"Your last tie was a dark forest green bowtie which you tied yourself, rather than use a pre-tied bow. It was also designed to be an effective restraint, gag, or soft strangling cord. If I recall correctly, you used it as a restraint last year. Yes?" She spoke almost absently as she finished entering the new data.
"That's correct. Morganos got out of hand, and my tie was the only thing available to use as cuffs since all the actual handcuffs the Wardens brought were already in use."
"Morganos is a hot-headed idiot, but that's beside the point. Here, I have something I want you to check out."
She clapped her hands sharply together once and called out, "ASA-three-seven-seven-bee-tee-gee, twenty-four-inch length, narrow, deep midnight blue, center, three-and-a-half-foot lift."
A strip of midnight blue fabric shimmered into existence in front of us and hovered around waist height. Sari picked it up then handed it to me.
"It has all the properties and functions your last tie had, but I've added a twist to this one. Snap it taut and keep it that way, then carefully feel the edges." She waited until I'd done so. "Feel that sharp edge? You now have a garrote in your hands. Snap it again with a slight twisting motion and leave it loose, and you're back to a simple length of material that is your original multi-purpose bowtie."
I looked at her, impressed but leery about the idea of wearing a garrote around my neck. She correctly interpreted my look and shook her head. "It can't be used against you. It's biometrically sealed to you, just like the rest of your armor and weapons, and has additional fail-safes engineered into it as well. There is no way to cause it to work against you. I should know, I tested one myself."
She held up a hand to stop my protest before I could even get a word out. "I followed stringent safety protocols, Gavin. You of all people know I never do anything carelessly."
I closed my mouth, a brief nod my only acknowledgment of her point.
"Why this shade of—what did you call it, deep midnight blue? Is there a new fashion trend I'm not aware of?" I spoke humorously to lighten the mood. Sari knew I didn't give a damn about fashion. She laughed, but a quick and secretive smile flitted across her face before she shook her head.
"It's not a new fashion trend. I just thought the color would look good on you—and I was right." She wore a smug look as she eyed the length of my six-foot-three-inch frame. "You clean up well if I do say so myself."
I laughed outright at that cheeky comment, as she intended me to. "Sari, we both know I wouldn't be anything other than scruffy if you didn't take me in hand all those years ago." I sent it right back at her in an innuendo-laden tone and watched as she blushed.
"All right, enough of you. Damn it, how do you still make me blush about that incident? I swear, Gavin..." She shook her head. "The cufflinks are ready and waiting at the counter. Was there anything else you needed or wanted while I have ASA holding your information ready?"
I thought for a moment. "A matching pocket square and cummerbund."
Both her eyebrows shot up toward her hairline. "You? In a cummerbund? You hate them—I distinctly recall you saying that once you'd worn a vest instead, you'd never wear a cummerbund again. What’s going on?"
I shrugged. "Call it a hunch. I do hate them, but..." I shrugged again, a lift of one shoulder indicating that I had no better answer than that.
"Very well. Meet me at the counter. I'll have everything ready for you momentarily." The door behind me slid open in a clear directive, which I promptly followed.
Several minutes later, Sari emerged with a neatly-wrapped parcel in her hands. She placed it on the counter then reached underneath to pull a set of cufflinks from a small storage drawer tucked behind the back wall of the display. She put them in a lined gift box for safekeeping then tucked that into the parcel as well.
"Here you go. The usual terms apply."
I nodded and discreetly tapped my wrist holo. Mere seconds later, the credit transfer was complete.
"You'll be at the Fête tomorrow night, Sari?"
"Yes, indeed. Much like you, my absence would raise unwanted speculation." The wry twist of her lips spoke volumes about her feelings on that.
"I'll see you tomorrow night, then. Take care, Sari."
"Until then, Gavin. Stars light your path." I lifted a hand in farewell as I walked out, idly noting her habit of borrowing apt phrases from the several thousand books I knew she'd read.
