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The only thing that can truly be threatened is the false self.
-Master Fjeld
***
Keralan stepped forward tentatively, feeling her heart thumping in her chest.
Bilrah.
She’d never learned the name during her lessons but had never thought to wonder why. Anything Henry had told her had been about Giova or Shebai Province itself. She knew nothing about the man who was now her master. As she continued forward, her mind tried desperately to understand who he was and what he would be like. He was probably the most influential person in the world. Her stomach felt unsettled as she forced herself to move. One step at a time, she went along, until she faced the entrance to the pillared area.
She glanced up.
A man, perhaps in his thirties, reclined on a black velvet lounge chair. He seemed relaxed and yet alert. He wore a fine, ivory hued button up shirt and loose pants of the same material. His body was of a medium build; only slightly muscular. He had short cut uninteresting brown hair and an ordinary face that struck her as slightly elongated. He was using his control chip. Keralan could hardly believe that she was in the presence of someone with so much power. He was just a man...a human being, and yet, he commanded the world.
The man looked up, noticing her for the first time. His dark brown eyes found hers and locked on immediately. Keralan suddenly imagined she knew how a deer felt when a tiger had suddenly spotted it. She didn't know what to do. There was no escape from his intense gaze, but she stubbornly stared back without blinking as if he had invited her to a silent challenge. After a few more seconds, he raised his hand and motioned for her to come forward. She obeyed, though she wished she'd had the courage to refuse. When she reached the edge of the plush decorative carpet that lay in front of the chair, he said, "please sit."
Keralan knelt onto her knees before him. She looked at the ground below the chair. It was plain to her that she was meant to feel small beneath him, and that summoning people in that way was something he chose to do. It was not by chance and it made her lose some respect for him, for he was a man who used fear and intimidation to create the illusion of power.
"Do you know why you are here Keralan?" he said deep and clear.
Because he spoke so directly, using her first name as if he knew her already, she peered up at him. The words that came out of her mouth, and the emotion in them, surprised her.
"All I know is that I had no choice," she said, indignantly.
He stared back at her for a long time. Again, she refused to look away, though she knew it was unwise.
"You are angry. I can see that," he finally told her, shifting his weight. "And I understand completely. But you don't know do you?"
"No," she admitted flatly. "I was told nothing."
He smiled. She frowned when she realized that he seemed pleased.
"You were selected based on your test scores," he went on.
"My test scores?" she repeated, not comprehending.
"Yes, you took tests like all the other graduates in the world. Placement tests. You remember?"
"Well yes, but...."
He cut her off saying, "so, you showed that you were worthy of my province, but also that you had potential."
Keralan was taken aback. She wanted to say to him that she could care less how much potential her tests revealed to him. She was about to but changed her mind.
"I hardly think..." she began.
Bilrah interrupted her once again.
"The thing is, if we run the test outcomes along with other information through the main database, we can identify many attributes."
Keralan searched her memory for the different aspects of her testing. It was well known that the tests were a way for corporations to discover and select the best candidates for the specialized jobs and roles they needed filled. The testing was physical, mental, and emotional, and lasted several days. It was completed with other graduates, at times in small groups or pairs. None of the testers, including Keralan, knew what attribute, skill, or ability they were being tested for. It was just something that had to be done whether you were home tutored or not.
Her final testing had been years ago. She had assumed that the results would have no bearing on her life and most likely they wouldn't have. She understood that it made a substantial difference for others, some of whom could either go onto higher learning or even become employed with a high-class corporation. But for her, it was always the plan that she would stay within Synpol.
Keralan stared up at the strange man before her.
"You are to be my companion," he said, matter of fact.
Keralan's thoughts stopped dead. She was speechless.
"Don't worry, I won't rush you into anything," he added, almost as if he realized how insane his words sounded.
"You already have," she muttered before she could stop herself. Her stomach clenched in fear of his reaction.
Bilrah was silent. Keralan didn't see any signs of anger in his face and when he spoke again, his deep voice was gentle and sincere.
"Keralan. I realize that you are here against your will. I am sorry for that. Unfortunately, willing people usually have undesirable motives. I have a terrible time finding good people. But please, just give me a chance. While you are here, under my care, you will be protected, treated fairly, and given all you need. You are free to pursue your own interests. If after one month, you are truly unhappy here, I give my word to send you home...no strings attached." Bilrah cleared his throat briefly and finished by saying, "but this is much to digest, I realize. So, I will let you go and get settled into the harem. Oma will take you there."
