Page 132 of Twisted Sins

“Did my father and brothers come too?”

“Yes. They agreed to hold the Goddess Shakti statue commissioning ceremony in two months.”

She was relieved.

The demon pushed the tent entrance door open with his broad shoulder and carried her inside.

A shocked gasp escaped her.

The tent resembled a multi-room house. But instead of walls, the rooms were divided by thick, vertical rugs. The living area had a carved wooden couch and two heavy chairs. She could also see a table that held copper-colored jugs and containers.

Several hanging lanterns were placed around the tent, a few of which the demon must have lit when he had come inside earlier.

The demon carried her further inside, where there was a large bed with stark white sheets. She thought he would place her on it, but she was surprised when he went past it towards another door.

When he pushed it open, she was further shocked to see that it was a bathroom. It wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small either. It had a tap, a metal bucket, herbal powders kept in small containers, and neatly folded fabrics kept in a corner.

He lowered her feet to the floor and turned on the tap.

Then, taking a clean cloth from the corner, he dipped it in the water and began wiping her face. She knew he was cleaning the blood from her face. Although she sensed his dark anger, his touch was gentle.

The demon froze suddenly. He was looking at her cheek.

“He hit you,” he growled. “I should have ripped out that bastard’s innards before taking off his damn head.”

She shivered at his dark anger.

“It doesn’t hurt,” she said, although her cheek did feel slightly sensitive.

His hands fell on the back of her clothes, and he tugged the knots until they loosened. He then began undressing her.

Soon, she was completely naked, and he ran his eyes over her, checking to see if there were any injuries. Although his movements were methodical and nearly clinical, her heart raced.

Her nipples hardened under his gaze.

His jaw clenched.

“Take a bath,” he commanded. “I’ll be outside if you need anything.”

He was about to step out, but she caught his wrist.

“I wasn’t leaving you,” she said. “I… just wanted to see my parents and let them know I was fine before returning to you.”

He didn’t say anything. Her hand fell when he began walking away.

Her heart ached. She hoped the demon believed her.

She wanted to tell him about Chaya Tadvi’s involvement. But she couldn’t do it without outing Maya.

Sucking in a deep breath, she poured water over her head.

She washed her hair and body. She then washed her bloodied clothes thrice until the water dripping from them was clean. She dried the clothes along a string at the corner. She knew she’d have to wear the same clothes the next day when they rode back to the Kabali encampment.

Wrapping a clean cloth around her body and another around her long, dripping hair, she stepped out of the bathroom.

The demon was near the table in the living area. His grey eyes blazed looking at her.

“There is food and drink,” he said curtly. “Eat something before sleeping.”

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