Follow Me To The Fire

FOREWORD

Seven years ago

MUMBAI, INDIA

It was a sunny spring morning.

We were on the bus. The vehicle was taking us to school.

I was fifteen years old, and I was entering high school.

- Kali? - my friend called out to me. She sat next to me on the bench. - You need to listen to this song... - and handed me a headset.

I put it to my ear. There it was, the new single from the Indian singer of the moment.

I enjoyed listening to music with Deevi. She was my friend since childhood.

I had a complicated life. I was raised by my grandmother with many difficulties. Grandma had health problems, and she supported us with her pension. It wasn't much. We struggled to survive.

Grandma took me in when I was nine. At the time, my father ran away with another woman, and my mother sank into alcohol and pills.

So my maternal grandmother took me in.

It had been years since I had heard from my mother. Honestly, I didn't want to.

Grandma was a widow. We lived in a small rented house, and we couldn't afford to buy a cell phone for me. I listened to music on an old MP3 player that had broken months ago. Repairing it was expensive, and buying another one was out of the question.

Soon, I was now only listening to music when Deevi shared his headphones with me.

- Did you like it? - she asked.

I sank into the seat.

- Ahem. - I closed my eyes and relaxed.

That was a happy morning in a depressing life. Days like this were rare.

So I took advantage of it.

Deevi and I were unlikely best friends. She was shy, dreamy, and studious. I was a mess. Explosive, quarrelsome, and down-to-earth. A punching girl - not a book girl. At school, I beat everyone who tried to bully Deevi. She was known as Kali: the angry poor girl.

Sometimes I would catch teachers giving me pitying looks.

Poor thing, she'll never get married.

Ah, yes. The damn husband.

In India, marriages were arranged - and I was not a good match. Low caste, no parents and no money. No drop of femininity and subservience.

How could any man want me?

While I was reflecting, the driver made a sharp turn.

I realized what was going to happen before everyone else. My heart froze.

The traffic in India was a mess. On a curve, the school bus ran into a vehicle going the other way. The impact was inevitable.

I heard a loud bang and screams of horror. We were thrown forward violently. The only reason it wasn't worse was that everyone was wearing a seat belt. The impact of the synthetic leather bruised my ribs.

When the impact was over, I turned to Deevi.

- Are you okay?

She was livid. Her eyes were wide open.

- I think... I think so.

All around, pedestrians and motorists began to shout. From outside, they could see what we could not see.

After that day, I learned that fuel leaked from the engine. Within seconds, it was met with some flammable substance.

The driver saw the fire coming first. He stood up, gasping for air:

- Come out, children!

But we didn't even have a chance. As soon as he spoke, the explosion happened.

Our bus caught fire and incinerated the twenty children inside.

I had vague memories. The smell of burning flesh.... Dental arches and exposed bones.... The heat and pain of being burned alive....

I had a few moments of consciousness before I passed out. In them, I wondered why everyone had died but me.

I was supposed to be dead. Why wasn't I?

I could no longer conjecture. I blacked out.

***

I woke up in a hospital bed.

I looked around. I saw curtains separating beds. It was a shared emergency room.

Through the slit of the curtain, I could see two people talking. A man wearing a uniform, and a woman wearing a coat. A fireman and a doctor.

"This is impossible," the doctor was saying. "Was the girl inside a bus that exploded? Are you sure?"

"Of course," the fireman confirmed. "I rescued her myself. Our platoon is in shock. She doesn't have a scratch on her."

The doctor ran her hand through her hair.

"Were all the other children incinerated?"

"Absolutely all of them! How can she be alive?"

The memory of the accident came back, violent.

I looked down at my body. My clothes were torn. I was wearing a hospital gown. There was no burn on my skin. I felt completely fine.

How?

I remembered the pain! I remembered being burned alive!

I didn't know what to feel. I was in shock.

"There is no medical explanation why she is intact. But let's not panic. I'll ask the hospital to contact her family. In the meantime, try to keep the media outside."

