Chapter 14

The lack of concern from her fellow Wahash was staggering. Khan figured that when they saw him exit the room with her unconscious form in her arms, they would at least bat an eyelash. But they remained idle by the walls, staring dead ahead, eyes cold and uncaring.

Why were they not surprised? Was it not the first time they had seen a drained comrade? Khan knew they assumed just as Arba had. That it was punishment for her insubordination. Khan didn't plan on correcting them, if they thought as such so did the prison guards. He didn't want the Sheikh to find out what he had really achieved.

After he had placed Arba on his bed, he left the room knowing it would be a while before she woke up. He locked the door and left to tend other matters. Like the Sheikh's demanding questions regarding a hysterical servant woman and the loud disturbing noises from the basement.

Khan headed to his chambers after informing his comrades about what he had achieved. They were anticipating the events to come.

The Augument reached his suite door late in the night. He fitted the key into the lock and twisted, a sharp click followed. He pressed down on the gleaming gold handle and pushed open the door. He stepped into his room and shut the door behind him. He crossed the foyer in swift steps and peered into his bedroom.

The bed was empty and the sheets were ruffled. He could hear the distant sound of water hitting the tiles in his bathtub, yet the bathroom door was slightly open. He moved in, his gaze narrowing on the porcelain door.

Something was off, everything within the room was too still, too staged. He passed the cupboard and then the bed. His broad formed blocked the strip of light from within the bathroom. He peered into the gap.

The shower head sprayed water on to an empty ceramic tub.

He was suddenly extremely aware of the cool, prickling sensation at his jugular. He couldn't help but be impressed. He was not expecting the threat to his life. His gaze coolly fell to the brass letter opener pointed at his neck, his letter opener.

"Now is this any way to treat your savior?" He inquired a hint of amusement in his words. He felt her warm breath on his neck, her heart thudding in a sudden rage.

"You did not save me." She hissed "I nearly killed that child because of you."

"Nearly."

He twisted around and knocked the letter opener out of her hand. She took swift steps back and then brought her arms up to her chest, her stance defensive and prepared for a fight.

Khan took in the fierce determination burning in her eyes and her expression scrunched up in fury.

"Khathal." He uttered stridently. She tensed at his words, her body experiencing the same tremors once again. She hissed and crouched over fighting back the programmed instincts in her. He watched, finding fascination in her struggle.

Her chest heaved with each breathless pant that escaped her lips. Her knees gave out under her and she fell to the carpeted floor.

"It's a work in progress; their brain washing still has a little power over you." He noted resolutely. She ignored him and focused on suppressing the immense pain she was undergoing. Dubbing her docile for the moment, Khan approached her and knelt down in front of her.

"Where does it hurt?" He asked while steadying a hand on her shoulder.

"Everywhere." She grunted through clenched teeth.

"Fight it." He encouraged. She exhaled short breaths, coiling further into herself. She hugged her body around the stomach and after a few seconds, she stopped trembling.

"You have broken your chains Arba." He stated. She raised her head, her swirling golden orbs snapped to him.

"What do you intend to do with your freedom?"

His question startled her. She didn't attempt to mask the astonishment she was experiencing. Khan was enjoying the roller coaster of emotions she was expressing silently. Fear, confusion and finally, realization. She had made a decision in regards to her opinion of him. When she mutely lowered her attention to the floor he knew she no longer saw him as a threat.

Khan studied her in turn, taking in the sight of her small features. It was the first time was at such a close proximity to the woman, he discovered he enjoyed the nearness. She had thin brown lines that slanted up the sides of her cheek bones. He assumed it was a genetic inheritance from her animal DNA. He admired the cat-like round shape of her eyes and the sandy lashes that framed them.

His attention travelled lower, to her mouth. It was soft and parted in an unconscious act of contemplation. He liked the rose tinge of her lips against her honey tone skin, so much so that his belly quivered in a desire to taste them.

"Zahara." She uttered.

"Pardon?" He hadn't been paying attention. Their eyes met, his pulse raced.

"My name is Zahara." She stated firmly. He blinked wordlessly. She had a name that was her own. He wondered, if her will power stemmed from the root of self designation.

"Zahara." He liked the way three syllables rolled off his tongue in a sensual effortlessness. He did not miss the way her pupils expanded.

"Very fitting." He added. She scrutinized him, her stare narrowed.

"Why help me?" She demanded. He hadn't realized he had been smiling until he felt the muscles around his face, rest.

"You are deluded if you think my sole purpose is to help you." He retorted monotonously.

"You are a rare being, Zahara. The powers you possess will be most useful in this battle. But I cannot have a soldier controlled by such little thing as a word, it makes the situation dire. You could be easily swayed by the enemy."

Her golden eyes hardened, irked by his statement "So this isn't freedom, you just released me of one leash to place me in another."

"I suppose it does seem that way if I do not give you the option to be on my side, but I am." He steadily rose up to his full height. She remained crouched on the ground glaring up at him.

"After all the cruelty they had forced upon you, you must want your revenge." Her expression softened to one of brooding precision, her eyes stormy and unforgiving. His acknowledgement had struck a nerve, one he intended on putting to its full potential.

"So I will ask again, Zahara. What do you intend to do?"

She didn't answer him. She directed her attention to the balcony to her left. He followed her gaze, unsure of her reasons. She grabbed his interest when she stood to her full height, her arms by her sides. She turned and strutted past the bed and out the balcony doors. He watched unmoving as she jumped off the edge of the railing and disappeared from his line of vision.