Page 127 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“It means we can’t go this way,” Keyton said.
“Then what do we do?”
“The vortex lands in less than an hour,” Dharma reminded us.
“Fuck…” Joe said. “There is only one other route…”
“Turn around!” Guru Mihir strode past us. “Everyone, turn around.”
“Shit, shit, shit,” Joe said.
“Everybody listen carefully,” Guru Mihir said. “We’re running short on time. If we’re going to make it to our collection point, then we have no option but to go through Mrtyu Valley. We will move fast, and we will shield our minds.”
“But the potentials have not been taught that skill yet,” Pooja pointed out.
“Then their drohi will shield for them. That is what the bond is for. I know it is a risk. I understand that we may not succeed in blocking out the influence of the spirits completely, but I believe that if we move fast, they won’t have time to take full control of any mind.”
Pashim didn’t look pleased about this, but Araz’sexpression gave nothing away. He seemed calm enough, and that quelled my panic.
“Move on!” Guru Mihir ordered.
Back down the trail, we went at a steady jog, then onto the path that would lead us into the valley.
“Carry your potential,” Araz said. “That way we’ll move faster.”
The valley was narrower than I’d expected. More of a gorge. Araz scooped me off my feet and swung me onto his back. “Hold on, Leela. And ignore whatever you may see. It will be a lie.”
With the potentials clinging to their drohis’ backs, the pace sped up two-fold, and the gorge swallowed us whole.
The moon went out,and darkness pressed in on us, thick, viscous, and alive. The ascended demigods’ weapons flared with light that spilled out to push back the shadows.
I held tightly to Araz as we flew over the ground. Goosebumps washed over my skin as awareness of an otherworldly presence filtered dread through my veins. There was power here, dangerous and hungry, and we were its favorite kind of snack.
The silence was suddenly filled with the eerie wailsof the restless dead. Bony fingers reached out from the gloom, desperate to make contact with us.
My head grew heavy, scalp tight, and whispers filled my mind.
Pointless. Everything is pointless.
She screams for you.
Curses you.
It’s your fault that she’s gone.
Nani’s face filled my mind, her mouth stretched too wide and filled with black liquid.
Leela…Leela, we can take you to her. We can help you free her. Come to us.
My grip on Araz slackened.
“Leela! Focus!” Araz grabbed my arm and squeezed, bringing me back to myself.
The voice faded, taking the darkness with it, and I could finally see the gorge properly—moon-washed and rocky, but empty.
No wraith.
No ghosts.
