There she was, a devout worshipper on her knees.  And in some ways, she was.  Tess was prepared to use her body to worship at the altar of Kell.  Already she felt the pull of his power; she was powerless to stop it.  Why would she want to stop this though?  Because of Carlton?  Because of some misguided allegiance to a badge?  What were they to her?  What had they ever done for her?  As those soft demanding lips trailed along the back of her neck, enlightenment descended.  They had done nothing for her so she would do nothing for them.  Pretty Tess, so weak-willed in the face of such a persuasive man.<br/><br/>Slender arms rose into the air so that the dress could be pulled from her womanly body.  Those same arms just barely managed to catch her before she fell to the floor.  There she was, a bright new toy for the prince to enjoy, posed so prettily on her hands and knees.<br/><br/>His fingers explored everywhere - her hair, the path of her spine, her rear end, then that holiest of grails between her thighs.  Tingles and explosions of lightning started at her scalp then traveled down her back in the wake of his touch to coil at the base of her spine.<br/><br/>He promised to take care of her.  He assured her she would be alright.  All she had to do was listen.  All she wanted to do was listen.  Soft lips parted to tell him this but his fingers were already curled into her.  It was not words those fingers coaxed from her; they encouraged her thoughts to be expressed as nothing but pleading whimpers and gasping moans.<br/><br/>What was it he had asked her?  Did she want to be washed over with faith and taste the freedom of heaven?  If this was the way to salvation then Kell had set her on the path and was urging her ever forward.<br/><br/>The great heavy wooden door swung open, the quiet rapping of gentle knuckles apparently unnoticed.  In swirled sweet Charlotte, clad as always in her innocent white dress.  One hand rested lightly on the non-existent swell of her stomach as she stepped through the doorway and towards the desk.<br/><br/>“Kell,” she called, “I haven’t seen yo--.” Her throat seemed to close, strangling the words as she took in the scene before her.  Her friend, on her knees, naked.  The father of her child, nevermind that he did not belong solely to the doll-like blonde, touching in such a familiar way.  It was one thing to share him during the ritual.  She was not Charlotte then.  She was the oracle and was above such things as jealousy and possessiveness.  It was another thing entirely to see him with Tess on the floor of his office.  This was no ritual.  This was two people taking pleasure in each other.<br/><br/>See how he touches her?  He no longer wants you.  He wants her.<br/><br/>The seductress was back, pouring that poisoned whisper into Lotte’s ear.  The blonde head tipped slightly to absorb the words into her gray matter.<br/><br/>Run away, little doll.<br/><br/>And so she did.<br/><br/>Charlotte ran out of the office and down the hall to the front door.  No, not out front.<i>They</i>would see her.  They would wonder why their oracle was so distraught.  They would not understand.<br/><br/>Full skirts whirled around her legs as she suddenly changed direction toward the back of the house.  The yard was not fenced but it was big and expansive.  Better than that, she would be away from the prying eyes of the group.<br/><br/>The petite girl dashed out the back door and into the yard.  Tears blurred her vision and kept her from seeing exactly where she was going until her feet couldn’t carry her any further.  Charlotte dropped to her knees, hiding her face in her hands as she sobbed.<br/><br/>There was no Raker.  There was no seductive voice.  There was no oracle.<br/><br/>There was only broken-hearted Charlotte.