The Gift
(Original Version)

by Trystl


Chapter Four

1

Shalis couldn�t find the Damian choker anywhere. She had turned up every inch of Baraan�s spread in a frantic effort to recover it. She found 239 taotes and slipped that under her skirt with the other 10 taotes, but that wasn�t an equal payment for her losses. The Damian choker was worth over 1,000 taotes.

She went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. After her long search she was thirsty and hungry. She found a few things to snack on, and tossed them into a small sack. Then throwing a vase in frustration against the wall, she conceded her failure and left for the magician�s home.


2

�Amazing!� Shalis moaned, watching Serria�s hand as it brushed painfully over her leg wound with the mysterious fluid. The flesh began to bubble where the fluid touched, but sealed the puncture hole leaving a slightly tender scared area.

�The scare will heal completely in about three days.�

�That�s amazing!� Shalis repeated, stroking the flesh. Her touch tingled almost painfully. �How does it work?�

�The secret is a very special stone which is ground up and heated with other materials.� Serria said. �But that�s all you�ll get out of me. The rest is a secret.�

Shalis laughed leaning back so the magic user could bath the scrapes on her shoulders. �We seem to have adopted the position of your personal nurses.�

�I�m sorry!� Shalis said angrily out of frustration and pain. �I didn�t mean to put you out. I�ll leave.� and she began to stand.

�Don�t be silly.� Serria said holding Shalis down easily, and glaring at Tereesan reproachfully. She was much stronger than she appeared. �We want you here, as well as except you.� She slide her hands around Shalis� arms and began to sponge her breast somewhat more than maternally. �But for your own good, you could try a little harder to come back in one piece when you go out.� Serria dropped the sponge into Shalis� lap and Shalis jumped. It seemed as if the woman had done it on purpose. Tereesan picked the sponge up and began to wipe over Shalis� legs and stomach. �It�s not that we don�t just love to nurse you up, but it�s not good for your beautiful body.� As Serria said �body� Tereesan pressed harshly against the nail wound in Shalis� thigh.

Cringing Shalis suppressed a yell.

�I�m sorry.� Tereesan said, brushing lightly over the hole. �I didn�t mean to hurt you.�

In fact Shalis wasn�t sure whether it had been pain or pleasure. �It was nothing,� she said, noticing that hands had replaced the sponge, gently caressing her bare breasts, tweaking her nipples, and becoming more seductive. As if the hands sensed in the subtle movements Shalis tried to suppress that they had complete control over Shalis� body.

�What are you doing?� Shalis asked casually. As she looked up the Tereesan began to lick the damp between her thighs with an expertise that startled Shalis. �Oh, my God!� She breathed.

�You don�t like it?� Serria said bending over to kiss Shalis on the mouth, her hands still working on her breasts.

�Oh no!� Shalis moaned.

�If you want us to stop,� Serria said, knowing that her little redheaded friend was essentially incapacitated. �We will.�

Shalis groaned between breaths. She said nothing but pushed back against there gentle pressures.

�Sure baby doll, sure.� There was a wet tongue against the dampness of her legs and she opened them for its sweet caress. �We wont leave you.�

They continued for what seemed like hours. Until Shalis was nearly exhausted. How they could last so long completely baffled her, after all they were the ones doing all the work.

At last Tereesan began working her with the sponges again. Then he daubed suave on his finger and spread it over Shalis� leg wound. �There now, go wash this off and in a few days you�ll be completely healed.�

Serria pulled her to her feet and Tereesan slapped Shalis� ass surprisingly hard. �Go freshen up, you�ll feel better,� he said. �It will take the edge off the smell of this stuff.�


3

Each of Shalis� wounds had been cleaned and disinfected. She had been bathed, oiled and perfumed. Now she stood in the air room and let the wind caress her. It felt good on her bare skin, against her healing wounds; its fingers streaming through her hair. She loved the cool, warm feeling of the water evaporating. Often she would lean or twist as if she were about to engage in some vigorous dance move and watch her muscles in her thighs, her calves, her stomach, and arms. She had almost forgotten how beautiful she was, even despite the scars on her legs.

�You look absolutely splendid!� Serria said.

Startled Shalis jumped. �Oh,� she breathed embarrassed. She wished it had been Tereesan who had caught her admiring herself. �Thank you!�

Serria came closer, �Are you dry?� She asked, stroking Shalis� arm to feel for moisture.

�Yes.�

�Come then, I have some good, new clothes for you to try on.� She flipped the switch, turning off the air fans, and Shalis followed her out the door to a large mirrored dressing room.

�You don�t understand, I want my old clothes back.�

�Don�t worry, baby.� She stroked Shalis� hair.

�I�ve got to get back to my house.�

She smiled as if she understood something Shalis did not, �Don�t worry baby! I�ve got it all. I just thought you�d like a few little twinkles.� She pulled open a cupboard, hidden in the mirrored wall and laid a stack of clean, freshly scented clothes before the redhead. �Take what you want, babe. It�s all for you.�

Before Shalis could answer Serria had slipped out the door, and Shalis was alone with the rags and the mirrors. All her old rags were there, neatly mended and cleaned.

She began to look through the rags; found a slinky, black lace bikini, which she put on. She moved her hips experimentally, watching the movement of the lace and muscles, as they interacted seductively. She found a pair of leg-socks, and pulled them on, rolling the top down to form large cuffs above her knees. They went well with the black lace, Shalis thought, and they hide the ugly scrapes and bruises on her legs. Pulling on the skirt, she noticed where it had been torn and mended, very nicely.

The door opened and Tereesan came in. �They look very nice. The socks, I mean.�

�Thank you. They cover my legs.�

�Yes! They go nicely with the skirt too.�

Shalis looked in the mirror noticing how the cuff of the leg socks was pleasingly composed between her knee and the tassels of her skirt. She moved, letting it brush across her thighs.

�Very nice,� he said lightly �We will be ready to eat when you�re finished, child.�


4

Shalis had left.

In the dinner room, the magic users sat eating.

�I think he�s ready.� Tereesan said.

Serria said nothing. Without smiling she fingered the red stone of the Damian choker, which she held in her lap.

�I think he�s ready.� Tereesan repeated.

�No.� Serria corrected. �He is not ready. When you can think of him as a her, then perhaps he will be ready.�

Nodding his head, Tereesan signified his submission.

�Soon thou, my love.� Serria smiled. �Very soon!�


5

�No!� Shalis insisted, �I just want a velvet choker.�

�A black...�

�Yes, a black velvet choker. Is that such a God damn difficult concept to grasp? You act as if its illegal. I�m an independent woman!�

�I told you. This store does not cater to independent women.� The salesman replied, firmly standing his ground. There was no change in his expression or stance.

�That�s what the store says, but what do you say? I�ll pay you double what the choker cost.�

�That�s not enough.�

�How much then?� She asked.

Shaking his head, he said. �You know what I want...There�s a room in the back. And the choker is yours at cost.�

Smiling sardonically, she nodded, �Lets get it over with then.� And she followed him as he led the way to the back. As he passed by a door labeled �view room� he knocked twice and continued to a room with �storage� written above the woodwork in red streaked lettering. �What was that for?� She asked, walking in after the salesman, noticing a large mat that lay on the floor.