Before Keralan could speak a word in protest, he picked up a little bell from his side and rang it gently, without taking his eyes off her. The tone reverberated through the room, slowly fading into a deep silence. Keralan stared into his eyes. If she had to make a snap judgement, and that was all she had time for, she could see no malice there, and although it made no sense to her, a trickle of excitement warmed within her. It was beyond confusing.
Oma promptly appeared at her side and helped her to her feet. In a state of bewilderment, Keralan finally turned away from Bilrah's gaze and followed Oma.
***
On their way to the harem, the only thing Oma said to Keralan was to explain that she was the overseer. The woman walked at a fast clip through the unoccupied halls and rooms, the only sound the shuffle of her soft soled shoes.
Keralan knew what a harem was from reading about pre-modern times, and yet she had never heard of such a thing in her life. It was common knowledge that using women for sex was wrong, a thing too barbaric for contemporary men. She had known nothing outside of Miliri but had assumed that their social observances were in place elsewhere. The System would know if anyone was behaving immorally. No one could do bad things without being caught.
Bilrah was no ordinary man, however. Keralan couldn't get the predatory look in his brown eyes out of her mind. He had looked upon her as if he knew he could do anything he wanted to her. She figured that he could, and yet, he had promised that he would let her go home after a month. She shook her head at her own ridiculous hope that it was true. Of course, it was folly to trust a man who'd basically kidnapped her. There was something about him, however, that intrigued her.
No, she told herself. No. She wouldn't acknowledge the fact that she liked knowing that he selected her out of everyone in Eurafrasia. Her. She couldn't help but wonder what it was that made him choose her. It was pleasing to think that there might be something special about her.
Again, she shook her head, disappointed by her own fanciful thinking. It's nothing, she thought.
Soon Oma led her into a small garden that was open to the dark blue sky above. The air was cool, refreshing, and smelled of moist earth. Keralan noticed small flickering lights coming on around them as they walked down a rough gravel path. They made their way to the entrance of a simple stone building, the opening obscured by vibrant burgundy velvet curtains. Oma told Keralan to wait outside. She slipped inside and then after a few seconds came out, holding the curtain back. Keralan could hear soft female voices coming from inside.
Keralan brushed past the soft velvet into a moderately sized room dimly lit with lamps. The flickering flames of old-fashioned style electric candles reflected off lavish draperies that nearly surrounded the entire room, giving the impression of standing within an exotic Bedouin tent. Golden goblets, trays, and wine decanters glimmered in the warm light. The toasty air smelled rich and spicy with a seductive hint of sweet perfume. Thick, soft carpets were piled throughout, like a giant bed chamber. Shimmering silk cushions were strewn about everywhere. The extravagance, however, was merely a backdrop for the nubile young women lounging there with not a shred of clothing to cover them.
Their provocative bodies startled Keralan like nothing in her entire life had. A few lay on cushions. A couple were sitting, leaning on one arm while they talked. A beauty with long red wavy hair used a brush to smooth out her silky tresses while a girl before her massaged her feet. Another was rubbing oil into her very dark skin. Beside her was a girl fairer than anyone she had seen before.
Keralan, like most people, knew about the pure races only from digital images and stories. In modern times, most people were such a mix, like she was, that it was hard to pinpoint genetic makeup from observation alone. Some people were darker, while some were fairer, but the differences were usually subtle and without significance. The women before her had distinct features. The shapes of their faces, eyes, nose, and lips, and striking coloring likely stemmed from African, Asian, European, and Indian traits. It occurred to her that they were probably the same women in the painting she had seen.
Keralan drank in the sight. It would have been hard to look away for anyone. They were undeniably sensual and soft. Flawless skin combined with heavenly curves. They were staggeringly beautiful. Keralan was surprised to find that the sight of them made her feel tight and tense between her legs. She was partially aroused, but more strongly was the alarming jealousy that suddenly gnawed within her like a terrible monster. She thought to herself, if they could make her feel that way, then what about a man? They were any man's most erotic fantasy.
