Erik worked on my new "home" until Nadir returned a couple of hours later with a minimal amount of wood.

"What is this abomination?" Erik tosses the wood back onto the floor. "It's cheap!"

Nadir sighs. "I only have so many darics, Erik."

Nadir's reasonable comeback greatly displeases Erik, and a squall ensues. My tail flicks with irritation when a hunched Eunuch enters the room. Erik cuts off mid sentence to gaze at the Eunuch with indifference. In a stuttering voice, the Eunuch tells Erik that he has been requested by the Khanum to build a new contraption for her; torturous, of course. It can be a torture devise of almost anything, the only thing she demanded was that it'd be in the guise of a small house. Only Erik and the Queen of Bloodlust could come up with something creative among those means.

Erik was despondent after that, and I could hear non-distinct grumbles radiating from his chest. He was not happy. Nadir could sense it, as well. After a lot of pushing and pulling, Nadir persuades Erik to go to sleep, claiming it would help. Once Erik laid down upon the sheets, my butt wiggles in preparation to jump onto the bed; and, before I could think it through, I was curled tightly into a ball by his vest pocket. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, so I could see some of his bare chest. His skin is very sallow and sunken in. I could see every outline and jagged edge of his clavicle. I felt (I'm ashamed to say) vomit rise in my throat, but I aggressively forced it down. I will not be like that! Yes, it's a bit unsettling, but it's nothing I can't handle.

Erik said nothing as I snuggled into his cold ribs. I meow lightly, and that soothes the tension in his body. It was like he needed my consent to be side by side. I am out in seconds, but awaken minutes later.

My eyes open and take a moment to adjust to the darkened room. Erik is on his back, lightly snoring. He is still wearing the mask. I grind my teeth, and it reminds me that Erik is missing some. I sigh. Even though I am a cat, he still feels threatened enough to sleep with the mask on. I prop myself on my elbow in order to stare at him more. Despite the mystery that he is, I still find him to be brilliant and beautiful. I wish I can show him this. I recklessly move my hand-

I tsk, waving my hand in front of my face. It's true: I'm human again. The witch was being earnest. I am also nude-again! I sigh and snuggle closer to Erik's body, even though he has no warmth. He mutters incoherently, and I freeze. I forgot he's a light sleeper. The mumbles stop, and he continues to breathe peacefully. Too tired for nightmares, I guess.

That's when I hear soft footsteps outside the bedroom door. My breath hitches in my throat. That can't be Nadir. The timing is too odd. An intruder, then?A thief? Or someone to hurt Erik?!

In my birthday suit, I carefully crawl away from the bed, quickly scanning for a weapon. A dusty, clearly unused fire poker, cries my name. I pick it up, the metal scraping against the surface. I hold it like a bat as I line myself besides Erik's bedroom door. The silence in the room is deafening. I will not go out there! The intruder must come in. That's the only way I'll reveal myself. My breath is released in harsh gasps as the adrenaline pumps through my veins. Sweat builds upon my brow when the footsteps increase in volume.

My grip on the poker tightens. Bring it!

The door slams open, waking Erik.

The intruder chuckles deviously. "You're mine, freak!" The glint from the his hand grabs my attention. I gasp. It's a knife.

He is here to hurt Erik! Oh my God, he's an assassin!

The assassin would have gotten Erik if I was not there to "poker" the crap out of him. With a mighty roar, I swing the poker against his skull with the strength of Hercules. The man grunts as he collapses to the ground. He moans on all fours, blood dripping onto the carpet. I don't stop. I continue to batter the man like someone possessed. One strike. Two strikes. Three strikes. Four, five, six! Each hit is faster and rougher than the previous.

We could have been killed!

With one final grunt, I reprieve him. I throw down the poker, staring at the man on the floor whose blood is puddling around his head. I am gasping, dripping sweat. My hands are shaking, and I wish they weren't, but I was terrified of what could have happened to me or Erik. Erik!

I look at the bed, a jagged breath leaves my body when I find him gone. What?

That's when my breath literally leaves me. I gasp as slick rope tightens around my neck. I grasp it desperately, knowing exactly what it is and who is controlling the sneaky weapon.

I should have put my hand up...

"Who are you!?" Erik growls, lowly. The words slither into my ear. I cannot detect where in the room he is speaking from.

It's hard to talk, but I manage, my voice is raspy. "I-I mean you no harm." I am terrified.

He snaps the lasso harder against my neck, making me gasp. "WHO are you?" he repeats.

