Page 124 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“I apologize, Asura Pooja,” he said. “It will not happen again.”
Meena let out a drawn-out strangled scream, and a moment later, the wail of a baby filled the air.
Pooja’s expression softened, and her shoulders dropped. “It is difficult to hold on to anger in the face of new life.” She fixed me with a severe look. “I will not tolerate another incidence of insubordination.”
I nodded. “Understood.”
Guru Mihir entered the temple flanked by Jasha and Pashim. One of the creatures that had taken Viki was slung over his shoulder. He threw it on the ground. “Wrap it up. The sage at Aakaash will want to see this.”
“This is a new minion of the devouring force,” Jasha said. “A new threat.”
“Araz,” Guru Mihir said. “There may be more nests close by. Your fire would be helpful.”
“Of course,” Araz said, then to me, “Stay here.”
I nodded quickly, shame and guilt swirling in my belly because I hated disappointing anyone.
Guru Mihir took Araz, a couple of elite, and left.
The room breathed a sigh of relief, and so did I, now no longer the center of attention.
Pashim joined me by the pillar. “What did I miss?” I filled him in on my insubordination, and he grew pale. “I know, I know. I was stupid.”
“You were brave,” he corrected. “Stupidlyso.”
He was trying to make me feel better, but only some kind of redemption would do that. “I have tobebetter. Do better.”
“You will.” He cupped my shoulder. “I know you will. You have so much potential, Leela, and more heart than I have seen in any mortal in a very long time, and I have lived a very long time.”
The snakes in my belly ceased their writhing. “Yeah? Araz says I need to steel my heart. That it’ll get me into trouble.”
“That is something Araz and I must disagree on. I believe your heart to be your strength.” He dropped his gaze for a moment, as if considering something. “If you had not gone after the boy, then he may not have been saved at all.”
“No, Pooja went after him too.”
He lifted his gaze to mine. “Because you already had. You are a valuable asset to our cause and under elite protection.”
Wait, was he saying… “She would have left him? Just let that thing take him?”
“Yes. Most probably. It’s one human boy. But because of you, he was saved, and we discovered nests and a new devouring force minion.” He tucked a tendril of my hair behind my ear. “Maybe it was a rash move, but you followed your heart, and it worked out.” His fingers grazed my cheek, sending a shiver of awareness through me.
“Don’t let Araz hear you say that.”
The baby let out another wail. A new addition to our party.
“We have to get them to their new home safely.”
“I know,” Pashim said. “And we will. Finding these nests means we won’t be taken unaware now.” He steered me over to a stone bench. “Sit, you’re bleeding.”
My hand was bloody from a wound I didn’t recall getting, but the skin beneath was smooth and unmarred. “I’m fine. It’s healed.”
“Let’s clean up the blood anyway. Wait here.” He left me and returned a few moments later with a canteen of water and a handkerchief. I let him tend to me, too tired to protest.
“Howarethings with you and Araz?” Pashim said. “In general.”
“Good, then not so good, then… I don’t know.”
“He seems to be coming around to the bond.”
