His voice filled my head like the first kiss of summer.
It’s good to have you back, child.
I thought I lost you. What happened to you?
Sit tight, and I will tell you all, and then we will stop Mizikiel together, once and for all.
Aakash Sansaar cameinto view less than half an hour later. The red wards were gone, and the air swarmed with chaysavar and their Danava riders.
I caught sight of two white flying steeds, and my pulse kicked up. The riders raised a hand in greeting at the sight of me and my entourage.
It seems that Dhoona and Yudh survived the unraveling,Pakshiraj said.
They did. They fucking did.Thank goodness that we spoke mind to mind, because I was too choked up to vocalize.
Pakshiraj banked toward them, and they flew up over his wings, close enough for me to see the flash of their silver eyes and feel their relief and joy, emotions that their stone faces didn’t allow them to express.
I had questions, and no doubt so did they, but words would have to wait until later.
A large chaysavar rose by Pakshiraj’s head. I sat forward, my pulse kicking in recognition of the woman astride it.
Arpita, dressed for battle, face speckled with blood, gave me a curt nod, raised a hand, and then swerved toward Shahee Kshetra, where the sky was dotted with battling Danava and Asura.
We followed, the thunderbirds falling away from the ship to flank us.
“Leela!” Araz called from my left, now mounted on a thunderbird. “I’m with you.”
Blue, perched on his shoulder, raised his tiny sword.
My demigod friends and their drohi flew on birdback behind us.
We were ready.
I lightly touched the axe hilts at my waist, my heart hammering in preparation for the fight to come as I scanned the skies for any sigh of Mizikiel. Of Chandra’s epic form and glowing wings.
I spotted him a moment later, flying down toward the foundation level of the royal domain, several Asura surrounding him in escort.
Arpita and her kin flanked us as we dove toward the mass of Asura fighting to protect Mizikiel. Familiar faces. Authority faces. My stomach clenched. He had them all on his side.Puppets to protect him. To stall us as he made his way to the throne.
That was the doorway to his realm. His way home.
Pakshiraj dipped toward the foundation, toward the mountain that housed the doorway. Mizikiel landed, and I lost him in a mass of Asura wings and glowing astra. The Danava landed, and the gods clashed with blades and spears. Astra against astra.
Drohi fought alongside the Asura, beating back the Danava.
Where was Mizikiel?
I have to land. I need to get inside.
Pakshiraj banked to the right, having to circle and come back, and I craned my neck, desperate to keep an eye on the fray, to keep an eye on the true threat. There was no sign of him, but I caught sight of a familiar face.
Keyton.
On Mizikiel’s team.
Fighting toe to toe with what had to be a Danava.
Another Danava approached from the side. Keyton hadn’t seen the second threat. Too focused on the first.
