Zahra Unveiled

by Trace Komoros

  “Stand still, arms out to your sides,” she commanded as her hands moved with fluid precision and grace.

  The next thing I knew, the dress wrapped around me from front to back as it flowed over me like a lover’s caress and molded to my body like a second skin. I felt the material meet and seal along my spine and shivered at the sensation.

  Sari noticed—I saw her subtle smile as she faced me from a few paces away and called out, “ASA-seven-nine-one-seven-ess, 3D model, matching, three-inch heel, center floor.”

  A pair of strappy sandals that matched the gown materialized on the floor in front of me. Sari knelt, then picked up a shoe in one hand and held her other hand out for my foot. She slid the sandal on then snugly buckled the ankle strap before repeating the process with my other foot. She stood, appraised the outfit from head to toe, and nodded.

  “Walls, three-sixty-degree mirror. Zahra, walk around and test how everything feels. If there’s the slightest pull, pinch, constriction, or otherwise uncomfortable feeling, I want to know about it the instant it happens, so we can fix it.”

  I stepped out slowly, afraid the fabric on either side of the thigh-high slit was going to get tangled in my long legs. Silly me—I forgot I was dealing with a Master who knew every last ripple, twist, and flow of her designs and material.

  Once I realized I didn’t need to alter my normal stride to keep the gown in place, I moved around the large room while switching between smooth, gliding strides, sharp turns, and the occasional added sultry sway or dance step in my walk. It was pure pleasure to feel the material slide against my skin while I watched the gown’s movement in the mirrors. The sandals were so comfortable that I barely knew they were there, although a couple of unexpected shifts in my balance during sharp turns were a pointed reminder that I wore three-inch stilettos.

  Satisfied with everything so far, I stopped in the center of the room and looked at Sari. “All good so far. What else do you want to check?”

  Sari smiled. A worrisome bit of mischief danced in her eyes. “Lumi? Are you ready?”

  Lumi pushed off the wall she’d been leaning against by way of an answer as she sauntered over to me.

  “Uh, ready for what?” I directed my question to Sari since I distrusted the smug look on Lumi’s face.

  “Light sparring, of course. How else can you test whether the fit is correct for anything you might encounter while wearing it?”

  I gulped but resigned myself to the necessity. “Don’t kick my ass this time, okay, Lumi? We’re testing a fitting, not trying to see how much punishment I can take.”

  Lumi snickered but promised, “Light sparring only.”

  Sari broke in, “Remember: the slightest feel of something uncomfortable, stop and tell me. Just call ‘Hold,’ and Lumi will stop. She knows how this part works.”

  I gave them both one last resigned look then nodded and turned my full attention to Lumi.

  “Begin!” Sari called.

  LUMI CIRCLED ME, WHICH forced me to pivot as I watched for her next move. A slight twist of her torso as her right leg snapped up in a series of kicks was the only clue I had to sway sideways then dance back to avoid them. Light sparring or not, Lumi was a force to be reckoned with, but I was determined not to leave here bruised and sore.

  Circling again, always watching for any tells, I slipped a few quick punches and narrowly avoided her follow-up knee to my thigh. I tested her defenses with a few quick jabs then blocked a series of punches from landing on my torso. I noticed she was careful not to target my face since any bruises or cuts there would be the devil to cover. It wouldn’t be an issue for her since she healed rapidly, but it would be for me. Another thing I needed to fix, and soon.

  I turned my full attention back to her just in time to receive a solid thump on the shoulder from an expertly-placed roundhouse kick. I staggered a few steps, then faked still being off-balance to set her up. She stepped in with a flurry of punches designed to open my defenses for her favorite move, a right cross that was often a “lights out!” moment for her opponents. I maneuvered her to where I wanted her, then feigned a stumble and immediately turned it into a leg sweep that dropped her to the floor when she took the bait.

  “Hold!” I called, my left leg still extended as I balanced on my right.

  Sari moved in immediately.

