QUICK NOTE: I apologize for the rude tone I used in my blog post last night. It was really late, and I was feeling pretty tired, hence why the technical issues I ran into with the site irritated me as much as they did. But I definitely should've been more polite in my wording, and also refrained from using the word "fuck" (in its asterisked form, no less) in the blog's header. And I also apologize for my salty attitude about the previous chapters getting relatively few reads. Going forward, I will try to have a better attitude and take criticism better.

***

"This is all your fault!" Lauren accused. "If you hadn't kidnapped the wrong girl, then we would've already had our virus ready!"

"Need I remind you, we had the right one in our clutches!" Josie defended. "That young woman Olivia had the right kind of blood we needed-I believe-and we were just getting ready to draw her blood when those other kids created a diversion!"

"Well, the fact is, we didn't get it," said Lauren. "And if you'd brought back Olivia or Saige, then we would've gotten both their blood and Rachel's, and we wouldn't even be in our current predicament."

"That'll be quite enough," said Circe.

Josie and Lauren both looked at Circe. The three witches, along with Carter Halbrook, were back in the lab. After they'd found out there was no fire, and that the kids had all escaped, they'd regrouped in here to discuss what to do next. Unfortunately, it had escalated into a full-scale argument between Lauren and Josie.

"Sorry, my lady," said Josie.

"You're both at fault," said Circe.

"Me? What did I do?" Lauren asked.

"You were sent to Atlanta to where Rachel and Angelina's daughter Lanie lived," Circe explained. "Since Lanie is a witch herself, she had the potential to be a very serious threat to our plans. I had hoped that when in Atlanta, you would find her and dispose of her before she could figure out what we were up to. But you didn't. Not only did Lanie murder Angie, but she also helped our captives escape the compound."

"You're just looking for a way to blame me, aren't you?" Lauren said through clenched teeth.

Circe rounded on Lauren with an intense, venomous look that made Lauren jump back in surprise. "Be careful," Circe warned, "Or I will have both you and Josie punished for your insubordination."

"Sorry, my lady," said Lauren.

"That's better," said Circe. "Now leave me. Both of you."

Josie and Lauren both reluctantly left the room, leaving only Carter Halbrook with Circe.

"Now," said Circe, "We must discuss the matter of obtaining another young man-turned-woman whose blood we can use."

"Do you wish to track down another of the kids from Sharon Johnson or Angelina Aguilar's foster homes?" Carter asked. "Or should we try recapturing Olivia or Saige-or possibly Lanie?"

"Lanie is too dangerous," said Circe. "But yes, Olivia and Saige are also potential options. To me, it doesn't matter which one we use, so long as we achieve our ultimate goal."

"Actually, about that," said Carter.

"What is it?"

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you ever since you told me what you really wanted me to do for you," said Carter. Choosing his words carefully, he asked "Do you really think having an all-female world will work out?"

"Of course it will!" said Circe. "With all due respect, males are a much less intelligent gender, with far more disgusting traits and habits."

"But what about reproduction? How will we be able to keep the population up?"

"We will find a way," Circe promised.

"Even if I believed that," said Carter, "How do we know everyone will be on board with this change? There might be some men out there who are happy being male."

Circe sighed. "Mr. Halbrook, there is something about myself that I haven't told you," she said. "Something that only Josie and Lauren know, but I now think you should know it, too."

"And what is that?"

"I was once a man myself."

Carter's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

"Yes," said Circe. "I was born Cody Reyna. I was born male, grew up as a boy, and eventually became a man. After I got out of college, I got a job as an accountant, and I moved into my own apartment. Over the years, I fell out of touch with friends, and I saw both my parents die. For a long time, I felt lonely. But then one day, something strange happened. I noticed that my body hair was starting to fade away, and my skin was getting smoother. At first I wasn't sure what was happening, but then my legs and arms started to change shape, and I lost a lot of weight. It wasn't until my hair grew out, and I developed breasts, that I realized I was turning into a woman. Once I lost my dick and gained a pussy, I knew it was permanent. I was female. The change was weird at first, but when I started shopping for women's clothes, and makeup, and purses, and lingerie, I realized that it all felt right to me. After a few weeks as a woman, I started to feel stronger and more confident that I ever had in my life. I didn't know I was miserable until I saw my new life as a woman-one that was better for me. And when a witch discovered I had hidden magic powers and performed the Awakening on me, I knew what my new goal in life was. I wanted everyone else to experience the same joy and self-discovery that I did-that being a woman is much better than being a man."

Carter shook his head in disbelief. "That's...an emotional story," he said. "But if you think everyone else will have the same perspective as you-"

"They will," Circe insisted. "They just don't realize it yet."

Personally, Carter didn't think he'd be any better off as a woman, but he wasn't exactly in a position to argue.

"Now, for apprehending Olivia or Saige," said Circe, "I'm not sure if I can trust Josie or Lauren with a mission like this again...but I don't have any other agents I can send out..."

"Actually," said Carter, "I think I know a guy."

"You do?"

"Yes. He's a mercenary who specializes in hunting down fugitives."

Circe pondered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well," she said. "Get in touch with him, and tell him what we're after."

To be continued...