I Dated the Mind’s Eye (Blind Date Corporation #22)

Chapter One

Jienne finished her work around the hostess stand, smiled at the remaining kitchen staff, and went to clock out. Klauz was clearing up when she passed the door, and he called out, “Jienne, are you meeting the crew for drinks tonight?”

“Um, no, chef. I have an appointment.”

He froze. “You?”

She sighed. “Yeah. It takes all kinds, I guess. Thanks for the boost.”

He frowned. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“I am sure you didn’t. Cutlery is prepped for tomorrow. Good night, chef.” She punched out and headed for the service elevator.

She checked her watch and knew that she had enough time to get to the BDC and morph into her alter ego. Aksalla Sixty-Six.

The Blind Date Corp headquarters was two blocks away, and there was nothing she loved more than walking after a nine-hour shift.

Once she had checked in and gotten to the changing area, she looked at her date requirements. “Right, so, black evening gown, shrug, heels, jewellery, and makeup. Hair down in a curl over one shoulder.”

She heard other dates getting dressed or undressed in the other rooms. She ordered her clothes and accessories from the massive robotic wardrobe while she went into the grooming unit, designed by a sadist. Her hair was cleaned of all restaurant scents, and a gentle laser got the oil from her skin.

The stronger laser took out all of her hair below the neck. She hated that part.

She was cleaned up and sparkling by the time the clothing was delivered to her changing space.

She put on a garter belt, stockings, and the black evening gown.

She applied and set her makeup and put on the borrowed jewels.

Her hair was easy, and the soft wave cascaded over her shoulder to just below her breast. The wrap went around her, and she checked herself out in the mirror. “Shit! Mask!”

Laughter came from the other cubicles.

She was glad that she hadn’t put her eyeshadow on out of reflex. When she looked at her appearance via the mask, she nodded and got a darker lip stain. It wouldn’t come off and went better with her outfit.

She checked her mask display, and it summoned her transport.

Jienne put her clothes and bag into her locker and sealed it with her com unit.

Her transport was nearly there, so she got into the elevator and left the building. Her transport flashed recognition when she arrived, and she slipped inside with her mask giving the address on her behalf. She wouldn’t need to say a word until she was standing in front of her patron.

When the transport pulled up at the front door of Hell, she took in a deep breath and looked for her patron. The mask gleamed and identified him, talking to the business owner.

She exhaled and got out of the transport, walking up to her patron, ignoring his companion.

“Patron.”

He smiled in the heat display and lifted her hand to his lips. “We will be spending the evening with my new business partner.”

“Of course, Patron.”

The master of Hell looked at her. “Which one are you?”

“Aksalla Sixty-Six.”

He frowned. “I don’t know that one.”

She didn’t say anything else.

He grinned. “But I will find out.”

She shrugged and turned back to her patron, curling her arm around his bicep and pressing against him.

He looked down at her and said, “If you find out, let me know.”

She shrugged and stood with her patron. It was just hitting midnight, and Hell was getting busy.

They walked inside and climbed to one of the private levels.

It was less private than Jienne hoped. Ekron, Klauz, Techor, and Remark.

Jienne felt the press of the psychics a moment later.

This was going to be a fun, fucking night.

She tried to brace for what she was guessing at.

Three hours later, she was mortified and back in a transport heading for the BDC.

She filed her report and shuddered as the events of the evening kept playing in her mind.

First, she had to quit Klauz’s. Her patron had made her cum in front of the group, and somehow, her voice had triggered a memory in him, possibly from her trying to pacify a guest. His eyes had lit up, and he had leaned forward.

Drin and Vikor were watching her as well, and with the lack of control, her shielding broke, and Techor and Remark had swanned right in and found her identity.

She was going to cry as soon as she got this mask off. She took in a deep breath and called a friend. “Ava?”

“Yes? Oh, Jienne. How are you?”

Her voice wobbled. “Not good. I think I have to quit the BDC. I don’t think I can do that again.”

“Tell me what happened, and don’t let anyone make a booking with you right now. Don’t quit. We will suspend your availability. It lets you keep the advantages of the Blind Date Corp. Now, deep breath and talk. I will find out what you need.”

Jienne nodded, though her friend couldn’t see her, and she talked.

Ava gave her instructions, and when she arrived at the BDC, Ava was waiting. “Come on, we are going to make a conference call.”

