Sassie-bone: Dear you are right, people are starting to discover me ^^. Thank you for your support and a Happy New Year to you :D
AvalonTheLadyKiller: Thank you ^^ I hope you enjoy the installments in the future. Happy New Year to you too :D
casper6six6: Why thank you and a Happy New Year ^^
Sorry I took so long to upload this chapter, but holidays take up a lot of time. To make up for Christmas and New Years I have made this chapter extra long ^^. Happy New Year, guys.
xx
SSC
Khan was surprised to find Zahara a sleep that morning. She was curled up on top of the cupboard like a peacefully slumbering kitten. He correctly deduced that it was the first sleep she had of her own free will. He didn't disturb her and chose to commence his daily duties.
He had to tend to a lot of security related tasks in preparation for the ball that evening. The Sheikh's head servant was consistently meandering his way out of supplying Khan the guest list. When he was finally provided a copy, Khan knew in his gut that a few unwanted guests would be appearing. After all, it was a gathering of diplomats that are or soon to be under Augument rule.
Khan returned to his room on the growling orders of his empty stomach. He had missed breakfast due to all the duties he had to tend to. He arrived at his chambers late morning. He was surprised by the image that greeted him in the study.
Zahara was loitering by his desk, her back to him. He watched her surreptitiously from behind the frame of the open door. He was unaware of her intentions for circling his desk like a preying hawk, but he had his suspicions. He had left a neat pile of documents on his desk, documents with details about Augument plans of change for the U.A.E.
He waited in anticipation; she was reaching out towards the papers. He stepped closer with the intention of intercepting her attempts when the scene took a turn for the unexpected.
Zahara swiftly poked one of the silver balance balls on top of Khan's desk. Her touch ignited a chain reaction that caused the four gleaming spheres to swing rhythmically from side to side.
He stared unsure of how to respond for a moment, the act was adorably curious of her. He continued to watch her as she stared at the pendulums with a wide eyed intrigue. Her head was tilted slightly to the side. Wisps of light from the window facing her highlighted the cognac in her hair.
"It's called a Newton's cradle." He announced his voice hadn't startled her like he expected.
He stepped into the room as she turned her head to acknowledge his presence. That was when he noticed the casual state of her dress. A simple white vest and black harem pants, she looked at home. He stopped once he was standing at the other end of the table, facing her.
"A device to demonstrate the conservation of momentum and energy." He explained gesturing to the object. Her dark brows lifted in wonder, her gaze drifting back to the swinging ornament.
"It's hypnotizing." She murmured a faint smile gracing her lips "I've always wanted to play with it before, an itch I had to suppress."
"Understandable." He uttered agreeably. His keen eyes wandered over her form, taking in her tan skin until he noticed something very odd. Her hands, they were shaking by her thighs.
"Your arms are trembling." He pointed out monotonously. She perked up, grabbed from her thoughts. Her attention immediately fell to her hands and she raised them up, they were still tremulous.
"It comes and goes." She said, curling her fingers into fists and then stretching them out "I think it's because I am fighting it."
"What?"
"Order." She answered her gaze fixated on him.
"My mind it's a little—" He watched her hesitate and struggle to find the proper word.
"Fawda." She uttered after a moment, the slight purr in her tone made him yearn.
He smiled, understanding her meaning.
"Chaotic."
"Yes." She nodded her eyes gleaming in appreciation "Sorry, there are still a few English words I need to familiarize myself with."
"Yes well, your time with me should help that along." Khan couldn't help but think his statement sounded more relative than he intended. He cleared his throat and curtly rounded the table and made his way to his chair.
"I've written all the names that I recall." Zahara pointed to the long slip of paper she had placed on his desk earlier. He looked to the parchment and picked it up before skimming through it.
There were five names written on the sheet in a very child like hand writing. He wasn't surprised by this, she wasn't known for her penmanship after all.
Doctor Brighton
Doctor Amanda Bings
Doctor Hemming
Lieutenant Prosser
Doctor Bergman
"How do you remember them?" He inquired glancing up at her.
"According to the stages I was placed in during my...time there." She answered, the lightness in her tone taking a turn for the grim.
"By that I mean levels of torture."