"Okay, Doctor. I think we should..." suddenly, the man stopped in mid-sentence. His mouth hung open - as if frozen in a time lapse.

The curtain on my bed was pulled aside. A person entered the cubicle.

My jaw dropped.

She was a beautiful woman. She wore a flowing, white sari. Lots of shiny jewelry, a gold nose ring, and a veil studded with precious stones.

I have never seen anything like it.

She smiled, kindly.

- Hello, dear Kali.

I frowned.

- Who are you?

- I work at the Pantheon and I have come to get her. Your human life is over. It's time to go home. - He held out a hand. - Will you come with me?

What the hell was a Pantheon?!

- Was it my grandmother who sent you to pick me up? Where do you know each other from?

And stunning woman laughed at my innocence.

- No, we don't know each other. Still, you must come with me. Your royal house awaits you.

- What house?

- The Swarga, the world of celestial beings. You are not human, my dear. You are a daughter of Dakti, the goddess of all Creation. You have gone through fifteen years of a human experience, but it is over. The time has come for you to go and find your brothers.

- Huh, my brothers?

That's when I understood...

She was crazy.

- Yes, your brothers live in the Pantheon, a place for children of gods to learn, study and train. There is their true home.

I raised my palms.

- Madam, with all due respect... I think we'd better call a doctor.

She tilted her head, puzzled.

- Do you think I am delirious?

- A little bit. No offense.

Shit. I shouldn't provoke a delirious person in a hospital. There were a lot of sharp objects around.

- If I am delirious, can you explain to me how you are alive when all your friends are dead? You burned inside a scalding pit, but here you are now... Without a scratch.

I exhaled, realizing what was happening. It wasn't she who was delirious, it was me!

I ran my hand through my hair, coming to my senses.

- I'm in a coma, aren't I? That's my half-burned brain hallucinating.

He rolled his eyes.

- If you are saying...

- That's got to be it!

- Right. Being a delirium, why don't you come with me? It won't hurt. Then you can go back to your vegetative body.

- Vegetative? - I swallowed hard. - If I go with you, will I die?

- You are going to die anyway.

- I can't go. Grandma will be devastated.

- Staying will be worse. She will either have to bear the hospital expenses for her survival, or make the difficult decision to turn off her devices. Is this the kind of suffering you want for her? - he arched an eyebrow. - Wouldn't dying quickly be easier?

The woman was right. Such hospital expenses would bankrupt my grandmother.

If it was a coma delirium, it wouldn't hurt to ask....

- I have no chance to recover, do I?

- No, dear. Your existence on this earth is over. As soon as I am gone, your body will fade away.

- Will I wake up one day?

- No. He will die in a coma.

Staying here would only create expense and suffering for my grandmother. She would spend years keeping me in a surrogate - in the vain hope of seeing me wake up. It was not an option.

I sighed, eyes watering.

- Is this Pantheon paradise?

I was only fifteen years old. I wasn't even old enough to commit serious sins. I needed to believe that I would go to a better place.

- Yes, you could say that. - She held out her hand again. - Come, my child. I promise it won't hurt.

With a frightened heart, I took his hand.

- That's fine.

Soon after, I died.

CHAPTER 1

CURRENTLY

I had lived in the Pantheon for seven years.

I remember with clarity the day I arrived.

My guardian told me everything.

The demigods lived in a parallel city. It was above everything and below nothing. Somewhere in the space-time of the celestial world.

Around here it was always spring. Days always sunny, and nights always starry.

The Pantheon was a school. A training center for children of gods.

It consisted of a huge Hindu castle, situated in the middle of the heavenly city. In fact, it was an exact replica of the Taj Mahal in India.

I remember being in shock when I first saw it.

"-Wait... Is that the Taj Mahal?

My guide shrugged.

- How do you think Emperor Shan was inspired?"

The story of the Taj Mahal was both beautiful and tragic. In the 17th century, Emperor Shan's wife died in childbirth. Distraught, he had a castle built over her tomb. The Taj Mahal was a mausoleum in honor of her memory. Its structure was studded with semi-precious stones, and became a World Heritage Site.

