The Collar
"You know, once this is on..."
The collar was the handiwork of an Enclave: beautiful, fine, filled with clockwork mechanisms and unknown trickery. It was cold in Stavanna's hands, but she expected no less.
"I know." She nodded at her mentor and handler. "There's no taking it off." She lifted her hair off her neck and handed the collar to Rose.
"And no coming back. You're certain, then?" Before Stavanna answered, Rose was holding the cold collar against her throat.
"Certain." She closed her eyes as the locking mechanism clicked shut. It fit her neck perfectly and irrevocably. "Steel certain."
Next: The Auction (LJ)
This entry was originally posted at http://aldersprig.dreamwidth.org/44