Page 5 of Twisted Sins

She turned to the front to see what had caused the SUV to stop. That’s when she saw something blocking the view outside the windshield.

It took her a moment to realize it was a large bird.

With brown-hued feathers, a bright yellow beak, and a sharp, intense gaze directed right into the SUV, it looked stunning. Its wide wingspan nearly covered the entire windshield.

She was fascinated and couldn’t tear her eyes away from the large majestic bird.

The loud sound of the horn and gesturing by the driver didn’t move the bird away.

“Shoot the bird,” the security head ordered in the walkie-talkie. “We can’t afford to be delayed, or our heads will be put on the line.”

Nandini frowned. She didn’t want the beautiful bird killed. Her brothers were authoritative and firm with their staff but had never been cruel to make them fear for their safety or livelihood. She didn’t think her father was cruel either. Mihir Thakvar was firm yet gentle.

“My brothers or my father won’t mind a slight delay,” she said. “There’s no need to—”

She was interrupted by a voice in the walkie-talkie.

“There are more eagles circling the SUVs and blocking visibility, sir.”

The security head frowned. “Why are there birds out at this time?”

The sky was streaked red with early rays of sunlight, but it was still mostly dark.

There was a shocked gasp from the SUV driver.

“Kabali…” the SUV driver whispered, sounding oddly terrified. He then said someone was nearby, which made the head of security frown.

Nandini understood what they were discussing. It was her father's native language. Her brothers often communicated with each other in that language during her childhood, thinking she wouldn’t understand. But she learned it and was able to understand everything. Although it had been a while since she last spoke or heard the language, she was looking forward to communicating with her father’s people in that language.

The SUV driver kept saying the word Kabali in panic and began reversing the vehicle.

“Stop!” the security head ordered. “There’s no one coming.”

However, the SUV driver accelerated and started to drive in the opposite direction. The large bird flew away from the windshield, but it flew in front of them in the sky, staying close to the vehicle.

Nandini’s heart thudded. “What is happening?” she asked.

“Just a misunderstanding, Miss Thakvar. The driver is confused about the directions.”

Nandini didn’t think the driver was confused. He seemed quite familiar with the Singoor desert and routes. But he looked terrified and drove as though he were trying to escape something terrible.

Nandini turned back but couldn’t see anything apart from the other vehicles following them. A few more rays of sun streaked the sky, and there was more visibility, turning the entire desert into a reddish hue.

“I’m commanding you to stop!” the security head said. “Or you will face dire consequences.”

The SUV driver kept repeating the word Kabali in a terrified tone.

“There is no danger. My men and I are trained soldiers equipped with guns and other advanced weapons to destroy any threat in seconds.”

Nandini hoped it didn’t come to a confrontation that involved guns. She hated any kind of violence.

“Sir…” a voice from the walkie-talkie interrupted. “Six horsemen are coming from a distance. And they will catch up with us soon.”

The security head paused for a long moment, looking at the screen in his hand with a frown.

“Kabali…” the SUV driver said in absolute terror.

The SUV accelerated even more.

---