Chapter Nine
Zahra
THE MORNING OF THE Fête dawned clear and sunny. I stretched and got dressed, then threw a few things I’d need that evening into a tote bag. Wearing makeup wasn’t my thing, but I did own some and knew how to use it when the occasion demanded.
I tied my hair up in a quick knot then grabbed my water bottle as I headed out the door, making sure it locked behind me. A quick puff of air activated the bioshields I’d quietly added when I moved in. They wouldn’t keep a determined attacker out for long, but they’d warn me if anyone tried to enter while I was away and buy me time to escape or launch a counterattack if I were home.
I debated whether I should walk or take a hoverboard to Sari’s as I headed down the sidewalk, then decided to take a ‘board. I didn’t do it often, but they were fun to ride. I suspected I was about to get a hellacious workout, so I didn’t feel guilty about forgoing a little of my usual exercise.
After I grabbed one from a nearby kiosk, I hopped on and zipped off toward Sari’s, gracefully slaloming around pedestrians and other hoverboard riders. I put the ‘board through a couple of corkscrew loops for the pure fun of it as I passed through an open area, laughing in happiness as I settled back into normal flight.
Minutes later, I dropped the hoverboard off at a kiosk two doors away from Sari's and walked up the street to her shop. I entered and was greeted by her disembodied voice informing me that she’d be with me shortly. I took the opportunity to look around at her 3D displays. A particularly bold one caught my eye: it was a vivid fluorescent pink and bright yellow that commanded attention.
Shaking my head as my vision was both attracted to and assaulted by the eye-popping colors, I saw that it was a very scantily-cut monokini. I didn’t see any indication that illusion fabric was involved, either, which meant either someone wanted a bathing suit made of armor—or they wanted to flaunt a serious amount of skin.
I turned when I heard quiet footsteps coming from Sari’s fitting area. They belonged to a man of average height who had sandy blonde hair, green eyes, and tanned skin. He offered me a courteous nod but spoke to Sari, who walked out behind him.
“Sari, thank you for your time. A fantastic job as usual. I trust you’ll save me a dance tonight?” He grinned and winked at her roguishly, which made her laugh.
“You’re welcome, Sleight. Of course, I’ll save you a dance. Someone has to make you look good out there!” Her riposte was quick and playful.
“Touché, lovely lady! Although to be fair, my dancing skills have improved, somewhat. Your toes, at least, should not be in danger tonight...” his voice trailed off, and serious thoughts momentarily clouded his humorous expression before he continued, “although I make no promises for anything else.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I couldn’t help but chuckle along with Sari at his somewhat overblown but amusing banter.
“Get along with you, Sleight. I’ll see you tonight at the Fête, and I expect you to live up to your claim of not damaging my toes.” Her exaggerated shooing motions toward the door provoked more laughter as Sleight obligingly left.
Sari gestured toward her fitting area. “All right, Zahra. Let’s get started.”
MOMENTS LATER WE WERE enclosed within the glowing walls of Sari’s domain. I stripped while she called up a set of clothes—armor! I reminded myself yet again—for me to try. Unlike the flashy styles many others wore, these were simpler in both cut and color.
“I took the liberty of choosing a style I thought you’d prefer rather than some of the, shall we say, trendier pieces that ar
e common of late.” Her tone made it clear she wasn’t a fan of some of those pieces.
“Oh, thank gods. I don’t think I could show my face in public in something like that monokini you’ve got on display.” I grimaced comically. “I mean, I know I could rock the style—but those colors!”
She laughed long and hard at my expression and comment. When she caught her breath, she explained, “That's something I created for Flashbang. Much like the grenade she named herself after, she goes for the eye-popping and blinding in both her attire and style of attack.”
“Judging by the colors and style, I’d say that monokini is an attack.” My wry tone made Sari laugh again.
“You’re not wrong,” she replied, still chuckling.