  “A bind, top of the left thigh, centered between hip and groin.”

  She ran a finger lightly over the area, and the fabric released and smoothed in its wake. My leg twitched involuntarily at the tickling sensation. “Better?” She stepped back at my nod.

  I brought my leg down, took a second to make sure all was still good then beckoned Lumi back over. I stood in a seemingly careless stance that in reality was surprisingly well-balanced. What? You think it's easy to spar in three-inch stilettos? Yeah, no. High heels do amazing things to lengthen legs and lift asses—as well as certain libidos—but there’s a definite art to maintaining your balance while fighting in them that I hadn’t yet mastered. Although it seemed I might need to, pronto.

  Lumi came at me again, dancing and swaying as she wove a mesmerizing pattern of kicks, punches, and feints that made me work hard to keep them from landing. I spotted an opening and came at her with a front snap kick to her ribs then followed it up with a hard-edged hand to her throat. I pulled the blow so that the side of my hand rested against her windpipe but didn’t do any damage, or worse, crush it. She froze and conceded the point.

  “Well done!” Sari’s impromptu applause sent a warm feeling through me. She moved toward us once she was sure we’d finished. “Everything good?” She directed her comment at me, meaning the fit of the gown during that last intense bout.

  “Perfect,” I replied in between rapid breaths. I fanned my face to cool the light sweat sheening it as I stood there. Lumi also showed signs of our workout. Both of us were disheveled, but nothing some cold water and a few quick hairstyle repairs couldn’t fix.

  “Excellent. Lumi,” Sari shifted to face her directly, “you’ll need to leave the fitting area now. Feel free to use the ladies’ room to freshen up while I give Zahra the rest of the information about her new armor.”

  Lumi nodded and walked through the door, which unsealed at her approach then sealed itself shut again as soon as she was through.

  Chapter Seven

  Zahra

  SARI TURNED TO ME WITH a deadly serious look on her face. “There are several things you need to know about this armor, which includes how to put it on and remove it. It’s now biometrically sealed to you. If anyone else attempts to remove it without knowing your code, they’ll get a nasty surprise. If they do manage to get it off you and try to wear it, they’re dead.”

  I stared at her, shocked.

  Unfazed by my reaction she continued, “That’s part of the reason why my armor is in extremely high demand and requires such exacting measurements and fittings. Another part is the proprietary polymers I use to make it. The third part is that each item is unique to the wearer.” She paused for a moment.

  “In your case, there’s an exclusive fourth part. Your gown,” she nodded at it, “was made with my top-secret nanites, which are mixed in with the polymers. A special coating allows them to draw power from your body’s electricity to maintain functionality. Their only job is to enter any freely-bleeding open wounds you sustain and seal them enough to keep you functioning until you can get medical care. They won’t last forever, but hopefully, it will be long enough for you to unlock your powers and keep them at consistently strong levels.”

  I was stunned by the addition of the healing nanites to my armor and dismayed to discover she knew that particular information—and my expression showed it.

  “Acquit me of anything sinister.” Her tart tone caused me to flush as she pinned me with an uncompromising look. “This is need-to-know information I’ve entrusted to you, as a way to show proof of intent. Make no mistake, though. It stops with you.”

  I nodded. “Understood.”


  She continued, matter-of-factly, “Lumi apprised me of a few specific challenges you have when she made this appointment, so I could create what you needed. You’re wearing the most advanced armor I’ve ever made in the many decades of being an acknowledged Master of the craft. My goal is to help you stay alive.”

  She paused again as I flinched, then resumed once I regained control of myself. “I know you stumbled across one of the radicals' clandestine meetings and overheard information about plans to overthrow the Tetrarchy. I also know they want to subvert you if they can manage it—or kill you if they can’t.”

  This time my eyes widened in surprise. I hadn’t known that subversion, not death, was their primary goal.

