Red cloth bracers and leggings covered her forearms and shins, each with loops that held her fake throwing stars and tiny ninja daggers in place. Last...year, they’d kept falling out every time she moved quickly or made an exaggerated gesture, so in the time since then, she’d hand-sewn the little props into place so they wouldn’t budge. A fluffy brown wig with an exaggerated ponytail and a pair of red split-toed ninja shoes finished out the ensemble.“Look at you,” Mrs. Rivera said dryly, leaning. My legs kick and seek support but find nothing.I am hanging on the cross. I look down, and see my bare breasts heaving, sweat trickling down my stomach, and my feet searching... and I see the platform. A small platform, protruding from the upright of the cross, just behind my legs, above the ankle. My ankles are grabbed roughly and tied together, and then my knees bent as my ankles are lifted up. The ropes are tied to the cross so that my knees are bent at an odd angle. My ankles are firmly. .. as well as our enemies,” Karkol chuckled by way of reply.“True, but you painted a broad target on your back in doing so.”“Yes, but now we know of four potential allies who have considered the probability of Beog being gone from our lives.”“As opposed to the ten who clearly hoped Ambost would gut you?” Brnnt chuckled. “Then there are the ambivalent or those just good at concealing their views, another twelve to be cautious of.”“It is a dangerous game we play in the service of our goddess,. Most of the time to the outside world, our relationship will be no different from theirs…like this week when we were boating, swimming, or hiking. And, Caitlin, this is important, if we entertain or we’re at the mall or a movie or wherever, with only few deviations, we will be just like them. That’s why, when we’re in public, you will call me Jon instead of sir or master. But under no circumstances will you be allowed to show me any disrespect. Is that understood?’ ‘Yes, master.’ ‘Good. Now.