�Undress,� he said.

Slowly she began to strip the snaps down the front of her Lazy-man�s shirt, her fingers flaying gently over her breast. Anger was swelling inside her, but to her disgust the anger, also served to excite her. She loosed the skirt and began to slip of the snake leg ring, over the leg socks. The rubbing began that penetrating tingling like when the magician had used that healing fluid.

�Leave on the socks.� A strangers voice commanded. She looked up and saw a handsome blonde man standing beside the salesman. Both men were smiling happily at the sight of her naked breast. �Raunk says your paying double today.� the blonde man said, coming to her and clasping her shoulder. He had surprisingly strong hands, yet gently he stroked her hair.

�He said nothing about paying double to me!�

�You want the choker don�t you?�

From behind her Raunk pushed her to her knees while the blonde began to unbutton his shirt. She heard a zipper grinding slowly behind her. She felt nauseous and tried to bolt for the door, but Raunk tackled her, pulling her up on her knees and wrenching her arms behind her. He tied her elbows together. Then he pushed her head, guiding her towards his open zipper.

�You better do it right, if you don�t want to die!� The blonde hissed smacking her ass smartly and impaling her from behind.


6

She was finally left alone.

She rolled half off the mat onto the cold tile floor, and it shocked her back into the reality of the moment. She sat up. Her arms had been released, but her legs burned terribly. Everything ached, with a wild furry, like the magician�s fluid caressing her, moving over, violating just as the two had done moments before. She cursed the healing potion now, but she knew it was working.

At least her clothes were still clean and untorn even though she couldn�t credit the two with being careful.

When she emerged from the back Raunk greeted her pleasantly as if for the first time. �May I help you, miss?�

�A black velvet choker, and a D shaped red stone, please. Capitol Rowan lettering.� Raunk nodded and went to the stock room. Shortly he returned with a mounted personnel choker replica of the Damian. She studied the stone and put it back on the counter. �It�s not a real stone, and the choker isn�t real velvet.�

Raunk was surprised by her expertise, but he recovered his composure and scoffed, �I�m not forcing you to buy it. But take my word for it you wont find anywhere else that will sell you anything better. Most stores don�t take kindly to women buying chokers so they can fake being independent. That is illegal! So don�t press your luck.�

�I am independent!�

�Sure lady.� He smiled, �That�ll be 250 taotes�

Shalis looked up haughtily, barely holding back her violent emotions.

�250. You gonna pay?�

�I know the business. This cheap-shit crap is worth less than 200 taotes.�

�If you don�t want it just say so.�

�We had an agreement!�

�And I�m keeping it.�

�I�ve paid more than double already.�

�Suit yourself.� Raunk said scooping the choker off the table. Something clicked in Shalis� mind. �Stop!� She said, holding out her hand. �I�ll take it.�

He handed it to her, and she took Baraan�s wad out and threw it on the counter. �Keep the change.� She said haughtily, and turned storming towards the door.

�Wait! I have to count it,� he cried.

But she was out the door and running down the back alleys before he had decided to chase after her.


7

The maid opened the door a crack and peered out suspiciously. �Oh. It�s you.� She said letting Shalis in.

�I�m tired,� Shalis said walking to the stairs, �I don�t want to be disturbed any tonight.� As if to speak, the maid opened her mouth, but she said nothing. Shalis smiled, and said. �Good night, Maria.�

The bedroom was dark. Without flipping on the overhead she went to the bed and dropped onto the mattress exhaustedly. Tomorrow would be time enough to make more plans. She buried her face into the pillow, and sighed.

I could be pregnant she thought as sleep began to creep over her mind. She would remember to check it out and buy some protection in the morning�.

�Shalis was awakened violently.

�The stick�s up!� The militia soldier said pinioning Shalis to the bed with his knee in the small of her back. Yanking her arms painfully behind her, he clamped handcuffs on her, and jumped back. Another militia grabbed her by the hair and arm. He pulled her to her feet and twirled her around.

�What the hells going on?� Shalis said. The hand twined into her hair yanked her head back savagely. The first militia put a paper beside her face and smiled.

Menacingly his black mustache curled up beside his lip. �Madame Shalis? Your under arrest.� He waved to the other, �take her away!� Hands were pushing her out the door. The maid was standing open mouthed in the hall; her eyes darted fearfully from the militia to Shalis. �Go on, take her away!�


8

Shay sat at his desk looking at Baraan�s hospital bill. He had never been close to Baraan, but he didn�t like paying the bill while he was laid up in a bed. All because of some stupid bitch. And the other guard, the one she had killed. He had been a good man. A damn good watchman.

Shay clenched his teeth, and realized she was the one he had been talking to. Playing dumb. Had she been trying to gain access to the upstairs office? But why? And how could she have gotten into Damian�s office without knowing the layout of the alarm lasers, unless she was an expert... That made no sense at all.

And what had happened to Damian. No one had seen him all day. It certainly wasn�t like him to slip secretly into his office. And how would that be possible, even if Baraan had been sleeping, Damian would have woke him up and docked his pay. The bit about firing Baraan just wasn�t like Damian. Nor was the sudden move to Solali.

The possibility that Damian might not have written the message was unsettling. It implied that the bitch had managed to break the Omega Coder program, which was supposed to be impossible. Only the Omega Coder who had coded the system and the intended user where supposed to be able to crack it. If she had done it... And what had she done to Damian.

Shay had never been Damian�s best friend, but the guy had not tried to make management decisions for the club; Shay liked him for that if nothing else.

He shuttered. If the bitch hadn�t been caught she could have robbed them blind.

But he had her now. He would pay off the other bidders and claim her ass. He would enjoy keeping her from causing any more mischief. She�d do some fights. He�d recoup some money from her work. Then he would rag her out, and who ever wanted her could stuff her for mounting for all he cared.


9

�She�s gotten herself in a bit of a fix.�

Serria looked at Tereesan with a mischievous smile. �So it would appear.� She said, spearing a saut�ed mushroom with her fork. �So it would appear.�

�Perhaps its time. We could bid for her at the bail hearing.�

�Perhaps.� Serria smiled sarcastically. �We wouldn�t be the only bidders thou, if we tried to buy her sentence. There are those she stole from who might want a bit of vengeful play.�

�They�ll bow out for a few hundred taotes.�

�The small one�s maybe, but I don�t think Shay would. I�m sure he wants her. He may not respect beauty but he can recognize it, surely. And don�t forget he has a sizable advance, since both guards were injured while working, both of their medical advances will be transferred to Shay unless they forfeit their insurance benefits. That plus, anything his lawyers can get for disability pay, and who knows what else they can think up.�

�We can�t compete with Shay,� Tereesan agreed. �But you could snuff her and buy the corpse from the militia.�

�What would the cause be? What excuse would we have for knowing about it? No, I don�t think we could do it with out raising a good deal of suspicion. Even if we could the time factor would probably be too long with all the red tape. And then if we could manage to revive her, Shay could contest our rights to possession. Since she would have been given to us as a corpse he might very likely win such a case.� She took a sip of Aphid Milk. �No! We can�t afford to play for her now. Besides it would be harder for us latter if they thought we wanted her. It will not be so hard to buy her dead, once she has become Shay�s personal property and is thus his responsibility.�


Chapter Five

 

1

For three days Shalis slept on a cot in a small cement cage. The militia had already taken her rags, and given her stiff sacks to wear. They were too small to fit properly; pinching at her skin when she sat down. She took them of before long, and they stayed off. She was surprised none of the guards tried to take advantage of her. But there had been quite a bit of publicity over the guard�s death; and her arrest. There were always extra guards on duty, and though they came back frequently to check on her they made no move towards her.