"- How did he find out about this castle?

- I may have whispered some details in your dreams...

- You? - then I stopped, having an epiphany. - Wait, what is your name?

- Aryumand.

I rolled my eyes.

Aryumand was the name of the Emperor's wife! The one for whom he built the Taj Mahal!

- Were you his wife?

- One's own.

- Are you a demigoddess?

- Of course. Why do you think he fell so deeply in love with me?"

Aryumand, my guardian-guide, told more.

Celestial beings had many lives on earth. The Princess was just one more of their incarnations.

Aryumand called herself "a soul seeker."

She guided me around the Pantheon, explaining every detail.

Hindus worshiped three main gods. Brahma, the god of creation. Venum, the god of permanence. And Shikram, the god of destruction.

There were several other gods in Hindu mythology, but these three were the main ones.

Each god had his avatars, or incarnations. That is, forms that they used to come to earth to accomplish great things. Each incarnation had a name. Every time one of them came down to Earth, it would relate to humans and beget children.

Children like me.

These semi-celestial beings lived on Earth until they were fifteen years old. At this age they suffered terrible accidents and died. Then they could pass on to their true home.

The Swarga. Or the heavenly world.

Here, these immortal children were trained for decades, and became guardians of humans. Guardian angels, spirit-mentors, guides.

Or as humans wanted to call us.

Our jobs were to carry out the legacies of our fathers. To promote spiritual justice and to guard humans from evil.

We stopped aging at twenty-five. Our lives lasted for centuries.

When a descendant child showed aptitude to be a guardian, it was born with divine blood. My previous generations did not show the spark of divinity. It happened very rarely.

So the bus explosion didn't kill me. I was an immortal half-goddess.

That bus would explode anyway. It was marked in destiny. But my destiny, specifically, was to be there. To die at fifteen and come to fulfill my destiny as a guardian.

A demigod needed three decades of training to become a guardian. I had only been in this school for seven years. There were still twenty-three years of training left.

Aryumand told me my story.

I was the daughter of Dakti, a powerful goddess.

The goddess had several avatars. That is, human incarnations that she used to come down to earth.

My generation came from her fiercest avatar, Kali. Ironically, I was baptized with her name. Our connection was really strong.

"Kali" was called by Hindus the Mother of Darkness. She was represented by a woman with blue skin and a frightening expression. She wore a necklace of severed heads and a skirt of bones. In one hand she carried the severed head of her former lover, Shikram.

Dakti/Kali was the former wife of Lord Shikram - the god of destruction.

Their love was intense, yet destructive. A troubled relationship with a painful separation. An unresolved love.

Since then, Dakti's sons and Shikram's sons did not get along. In the Pantheon, they were rival factions.

Kali was Shikram's greatest enemy.

In the Pantheon, there were other students descended from Dakti - but they came from her other incarnations. Never from Kali.

I was the only one in the lineage.

There were other children of Kali before me, of course, but they had all left. They had completed their training and come down to earth to work.

Dakti's children hated Shikram's children. The feud was so strong that we could not be alone in the same environment. There were always fights.

Unfortunately, coming from the fiercest lineage of Dakti, my case was worse.

Every time I saw a descendant of Shikram, my blood boiled. Kali's feelings for Shikram were mixed. Soon, so were my feelings for all his descendants. Hatred and unresolved love were dangerously similar.

Because she was a daughter of Kali, she could not walk alone in the Pantheon. I could be attacked by a Shikram. Like animals, we would growl at each other and fight to the death.

Or at least until we get kicked out for bad behavior.

I could never fight them head-on. I only had seven years of training. I was a rookie.

The first years here were... Difficult.

Shikram's children were everywhere. In the classrooms, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, and so on. This put me at constant risk. I was a novice and helpless demigoddess. I didn't know how to use my powers, nor how to fight. I had to walk beside a teacher all the time.

Shikram's sons were giving me bloodthirsty looks.

A direct descendant of Kali? The worst version of Dakti?