I shook my head and took a closer look at the outfit in front of me. At first glance, it looked like an emerald green midriff-baring bustier with black trim paired with low-rise black boy shorts, but a closer look revealed the illusion fabric that turned it into a full skinsuit.
“Until your healing ability is at ideal levels, you should stick with full outfits for protection. Once it is, we can look at some of the skin-baring options if you prefer.” Sari delivered that advice matter-of-factly.
“Agreed. I can’t afford the time it’ll take me to heal if I’m seriously injured, not if I’m going to stay alive while I get this damn target off my back.” Hints of bitterness and aggravation tinged my tone although I’d tried to keep it even and calm. “Same command sequence as the gown?” I added as I stepped close to the outfit, fingers already moving in the subtle gestures that were part of my unique code.
Her affirmative response was concurrent with the outfit wrapping around me and sealing along my spine. As with the gown the day before I shivered at the sensation, which felt similar to a having a pair of fingers trail lightly from between my thighs up over my ass and continue up my back until they reached the nape of my neck. For a sensualist like me, the effect was both tantalizing and pleasurable. Sari noticed but didn't comment.
“Would you prefer shoes or boots with this outfit? I worked up both.”
I debated for a moment. “I’d like to see both.”
Sari called out the command sequences for ASA, and both the shoes and the boots shimmered into being on the floor in front of me.
The shoes were a simple black slip-on style that molded to my feet like a favorite pair of socks. They were soft, with a surprisingly protective sole that was also super grippy. I knew right away that it would take something extreme for me to slip while wearing them.
The boots had the same fit and properties but curved up from mid-calf in the back to a pointed front that ended just below my knee. They were black and had an intricate emerald-colored design embroidered on the front that nestled just below the point.
Sari called out the command for the walls to turn reflective, creating a three-hundred-sixty-degree mirror.
“Oh, wow,” I murmured while studying the full outfit from every angle. It was striking either way, although the boots took it from mundane to “meow!”
I pivoted in place to test how grippy the soles were. The answer was “very,” although I was able to move easily without the boots twisting on my feet. Once again, Sari’s creations showed why she was a Master of her craft.
“Ready to spar?” Sari’s question reached me mid-bend as I stretched to put my palms flat against the floor.
“Yes,” I grunted—then immediately regretted answering that quickly as a swift foot to my ass sent me toppling forward.
I managed to turn it into a semi-controlled tumble and regain my footing, although there was nothing graceful about it. Mentally thanking a former instructor for the lessons in how to fall correctly, I settled into a loose but balanced stance just long enough to get my bearings while sizing up my shorter and, it turned out, fiendishly quick opponent.
Sari flowed as she came at me in a flurry of punches and kicks. There was no other way to describe it. Each move was economical and used no more power or effort than was required to execute it, but she was just as quick, powerful, and unpredictable as lightning strikes in a storm. I was hard-pressed to defend myself against her attacks.
“You won’t win if you let me force you to stay on the defensive.” Her voice was calm even while she unleashed a series of jump-kicks that made me bend and twist like a willow tree in high winds as I tried to avoid them. Her last kick connected with my outflung arm. The impact caused me to hiss.
I didn’t reply because I knew that the only acceptable answer was to go on the offensive. I also knew she’d read whatever moves I intended before I even committed to them. Oh well. In for a penny... I stepped into her next left-handed punch before the thought was complete.
I caught her wrist in my right hand then shifted to my right and partway behind her, which opened her defenses as the move forced her arm out and down. Without stopping my flow of motion, I hooked my right foot across the front of her ankles and pulled back on them while I brought her arm behind her back and shoved it upward. The pressure forced her to bend just enough that between it and me pulling her feet out from under her, she started to fall forward. I quickly let go of her arm, since I didn't want to dislocate her shoulder, and jumped back to avoid the foot she lashed out with as she turned her fall into a tumbling roll that brought her right back to her feet, balanced and ready to go.