She heard two of them talking once when the door had been left open a crack. �What I wouldn�t give for a few minutes with that redhead babe.� She didn�t hear what the other replied, but she was glad for what ever it was, because the first said. �Only making small talk.� That was all she heard, but no one tried anything the full three days.

She thought her luck had turned bad on the third day, when as she lay on the cot with her spiff sacks draped over her like a blanket, a militia soldier slide open the cage door and said. �Come with me, girl.�

Patiently he waited for her to dress, without turning his head away. She looked up at him, and his eyes were on her body. When she was done she stepped down out of the small living space. He took her arm and led her down the hall.

�What happened at the bail?� Shalis ask.

�You were sold to Shaw.�


2

Shalis was awake.

Glitter shone in the mirror where the sun shimmered thru the curtains, nicely framing her face as she put rouge on her cheeks. She sat on a hard wooden bench. Chains bound her hands together awkwardly but she painted her face carefully, tracing over her lip, and along her eyes.

�Hurry up! Spiff.� Lenamora said: she was a pretty blonde who did the body paint jobs for Shay�s girls.

�I�m almost done, Lena.�

�Fuck your face, I�ll paint it myself!� Lenamora said, grasping the chains that bound Shalis� hands and pulling her to her feet. �Put your hands over the Dumis rack.�

Obeying, Shalis draped her chains over the two metal hooks of the rack that hung from the ceiling. Suddenly the rack began to rise pulling her chains tight against her wrist, holding her hands about a foot and a half apart. �Do you put it this high for all your spiff�s?� Shalis ask.

�Only the ones I want to fuck with! Now, keep your mouth shut before I put you on your tiptoes.� Lenamora wet her brush in the paint on her spatting easel and traced over Shalis� breast in quick torturous strokes that sent chills through Shalis� body. She shuttered.

Lenamora laughed, her hand was between Shalis� legs, petting her fur, licking tenderly inside. The brush traced swiftly lower over Shalis� stomach.

There were heavy footsteps Shalis recognized as Shay�s. �Is she ready?� He boomed.

�I�m good, I�m not God!� Lenamora said halting her assault on Shalis. �When does she go on?�

�Fifteen.� He said leaving.

�She�ll be perfect in ten.�

Quietly Lenamora watched Shalis. She loosened the straps on her primcot and rewrapped her breast. Again the brush began to trace Shalis� skin with quick flirting strokes.

�What do I get?�

�You�ll see.� Lenamora said, walking around behind Shalis and pulling her hair back into a ponytail. �You�re getting the full artistic treatment today.� The brush was on her face tracing frantic designs around her eyes and on her cheeks. Next her neck and back, then her legs were attacked by Lenamora�s paints. They went on cool and dried within seconds.

Finally Lenamora was done. Without releasing Shalis she rolled a full-length mirror stand in front of her. Shalis just stared in amazement. It was a fantastic paint job, mostly shades of blue, and cloudy white. Her pubic hairs were orange: flickering representations of fire that faded into yellow then white and turned to blue again at her belly button. Her breasts were a greenish blue. They shimmered as she moved, like drops of water about to drip onto the fire below. Under her arms the hair was painted a brilliant red. A bright foliage green spilled down across her shoulders, little green fingers reaching down over her deltoids and around the tips of the greenish blue on her breasts. The rest of her body was painted blue with white clouds that flowed with the curves of her muscles. Only at her neck, near her face did her own skin show through.

If she hadn�t known better Shalis would have thought she was wearing a body suit. �Its beautiful!� She said.

�Don�t lie, honey!� Lenamora said, �It looks like shit.� She brushed the fallen red hair out of Shalis� eyes. �You bring out the best in it thou. Your hair does.� And she let down the ponytail and fluffed up Shalis� hair letting it shower down over her shoulders.

�It is beautiful.� Shalis said.

�It doesn�t matter, it won�t last long.� Lenamora laughed without a trace of humor. Then, without releasing Shalis she turned and left.


3

The stage was black with silence, as everyone waited for the next show to begin.

Shalis hung in the air from the Dumis rack behind the stage curtain. They opened slowly and she could sense the crowd on the other side. She could hear the mutterings echo through the audience like a chorus of rustling clothes. Her arms ached, from being suspended in the air. The cloth around her wrist had saved the rope burns that might have worn into her skin.

Bright lights flashed into her eyes, and the Dumis rack began to lower her into the ring, center stage.

Seviena, Shay�s daughter�a shapely, barely clothed girl�walked towards Shalis bouncing her hips casually. She cut the ropes from Shalis� arms with a large knife that she moved with confidence and precision.

She was young; perhaps seventeen, and the crowd loved her. She swayed her way across the ring, prancing childishly, and holding the ropes into the air.

At the same time a loud speaker boomed. �Gentlemen! Shalis... the outlaw.� Seviena turned and pointed towards Shalis with a sweeping gesture that ended in her hips and the crowd went crazy, with hoots and cheers. �This is a challenge match, so throw the rope out, and may the best man get it!� Seviena tossed the rope into the crowd and several men scrambled towards it. When the applaud had died down she turned to the ring�s ropes and pulled the top one up to make room for an older, larger woman who had been waiting patiently on the side.

�Oh, shit!� Shalis said, seeing the woman�s bulk. She wasn�t unattractive but she was easily five inches taller and fifty pounds heavier than Shalis. She glared as she climbed in the ring.

�And our champion,� the crowd roared with a mixed applause. �Malina... the destroyer!�

The bell chimed.

Slowly Shalis stepped out to meet the huge bulk. Malina stepped confidently, quickly reaching out and grabbing Shalis� arm. It startled Shalis, the speed and power with which she was spun around. Malina lifted her, and threw her to the mat; then kicked her in the side, leaving Shalis breathless. Shalis� eyes were wild with fear and hurt. She tried to stand, but Malina sent a blow to her neck that put her back on the floor.

She was hauled to her feet by her hair.

Malina lead her across the ring and slung her into the ropes. They caught her at the throat. Bouncing of she ran squarely into Malina and fell to the floor again. She rolled over onto her stomach, waiting for the next blow. Hands grabbed her hair and pulled her to her feet. Her knees buckled and she fell directly into Malina�s raised knee.

Malina pummeled Shalis onto her stomach digging her fingers into Shalis� eyes, and pulling her head back as she rocked and bounced gleefully.

The crowd loved it.

