Susannah opens her mouth to speak again, but Sarah pinches her.
The Spinner, emboldened, continues, “Now. We are going to have a demonstration. Do I have two volunteers?”
No one says a word or so much as blinks.
The Spinner scowls and points to me. “Delilah, let’s have you. And Eve, you too.”
My stomach turns—though I’d thought there was nothing left in it after this morning’s colonic. I try the first thing that comes to mind. “I can’t. I don’t have to pee right now.”
The Spinner smiles. “Then you can be the receiver.”
Shit.
Eve stands and walks over to the Spinner. She’s already lost weight. And she has two black eyes instead of one now.
I don’t want to do this. But I have no choice. This Spinner is only forgiving to a degree, and Susannah’s backtalk has already pushed her closer to the boiling point. As if to demonstrate my thought, the Spinner reaches for her black baton.
“Okay.” I rise and walk over.
“Good.” Her fingers stop their flirtation with the weapon. “Delilah, lie on the floor. I want you on your back. We’ve found that men who enjoy this type of thing often like to be the receiver rather than the giver. This means that each of you need to be able to go on command. Eve, this will be your turn.”
I sink onto the piece of clear plastic and lie down, my gut churning and my gorge already threatening to rise.
“Now, Eve, I want you to stand over her. Straddle her, feet on either side of her elbows.”
I close my eyes as Eve follows the instructions, her shadow falling across my face as she stands over me.
The plastic crackles as the Spinner steps back. “Whenever you’re ready, just let it go. Now, girls, keep in mind that sometimes, they would like you to do this in their mouths or perhaps directly onto their genitals. God created each man different, but we are bound to obey them in accordance with Scripture…”
She continues prattling on about pleasing men as I wait for the warm humiliation to fall on my chest. My throat tries to rebel and force me to gag, but I don’t. I lie still, hoping Eve is dehydrated.
After a few more minutes where the Spinner has to have said “perfect obedience” a dozen times, she snaps her attention back to us. “Eve!”
“I-I can’t.”
I open my eyes.
Eve shrugs. “I thought I could go, but I can’t.”
“You must.” The Spinner reaches for her baton, pulling it from her belt with wicked efficiency.
“I can’t.” Eve’s voice fades to a whimper.
“Eve, it’s okay.” I can’t believe what I’m saying, but I say it anyway. “Really. Just do it. I can take it.”
Her eyes water as she looks down at me. “I can’t.”
“You can.”
“Eve.” The Spinner steps closer, her baton at the ready. “Do it.”
“I’ll do it.” One of the other Maidens, Mary, speaks up. I’ve never spoken to her, never had a reason to.
But when she stands, her red hair flowing over her shoulders and a placid smile on her face, I recoil.
“If the Prophet requires us to perform these tasks to walk more closely with the Lord, then I am happy to do it.”
“Jeez,” Sarah says under her breath.
“I’ll deal with you later.” The Spinner pushes Eve away from me and motions for Mary to come over.
Mary stands above me, taking Eve’s position. I try to look into her eyes, but she stares straight ahead, not the least bit concerned that she’s naked, I’m naked, and she’s about to pee all over me.
“Good, now do what the Prophet has commanded.”
“With pleasure.” Mary smiles, and I realize she isn’t acting. She’s a true believer.
I clench my eyes shut, but hear my name on a familiar tongue.
“Delilah!” The Head Spinner calls.
“Wait.” The teaching Spinner puts a hand on Mary. “What can I do for you, Grace?”
“I need to see Delilah.” Her tone could cut ice. “Now.”
The Spinner sighs heavily, then snaps her fingers. “Mary, move. Up, Delilah.”
Mary steps away, and I scramble to my feet. For the first time since I’ve been here, I feel the urge to thank the Head Spinner. That urge dies when I see the tempest raging in her eyes.
I grab my dress from the hooks by the door and pull it on.
“Come.” She’s already walking away as my head emerges through the fabric.
I hurry to keep up with her rapid pace. We pass the dining hall, the kitchen, and then she turns down a corridor I’ve never visited. At a set of double doors, she enters a code on a digital keypad. The doors swing open silently. Her swishing black skirt almost brushes the shining wood floors as we pass some closed doors, then come to the end of the hallway.
She enters another key code and opens a heavy wooden door. Pushing inside, she walks around a dark mahogany desk and sits down in a plush leather chair.