My presence was a catalyst for her hatreds. She must die.

The feelings were not ours. They were our parents'. Unfortunately, rivalry consumed us and made us irrational.

In the first year, the teachers feared for my physical integrity. I was a powerful demigoddess - but so was everyone else here. They couldn't kill me, but they could do a lot of damage.

So I decided to learn how to defend myself.

After six months at the Pantheon, I signed up for physical classes. I started training like crazy, and learned all kinds of fighting. Of this world and the others.

Within seven years, I had become an expert.

Now I knew how to protect myself. I stopped walking in the company of teachers.

Although she was good at fighting, she was not dumb. She avoided the Shikrams' communal halls and large groups. However, she no longer trembled with fear when crossing paths with them in the corridors.

It was already a breakthrough.

Everyone in the place was Hindu. We had brown skins and dark hair, without exception.

My hair was long and wavy. I always wore it in a tight braid. It was good for fighting.

I spent most of my time training, and the other part studying. I had goals. In twenty-three years, I would become an official Guardian, and descend to Earth to protect humans. I was eager to fulfill my mother's assignments.

Why wouldn't I be? It was my purpose in life. My mission.

It was morning.

I was walking with my friends down the main corridor of the Pantheon.

- Ah, damn - Shantai grunted. - We're late.

At that hour, the place was teeming with students. The bell rang, indicating the beginning of classes.

I ran with Shantai and Rajan to our first class. Human chakra alignment.

Our uniforms were dark blue. They carried the crest of the Pantheon: a Hindu god with five arms. Each arm represented one of the factions of the Pantheon.

After three classes, the bell rang again. Time for lunch. Being half human, we still needed to eat.

We went to the big dining hall. Students from all factions gathered there for meals.

We were five main factions. Each had its own table, and they went around in closed groups.

The most important ones came from the Divine Trinity. Sons of Bramva, Venum and Shikram. Then came two other factions - one degree down the hierarchical scale. The sons of Ganisha and the sons of Dakti.

The latter was the only female goddess.

Unfortunately, she went on to become involved with the worst of the other four, Shikram. And now our factions were eternal enemies.

Each faction had its subdivisions. These subcategories represented the human incarnations of our fathers. I was the only one in my division. This made me a bit lonely.

Luckily, I had made two good friends. Shantai and Rajan. Both were sons of other, less fierce incarnations of Datki.

Shantai had wild, curly hair. Rajan had shoulder-length hair, always tied up in a ponytail.

We arrived in the same year at the Pantheon. The affinity was instantaneous. We were a trio.

Our faction was huge. There must have been about 200 students. Our rectangular table went from one end of the hall to the other.

There were four other large tables in the dining hall. Each faction grouped around one.

The Dakti were in one corner of the hall. The Shikram in the other corner. A strategic distance. The teachers kept us as far away as possible.

I sat at the table with Shantai and Rajan. We had lunch and chatted.

Suddenly, Shantai raised his eyes to the door of the hall.

- Oh, no.

- What was it? - I asked.

- Don't look now, but Kamala's cow is back.

I froze. Ah, fuck. She was back.

Kamala was a daughter of Ganisha. Unfortunately, she did not inherit the same qualities as her father. She was a cynical and vile creature.

Kamala was about to graduate. She had gone to the human world on a test mission, guided by teachers. Veterans did this from time to time. It was necessary for training - since they would soon become guardians.

I glared at her and gritted my teeth.

Argh. The cretin was only hanging out with her entourage. A group of friends as treacherous as she was.

Unfortunately for me, Kamala was my ex-girlfriend. We broke up three years ago. She kicked me out to be with another woman - and broke my fucking heart. Since then, I never believed in love again. I avoided Kamala like the Christian devil avoids the cross.

Your mission spared me from your presence for a month.

Unfortunately, she had returned.

Our eyes met. She raised an eyebrow, smiling cynically. I know you still want me.

I huffed and looked ahead.

- Bitch.

Rajan clicked his tongue.

- There it is... The Kamala effect.