In comparison, Keralan was quite ordinary. Some parts of her were downright ugly, in her opinion. Her belly wasn't flat enough, her breasts too small and poorly shaped, her nose, too pointy. She had uneven skin and wasn't all that feminine in general. Her father had encouraged her for years to take her appearance more to heart. She realized with a sick feeling that he had said so for good reason. She could have tried harder, though in the end it wouldn't have mattered. The girls before her didn't even need to try. They were perfect. Keralan would have had to go to a body altering treatment center to even compare at all. Then, standing there still struggling with her new and uncomfortable feelings, a question formed.
Why would Bilrah want her when he already had the most gorgeous women she had ever seen?
She came back to herself, when the fairest girl looked up at her with piercing ice blue eyes. Keralan had been staring for too long. She quickly averted her eyes, suddenly feeling like she had intruded where she shouldn't have.
"They have been anticipating your arrival," Oma said quietly from beside her. She abruptly turned, clapped her hands and spoke loudly. "Ladies! Ladies!" All eyes were on Keralan then. The girls peered curiously at her. Her cheeks felt like fire. "This is Keralan," Oma continued. "She will be the newest addition to this harem. Please welcome her and show her around. Fill her in on everything she should know." Oma turned back to her. "I stay in this room," she said, pointing to a door off to one side. "If you need anything, let me know. Otherwise, sleep well tonight." She patted her shoulder and without another word, left the room.
Immediately the girls jumped up and came over to Keralan. Some seemed to be her age. Others were in their late twenties or early thirties. They quickly surrounded her, speaking all at once.
"Oh, your hair is so pretty! I wish mine was like yours!"
"We've never had anyone like you here before."
"You aren't from Solantis are you?" said a girl with short brown hair.
"Of course she's not," another answered, "she's probably been trained by a courtesan, silly."
"Was it Mistress Yara?"
"Well now we're out of a job," complained the fair one.
"Shut it, Mira. He's spent more time with you than me bitch!"
"Can I comb your hair?"
"No! I want to do it. And see her naked."
"Yes, let's," another replied.
It went on for some time, to Keralan's utter astonishment. She never would have dreamed that girls could be so brazen! It knocked her right out of herself. Everything she had experienced in her life seemed like a silly fairytale of childhood. It felt as if she had just gone through a portal to an alien dimension. She had the sudden urge to turn around and run.
The truth was that Keralan had been sheltered. More than sheltered. She had been purposely kept from knowing about the world, apart from her uncle's lessons. Her entire upbringing had been wholesome and pure, guided by two men who loved her dearly and yet were not comfortable introducing her to certain realities. Besides, none of her friends had access to anything of an adult nature through their control panels. They were just as clueless as she. Nothing in her past had prepared her for joining a harem. She hadn't even kissed anyone before.
Their fussing over her finally abated when one of the girls, who Keralan had not realized was still reclining on the carpets, spoke up.
"Heaven help us! Would you bitches stop molesting her?"
It was the black girl who had been oiling her skin. She sat up, her skin shining in the lamplight. She smiled and commanded everyone to sit down with her. The girls all did as she said, taking their places around her on the rugs. Keralan was left standing, unsure.
"Now look. You've nearly frightened her to death you little sluts! She's no concubine, if you can't tell. Now let's be civil and introduce ourselves."
She motioned to Keralan to come over. She patted the carpet in front of her with a smile. Keralan knelt. She felt terribly awkward with them all staring at her. She never imagined she would feel so out of place being fully clothed.
The black girl introduced herself as Jewel. She said she was the first concubine that Bilrah had taken. Her demeanor radiated a kind of motherly quality that soothed her nerves a little. Her brown eyes glistened with shimmering eye makeup. Her hair was thick, black, and curly. Her body was smooth, shiny, and displayed rounded breasts with black nipples. Jewel then introduced each subsequent member of the harem.
Mira was the fairest of them. Her blond hair was almost white. It was long, smooth, and straight. Keralan was mesmerized by her sparkling blue eyes. Her plump lips gleamed with pink gloss. Her fair body was perfect, curved and soft in just the right ways. Angelic. And yet there was something wicked in her gaze.
"I want to see what she has to offer," she said to Jewel.
"Oh, be patient you little cunt!" Jewel scolded. She seemed to be unable to keep a straight face. She reached over to tickle Mira between her legs. Mira squealed and playfully slapped Jewel's hand away.
Finora was the girl with the crown of glorious wavy red hair down to her waist. Her skin, a pale pink, was lightly spotted with brown freckles. She wasn't plump, per se, but she had a softness to her that the other girls did not. Her rosy nipples stood out on her small perfectly shaped breasts. She had a sweet disposition and a soft voice. She said that they were like a family and that meant they were always there for each other.
