Page 139 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Leela’s heart dropped.

No…

“I will not follow in your heinous ways,” Tanmay said, standing firm.

No! Please no. Not him. No!

The Viperess curled a smile. “You wish to stand against me?”

“No wish can grant me the life of my captain.” Tanmay sniffled. “Rajesh… I saw him. His body was cold and lying in his blood.” He turned to the crew. “She killed Navya too.”

A few Gilded Thorns gasped. Hema dropped her head.

“She killed two of our people and now wants us to help her. The most powerful Flame there ever could be, and she came for her revenge,” Tanmay snapped, tears falling down his face. “You… You should have stayed in the Netherworld to be flayed.”

The Viperess stepped closer. “Why don’t you say hello to my monsters for me?”

Before Tanmay could do anything more, she plunged a katar into his throat. He gurgled and fell with a heavy thud.

Leela shut her eyes. She was already too numb to mourn Tanmay, save for the rage burning deeper inside her. No. This would be the last person the Viperess killed in her revenge, and Leela needed to act—fast.

“Who else?”

No one moved.

“Good. Now forward. Or die.”

35

LEELA

The moment the Viperess sought to enter the mountains, Leela knew there was danger lurking in every corner. Fog continued to roll, now hovering slightly above their heads. Everyone moved with a quiet alertness, hands steady on their weapons, eyes glancing in every direction.

Leela oddly felt safe in her mind. It would be the only time she ever would.

But she knew she wouldn’t be here for long. She was going to get her body back. She was going to find a weakness, overpower the Viperess, and make her pay.

You may try, mortal.

Try. HAH. You still underestimate me.

No. I know everything about you.

Yet, you don’t know the first thing about me.

You sure about that?

Yes. Count on it.

Something loud skittered down the tunnel.

“What was that?” someone yelped.

The Viperess stood firm, eyes steady on the fog and the sand that spread as far as she could see. A chill nestled over Leela, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the mountains or the noise.

“There are monsters in here,” someone else said. “This is where the monsters come to be safe! And we’re walking right into their home.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Ishaan snapped. “We are here to plant the seed. Why do you think this is the best place to go?”