"A f-friend."

Erik chuckles sinisterly. "I don't have friends."

"Y-you do. I'm just n-new."

"Funny. I'm an amateur when it comes to making friends. Don't people usually meet a couple times before establishing a trusting relationship? So, forgive me my ignorance, but you and I have never met! Now," his tone changes to something lighter, more mischievous and devious, "how did a slight and pretty thing like you-undressed the way you are-permeate access to the Angel of Death's lair without his knowledge or without you getting raped by the palace guards?"

"L-luck." Goosebumps appear on my body by the sudden chill. My nipples are pointed and hard by the brisk air. Eyes, powerful and heated, are staring at me intensely. A fiery heat ripples down my body. I gulp. "P-please. I mean no harm, and even if I did, I'd be no match for you. Please," I beg again. "I-I'm cold."

The silence is smothering. Sweat drips down my forehead. I can hear Erik calculating in his head. With an animalist groan from his lips, the lasso slackens. I collapse to the floor, coughing and taking gulping breaths. Thank you, God! Tears fall down my cheeks.

"One suspicious move and you'll be a limp heap on the floor before you know it." Appearing like a ghost from the shadows, he suddenly leers over my body. His hand grasps my tangled hair, tugging it so I look at him. Erik's eyes wander down my body, pausing at my chest before returning to my face. "Is Erik understood?" he hisses, scowling.

I forgot how intimidating the black mask is on him, only granting me the ability to see his yellow eyes. I nod. He stares at me a moment longer before releasing my hair. Now ignoring me, he saunters to the dead body. "Mmm. Of course."

"W-what?" I ask quietly.

His yellow eyes gaze at me. "I know him. I had to fire him from a previous job."

Oh. I ask no more, not wanting to appear intrusive. I burrow my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs. That was horrifying! Thrilling! This is the moment I have been waiting for. It didn't go quite as planned, of course, but it was grand.

There is shuffling sounds as Erik tries to dispose of the body. I guess it's not worth mentioning to the authority. I gaze at the floor and eye my ankle. That's right! My collar turns into an anklet when I am human. I slide my hand down to cover it. Erik is observant, so he'd recognize it immediately and threaten me for answers.

I look up, and he's gone. So is the body.

"Hello?" My voice is beginning to sound normal again.

"You were staring for quite a long time."

I yelp. That voice came from behind me. I turn around to see him sitting in a chair a couple feet away from me. There is an elegance and a strange masculinity based on the way he's sitting. The hormones in my brain increase tenfold.

"Whatever is on your mind completely took you away from the present. Needed an escape from the monster?"

I shake my head, wrapping my arms across my shoulders. They touch something soft. It's a blanket.

"Did you-?" The question is left hanging, but I see a subtle nod of his head.

I blush. "Thank you." I wrap it around me tighter. While it's easier to be naked around him this time, the saucy vixen in me has been tucked away for the night. The need to survive has taken its place.

"You said you were cold."

"Yes."

"What is on your mind?" he presses. "Be rest assured that you must answer. You are in my home, which you have somehow snuck into. I want to know why."

"You have your secrets and I have mine."

He growls. "Not a sufficient answer!"

"I can tell it's not easy for you to trust. I-I've heard the rumors…" I am totally improvising right now.

"About my face?"

"Yes."

"Ah! So you snuck in to see if they were true." He pulls out the lasso again. "Well, my dear," he sneers, "I'm afraid that will remain a mystery for you."

"No! I'm not here to see your face."

"Liar! All wish to gaze upon the Devil's Child."

I sigh. This is getting too heated. "I am curious." Well, I was. I've already seen your face. "But I don't wish to invade someone's privacy or dig up old wounds."

"What would you know of my pains?" he asks after a moment of silence.

"Nothing. I can only guess that your face has made life difficult for you. People aren't so gracious about those who are different."

"Then what do you want?"

I shrug. "To offer my sympathies? To be honest, I am not quite sure myself." I scooch a little closer to him. His form stiffens. "My name is Crystal."

His eyes squint. "You are not from here. Where are your parents?"

"I'm not sure."

"Quit being elusive."

"I live on my own."

"Why here? In one of the most dangerous places on earth?"

"I...I was separated from my friends. The how, when, and why are a little fuzzy." This is somewhat true. I remember everything, but no way am I going to tell him the truth right now.

"You speak English, but are you from America?"

"Oh!" I blush at my obliviousness. I didn't even notice the change since I can understand Farsi thanks to the witch. "You are right. You aren't speaking in Farsi. Why not?"