All Shalis could manage were gasps of breath.

Then the heavier woman jumped off, pulling Shalis to her feet and landing a fist into her stomach, doubling Shalis up with pain. A knee came up catching most of Shalis� left breast, and sending her sprawling to her back to the canvas.

Malina dropped down on top of Shalis� face wrapping her large arms around Shalis� back, smothering Shalis� face in the flesh of her stomach just below her buxom breast and lifting her up slowly, teasingly for the crowd. Shalis� back arched painfully. Malina put her weight into lifting up with her arms.

Slimy flesh sealed off Shalis� air. She walked up into a backbend, but Malina keep the pressure going. Shalis� feet began to leave the ground. She felt nauseous. Her mouth grouped for air; sucked in a breast nipple, and instinctively bit down, grinding her teeth as she had never done before. She tasted blood. Felt the arms that had held her release her. She fell. Her teeth were jerked as if she�d been kicked from inside her head, but she held her mouth closed as she fell.

When she came up, Malina was curled up on the canvas bleeding. Shalis� own mouth was blood soaked. She smiled as she realized the crowd had grown silent. Then she spat the nipple and blood from her mouth. It dripped down her chin and onto her own breast.

The audience gasped.

Shalis threw up.


4

Tereesan looked over at Serria. �Why didn�t you do it?� He asked as they filed towards the isle.

�She�s rather resourceful don�t you think?�

�Serria?� His voice was gentle, coaxing. �Why didn�t you do it?�

�She hasn�t learned yet.� Serria smiled.

�I didn�t know you wanted to teach her a lesson.�

�I didn�t either, but I do. Alright?�

�Alright.�

�I was just about ready to do it when she pulled that nasty little trick. It would have been perfect to have her suffocate. But I didn�t want to do it with her winning the match. It wouldn�t have been proper, somehow.�

�She is rather resourceful, isn�t she?�


5

�I thought he wanted me to win!� Shalis said haughtily, pulling on the ropes that tied her hands behind her back. �Isn�t that the fucking idea?�

�Shut up, stupid bitch!� Seviena said, slapping Shalis� bare leg with all her might. �Now sit still, before I get some of this in your eye.� She swabbed iodine on the scratches around Shalis� eye and seemed to take pleasure in watching Shalis wince. She forced her knee between Shalis� legs, pressing it against her stomach. �Malina was a good friend of mine. It should have been you, given to that bum with the rope. You should have been disqualified.�

�Sorry to disappoint you.�

Seviena slapped Shalis� leg again; then rammed her knee into Shalis� chest. �You think your real tough, don�t you.� She pushed her knee harder. �Just remember, you get what you ask for.�

�What does that mean?�

Seviena smiled cruelly, as she swabbed iodine over Shalis� cheek for a third time. �You�ll find out,� she hissed.

The door clattered open, and both girls looked over as Lenamora stepped into the room carrying a tray of food. She had apparently kicked the door open.

�Thank you, Lenamora, you can leave the tray on the table.�

�Sorry kid!� Lenamora said. �I brought the food, I get to feed her.�

Seviena�s eyes blazed. �I want to!�

Lenamora was an independent and held the right, but Seviena held rank. �Fine.� Lenamora said casually. �But I�m not your servant, if you want to feed her go fix her food yourself.�

Seviena stood up wrapping the bottle of iodine in her rag. �Fine! I�ll do that,� she said, walking with her showgirl walk towards the door.

Lenamora sat down on the bed beside Shalis.

�What do you think your doing?� Seviena asked.

�What does it look like?�

�You can�t feed her! I�m going to fix her food right now.�

�I�m not stopping you.�

�But by the time I get back you�ll already have feed her.�

Lenamora looked shocked. �Why Seviena! I do believe your mind is finally getting sharper. In a few more years you might even learn to spell your name.�

Seviena snarled an incoherent reply, and stormed from the room.

�Well,� Lenamora said turning to Shalis with a smug smile. �Congratulations! You�ve made Shay look like a zookeeper.�

Shalis looked up and smiled bitterly. �Thanks!� She said, then: �What�s that supposed to mean?�

�They�re saying you�re an animal. That inside that pretty skin of yours you�ve got the heart of a wildcat!�

�What was I supposed to do? Let her smoother me. They�d have loved that.�

Lenamora slid the tray across the shelf towards Shalis. Her smile was sympathetic. �Eat!� She said dipping her fingers into a bowl of goop.

�I suppose I�d attack you if I was untied.�

�You might.�

�I know...It�s the only way you figure you can get me to eat that slop.�

Lenamora laughed and stuffed her fingers into Shalis� mouth. �I like you better this way.� She said.

�Oh, God!� Shalis spat the white goop from her mouth. �That�s sickening. I hope you don�t expect me to eat it.�

�I�m not a bitch like Seviena, she�d force it down you.�

�She�s not very fond of me, is she?�

�I feel I should warn you thou. That�s all there is to eat.�

�A good way to keep us girls thin.�

Lenamora smiled, studying Shalis for a moment. �Your a right brassy little bitch.� There was a look of near admiration on Lenamora�s face. �How is it that haven�t been in trouble before. I mean where have you been hiding yourself all these years.� They looked at each other. Shalis remained silent. �You don�t handle it very well.�

�What?�

�Whatever it is you wont tell me.� Lenamora touched Shalis� breast gently. Neither one spoke; the hands caressed lovingly.

�What�s going to happen to me, Lena?�

�You�re probably going to be fighting men now.� Lenamora said. She laughed. �If I were you, I�d try to become friendly with them. Because if you don�t. Well, they can get pretty rough.�

The hands were moving lower.

�Kiss me.� Lenamora said, and their lips touched in a sweet union.

�Don�t. Not here!� Shalis begged.

Lenamora dropped to her knees. �Why not. Finding us together wont shock anyone. Its part of my pay!�

�No, please!�

�Oh, yes!� She hugged Shalis� legs and kissed her lap. �And I want to make you feel good. I want you to feel so good it hurts.� She kissed Shalis again with no protest given.


6

Someone was pounding on the door.

Shalis got up, and opened the little peep window to her room, and saw Baraan smiling at her. �Well bitch, I guess you�re going to get what�s yours, now.�

�I thought you were fired!�

He looked sharply at her. �I was!� He snarled, �But shay likes me; and he thinks I got a raw deal, so he hired me as a wrestler. Fact is he�s gonna let me have a go at you to even up the score for what you did to me and to Savic.�

�You attacked me!�

�He already said I could bruise the merchandise as much as I want as long as I don�t let you die. He wants to get several good beatings from you before he strings you out.�

�No!� She said sarcastically.

�Oh yes, cutie! Almost a shame to waste that pretty face, but believe me this is one time I�ll enjoy it.�

She slammed the window closed. Baraan laughed and turned away. She could hear him outside the door as his footsteps became fainter.

�I�ll bet you will,� she said sitting back down on the musty cot.


7

Lenamora unlocked the door and entered the small room carrying Shalis� food.

