave. She's been doing so for the last three months."

"Is that why you ordered me out of the Dungeon, Mistress?" asked Tina.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know, I was just jealous," cried Tina.

"If I lose, and I don't really know who may be ahead, then you'll be Tiffany's slave. I can't let you become the property of a dangerous and cruel Mistress like what Tiffany has become. I can accept my own bondage, but not yours. Therefore, I release you Tina, long before your contract to me expires," calmly explained Janet.

"No," cried Tina, "I want to stay with you always, no matter what."

"No, you stupid fool. I release you and all your obligations to me. If you won't leave, Tina, then I give you to Stephanie. She will be a far better Mistress to you than Tiffany or Lauren," ordered Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," tearfully answered Tina.

"Tonight, both you and Stephanie must leave, so that I can spend tomorrow alone with Tiffany. Just as we started one year ago. The next day we shall go to New York, and then we shall know who will be the Mistress in this house," lectured Janet.

"You've become a far better Mistress than Erica could ever have imagined," answered Stephanie.

"That's just exactly why I have to release Tina. You don't deserve a Mistress like Tiffany, and especially Lauren," said Janet.

"I don't want to leave you, Mistress," cried Tina.

"You saw what happened to my back, and the scars that I still have? Do you want to be a slave to a Mistress that can inflict that kind of punishment, Tina? I don't think so. So go, both of you. I came into this thing alone, and that's the way I'll have to face it in thirty-six hours," said Janet.

"You shouldn't be here alone with Tiffany," cautioned Stephanie.

"Why? She wouldn't hurt me now. She's just a few hours from possibly getting exactly what she wants, namely the House and me. If she did something now, it would endanger that chance. Everything is now out of our control, and in the hands of the gods," added Janet.

Stephanie and Tina both sat on Janet's bed, staring at her.

"Now go, damn it! Both of you! One year ago, Tiffany and I started in Erica's house alone, and that's the way we're going to finish. Whatever happens in Blanca's office is our respective fate."

"If you win, Mistress Janet, I'll be back," said Tina, tears in her eyes.

"Keep your fingers crossed, both of you," ordered Janet, "because hope is the only thing that I've got left."

After they had both departed, Janet allowed herself a single small sherry.

She tried to relax on an easy chair back in the library, wishing that she had not sent Stephanie and Tina away after all.

On the footstool was the newspaper, which she had not read for days, even though Tina faithfully put it on her desk each morning. Janet opened it, hoping that it would get her mind off her situation. A red advertising insert fell out, and Janet had to pick it up from the floor. On the cover was a sale of board games, including Conquest.

"Oh, god!" screamed Janet, her voice echoing through the house.

Suddenly, everything returned in a flash of memories. Erica's death, Janet with Tiffany in her apartment. Knocking over Conquest in the closet, then Janet bragging how good a player she was when they picked up all the pieces off the floor. Six months later at Lauren's house, her little "game" of Conquest to decide who would use the slave.

Myra, already used past her safeword. Lauren wanting to continue, and Janet taking Myra's place. Whipped nearly to death, then the horrible drive home, and the painful recovery.

"I was set up," sobbed Janet in the empty house, "Tiffany wanted me to die, with Lauren's help."

Her night was mostly sleepless, filled with nightmares of death and suffering.

* * * *

Janet spent most of the next day waiting for Tiffany. Incredibly, her companion did not return until shortly before dinner.

"Greetings," said Janet as Tiffany entered the foyer.

"Hello. Where's Tina?"

"Gone. You can put your jacket in the closet yourself," directed Janet.

"Where is she?" asked Tiffany as she hung her jacket in the closet.

"I released her from my service, and gave her to Stephanie," Janet answered.

"Why did you do that?" asked Tiffany.

They were both interrupted by the sound of a bell from the kitchen.

"Dinner is served," said Janet.

It wasn't until they were both seated at the table before a roast beef that they could continue talking. Tiffany had helped Janet bring everything to the table, and did not question her further until the dinner was on the table.

"Why such a grand meal?" asked Tiffany as she sipped at a red wine.