"You didn't look like you could speak it."

My mouth quirks in amusement. "Haven't you ever heard to not judge a book by its cover?" I snap my mouth shut. That was risky of me.

Erik remains calm, however. "No, I have not. Answer my question."

"I am from America."

"You were separated from your friends?"

"Yes."

"But you do not remember much about it."

"Correct."

He jerks forward, suddenly right in front of my face. I can feel his breath on my skin, and even that is cold. My heart drums a funky rhythm.

"I don't think you are being entirely honest with me," he grinds out.

My lips part. "You're correct," then I quickly add, "but I am not entirely lying."

He contemplates me a moment longer. "I believe...you are telling the truth about your origins. Your hair color," an uncontrolled, but gentle, hand reaches up and smoothes a strand of my hair between two fingers, "is unique in color." He hands quickly retreats to his chest. "I also believe you have been separated, but you know more than you're letting on."

I gulp.

"That's correct, then."

I nod. "I'm...uncomfortable to give the full story of my...abduction...as of late. Please, I don't have anywhere else to go! Let me stay as your servant!" My eyes widen. Where the hell did that come from?

Erik stiffens, flabbergasted. "'My servant'?! How did you come upon such a flimsy, intangible idea?" I don't answer, hot in the cheeks. Erik groans, bringing himself upright. "How would that workout now, hmm? I wouldn't trust to leave you here alone during the day. How would I explain your sudden appearance to the Khanum?"

My body jolts with sudden ideas. "Tell her you are punishing me, whether it's for thievery or some other inane topic-it can be up to you! Since you don't trust me during the day, let me work for you at night. That way you can keep an eye on me."

"Where would you go during the day?"

"Excuse me?"

"You said you have nowhere to go, so where would you run off to during the day?"

I wave it off. "I'll find something." I'll be in your room as your cat.

"Let me see if I understand." Erik rubs his eyes, obviously annoyed. "I lie to the Khanum about your circumstances, which will endanger us both if we're caught; I'll let you work for me at night, which is when I wish to be left alone and do most of my creative work; and, with the little amount of information given, I'm supposed to trust you. Am I right?"

"...Yes?"

He sighs exaggeratedly. "How will you get in an out of the palace?"

"I have my ways." More like it's the witch's way.

He runs a hand down his mask. "No."

"What?!" I wail. "Why?"

"It's too invasive."

"Please!" I lean on my knees, my hands clasped in front of me. "I am begging you. Please let me serve you. I am a good listener and very quiet."

"Neither of those descriptions are giving you justice right now," he growls.

I swallow. "Please," I whisper. "If I am not up to your expectations, you can kill me." What am I saying?

There is a heavy silence. Erik sighs. "I don't know why I am falling for your manipulations. I never let myself get tricked, but-"

I bite my lip. You have a weakness for women and children.

He lifts up a finger. "One mistake, and you are at my mercy.

"Yes, sir." Relief floods my system. This gives me a (somewhat) safe place to stay at night, especially for when I turn into a girl. Let's hope I am able to exceed Erik's expectations.

Erik faces the wall, away from me. "It will not be easy, serving Erik. He's not a very agreeable monster."

"'Monster'?" I echo.

"Scared already that the monster may take advantage of you?" he taunts.

"You are a man, not a monster."

"I disagree." He shifts. "But you failed to answer my question. Are you scared that Erik may take advantage of you?"

My blood races. As a female slave in Persia, I would be under the male's command, even if it is sex. "I'm only afraid of what to expect. I fully understand that you have the right to take me. Just know that I am pure."

"Pure?" He turns to face me again.

"I am a virgin, sir."

His throat bobs at my admission, and I can sense desire in his veins. He pushes it down, clenching his fists. "Let's find you some proper clothing, hmm?" He turns towards the door. I get up on my feet.

He pauses at the bedroom door. "I'll admit, although I don't remember meeting you before, you do hold some resemblance to a lovely beauty I've dreamt of once."

I swallow. Perhaps he remembers more than he has let on.

Days. We've been traveling for days and...nothing.

What are we going to do? We've been searching for civilization but have found nothing but dirt and sand and heat. The unbearable heat!

We've all collapsed, too tired, thirsty, and sunburnt to continue. We feel our skin cooking in the sun, but we are too exhausted to care. We want to sleep...sleep. Our eyes close. Our thoughts are on Crystal, hoping that she is doing better than we are.