Page 60 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“I have a younger brother. We were raised in the cradle on Jangal domain like all the rakshasa who fight for the gods. The packs we were born into gave us to the gods as part of an oath, and we’ve grown in number from there.”
First the drohi and now the rakshasa—was there any faction that the gods weren’t exploiting? I understood the need to protect the world from this devouring force, but they were acquiring manpower by conscription, at least that’s what it looked like to me, an outsider, and maybe that was why we’d been kept separate from the other demigods.
Ravi closed his eyes, as if the sight of open space was too much for him.
“Do youwantto be here?”
“Here?” He turned his head to look at me, moonlight kissing his features. “Here right now, with you? Yes.”
That hadn’t been what I’d meant, but the words to explain dried up in my throat beneath the intense look he was giving me. His gaze dropped to my mouth, and my stomach tightened in panic.
Had I given off the wrong signals? I needed him to stop devouring me with his gaze. I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “What happened to her?”
His gaze flicked up to meet mine, losing the intimate intensity. “Her?”
“Your friend. The one that I remind you of.”
He turned his attention to the stars once more. My relief mingled with guilt, because had I diverted his focus from my lips only to push him into painful memories? The tightness around his mouth and the way his throat bobbed now indicated as much.
I was about to apologize for being nosy when he spoke.
“She died,” he said.
Oh shit. I was an idiot. “I…I’m sorry. Can I ask…how?” What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? “Forget it. You don’t have to tell me. I shouldn’t have asked.”
He exhaled and forced a smile. “No. It’s all right. I’m glad you asked about her. I don’t get to speak of her often, and sometimes it feels like she never existed at all.”
Would that happen to me with Nani? Would she begin to feel like a dream? No. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. “What was her name?”
“Devi. It means goddess, you know? And she would have been a formidable one. She was fiercely determined. A small female with a big heart. We connected immediately. We were…happy.”
“What happened?” I really needed to put a sock in it. “You know what, forget I asked.”
He chuckled softly, the sound warming and wholesome. “It’s all right. I truly don’t mind talking about it.” He was silent for a beat before continuing. “Youremember when we first met, I told you to be wary of the native demigods, that they would take down anyone who was too strong?”
“Yes, I…Oh…”
His throat bobbed. ”Yes. She was strong. Skilled. And she was found dead the night before the labyrinth. Her throat cut. They never caught who did it. Never really investigated it, and I…I still don’t know…” He blew out a breath. “Anyway, I won’t let that happen to you. I would remind you to tell your drohi to watch your back, but after what I heard him say to you, I doubt you want to give him any ideas on how to get you killed.”
“I’m hoping he’ll come around. I mean, you said that the bond makes us want to be close.”
“I did, but only if you’re open to it, which I don’t think he is. Do you?”
The bird of hope that twittered in my chest fell silent. “No. I suppose not.”
He looked over at me and smiled. “But I love your optimism. Don’t lose that.” He caressed my cheek with the tips of his fingers, leaving a trail of tingles in their wake. “You’re strong of heart as well as body. Just continue to be strong of mind and—” He broke off with a frown and sat up slowly, looking off into the shadows.
“What is it?” I pushed up on my elbow to search the night.
He remained still and watchful for several beats. “My pack. I have to go. Will you be all right getting back to barracks?”
“Of course. I’m sure I can manage to make my…”
But he was already loping toward the wall, where several figures sat waiting for him. How long had they been there watching us? Creepy much?
He got to the wall and climbed up it easily. His pack vanished onto the other side, but he stopped to look back, eyes gleaming like silver pennies in the dark before dropping out of view with them.
I stood and stretched my aching muscles. A shower wouldn’t do tonight.