"Last meal, and all that," answered Janet, "one year ago, you called me to your apartment and cooked dinner after Erica's death. Now it's my turn."

"Thank you," said Tiffany as she speared a piece of meat and placed it into her mouth.

"I thought that we should have one final dinner, together alone by ourselves. I hope that you haven't asked someone to join you here tonight," said Janet.

"No. I wasn't sure just what I'd find here, so I came alone," Tiffany answered.

"Good."

"Why did you send Tina away?" asked Tiffany.

"Because I didn't want her to fall into your hands or Lauren's, that's why. She doesn't deserve to have a cruel Mistress like you've become," stated Janet.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything, from that first night we inherited the estate to today."

"Tiffany, we have to take responsibility for our actions. Your being sorry doesn't absolve you from the scars on my back or placing Tina in danger either. That's what being a Mistress is all about, not just using slaves for our own sexual gratification," lectured Janet.

"I guess you're right," Tiffany answered.

"No, you know I'm right," said Janet, "now let's finish eating, do the dishes, and get some sleep. I'm exhausted, and I want to have a clear head tomorrow."

Somehow, Janet had expected that Tiffany would join her in her bedroom that evening. Instead, she remained alone, listening to the sounds of the night. She placed her arm behind her back, feeling the scars that Lauren had placed there. In her dreams, she wondered if others would soon join them.

The next morning, Janet took a hot steaming shower, almost at sauna temperature. She had seen home saunas, and had whistled at the price. Janet resolved that if she should win, she would spend the five figures and have one installed in the house.

The hot water washed away the fatigue, and made her sweat away the tensions that had developed in her body for several weeks. Finally, she knew that this little respite had to end, so she stopped the water, and exited the tub. She toweled herself off, and decided that now wasn't the time to give her an orgasm. No, it was time to be serious.

After her shower, Janet walked to the bedroom to dry herself off. When she removed the short terry kimono robe, she saw the scars on her back reflected in the mirror. The stigmata of her encounter with Lauren. It seemed incredible that she had been nearly been beaten to death and survived the nightmare.

Janet dressed, and chose a conservative business suit, one that she had worn to work before. She set her hair, wishing that she had Tina's help this morning. Still, she had done it all of her life before she had a servant, so why should she become a helpless fool now?

When she entered the kitchen, Janet was surprised to find that Tiffany had chosen to wear a suit also, except that Janet's was blue and Tiffany's was black. They looked alike.

"I ordered out for croissants," said Tiffany, "I didn't think that a heavy breakfast would be such a good idea."

"Thanks."

They ate a simple breakfast of juice, black coffee and croissants in the kitchen, like two high powered female executives on the go. They both stared at the clock, watching the time tick away towards 9 AM.

Tiffany stowed the dishes in the sink, just before the limo arrived. They both carried leather briefcases and Janet reflected that hers had been a gift from her firm for good service. She looked at the battered black leather as she placed hers by her feet.

They were driven into the city on time, after rush hour had ended. The large Cadillac had been expanded to contain a TV and bar, and could seat several on leather upholstery. Instead, it was used just to transport the two women to Blanca's office.

"Thank you," said Janet as the exited the limo.

"I've been told to wait to take you back to Connecticut," said the female chauffeur.

"Thank you," said Tiffany, also.

They rode the elevator up in silence, and were ushered in Blanca's office, each taking a seat. Blanca hadn't arrived yet, though it was already 10 AM. Janet fidgeted uneasily in her seat, the tension building up her.

"Good morning, ladies," greeted Blanca when she entered her office.

"Good morning," both Janet and Tiffany said in unison.

"Coffee?"

They both nodded.

"Three black coffees, please," ordered Blanca after she pressed the intercom switch.

Her secretary shortly dropped off a tray containing three cups, and placed in on Blanca's desk. Janet now noted a wedding ring on the third finger of her left hand.

"Georgie, please make sure that we're not disturbed, period. Short of one of the senior partners calling, I'd like to be left alone with these two clients," Blanca ordered.

She then departed, closing the door behind her. The atmosphere in the room was electric, and both Janet and Tiffany were seated like statues. Blanca passed around the coffee cups, and took a seat in her leather chair.