�No, no, no, no, no!� She scolded as Shalis reached for it. �If you insist on being like that I shall be forced to have your hands tied behind your back.�

�Oh, Jesus Lena. Not this again.�

�Be quiet and don�t be a spoil sport.�

�I�d just like to feed myself for once.�

�And take away my fun.� Lenamora stuffed a handful of the gray goop into Shalis� mouth and she sucked the fingers clean, then leaned back against the wall. �Better be careful, you�ll start liking this stuff.�

�I doubt that!� She laughed, then thought about it a moment. �It does taste a little different.�

�Better?�

�Yeah. What�d you do?�

�I added some spices.�

There was a short silence as Shalis showed her appreciation by taking another mouthful and carefully licking Lenamora�s hand clean.

�Seriously Shalis.� Lenamora waited for Shalis to look up. �Be careful tonight. I heard Shay telling Baraan he was free to be as rough as he wanted with you as long as he didn�t do serious damage to your face. He knows a pretty face goes a long way with a crowd. But it is an escape grudge match, and I don�t think Baraan likes you.�

�Baraan paid me a little visit of his own.�

Lenamora scooped up another handful of goop. �What did he want?�

�Maybe it was just a scare tactic, but he seemed to think my face should be a prime target.�

�I doubt Shay would be upset enough to fire him.� Lenamora said. �You�ve still got the man-killer brand on you; and it will be a long time before people can forget that. Especially with your red hair.�

�Great!� Shalis turned away.

�I don�t know how much you value that face, but if you love it as much as I do you�ll keep it covered with your arms and take the beating to your body.� Lenamora wiped her hands clean on a rag, and ran one through Shalis� hair. The other hand touched Shalis� stomach and traced up to cup below her breast. Lenamora climbed up on the cot behind Shalis letting her hands snake around to flick at the fur between Shalis� legs.

Shalis leaned slightly forward with a shaky sigh, and slid her hand down over Lenamora�s thigh. �You�ll have great fun massaging me after that, wont you?�

�I will.� Lenamora laughed, forcing her fingers sharply between Shalis� legs.


Chapter Six

 

1

�Do you like it?�

Shalis studied Lenamora�s paint job. It was mostly abstract brown and dirty greens, with a few brighter spots of color that looked something like butterflies. The face was pretty, but colorless, and sad.

�It makes me look pathetic.� Shalis said, tilting her head and raising her chin.

�That�s the idea: raise some sympathy in the audience. If you could get them cheering for you to win, it wouldn�t be long before you�d be fighting women again.�

�Thanks, but by that time I don�t think it will matter much.�

Lenamora heard the serious sarcasm and laughed nervously. �So he�ll beat you to a pulp either way.� She shrugged, and increased the tension of the dumis rack against Shalis ropes.

�Thanks for the moral booster!�

�You don�t need a moral booster, you need a miracle.�

�Please, I could do without the optimism.�

�Well, it�s show time, anyway.� She leaned forward, one hand tangling itself in Shalis hair. Then, Lenamora kissed Shalis hard on the lips, and stepped back.

�What was that for?�

�In case you�re not as pretty when you come back.� Lenamora said with a small, but halfhearted laugh that betrayed her seriousness.

�Would you do it again, please?�

Lenamora leaned forward and kissed Shalis gently this time. �Good luck, kid.� She said, hitting the button that started the Dumis rack moving up into the air. She watched as the rack rose up into the darkness overhead, then quietly said. �You�re gonna need it.�


2

�I think she is more than outclassed in this match.�

�I can not argue with that.� Serria said with a smile.

Shalis, suspended from a Dumis rack, was being lowered into the spotlight, at the center of the ring. When she touched the ground with her toes the rack stopped. �Gentlemen! Shalis...the killer outlaw.� Seviena gestured towards her with typically playful hips as the crowd roared.

Baraan was walking up to the ring, and Seviena moved over to hold the ropes up for him to slide under the bottom. Numerous strips of clear plastic stretched between the ropes forming a barrier to human sized objects but allowing fighters to grab the ropes with out much hindrance. �And her opponent,� The crowd roared. �In an escape grudge match... with no rules: Baraan ...the punisher.� The crowd exploded as he stepped to the center and raised his massive arms over his head. He slapped Shalis stomach open palm, with a loud smack. The announcer stepped in quickly and pushed him back.

�There will be no time limit.� The announcer continued �The end of the match will occur when Shalis either forces her opponent to submit,� Baraan threw his hands above his head and gave a war hoop; the crowd hooted back. �Or escapes from this ring which has been specially prepared with plastic strips to impede her escape.� He moved to the ropes and pulled on the plastic to show the crowd.

�Or in case she should fail to do that...� A raucous of laughter went up from the crowd. �Baraan may allow her to concede the match at any time,� He shook his head vigorously, and roared. �Or it may be cancelled by the physician who will be monitoring this match.�

Seviena walked over to Shalis raising a large knife above her head; and cut the ropes from Shalis wrist. She walked around the ring holding the ropes up to the crowd�s cheers. Then tossed them into the crowd. They landed in Tereesan�s lab, and he quickly pocketed them.

�Good work,� Serria said, opening her eyes.

�Your work?�

She nodded, �I�d like to think I helped a little.�

�Let the contest begin!� The announcer shouted.

Baraan walked out towards Shalis.

She stepped back, took a look around the ring. Baraan was cutting off the ring. She turned and ran to the corner post and tried to jump over the containing ropes.

Several in the audience jumped from their seats and caught Shalis in the middle of her jump, shoving her back into the ring so that she fell half over the rope. Baraan lurched after her, grabbing her by her left leg and pulled her back into the ring.

She held on desperately to the top rope, still trying to climb out of the ring. He stretched her out horizontally, above the floor then gave a sharp pull. As Shalis lost her grip Baraan let go, and she fell to her stomach. She curled up, and waited to see what he would do. Grabbing her arm he hauled her to her feet. She backed into the corner behind her, while he moved to cut off the ring; and quickly closed in. Desperately she ran with her head into his stomach, trying to kick him in the crotch.

�A real swift move.� Serria said.

�Even if she were the same size as him, she wouldn�t be a match. She knows nothing about fighting, that�s obvious.�

�She�s fended for herself in the past!� Serria said. Baraan had grabbed Shalis by the wrist and was twisting her arm savagely behind her back; wrenching at the shoulder socket as if he wished to pull her arm off. Tears were streaming from Shalis eyes. She stomped at the floor.

�Such a brave lass, not to cry out.� Serria scoffed.

But Shalis did cried out, as Baraan used the leverage of her arm to force her to run into the ropes. When she rebounded he clipped her across the neck with his arm while lodging his knee in her gut.

She collapsed and he grabbed a handful of her hair. Lifting her to her feet he clubbed her neck with his arm. She began to fall back but he caught her up, pressed her above his head and slammed her bouncing onto her back. As she tried to sit up he jumped on her stomach with his feet, slamming her back to the canvas. He bounced then dropped to his back driving his elbows�one into her leg just above her knee, the other into the side of her neck and collarbone.

