<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em>"He... He took it, Zara..."</em><br/><br/>Her hands stilled as the words slowly sank in. She had known it was bad -- only something drastic could make Anel behave in such a manner -- but she hadn't realized it had been so horrible. For Anel to have his virginity taken from him meant a great loss to the Teahouse...and a loss to him. She was silent for a few minutes, not really knowing that to say or do. Zara wasn't used to dealing with someone else's pain, not unless it came with part of her session. So she remained silent, quiet as she felt the sorrow surround Anel.<br/><br/>Where had Atticus been? And Master Ryan? It was all starting to become clear, the reason why Anel had gone off on both Master and bodyguard. Where had they been? What could have possibly been more important than the safety of their own whore? She felt anger and pain for Anel but she also felt...concern. What would happen to him now? What were they going to do now with the auction? In the end, Zara placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. There was nothing she could say; anything that came out of her mouth would seem like she was pitying him. And she had no answers to give him.<br/><br/>In the end, she said the one thing she was certain of, "He will pay, Anel." Whether by Atticus' hand or Master Ryan's...Gareth was not going to be unpunished for what he had done.<br/><br/>She didn't jump when Anel threw the empty bottle against the wall. Merely turned and walked to the small Garden that alined the side of the Teahouse and pulled out the bottle of whiskey. She unscrewed it and took a deep gulp, wincing at the burn before she handed it to Anel, saying quietly, "Drink."</span>