<strong>[Enzo's Clinic]</strong><br/><br/>Their trip through the town had been brief and uneventful. The islanders knew better than to stare at Melody despite her swollen breasts and racy attire. She was in the company of two Xantelli's, and was far from the most outlandish creature to travel thusly. A few tourists might have given her a second glance, but it was of no matter.<br/><br/>Enzo unlocked the front door of his clinic with an antique brass key, kept on a long chain attached to his belt. The lock was all but symbolic; most knew better than to enter the clinic uninvited, and those who didn't would have to deal with far more than a simple outdated lock. As he and his two companions entered, a blast of chill air greeted them. A welcome change from the tropical humidity, Enzo thought. It felt like civilization.<br/><br/>The waiting room was empty, of course. In the time that it took them to cross it Enzo's mental commands had initiated a transformation in the inner office. The coffee table was no more; it had morphed into a sophisticated articulated examination table, with separate cushions for each limb and a variety of restraints. Belinda would continue to serve him, despite her lack of will. It was so much easier than maintaining an array of specialized furniture. He made sure, as always, that she would feel and perceive everything that was done on her surface, while being unable to affect the proceedings in any way.<br/><br/>Enzo motion Kiara to his favorite chair, and included the well-stocked liquor cabinet in his inclusive invitation. He then turned to Melody. The young woman's nipples were starkly prominent through the nearly transparent dress, now even more shrunken from the slow drips of her lactation. In the cold air they stood forth like pebbles. "On the table, if you please, Melody. It's important that we begin this process correctly if we are to have any hope of success, so I hope that you will pardon a bit of a lecture."<br/><br/>He gestured toward a woodcut hanging on the wall. It was an original Gustave Dore, very rare and expensive. The Xantelli's could create virtually anything from the clay that was human souls, but artistic greatness was not to be achieved by the wave of a hand. Some things still had to be acquired the old fashioned way, with gigantic piles of money. Luckily this was seldom a concern.<br/><br/>"Dante believed that there were nine circles of Hell. I imagine you must feel that you are trapped in one right now, young lady. But this is important: you stand only on the threshold of torments that you cannot imagine. You're quite fortunate to have fallen into my care. It is our goal, yours and mine, to adapt you to your new life on the Island, no matter the cost. It is our goal, yours and mine, to keep you from that lowest Pit. Here is is called the Labyrinth, and there Maria holds court. If you fail in what we will be trying to achieve, it is there you will go, and from there there is no escape."<br/><br/>He walked to stand in front of her. "I say this not to frighten you, my child, but to inspire you. The minor tortures that you experienced at my father's table are nothing. The pain in your head, the lethargy, your swollen distended breasts -- yes, these were all done to you, but they are minor things to us. You will want to work with me, Melody. Trust me on this point. You will want to do everything in your power to please me. A favored slave of the Xantelli's lives a life greater than kings and queens. A failure... well, we have spoken of that enough."<br/><br/>"You will prove yourself to me, to all of us, and I will help you. But you must realize: your free will is gone. Your liberty, evaporated. You have no rights, no avenue of appeal, no friends in this place you can call on other than me. I will test you, but I will be fair, because I hope that you succeed. If you are unsuitable, I shall cast you aside without a moment's regret."<br/><br/>His expression softened slightly. "There now. Let's begin, shall we? By now you should be experiencing a splitting pain in your frontal lobes. It will grow to become a headache that you cannot withstand, coupled with a lethargy that prevents you from taking the actions you need to dispel it. It's a cruel timer indeed that my father has granted you, but simple enough to stave off. All you need is alcohol. Sadly," he gestured toward the liquor cabinet, "although I am possessed of a wide variety, that supply is strictly for the use of family members and paying clients. Neither of which you are. Which leaves you little recourse, I think." With one long finger he slowly flicked her left nipple, releasing a teaspoonful or so of her strongly alcoholic breast milk, which was quickly absorbed by her dress.<br/><br/>"I would estimate that you have perhaps five minutes before the paralyzation begins to set in." In an upbeat voice he called over his shoulder, "Kiara, dear, would you be so kind as to pour me two fingers of the Macallan? No ice, if you please."<br/>