Page 8 of The Syphon King

“You think it will fit me?” she whispered, her face falling with worry as she carefully folded a black dress and returned it to the bag. “What if I look stupid in it?” She cast her worried glance to the door of the library, and he wanted to assure her she would not. She might not have exact memories, but having no self-esteem or self-worth seemed to be a scar left by the evil on her psyche. Unless she never had any which may have served as the perfect lure for malevolence.

She cast a cautious glance at the library door again then called Jinxxy to her with quiet pats on her legs. His eyes caught the bandages on her wrist, reminding him heneeded to check on her wound. Jinxxy raced over and plowed her into the couch. Zodak studied her joy, enraptured by it. Such beauty it put on her delicate face. He recalled again the way it looked and felt in his hands when he’d had to peer inside her earlier. There had been something familiar about the close distance to her. His gift had insisted. This would make everything more difficult he knew. When his powers demanded things, it did so without discrimination. Like a reflex. He could never let his guard down while his powers behaved this way even though it never had, outside the lust for power that wickedness offered it. It wanted something different from her that he could not fathom. Yet.

He removed all his ocular gates, wanting to see her fully as she hugged and squealed while Jinxxy lavished her with affection. Zodak recognized the power roiling in him as he watched. One he was quite familiar with but hadn’t experienced to such a degree since his early years of arriving in the country. A bone crushing longing. Why should he feel that? Perhaps because he was seeing it in her. The same longing that he’d had. Only, hers was being fulfilled and fed by Jinxxy.

Another power entered his blood, one that wasn’t familiar at all but clearlyidentifiable. Jealousy. And not of what she was getting.

He surely was possessed.

He caught the time on the computer. 10:00 AM. It was breakfast and she was obviously malnourished. He pulled his phone out and contacted Trixie, ordering a healthy meal from the cafeteria for her. He realized he should keep his own health up and dialed back, ordering a king sized serving for himself. Now that she was renewed, he’d build on that renewal.

He looked at the computer screen, seeing she was investigating his statues again. He rose up and headed out to discuss important particulars with her, then paused, remembering he needed every detail about her. He dialed King Thakx and put in a search request then fixed his ocular gates in place.

As he entered the living room, he recalled the name she’d given his brothers. Zenith. Or Zen. “Miss Zenith,” he called.

“Yes,” she said, turning to face him, her head lowered in...deference? Shame?

“You have a new life now and I want you to embrace it," he said, skipping conversation etiquette. "I will see that you have everything required to do that. But you can never leave my presence without my permission, you understand?”

She nodded. “Yes, my King.”

He tensed. “I am not your King.”

“My Savior,” she quickly corrected.

“Call me Zodak. That is my name.”

“King Zodak,” she said, breathless.

“Just Zodak. No titles.”

More hesitant nods with her face lowered. “Understood.”

“Why do you not look at me?”

Those azure gates snapped up and locked on him. “You said you couldn’t be around me or see me,” she reminded, lowering her face again.

“But I also have to watch over you.”

“Yes,” she said, not moving.

He realized he could do both without her looking at him. He also realized his gifts wanted to see her eyes and the face they belonged to. The stains in his mind insisted he see everything else attached to that. “You may look at me when I have my lenses on,” he said even while knowing he could see her every layer when in stealth mode.

She slowly raised her gaze to his. “Thank you.”

“For what?” he wondered, wanting to know the manner in which she perceived things.

“For... letting me look at you.”

He realized she was curious about him and said, “I have ordered breakfast. Iwill see to all aspects of your health, and you will comply.”

“Yes,” she said, staring at him still. “Thank you.”

He blinked, using his magnifying lens to bring her face closer. “You can shower before the food arrives. We will eat and you can ask all the questions you have about me. I am your guardian,” he added. “You understand what this means?”

She slowly nodded. “You will take care of me. In all aspects. And I will obey all that you require and request of me.” She lowered her eyes. “And...if I can, I would like to serve your every need and desire.” Her gaze snapped up to his again. “I’m sorry, I mean only the good desires and needs.” Again, she bowed her head as her words conjured up an electrical storm. “Please forgive me if I have spoken...wickedly,” she said, out of breath.

“There is nothing to forgive,” he said, guarding his tone. “With me there are no requirements or needs.”

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