“Better, but not enough. Keep going.”
I sidestepped, watching for a weakness in her defenses. As expected, there were none. Or at any rate, none I could readily see. Think. Everyone has at least a minuscule weakness, even when their defenses are solid. What is it? For a moment, the voice of my first instructor echoed in my memory as though she were in the room speaking to me.
My eyes narrowed as I studied Sari anew. She blinked as she observed me just as intently. I waited, moving around just enough to get the position I wanted, watching her the entire time. When she blinked again, I exploded forward in a powerful snap-kick that threw her hands wide open and left her torso open for the follow-on kick, which drove the breath out of her when it impacted her diaphragm. I followed up with a left hook before spinning to drive an elbow into her kidney. When she staggered, I took her down with a leg sweep and put her into a hold that, had I not pulled my full strength and checked the twisting motion, would’ve proved deadly.
“Point,” came her somewhat breathless call.
I instantly released her and stepped back out of range as I did. Her first kick taught me that she’d take advantage of any opening I gave her. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again if I could help it.
“You’re learning.” She chuckled as I stepped away. She grimaced as she rose and put a hand on the spot where I’d nailed her kidney. “Who taught you street fighting?”
“Someone I knew in school. He was a friend—for a while, anyway—until we went our separate ways. He only showed me a few moves, but they’ve been useful at times. So is the mindset he taught me along with them.”
“Which is?”
“If you have to fight, it’s you or them. At that point, there’s no such thing as fair, only doing whatever it takes to survive. Use whatever works and remember that anything can be a weapon.”
Sari drew a deep breath, her chest rising then falling when she spoke. “Interesting. And accurate. Whoever this friend was, he gave you a powerful tool and weapon.”
“Yes, he did.”
She watched me in silence for a moment, head tilted slightly to one side. “What went through your mind when you were studying me just before you attacked?”
“A memory.”
She gestured for me to continue, her gaze inquisitive.
I sighed. “For a moment, I heard the voice of my first instructor in my head, as though she were here coaching me. It was something she used to say all the time. ‘Think. Everyone has at least a minuscule weakness, even when their defenses are solid. What is it?’”
Sari looked startled. “That sounds—wait, what was this in
structor’s name?” Her sudden intensity took me by surprise.
“Falyan. Instructor Falyan.”
“Where were you when she taught you?”
I frowned, my brow furrowed in thought. “I was young, so... I think it was when we lived in Valewood.”
“Valewood?”
“It’s a city on the planet Aristan.”
“That explains much.” Her almost-inaudible comment piqued my curiosity.
“What—”
She cut me off. “It’s a discussion best had elsewhere.”
Hmph. Mysterious, much? I made a mental note to follow up on it as I grabbed my old clothing, overnight bag, and both pairs of shoes from the shelf since it seemed we'd finished sparring.
Sari checked her wrist holo. “We don’t have enough time right now for me to share the full story. The quick version is, Falyan was once my instructor as well. The fact that you were her student tells me you have great potential. It also gives me more insight into your current problem. We will discuss this, and soon. For now, we need to prepare for the Fête.” She paused and glanced at her wrist again. “Lumi will be here momentarily.”
Chapter Ten
Zahra
SARI AND I WALKED OUT into the shop just as Lumi came through the door with her usual exuberance. She rushed over and hugged me, giving Sari a broad smile and greeting on her way.
“Girl, I can’t wait to see you in full formal gear!”
I laughed. “Lumi, you saw me in it just the other day. You know what it looks like.”
“No, no...I saw the gown and shoes, but that’s only part of the deal. I’m talking makeup, hairdo, the works!”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re nuts. But okay, if that’s what floats your boat...”
She stuck her tongue out at me. “You’ll see. By the way, nice outfit. I approve.” She winked and flashed me a heated grin as she checked out my new armor from head to toe.
Zahra Unveiled Page 4