She rolled over when he got up, trying to curl into a ball on all fours, but she couldn�t get the arm Baraan had twisted to cooperate; and he kicked her other arm out from under her. She fell on her face and he stomped on the back of her leg. With an elbow smash he attacked the small of her back. She sprawled on the mat. He grabbed her ankle, twisted it back against her thigh then repeatedly struck her other leg around the back or her knee and thigh.

Baraan stood up, still holding to the leg. He pulled her leg up until her hips left the ground then lay on the leg forcing it back in a wide arch, her toes pointed at her shoulders. Her double-jointed back curved at an alarming angle as her foot touched her shoulder. She kicked out with her free foot and caught Baraan in the crotch with a glancing blow that merely angered him. He yanked her leg sideways, twisting it at the knee. Shalis started to roll over then Baraan quickly reversed his twist so that the force of her roll increased the strain to her knee.

Pulling her up by the hair, he rammed her head into the corner post buckle. She fell to one knee. He caught her up again, and kneed her in the back. Then he caught her up in his arms, fell to one knee, and let her drop onto her back over his other knee.

�I think she�s going to lose consciousness.� Tereesan said. �He�s paced it well, but she�s taken to much abuse.�

Baraan was lifting her, face up, above his head, and he threw her to the center of the ring. She landed on her knees, her face slammed into the canvas by the force of her momentum. She crumpled, still moving; but obviously unaware of where she was, and probably of what was happening to her.

Serria mused over the idea and shook her head, �No! She�ll wish she could, but I don�t think she will.�

�You�re not going to...�

�Yes, I am.� Serria said. �Now be quiet. I have to concentrate.�

Baraan began walking in a circle around Shalis, watching as she floundered on the floor. Never letting her get to far from him. He turned to the crowd, and raised his arms, and they cheered for him. Smiling, he flexed his muscles and shouted. Then he turned back to Shalis and began circling again.

She was hugging herself into a ball.

�Get up, bitch!� He screamed at her loud enough for the crowd to hear; and they roared with pleasure. Shalis however did not move. He rolled her over into a sitting position and caught her by the hair before she could fall over. �Get up!� He shouted, pulling her up a foot then pushing her down, full weight onto her tailbone. She yelled out, and shuttered. �Get up!� He repeated the hair pull and drop; and she repeated her yell and shutter, groping at his arms as he did it again.

He let her go, and she rolled back to the floor, crawling to the ropes. She pulled herself up using the ropes to keep her full weight off her knee. Baraan waited at an arms length for nearly a full minute, watching as she tested her leg, then slowly began to limp.

Someone in the crowd began to boo, and others took it up, but Shalis head had cleared a little, and she was moving around better before Baraan moved in on her. Limping back away from him she finally ran into the ropes. Suddenly he slammed his palms into her chest. She fell back against the ropes and was thrown back out into his ramming palms. Again she fell back on the ropes. This time Baraan moved to the side and hooked his arm around her neck, pulling her backwards into a headlock. With his fingernails he dug at her eyes, and clawed at her face.

Then Squatting down and twisting her weight, he bent her over his back and grabbed a leg. When he stood she was draped around his back. He flexed his arms pulling her painfully forward. The crowd roared and he ran with her on his back towards the corner post, turning at the last moment so that she took the full force of the blow. Without releasing her, he walked to the center of the ring, flexed his arms again, and dropped onto his back. She bounced several inches of the floor, landing again with him on top of her; his arm still around her neck. She was gasping for breath. He rocked sideways, pulling her breast off the floor with his momentum.

Letting her head flopped back to the canvas, he straddled her and pulled her arm straight back over her shoulder. She tried to keep them from him, but she was to weak. He placed his palm on her shoulder and twisted her arm. It went suddenly loose in its socket. He jumped off her, and grabbing a handful of hair, pulling her full weight up by it. Her body hung lifeless, in front of him; her shoulder was lumpy and looked deformed. He turned to the crowd: they were cheering; and he smashed his open palm into her face.

The doctor was moving towards the ring, shouting for Baraan to let him check the girl out. But Baraan took her by the neck and thigh and tossed her from the ring. She landed on the concrete floor with a thump. A crowd formed around her and the doctor was trying to push his way through.

�Well,� Serria said, opening her eyes and smiling. �Part two was a success.� She held up a small blue gem for Tereesan to see, then slipped it into the folds of her black breast wrap.

�Your sure it worked?�

�Like clock work.� Serria nodded to the commotion by the ring. �It wasn�t hard to coax her out when there was that much pain.�

�I suppose not.� He stood. �But did we have to do it that way.�

�That�s what I like about you, you�re so sensitive. She�ll remember this though. Maybe she�ll have learned something.� They followed the crowd towards the isle. �Let us go collect her. We must hurry, her bodies badly hurt.�


3

�I can�t see why you�d quibble over a dead body, when I�m willing to pay the death expenses.� Tereesan said to Shay. �I have the rope, and I�m further offering you a small fee.�

�Don�t give me that rope crap.� Shay snapped. �She�s got to be alive for the rope to count for anything. If it�s her dead body you�d like to abuse, you have to pay for that.�

�I find no pleasure where there is no emotion.�

Shay snarled. �Spare me. She�d deserve the worst you could give her.� He turned away to think.

�A body is simply useful in my art.�

�Your art?�

Tereesan smiled wryly. �Must we exercise our wits?�

�I�m not fond of your art.�

�Be that as it may,� Tereesan continued. �She will do me more good than you. I will pay the death expenses, as I�ve said.�

Shay looked up and clenched his teeth then turned away again. �You mentioned a small fee. Is that in addition to the death expenses?�

�Say 500 taotes.�

�Isn�t she worth any more than that to you?�

�Is she worth that much to you?�

�Probably not...I had thought of stuffing her.�

�Not a very appealing prize anymore is she.�

�Alright, I�ll sell her to you.� Shay scowled.

�Good, then if you�ll sign here,� Serria held forth a pen and a slip of paper, smiling. �We can make it official.�

 

 

4

Serria unzipped the body bag.

�She took quite a beating I�d say.� Tereesan took a tube of salve, and began rubbing it over Shalis bruised flesh.

�Yes.� Serria pulled the blue stone from the folds around her breast, and massaged it against Shalis temple. �We must hurry, the body is fading fast.� Tereesan worked the salve as she worked her magic: stroking Shalis temples as she fell into a deep meditation. She moaned; pinched Shalis nose and breathed deep into the girl�s mouth. �Begin.� Serria said in her husky, sleepy trance voice. Tereesan wiped the salve from his hands onto Shalis chest, quickly massaging it up to her shoulder. He took two metal plates with plastic handles and placed them on her chest and flipped a small switch on one. Shalis body jumped in a short spasm, then relaxed.

�She�s back in.� Serria said shortly. �Bring me the heal stone.�


5

Shalis woke with the sun in her eyes.

Hands were tracing over her heavy thighs with a gentle caressing that tingled. �Finally decided to wake up?� It was Lenamora�s voice. Shalis lifted her hand to her head, noticing a stiff tenderness in her shoulder and neck. Her whole body ached.

�What happened?� She tried to clear her head, and remember.

�You forgot to cover up.� Lenamora said, pressing her hand against Shalis tender cheek. Shalis caught her wrist and pulled her down until her head blocked the sun and she could see her friends face: she looked very tired.

