Page 37 of The Divine Lies We Weave

“Like I’m going to attack again,” Leela snapped.

“You very well might,” Nalini said. She sighed but walked closer to Leela. “Did anyone ever tell you about the tale of the Viperess and the Scorpion? How their paths met?”

Jaya had briefly told her at the village about the revenge and the romance between the Viperess and the Scorpion. She’d been too focused on Rajesh and his anger to connect the dots about the Scorpion and the Viperess. The two Flames from the Awakening and the Netherworld. The Viperess loved the Scorpion, but he never descended with her. The Viperess took it as betrayal, and now…

Oh…

Slowly, Leela’s brows lengthened, and her lips parted. Oh…

Leela caught Rajesh’s gaze. “She wants revenge.”

“Understand now?” Rajesh said.

Shit. You want me to kill him? Because he has the Scorpion?

Heat coiled at the base of Leela’s spine, spiraling up until it hit the nape of her neck. The Viperess banged against her skull. Yes.

The answer was so simple, Leela staggered back. No. I refuse to kill him!

Because you once loved him?

It’s more than that. He’s… He’s…

Nothing more than something in my way to my revenge. So, we can either do this the easy way or the hard way, mortal. I can control you, remember?

Panic gripped every part of Leela. Her chest tightened, hands shaking. Her heart beat too wildly in her ears for her to make sense.

Oh shit… Oh fuck…

“No… No…” Leela said, shaking her head vigorously.

Nalini stepped forward, hand raised.

Leela stepped back. “No. Don’t. This… No!”

“You can control this, Leela,” Nalini said. “Has she fully controlled you yet?”

Blood drained from her face. “Yes.”

“We will teach you, before she can do anything.”

“What can she do?”

“Possess you,” Iravan said. “Take over your dreams. Make you do things. Being a Vessel is great fun, really.”

“No,” Leela said, eyes widening in disbelief. “No, I refuse. I refuse to do it! I can’t kill…” She looked at Rajesh through a blurry gaze. She couldn’t imagine driving a knife through his chest. Couldn’t imagine making him bleed. All these years, she thought he was dead, and he was very much alive, but now… now she might have to kill him because of the vengeful Flame in her head.

“You might not have a choice,” Nalini lamented, leaning against the bench. “Which is why we will train you to try to control your mind and in turn, her.”

Hiiissssss. Might want to be careful, mortal. I don’t do well being told what to do.

“What if I can’t?” Leela said, voice cracking. “What if she takes over and I can’t stop her? Or she kills him before I have the chance to learn?”

“We won’t let that happen. I would tell you our plans, but, well…”

Leela understood. Saying anything to her meant the Viperess would know every move and try to evade it.

“I don’t want it,” Leela said. “Get it out. Get her out!”