Page 101 of Born in Sin

“Alright. Alright.”

Varun’s smug face came into view. He had a bloody Ishaan by his collar. He flung him to one side and crouched beside Virat who coughed and struggled to get on his hands and knees. He looked towards Celi, but Varun’s hand shot out, grabbing him by his chin and turning his face away from her.

“You guys want to be a part of this? Let’s do it right, shall we?” He let go of Virat’s chin as he rose to his feet. “Beg us. Beg us to let go of her.”

“Like you guys are going to do it even if we do beg,” Amay spat out. Parash and Naveen had his arms held behind his back, keeping him from moving. Ashish had one leg on Ishaan’s back, ensuring he stayed face first in the wet mud.

Varun smiled. “You guys were always so smart. And yet, you’re dumb enough to try and take us on. What’s it going to be, Jha? Beg for your girl or leave her for us?”

“Please,” Virat said, the words spilling out of him. “I am begging you. Let her go. Do whatever you want to us but let her go.”

“We’re not fucking faggots.” Ashish said, as he pressed his foot into Ishaan’s back.

“No, we’re not,” Varun said softly. “Is this the best you can do, Jha? Is this all you’ll do for her?”

Virat looked over Varun’s shoulder, his gaze meeting Celina’s anguished ones. Tears poured down her face, mingling with the rainwater that sluiced down it. His heart tore in two as he forced himself to look away from her and into Varun’s eyes. He held the other boy’s gaze as he dropped to his knees in front of Varun.

“Please,” he said, the word a broken whisper. “Please Varun. Whatever you want, I’ll do anything. Please let her go.”

Varun Gokhale smiled, the flash of teeth blinding white in the rainswept night. “No,” he said simply, lashing out and kicking Virat in the face. The crunch of the blow was sickeningly loud in the midst of the storm filled night. Virat flew sideways landing at her feet. Blood pooled in his mouth and when he spat it out, he saw a tooth float away too. He reached out with one hand and touched her foot, hoping to offer something…comfort, support, hope?

But it was nothing. Meaningless. Useless. Hopeless.

Varun walked over and untied Celina. She fell to the ground beside him in a boneless heap. He reached for her, but his arms were dragged back as Varun used the same ropes to tie them behind his back. Varun grabbed his hair, yanking his head back so all he could see was Celina. Battered. Bruised. Broken.

“Oh no Romeo,” Varun murmured in his ears. “You can look but you can’t touch. And you’re going to watch till the end.”

Something crashed in the darkness behind them and Varun’s attention splintered, as he turned towards the sound. Virat used the moment to throw himself at Celina, wrapping his body around hers, using it to shield her.

He heard the furious shout behind him and then there were hands grabbing him, trying to drag him away. Desperate strength flooded him as he held on, wrapping his legs around her for a grip, and then Celina’s hands found their way around him as she curled into him, clinging to him in hopeless fear. Kicks to his ribs rained down even as someone grabbed his hair again and yanked. Pain exploded in his head as a hard punch landed on his ear.

And then, in the distance he heard a shout. A beam of light sluiced through the rain and darkness as someone came running towards them. A muttered curse and a final kick to his head, and the Dusty Devils scattered, running into the dark, leaving them behind.

And then all that was left was the four of them, lying in the dirt as the heavens opened up above them, but no Gods rode to their rescue.

Chapter Thirty-Three

VIRAT

He watched Kabir fumble in the dark as he found his way deeper into the dark room.

“Shourya,” he said tersely.

“Two minutes to deactivation Sir.”

“What the hell is Sons of Andhaka?” Cara’s gaze was fixed on the screen, her hand trembling as she gripped the arm of her seat.

“Andhaka, in Hindu mythology, isthe name of an Asura who was ultimately defeated by Lord Shiva.” Vikram appeared to be reading from his phone.

“Andhaka,” Virat said quietly, watching Kabir step into a large hall, dimly light with scattered sconces like something from a medieval horror movie. Several cloaked figures stood around the hall in a loose circle, hoods pulled low over their masked faces. “Was known for coveting a woman who was not for him. Parvati, Lord Shiva’s consort.”

“So, that’s why Sons of Andhaka,” Cara murmured. “They want women who are not meant for them.”

“We are the Sons of Andhaka,” a voice was intoning as Kabir stood in the large hall watching everyone warily. “We come together from all spheres of life; politics, business, media, entertainment, technology, energy, healthcare, finance, justice, law enforcement, and, of course, government.”

“What the fuck does he mean by law enforcement?” Vikram murmured.

Virat held up a hand, silencing him.

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