"I've known Erica Riken a long time," began Blanca, "as a good friend, a Dominant, and a client. It was Erica's wish that if she should die, a competition was to be held between two of her slaves to decide who would inherit the estate. And the loser would become the victor's slave."

"We know all that already, just get on with it," interrupted Tiffany.

Blanca then removed four envelopes from her briefcase, displaying them to her two clients.

"This is the codicil to Erica's will, and three identical statements from the brokers you were ordered to use. Even I don't know the contents, as Erica had instructed the information to be collected and sealed before I picked up the envelopes this morning. Which is why I'm late."

Blanca tore open one of the envelopes, and proceeded to read its contents:

"I, Erica Riken, being of sound mind and body, do reaffirm the conditions that I specified in document 423 for a competition between my heirs Janet Davis and Tiffany Gray. Whoever has the greater value in their portfolio shall be the sole inheritor of my estate, and all my possessions. Signed Erica Riken."

"Would you like to see it?" asked Blanca.

"No, that won't be necessary," said Janet softly, "please proceed."

Blanca then handed out identical manila envelopes to both Tiffany and Janet, and all three occupants of the office sat, staring at each other.

Tiffany tore open hers, and that was the signal for Blanca and Janet to open theirs. Inside were two reports, with a cover sheet, and a complete listing of their portfolio, containing every transaction that they had made over the previous year. All three leafed through the reports, finally coming to the last page.

"NO!" cried Tiffany, "NO! I was ahead. Far ahead!" sobbed Tiffany as tears fell from her eyes.

"You were," said Blanca, "Except that you got greedy. That diamond necklace you bought placed you thousands of dollars behind when the market went down. Then you gambled with those futures contracts. But those futures contracts you bought two weeks ago put you under when they went bad, placing you just five thousand dollars behind Janet."

"No," cried Tiffany.

"I therefore award the entire estate, and one slave, Tiffany Gray to Mistress Janet Davis, who has fulfilled the conditions as specified by the late Erica Riken," said Blanca.

Janet relaxed in her chair, the months of tension and pain finally leaving her. She sighed, happy that Tiffany's vanity and greed had lifted the Sword of Damocles that hung above her.

"Do you have a bathroom?" cried Tiffany.

Blanca pointed to a door, and Tiffany ran inside. They could both hear the sounds of retching from within.

"That doesn't happen often in a lawyer's office," pointed out Blanca, "only with the big cases."

"Thank you, Blanca," said Janet.

"Do you want to retain me as your lawyer?" asked Blanca.

"Of course," said Janet, "that will be perfectly satisfactory."

Once Tiffany had finished, she returned to her chair in silence. Her eyes were downcast, her makeup smudged. Her body had the posture of a defeated slave.

"If that's everything, I do have a busy caseload today," said Blanca.

"Thank you," said Janet as she stowed away the papers in her briefcase.

Janet rose and shook Blanca's hand.

"Come, slave," Janet said to Tiffany, "time to go home."

During the ride back, Janet read the reports, finding that Tiffany indeed had been doing better all along. But when Tiffany had bought the necklace it had placed her behind Janet's total. It was only after that she had started to use Jessica for her advisor did her portfolio improve for the better.

Tiffany sat in stunned silence, a dazed expression on her face, her body wracked by occasional spasms of tension.

When the limo exited the parkway, Janet asked the driver to stop off someplace else before they reached home. Tiffany was surprised to hear Janet order them to go to Lauren's House!

Entering by the gate, the limo pulled up in front of the door. Janet ordered Tiffany out, and they walked up the stairs. Janet told Tiffany that she wanted her to walk in front of Janet.

"Tiffany," greeted Lauren, "what a surprise."

"Yes, Lauren."

"I see that you've brought Janet. I told you that you'd win, and now Janet is your slave to use. Good, I'm sure that she can hardly wait to continue where I left off before," taunted Lauren.

"But I didn't win," cried Tiffany, "Janet did. By just five thousand dollars, thanks to that gamble you told me to take!"

