Willow nodded her head in acceptance; Master was absolutely correct. She had tried to get Sybil to understand in as gentle of a way as possible that she and Keely were not out to hurt her, that there was a place for her in their family, if she would just accept it. If this was the only way to have her understand just what her place was, that Master’s will was everything, so be it.

She ran the handle of the crop across her palm as she stepped up, taking Master’s place before Sybil’s bound body. She carefully schooled her face into neutrality, steeling herself for the task at hand. She glanced at Master; the look on his face told her that she had better not be light-handed in her discipline.

She drew back her arm and let the crop fall, a loud “SMACK” echoing through the room as it landed on Sybil’s breast, the tender skin immediately turning pink. She let another blow fall on her other breast as Sybil’s back arched and a muffled cry came from beneath the hood.

Willow took a deep breath and applied the crop again, carefully aiming the blows for Sybil’s nipples and the undersides of her breasts, where the skin was the most sensitive. Sybil was writhing in her bonds, trying to get away from the fiery pain, low moans coming from behind the hood and rising into muffled shrieks as the blows continued.

After landing the tenth blow, Willow stepped back and looked at Hank, raising an eyebrow at Sybil’s reddened and welted flesh, asking him silently if it was enough, prepared to deliver more punishment at his direction. He stepped close and inspected her work, nodding in approval, and Willow felt her cheeks flush in relief.

Sybil was still in her bonds, her chest heaving in muffled sobs, and Willow could see that most, if not all, of the fight had gone out of her. I have to wonder, she thought, is that just because she's accepted her punishment, or because she has finally surrendered to Master? I hope for her sake she has.