Groaning, I pushed the bed covers back. Mhairi stood nearby, having just given me a shake.

"Time to get up," she said, not looking much happier to be awake. I fought back my true reaction as I spotted Yaru near the door. If he was here we must have both slept later than we ought.

By the time I was on my feet and Mhairi and I were selecting our outfits for the day, he had come all the way into the room. Missing nothing, he took in the present from James.

"Oh, this is a useful gift, considering the circumstances," Yaru said, holding up the chains and cuffs. "Bring them, but don't put them on yet."

"So, neon design today then," I replied, knowing the bondage wear would look very out of place with the Japanese design.

Yaru nodded as he handed me the gift. We both ignored the fact he'd seen and read the card. No part of me felt like I needed to point out that another resurrected had proven useful as an ally. My mentor didn't miss this sort of thing. He'd have realised.

I was inside the car before I even thought to ask what the plan was for the day, my paintwork hastily applied by Mhairi and me. We'd managed to catch up some of the time we'd lost, but Edward had still been waiting for us for long enough he wore a deep frown. I could only wonder if it might lead to me needing to butter him up later.

"We've arranged a meeting with a professional martial artist," Yaru replied. I raised my eyebrows. Of all the suggestions I'd have expected at this point, this wasn't one of them.

"It was someone I served with for a while," Edward added. "He's a retired colonel in the Marines. Said he'd do me a favour, so don't piss him off."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied. "But why am I seeing him?"

"Officially, because you were attacked. He's going to teach you some self-defence," Edward replied.

"But unofficially I need to make him want to fuck me so bad he wants to come to my unveiling."

"If you're being uncouth about it, yes." Yaru rolled his eyes, but I also saw the corners of his mouth twitch up. I hadn't annoyed him with my blunt response, at least.

"Then you'd best tell me everything you know about him." I patted the seat beside me as I looked pointedly at Edward. A moment later he was sat beside me, showing me a photo.

The moment I set eyes on him, my heart sped up and I felt a tenseness in the pit of me. He was an older man, a few wrinkles when he smiled and an intense look in his eyes that spoke of many things seen, not all of them good, but there was something about his smile and the soft mid-brown hair that framed his face.

Underneath the uniform he wore he appeared to be well-built, but not so butch that he could be suspected of weightlifting. He stood straight enough he looked right in his uniform, but not so stiff he looked uncomfortable.

"He's a bit of a celebrity, but he doesn't like being fawned over. And he's astute, can read body language, so there's no fooling him. If you're not sincere, he won't buy it."

"Right," I replied, grateful I found him attractive. Let's hope you're his type. "And you've already told him I was attacked?"

"Yes, but not who by. Just that we need you to be able to stop someone overpowering you. "

I frowned. The only person who'd done anything close to an attack was Daniel's banker, and he was about to be invited to the unveiling. Could I lie about what happened? Should I even try, given what Edward had just told me?

"In terms of his interests, he likes reading, poetry, and he's occasionally seen at the opera. But other than that, the only thing I've ever seen him take an interest in is protecting people and martial arts."

Edward gave me an almost apologetic look. It wasn't a lot to work with, but somehow I'd have to make it work. I needed an extra person to invite to my unveiling. Yaru evidently thought this was a good possibility.

I didn't have much longer to think about how I might interact before the car stopped and Edward led the way out. Yet another glass-clad skyscraper stood before me, this one with a revolving door instead of a large set of double doors.

Inside was an atrium that contained the largest indoor fountain I thought I'd ever seen. It made a gorgeous sound, and I felt myself relaxing in its presence. Stood near it was the man from the photo.

"Rick," Edward said as he hurried forward. "Thank you for agreeing to see us."

The two men shook hands while I gently padded closer, feeling nervous in a way I'd not been since my first day out as a courtesan. As soon as Edward let go of him, his focus switched to me. Time seemed to stop as our eyes met, fear making me slow and stop farther away than I'd planned.

