Wulfgar looked at the hourglass. More than half of the contents of the top globe had already spilled down.

"What happened this morning?" he asked.

"Janus came to us early. I now know that it was to select one of the women for you," she said ashamedly. "But none of us knew that then. We thought that he was simply taking more of us away. When he chose me, I was terrified. He had me taken to other quarters, rather like these. This gown was laid out on the bed, and there was a room for bathing." Then her face lowered.

"He watched the entire time as I bathed myself and changed into this dress," she whispered. "All the while he was smiling, and clinking those strange spheres of his in one hand. It sent shivers down my spine. Then he and his slavers brought me here. Along the way I saw many dark hallways, lit by torches, and a very large, open courtyard. But most of the time was spent navigating stairways. The walk was very long, and hundreds of demonslavers filed by us in the halls. I also saw a few of the men in the dark blue robes. I can tell you that this place, this Citadel as they call it, is very well guarded."

Wulfgar's heart fell. If there was any way to escape, he still hadn't found it.

"There was something else about my walk here," she added softly, taking him away from his thoughts. "Something horrible."

"What?" he asked anxiously.

Serena closed her eyes. "The screaming," she whispered.

"Please go on," he said. He could tell she was upset, and a part of him hated having to press her further.

"One of the halls we went down was lined with huge marble doors," she said, shaking her head. "From the other side came horrible, insane screaming, from men and women alike. It went on and on, until we finally rounded the corner and it faded away. It didn't seem to bother Janus at all." She paused to wipe away a tear. "I can't begin to imagine what was going on behind those doors."

Silence passed for a time. When Serena felt like talking again, they spoke of Farpoint and told each other more about their families. They ate a bit more, and sipped more tea.

When Wulfgar turned to look at the hourglass, he saw that very little time remained. He looked into Serena's eyes. "Do you trust me?" he asked urgently.

For a moment she hesitated, then seemed to decide. "Yes," she finally said.

"Good," he answered back. "You were brought here to please me. And Janus said that if you did not, he would punish you. I can't allow that to happen."

"Come with me!" he ordered. Then he stood and led her back into the bedroom, where he pushed her gently onto the bed.

Going back to the balcony, he retrieved the hourglass and replaced it on the table in the bedroom where Janus had left it. Then he pushed the food cart back into the room. Hurrying back to the bed, he sat down next to her and looked into her eyes.

"If you want to survive this day, you must do as I tell you," he ordered. "Stand up!"

Wulfgar quickly pulled the bedspread and silk sheets apart and purposely tangled them. Then he mussed up the pillows. "Turn around!" he ordered.

To her surprise, he quickly began unlacing the back of her gown. After it was partially undone, he whirled her around to face him. Then he grasped the bodice of her gown with both hands and tore it down the front, partially exposing her breasts. Ordering her to lift first one foot then the other, he removed both her slippers and tossed them aside. He ran his hands through her ringlets, making a mess of them. Then he did something even more unexpected.

Reaching down, he quickly captured her right hand tightly in his. Then, before she could protest, he placed her fingernails hard against his left cheek and scratched himself. Drops of blood began running from the three scrapes, and he purposely did not wipe them away.

Horrified, Serena looked up into his face. Tears came to her eyes once more. Taking her by the shoulders, Wulfgar shook her, trying to get her to focus on what must be done. He felt her suddenly go limp, as though she had almost given up.

"Listen to me!" he whispered. "Your life depends on it! The bolt on the other side of the door will slide open at any moment. When it does, I'm going to kiss you. Kiss me back like you mean it! Don't stop until I do, and then let me do all the talking! Be surprised by nothing I do or say! Do you understand?"

Slowly, the strength he had first seen in her eyes came back. She nodded.

Wulfgar took her into his arms and held her tightly. Untying the sash of his robe, he let it fall open, pressing his naked body against her. He tried as best he could to give her a smile of encouragement.

Turning to look at the hourglass, they both saw that the last few grains of sand were sliding into the lower globe. For several moments the room went silent, the only sounds the beating of their hearts and the waves crashing on the rocky shore below.

Right on time, the bolt on the other side of the double doors began to scratch its way across. Wulfgar turned to look into Serena's eyes a final time. They both held their breath.

Just as the doors opened a crack, he bent her deeply beneath him and put his mouth down on hers.

The double doors burst open, and Janus and his slavers walked arrogantly into the room. Ignoring them, Wulfgar kissed Serena hard, letting his hands explore her body as if he owned her. Understanding, Serena obeyed him and responded passionately, running her hands through Wulfgar's long, blond hair. Widening her stance, she moaned and pulled him harder against her. For a moment Wulfgar stopped kissing her, and bent her back even farther to slowly bury his face in the torn bodice of her dress.

"Well done!" Wulfgar heard the painted freak call out.

As if angry to have been interrupted, Wulfgar slowly, reluctantly stopped what he was doing. Breathing harder than he needed to, he turned his damaged cheek toward Janus, so the freak could get a good look. But he did not let go of Serena. Her body locked tightly against his, he felt a quick shudder of fear go through her.

Janus walked over to them and ran his index finger across Wulfgar's bloody cheek. "So she can scratch, as well," he mused. "But it looks as if you have tamed her-at least for the time being." He smiled. "Tell me," he asked conspiratorially. "Was she good?"

Wulfgar let Serena go. "Good enough for me to want more," he growled as he closed his robe. "As you can see, I had a bit of trouble getting her to disrobe the first time. I was about to take her all over again, but you returned before I could." He gave Janus a wicked, knowing smile. Then he looked back to Serena.

"It's just like breaking a horse," he said nastily. "After the first ride, they're usually far more willing." He smiled again. "It's always better when they help."

Smiling, Janus gave Wulfgar a nod. Then, suddenly, his eyes narrowed and he took a menacing step closer to Serena.

"But if you were going to take her once more, why did you let her dress herself again?" he asked.

Wulfgar thought his heart might stop. He hadn't considered this. Then he remembered something Serena had told him about her captor.

He smiled. "I like to watch. Don't you?" Then he shot Serena a nasty, disparaging look, as though she were the lowest whore in creation.

"Oh, yes," Janus said. "Indeed I do." Apparently satisfied, he motioned two of his slavers forward. "Take this trollop back where she came from," he ordered. They immediately grasped Serena by both arms and began roughly shoving her toward the door.

"Wait!" Wulfgar interjected. As he took a brazen step forward, one of the slavers drew his sword. What he was about to dare was risky, he knew. But he had to try.

"What is it?" Janus demanded.

Wulfgar let go another leering, brutish smile. "Bring her to me again in a day or two," he said adamantly. "I want more." Wryly rubbing the scratches on his face, he looked Serena up and down again.