onvulsed,
thrashing as wildly as his bonds would permit, but warrior reflexes let
Keith keep his grip while the man climaxed in a prolonged series of
spasms, his screams eloquent testimony to his agony. Keith felt a
sense of accomplishment at that, a deep pleasure that didn't end even
when the climax was over, the flesh in his hands softened slightly, and
the prisoner sagged, going limp but kept from fainting by the algetin.

Keith turned to his chosen lady. "Was that satisfactory, Thakur?"

"Most satisfactory," Cortin said with unconcealed admiration. "You've
just given me--all Inquisitors, once I get it published--what promises
to become an extremely useful standard technique, especially with
rapists. I'll see you're given full credit, of course." She smiled at
Keith. "You've also changed my plans for him. That degree of pain,
administered repeatedly, can be lethal--and I can't think of a more
fitting end for a rapist. We'll let him drip overnight, then give him
a fresh dose and see how many times he can take what he forced on
others. What do you think?"

Keith was flattered that she asked his opinion, but . . . "I don't
share your expertise, Thakur, so my opinion may not be valid. Still,
it sounds appropriate to me."

"So be it, then." Cortin smiled at him, approvingly. "Would you like
to help? You seemed to enjoy yourself as much as an Inquisitor would,
and Mike doesn't have that particular quirk; he helps because he loves
me, not because he likes the work."

Keith hesitated briefly before answering. "It surprises me, Thakur,
that I did enjoy it. But I would not displace Captain Odeon from
something that brings you two close."

Cortin looked at her second in command. "What do you think, Mike?"

"If he wants it, he's got it," Odeon replied promptly. Turning to the
Sandeman, he went on. "As she says, I don't have the mental quirk that
lets me like hurting people; I'd be glad to get out of the job."

"It seems I do," Keith said. "At least since she wants this one to
hurt, I took a great deal of pleasure in causing him as much pain as I
could."

"It's all yours, then," Odeon said promptly. "With my thanks, by the
way--which I'll demonstrate later, if you want."

"In the meantime," Cortin said, "I'm hungry. Let's go up to supper."

Return to main storyline: 31. Explanation

31a. Tattoo

To Keith's amusement, the artist did his work after using a topical
anesthetic, saying it