Page 67 of Twisted Sins

“Did some more people join the encampment?” she asked Uma.

Uma nodded. “Yes. Since Rudra was injured the last few days, a few more Kabali warriors joined us to protect us from any attacks.”

“I see.”

She knew any attack from her brothers was now impossible as they didn’t know her location. The bracelet with the tracker was lying at the bottom of the oasis where the demon had thrown it.

How the hell did the demon know about the bracelet?

Her head throbbed with several burning questions.

That morning, the Kabali men hadn’t left the encampment on their horses at sunrise. They were apparently training with Rudra.

Even as she wondered what training exactly meant, she heard the sounds of metal clashing before she saw the demon and his men.

There were close to a dozen men attacking each other with weapons, and most of them targeted the demon. She was shocked to see the demon who was fighting under the desert sun with his men instead of lying in a tent recovering from his gunshot wounds.

He wasn’t wearing a black tunic. Ash covered his upper body, and long strips of black cloth were tied around his left arm and shoulder as bandages.

The injuries didn’t seem to stop him. She watched as he twisted his arm, swinging his heavy spear weapon as he blocked the attack from four men. Letting out a savage, primitive cry, he shoved the men away from him.

Three more men attacked him from the side. But he once again blocked the attack and twisted his body until he could push them off.

Her stomach sank, watching the inhuman strength the demon displayed even when he was injured.

How can I or anyone defeat this demon?

She knew she couldn’t stand up against him when it came to physical strength, which was why she had tried seduction to get what she wanted. But now that her escape attempt had failed, she doubted if she could use seduction again for a new escape plan.

She watched as the brutal training continued under the hot desert sun. She stood in partial shade, and yet sweat dripped down her back. The Kabali men, especially the demon continued to train.

When the training ended, the men began to disperse. They passed her by to go towards the opening in the hill where the communal pond was located. She met with many hostile glances. Despite the demon saying she wasn’t responsible for his attack, his men remained suspicious of her.

She sucked in a breath.

The demon was talking to one of his men while wiping the sweat off his forehead.

“Rudra,” she called out.

He looked up, and his eyes flashed as he saw her. However, his face was unreadable.

“We need to talk,” she said in English.

His face remained unreadable, and he didn’t respond to her words. He came towards her, but he passed her by, completely ignoring her.

“What did you say?” Uma asked.

“I… told him to be careful of his injuries. But by mistake, I spoke in my language.”

“Oh, I see. That’s why he didn’t understand. But that’s caring of you.”

Nandini’s cheeks heated. She was hardly caring when it came to the demon.

But now that she knew there was more to him than being a savage demon, she planned to convince him to let her go.

***

The demon ignored her all day and evening. Although he remained in the encampment, he was with his men, talking and strategizing about something.

---