He took in my appearance with the briefest of glances, before holding out his hand to me as well.

"Auralia," I said, unable to pull my gaze from his face. My mouth went dry and I felt my body shake, but I somehow managed to place my fingers within his grasp.

Pull yourself together, a voice inside my head yelled, but no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't quite work out what to say or do.

I had expected him to shake my hand in much the same way as he had Edward's, but he didn't, instead bowing slightly and kissing the back of my hand. My cheeks flushed as I let out a slight involuntary gasp. He frowned, noticing my reaction. I could have kicked myself. Edward had told me not to fan-girl, and here I was, acting like a smitten teenager.

Now to one side, Edward gave me a brief glare. I didn't doubt Yaru had noticed my faux pas as well. Somehow I needed to rescue this and I needed to do it now.

"I understand that you're a very busy man, Colonel. Thank you so much for agreeing to help me. I've been finding all physical interaction with people very difficult since the attack."

"Yes, Edward mentioned you had been assaulted, but gave no particulars. Was it recent?"

"Less than a week ago. I've only been a courtesan for a very short period, and a visitor to the court tried to..." I looked away, choking up at just the thought of what had happened. "I'm still veiled, but I could easily not be anymore."

Something about the way he looked at me made me feel more exposed and vulnerable than I ever had, and I found myself shaking, almost feeling shame for the actions of the banker, as if it had been my fault. When I did manage to lift my eyes to him again, I found only a sadness there.

"Yes, well, sponsors these days do insist on flaunting the newly acquired veiled courtesans, don't they? I'll maintain that the best defence against these sorts of things is attitude and..." He glanced at my body again... "appropriate clothing."

I gulped, feeling like I'd been admonished, his face stern. My mind frantically searched for a reply, but I couldn't find one.

"Are you sleeping well?" he asked a moment later. I hesitated, going to nod before I'd truly thought about it. Sighing, I shook my head instead.

"No direct nightmares, but I'd be lying if I said I slept soundly and felt secure. How much of that is the attack, and how much is waking up in this... strange world, isn't clear."

"I can imagine."

Under his scrutiny, I couldn't think of anything else to say, his face like a mask but his eyes intense. It was clear a lot of thought was going on inside, and no doubt I was the subject of it, but the verdict didn't appear good. How on earth was I ever going to seduce a man so guarded and critical?

You managed with Kioshi.

Yaru politely coughed before stepping forward.

"I know you're very good at what you do, and I hate to rush an expert, but Auralia has other engagements to get to as soon as possible. Perhaps we should move on to somewhere where you can begin?"

Rick didn't reply, merely looking at Yaru as if he was a fly on his dessert.

"I don't think we should rush, Yaru," I replied. "I'm sure the colonel won't take longer than necessary."

I tried to give him a small smile, to show I was going to defer to his judgement. Anything that might get him to relax. The corners of his mouth twitched up, but he still didn't move.

"My dojo is this way. You may come with me and try to learn something. Yaru, I must insist you wait here."

"But—" Yaru moved forward again, but Rick quickly raised an arm, cutting my mentor off.

"Edward will accompany her if you must have someone as her chaperone, but otherwise I will have no one else in my dojo while I train the courtesan."

Yaru bowed his assent to the demands, but I could tell he wasn't happy about it. Within seconds, Edward was by my side and I was following Rick into the depths of the building.

I expected us to go down to a basement, but we went up instead, the elevator taking us to the top floor.

As we emerged, I gasped.

"I had no idea a dojo could be this stunning," I said as I came farther forward, still staying close to Rick. Edward didn't seem to follow, choosing to stand by the door. I gaped as I walked across the soft-floored area, the mattressing built into everything but only noticeable when in contact with it.

At a glance, it was like any other room, only two pillars holding up the entire structure. Three of the walls were almost entirely made of glass and overlooked many of the surrounding buildings, a fine netting between the room and the panes, invisible unless it moved.

