The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(43)

“No. His sons did.”

Vasu shrank back to his tall but still human-sized form. “Then she is probably an offering. Once he has her, he won’t give her back. But you might be able to trade her for another sister if there is one you like less.”

Kyra gaped at Vasu. “She’s the daughter of an angel.”

Vasu shrugged. “I’m not saying I’d want her. But these Grigori slew their father, did they not?”

Sura said, “Yes.”

“Then he’s not violating anyone’s territory. If his sons want to collect kareshta from other angels, then I doubt Arindam would stop them.”

Leo was fuming. “Jaron said there were prohibitions against things like this. That the Fallen wouldn’t take other angels’ daughters.”

“Not to mate with her.” Vasu shuddered. “Most of us considered Volund quite aberrant in that regard.”

“So why—”

“You said she was powerful. He probably wants some talent she has.”

Niran and Sura were both deadly quiet.

Sura finally spoke. “Prija is too uncontrolled for anything but rage.”

“Liar.”

“It’s true,” Niran said. “She takes after our father in that way.”

“Does she?” Vasu’s eyes gleamed. “It all becomes clear.”

Leo said, “Explain.”

Vasu sat back at the table. “If you want me to explain, get me sticky rice.”

Kyra said, “Are you a child?”

Another blink, and a beautiful child sat on the bench, swinging his legs. “When I want to be.”

Kyra shook her head and turned away. “Come on.” She put a hand on Sura’s arm. “Let’s get him some sticky rice so he’ll stop speaking in riddles.”

Sura said, “Why do I get the feeling that will probably never happen?”





Chapter Twelve





Leo watched the child eating the mango sticky rice. As Vasu ate, he grew. And grew. Until the man who had first appeared sat before them again, licking sweet coconut milk from his fingers.

“That was delicious.”

“Talk,” Leo said.

“You used to be more amusing,” Vasu said. “Though I see a slight glow around you, scribe.” His eyes darted to Kyra. “Does she know yet?”

Kyra said, “Know what?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Leo said. “Tell us why Arindam would want an uncontrollable kareshta.”

Vasu turned to Sura. “Was she young?”

“One of the younger ones, yes. Around forty years, but she looks much younger.”

“And she’s powerful?”

“Yes.”

“How? Her voice?”

Sura said nothing.

“But she doesn’t speak, does she?” Vasu asked. “She can wound the mind in other ways.”

“If she’s angry enough,” Kyra said.

Alyah sucked in a breath. “What? She doesn’t need to speak to use magic? That’s unheard of.”

“Well, you’ve heard of it now,” Kyra said. “Half our blood comes directly from the angels. Did you think we had no power of our own? It’s not having the power, it’s controlling it.”

Vasu turned to Kyra. “She hurt you.”

“Yes.”

“Then why do you care about helping her?”

Kyra said, “Because I was her once.”

Vasu shook his head. “You were never her.”

Kyra paused. “No, I suppose not. Because I had my brother Kostas. But Prija has brothers too. Sisters who care about her. It’s not always about a person’s usefulness or threat level, Vasu. Sometimes you just care.”

“You and your brother were very powerful. Barak spoke of it often.”

“He despised us.”

“No,” Vasu said. “You’re wrong. Also, you should know your father would be very pleased with you and this scribe. He was… fond. I think that is the closest word.”

Leo asked, “What are you talking about?”

Alyah’s phone rang. She picked it up and walked away from the table.

Vasu turned back to Sura. “Your father was skilled in mental combat, even from a distance. It’s why he retained power for so long, even though he wasn’t as old as many of his enemies. Including me. It’s why you and your brothers can exist as peacefully as you do. It’s why your sisters are such bright stars. This sister who has been taken is powerful, and Arindam wants to use her as a weapon. He is trying to expand his territory now that Tenasserim is gone. Thank you, by the way. I found your father very annoying.”

“You’re… welcome?” Sura looked confused. A common problem with Vasu in Leo’s experience.

“So now that Tenasserim is gone,” Leo asked, “Arindam is looking to expand into Thailand?”

Vasu said, “No, the Irin are too powerful here. Anurak and his mate rule in Bangkok, and now they’ve made an alliance with these Grigori. He’s not interested in going east. He’s looking west.”

“Is Arindam expanding into your territory?”

Vasu’s eyes cut to Leo, but Leo did his best to appear innocent.