“You have nothing to fear, child. I will not harm you. Although I suspect that the forcesss that sent you to me hoped you would not make it thisss far.”
His words helped to calm my nerves. “Something like that. They blocked off the safe route.”
“There isss no safe route to my lair,” he said. “But yesss, the route they sealed is the royal route. One I would have met you in and welcomed you into my home.”
“Thank you. We appreciate it.”
His head turned slightly, and his gaze focused on Ravi. “It hasss been too long since I looked upon your kind, blood of my ally.”
Ravi inclined his head. “I am honored to be in your presence.”
“The honor isss mine,” Vasuki said before turning his attention to back me. “I see your heart, child. I know itsss call, and I have waited a long time to hear it again.” He loomed closer, inky pupils dilating so I could see myself reflected in them. “The ancient onesss remember because we exist out of time. And soon it will be time for you to rise.” He turned his head toward the gems and lifted his chin. “Take what it isss you came for but know that it will change nothing. Thisss was merely a diversion.”
“What do you mean?”
The tip of his tail slid between us. There were three thick hairs sticking up from it, but two fell off and drifted to the ground.
“Take one each,” Vasuki said. “Weave them into charms. A bracelet. A necklace. It matters not what you create with them. For if you wear it, you will have safe passage to me always.”
He began to slide away, backing into the gloom.
“Wait! What do you meanthis was merely a diversion?”
“I will see you soon, child.” He vanished into darkness, leaving us alone in the chamber.
Ravi picked up the hairs, wrapped one around his wrist, and put the other around mine. “Come on. Let’s get a gem and get out of here.”
“What did he mean?”
“That the Authority is wasting your time? That this whole mission was pointless? I don’t know. We can discuss it once we’re out of here.”
He was right. This was a conversation for later.
I headed to the pile of gems, Vasuki’s words scrolling through my mind because despite what Ravi said, my gut told me that they’d been more than an observation. They’d been a warning.
The vortex tocollect us wouldn’t be arriving until just before sunset, which was still hours away, and the mood was high as we made our way back to the pickup point. I’d been hugged and patted on the back and hugged some more on my emergence from the mountain. Our little marsupin buddy had been quick to run off, probably eager to get back to his family.
But it wasn’t until the gem was tucked in a box under the carriage seat and I was back in the driver’s cab with Ravi and on the move that it hit me fully.
I’d done it.
I’d survived the mountain despite the Authority’s efforts to sabotage me. The bastards had failed, and I’d make sure they paid for their efforts once I had the crown firmly on my head. Until then, I’d keep my peace. I had no proof that they’d ordered the safe route to Vasuki blocked off, only valid deduction. And that wouldn’t be enough to act against them.
“What will you do once you get back?” Ravi asked.
“Shower, eat, and sleep. But before all of that, I’ll tell Chandra that I want you on my security team.” Far up ahead, Yudh, Dhoona, and Shalani slowed their pace and stopped. My scalp pricked, and I sat up straighter. “Ravi, why have they stopped?”
“I don’t know.” Ravi pulled on the reins to slow the horse, and we also clipped to a halt.
A strange weight settled in my belly, and a shiver raced over my skin. The air crackled, the scent of ozone and sulfur stinging my nose.
Shalani turned and began running toward us, Dhoona and Yudh close behind her.
“Shit!” Ravi jumped down from his seat. “Leela, get down!” He reached out a hand for me.
I obeyed on instinct, taking his hand to allow him to help me down, the urgency in my body matching that on his face. “What’s happening?”
“Get in the carriage.”
