At all.But when a friend asks a woman to be her matron of honor, it's like being asked to be a pallbearer. There is no escape an etiquette book writer...would approve of. So I went. And I word that damned strapless dress that clung to my stomach and ass like glue before stopping just above my knees.There's nothing wrong with putting my body in that dress style. I've got a flat stomach, but I'm small on top -- too small for that particular dress which didn't allow for even a strapless bra to help. . world withoutfreedom, you mean. Not ... interested."The next thing I knew, the almost skeletal arm of Alan had me by thethroat, and was dragging me closer to the gem.The gem said, "Say yes, now. Or I will take you anyway, and use you tomake those you care for suffer."And in the gem, I saw a vision of myself doing just that - torturing myteammates with the gem's power while my mind and soul watchedhelplessly.I was about to break, to take the gem, when suddenly, the hand on mythroat fell to the. She sighed, well at least she wouldn't have to deal with him after the reception was over. Luke looked over at her watching the conflict play across her face. "So you're a teacher?" he asked watching her face light up. "Yes. I'm actually a history teacher. I love it. It's a new challenge everyday. I teach at the high school level." She picked up a piece of bread and nibbled on it. Luke sat up rubbing the back of his neck. He was pretty amazed at how easily the conversation seemed to flow with. "Well, maybe it wasn't so simple a spell," she added, still smiling. Edana didn't say anything; she just stared at us."This will be a demonstration of the power and versatility of the rings," I told them next. Annie and I had joined hands again as had Sean and Sara. Annie and Sara then joined hands again, also. We all four then carefully recited the spell to activate our rings. We had already started to glow as the Magic power built up around us.There was a large block of rock sitting on the.