�How long have I been out?�

�About five days, I think.�

Shalis looked up to see if Lenamora was teasing, but she was serious. �No wonder my head feels like a rock.�

�Actually you died for a while, Tereesan brought you back.�

Shalis laughed, and let go of Lenamora�s wrist. �Would you get rid of that damn sun, it�s giving me a headache.�

�Sure, kid.� She got up and closed the curtain, then came back and sat down beside Shalis again.

Footsteps came from the hallway, and Tereesan appeared in the doorway carrying something. �So, she�s finally awake.�

Lenamora turned around. �Just opened her pretty blues.�

�Good, maybe you should get some rest now, Lena. I�ll watch her for a spell.� Shalis could smell soup.

�I�ll be fine.� Shalis said seeing Lenamora�s hesitation.

She took Shalis hand in hers and squeezed gently. �I think that�s a good idea.� She said at last, standing and walking from the room.

Shalis watched her leave; then tried to sit up. Her head began to spin. Tereesan was at her side quickly pushing her back down to the bed. �Easy now.� He said stroking her hair. �Take it slow. You�ll be up and around before long, but your not ready for it yet.� He picked the soup bowl up from the nightstand he had set it on. �Would you like something to eat?�

She put her hand to her head. It felt terribly hot, and her fingers felt cold. �Yes. How long has Lena been here? She doesn�t look like she�s sleep in days.�

Taking her head he raised it a little and put the bowl to her lips. She took a few sips as he talked. �We called her shortly after we brought you here.� He waited for a reaction from her, but when he saw none. �She�s barely left this room since, and that�s been nearly four days.�

�Why?� Shalis said laying back.

�It�s obvious! She�s in love with you, my dear.�

�Why?� She asked again.

�Good question!� He smiled good-naturedly. �Unfortunately I haven�t got a clue... Well, that�s not true really. I suppose it�s probably for the same reason we all love you. Now, lay back and close your eyes. I�m going to open up the curtains again, if you don�t mind.�

Her eyes were feeling heavy and she closed them, letting her head sink down into the pillow. �Why do you want the sun on me?� She asked weakly. �It gives me a headache.

�It�ll pass,� he sighed. �For now close your eyes and sleep. There�ll be time enough for explanations later.�


6

Shalis woke with a full bladder.

Lenamora was sitting asleep in a chair beside her bed.

Slowly Shalis sat up. Her head spun for just a moment but it went away when she took a deep breath. After waiting for a few moments she stood, steadying herself with her arms. Her stomach felt slightly queasy, and her legs and torso were so weak and tender that it was hard to walk; but she did.

She reached the door before Lenamora woke and jumped from her chair cursing. �Where the hell do you think your going?� She took Shalis arm.

�I�ve got to pee, or I�m gonna bust.�

�It wouldn�t be the first time!� She laughed, at Shalis embarrassment. �Why didn�t you wake me?�

�I�m a stubborn independent.�

�Not anymore, sweet cheeks.�

Suddenly Shalis laughed. �Why aren�t you at Shay�s place?�

�I quit!� Lenamora said, then: �What brought that up.�

�Sweet cheeks. It sounds like something he�d say.�

�Remind me not to use it anymore, then, will yeah.�

�It�ll be my pleasure.�


7

That day Shalis ate lunch with the others at the table. It was the first time she had seen Serria since the fight. She came to the table after the others were seated and took Shalis hand in hers. �I hope you�re feeling better. You gave us quite a scare for a moment there.� Shalis smiled but could think of nothing to say. �Help yourselves.� Serria said, seating herself.

Shalis was famished, and ate with vigor; which pleased the others. From the opposite side of the table Lenamora keep watching her, and exchanging occasional glances with Serria.

�Tell me all about it.� Shalis said. �I want to know everything that has happened.�

�It�s not a very pretty dinner story.� Lenamora said.

�It�s alright Lenna!� Serria said. �You can tell her.�

Lenamora glanced at Tereesan and he shrugged, so she turned back to Shalis. �Baraan beat you pretty badly.�

�I think I remember most of that!�

�The ring doctor tried to stop the fight...but he was a little late...he said you were dead.�

�Which was technically correct.� Tereesan added.

�So they purchased your...dead body...and brought you here, where they brought you back to life somehow.�

Shalis turned towards Tereesan and raised her eyebrows.

�Come now, my dear, you can�t expect us to give away our secrets.� Serria said with a grin. �And that process is one of the most secret of all our arts.�

�And the most physically taxing.� Tereesan added.

�Suffice it to say, that the process takes much foresight. But in the end, it has all worked out as planned.� She shrugged. �All is well that ends well; isn�t it?�

�As planned!� Shalis said.

�Oh, indeed.� Serria said. �We�ve guided your adventures from the start.� She pulled the Shalis choker from her pocket, and handed it to Lenamora, who didn�t seem to recognize it.

�Are you sure she�s strong enough for this.� Tereesan whispered leaning over and taking Serria�s hand.

�We�ll find out if she�s not!� She snapped, pulling away, and looking intently at Shalis who seemed to be in a mild shock.

�From what start?�

�From your first female morning.� Serria laughed.

Shalis glanced at Tereesan; he lowered his eyes. She looked at Lenamora, who gulped hard; and shot a glance at Serria. �Don�t get upset with her, she wasn�t in on it.� Serria said. �We hired her after the fight to come work for us, and she agreed.�

�I�d like to know. What the hell you two are talking about.� Lenamora said.

Serria smiled. �Of course!�

Tereesan cleared his throat. �Using a variation of the same process that allowed us to bring Shalis back from the dead, we transferred Shalis� life-force into a female body. He shrewdly accepted the change with an uncanny ease, and choose to call himself Shalis.�

�You mean...� Lenamora began.

�Why don�t you ask her yourself?�

�Yes!� Shalis said. �The very same. I remember that you invited me to your house...�

�Getting you to come was the most difficult part of the whole plan.�

�But how did you get me back to my house.�

�A relatively simple, but taxing teleportation.�

�Why? Why did you do it?�

�Don�t be so dramatic.� Serria laughed. �Your not the first, and I�m sure you wont be the last.�

Lenamora couldn�t believe it. �You mean you�ve done this before. How many times?�

�Only a few.�

�But it�s always been totally successful.� Tereesan said. �I myself was once female.�

�You!� Lenamora said.

�That explains your proposals then, doesn�t it?�

�Yes. My real name is Dashni. I am apprentice to Serria in the arts of necromancy, and a master in the arts of healing.�

�But I�ve known of Tereesan for years!� Shalis objected.

�I�ve only replaced him recently.�

�It was a tremendous sacrifice.� Serria said gently, taking his hand. �She was an exceptionally beautiful girl. With long curly red hair, and lovely blue eyes.�

�Me!�

�Yes. You have adopted her body.�

�Why?� Lenamora ask.

