Page 20 of The Silent

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Of course, many free Grigori were coming to Chiang Mai to obtain the tattoos that Niran and his brothers wore. As far as Kyra could tell, only a few outside their family were granted the privilege. She hadn’t even seen the monk who performed the ritual. In the three weeks she’d been at the temple, only one Grigori had come to get tattooed, and that man already wore extensivemarks.

Niran touched the back of her hand. Like Intira, Grigori were hesitant to touch, even with casualcontact.

“Kanchana said Prija attacked you a fewdaysago.”

“It’s nothing I can’t defendmyselffrom.”

Niran frowned. “I do not approve ofthisrisk.”

“Intira said her rages areimproving.”

“But at the cost of yoursafety?”

Kyra smiled. “I’ve defended myself againstworse.”

“I gave my word to your brother that you’d come to noharmhere.”

“Sirius understands the reality of dealing with our sisters,” Kyra said. “We have our own damaged ones. We care for them even if they aredangerous.”

He nodded. “You are verypatient.”

Kyra laughed a little. “I try to be. I’m not alwayssuccessful.”

Niran smiled and cocked his head,watchingher.

“What is it?” Kyra asked. “Do I have something in myteeth?”

“Not a thing,” he said. “I am enjoying how youshine.”

She lost her breath for asecond. “Oh.”

“You do, you know. Since you’ve come here, you shine moreeachday.”

Kyra ran a hand over her hair. “I think it’s getting lighter with allthesun.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Niran leaned forward. “When you first came here, you were like a bird just pushed from the nest. Now you are flying. You are a goodteacher,Kyra.”

“Thank you.” Her chin lifted. “I’ve only taught my sisters and one other group—mostly children—but the majority of them are leading successfullivesnow.”

“Asyouare.”

Her life was slipping away a little more every day, but she forced a smile. “I like tothinkso.”

“Are youcomfortablehere?”

“Very comfortable.Thankyou.”

“Not toobored?”

This time, her smile came freely. “Not boredatall.”

It was exhilarating to experience so many new things. Every night that Kyra went to the market with Niran and his brothers, she learned a little more. How to bargain. How to cook new foods from the street vendors. New music. New ways of walking and talking andliving.

Kyra had never felt morealive.

“Good.” He folded his hands. “Would you like to see a tattoo thisafternoon?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Yes! Sirius would be grateful. He might even stop texting me everymorning.”