Page 57 of The Silent
This, Kyra realized, was a hint of the angel’s truepower.
Alyah drew her blades again, but Vasu flicked his wrist and they flew from her hands, sinking into a palm tree bordering thegarden.
“Why do you ask about Arindam?” Vasu said, his voice low andlethal.
Sura stepped forward. “Because he has taken one of mysisters.”
Vasu looked at Kyra. “Is this true, Barak’sdaughter?”
“We think so. That was thekareshtaI was looking for when you…heardme.”
“I felt you.” Vasu’s form became more stable, but he didn’t shrink. “Why would Arindam take your sister? Is shepowerful?”
“Yes,” Sura said. “But very uncontrolled. She can be quiteviolent.”
“He admires that,” Vasu said. “Did he take herhimself?”
“No. Hissonsdid.”
Vasu shrank back to his tall but still human-sized form. “Then she is probably an offering. Once he has her, he won’t give her back. But you might be able to trade her for another sister if there is one youlikeless.”
Kyra gaped at Vasu. “She’s the daughter of anangel.”
Vasu shrugged. “I’m not saying I’d want her. But these Grigori slew their father, didtheynot?”
Surasaid, “Yes.”
“Then he’s not violating anyone’s territory. If his sons want to collectkareshtafrom other angels, then I doubt Arindam wouldstopthem.”
Leo was fuming. “Jaron said there were prohibitions against things like this. That the Fallen wouldn’t take other angels’daughters.”
“Not tomatewith her.” Vasu shuddered. “Most of us considered Volund quite aberrant in thatregard.”
“Sowhy—”
“You said she was powerful. He probably wants some talentshehas.”
Niran and Sura were both deadlyquiet.
Sura finally spoke. “Prija is too uncontrolled for anythingbutrage.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true,” Niran said. “She takes after our father inthatway.”
“Does she?” Vasu’s eyes gleamed. “It all becomesclear.”
Leo said, “Explain.”
Vasu sat back at the table. “If you want me to explain, get mestickyrice.”
Kyra said, “Are you achild?”
Another blink, and a beautiful child sat on the bench, swinging his legs. “When I wanttobe.”
Kyra shook her head and turned away. “Come on.” She put a hand on Sura’s arm. “Let’s get him some sticky rice so he’ll stop speaking inriddles.”
Sura said, “Why do I get the feeling that will probably neverhappen?”
