ring truth in her subject's cries of horrified denial.
"This one, however, seems not to be party to such, ah, rarefied
pleasures. Yet." She moved to his front, stroking the underside of
his penis and smiling at his uncertain response. "Or to more usual
ones, it seems. Is it possible you are a virgin, Brother? I do find
that hard to believe."

"Yes . . ." the subject gasped.

"Intriguing . . . I will have to inform my colleagues. But you will
cooperate in anything Captain Odeon wants of you?"

"No, please!"

"Don't bother begging; I am not inclined to show a Brother any more
mercy than they showed me. The primary difference is that I finish the
job."

The youth stared at her, then shook his head. "No, you can't be--the
Bitch is dead!"

Cortin started to hit him for his insolence, then paused. "Perhaps she
is," she said thoughtfully. "But if they killed the Bitch, they gave
birth to Azrael." She turned to Odeon. "I gather the Brothers don't
believe the news stories of my survival. That is unfortunate; for the
maximum psychological impact, they should." She turned back to the
subject, frowning as she studied him, her fists on her hips. "Is that
it, Brother?"

The young man shook his head, then nodded. "Sort of . . . the
Raidmaster says you're alive, and a few may believe him, but the others
in the raiding party say you can't be--an' since no one wants you to
be, well . . ."

"I see." Cortin's frown deepened as she thought. "I had not intended
to permit any Brother who came to me to live--but I begin to think I
should make an exception, use you as a messenger and advertisement."

"You can't just let him go!" Odeon exclaimed.

"No, of course not--that would give the wrong impression." Cortin
scowled as her subject licked dry lips. "He is a Brother, by
definition deserving of a painful death and eternal damnation.
Conventional punishment, however--especially mine--would leave him in
no shape for anything except intensive care or a disabled ward. If you
have any suggestions, I would appreciate them."

"Um." Odeon thought for several minutes, then said slowly, "I don't
know if it's possible, but what you said about sexual vulnerability
gives me an idea. He's a virgin, and he had a strong negative reaction
when you mentioned homosex, both of which his superiors must know about
him. He's also beautiful--so how about turning him into a catamite for
them?"

Cortin turned to him in surprise.