- What do you mean? - I grunted.

- You always get in a bad mood when you see her.

- No, I'm fine. Or at least I will be after punching some walls.

Shantai sighed.

- Shit, Kali. It's been three years. You need to get over this story.

- I don't feel anything for her anymore. Only anger.

- I know. But you've never trusted anyone since she kicked you.

- Am I wrong? She betrayed me and humiliated me in front of the whole school. Love cannot be trusted.

- No, Kamala is not reliable. She will fuck anything that moves, man or woman. She broke your heart, yes, but you don't have to run away from love forever for that. You are projecting your traumas onto the rest of the world.

I rolled my eyes.

- Therapy session right at lunch? I'll pass, thank you. I've had enough love dramas for one lifetime.

Rajan snorted.

- And that is why Kamala knows that she still has power over you.

- And will dating someone else heal my heart?

- No. But at the very least it will wipe that little smile off her lips.

- That's true," Shantai pointed with his fork. - The bitch's ego couldn't take that blow.

- Okay, okay. Enough about my love life. - Or lack thereof... - What will be your next class?

I just wanted to change the subject. It was uncomfortable.

No, I didn't love Kamala anymore. I don't think I ever loved her. I was just stuck in an abusive relationship.

Kamala was the first - and only - woman I had a relationship with.

In the Pantheon, love was free. Many immortal gods liked to experiment. Nobody minded.

Kamala and I dated for a few months. It was the first time I fell in love. Or thought I did. Our breakup was painful and humiliating. I found out that she was cheating on me with a veteran. Since then, I have stayed away from any romantic relationship.

Once in a while I had casual sex - but nothing deep.

Around here, it was inevitable. There were lots of parties. Everybody had sex with everybody.

Still, I refused to surrender my heart again. The trauma was too great.

I invested my focus in training and studying. I wanted to be the best of the guardians and graduate with honors. I aimed for a position in the Hidden Guard.

The Hidden Ones were soldiers who fought on the front lines against the darkness. In other words, the demons of Paatal - the Hindu version of hell.

Only the best guardians got positions in this Guard. They went on the most dangerous missions, and faced the worst evil entities. They had to be exceptional fighters and deadly assassins. The training was intense. It required self-denial and total dedication.

Applications for the Guard were open only every ten years.

That was my goal in life. I wanted to work with the best. The soldiers on the front line.

After lunch, I separated from my friends. We had different schedules.

At the end of classes, I went to meet them both in the gardens. We always studied and talked on the social lawn in the evenings. It was our ritual.

I walked through the corridors. As I walked, I could hear groups talking. There was a lively buzz running through the Pantheon.

"He's coming back!"

"Are you sure? It's been ten years..."

"By the Gods... If it's true, this Pantheon will come crashing down."

According to the whispers, someone overheard a conversation in the teachers' lounge.

Another group was debating.

"Which position will he usurp? Surely someone will be fired. The Pantheon won't miss the chance to have him as a teacher."

I frowned, puzzled.

Who was coming back? And why did everyone seem to care?

I arrived at the front lawn of the Pantheon. There, students were gathering to study and talk.

I saw my friends sitting by a tree. I sat down next to them, throwing the books on the grass.

- Okay, tell me. Who is coming back and why is everybody freaking out?

It was Shantai who heard the gossip.

- Parvati from the Hindu Mythology class told me... It seems that some Guardians are returning to the Pantheon tonight. They were on a secret mission that lasted ten years.

- Ten years? Wow. - I was amazed. - But why all this frenzy?

Rajan said:

- It is because of the captain. The Chief Guardian of this squadron is none other than Aryan Razam.

I almost choked.

- The Soul Eater?

- Self.

By Dakti...

Aryan was a Guardian of the highest rank. Around here, his name was a legend.

He was said to be the greatest demon fighter in the world. A fierce, irritable, dangerous creature. A disciplined and deadly soldier.

Aryan left the Pantheon ten years ago for a mission in the underworld. His job was to exorcise demons in the most remote places on the planet. He was the best soldier - and the worst nightmare of the underworld.

