Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sanctuary characters.

Everything hurt. All Lilith wanted to do was curl into a ball and die. Even that wasn't permitted. Master Haddock owned her body and soul. If she made one wrong move, he would punish her again. She bit her lip hard to keep from sobbing aloud.

Making noises was not allowed. Her eyes were swollen from all the crying she had done as her master had violated her body. It was sickening to her that the only way she could heal her injuries was through sex. She hated it. Master Haddock enjoyed it with such sadistic pleasure that her soul withered a little every time he took her.

He had been especially cruel today. Maybe because of her talking with Mama Buntah. Or maybe because she had attempted to run and had refused his advances. Whatever the case, he had made her pay for it. And, once he was done, he informed her that she was to go another week without food.

She hated him! Gods above only knew how much she wished him a horrific death. But, no gods were listening to her pleas. She had been forsaken long ago.

Lilith stiffened when she heard movement behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to force her breathing to sound like one of sleeping. If he took her again she would vomit.

"Lilith?"

Her eyes flew open in surprise at the voice. She rolled over to her right side and stared for a moment at her visitor. Her heart gave a happy thump and the first genuine smile of the day graced her face.

"Philippe!"

"I am here, little bird, to do your makeup. The show starts in an hour and Lord Haddock has ordered that you be ready and on stage in thirty minutes. So up, my girl. Let us bring out your beauty!"

Lilith hastily scrambled from the bed and walked over to the vanity. She looked at herself in the ornate, expensive mirror. Her skin was flawless; not a blemish or bruise to be seen. Thus was the power of the sexual healing.

She sat quietly while Philippe fussed with her makeup, applying the vibrant purple and blue shades to her eyelids and a sultry mahogany to her lips. Next came a quick brush of blush to highlight her cheekbones and accentuate her startling tri-colored eyes.

After the makeup came her multi-colored hair. She often bemoaned the length of it, but Master Haddock had ordered it to be grown long. With deft fingers, Philippe braided it into three long plaits. He took two and created a twist and pinned them atop her head. The last plait, he unbraided, curled and placed it over her left shoulder so that the colors could be prominently displayed.

The colors were natural but many who saw it, thought it was dyed. No one would believe that brown, red, blonde and black could exist naturally on hair without some chemical assistance.

"Beautiful, as always. Now, into your dress."

Lilith rose, ignoring her nakedness and stepped into the dress. Philippe slid it up her body and with practiced fingers, laced her up. The iridescent gown shimmered in the dim light. When she got on stage its brilliance would stun.

Master Haddock might be cruel but he had an eye for fashion and always dressed her in the best gowns for the shows.

She put on the soft slippers and took Philippe's offered arm. They hurried outside the tent and got in the go-cart. He quickly drove along the back side of the tents and they arrived at the performance big top with five minutes to spare.

Lilith was bustled inside by John and hurried to her scowling master. She stood still as Haddock's eyes, and then his hands, traveled over her body as he checked to make sure she was perfect.

Haddock stepped back and grunted. She didn't dare move. He would either pronounce her ready or not. If not, she and Philippe would be punished. If her master was satisfied, she would be put on stage to perform.

"You may perform." He stepped up to her and she involuntarily took a step back.

Haddock growled, snagged her wrist and halted her movement. She threw him a startled, frightened glance. She shouldn't have moved but his invasion of her space, especially after being forced to have sex with him earlier had made her skittish.

"Where do you think you're going, Lilith?"

There was danger in that question so she chose not to answer it. If he hit her, it would mess up her makeup. She saw the violence lurking in his eyes as he pondered what he wanted to do. She held her breath and let it out slowly when he let go of her wrist.

"Get her in position. The show starts in ten minutes."

Haddock walked away and the tension surrounding her, Philippe and John melted away.

"Lass, don't provoke the master. You know better than that," John scolded her, shaking a finger in her direction. "Do you want him to keep starving you for your mistakes?"

Lilith frantically shook her head no. She wanted to eat but if she didn't start doing something right, food might be a thing of her past, not her present or future.

"No more lip or fleeing from the master. Understand?"

"Yes, John. I understand." The words tasted like ash in her mouth. She didn't understand, not really, why her life had to be this living hell.

"Good girl. Come, it's show time."

Obediently, she followed John and began practicing her scales as they walked. Judging by the noise from the audience, there was going to be a big turnout. Her stomach churned at the thought. More people meant a happier Master Haddock.

She hated it. Though she loved to sing, she hated what followed at the end of her shows. She forced her mind away from the unpleasant thoughts and sat down inside the gilded cage. It was, as John had aptly stated, time to start the show.