Breeding in the Academy: Searching for Freedom (All 14)

Chapter 6

I stood there for a moment before turning around to the Perfectionist. He stood straight with his perfect posture and guarded expression. "Are you allowed to drink, Mr. Blackbourne?"

His face didn't change. "Yes, I am, Prime Devonport."

I signaled a waiter who scrambled over with a tray of champagne. Lifting two champagne chutes, I gave the waiter a thankful nod before holding one of the drinks to the man in front of me. Mr. Blackbourne took the stem, his warm skin brushing against mine. He took a sip before looking carefully blank. "May I ask why you decided to buy my services, Prime Devonport?"

I sighed before motioning towards the sofa. Most of the women were standing a distance away, hovering around the men and the women who bought them. The waiters and waitresses were standing along the far wall so they wouldn't be able to overhear us.

"First of all, please call me Gloria." I took a sip as I evaluated his face. "Second of all, I didn't intend to buy you. I had my sights on another but you distracted me."

Mr. Blackbourne watched me. "I am not sure if you mean that in a good way or a bad way."

I smiled behind my mask. "Both. Now, Mr. Blackbourne, what do you think of Charleston?"

His lips frowned slightly. "I don't know. We aren't able to go outside the walls unless our services are required. When we arrived, I saw brief flashes of the surroundings, but not much."

I frowned and muttered quietly. "How sad."

He must have heard my words and gave me a millimeter smile that spoke volumes. It was genuine, not forced. "That's the life of a Prime."

I took a sip in nervousness before saying the next few words. "And what does the life of a Prime entail?"

Gray eyes stared at me before he looked around the room for any lingering ears. "I admit that we live better than most of the other collars. We are trained in whatever we want. We get three meals a day. We are treated like kings, but also treated like puppets. We are trained to be whatever our patrons want us to be. We are dictated how to act, to walk, to eat."

I stared at him over the rim of my drink. I dared to whisper the words that could jail us both. "And what would you do for your freedom?"

Mr. Blackbourne froze before relaxing as if nothing happened, but his eyes were sharp. "What do you mean, Prime Devonport?"

"Gloria," I corrected him. As a group of women sat on a couch a few feet away, I laughed as if we were enjoying each other's company. "My friend excels in transportation, especially nice things. My friend had an eye on Prime Lyons. She has a gift to give him, but would you also be interested in it?"

He studied me through my mask. I kept the emotion in my eyes clear from deceit because I had none towards him. After what seemed like ten minutes but was actually a few seconds, he smiled, carrying on our act. I breathed out a sigh of relief that he didn't call me out to the security. "I am, but-"

I froze, not expecting him to add more. "But?"

He frowned, deep in thought and struggling. He looked in my eyes with a determination that I knew he wouldn't let go. "I want my family, the other eight boys from tonight, to have a chance to meet her."

I was quiet. I could handle taking two from the facility but ten total? That would be almost impossible, and how would I be able to transport them? But if this was the answer to get Michelangelo, then I had to take it. I smiled. "That sounds like a deal." I looked at the clock which read ten minutes til twelve. "I have to leave, but I have something for you, Mr. Blackbourne." I opened my bag and pulled out an origami rose. Placing it in his hands, I reached up and placed my hands on his face as I lifted my mask to reveal my lips. I tilted his head so that it would seem that he was kissing me but in fact I was giving him a message. "Open the flower. You'll have to be fast and quick. Only bring the essentials. Nothing that will hinder you."

As we pulled back, I replaced my mask on my face and looked over the room. Several women blatantly stared as our "kiss" while others were gossiping. I turned towards Mr. Blackbourne and curtsied. "I'll be back for you tomorrow at eight, Prime Blackbourne."

He bowed and lifted my hand to his mouth. "I'll be waiting for you, Prime Devonport. Good night."

As I walked out of the building and into the shadows, I pulled my phone out and dialed a number. The dial rang five times before a voice answered. "Good evening. This is Exotic Nursery. My name is Tiffany. How can I help you?"

"Hi, I want to place an order for ten exotic plants and send them to a friend of mine." I said.

There was the clicking of keys before she spoke again. "Wonderful, and what is the name of your friend?"

"Volt Oaks."

There were more clicking. "Okay, I'll get this order through. Have a wonderful day, and be safe."

I smiled as I stepped into an alley and drew my dress off to reveal the clothes I had underneath. The leather shorts and black lace bandeau matched the type of clothes that I needed for the area in the city I needed to go into. Finding the duffle bag I had hidden earlier, I stuffed my dress and high heels into the bag while taking my leather jacket and boots out. The leather jacket felt like butter but the inside had a panel of daggers for emergencies. The boots were the usual leather knee high shoes but had metal tips that could inflict pain if I decided to kick any assailants. Pulling up the hood, I headed towards the black market to meet someone who could help me.