Morgan stood motionless. Xol held his guarded expression in front of Zarathoz, and she — without letting that morbid smile slip for even a second — dropped her gaze until it landed on him.
She watched him. Studied him. Only a few seconds, but they stretched.
Then she looked back at Morgan, pressed her hands against the desk and rose slowly, as if time were something she had in abundance, rounding the furniture to sit on top of it right in front of him, crossing her legs, closing the distance.
— So then... are you going to introduce me to your new friend?
( Zarathoz said it with a cheerfulness that put no one at ease )
Morgan was still trembling. Every muscle in his body was on edge, convinced that at any moment something was going to go wrong.
Zarathoz noticed. She slid off the desk without any rush and walked toward him. At the movement, Xol let out a low growl — almost involuntary. She glanced at him sidelong and gave him a mocking smile before turning back to Morgan.
She was right in front of him now.
Morgan looked down.
Zarathoz reached out and took one of his locks between her fingers, grazing it with a softness that felt more threatening than any rough gesture could have.
— What's the matter, boy?... Cat got your tongue?
She said it quietly, in that tone of hers — seductive and dangerous at once — leaning down slightly, searching for Morgan's face, making him meet her eyes.
— Or better yet...
( Zarathoz whispered, bringing her face closer to his )
Morgan was sweating. He didn't know how to respond. He was afraid that any word, any movement, would be enough to set something off.
Xol was ready. Waiting for a signal, coiled like a rope about to snap. But nervous too. Still too.
— DOG!!
Zarathoz screamed and made a sharp, sudden movement.
Xol lost his footing all at once.
Morgan hit the floor with his heart pounding out of his chest, breathless, barely sure of what had just happened.
And then came the laughter.
Zarathoz doubled over the desk, shaken by fits of laughter, gripping it to keep herself upright. It went on for what felt like forever — long, genuine, completely savored — before it slowly began to die down as she caught her breath.
She turned to look at Morgan, still on the floor with a look of sheer terror on his face, and wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand before settling back onto the desk. Small aftershocks of laughter were still escaping her when she spoke again.
— Hahaha... you were so scared, you were shaking so bad I just couldn't help it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But it's alright, kid.
( Zarathoz said, still smiling )
— I think I understand your concern. Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything to you... for now.
( Zarathoz said )
Morgan heard those words and brought his hand to his chest, trying to talk his heart into slowing down.
Zarathoz watched him do it and her expression shifted — just slightly. A little calmer. A little more serious.
— I imagine you have your doubts about me. So I'll be straightforward: I'm not going to hurt you or do anything strange. You're far too important for that. In fact, you've become the most valuable piece of a research project I've been working on for some time now. A being from another world...
( She paused for a moment, almost pleased with herself )
— that would drive everyone mad. But like I said, don't worry. I'll protect you. You're a one-of-a-kind resource. A very, very important one.
( Zarathoz said, with a faint smile )
— So it's alright, kid. Don't be afraid. As long as you're under my protection, nothing bad will happen to you. Of course...
She paused.
Morgan swallowed.
— ...in exchange, I'm going to need something from you. At some point.
( She said it in a tone that left no room for doubt about what that meant )
Morgan gathered what was left of his nerve and asked, his voice unsteady:
— What kind of something?
Zarathoz smiled.
— You'll find out. You'll find out in due time.
---
*End of chapter.*
*Next chapter: Fix.*