Page 18

Chapter 17

SHIELD BEATS PUNCH. ROCK BEATS LEELA

T he barracks were on a rise on the other side of the platform where we’d been bonded. From our vantage point, we could see the complex laid out like a sprawling beast of stone arms and wings. It looked like a maze, like a puzzle master had created it to boggle the mind, because if you looked closely, the composition didn’t make sense.

We trooped down the hill, taking a worn set of stone steps, and onto a track that led through a light wooded area. We probably looked like shadow people, all of us dressed head to toe in plain black training gear. I understood why. Black hid the color of blood. It was durable that way. But surely, we’d be allowed to wear other colorful clothes? The drohi did. I made a mental note to ask.

“Rakshasa barracks that way,” Priti said, pointing absently, eyes still on the map. She looked glowy today. Her curls were pinned up to leave her slender neck bare. Dharma also looked rested. In fact, everyone did. Probably because they hadn’t had to sleep on the floor.

“Ooo, and there’s a lake and a waterfall too.” Priti held up the map, excited by the discovery.

We passed the platform and hurried down the path and into the complex with all its twists, turns, stairs, and arches.

“Can we get a map of this place?” Joe asked.

“You have me,” his drohi said.

Urgh. By the time we got to the arena, I was feeling sorry for myself and hating myself for allowing it.

Stop it, Leela. Glass half full, remember? But boy was it hard to maintain that philosophy after everything that had happened to get me here.

Something Nani used to say popped into my mind. Life is what you make it, beti, and death will come regardless, so why worry? Then she would kiss me and make me my favorite dishes for supper, and all would be well. As a child, her words had been comforting, but now, thinking on it now as an adult…like, what the fuck, Nani? Gosh, kid me was such a weirdo.

We exited the gloomy complex and stepped out into warm buttery sunlight. The arena was empty this morning, but the platform above it was filled with spectators.

“Looks like we have an audience,” Remi said.

“The seasoned demigods,” Keyton explained. “They’ve all taken at least one pareekshan. It’s customary for them to watch induction training with the new potentials.”

“Great,” Dharma drawled. “They want to watch us make asses of ourselves.”

“You won’t,” Chaya said. “Remember what I told you.”

What was I missing? I wanted to ask, but it felt intrusive. Luckily for me, Priti liked to share knowledge, and my expression promoted her to fill me in. “Keyton and Chaya say that we’re probably coming into our strength, so this session is always about finding our limits.”

“There have been amusing mishaps in the past,” Chaya said.

“And dangerous ones,” Keyton added.

Great, and we’d have no idea until we tested ourselves. I glanced up at the platform above, at the faces of the mortal demigods who’d come before, and was relieved to see a few smiles of encouragement. Things might not be so bad after all.

As we walked farther into the arena, the bench area that we’d hung out at yesterday came into view. Today, it was occupied by several guys that all had intense dark eyes and sprinters’ bodies. The way they stood or crouched gave the impression of active stillness, as if they were ready to pounce at any given moment.

There was one larger than the rest, with brown close-cropped hair and hunter’s eyes. He had the kind of sharp features that were almost feral. He must have sensed me staring because he looked right at me for a beat. My pulse skipped, prey in a predator’s sights, and his nostrils flared. Could he smell me across the arena? No, that was ridiculous, of course.

“Don’t look at them,” Chaya said under her breath. “They’re like scavengers.”

“What are they?” Dharma asked.

“Rakshasa surveying the possibilities,” Keyton said. “They have appetites. So steer clear.”

Before I could ask what he meant by appetites , Pashim and Guru Chandra materialized in front of our group.

Joe let out a yelp, hand going to his chest, and Eve snickered, earning a stern look from her drohi.

Guru Chandra and Pashim were both dressed in black armor uniform, hair neatly pulled back from their stern faces. Pashim crossed his arms and looked us over, double-taking when he landed on me. “Where is your drohi?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Please just drop it now.

He looked as if he wanted to say more, but Guru Chandra spoke. “We will begin with a test of your natural ability.” Pashim frowned at Guru Chandra, who ignored him. “Drohi, please step aside. Potentials, find a sparring partner.”

