Mary followed Hassan down the endless hallways of the Palace, noticing that despite an abundance of servants, not a single one paid her any attention even though she looked deplorable; the see-through Arab dress was of the finest silks and her beautiful body was clearly visible underneath it. That alone should have drawn a crowd, or at least have people stealing glances at her, but it didn't. If not that, then her bruised face should have made them stop and wonder, but that didn't either. It told her that her appearance, and its betrayal of how she had been treated, was the norm around here. It told her not to expect any help from the servants and unless another number was going to join her escape attempt, she was on her own.

Arriving at two giant doors, inlaid with gold and jewels , Hassan unexpectedly turned around and slapped her hard across her face.

"That's a reminder of what you'll get if you fail to act like the whore you are and are paid to perform as."

Her contract, the little she had managed to read as she signed it, delineated that she was hired as an assistant of the Prince. Nothing had been said about her being hired as a whore. Despite her fear, she told him as much. Stupid, she realized, as another slap followed, hard enough to cause her nose to bleed again as she tumbled back from its force, her cry echoing through the corridors. Still no other servant bothered to look up.

"Don't be stupid, Number Fourteen. We all know Western assistants whore themselves out constantly for their employer. Now follow me! And remind yourself that a single fuck up will have you skinned alive!" Without waiting for a reply, or offering her a chance to at least stop the bleeding from her nose, he opened the doors and strode in.

With her fear of more punishment outweighing her shame, Mary followed, not even bothering to pinch her nose to stop the flow of fresh blood.

Jake, already feeling miserable, felt his heart sink in his chest as he watched her enter. What had they done to her?! His first impulse was to get up and rush to her rescue and carry her off in his arms. His desire to save his career, however, wouldn't let him. So instead of doing what he knew in his heart to be right, he sat there, frozen in shock and taking in the sight she offered. One eye was swollen shut, blood flowed from her nose, and the frightened look on her beautiful and bruised face. In no way did she resemble the happy woman he had arrived with only hours ago. Instead, what he saw was a badly abused woman, in a state of shock.

"Ah, finally! Number Fourteen has decided to join us!" the Prince announced.

Mary's confused mind desperately tried to make sense of those words. Decided? How had she decided anything concerning what took place the last few hours?! If she didn't obey then she was brutally beaten! But she again lacked the courage to contradict, as she watched the hostile look on Hassan's face and saw that Jake didn't offer any help either; if help were to come, it wasn't going to come from his. That much was for certain.

"How do you like your stay so far, Number Fourteen? I trust that everything is to your liking? Don't be afraid to make any requests. My servants are at your disposal and it is my wish to make your stay here as pleasant as can be," the Prince said as he gave her one of his dashing smiles.

A smile and words that only confused her more. Was he blind? Didn't he see or know what had been done to her?! A small ray of hope arrived with the thought that maybe the Prince didn't know and she could count on his protection from Hassan! One look at Hassan, however, who slowly shook his head to tell her she was wrong, as if he had read her mind, discouraged her to put any stock in that line of reasoning. No, her confused mind told her that this was all for show.

"Did you enjoy your stay so far, Number Fourteen?" the Prince asked again.

Hassan's hostile look was all she needed to comply, Mary told him she had, her head cast down in defeat.

"I'm sorry to take another secretary of yours, Jake. But you can't expect a beautiful woman like her to stay stuck in an office when she can be part of a noble royal household like mine. Isn't that right, Number Fourteen?"

Casting another quick glance at Hassan, and her former colleague who kept his head down and looking at the floor, Mary knew the only right answer was a confirmative. One she gave with a tremble in her voice that gave away her fear.

"Now, why don't you show Jake your gratitude for bringing you here and offering you a chance at a better life by entering my employ?"

Both Jake and Mary looked up in shock at the Prince at those words.

"What do you mean?" Jake shot out, certain he didn't like what he suspected the Prince was implying.

"What I mean is just what I said," Prince Vasal said curtly. "I'm certain that in the West showing appropriate gratitude is as much appreciated as in the Middle East, my old friend. And I'm certain your former secretary is just dying to show you a proper farewell. Isn't that right, Number Fourteen?"

With the pounding of her concussion only getting worse, combined with the toll the abuse had already taken on her, Mary felt herself sink down in a state of apathy when she realized there was no avoiding what she already knew she was going to have to do to avoid being hit again by Hassan.

"Of course," she said weakly, Quickly adding Prince, scared that she may have already offered offence.

"Then I suggest you get down to it, Number Fourteen." Again, that cheer in his voice that to Mary was worse than Hassan's contempt. At least he didn't enjoy her suffering openly.

With disgust she approached Jake until he was within touching distance and then hesitated as to how to proceed.

"You see that? She's playing shy, isn't that cute?" The Prince's voice had gone from friendly to harsh, "I suggest you show your appropriate gratitude to your former colleague, Number Fourteen!" Turning to Jake, his voice sweet as honey again, "And you, my friend, I suggest you enjoy and let her show of gratitude also be a celebration of our contract. One that I would hate having to cancel. I am still in my grace period, am I not?"