Page 36 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Iravan only rolled his eyes. A sly smile peaked in the right corner of his lips as he turned his charismatic gaze to Leela.

She looked at the ground.

“How have you been, love?” Iravan asked. His gaze skimmed over her shadow. “Well? Besides the new attachment you seem to have?”

“She said she only just got her,” Rajesh said.

Nalini held her hand up. “Let Leela explain.”

“I don’t really know when or how it happened. I mean, I do know, I just… Well…” Leela stuttered.

“Start from the beginning. There is no rush.”

“All the time in the world,” Iravan commented. “I mean, despite all the loose monsters we need to go and kill.”

Rajesh rolled his eyes this time.

Leela missed the bickering and snide comments between the brothers. The way they used to tackle one another and pull the other to the ground. It was always in front of Leela and her sister, Anika. She’d always thought Iravan had feelings for Anika.

Another slice of pity hit her, and Leela bit her lip. What if her family were alive too? What if she’d been running needlessly after revenge because they were… alive…?

Heat ascended her spine and Leela gasped as pain exploded. One moment she was lost in thought and the next, she was unwillingly lunging forward.

Rajesh stepped back, weapon raised, and Nalini stood between her son and Leela.

It all happened so suddenly. Leela grabbed the wall, flung back into her own senses.

“Are you okay?” Nalini asked.

Leela held her chest. Fear choked her, digging in with twisted fingers. “I… I think so.”

“She’s trying to break through,” Nalini said. “Whatever you do, you need to remain calm. And focus. Don’t let the pain in, it’s how she’ll enter.”

Leela nodded.

“Now, explain what happened. Focus on the story.”

Leela took a deep breath. “I was trying to find an ancient artifact to go after the lustisha that killed everyone I love.” She refused to notice the way Rajesh flinched. “I then went to this place in the City of Nihikia, but they were rebels using mortals to harness bodies. Long story short, I got captured, taken inside, and now, I harness the Viperess.”

Nalini nodded. “So this was all against your will…?”

“Yes.”

“And the Viperess seems to have chosen Leela,” Iravan said, rubbing his chin in speculation.

“What has she told you?” Nalini asked, slow and gentle. “Has she told you what she wants with you?”

“No,” Leela said. “Only that we’re here now. And she seems super shitty.”

“That would be an understatement,” Iravan said, chuckling. “She’d be more than pissed. She’d be fucking livid, I would imagine. Not that I can hear her or anything. Speaking of, what is she like?”

“Annoying,” Leela said.

No one spoke. Instead, they all shared a glance.

“Is someone going to tell me?” Leela glanced between them, waiting for someone to speak. What did they know? Why were they skirting around the details? Leela needed to know. Needed to understand what the fuck was going on. No one was willing to let her in, and she was about to snap. “Because the Viperess refuses to, and you’re all looking at me like I’m⁠—”

“A desert spirit?” Iravan cut in.