“Why? What are you afraid of?” asked Antonia, with a distinct tremble in her voice, yet a fair measure of resistance. “That you might lose control of her? That someone else might develop a bond with her? Someone who knows you for what you really- argh!” she concluded, appropriately enough given the powerful slap the fair lady had given her, sending her into a brief spin and a tangled collapse upon the asphalt. Casting a quick, hateful glance at the fair lady, Andreea knelt beside Antonia, and frantically checked her for signs of injury.
“She’ll survive,” declared the fair lady, “though I begin to regret that I let you talk me into making her one of us. But from now on, she is your responsibility, Andreea. I wash my hands of the ungrateful little creature, but if you can’t keep your pet in order, I shall be compelled-”