Page 120 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“I guess they haven’t discovered that yet,” Dharma said. “Oh, Leela, did you read the books she gave us?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh…You were so eager to learn more about this place.”
“I know. I got sidetracked with training, and to be honest, I doubt the stuff I want to know will be in any of their introductory books.”
“You’re right,” Dharma said. “Although it’s interesting. There’s stuff about how they built Aakaash and the truce between the Asura and Danava, and did you know that the Danava and Asura used to live together before all the wars started, but they had some kind of falling out over how humans should be treated? It’s fascinating stuff.”
“But is there anything about the drohi and demigod bond in there?”
“Nope.”
“What about the bond?” Joe asked.
“Leela was wondering if it could be broken,” Dharma said.
“Why would you want to do that?” Joe asked with a frown.
“Where have you been the past few weeks?” Priti said. “Have you seen how shittily Araz has treated her?”
Joe winced. “Ah…yeah, sorry. So is there a way?”
“Not according to Bhoomika,” Dharma said.
“That sucks,” Joe replied. “I mean, I’m happy with Mahira, but for you…it sucks.”
But I didn’t believe that the bond was irreversible. Bhoomika was hiding something. I was sure of it.
Someone moaned in their sleep, and someone else wept.
“I think I understand why they wanted us to take this test,” Priti said. “It’s nothing to do with the actual protection of the people, and more to do with knowingwhowe’re protecting.”
“Yes,” Dharma said. “To understand why we’ll be fighting.”
I’d gotten to know Meena and her family well, and the others had spent time chatting to the humans around them too. Priti was right.
We sat in our own thoughts for a few minutes before Dharma broke the silence.
“What’s up with Pashim and the smudgy kohl woman? They were getting cozy earlier. Seemed like they knew each other.”
So I hadn’t been overly sensitive about those two then. I mean, if Dharma had noticed the dynamic too… “Yeah they know each other, but she used to bang Araz, so…”
“Ah…”
“Well, she isn’t any longer, so…” Joe said.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s not like Araz and I are…anything.”
“He’s your drohi,” Dharma said. “Thatissomething.”
A shadow fell over us. “Mind if I join you?” Aradha sat down cross-legged before I could protest.
Dharma shot me a look that said,Just say the word and I’ll get rid of her, but I shook my head slightly.
“You not tired?” Joe asked Aradha.
“I’m an insomniac.” She shrugged a slender shoulder. “Always have been. I guess I never got used to being above ground.”
