Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Something About Him ❯ Bending ( Chapter 19 )

Maiden's Slave~~ Welcome aboard! So glad to hear that you love my story ^_^ Always happy to be the inducer of plot bunnies and ideas *grins* Many people say my style is too slow, and in truth that's because I am overly wordy lol but I'm glad that you enjoy it anyway!

 

Just a note to any lurkers out there, as well as those of you who have already reviewed. I have a chance to host this story at a pay site, and if I am offered a deal and accept I would not be allowed to post it here for free any more. THis is an excellent oportunity to further my writing career.

Now, that being said, I will not leave my lovely readers high and dry. Those of you that have been following me will be offered a chance to receive updates, free of charge, but I will only be offering this to those of you who have commented before I take the story down. Now, nothing is written in stone yet, but I did want to give you all fair warning. If/when it happens, I will post and let you know how to get in touch with me so that you can keep reading. Thank you!

 

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Chapter 19

Bending

 

Katan's features looked tight as he welcomed Raythe into the sitting room. Raythe couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his friend's eyes, or the bandage wrapped around his hand.

 

“You look like hell.” The statement had a tone of humor, but Katan didn't miss the concern in his friend's eyes.

 

“I've…been helping with Jason's training.”

 

Raythe let his gaze land on Katan's hand. “Have to rough him up a little?”

 

Katan smiled sheepishly. “No, this is the result of an unruly wall.”

 

Raythe chuckled, “And has the wall learned its lesson?” he asked, humoring his friend.

 

“Yes, I think we've come to an agreement.”

 

“Would you like me to heal you?”

 

“No, that's not why I asked you here.”

 

“Oh, I see.” Raythe sat a bit straighter in his chair, recognizing Katan's business-like tone.

 

“The people that attacked Yuli…”

 

“They did a number on him. They weren't exactly playing around.” Raythe interjected.

 

“Their strength was…”

 

“That of vessels. Do you know who they were?” Raythe's habit of finishing Katan's sentences would be annoying if Katan hadn't had a lifetime to get used to it.

 

“That's just it. They weren't vessels. At least, I don't think so. Have you ever heard of purple haired vessels?”

 

Raythe furrowed his brow into a serious expression that looked out of place on his usually care-free face.

 

“I'd heard whisper. Some time ago. But I'm not sure I'm at liberty to discuss it…”

 

“So it's central intelligence information then…”

 

Raythe sighed. “You didn't hear this from me. I had heard that our government had funded some research into a specific performance enhancing drug. If I remember correctly, when injected into humans, it resulted in a sort of artificial vessel, the mark of which was a purple stripe of hair.”

 

“I see. And did they perfect it?”

 

“No, the project was scrapped for a series of reasons. The main one being that there seemed no solution for how temporary the change was.”

 

“Why were they attempting it in the first place?”

 

“For some time now we've been attempting to build an army of vessels.” The solemn tone in Raythe's voice, as well as the words that left his mouth sent a shiver down Katan's spine.

 

“Why? That's absurd! It's the duty of the Vessels to ensure peace, to negate the need for wars or armies. No Vessel in their right mind would agree to that!”

 

“I know, which is why they were outsourcing, trying to “create” vessels.”

 

“Well, if the project was scrapped, why are these freaks beating up on my employees?”

 

“I'd say you pissed off the wrong people. Just because the government stopped funding it doesn't mean it's not still being funded privately.”

 

Unlike Raythe, the serious expression that crossed Katan's face looked almost too familiar. “I've always had enemies, but never before have they made things so personal. Yuli could have been killed.”

 

“I'll have some of my best agents look into, Katan. Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this before anyone gets hurt…again.”

 

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

 

“Just out of curiosity…you were able to view them through Yuli's memory, correct?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Are you sure he's not color blind?”

 

A blank look crossed Katan's face. “Ya know, I never even considered that…”

 

Raythe couldn't help but laugh at his friend's ever-present compulsiveness. “Give me a copy of the recall tape, and I'll run it through the databases just to be sure.”

 

“There's one all ready for you, Estevan will give it to you on your way out. Not to take advantage of your position, but there's something else…”

 

“Don't think of it as taking advantage, this is a possible disaster in waiting if it's really a case of someone using these drugs for personal purposes.”

 

“Well, this doesn't have anything to do with that…it seems Jason has a memory block.”

 

Raythe's eyes grew wide at Katan's words. “W-why would he have that?”

 

“I don't know. That's why I need you to do some digging.”

 

“I'll try, but that's dangerous territory. It will take some time, since I'll have to be extra cautious.”

 

“Yes, of course, please be careful.”

 

*****

 

Jason was shivering again. If he kept his mind occupied he managed to forget how cold he was, but he was so tired, thinking about anything else was becoming a challenge.

 

The exhaustion was getting to him. He was fighting to hold back tears of frustration as he held himself tightly and rocked back and forth.

 

“So cold…” he muttered to himself, and even he thought he sounded beyond tired. “Just want to sleep.”

 

“When will it be four?” he asked louder, looking at the speaker box, as if it were a person.

 

He waited hopefully, but was only greeted with silence.

 

“Hello?”

 

Again, there was no reply.

 

“Please!” Jason's best attempts weren't enough as his voice cracked, and tears began to spill down his cheeks, “I just want to know the time!” Jason practically yelled, the frustration coursing through every part of his being, as he hated himself for his tears.

 

“I just want to sleep.” He muttered again to himself, too exhausted to maintain his tears or his anger.

 

*****

 

Katan sat in silence in his study for a long time after Estevan showed Raythe out. He was lost deep in thought, staring out the large window. He wondered about Jason's past, about these enemies and who they could be, about Jason in the cold training room, about Jason in the future. All of his thoughts revolved around Jason.

