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“Don’t do it, Tamsyn.”

Scowling, she raised her sulky gaze to Mistress Violet’s reproving eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I hate repeating myself, and this is a repetitive argument.” Unsmiling, Violet arched her eyebrow. “Merrick asked you to complete the section, did he not?”

He had, but he wasn’t here, was he? He was off somewhere with the other Masters, doing God knew what, while she was left here with her brains leaking from her ears and her hormones completely out of whack.

March had rolled into April faster than she expected. Being with Merrick warped her sense of time, the days tumbling into each other just as fast as she continued to fall deeper in love with him. Unfortunately, that meant The Rejuvenation was back.

She was cranky, cramping, and there was a headache brewing behind her eyes.

Testing the Mistress’ reaction, Tamsyn prepared to fling the book again.

“Make sure you’re prepared for the consequences,” was all Violet said in a nonchalantly casual tone. “Merrick gave me permission to punish you however I see fit if you decided to be a brat. Spanking a little girl will be an interesting change to caning a man’s balls.”

Eyes popping wide, Tamsyn’s hand hovered in midair. “I’m not a little girl.”

“No, you’re a grown woman acting like one.”

Well, ouch. The book slapped back down on the table. “Am not.”

Laughing, the Mistress swept her hand toward the pens and pencils on the floor. “Small children have tantrums, Tamsyn, and you’ve been throwing one since Merrick walked out the door. Are you finding the writing exercises difficult or just feeling anxious being apart from him?”

“Who says it’s either?”

“Something else then. Can I help?”

No. She needed a couple of those little pills Merrick gave her when she felt rough, and a nap for the rest of the afternoon with Foxy the owl. He wasn’t Merrick but he was an okay substitute, she supposed.

Shaking her head, she pushed the table away from the armchair and stood. Her lessons took place in the living room now, part of Merrick’s determination to get her out of the bedroom because she was too comfortable in there.

It was true; that room was her safe space now after weeks of bedrest and… memories.

“Can I go to the bathroom, Mistress?”

Violet sighed. “You don’t need permission to pee, Tamsyn. You know,” she said when Tamsyn brushed past her, “if there’s something upsetting you that can’t be shared with Merrick, I’m here. As your friend if that’s all you need.”

“I…” Why did that make her want to cry? “Thanks.”

She hurried away, scurrying toward the bathroom. It was just the hormones her stupid body was producing, that was all—apparently enough of them thatstupidwas the only word she was capable of thinking of to describe everything.

Her pissy mood continued as she removed the tampon, peed, and with not a small amount of distaste, inserted a fresh one so she didn’t turn the cabin into a location setting for a horror movie. As she washed her hands, she heard a cell phone ring.

Maybe it was Merrick calling to let them know he was on his way home.

Excitedly, Tamsyn dried her hands and yanked open the door, dashing along the hallway. She was only a few steps from the living room when Violet’s tone caught her attention, low and wary.

“No, Grit, he’s not here. I thought he was with you.” A short pause. “I’ve been here with Tamsyn for a couple hours now.” Another pause. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Merrick wouldn’t like it either.” A quiver of something uneasy spiked her voice as she lowered it further. “Yes, I can keep her locked down here. Did he ask for her specifically?”

Tamsyn’s heart stuttered and stalled.

“That’s bad, Grit. How the hell did he find her after so long?”

Jedidiah. He was the only man she knew who could make a woman’s voice carry that pitch—even women who had no personal connection with him feared him once they understood what he was, and Tamsyn had no doubts Merrick had told his friends how dangerous her father was; it was irresponsible not to when she was in their midst.

She’d brought this to their doorstep.

Broughthimhere.