"I see." He murmured mainly to himself. He placed the parchment back on to the surface of the table and then leaned back into his chair. Khan weaved his fingers together on his lap and rested his elbows on top of the arm rests.
"Tell me about these stages." He insisted elegantly. He saw the hesitation in her hardened gaze. She was debating his order, whether to trust him with details of her making, whether it would be a wise decision.
"I remember feeling afraid and in danger most of the time." She began to say, softly and her gaze a far in thought.
"I didn't have any memories of my past and I always had this hunger to kill. My sister, she isn't my blood but she was younger than most of us and I protected her. We protected each other which made it that much harder for them to take us to the stage after our creation."
"Which is?" He asked in rapt attention. She lifted her gaze to his, their eyes met.
"Domestication." She stated, vengefully "They needed us to be willing, so afraid that we had no choice but to surrender. There were disciplinarians; they beat us until we submitted."
Khan didn't know how to absorb the information she provided. Part of him wasn't surprised by the cruelty. The other side of him was shaken by how appalled he felt. In a way he felt blessed. The scientists who created the Auguments were too in awe by their strength and intellect to feel the need to attempt to tame them. Khan knew now, the scientist wished they had.
"The third stage was obedience—" The telling of her time at the Apello was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Khan continued to observe her. The way her head snapped in the direction of the door, the first step she took to approach the door and then immediately she stopped.
Her arms were trembling with much vigor. Her fingers rolled into her palms as she suppressed the need to follow methodical orders. Khan was pleased by her determination to not revert back into her Wahashi ways.
"Enter." His boomed. The heard the door opening followed swiftly by the clicking of fast footsteps. Orlando emerged at the bend of the door. His head was lowered, thin strands of his blonde hair a light in charming platinum. His attention was on the sheet of paper he was reading as he entered the room.
"Greetings fearless leader." He raised his head and looked to Khan, unaware of Zahara standing to the side, at a distance. He reached Khan's desk in a matter of seconds and stretched out the pile of papers in his grip for Khan to take.
"So I have the report from James—" Orlando's eyes distractedly shot to the side, his words coming to an abrupt halt at the sight of the female.
"Hullo." He breathed, his grip on the report left. Khan had to practically catch the papers before the air conditioning blasted them away.
"Orlando, you've met Zahara." Khan stated sternly while trying to hide his displeasure. He did not appreciate the lustful intent in Orlando's blue gaze as he observed the woman.
He stepped forward and gestured an open hand out for her to shake. The Wahashi eyed his hand stiffly for a moment before reaching out with her own.
"Zahara?" The man echoed in wonder. His astonished was willed away by the slow, devilish smile that took over his handsome face.
"I prefer it over Arba, suits your wild beauty perfectly."
Khan and Zahara were equally stunned by the flirtatious words that left the man's lips. Khan sat silently in his chair, watching Zahara's reactions very carefully.
"Thank you." She responded. Khan found it hard to read exactly how she was feeling in regards to Orlando's blatant ways. Her body language spoke multitudes of her uneasiness in the way the blonde stared at her, but simultaneously, her eyes were a gleam.
"I believe I must welcome you to our team. I am currently trying to come up with a title for our mission."
"Orlando—" Khan chided in a warning tone.
"Operation: Conquer Nation." The man babbled on, rather proud of himself. His enthusiasm dulled under the bland looks Zahara and Khan directed at him.
"No?" He wondered rubbing his chin in thought.
"I'll work on it." He vowed, grinning widely in her direction. She watched him, wordlessly.
There was another knock on the door and Susan entered in her usual authoritarian walk. Khan did not miss the look of distaste she shot in Zahara's direction while moving to stand beside Orlando.
Khan had summoned them earlier during the preparations for the ball. He had informed them of what he had accomplished with the Wahashi. Susan was particular verbal of her mistrust towards Zahara. She wasn't too keen on listening to Zahara's tales about the Apello.
"Zahara just provided me a list of names of the doctors who created the Wahash." Khan announced and handed the list to Orlando. The man accepted the piece of paper as Susan glanced at the list of names.
"Ah wonderful." Orlando mused thoughtfully.
"I'll research what I can. Do you know the location of this lab?" He directed his question at the Wahashi.