Rick led me right to the edge, nodding as I reached out and hesitated to touch it.

"It's strong, but designed to blend in. I wanted a view. It also acts as a screen from outside."

"Wow," I said. This place must have cost a fortune. I looked up, noticing Rick was grinning, his body far more relaxed. He smiled, the transformation to his face making him seem far more friendly.

"So, tell me, Liebling, what exactly happened?"

I raised my eyebrows, not sure what he was getting at.

"I'm aware, as a courtesan you have to present yourself in a particular way. And I understand the debt you're saddled with is rather large compared to most. If I am to assist you, however, it would aid me to know the truth. You have my word that it won't leave this room."

"Is that why you insisted Yaru didn't follow?"

"Partially. I also refuse to allow anyone entrance to my dojo if I find them wanting," he replied, his face unreadable in the wake of what could have been a compliment to me and an insult to my mentor.

I frowned as I considered my response. Should I tell him all the details? It allowed doubt to be cast on my pureness. And if he asked directly if I was a virgin, I knew I would struggle to lie.

"You can trust him, princess," Edward said a moment later, calling across the dojo. "Tell him what actually happened."

With my own bodyguard's encouragement, I opened up, telling him everything the banker had done. He listened, nodding and sympathising in all the right places until I came to the end of the story.

Not speaking another word, he walked away from me, staring out at the city, both his fists clenched. I looked to Edward, not sure what to do or say. Edward shrugged, keeping his post right by the elevator.

I gulped and stepped closer, slowly and softly, until I was beside him. He had a face like thunder, his brows furrowed and his jaw set. Until he noticed me lean a fraction farther forward.

"Sorry," he said. "I find such things difficult to hear and imagine. I always hoped that my gender will have more respect for yours, especially now that we have so few of you, but if anything the scarcity has made us worse. On behalf of such... swine, please accept my apology."

"Thank you," I replied, barely able to get the words out as my eyes filled with tears. He gave me a moment, before holding out his hand to signal our return to the centre of the dojo.

Once in the middle, he bowed to me. Not sure what else to do, I copied him, hoping I wouldn't be laughed at this time.

"You mentioned that you were scared of what he might do several times. I think it would be best to start with a few simple moves that will allow you to use the strength of others against them."

I nodded, not hearing that such a thing was possible for the first time in my life. It took him only a few minutes to show me several ways I could remove a hand that was gripping a limb of mine. As he did, I felt myself calming.

"There, you're a natural," he said as I freed myself from him. I found myself grinning. His eyes lit up for the first time since I'd met him.

As time slipped by and he taught me more and more, I found myself relaxing, until he bowed once more, ending our lesson.

"Thank you," I said, breathless but more than a little grateful.

"You're welcome, Liebling, but you should come back and practice, as well as learn more, if you truly wish to keep yourself safe. These things are easier if you can train your body to do them instinctively."

"I would love to come back, but..." I looked away, almost embarrassed I couldn't set my own schedule.

"Yaru and Daniel must approve," he finished for me.

I nodded. He looked thoughtful for a moment, before holding his card out at me.

"Please, let me know how well you sleep from now on. It would please me. And let Daniel know I will wish to pay him a visit in three days' time. Early. Before the court would usually awaken."

It was clear I had been dismissed, but I quickly scanned his card. A moment later the elevator arrived with a ding, Edward hovering near the call button. I got inside, getting a cheeky wink from Edward as he pressed the button for the bottom floor.

"How did it go?" Yaru asked, getting up from a bench in the lobby as soon as he saw us.

"She got his card, and I think she almost made the man cry at one point," Edward replied, grinning. I found myself smiling as well.

"Well, that's something, at least. He's a very particular man, but he has weight. Come on, my dear. You've done well. Let's have some dinner and plan the strategy for the rest of the day.

I didn't need telling twice. I'd had so much exercise that I was starving. But a part of me didn't want to leave the building. The colonel had been a dream to talk to, and I was very eager to see him again the next day.