From the courtyard, Jack could hear the men arrive. She had finished packing, an order from Riddick and he had left with the two bags that contained her entire life.
She watched them in their prayers, knowing Riddick was at the ship and wanted nothing more than to lock herself in her room. They were alone in their prayers, kneeling and saying the words like a song. The women stood in the salon, waiting to feel the night breeze and eat.
It was only when the retired to the house did she walk outside, did she feel the slightest bit better.
This night is gonna suck.
When they sat, all twenty of them looked at her. Some of the older ones actually glared, shooting her accusatory glances. Fuck you bitch. Stop staring at me before I rip your eyeballs out.
Temptress, they called her, harlot. They sat there unveiled and watching her, talking about her like she wasn't even there. It was the worst type of punishment. But over the years, she had gotten used to it. Imam had taught her early on to reject suck talk, but it still could hurt.
Women were jealous creatures, he would say. Yeah all of them are bitching old ladies too.
It was only when they addressed her did she respond. She had learned to go inward, to disappear so that none of it would hurt so much.
"Child it is an honor that you should be such a sought after Azrani." He heard them call her as he lurked in the shadows. His hands were fisted at his sides enraged by their treatment of her.
What the hell does that mean? He thought because the way they said it, it sounded like a curse. It broke his hart to watch how they enjoyed tearing her apart. He looked at her, impassive and wondered how upset she was underneath.
Furious I bet.
"I am not worthy of such praise." She said calmly looking at her lap, a mask of composure. She was a docile as a lamb and the epitome of a lady.
Her politeness seemed to spur them on into railing her with insults. His blood was boiling. How could she let them do that to her?
What the fuck had been going on and for how long?
"Look at her! Ha!" the oldest one said clucking her mouth. "She is too proud. She has too much wantonness in her. She shames us."
"You should be grateful." The next one said. "Ziza, look at how she sits, as if she enjoys provoking us. You will be taught humility Adeni. Rest assured when Faisal gets you under his thighs, you'll learn."
And he watched silently all though this exchange, which went on and on for over tow hours, Riddick wanted nothing more than to ghost them all.
He returned down stairs when the men had begun their negotiations. He wanted to remind Imam that this wasn't about Jack, but deep down he knew it was. Imam nervously introduced him. "Gentlemen, this is Richard Anderson, he is a close friend. We have been through difficult and prosperous times and I want you to welcome him."
Riddick, having dressed in a pair of black slacks, and a white shirt, just to look respectable, shook their hands and wanted to show he could play nice. But all he wanted was to kill them all. Underneath the scrutiny of a dozen or so men, he felt Faisal's glare. "You are the one from the market. You escorted Adeni."
"You mean Jack?" he said wanting a translation of the word.
"That's a man's name. She is called Adeni in my world." He said standing up.