"It's all here in black and white," said Janet, "I won, and Tiffany here belongs to me, not the other way round."

"Tiffany, I'm sorry," said Lauren.

"I should slap you for what you did to me," said Janet, "but I'm not going to give you the satisfaction. I just hope that you will learn how to properly use a slave girl, not just beat them into submission. Come, Tiffany."

In the car, Tiffany turned around and watched as Lauren's estate receded in the rear view mirror. There were tears falling from her cheeks.

When they arrived back at Erica's, now Janet's House, Janet threw her case on the library floor. She felt like she could fly! But there were other things to do, first.

"Tiffany," ordered Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," quickly answered Tiffany.

"I want you naked, wearing nothing but collar, bracelets, and high heels. Use the set that Erica had made for you, with your name on the leather collar," Janet ordered.

"Yes, Mistress."

"Then I want you to report back here. And I want that little trinket that you bought for yourself, that expensive diamond necklace. I have a particular use in mind for it," ordered Janet.

Janet sat behind Erica's desk. No, now it was her desk. The desk, the estate, everything now belonged fully to Janet Davis, former secretary from Queens. But now she was Mistress of the house. Her house and estate. Janet wondered if she should pinch herself in order to believe that she really had won and that this wasn't some dream.

'I'll be a good Mistress, Erica,' Janet thought to herself, 'I'll treat my slaves the way you treated me.'

The weight of memories, of what she had experienced in this house that was now hers flashed through her mind. Pain and pleasure, submission to Mistress Erica, Andrea, and Tiffany. Her use of Andrea and Tiffany. Stephanie's befriending her and Tina's arrival. The discovery of the competition, her near fatal beating by Lauren, and the recovery. Jessica's training, and her emotional depression in the last few weeks.

"I've won," Janet said aloud to herself, "Mistress Janet Davis. Mistress Janet Davis," she repeated to herself.

Janet poured herself a small sherry, and sat behind the desk. She allowed herself the luxury of a drink, and she enjoyed the fiery taste of the liquor as it slid down her throat.

'I still can't believe it,' Janet thought to herself, 'but I have to call Stephanie.'

While Tiffany was preparing herself, Janet called Stephanie on the cell phone, and she was overjoyed to hear the news. Stephanie offered to drive over instantly, but Janet turned her down.

"Give me about three hours," said Janet, "there's a chore that I have to perform first."

When Tiffany had returned to the library, she was outfitted as Janet had ordered, and she was carrying the necklace also. Tiffany still looked dazed and shocked, not knowing what would be expected of her next.

"How much is that necklace worth?" demanded Janet.

"Fifty thousand dollars," answered Tiffany.

"Had you not purchased the necklace, you still would have won," stated Janet.

"Yes, Mistress."

"I'm not ready yet to take you downstairs to the Dungeon and whip you till you call for mercy. But I will start here," said Janet, "now get on the footstool, slave."

Tiffany did as she was ordered, and lay quietly as Janet secured her elbows and knees to the footstool. She cinched the coils tight with two strands that went between Tiffany's limbs and the wood. Tiffany was now bound quite effectively to the footstool.

After placing a ballgag in Tiffany's mouth, Janet made sure to roughly fondle Tiffany. Janet pinched and pulled at Tiffany's breasts, and then fingered her sex. Tiffany squealed under Janet's harsh attentions. Janet had not used her since the time when she had nearly killed Tina.

"I hope that you can get used to the idea that I am now the Mistress in this House," said Janet, "because I shall be a far better Mistress to you than either you or Lauren would have been to me."

Tiffany merely grunted, her words muted by the ballgag. Janet saw the look of fear in her eyes that were directed at her.

"In my time as a Mistress, I have always let the slave have her choice of safeword. That was something I learned from Erica. However, I must choose for you, given our paths to this point. Your safeword shall be mercy, since that was denied me when your friend Lauren nearly beat me to death almost six months ago. You will be spared the agony and suffering that that I endured. Remember that every time I use you," coldly lectured Janet to her bound captive.

Even though she was still wearing the business suit, Janet placed the necklace around her neck and closed the clasp. Janet admired herself in the mirror.

