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Chapter 27: A Long, Miserable Morning

“This is terrible!” Melinda said as soon as the darkness clamped down on them. “This hurts something horrible!”

“Yes, I know.”

In the dark, Darlene could hear Melinda struggling against the ropes that held her. The heels of her shoes clicked against the concrete as she danced in exasperation and utter helplessness.

“Don’t do that,” Darlene advised. “We’re both tied too tightly to work loose. You’ll only hurt yourself more.”

“I’ll kill those bastards!” Melinda called out. “Angus and that bastard Reggie! I’ll rip them to pieces with my bare hands!”

Hearing the touch of panic in her tone, Darlene again cautioned her. “Just stand still. It will not hurt as much. In a few hours he’ll come and let us down.”

“Hell! I can’t take hours of this. My arms will fall off!”

“Just calm down. Remember, the Master wants us in good condition for him to use. He won’t let anything serious happen to us.”

The words of reason might have worked, for Melinda’s utterances diminished until she was only moaning.

The morning was very slow in passing. At least, for the two pieces of property suffering in the Blue Room.

*

of the lodge,

in the Blue Room

them down before they start

for them, after all. It would not have the same effect if they do not really

Well, fine. I’ll pick one of them for myself after dinner. That young one

“Yes, sir.”

let you try her – as soon as I get

I saw how she looked at

I’m taking

I don’t want something to happen like it did with that French slave

“No, sir.”

good. Tonight, I think that I’ll try the older

“You do realize what

Oh! Yes, that makes me a