The Erotic Mind-Control Story Archive

Cedric

I sat there on the rooftop, staring at nothing in particular. The moon hung overhead, not quite full, but bright enough to cast shadows across the concrete. Spring night air had a bite to it, but nothing unbearable. Not like the cold inside me.

Edward leaned forward, reaching for the pitcher in the middle of our little table, but Elaine’s hand shot out before he could grab it.

“Let me, please,” she said, already pouring the drink into his glass with practiced precision.

Edward snorted, glancing between her and me. “See what I mean, Appleton? Can’t help herself. It’s hardwired.”

I managed a weak smile, the first one in days. Couldn’t remember the last time I’d really laughed. Not since... no. Wasn’t going there. Wasn’t thinking about Olivia standing there, taking her clothes off, saying those things. Wasn’t thinking about what Gabriel had made her do.

“Well,” Elaine said, setting the pitcher down with a theatrical flourish, “if you’d let me do the important things, maybe I wouldn’t fuss over the small ones.” She straightened her back, batting her eyelashes. “Am I serving you well, sir?” The exaggerated formality in her voice made it clear she was playing with the boundaries of her condition.

Edward threw his head back and laughed. “Perfectly, Ms. Pierce. Your service is exemplary.”

I sighed, reaching for the pitcher myself. Edward noticed.

“Elaine, pour Appleton a drink. And get one for yourself too.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, immediately taking the pitcher from my hands.

I stared at the clear liquid she poured into my glass, bringing it to my nose. The smell of mint hit me, and I frowned. “What is this?”

“Mint syrup and water,” Edward said with an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, no booze. Warda and I finished my last bottles during that first week. Made for an interesting night.”

Edward raised his glass. “To women’s freedom.”

Elaine hesitated, her glass halfway up, something uncomfortable flashing across her face. But she completed the motion anyway.

“To freedom,” she echoed, voice tight.

“Christ,” Edward said, shaking his head. “See what I mean? Claimed women are impossible to please. They want to please you in the most fucked-up way possible.”

Elaine sighed, but I found myself nodding.

“I’ll drink to that,” I said, raising my glass higher. The truth of it hit too close to home.

We drank. Edward made a show of it, pretending to wince as though it were whiskey burning down his throat.

“Smooth,” he gasped, slapping the table. “Vintage 2023 mint syrup. Excellent year.”

Elaine laughed too hard, her eyes darting to Edward’s face to gauge his reaction. But I found myself genuinely chuckling, the tension in my shoulders easing just a fraction as I looked up at the moon. For just a moment, the world felt almost normal again.

I cleared my throat, watching the moon’s reflection in my glass. “You sure it’s alright, you taking time off like this? Seems like everyone’s stretched thin.”

Edward waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. My men are checking the cameras, Warda’s guarding the fabrication lab until four, then I’ll take over her watch.” He rolled his shoulders, working out a kink. “I’ll catch some sleep after that. If I can. Happy for the break, honestly.”

He fixed me with that direct stare of his. “You talked to Gabriel yet?”

The mint syrup caught in my throat, and I coughed, sputtering. “No,” I managed once I could breathe again. “No, I haven’t.”

Edward sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It’ll be over soon, Appleton. Hopefully. Even if the deprogramming doesn’t work, the unclaiming should. One way or another, you’ll get Olivia back. Gabriel will get Wendy back.” He nodded firmly. “The nightmare ends.”

I winced, setting my glass down harder than I meant to. “Maybe the situation ends. Don’t expect the nightmares to go away that easy.” I rubbed my face, feeling the stubble I hadn’t bothered to shave. “And I’m still scared for Wendy. After everything…”

“Once Wendy’s back to herself,” Elaine said gently, leaning forward, “she’ll be able to take care of herself. Judge her husband for what he did, by herself.” Her eyes were kind, understanding in a way that surprised me.

“Yeah,” I sighed, studying Elaine’s face. “How do you think you’ll judge him? Edward, I mean. When you’re… yourself again.”

Confusion flickered across her features. “Judge him? For what?” She glanced at Edward. “He’s been a perfect gentleman with me.” She seemed almost disappointed.

Edward snorted but didn’t contradict her. The moonlight caught the lines around his eyes as he smirked.

“Despite your best efforts,” I noted, surprised to find myself smiling.

“A man has his principles,” Edward said dryly.

I nodded, oddly pleased to hear it. Then, because the mint syrup was making me bold, I asked, “What about Warda? Will she have anything to judge you for, when this is over?”

Edward shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Maybe. Maybe not.” He swirled the liquid in his glass. “Took some liberties, I won’t deny it. But nothing I don’t think she would’ve let me do willingly, under different circumstances.”

We fell silent after that. The wind picked up, carrying the scent of pine from the forest beyond Echelon’s perimeter. For the first time in days, I felt my muscles truly unclench.

Still, I couldn’t help wondering how things would go when the women were themselves again. How Wendy would judge me, even though I’d tried, God knows I’d tried, to be what Edward called a gentleman. To do right by her, in a situation where nothing was right.