Blyss (The Blyss Trilogy 1)

He ignores my comment and continues, “Part of my job is monitoring your blood levels, because being able to find your specific dosage is key. It takes a little time, sometimes by trial and error. I adjust your dosage and drug cocktail using approximately fifteen different combined drugs and aphrodisiacs. Since each female is different and far more difficult to define and quantify, we understand how complex and unique those needs are. I work diligently in being able to find just the right cocktail suited to your own body’s needs.”

I look to Travis and ask, “Did you understand a word he said?”

“He never makes it easy,” he sighs.

Jared shakes his head as if he’s in awe of his own intelligence. “The complexity of the female response is physiological and psychological. We use our ability to alter their brain’s perception—the brain is a woman’s primary sex organ, by the way —until we are able to achieve the perfect brain game. The drug keeps these women in a constant state of extreme sexual arousal, thereby making the perfect submissive.”

I go numb on the inside. I just went through the infamous brick wall barrier at Platform 9 3/4, but instead of jumping on the Hogwarts Express and into the world of Harry Potter’s wizardry, I’ve been transported to some fucked-up sexual mad scientist’s lab. This can’t be real; there is no possible way these men can claim they’re sane. “I’m in the looney bin,” I whisper to no one in particular.

“I have designed this drug to be used regularly and indefinitely with little to no harm on your body. You see, you’re rather fortunate; the lower slave trade markets keep their women drugged with heavy doses of narcotics and stimulants. Cocaine is the drug of choice, and within a short amount of time they become addicted. Those women’s bodies start to deteriorate, and they become harder to control. They’re abused, haggard, and hard-looking.”

“We wouldn’t want that, would we?” I say facetiously.

Jared leans forward over his knees, resting on his elbows. “The men that buy from us…they seek a lifelong partner; they want beautiful princesses. These drugs are also designed to cause the female to crave erotic pleasure, and with proper nutrition and exercise, it all makes for a perfectly-harmonious combination. My studies have also shown they actually improve brain function.” He’s gone way off track again. “There is a strong link between optimal brain function, sexual vitality, and good general health.”

I feel bile rising from my gut just thinking about being an Investment, something these people are altering and fixing up to sell, like a house being flipped. I’m starting to zone out as Jared rambles on, entertaining himself with his own knowledge. I’m fairly certain I’ve heard enough. The bottom line is these men are seriously messed-up in the head.

Travis decides to play with my hair, twirling it around his finger, and it sends butterflies to my stomach. Damn their drug; it’s starting to affect me. His tender ministrations are affectionate and sweet, melting me even though I want to hate him so badly. I’m pulled from my thoughts of Travis when I hear Jared’s voice pipe up in excitement.

“…but the real surprising thing,” he says in wonder, “is all of these women we treat here,” he waves his hand around in the air, “every single one of them is seriously content, and they can’t imagine how they’ve lived so long without this lifestyle and this drug. They literally thrive.”

“No, they’re brainwashed; they’re fucked—literally and figuratively!” I yell in a heated breath. “You want to know what really blows my mind? The fact you all act as if you have our best interests at heart!” I feel Travis tighten his grip on me again after my outburst. His heavy body lying on top of mine is starting to get to me; my left leg is beginning to prickle, going to sleep. I couldn’t kick the bastard right now if I tried. I wince at the growing tingling sensation.

He leans down, whispering into my ear, “What’s wrong?”

“Besides the fact I’m here against my will?” I breathe furiously. “My left leg has gone to sleep.”

Travis shifts his body weight, allowing blood to flow to my lower extremities—thank the Lord! Jared rises up off his chair, gets in my face, and glares at me with enmity radiating from behind his glasses. “Oh, make no mistake—I do care, but my biggest interest is in success, and the healthier and more compliant these women are, the more successful I am. You can’t even begin to imagine the name I will create for myself. You see, the market analysis still sees multi-billion dollar opportunities, and I am on that train, young lady. I have created the perfect drug, the perfect aphrodisiac—Blyss.”

“You know, it would be a whole lot cheaper if you came up with a drug to make men not desire sex. It would save the world a lot of money...and women a lot of heartache, which would be bliss enough. We’re not lab rats, you asshole!”