"Looks nice, Tiffany. Pity it had such a huge cost," said Janet, "but I've never really had an interest in such things. Frankly, it still looks better on you."

Janet removed the necklace and placed it around Tiffany's neck. The image of her, naked and bound to the footstool, a leather collar around her neck while wearing an expensive diamond necklace, was one of the strangest that Janet could have ever devised!

"Tiffany, since you still wear the ring through your labia, I've decided that I'll make a similar medallion to the one Erica made for you. Except that it will read Tiffany, property of Mistress Janet. Just so that you will remember who your Mistress is."

"Mmmmmph!" grunted Tiffany in response.

"I'm now going to begin to punish you with the gag in your mouth, so that you will not have a chance to plead for mercy. I hope that will give you a small example of how I felt when Lauren was beating me and I was unable to plead for mercy, and my life."

Janet began, not with a paddle or crop, but just with her naked hand. After all, she had all the time in the world.

* * * *

Three hours later, Stephanie arrived with Tina. Janet had finished with Tiffany, and had locked her in the cell downstairs. Tiffany had taken her punishment well, and her behind was a deep shade of red and the flesh was very warm to the touch. Halfway through, Janet had removed her ballgag and given her the opportunity to plead for mercy. Instead, Tiffany had stoically taken her first session with Janet as her new Mistress quite well. It was evident that she would have trouble accepting her new position as Janet's slave, and Janet would have to deal with that problem later.

It was a joyful reunion, unlike their parting just two days earlier. Stephanie folded her arms around Janet, and they danced together, planting kisses on each other. Tina had knelt in front of Janet, tears in her eyes.

"I'm so happy for you Mistress," cried Tina, "I said that I'd be back."

"Thank you. Both of you," tearfully answered Janet.

Janet dragged them inside, and they split a bottle of wine that had been in the refrigerator. A year's worth of tension was slowly being released. It didn't matter that Tina was a slave, and Janet poured a glass for her and directed her to sit in a chair, not kneel on the floor. Janet remembered waking up from the fever, and the first person she had seen was Tina, tears in her eyes.

"Just to bring you two back to reality, just remember that Tina is my slave," stated Stephanie, "but I'm sure that we can come to some kind of arrangement."

"I think that will be the first order of business in my proper position as Mistress of this House," answered Janet.

Janet related the story of how they had gone to New York City, and Janet had won. Then she told of their trip to Lauren's, and Janet was pleased in describing the look of defeat on Lauren's face. Finally, she told of her punishment of Tiffany, who was now locked downstairs in the cell.

"A good day," observed Stephanie.

"No, Mistress Stephanie. An excellent day!" said Tina, a smile across her face.

"Thank you. Both of you," Janet answered, tears of joy in her eyes.

After Stephanie had departed, and Tina had been restored to Janet, they went downstairs to the cell. Tiffany was resting, and she quickly rose to her feet when she saw her Mistress outside the cell door.

"Kneel slave," ordered Janet as she unlocked the cell door.

Tiffany knelt, and Janet and Tina entered the cell. Tiffany waited and placed her hands on her opened knees.

"Tina, this slave is for your use in maintaining the house. You may train and use her as you see fit, but never abuse her or allow your use of her to interfere with your chores. Do you understand?" asked Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," Tina answered.

"Good. Tiffany, do you understand also your position here, or do I have to beat that into you?" demanded Janet.

"No, Mistress," tearfully answered Tiffany, "I'll obey Tina's orders as I do yours."

"Good. Then maybe you've finally learned something," said Janet.

Janet lay alone in bed that night, still amazed at the day's events. It still seemed like a miracle that she had won, that she was Mistress and Tiffany her slave. In spite of knowing about the plot between Lauren and Tiffany, Janet had held her tongue. Even though she had confronted Lauren, or when she had Tiffany at her mercy, Janet had remained silent.

Nor had she told Stephanie or Tina, holding herself quiet, instead letting the joy of the moment overtake the deadly knowledge of what she knew.

'I'm going to have to keep Tiffany constantly chained, or in the cell,' thought Janet, 'until I can exchange her for Myra.'