�Surely you can understand the advantage of having control of such a powerful man as he was. He has a substantial influence on the law board.�

�Besides,� Serria laughed, �he used his power most unpleasantly.�

�Yes, I guess I did.�

�But someone else will take his place!�

�Exactly my dear.� Serria said. �But not as you seem to think. We still have the body. Once a suitable substitute has been found we will transfer her to the body. The process will start over again.�

�All of your transplants wont respond as well as Tereesan, and I have. What happens when they seem to go crazy: telling everyone who they are; or what if they can�t cope with it and commit suicide.�

�Most unpleasant scenarios.� Serria said. �But if they commit suicide then they are not a problem.�

�And who would believe them if they were to tell.� Tereesan added.

�But we know.� Shalis said.

�You value your lives, and freedom to much to tell.� Serria said. �I am sure of that. And if you do tell, and point to us: with our reputation, and yours; such an accusation would not go far. At worst we would have to work more carefully and perhaps delay our next transfer for a short while.�

�As for those who might, as you say, commit suicide: we monitor all transfers for the first several hours,� Tereesan said. �Just as we did with you. I would dare to say we can determine how they will react within the first hour with a high degree of accuracy.�

�You for example, Shalis. I knew you would handle the change with relative ease. Within the first fifteen minutes you had accepted the change and decide how to deal with it. You were too taken with yourself for us to be very concerned.�

�We spent a long time studying your mental profile before we chose you. We will continue to study our cases and few of our predictions should be wrong. Few will try to commit suicide.�

�But some will!� Lenamora said.

�You have to expect some loses in any war! But by monitoring them, we should be able to reclaim most. Just as we did Shalis at the fight.�

�But why did you wait for the fight?� Lenamora ask. �Why not buy Shalis from the jail.�

�Three reasons. First, we don�t have the means to vie for buying criminals and second, we thought that Shalis could be useful to us if she learned to sympathize with women.�

�Oh, I appreciate the lessons!� Shalis quipped.

�And third, so Damian would have a valid excuse for supporting our newly proposed reform on the disposition of females convicted of crimes. And since Tereesan was responsible for saving Shalis� girl, the two of them would of course have cause to slowly develop a well publicized and public friendship.�

�All very cleverly planed,� Shalis agreed.

�Won�t people become suspicious when they see dead people walking around again. Especially when they�ve change radically.�

�Nearly dying is a traumatic experience.� Tereesan said. �And no one pays much attention to the viewpoints of women. As in the past, privacy will be the key to switching males into female bodies.�

�And raising the dead will enhance Tereesan�s reputation as a healer! It�s hardly a crime. I suspect the worst will be that bodies will be more expensive to requisition from now on.�

�Business has not been very good lately, anyway.�

Shalis laughed. �Bringing me back to life will give you more business. I don�t think it will gain you any respect.�

�I can live without respect.� He answered lightly. �I have been for years.�

�Very well.� Shalis said. �There are two questions I still would like to know the answer to.�

�Ask them.� Serria said.

�What part does Lena play; and why did you tell me this.�

�Partly because I didn�t think you would try to buck the system now.� Serria said. �But really, it wasn�t really for you at all. It was for Lenna. We�d like her to take over your old body.�


8

Shalis looked at her male body. Wrapped in a cloth that sparkled with little blue chips, it was well preserved. Except for the skin being slightly blue, it might have been someone sleeping instead of a lifeless shell. It was very strange to look down at his body. It wasn�t a bad body. It was tall, and muscular, and even handsome in a too familiar way.

�You weren�t a bad looking man.� Lenamora said, touching the face with her hand, realizing that it had once been Shalis. She looked back at Serria. �What about my body? Will I have a say in who gets it?�

�We�ll try to consult you. However, for the good of the cause, we reserve the right to make the final decision.�

Lenamora nodded. �And what about Shalis.�

Tereesan looked surprised. �She will go back with you, of course.�

Lenamora turned to Shalis. �Could you accept that?�

�It depends on our arrangement, I suppose.�

�I will need your expertise in business areas.�

�And I will need substantial freedom.�

They both smiled, and Shalis nodded.

�Very well then,� Lenamora said. �I�ll do it.�


Chapter Seven

 1

�Where have you been?� Shay said when he saw Damian burst into his office. �You�ve caused me a lot of grief.�

�On a little vacation.�

�So, what do you want?� Damian never came into the stage area, let alone into Shay�s office unless he had important business. �I�ve got a rehearsal in five minutes.�

�I�d like an explanation.�

Shay looked surprised. �Your girl?� Damian nodded. �What kind of an explanation do you want? She�s a killer.�

Damian slapped his hand down on the table, and Shay looked up startled. �Okay,� he said, controlling himself. �I�ll let what has happened pass; but she may be coming through this way now and then, and I don�t want anyone giving her trouble.�

Shay�s jaw sagged. �Yeah, sure.�

�The first person that so much as talks back to her is out the door; and on their ass.�

�What ever you say.�

�When you see her you see me. She gets complete access to anything I do; and her decisions are as valid as mine. I�m taking her on a little tour of the place now, let the rest of the crew know that she�s around.�

�You�ve got her here, now?�

�Sure, she�s waiting for me out in the hall.�

Shay stood up. �This I�ve got to see.� The wheels in his greedy little mind were turning. He followed Damian through the door into the foyer.

Shalis was there. Her arm rested in a sling, and she limped, but her color was reasonably good, and she was definitely alive. She smiled smugly. �Hello Shay! So nice to see you again. I hope we hit it off better this time than the first time we meet.� She extended her hand for a handshake. �Oh, and by the way. I�ve decided not to do anymore ring work. It�s hell on my complexion you know.�

Damian laughed.

Shay couldn�t speak. He took Shalis� hand, and forced his mouth closed.

�Don�t be so dramatic.� She said. �It was serious, but not fatal.�

�How?�

�Tereesan does wonders in the arts of healing.� Damian said. �I had never realized how truly talented he was.�

�But she was dead!�

�Tereesan thought so too at first. But he managed to bring her around. She�s recovered quite well, don�t you think?�

�Yes, remarkable.�

�We�d best be going now, but don�t forget what I said about passing the word along.�

�No, of course not.�

The two walked hand in hand out the back door. When they were on the street Shalis said: �That was an awful thing to do. I loved it!�

�It was rather fun, wasn�t it.� Damian said. He smiled and Shalis saw a trace of the old Lenamora. �Its nice to control him after all these years.�

�I can�t wait to meet Seviena around the place sometime.�

�Should be a classic, love.�

Shalis smiled and snuggled. �I�m not sure I like what they�ve done, but if it had to happen, I couldn�t have chosen a better replacement.�

�Thanks, I guess.� He laughed.

�When I woke up...that first morning...I was shocked when I saw my face in the mirror. I couldn�t believe the beauty I saw in that piece of glass. I�d never seen anything lovelier.� She blushed, and smiled shamefaced. �It sounds conceited, but it wasn�t, because it wasn�t me.�

�I know.�

�Even thou I didn�t believe it was real, I always thought I�d wake up and it would end, but...I fell in love with her that morning.�

�I guess were both in love with the same girl then!

Shalis looked into Damian�s eyes; down into the depths of his soul, which was still Lenamora.

�Not anymore.� She said.


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