Page 39 of The Burning Mountain
“How did you know I had thespatika linga?” asked Ketuvahana, climbing down once again, signaling to the two guards to go on ahead. “I never inferred my plans to anyone.”
“It was a guess.” Veer scrambled to correct his mistake. “Since you came here, I assumed you’d gotten what you needed to free Aditya from thenagamani, so you could kill him.”
Ketuvahana seemed to mull over the logic of that explanation. He put a hand into the folds of his tunic and pulled out a palm-sized, dull, translucent stone that had some facets that glinted in the meager light. “You’re right. Sakaala managedto find me the quartz stone. It took us a considerable bit of trouble too.”
He returned it to his pocket with a smirk, making it plain he had no intention of helping Veer out.
“Why did you transfer thenagamanito yourself if you didn’t have thespatika lingawith you?” he asked instead.
“I told you…I suspected you’d have it with you when you came to visit Aditya in this prison.”
“And you hoped I’d…just give it to you? You aren’t commanding me?” Ketuvahana shook his head mockingly.
His smile had an edge of craftiness to it. “You managed everything just fine until now, Wizard…Maayavi, if that’s indeed your name. But the wizard I know wouldn’t expect such a thing. It is strictly business between us, and he would never put himself at my mercy, not after knowing the kind of person I am.”
Veer remained silent at his observation. Ketuvahana’s smile widened at his lack of response, but his eyes remained flinty.
“It just occurred to me we have no proof, really, that you are who you say you are. The real Maayavi is not in the habit of asking for anything—not with his powers. He said he would be back in a fortnight when I last saw him, and yet here you are, early.”
Ketuvahana got as close as the snakes would allow, his eyes alive with curiosity. “You talk good shop, but can you really perform magic? Go on…make me do something against my will. That’s your specialty, isn’t it?”
Veer jerked in shock at his words. Another mind-control mage? He’d never, in all his years, met another person who had powers similar to Virat. What was going on here?
Veer’s continued silence withered the smile on Ketuvahana’s face. Rage took over the brief enjoyment he had at his expense. “I want to bash your face in. How dare you try to cheat me? Do you know who I am? Do you know my reputation?
“But even if I could release you from thenagamani, I think I’ll just leave you here for the real Maayavi. And believe me when I say this, he makes me look like a benevolent man in comparison.”
He turned away. “So long, imposter. Rot in here with nothing but snakes to keep you company. I have something I’m anticipating back home.”
Ketuvahana took to the steps in a hurry, cursing at the rats that scampered across his path.
Veer listened to the fading footsteps, and the creak and bang of the dungeon doors, plunging him once more into darkness. Ketuvahana really had quicksilver moods. Veer pitied whoever crossed his path today.
He was going to be in an even more foul mood when he discovered he had lost thespatika linga.
Veer ran his thumb across the dull-faceted quartz stone that was now in his hand and silently thanked the rats that had brought it to him. Ketuvahana was right, though. He didn’t expect Ketuvahana to just give him the stone.
Before leaving, Shota had left the rat cage open, letting them escape to hide in the dark corners of the dungeon under Ilavu’s control, waiting for an opportunity to steal the stone from Ketuvahana.
Veer now placed the unassuming quartz against the green jewel.
At once, the clasp came free, and the bracelet let go of his arm, fastening itself around thespatika linga, like a long-lost lover. The green glow of thenagamanidulled to a mere flicker under the neutralizing effect of the stone. The hissing sound of snakes cut off abruptly as they disappeared.
Veer climbed the steps slowly, thinking over the puzzling matter of the wizard, and encountered the closed and likely padlocked dungeon doors.
“Ilavu,” called Veer.
“I’m here,” answered the demon.
“I need your help again.”
“At your service.”
18
CHANDRA’S RESCUE
Chandra’s cheek throbbed in time with her heartbeat. The wetness of blood had slowed to a thick sludge that hung off her jaw in thin ropes and caked the front of her blouse. Her vision hadn’t cleared from the blow she received yesterday.