Returning from a trip to the bathroom Janet found Tina kneeling naked at her bedside on the wooden floor.

"May I join you, Mistress?" asked Tina, her hands behind her head, her body on display.

"Yes, Tina. And thank you," answered Janet.

Later that evening, Janet got out of her bed to get some water. The two of them had made love for hours, and now Tina was fast asleep, with soft snores indicating her exhaustion.

Naked, Janet padded to the bathroom, and drank two glasses. When she returned to the bedroom, she found Tina awake and looking at her.

"Mistress?" asked Tina, "can I get you something?"

"No thank you, Tina. Just wanted some water. Do you want a glass?"

"No, Mistress."

"Please call me Janet, at least for tonight."

"Yes.........Janet," Tina replied, unease evident in her voice.

"Tina, why did you stay with me?" asked Janet, "after you had been almost hurt by Tiffany, you could have left. Found another Mistress to serve, since I had broken my contract and let harm come to you. Why?"

Tina remained silent.

"Tina, please answer. I want to know."

"Because I fell in love with you, Janet. I felt that you needed someone to rely on, because you were so alone."

"Thank you, Tina."

Janet got back into bed, and hugged Tina. She kissed her maid passionately on the lips, while her hand cupped Tina's sex under the covers. Tina moaned in response and opened her legs to accommodate Janet's attentions.

"Hold me, Tina?" asked Janet, "please?"

"Yes, Janet."

They fell asleep in each other's arms holding together as one.

* * * *

Tina led Jessica into the library, with the blindfold still covering her eyes. Once she had seated her charge on a seat in front of the desk, she removed the leather object.

"Thank you, Tina. Could we be alone?" asked Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," Tina replied, smiling to her Mistress.

"Mistress?" Jessica asked.

"Are you going to ask why Tina isn't undressing you now in the bedroom?" asked Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," answered Jessica.

"Drink?" asked Janet, "Sherry?"

"I don't understand, Mistress Janet," Jessica replied.

Janet rose from her desk, and poured two glasses of sherry from a bottle on a liquor cabinet. She passed one to Jessica before seating herself once again. Jessica was quite surprised, since the last time she had been in the house Janet had spanked her when she had served something wrong during dinner.

"Mistress?"

"Take a drink, Jessica. Drink to the fact that I came out ahead in the stock market. Else there would be another woman in this chair, and I would be down in the Dungeon, facing a grim fate."

Recognition came to Jessica quickly, and she smiled as she sipped her Sherry.

"You won, then, Mistress," surmised Jessica.

"Yes, Jessica. Thank you for all your help. Dominants aren't gods, and when we forget that, horrible things can happen. A wonderful Dom, Mistress Erica, who I shall never forget, trained me in this house. I shall continue to be just like her, and follow everything that she taught me."

"Why are you telling me this, Mistress Janet?" asked Jessica.

"Because you must learn never to let absolute power corrupt you, Jessica. One day, you may progress to being a Dominant. Then you will use the lessons that you have learned when you were being striped with a crop."

"Does Mistress Janet want to use her slave Jessica this evening?"

"Yes. Tina!" called Janet.

Tina entered the library after she had been called, a grin on her face.

"Tina, you may prepare our guest for this evening. And wipe that grin off your face before I place you over my knee and swat your behind!" declared Janet.

"Yes, Mistress," replied Tina, "but I still want you to spank me."

"Later, Tina, later."

'How can I maintain discipline as a Mistress when everyone around me is acting so damn happy?' Janet asked herself when she was alone.

* * * * *

Weeks later, Janet was attending to some paperwork when Stephanie had been invited over. When her friend entered the library, Janet rose and kissed her.

"Good afternoon," said Janet.

"Thank you," Stephanie answered.

"You said over the phone that you had something for me?" asked Janet.

"Yes, a letter from a Mistress Monique in California."

"Who's she?" asked Janet.

"I've met her once," said Stephanie, "very mysterious woman. She is on the East Coast, and will see you tomorrow. Sent me this letter to give to you."