  “Ah, I see you didn’t know that. Yes. If the radicals can subvert you and unlock your powers for their side to use, they’ll do it in a heartbeat. If they can’t, you’re dead because you’ll either be of no use or worse, too much of a threat to them.”

  I gulped as I tried to hide my fear.

  “Relax, Zahra. I’m not a threat. I’m an ally, although showing it openly at this time might tip a delicate balance.”

  I looked at her, unsure of whether I could take her at her word. Then I realized she’d handed me a weapon as well as a form of proof when she told me about the nanites. Trust but verify, I decided after a long moment. “Go on.”

  “Lumi arranged this fitting and took care of all the details. This armor is her gift to you. Part of the arrangement is that you return here each day for the next two, so I can provide you with two additional outfits made from the same material. They will also have the nanites incorporated into them. As with today, sparring is required to check the fit. The difference is that for these fittings, you’ll spar with me.”

  I was shocked. “Wait...it’s a gift? But...”

  “She wants you to stay alive. It’s clear that you’re special to her. Now, back to what I was saying. There are a couple of reasons you’ll spar with me. One, I’ll teach you a few things that will help you defend yourself and take down attackers in certain situations. The other is that you and I will test a few theories I have to get you powered up.” She paused then added, with a touch of humor that lightened an otherwise serious discussion, “ways to power up that don’t—currently, at least—include sex.”

  I stood there, flabbergasted, then blurted, “Deal. You’ve got a deal.” I blinked and shook my head in an attempt to get my brain cells functioning again. “What time should I arrive?”

  “Be here for 9:00 am tomorrow, and 3:00 pm the following day. I don’t hold morning fittings the day after the Fête. And Zahra, be prepared to work hard. I suspect time is running very short for us to figure things out.”

  With that, she coached me through calling up the heavily-shielded mini holoscreen that controlled the various functions of my gown and customizing the gestures and code that allowed me to unseal and remove it. Once she was satisfied that I had them memorized, she gestured for me to remove the dress and shoes and put my street clothes back on.

  “I’ll hold these until tomorrow since you’ll be here for your next fitting anyway. It’s one less thing you’ll have to deal with.” She stopped for a moment, with her head cocked to the side while she studied me. “Do you have jewelry that would go with the dress?”

  I shook my head. “I have the simple studs I’m wearing now. Nothing more.” I shrugged one shoulder. A hint of bitterness entered my voice as I added, “There was nothing else for me to bring when I relocated here.”

  She nodded, a sympathetic expression on her face. “I have some jewelry in the showroom that would work with it if you want to take a look. You can’t appear at the Fête without any—it won’t do either of us any favors if you do.”

  She opened the door to the fitting area as she finished speaking, and we walked out. Lumi was waiting for us.

  “Are you all set?” She looked from me to Sari then back to me.

  “We need to select some jewelry,” I replied.

  “Ooooh! Jewelry!” Lumi squealed before smacking her forehead. “Duh, of course. What was I thinking? Never mind, clearly I wasn’t...” her voice trailed off as we laughed at her excited babbling.

  “Well, we know who’s more excited about wearing pretty baubles.” Sari chuckled as she moved over to a transparent display case mounted on the wall. She pressed her fingers against a corner of it, and the hiss of escaping air sounded as the lid opened and swung upward.

  She selected a silver choker with a large sapphire in the center that was flanked by diamonds on either side. It was a simple but classic design that made a powerful statement. She also pulled out a matching bracelet and earrings.

  “I’ll set these aside with your outfit for tomorrow. In fact, why don’t you plan to get ready here? You too, Lumi.” She glanced over at both of us. “It’ll mean less rushing around after Zahra's next fitting.”

  “That would be great, Sari,” Lumi replied as I nodded. “What time should I show up? I don’t want to interrupt any fittings.”

  “Zahra will be here at 9:00 am for her fitting and some extended sparring afterward. Why don’t you show up around 1:00 pm? That should give the three of us time to get ready and then take transportation to the Fête. We can all ride over together.”