"No, I'm sorry." Zahara responded "But it's called the Apello."
"That much we are aware of." Susan added with an exasperated roll of her piercing eyes.
"Tell us something we don't know."
Khan did not appreciate Susan's snide attitude in the situation. However, he was surprised by the lack of a reaction of Zahara.
"It wasn't just shadowing that we were intended for. Yes we are to protect you and serve our roles until we are given orders to implement the second half of our mission."
"What is the second half?" Orlando asked. A grim shadow deepened the dark features of the Wahashi's face. She lowered her attention to the floor for a moment before looking right at Khan.
"Assassinate the leader and his followers."
Khan excluded Zahara from the discussion he wished to have with his teammates. She left the room discreetly and the moment she did, Susan instantly asked the question she had been dying to.
"You believe her?"
"Yes." Khan responded curtly, she didn't hide her dislike.
"Why?" She demanded "Just because of her sob story about her search for her sister? How can you trust that she hasn't completely worn of her compulsion?"
"She hasn't completely worn off, she is still experiencing relapses."
"Which makes her a liability." Susan reminded harshly "She said so herself, there could be other commands."
"Yes. That is why we need her. She is the key to the answers and information we need to put an end to this." Khan rebutted with equal ferocity. Susan fell into a seething silence.
"What is the plan?" Orlando asked, his tone plainly calmer than his colleagues.
"There is a possibility one or more of the targets will be appearing at the ball tonight. I will see to the interrogation." Khan answered "Orlando, I need you to make the location of the Apello your priority."
"Of course." The male nodded in a firm obedience
"I have a feeling our mutual friend with the Sheikh will have some part to play tonight." The leader mused out loud, earning a chuckle from the blond male.
"You do not think General Malt would arrive in person do you?" Susan retorted, her fair brows furrowing in displeasure "That would be foolish."
"No, but he will be sending one of his operatives." Khan replied meeting her swirling crystal eyes "I need you to find out who they are."
"I assume killing them isn't the plan." Orlando wondered.
"No, we wouldn't want to give ourselves away. Just find out who the person is, we need the faces of all our enemies."
"And her?" Susan hissed, referring to the woman who hadn't left Khan's thoughts.
"She will act as my protector, which reminds me. Remember to elude your own." Khan warned. Orlando and Susan nodded agreeably.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult with Ashera, but I will try my best." Orlando sighed desolately.
The night of celebration began the moment the last rays of sunset left the skies. The servants moved about the palace, bustling frantically to tend to their tasks. The citadel lit up majestically. The twinkling lights masked the alabaster walls in specks of gold.
The main convex globe a top the castle was constantly shifting to different colours of the spectrum. The entrance trapezoid stairway was fifteen feet in width with a waterfall running down the center. The shimmering waters were light up in an unusual shade of cerulean that traveled straight to the musical fountains.
There were two musical fountains, facing each other with a wide stretch of bricks separating them. The waters continued to dance and erupt to the rhythm of Debussy's Arabesque.
Guests began to arrive in black Rolls-Royces. Each arrival was awed by the sheer wonder the palace provided. Their enchantment with the garden's splendor was enough to distract them from the several steps they had to climb.
Khan was in his study, adjusting his metal cufflinks. He felt out of place in a suit having never worn one, but the occasion called for it. He moved in lazy steps to the small mirror on the wall to the left, next to the mini bar. He took in his appearance.
His dark hair was brushed neatly away from his forehead. The charcoal black shirt hugged his broad figure and tightly around his muscular chest. He pushed up at the head of his ebony silk tie till it was centered under the base of his neck.
"You should wear suits more often."
He glanced up to see Susan's reflection in his mirror. She was dressed in a long grey dress complimented by sprinkles of silver dust. The dress was held to her body by thin straps over her shoulders. Khan couldn't help but admire her a little. She looked positively dangerous in the slimming dress with her platinum head of hair slicked back. Noticing his approving stare, she smiled wickedly and began to approach him.
He turned slowly to face her. He did not miss the exaggerated sashay of her hips. She moved in sultry movements till she stood in front of him.
"Why don't I take this suit off after the night is over?" She purred while leaning into his body. Khan stood as still as stone while holding her intense, admiring gaze.
