Chapter 2

Cassian kicked open the door, scowling.

"JIZABEL!!" he shouted. "GET ME OUT OF THIS THING!!"

"Not on your life."

"The queer is now stalking me!"

Jizabel choked on his tea. White Owl howled into an oxygen choking fit of laughter, and Ida winced. "Cassandra's chasing you?"

"He figured out it was me and now he won't leave me alone."

"That's too bad," Jizabel said, wiping his mouth. "Just keep practicing. You're doing marvelous. The last I knew, half of Delilah's been convinced that you're a girl that I took in. So Cassandra's figured it out. Big deal. At least he's not chasing me anymore."

Cassian's eye twitched and he grabbed a knife.

"That's not very ladylike, Cassian," White Owl said, recovering.

"I don't care," Cassian growled. "Get me out of this getup or I'll kill you here and now."

"And miss the chance to get a new body?" Jizabel asked. "You see, we know who the perfect donor is. Once we catch him and have a little fun surgery, you're free to go. However, if you want to get said surgery done, you have to convince the Hargreaves' that you're a girl and get them to take you into their home, find out how to kill Cain, and give me the results. Once you do that, you're free to be a man again and we'll perform the surgery."

Bastard, Cassian thought. Cassian snarled and sat down crossing his legs and arms. Ida slapped him over the head.

"We discussed this already! Sit properly!"

"But it's annoying!" Cassian complained. The way a proper, well bred girl sits is with her hands in her lap, back strait off the back of the chair at least three inches to a foot, and, if she crosses her legs, they must be crossed at the ankles and under the chair or not crossed at all.

"I don't care if you think it's annoying," Ida snapped. "Sit. Properly."

Cassian groaned and fixed his posture. Ida nodded her head and returned to her seat.

"Well, other than that the resident Queer of Delilah has gotten a little crush—like Jizabel said, at least it's not him anymore—Cassian seems to be pulling it off quite well."

"No."

"I think it's time for the final test."

"Which is what?" Cassian snapped at White Owl. "Being able to beat Mikaila at girlyness?"

"No. Convincing the Card Master you're a girl. If you can do that, you can convince the Earl."

Oh crap…Cassian thought. If it wasn't heading for disaster already, it is now.

"Relax, if he gets mad, we'll save you," Jizabel said. "You've been practicing for well over a month. You can do this."

"Do I have to?"

The others exchanged looks and nodded.

"Relax, Cassian, you'll do fine."

"Do I have to do it now?"

"You don't have to. At least not now," Jizabel said, "But the sooner the better."

Cassian stood. Jizabel was right—the sooner the better. "Come on," he said. "I'm doing it now."

The other three pumped their fists in triumph and followed Cassian to the Card Master's room. He glanced at them and they gave him double thumbs up (times three). Cassian sighed and knocked on the door.

"Enter," the Card Master ordered. Cassian opened the door and poked his head in.

"Hello?" he said in a falsetto. The Card Master looked up and blinked, somewhat surprised.

"May I help you, my dear?"

Cassian entered. "I'm sorry, I'm looking for my guardian," he said, using the shy look and looking at the floor. "I got separated from him and…" Cassian closed his eyes, using the tears of humiliation that were building up to his advantage. "Well…"

"You poor dear," the Card Master said, placing a hand on Cassian's shoulder. "Who's your guardian?"

"Dr. Zenopia," he said, "A very nice doctor who's been sponsoring my schooling. I came here to meet him and thank him for being my benefactor, but…I got lost." Cassian looked at the Card Master and stepped aside, folding his hands in front of him and tilting his head to the side, his feet pressed together. "Do you know where he is?"

"Follow me," the Card Master said, opening the door. "After you, my dear."

"Thank you very much!"

"You pass!" Jizabel said, jumping out. White Owl and Ida strolled out beside him. The Card Master started and clutched his chest.

"Jizabel, what the bloody hell…"

"Sorry about this, Card Master," Cassian said, using his normal voice. He pointed his thumb behind him at Jizabel. "Ask him." Cassian walked away just as the Card Master started yelling at Jizabel and the other two.

He entered the kitchen and pulled out a glass and a bottle of gin. Looking from left to right and finding no one, Cassian uncorked the bottle and poured a glass.

Before the glass touched his lips, it was swiped.

"Proper ladies don't drink gin," a low voice almost sang. Cassian blanched. "I thought Ida would have told you that."

"Cassandra, if I'm going to survive this twisted idea of the Doctor's, I'll need strong alcohol—what the hell are you doing?!" Cassian slammed his fist into Cassandra's face. Cassandra landed on the floor.

"Sorry, sorry," Cassandra laughed, downing the gin. "You're just too cute. I couldn't resist." He set the glass down and left.

Cassian's eye twitched. "Queer," he muttered. "I'm gonna kill them all when this is all over…"

He grabbed another glass and poured the gin again. This time, he was able to drink without any interruption. Cassian set the glass down and poured another.

"One is quite enough for today," Ida said, swiping the glass.

For crying out loud! I can't even get drunk?!

"Ida, please?"

"No."

"You're the most beautiful girl in all of Delilah…"

"Thank you, but my answer is still no."

"Just one more drink?"

"Not on your life."

"Not even one last drink to savor?"

"You should have savored the one I let you have."

"I love you."

"Not happening, Cutie."

"I adore you."

"Nice try."

"Give me the glass or I'll rip off your mask?"

"You couldn't do that if you tried, Cassian. You're too sweet."

What?! Sweet?! Since when have I ever been called "sweet"?! Cassian thought and then smirked. He pulled a chair out and forced Ida into the chair. He stood behind her and started massaging her shoulders. "I'm sure all the work you do is stressful, Ida Darling," Cassian tried.

"Cassian," Ida growled, glaring at him. "Get your paws off me." Cassian held his hands up and backed away. Ida drank the clear liquid and strode over to the counter where the gin still rested. She opened a counter and put all the alcohol high up out of Cassian's reach.

Cassian really wanted to cry. This is beyond cruel!

Ida grabbed the back of Cassian's collar and pulled him out of the room. "Come on, you idiot," she snapped.

"What are you doing?!" Cassian snapped.

"You," Ida said, smirking evilly, "are going to take a bath. Tomorrow, you'll go to the Hargreaves. Best look your best."

Cassian struggled against her. Ripping out of her grasp he ran as fast as he could.

White Owl and Jizabel caught him. Both were grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't worry, Cassian," Jizabel said, "There's no need to be afraid of a little water. Besides, you'll do just fine!"

"We're counting on you, Cassian," White Owl said. "All you have to do is convince the Earl, figure out how to kill him, and you're home free. You had the Card Master convinced."

"If it makes you feel better, he said we were being cruel to you," Jizabel said. "Personally, I think he was embarrassed that he didn't recognize it was you. That's good. It'll be the same thing—it'll just be Cain."

"You're all mad!!"

Ida opened the door to the bathroom. "Have fun, Cassian. This is your last day as a man for a while."

White Owl and Jizabel carried Cassian into the room.

For the second time in a month, Delilah heard an ear splitting shriek that could not be distinguished as a scream of torture or otherwise…