To Jienne’s shock, Ava had an entry code and was scanned into the BDC entrance. Jienne said, “I didn’t know you were an escort.”

“A long time ago in a city far away. Now I just do it when I want to blow the cobwebs out.” She smiled. They were in a descending elevator.”

Jienne blinked. “How old are you?”

Ava grinned. “Come on, Jienne. We are going to make a call.”

They arrived in the fully automated prep area, and Ava guided her to the lounge. She brought up two displays and made the calls.

Zera and Tirra looked at her, sleepy with their group and husband in the background. They both widened their eyes. Zera gasped, “Avagail?”

“Yes. I am here to report the psychic sexual assault of Aksalla Sixty-Six, the gateway access to the crowd around her, and the breaking of the public activity clause in her contract. You might want to get your lawyer on this.”

Tirra started making notes. “Who were the affected actives?”

Jienne whispered, “The Elf Star Consortium.”

Zera paused, nodded, and then started cursing as she took her tablet out of the room where her partners were sleeping.

Tirra did the same. Once the ladies were in their home offices, the questions came hard and fast, and Jienne answered them all with Ava holding her hand.

Then the first description of being held by her patron in a psychic grip that attracted the other minders, wearing away at her control from within.

“I am going to get her changed now and out of the mask, and then we are going to stay at my place, as he also doxed her fairly effectively. I think he wants to use her as bait on his schedule. The shadows that he used were very effective on her, and I believe there is a specialist in Z Corp who can assist, so I will be calling her next.”

Zera paused. “You know Dex?”

“Well, you know, once I had my stake, I did well for myself and headed out, investing as I went.”

Jienne was suddenly very happy that she had met Ava at the restaurant. “Can you help me get the shadows out?”

“Yes, Jienne. I am going to call on a shadow hunter. She will track him using what he left behind in you.”

Jienne nodded and shuddered. “But you can get them out.”

“Yes, buddy, I can get them out, but right now, they are preserved evidence.”

Tirra looked at her. “Make the call, and take care of Jienne. We are sending a therapist.”

“Don’t. She will be at my house until we sort this out. I am not putting a target on her. If Dex doesn’t get him, I will.”

Jienne nodded. “Right. So, what do I do?”

“Take off your clothing, put it in the container marked Evidence. Same with your shoes and underwear. Psychometrists will go over your clothing to see what they can of what happened. That doesn’t happen here.

A scanner will go over you for all fingerprints and fluids.

Then a counsellor should arrive here who can make a memory copy.

I have already made one, and I am writing a copy to my secure com. ”

Jienne swallowed. “So, clothes in Evidence. The scanner will take fingerprints. Then what?”

Zera said softly, “A tech will arrive and take samples from anything that is obvious on the scans. They are en route and should be arriving in four minutes. If you could wait until then?”

Jienne nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. “I didn’t say no.”

Ava tutted. “You did. It was in your contract, which was forwarded to him when he asked for you. He knew. And he did it anyway and used your broadcasting as a way to draw in other actives. He picked you deliberately for your activation.” She held her hand, keeping her from closing in on herself.

The tech arrived, and it was Arcady. Jienne blushed as the gorgeous woman approached her.

“Hey, Sixty-Six. Heard your patron was a bit of a bastard.”

Jienne smiled weakly. “You could say that. I don’t do public because I pull everyone in.”

“Right. Sensible. I remember that from your interview. It was flagged on your contract.”

Jienne heard a ping on her com and looked. “He’s trying to book me again.”

Ava spoke quietly, “Suspend the bookings. Don’t quit, don’t close your accounts. Just suspend bookings.”

Jienne nodded and quietly did as instructed. The alert ceased.

Zera exhaled. “If you quit, we would be limited in our assistance, but with you suspended, it counts as you being injured on the job. We will get your counsellors, and if you can’t return to work, there will be a payout. If you ever change your mind, you will be welcomed back.”

Jienne heard the options and what could happen, but she heard that she would be taken care of. That was comforting. She went with Arcady, and the other woman didn’t touch her. Ava had touched her hand, and that had meant the world.

* * * *

Ava looked at two old friends. “Well, you two are both blooming.”

Zera snorted. “This is afterglow.”

Tirra grinned. “I am not going to be in danger of glowing for another few months. We don’t want kids back-to-back. Oh, we got your baby present and the wedding gift. Thank you so much.”