We were an odd number, and I was left without a partner. Pashim took a step toward me, but Guru Chandra beat him to it by materializing a couple of feet in front of me. “You can work with me,” he said .

Great. Just fucking great. I was going to make an ass of myself in front of the head of all training who also happened to be a regent.

Fabulous.

He smiled with his eyes. “It’s all right. There is no need to worry. This is merely an opportunity for you to test your strength. Luckily for you, when paired with me, you won’t need to hold back.”

Around me, the others had taken their places, awaiting instructions.

“Hand-to-hand combat is rare against the devouring force,” Pashim said. “You will be trained rigorously to fight with weapons, but a weapon can be taken from you, and if that happens, your only defense will be your body and the strength that lies within it. You will learn to channel that strength. But first you must learn its limits.” He tapped Joe on the shoulder. “Punch your sparring partner.”

Joes looked across at Sylvie in horror. “I can’t hit her. She’s a woman.”

Pashim’s chest heaved in a sigh. “Gender doesn’t matter on the battlefield, and you insult her by making it an issue here. Now hit her. As hard as you can.”

Sylvie squeaked, eyes snapping wide. “Please. Don’t.”

“You will stand firm,” her drohi called out. “Trust in me, Sylvie. You will not be harmed.”

She looked sceptical but nodded. “Fine. Do it. But not the face. ”

Joe swallowed hard. “Okay.” He bounced from foot to foot but didn’t do anything.

“Today, please,” Pashim drawled.

Joe let out a bellow and punched Sylvie in the gut, sending her flying across the arena to land several meters away.

“Oh god! Sylvie!” He ran toward her, but she was up on her feet before he could reach her.

She hugged her abdomen, an expression of confusion on her face. “I…I’m fine.”

Joe pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, seriously. I’m fine.”

“How touching,” someone called from the platform above. “What was your world made of? Rainbows and sweet meats?”

Pashim glared up at the platform, clearly looking for the speaker, but it was my sparring partner Guru Chandra who responded. “Yes. Their world is one of relative peace, so do not judge them too harshly. It is your duty to aid them in transition and act as examples. Not to taunt them. They will soon be your comrades on the battlefield, responsible for watching your back just as you will be for them. Unity above all.”

“Unity above all,” they murmured, looking shamefaced.

“Now you,” Pashim instructed Sylvie. “It’s your turn.”

The next few minutes were spent watching everyone smack each other around. It looked like our demigod strength was in, more so for some than others. Dharma’s punch sent Priti all the way across the arena, and it took her a couple of minutes to shake it off.

And it was finally my turn. My stomach grew rock hard because everyone was now watching me. I hated being the center of attention, and according to Pashim, I had no clue how to throw a decent punch, even though I’d taken six months of self-defense classes. Granted, most of the time we were taught how to avoid getting grappled or pinned, and told to run, but we had been shown proper fist formation for a punch. I applied that now, making sure my thumb was tucked on the outside of my fist and not the inside.

“Go on,” Pashim said. “Strike him.”

Guru Chandra stood with his arms out, inviting me to do damage. His icy blue eyes were bright with anticipation against his brown skin as he waited for me to hit him.

Here went nothing. I took a deep breath and swung.

My fist contacted his torso, and a crackle filled my ears, then my feet left the ground as I was flung away from my target in a sweeping arch that introduced me to the sky.

Someone bellowed, several people screamed, and then my back slammed against something unyielding and rock hard. The world went dark.

“Mmmm…I’ll have a double expresso and a cinnamon swirl please.”

“Leela?”

Why did the barista have blue hair?

“Leela, can you hear me?”

I surfaced from the weird dream, peripherally registering my surroundings.

“Leela, look at me.”

I blinked blearily up at Pashim. Oooh, he was purty even when he frowned.

“Leela, can you see me?” Pashim asked.

I smiled dopily up at him. “Course I can, silly.”

“Are you in pain?”

As if summoned by its name, pain registered as a throb that covered my whole body.

I was suddenly fully alert. “Urgh, I think I am pain.”

Pashim helped me to sit up, his arm a brace across my shoulders, and everyone else registered. Surrounding us. Watching.