Tian, a delicately slim girl with flawless creamy tan skin, thick straight black hair, and black eyes, agreed. She explained that they were all very close friends. She emphasized that they did everything together. She said they knew each other inside and out and that it was okay for Keralan to be open with them about anything and everything.
Then Anja, the girl with short brown hair and captivating green eyes, explained that she had been very unhappy when she first arrived. As a protest she cut off all her hair. She said that Bilrah hadn't been angry as they'd all expected. Instead, she was his favorite for some time.
"Besides, I let him fuck my ass," she proclaimed proudly.
"Oh, here we go again," Mira murmured.
"Really Anja!" Jewel exclaimed. "Yes, you're the only one who takes it in the ass. We know!" she giggled.
Anja smirked and leaned back onto her elbows. Her sleek brown body was without feminine curves. Her tiny breasts were almost flat, save for protruding nipples. Keralan couldn't help but notice that she had absolutely no hair between her legs. She was so naked. It surprised her that an adult could look so much like a child.
Keralan suddenly felt tired from taking in so much new information. She still felt that all she wanted was to get away from the girls. She was unable to suppress a yawn and was about to speak up when the last of them was introduced.
Urda's skin was the color of deep amber, that seemed to glow from within. Her dark brown eyes were outlined with black eyeliner. She had thick long black hair with a gentle wave. She was quite a beauty. The shape of her body was ultra-feminine and curvy with a small, tapered waist and full breasts. She wore nothing but a fine gold chain necklace that connected between her breasts to a waist belt of the same. She smiled at Keralan and then leaned forward to speak.
"Look, I want to make things very clear for you. The fact is that along with all of us, you are now a sexual servant. You are not here to be Bilrah's friend and you will never, ever become his wife. If he does marry, there are other more suitable candidates. We are here to take care of his sexual needs. It is a job that we trained for that we happen to be very good at, and we will teach you so one day you will be just as good." She paused and emphasized, "if you ever need help, we will be here for you."
Urda also explained that each of them came from the Solantis Corporation in Tratan Province. They specialized in producing and training courtesans. They were genetically cloned from a cellular library of the most beautiful women who had ever lived. Men who could afford them ordered them from a video catalog.
Keralan could hardly believe it. Human cloning was an unusual occurrence, or so she had thought. It was utilized in certain sectors such as the military and technological development. It was not as useful as people had once thought it might be. Genetic control didn't guarantee health or favorable personality and temperamental traits. It was only the basic physical nature of a being that could be dependably reproduced, therefore, they used it to clone humans with the potential for strength, stamina, speed, or intelligence for very specific ends. Keralan had never heard of cloning women for their sexual attractiveness. There was a virtual mountain of things she hadn't learned from her uncle, she decided with annoyance.
"Now," Jewel said, "you know our stories. But what about you?"
"I never received any training," Keralan admitted, though she refrained from telling them that she was the daughter of a Corporate Head. Instead, she simply told them that she was from Miliri Province, that she was twenty-three years old, and had been sent to Giova without explanation. She didn't tell them that she had already met Bilrah or what he had told her.
Jewel cocked her head sideways, frowning.
"How unusual," she said. She was quiet for a moment. "Perhaps Bilrah's tastes are changing. And so, I must ask you something. Are you a virgin?"
Keralan was caught off guard. It would have been offensive coming from anyone else.
"Yes," she admitted, shyly.
"Thank you for being honest. I am so glad you told us," Jewel replied. "You should never hesitate to be upfront with us."
Urda cut in with her take on things, saying, "it is possible that Bilrah would like an unspoiled girl. No penetration, ok?" She looked to the other girls. They all nodded their understanding. Turning back to Keralan, she said, "Bilrah knows a lot and I'm sure he has a very good idea that you are a virgin."
Keralan wondered what he knew. She assumed he had access to all her information, and perhaps every last detail of her data history, but surely not her lack of experience? She was glad that her mind was at least her own. Everything else seemed to be under the ownership of others.
Keralan yawned again, feeling as if her mind were about to burst. It was at that moment that she understood what it meant to be homesick. The thoroughly disagreeable feeling of having just eaten something rotten lurched around in her belly alongside the equally unpleasant feeling of being trapped someplace she did not wish to be.