Janet was passed the envelope, which was a very expensive piece of stationery. Her name was on the front, and a large M was the monogram on the envelope flap. In addition, there was a wax seal with her initial also.

"Quite mysterious," agreed Janet, who placed the envelope on her desk.

"How is it running the house?" asked Stephanie.

"Fine. I just still can't believe it," Janet answered.

"Drinks, Mistress?" asked Tina as she pushed a tray into the library.

"Yes, Tina, thank you," answered Janet, "can we be alone?"

"Yes, Mistress," said Tina before she closed the library doors.

"Sometimes I can't get rid of her," stated Janet, "and if I punish her, she only comes back for more."

"Such problems," agreed Stephanie.

Even though Janet had won the estate, she had still given Tina to Stephanie. So Tina was still Stephanie's property. So Janet had "leased" her back, until her term of contract with Stephanie was over in six months.

Tina was required once every two weeks to spend a day with Stephanie, and Janet noted that she came back with a few new stripes every time. After six months, Tina would again wholly belong to Janet.

"There's a favor that I have to ask you. Could you train Tiffany for a while?"

"Sure, but why?" asked Stephanie.

"Because she already dislikes you, and I would like to get her out of the house for a while. It would be a great favor to me. I want you to take her this afternoon, please?" asked Janet.

"Certainly, but how severe do you want me to treat her?"

"Make her uncomfortable, and be sure that she is wearing that necklace at all times," specified Janet.

"Why, its worth a fortune," observed Stephanie.

"True. It's just another reminder to Tiffany about the price of her folly," said Janet.

What nobody else knew was that the necklace that Tiffany was wearing was a fake. The real one was in Janet's safe deposit box at the Stone bank in Greenwich. Janet had had one specially made up, and had substituted them one day. So the object around Tiffany's neck was a fraud, of little value!

Janet watched Stephanie drive away later, with Tiffany cuffed in the front passenger seat next to her. It was going to be nice to be alone with Tina for a while. The letter from Monique had been forgotten until well after dinner. She was just about to open it, when the phone rang.

"Hello?" asked Janet.

"This is Monique. Have you read my letter?"

"I'm just opening it now."

Dear Mistress Janet, Let me introduce myself. I am Monique, from California. I have been requested to deliver a special package to you tonight.

M

"I've just read it," said Janet.

"Good, I'll be over in ten minutes," said Monique.

When Monique arrived, she was in a large black limousine. The driver was female, and she helped her passenger to remove a bound woman from the back seat of the car.

The woman was harshly bound, and totally helpless. Her head was encased in a red discipline helmet that was laced up in the back, and her chest was bound into a corset, that pulled her waist tightly in. Her wrists and ankles were cuffed together with gleaming stainless steel cuffs.

"Greetings, I am Monique," said her guest.

"Please come inside," said Janet.

"Sorry, but I cannot stay. I shall return within three days, when I shall pick her up again. You may have the use of her during that time."

"This is all quite irregular," Janet observed, "far outside normal procedures. I normally don't conduct myself in this manner, and I don't like it."

"Are you refusing the use of this girl?" asked Monique.

"Stephanie told me that you were reliable, so I shall take her word in this matter and accept her. But next time, I want prior notice, interviews, and reports on her first."

"Understood, Mistress Janet," Monique answered.

"Thank you," said Janet, as she watched the limo quickly depart.

How mysterious! Janet walked the bound woman inside, and conducted her into the library. Monique had handed her an envelope, with some papers saying that the slave's name was Alana Peters.

Janet, after reading the papers, stood up and removed the discipline helmet, after unlacing it from the rear. She pulled the helmet off from the front, and a rubber phallus gag with an air hole was removed from the slave's mouth.

"Mistress Erica!" cried Janet, shock on her face when she recognized her former Mistress.

"Janet. How good to see you," said Erica.

"Erica, I knew you weren't dead," cried Janet as she sank to her knees.

"There now, Janet. I'm not really dressed for the way you're treating me, so stand up. You're the Mistress, now," said Erica.

Janet stood up and unlocked Erica's wrists, and removed the hobble chain. Still wearing the corset, Janet invited her

---END---