"Where exactly? Have you not noticed our guests?"
"Oh I've noticed." She murmured with a slight irritability in her began to stroke the length of his tie.
"Since your pet is rid of her chains, maybe we can be rid of her for the night?"
"That's not very wise Susan." He stated factually, her relaxed expression immediately tensed.
"Wise or just unfortunate for you?"
"What are you implying?"
"I think you know." She hissed releasing his tie as if disgusted by the silk "Don't you think it is a little sad to lust after someone who is beneath you?"
"You think they are beneath us?" He inquired while hiding his instant dislike for her condescending ways.
"It's not just them; everyone who isn't an Augument is beneath us. We are made this way." The surety in her words made him indecisive. He couldn't judge whether to agree with her or not. But then he began to think about Zahara. How she was made the way she was yet she didn't feel superior. She felt like a monster and she hated the ones who made her the way she was. He didn't know why the thought randomly floated into his mind but it did and he couldn't shake it away, he wanted to reassure the Wahashi.
He was suddenly reminded of Susan's presence but the glare she fixated on him.
"I see." He addressed "Maybe that is why I no longer lust after you."
She gaped appalled and insulted by his statement. He pressed his lips down to a thin line, resisting the urge to smile deviously.
Her icy stare narrowed "You think you are better than me?"
"Your actions speak multitudes. I am not the one trying to bed another just to mark my territory."
She fell silent, seething. He stared back, intrepid.
"Are you speechless because I am right or because I am right?" He asked daring her to say otherwise. The only reply he received was her retreating back as she marched out of his study.
A few seconds passed when Zahara emerged into his study. She lingered at the door, her head was craned to the side, observing Susan's irate exit with a passive expression.
Khan diverted his attention to his coat that hung on the head of his chair. He walked over to it and picked up the material by the collar.
"I see I am not the only one she is irritated around." Zahara muttered while shrugging on her red coat. Khan looked to her. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he made his way back to the mirror.
"Susan is a little difficult, but a worthy soldier." He said "I wouldn't have chosen her for my team if it wasn't for her skills."
"I thought you were all equal."
"Equal in abilities, interests are a different matter." He stated diplomatically while picking off specks of dusts off his jacket.
"Like you for example." He added, this grabbed her attention.
"Me?" She uttered suspiciously. He turned to her slowly. His pushed his left arm into the hole of the jacket and then shrugged on the material.
"I don't see anyone of your kind on the path you are." He said, while smoothing out the collar of his coat.
"Thank you for stating the obvious." He was charmed by the sass she presented, he wasn't expecting such a characteristic response.
"They are just scared, I do not blame them. But I am thinking that once this is over, they won't have to be." She assured while buttoning up the golden buttons of her suit.
"You are hoping we will win." He wondered, her gaze immediately narrowed.
"Hope is for the deluded." She practically hissed with conviction "I know what you are capable of, we were taught about your kind. Which is why I know I made the right choice."
She tilted her head to the side, her gazing wandering over him contemplatively.
"For now at least."
He smiled and nodded agreeably before turning back to the mirror. He adjusted his hair once more, the cuffs felt unhinged. He lowered his arm. He fixed the unlatched cufflink and pulled at the sleeve while simultaneously flexing his back muscles.
He felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, the one he got when he knew he was being watched. He glanced up at Zahara's reflection. Her eyes were set on him, his back to be more specific. He watched the way she admired him. He did not miss the dilation of her pupils or the softness of her features, there was a hunger burning in her eyes.
A desire that immediately disappeared the moment she knew she was caught.
She stared stricken, he held her gaze mirthfully. He turned to face her with a casual air about him. He masked the deep pleasure yet the confidence radiated in his high cheeks bone. He turned to face her again, she squared her shoulders expectantly.
"Ready?" He asked, his crystal blue eyes were gleaming mischievously.
She nodded with poise and folded her hands behind her back. He purposefully passed her closely, near enough that his arm gently brushed against her own. He could not deny the thrill that passed under his skin at the act. He pushed aside his need and exited the study as Zahara hesitantly followed after him.
Sorry about the abrupt ending, but the next part is under construction, hopefully I'll update it by Monday or maybe even sooner ;).