Page 122 of Her Soul for a Crown
“Drums,” Bithul said, unsheathing his cane. “Tovil drums.”
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They came from all sides, as if the walls were blessed paintings they’d stepped through. Bells and beads announced their attack.
“No!” Anula shouted.
Sandani rushed forward with the drums, followed by another three. The Kattadiya surrounded them before she saw the two who mattered. In masks with teeth the length of their arms, Premala and Guruthuma Hashini danced closer, chanting to the rhythm.
“Ohng Hreeng.”
Boom.
“Ohng Hreeng.” It quaked in Anula’s chest.
Boom.
“Ohng Hreeng.” The sound of the Blood Yakka’s nightmare.
Boom.
The sound of hers.
The Yakkas bent over, coughing and hacking. Dark red mehendhi swirled at Sohon’s neck, bit at Kama’s hands. Calu tore at his clothing. Reeri wheezed, clutched his chest, and collapsed.
“No!” Anula shouted again. The markings shriveled on herskin, cracking like dirt in a drought. “Reeri!”
“Ohng Hreeng.” The Kattadiya closed in.
Calu lifted his sword and struck a drum. The blade shattered to the floor.
“Your weapons are of no use against the First Heavens.” The guruthuma’s voice came from behind the hideous mask, its lips red and dripping. Anula wondered if the blood was real.
Boom.
If it was hers.
“Ohng Hreeng.”
The Kattadiya formed a tight circle, beads ringing as Premala and the guruthuma danced, wild and rough, their footfalls echoing through the stone caves.
“Don’t—” Anula choked. The mehendhi netting on her arms blazed, searing into her skin.
“The blade.” Sohon coughed. “Finish it. Call Wessamony.”
“That blade is nothing but a forgery, a bone meant to trick greedy seekers,” the guruthuma sneered. “You think we would allow a relic to fall to the hands of the Yakkas?”
The drum beat faster, sending Anula’s pulse racing, her mind tripping.
“First we will be rid of the Blood Yakka, leader of all Yakkas. Take him to the center of the circle, Anula,” Guruthuma Hashini commanded.
The words moved her without consent. Anula reached for Reeri. Their mehendhi blazed deep red, as though the blood beneath boiled.
No.Her hand shook. He had stopped for her, when he believed the blade real. Thrown away his plans and protected her soul. He cared for her, wanted to be with her, no matter the consequence for himself or his family. And she wanted that, too. Wanted the dream her parents had inspired—with him. She wouldn’t give him to theKattadiya. Anula curled her fingers against the oath’s power, one at a time, refusing to touch Reeri.
“Now!” the guruthuma yelled. “In the name of the blood oath sworn to the First Heavens.”
But instead of forcing Anula’s hand to move faster, it stilled.