 

That boy really has bewitched me.

 

Katan didn't even notice when the door cracked open and Mark peered in.

 

Katan's appearance worried him. Never before had his master looked so worried. Sitting in the dim light, Katan looked much older than normal as worry lines creased his usually flawless features. Mark was not used to seeing his master looking distraught, but that was exactly how he would describe him at this moment.

 

“Master?”

 

Mark saw the shift in Katan's features as his confident mask returned before he swiveled in his chair to meet Mark's gaze.

 

“Yes, Mark?”

 

“I had to take a break from watching Jason, and thought I'd see if there's anything you need?”

 

“No, I don't think so. How is Jason?”

 

“Are you sure, Master? You've not eaten anything all day, I'm worried for your health.”

 

Katan smiled at the concern on Mark's face. Sometimes Mark acted like a mother hen, and Katan couldn't say that he hated it. “I suppose I could go for some light food.”

 

“Yes sir!” Mark said, smiling with relief, “I'll go tell the kitchen.”

 

“Mark?” Katan's voice stopped Mark in the doorway, “How is he?”

 

Mark looked back at Katan, a more serious expression than he normally carried made him look almost sullen. “You're not the only one I worry about, Master.”

 

Katan wasn't even sure what food he'd been brought, he'd gobbled it down too fast to notice, and was now on his way to check on Jason.

 

He poked his head in the control room door, cringing when he saw that Natalie was there, knowing that, like always, she'd make him feel as if he was being overly concerned with a slave, which he was, but he still didn't like having it pointed out.

 

“Can I help you?” Natalie asked with a teasing lilt to her voice.

 

“Oh, uh, I was just looking for Mark.” Katan lied, smoothly and he was thankful he had already stored a list of excuses for his presence while inhaling his meal.

 

“He's not here at the moment, I think he said he went to find you.” She replied, raising an eyebrow as Katan continued his advance into the room.

 

“Oh, I see, well I'll just wait here then so we don't keep missing each other.”

 

Natalie smirked, but said nothing as Katan trained his attention on the monitors. “He's drained, I don't imagine he'll last another 24 hours before he gives. I can see that he's already been very humbled. There's just a tiny sliver of pride that he's clinging to.”

 

Katan stared intently at the screen. It wasn't zoomed in on Jason's face, and it wasn't even a high quality image, but it didn't have to be for Katan to plainly see the dark circles under Jason's puffy eyes, or the dead look in them as they stared at an obscure area of the floor in front of him.

 

“Has he been crying?”

 

“He had a small break-down. It's part of the transition, of realizing that you're powerless, it didn't last long.”

 

“Please, what time is it?” Jason's voice sounded weak through the intercom speakers.

 

Katan watched the screen as a dim glimmer of hope sparked in Jason's eyes, then died as he was greeted with silence.

 

“Why don't you answer him?” Katan asked, fighting to keep any of the warring emotions he was feeling from entering his voice.

 

“To tell him the time gives him hope that he can hold out, that he can once again take some control of the situation. It feeds that sliver of pride.” Natalie explained.

 

“I see.”

 

The door opened, and Mark appeared in the doorway. “Master?”

 

“Yes, Mark?”

 

“May I speak with you a moment?”

 

“Yes, of course.” Katan replied, standing up straight, and smoothing his jacket, “If you'll excuse me.” He nodded to Natalie, ducking out of the room and pushing the door closed behind him.

 

“Yuli called, he wanted to verify your budget for the girl. He plans to approach her owner tonight. I couldn't find you, so I told him money was no object, but I wanted to make sure.”

 

“Yes, of course, very good thinking, Mark.”

 

Mark smiled at the praise, and they both heard muffled voices on the other side of the door. Katan pulled the door open a crack so they could hear better.

 

“It isn't 4 yet, Jason, I'm afraid you'll have to be patient. Katan is a very busy man.” Natalie said authoritatively.

 

“Please, I know he's busy, but please, just ask him if he'll speak with me.” The plea in Jason's voice made Katan feel as though his heart had jumped into his throat and gotten stuck there.

 

“I'm sorry Jason, but you'll just have to…”

 

Katan barged into the room. “Let the boy speak.”

 

“I advise against it, sir.” Natalie warned.

 

“I've noted your advice, and while I respect your professional opinion, I would like to hear what my slave has to say.”

 

Katan flipped the switch to turn the intercom on. “Go ahead, Jason, I'm here.”

 

Hearing Katan's voice, even though it was masked by the computer, sent a spark of warmth through Jason, and relief washed over him.

 

“Master,” Jason began, looking at one of the cameras as he shifted to his knees, “Please, please let me out of here.” Jason bowed his head taking the swan-like stance Katan had showed him, “I'm so sorry for the way I acted before. I disgraced you, when you've shown me nothing but kindness. I beg you to forgive me.”

 

Katan's heart ached at the humility and sincerity in Jason's voice, he wanted nothing more than to run to him, and tell him all was forgiven.

 

Jason took a deep breath to steady his voice, “I understand now, I know what this training is for. I've been so full of pride that I wasn't ready to serve you in the way that you deserve, but I see now that I was wrong.”

 

A mixture of happiness and horror welled up in Katan's chest. On one hand he was happy that Jason was finally going to be workable as a slave, on the other hand, he was horrified that the proud, defiant boy had been reduced to such a humbled state, he feared that he may lose that mysterious quality that drew Katan to him in the first place.

 

“Please, master Katan, I need you.” With those words, Jason's voice broke, and tears began to stream steadily down his cheeks.

 

In that moment Katan realized that it was his house, and his slave, and he was employing Natalie, and if he wanted to run to Jason and tell him all was forgiven, he was entitled to do just that, to hell with her training methods.