Part One
Nani always said to only give up if it truly served you to do so.
Not today.
Chapter 1
IS THIS THE FINAL FLIGHT?
There was murder in my heart as we fled Aakash Sansaar. A mixture of wrath and grief churned in my chest that not even starlight, cool and impassive, could soothe. Pakshiraj’s wings beat at the air, each sweep an admonishment, the golden feathers at the tips creating an aura of gold with each upward shift. Thewhump, whumpechoed the pulse of blood in my veins.
The royal domain lay far in the distance, but I didn’t look back. It was time to look forward. To plan my return. I needed allies. I needed an army.
The primordial evil had cut me off at the knees by murdering the devouring force troops. He’d known that once those troops discovered his true identity, that once they realized that he was a monster, they’d fight for me. Was it because he wouldn’t be able to control them like the Asura and demigods in the royal domain? Or was it simply to cull potential opposition, leaving him with less minds to manage?
If it was the former reason, then why? Why could he control the inhabitants of the royal domain and not the devouring forcetroops? I was about to ask Pakshiraj if he knew when his low, rumbling voice filled my mind.
Leela, we are about to be attacked.
A quick glance over my shoulder had my already knotted stomach contorting itself into an abstract tangle.
Six thunderbirds were headed our way and gaining fast.
You’re sure they’re going to attack?Please say no, please say no.
Yes.
I glanced back again, lungs swelling at how they’d eaten the distance between us.
Thewhump, whumpof wings surrounded us, pressing closer as the six spread out. Two flanked us, rising above, and one dropped altitude. Any moment now they’d have us surrounded. Shit, I’d seen this formation before. The thunderbirds had used it on Araz’s mount, Ilara, at the Vaayu Raaja domain when she’d attacked me.
They were trying to trap us in a Grasp. The powerful shield could only be cast by the unified will of a group of thunderbirds. Four had been sent to capture Ilara, but the primordial evil had sent six after us.
The attacking birds drew parallel.
Pakshiraj—
I know. Brace. Now!
Fuck! I clenched my thighs, dropping forward, torso pressed to his neck, fingers tightening around the golden leash feathers just as gravity asserted dominance. My stomach attempted to slam out of my body as we dove, sharp and sudden. The air crackled and fizzed above us, and bright blue light flashed in my eyes. I squeezed them closed, pressing my cheek to Pakshiraj’s back as he banked right.
Hold tight,he ordered.
Yeah, got it. Not letting go.
He veered left and then up at a sharp angle that had my ass wanting to slide back. I gripped harder with my thighs, nestling into the dip behind his neck as if my life depended on it. Which it kinda did.
We leveled off, and I lifted my head a little to look back. A gust of icy air hit me in the face, thewhumpof wings suddenly too loud. A dark shadow passed overhead.
Get down!Pakshiraj roared.
I dropped in time to avoid the pinch of talons as a thunderbird whizzed past above us. A beat passed, my heart in my mouth, before I dared look up. Shit. We were almost surrounded again.
Do you trust me to keep you safe, child?
Of course.
Then you must act on my command without question. Will you do so?
