Page 78 of The Silent
“I don’tknow,Vasu.”
He closed his eyes. “Oh!” They popped open. “Do you seeityet?”
“That question still makes no sensetome.”
“The music.” He leaned forward and exhaled a hot breath over her lips. “You have to see themusic.”
“You’re not making sense. You don’t see music, youhearit.”
“I do make sense; you just don’t see. Butyouwill.”
His presence was so heated she felt her body react. She didn’t like it but knew the reaction had little to do with Vasu’s intention. Angels were seductive bynature.
“What do you want, Vasu? What do you hope to gain by thismeddling?”
He sat up straight but saidnothing.
Vasu had been allied with both Jaron and Barak. Jaron and Barak had both returned toheaven.
“Do you think it worked?” Kyra asked quietly.Were theyredeemed?
Vasu saw inside her mind. “I have no way ofknowing.”
There was a note of longing in his voice. She felt it more than sheheardit.
“Are you lonely?” sheasked.
“If I was, daughter of Barak, what would you do to remedy me?” Vasu leaned forward and capturedherlips.
Vasu’s kiss was heated and lush. Honey and saffron. Sweet milk and raisins. Kyra opened her mouth and pulled away, taking the angel’s breath into her lungs. Vasu captured her chin and held her, forcing her eyes to his. His gaze was not cruel, but the power in it filled her heart withdread.
“You have nothing to fear from me,” Vasu whispered. “You do not carry the thing I need, Barak’s daughter, but you may take this giftanyway.”
Kyra blinked and hewasgone.
She woke in the bungalow, still sitting in the corner where she meditated, tears rolling down her cheeks and the taste of honey in hermouth.
* * *
Leo found her hours later,still sitting in the corner. He carried a tray into the bungalow and set itbesideher.
“Alyah said she sang to you. She said you might be tired. She apologized as well. Did she offend you?” He sat beside her and stroked her hair back from her forehead. “I didn’t want to disturb you when you didn’t come to dinner, but I thought you might behungry.”
Kyra glanced down at the tray. Fruit and rice. A bowl of vegetables and chicken bathed in fragrant coconut curry. A pot of tea and asinglecup.
She looked up at Leo. “I love you. Or I think I love you. I’m not sure I know what that is, but I feel something for you that is so huge. Sometimes it frightens me, but I cannot seem to stopfeelingit.”
Leo didn’t say anything, but his face… She couldn’t readhisface.
He sat beside her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why wouldn’t you know whatloveis?”
“The only people I have loved are my brothers and sisters. And this is notthesame.”
“No.” He leaned over and delicately kissed along her ear. “No,it’snot.”
“Do you love me like this? I think you do, because you are so kind to me. You take care of me. I think… you must think about me as much as I think about you. I try not to listen to your thoughts, but your voice is so clear. Even when I hear you, I can’t know if you have this feeling inside you. Is that whatreshonmeans? Does it mean youloveme?”
He placed a warm hand on her neck and tilted her head to the side, laying kisses along skin that hadn’t known sensation until hetouchedit.
