**—2—**
The torture room is cleaned. There is still blood spatter here and there, but, thankfully, the vomit has been scrubbed away. My torture devices have been cleaned and put back, shining, onto the tool shelves. I took off my blood-soaked clothes and put on a comfortable emerald silk robe.
James, Susie, and Sarah are brought in. Their feet and hands are in shackles.
“Hello there,” I say pleasantly.
“It is a pleasure to see you, merciful Goddess,” James replies. His sisters bow to me. I burst out laughing.
“Merciful? I don’t think so.”
“Forgive me, Goddess,” James bows.
“Maybe I will,” I say quietly. I take a long look at him. He is watching me nervously. Susie looks at me too, but then her eyes dart around the room and take in the blood stains and the tools on my tool bench. Sarah on the other hand stares straight at me. Her expression is that of determination – and awe? Interesting…
“Do you know what you are here for,” I address James while still eyeing Sarah.
He hesitates. “To please you in any way we can, Goddess,” he replies finally. I like that reply.