I have accomplished what I wished; my opposition hates me now. I'm not worried about Melissa, but I AM about Michael and Luisa. It is much more important that my opposition be angry! I could not make Michael angry; he is already bitter and his cold, calculating mind is working and has been working to try to overcome all of us. Now that Luisa is angry at me she will not be as able to think clearly; all kinds of interesting hormones are released with anger... and they all make people make poorer choices. Jason would be different... if he could compete at all, he would be someone so simple to beat it was laughable.

Sitting there with the others, I watched as Luisa enjoyed the dinner... thinking about how much better it would taste after I was Mistress here. Luisa would be such a good fieldworker. Or perhaps she'd be better in the laundry, working her hot, humid job in some kind of insulating clothing to make her sweat hard and suffer a bit for her attitude. Melissa would do well as a kitchen helper and upstairs maid; she was quiet and anxious to please.

And what about Jason? His anxious young prick would surely serve well in pleasuring skills. He seems to have taken naturally to being a slave. I'd watch him closely, as he is serving Luisa very closely.

It was nearing 9 pm, just three hours until the beginnings of the contest. And by sharing the room with me for at least fifteen minutes each, all my competitors had inhaled the agent which would set off the catalyst they absorbed through their skin when I touched them. The two liquids formed a third in the body, which would have some interesting effects.

I rose from the table, excusing myself from my cousins, and went upstairs. Grabbing a quick shower to remove the chemical, I dressed in fatigues colored to hide me here among the flora of the island. I added a large number of weapons and devices; no getting caught for me! I was going to win this contest... or die trying. I slid down the back steps without being seen, and froze while a slave walked past, hidden in the dark shadows of an alcove.

Getting to the back door safely at last, I snuck out and dashed for the tunnel entrances so I could begin setting traps. And I had both keys, the one I had been sent... and the one I had found on the dock. Perhaps the chalice's vault would give up its treasure, and I could win this without violence. Or, grinning to myself, at least not TOO much violence. Down into the hole I'd chosen, and full speed running now, heading for some temporary safety and a command post to set up.