I felt her hand touch my face and turn my head to look at her. “Where are you, Shani?” That was a hard question to answer. I was here, there, all over the place, each whack sent me in a different direction. “I’m here, Mistress,” I answered. At least I hoped I was. “Yes, you are, Shani. Right here.” Her hand went up my sides and down my legs. “There’s one thing we haven’t done yet, though. Do you know what it is?” “No, Mistress,” I said. “We haven’t let you come. Of course, it’s still a long time away, but we have to work up to it.” “Yes, Mistress.” I wanted to say, I’m just about there, but I knew she didn’t want to hear that. I heard metal snapping together. She squatted down behind me and attached something around my ankle, then she forced my legs apart and cuffed the other ankle.

