” There I go again, what’s wrong with me? “I mean, were you going to threaten me with a weapon of some sort?” Alicia! Stupid girl, stupid, stu...id girl. He looked surprised at the suggestion. Even through the mask I could tell he was uneasy about going any further. “No, of course not.” Then falteringly, “ If you must know, I was going to take to that stump over there, put you over my knee and spank you until you accepted my authority.” I was stunned. He had planned to spank me! I’m twenty-two,. For a while both Ann and Kaylie looked straight ahead and saidnothing."If you are going to go through with this idea of becoming a girl youwill have to learn to appear in public, dear." I know, but right now nothing is official. Ms. Lee keeps reminding methat I have to be a boy at school until I pass the next assessment andthe psychologists issue me my gender transition certificate. I do notwant to get into any trouble that would complicate my evaluations." I am uneasy too. Madeline assures me. Jodi tumi amake aage deke nite to ei somaye tomar laurar oopore amar panty hoto na amar guud thakto.” “Theek ache, ei bar jakhon tumi phire asbe to tomake eto chudbo eto chudbo je tumi bhalo kore paa pete cholte parbe na. Bolo na sona amar, eibar tumi amake mon pran khule debe to?” “Ohh tumi ki je bolcho? Tumi amake nebe aar ami tomake debo na. Eta kakhono hote pare? Amake to khali amar paa duto choriye dite ache, baki sab kaj to tumi korbe.”“Eirakom katha bolo na sona. Guud chodabar art ta. She had never expected to happen upon yet another plot against one of the Harbingers."It's better this way," Heather says.Cassie realizes this is the first thing Heather has said in a tone other than complete and utter obedience. She even senses some reluctance."This is better than leaving her to mother or Aunt Jo," says Heather.Cassie wants to use this angle to help unravel some of the tendrils of control over Heather's mind, but dreams last no more than fifteen minutes at most, and she does.