Page 42 of Lost and Stolen Gods
He looked from the tiffin to me, and then his top lip lifted in a silent snarl. “If you think you can charm me with food, then you’re delusional.”
I was too tired for this shit. “Whatever.” I stepped onto the washroom, closed the door, and took a deep breath.
Living with a male who was resolved to hate me would be no easy feat, but I was sure as hell going to try.
Araz was gonewhen I came out of the washroom, so I had the room to myself for a little while. Enough time to snoop a little. Not that there was much to snoop over. The books on the desk were in a language I couldn’t read, so that was no clue on what kind of stuff he was in to. His clothes were all standard black armor stuff or basic pants and fitted shirts, and the washroom held nothing but a jar of toothpaste and a bar of fruity scented soap.
Araz was a mystery. A grumpy, growly, determined-to-hate-on-me mystery.
I gave up and tucked myself into my makeshift bed on the floor. I had no idea how late it was because there were no clocks in the room. Heck, I had no idea how they measured time here. Did they even have clocks?
What if I overslept and missed training? Would Araz wake me? A surge of despondency washed over me, an aching sense of loneliness and loss, and my eyes heated. I squeezed them shut and breathed through the wave of grief. Not now. Not here. Not yet. I couldn’t weaken. I wouldn’t fall apart. I owed it to Nanito hold myself together. She’d given her life to save mine, and now I would use that life to make sure I set her soul free.
I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep, but I was woken by sunlight streaming in through the windows. Not having drapes now made sense. Who needed an alarm clock when you had the sun?
There was no sign of Araz and the bed was neatly made. The only clue that he’d been back was the steamy washroom saturated with the aroma of his fruity soap.
Breakfast was a quick meal of some oaty porridge, where I learned it was up to our drohi to keep our timetables and accompany us to classes. Without Araz to guide me, I was forced to tag along with the sisters and their escorts. We met up with the rest of the newly paired demigods on the ground floor. There was only one exit here that also served as an entrance. There were also no windows. The only other door belonged to Dipika’s domain. As barracks master, she had a whole warren of rooms filled with stock which she allocated as necessary to the residents.
It was a bit of a squeeze in the foyer because every potential had a drohi with them, and I could tell they were wondering where Araz was, but no one asked, and I was grateful for that.
None of us potentials had any idea where we were in relation to the arena, but Priti brought the map that Umbra had provided. Apparently, everyone’s packshad been in their rooms this morning. Not mine, though. Another thing that I didn’t have going for me. Still, Priti was the only one who brought her map with her. Everyone else was relying on their drohi.
I spotted Remi, and she waved and hurried over.
“What floor are you on?” she asked.
“Fourth.”
“We’re first floor, and we have a little balcony garden.” She beamed up at her drohi, a tank of a male with a square bald head and eyes like mercury. “This is Crag.”
Crag lifted his chin in greeting.
She looked happy. Strange, considering the fact she’d been so cut up about never seeing her fiancé Chris again a mere day ago. She’d loved that guy, and now she was looking up at Crag as if he was the most fascinating male in the world.
My stomach quivered because wasn’t that what I’d been doing with Araz, even though he was being a dick? The only difference was that Crag had genuine warmth in his eyes for Remi, and Araz hated my guts.
A quick survey of the couples showed me variations of the same thing. Smiling, happy faces. Great. Just fucking great. Odd one out shouldn’t be a new thing for me, but it had been a while. It still stung like a bitch.
Dharma sidled up to me as everyone headed out of the door and asked the dreaded question. “Where is Araz?”
I shook my head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
She looked like she wanted to say more, but Chaya called her over from the exit.
It was time to go train. I just hoped Araz showed up for it.
Chapter 17
SHIELD BEATS PUNCH. ROCK BEATS LEELA
The barracks were on a rise on the other side of the platform where we’d been bonded. From our vantage point, we could see the complex laid out like a sprawling beast of stone arms and wings. It looked like a maze, like a puzzle master had created it to boggle the mind, because if you looked closely, the composition didn’t make sense.
We trooped down the hill, taking a worn set of stone steps, and onto a track that led through a light wooded area. We probably looked like shadow people, all of us dressed head to toe in plain black training gear. I understood why. Black hid the color of blood. It was durable that way. But surely, we’d be allowed to wear other colorful clothes? The drohi did. I made a mental note to ask.
“Rakshasa barracks that way,” Priti said, pointing absently, eyes still on the map. She looked glowy today.Her curls were pinned up to leave her slender neck bare. Dharma also looked rested. In fact, everyone did. Probably because they hadn’t had to sleep on the floor.
“Ooo, and there’s a lake and a waterfall too.” Priti held up the map, excited by the discovery.
