She hadn't expected anything that
creative; it certainly wouldn't have occurred to her. "It should be
possible, given the appropriate drugs and experiences--I like it."

"What's a catamite?" the subject asked apprehensively.

"A young male prostitute, especially one for older men."

The subject looked sick. "No, please--it's not right!"

"It isn't as if homosexuality were still banned," Cortin said
reprovingly. Thanks to St. Eleanor and the Compassionate Mother,
sexual orientation had been recognized as something one was born with,
like blue eyes or black skin, and no more blameworthy; the Church even
recognized stable pairings as equivalent to common-law marriage, though
it still didn't grant them the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

"Even if I were that, I'm no whore! I won't--you can't make me!"

"Wrong on both counts," Cortin said pleasantly. "We can, and on the
physical level, you will find it most enjoyable. How you feel about it
emotionally may be less pleasant, and I hope it is. It goes against my
grain to release a Brother, and you may assure the rest that you will
be the only one--but if I must let you live, even for my own purposes,
simple justice demands that you suffer." She turned to Odeon. "I can
handle the drugs and overall direction, but I obviously cannot
participate in the operation itself. We'll need more than you to
partner him, too, if we want him properly promiscuous; if you'll check
with the rest of the team, I'll check with my fellow Inquisitors." She
grinned. "I'm sure several of them will find this project interesting
enough to want to participate as their own projects permit." She
looked around, then chuckled. "These aren't appropriate surroundings,
though; I'll have to arrange for some redecoration." She turned to the
subject. "Under the circumstances, anonymity isn't appropriate either;
what's your name?"

"Charles Powell," he said sullenly.

"Very well, Charles." She went to the instrument table and loaded a
hypodermic, then returned to him. "This is eroticine, a potent
aphrodisiac. Under its influence, you will have no interest in
anything except sex, of whatever type your partner wants. And I assure
you, you will find it most pleasant."

Powell shivered as she made the injection, but said nothing.

"It will take effect in about five minutes." Cortin turned to Odeon.
"I'm going to make arrangements for the redecoration, and ask whoever's
around if they'd be