Earth, please open up and swallow me now.

“It will pass,” Pashim said. “You’ll be fine.”

Guru Chandra appeared to my left. “I apologize. I forgot to disarm my shields.” He looked genuinely upset.

“Shields?” I tipped my head back to look at him, winching as pain lanced down my spine. “I hit a shield?” Yeah, that made sense.

“You were repelled,” Pashim explained. “You hit the platform.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. Why was he pissed at me? Wait…Unless it wasn’t me he was angry with.

“Take a seat and watch the session,” Guru Chandra said. “I’m sure Pashim will help you catch up next time.”

Pashim pressed his lips together and nodded, his gaze on me. “Come on.” He helped me to my feet, and I bit back a yelp as fire lanced up my leg.

He scooped me up and carried me to the edge of the arena and under the awning.

“You should heal in an hour or so,” he said, lowering me onto a bench.

“So I have to wait to know if my power has come in?”

“Oh, it’s come in,” Pashim said. “If it hadn’t, then the impact just now would have killed you.” He looked across at Guru Chandra, who was circulating between sparring partners, showing them proper form and stance. “Guru Mihir has you after class today, but stay after class tomorrow, and I’ll work with you.”

“Thank you.”

He hesitated a moment then asked softly, “Where is your drohi, Leela?”

I had a feeling I would have to get used to being asked this question. “I honestly don’t know. ”

Pashim sighed heavily and nodded. “Very well. Rest now. And observe.”

He left me and joined the potentials in the arena. The rakshasa were visible across the way, their attention on the sparring newcomers. Which was where my attention should also be.

I sat back and winced as a tight band of fire circled my ribcage. Were any fractured? It was a little hard to breathe.

Someone settled on the bench beside me, bringing the scent of woodland with them. “That was impressive.” The voice was male, low, and rumbly.

I slowly turned my stiff neck to look across at the rakshasa with the green eyes and feral face. “I’d hardly called getting smacked into rock impressive.”

His attention remained on the potentials in the arena as he replied. “You survived. That’s impressive.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is lucky .”

He shook his head. “No. Even with demigod power, being repelled by Chandra’s shield should have broken your spine, neck, and ribs. You should be a screaming mess right now.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. “What’s your point?”

“That you’re strong. Probably stronger than anyone in that arena.”

“Strength is pointless if you don’t know how to use it.”

“True.” A smile ghosted his lips. “You’d best learn how to use it then and fast. Because no matter what the high and mighty Chandra might say about unity, all that matters to the demigods is ascension. Your friends in the arena won’t understand. They won’t see it, but the ones on the platform, those native to this world, know how hard it is to get into that labyrinth and even remotely close to ascension. If they suspect you’re a serious contender, they will take you down. Unfortunately for you, Chandra has just unwittingly shown them that you’re one to watch out for.”

Yet another thing to add to my growing pile of shitty moments. “Thanks for the warning.”

“Your drohi has his work cut out for him.” He finally looked at me, green eyes darkening as they settled on my face. “Where is he?”

My breath snagged in my throat. “He had stuff to do.” I’m not sure why I said that. Why I covered for Araz. “He’ll show up soon.” I hoped.

“Well, you better let him know what I told you. He’ll need to watch your back.”

“Why are you telling me any of this?”

He looked off into the arena again. “Maybe I don’t like to see talent snuffed out.”

“Ravi!” one of the rakshasa called from across the arena. “Come on.”

He raised a hand to acknowledge that he’d heard then turned his attention back to me.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Leela. ”

“Well, good luck, Leela. You’re going to need it.” He stood, towering over me for a moment before loping off to join his friends.

I sat back to watch the training and realized that my pain was gone. I tested my observation with a deep breath. No fiery knives slicing into me. I’d healed, and I suspected I’d done it too fast.

If what Ravi said was true, then I’d need to downplay my strength and my healing. Araz was already ruining my chances of ascension by refusing to help me train; the last thing I needed was other demigods trying to sabotage me too.

I shifted in my seat and gave an exaggerated wince. I’d stay in pain for an hour or so longer.