Page 121 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“Were you born in Patala?” Joe asked.
“No mortals are born in Patala. I was born in an underground city between Patala and the dharti. I moved above dharti when I was a teen. When the wards were new and relatively untested. We lost many people that summer. Including my parents.”
Shit. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“It was a long time ago, and my adoptive parents are wonderful. They supported me when I said I wanted to be a sage. And now here I am, building domes.” Now that she wasn’t flirting, there was something grounded and humble about her that appealed. I could see why Araz might have been drawn to her.
“How are you all coping? Pashim told me you’re not native to our world. I knew that the Asura brought mortals from other realms, but I guess I didn’t expect them to look so…ordinary.”
“Gee, thanks,” Priti said.
Aradha’s brow wrinkled. “I meant no offense.”
“We know,” Dharma said, shooting Priti a stern glance.
One of the children sat up and rubbed his eyes. It was Viki. He pushed off his covers and stood.
“Hey.” I crawled over to him. “You okay?”
“I need to make a wee.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Viki?” Meena sat up. “You need to go wee?”
“Yes.”
There was protocol in place for this. “I can take him.”
“I’ll come too,” Meena said. “Baby is pressing on my bladder.”
“I’ll come with you,” Dharma said.
There was a spot behind the temple that the elite had set aside for toilet business. Not too far down the trail, but behind a huge fountain structure in sight of the main building.
Pooja and another elite stood guard there.
“Toilet break?” she asked as Dharma and I led Meena and Viki onto the steps outside.
“Yes, just the two.”
“Okay, we’re here, but all is clear.”
I offered Meena my arm to support her as we descended the steps to the overgrown garden, and Dharma held Viki’s hand.
The fountain was a large, cracked structure, half of it on its side. There was a deep hole in the space between, perfect to use as a toilet.
Dharma and I stood guard while Meena helped Viki pee, then I held on to Meena while she relieved herself.
Viki skipped off a little way to pick some white blooms that were growing at the edge of the woodland that backed on to the garden.
“Hey, stay close,” Dharma called out.
Meena finished, and I helped her up.
“Viki.” Dharma ushered for him to come back.
He looked up, flowers clutched in his hands. “I got these for you, Mama.” He held them out and took a step toward us.