  “Perfect.” Lumi shot us a roguish wink. “Gives me time to make the further acquaintance of Tirone from the café.”

  We chuckled, then said our goodbyes.

  Chapter Eight

  Gavin

  I PUSHED BACK FROM my desk then stood and stretched as far as my sinews allowed before ambling into the living room. A thick vellum envelope on the end table next to the couch caught my eye, and I silently swore as I remembered the Tetrarchs’ Fête was tomorrow night. I swore again when I recalled that I needed to replace my cufflinks and tie. The ones I’d worn last year were used during the altercation that shut down the annual gala and never returned.

  I muttered and grumbled to myself as I listed all the reasons why I hated attending formal affairs while I pulled up Sari’s link and checked to see if she had an open time slot. Cufflinks and a tie seemed like a small thing that any clothier could replace, but Sari knew my practice of ensuring that everything I wore was either armor or weapon, sometimes both. Plus, she was the only armorer I trusted. In light of the information I’d recently learned, that was no small thing.

  When I saw that she had a single spot left open fifteen minutes from now, I reserved it then walked briskly out my door and let it slam shut and lock behind me. Opting to travel on foot rather than use a hoverboard or other conveyance, I set off in an easy jog that would get me there on time without leaving me sweaty or winded. The extra cardio couldn’t hurt—physical conditioning was never a bad idea when you didn’t know who or what you’d face next.

  I arrived at Sari’s precisely on time and walked through the door to the counter, where she greeted me warmly although her look was inquiring. She’d known me for many years, so informality between us was second nature.

  “What brings you here today, Gavin?”

  It was rare for me to frequent her shop since I already had all the outfits—more accurately, armor—I needed to cover any situation we’d been able to envision.

  “I need to replace my cufflinks and tie. I forgot I'd used them during the altercation last year and never got them back—and gods help us all if I don’t meet the damn dress code. The Tetrarchs will have a fit.” I rolled my eyes, my tone just short of snappish as the last two comments slipped out before I could stop them.

  Sari shook her head, her amusement evident in her voice as she gently mocked me, “Poor Gavin! Such a trial to have to dress up for one night. The way you're griping, you’d think the world was ending.”

  “It’s not the dress code I object to. Or rather, that’s not the part I object to the most. You know I don't like being in the spotlight at what feels like a command performance. That, and knowing there’s a ninety-five percent chance some form of physical na
stiness will break out.”

  She touched the back of my hand with her fingertips then pulled them away and softly replied, “I know. I remember the reasons, Gavin. I haven’t forgotten, even after all these years.”

  Shaking off the mood with a flick of her fingers, she returned to the business at hand.

  “Cufflinks are easy. I made a duplicate set when I made the original pair. They’ve got the same tools built into them and work the same way. As for the tie, I've developed a variation you might like. Also, did you want the same color? Or something different?”

  “Sari, you know I trust your judgment. Whatever you think is best, as long as it’s not gaudy and follows my standard guidelines.”

  She scoffed. “As if I’d ever give you less than what you need.”

  My eyes acknowledged her underlying meaning even as I reddened and protested, “Hey! You asked. I answered. Can’t blame a guy for wanting to make sure everything is clear.”

  She chuckled then moved out from behind the counter. “Come with me. I need to make sure your neck size hasn’t changed. Otherwise, you might end up strangled by your new tie.”

  “By all means, let’s avoid that. The freshly-strangled look doesn’t suit me,” I replied drily as I followed her into the fitting area.

  Once the door sealed shut behind us, Sari quickly checked my neck measurements and recorded everything on ASA's holo screen. I didn't know what the letters stood for, but it was what she'd named the customized system she used for her creations. I couldn't see the screen due to the multiple layers of heavy-duty security and privacy settings on it, but I'd learned some details about it several years ago when I’d asked her to create specialized armor and weapons for me. It, like the rest of her creations, was a one-of-a-kind that only she could see and use—a fact I deeply appreciated since she had so much sensitive data on there.