me? Why did you come?” She moistened her lips. “I’m very confused, and I’m so tired. I’m forbidden to complain. But, if it pleases you, I would like you to go so that I can rest.”
“What would please me is if I knew what else you were going to have to face tonight from Zahra.” He took a cotton throw from her bed and wrapped it around her. “Sit down. Rest. I’ll be out of here soon. I didn’t mean to stay this long. You threw me a curveball I didn’t expect. I just have a few things to say, and I’ll be gone.”
Where to start? She was looking at him with those doe eyes that were making him feel as if he were aiming a rifle at her. Start at the beginning. Start with honesty.
“I didn’t come here to cause you any trouble. But I’m going to ask you to help me. There’s no reason why you should because it’s clear no one has helped you all these years. Certainly not me.” He shook his head. “And it might even be dangerous for you. If Zahra can treat you like this, there’s no telling what else she’ll do to you.” He paused. “But I have to ask it because it’s very important, and you may be our only hope.”
“Help you?” She was frowning. “I don’t understand. I can do nothing. She hates you and wouldn’t permit me to help you. She would punish me.”
“Permit? Punish?” He paused. “You’re not a slave, Dalai. Even in Maldara, slavery is forbidden. I won’t tell you that there wouldn’t be danger, but I will tell you that I’ll protect you if you help me.” He added, “And I promise Zahra will never be able to punish you again.”
“You lie to me.” She shook her head. “I belong to her. My father sent me to her and told me I must always do as she commands.”
“You belong to no one but yourself. He was mistaken.” He wasn’t getting through to her. How could he expect to overcome the brainwashing Zahra had been giving her all these years? But every word she spoke was tearing him apart, and he had to keep trying. “You’ve lived here in the palace and heard all the speeches the diplomats made about freedom. You know that Zahra wasn’t telling you the truth. You’re free to do as you wish.”
She shook her head. “I’ve heard all that, but I’m different. She said that I belong to her, like the slaves that Kiya brought from Egypt on the Great Journey belonged to Kiya. That I have to do everything she wants me to do.” She added wearily, “And she can punish me. So that’s another lie, too. Will you go now?”
“Not yet. I have to tell you what I need. Then I’ll let you kick me out.”
“Kick you out?” she asked in horror. “I could not do that.”
He smiled. “Yes, you could. You just need the practice, and it would come naturally to you. But you might need my friend, Jill, to help you get over the first hesitation.”
“Jill,” she repeated tentatively. Then she said slowly after a moment’s thought, “Jill Cassidy. I’ve heard Madam speak of her. She does not like her either.”
“No, Jill has gotten in her way, and she doesn’t like it.” His eyes narrowed on Dalai’s face. “But you probably knew that, didn’t you? That’s why I need your help, Dalai. You know everything that goes on with Zahra. You’ve been with her for years, and she obviously treats you like wallpaper when she’s not mistreating you. You see and hear everything. She’d never think that you’d betray her.”
“Because I would not. You do not know what she would do to me.”
His lips tightened. “I can imagine, judging by what I’ve seen tonight. But I’m asking you anyway. Terrible things have happened here in Maldara, and Zahra is part of a plan to start it all again. There were so many deaths. My friends and I are trying to keep it from happening, but we’re working in the dark. We need names and faces.” He paused. “Particularly the name and face of one man who Zahra might be protecting. I believe you probably have information that might shine a light on that darkness. Information that can save lives. I need it, Dalai.” He paused. “And in return, I’ll promise to take care of you, and protect you, and give you a life that will give you all