One by one they were ranked and rated and now Lady Hale stood in front of me. I look down at my feet, refusing to disobey even though it's taking every one of restraint I have not to raise my head and meet her contending gaze. 

I hear the faint sound of a chuckle and even then, I still don't look up.

"They will most certainly have fun with you," she said. The cold of the metal abasing my skin made me shiver as she slid the cane up my leg, lifting the dress as she went. The beak ...