I have never seen it up close.

There were several stories about him in the Pantheon. I didn't know which were lies and which were real.

I heard that when he was born 65 years ago, the gods feared him. He had a different soul, powerful and wild. A soul with an evil inclination. If seduced by the demons, it could be dangerous.

So, as a way to control his great power, the gods appointed him as head of the Hidden Guard. That way he could channel all that rage - while fighting evil and serving the gods.

Basically, the guy was a legend.

When he was a student, he implanted terror in the Pantheon. And now he would return as a professor.

His specialty was the discipline of Fighting Underworld Darkness.

Everyone knew that demigods had to return to the Pantheon from time to time. It was a way to energize us and bring us back to the Heavenly Purpose. Too much time on Earth confused the guardians' minds. They needed to remember that no, they were not human - and should not get involved in earthly problems.

Speculation about Aryan raged. His name always generated turmoil and controversy.

Many had theories. Some said that the Gods wanted to keep Aryan away from the frontline for a while, because he was dangerous and indomitable. Too much contact with the lower world could corrupt him.

With us, he was a powerful ally. But against us...

It would be our greatest nightmare.

Many veterans witnessed Aryan's legacy of terror. Some were afraid of his return. Others were excited. Finally someone will bring order to this place.

I didn't feel fear. In fact, I saw a chance.

As soon as Rajan finished telling the story, I announced:

- Guys, I have a plan.

Shantai shuddered.

- Running out of the Pantheon before the crazy maniac shows his face? I agree.

- No. I will convince him to be my mentor.

Rajan choked on the juice he was drinking.

- You what?

- I want him to train me.

- Are you crazy? The guy will devour you!

- That may be so, but I need to try. If he is my mentor, I will have a real chance of getting into the Hidden Guard.

Rajan was still incredulous:

- I don't think you understand. He will devour you," he repeated.

- The people in this place exaggerate. He can't be that bad. I bet they increased the stories after he left.

This is how legends were born.

- Holy shit," Shantai massaged his temples. - Somebody talk some sense into this girl.

Rajan sighed.

- Fine, approach him and do that crazy thing. You'll be lucky if you make it out alive at the end of this month.

Okay, it was a rather bold strategy, but so what?

All I had to do was weigh the pros and cons. What could Aryan do to me? Embarrass me with a terrible and painful "no"?

Tsc. I would survive.

Furthermore, there were very few openings in the Hidden Guard. The competition was brutal. Five hundred interested students, and only five spots a year.

My chances were laughable.

Aryan probably wouldn't accept being a teacher for a freshman. But, all right. I was going to introduce myself and come out ahead of many competitors. Around here, it was important to bond with influential professors. I wanted to learn as much as possible from him.

Getting into that Guard was the only goal of my life. I would do anything to achieve it.

So I waited for nightfall. The retiring signal rang.

Instead of going to my dormitory, I ran to the terrace of the Pantheon. No one was there at that time. I would stay hidden, and have a privileged view of the front of the school. Aryan would have to get there.

As soon as he was alone, I would introduce myself.

Your first class would be a bad time for introductions. Many desperate students would try to get his attention. He would forget them immediately.

I wanted to stand out, to be the first.

Aryan and his soldiers would arrive very late. Elite Guardians did everything at dawn. It was the most favorable time for demon attacks - and the time when the Occult ones worked.

It happened at two o'clock in the morning.

From the top of the terrace, I saw them coming.

The gatekeeper of the Pantheon opened the gates. They entered through the front garden. There were ten of them. They wore dark, combat clothes. Boots, holsters full of weapons, and stern expressions. Although it was night, many wore dark glasses. They were able to see creatures that others could not, and the lenses protected them from the shadows.

Being an Occult Guardian was a gift - but also a burden.

Then I saw him.

Aryan Razam, the feared captain of the Guard.

He was the first to enter.

I recognized him immediately. He was the wildest, most athletic and muscular. He walked at the head of the group - as if the earth belonged to him. The soldiers who followed him kept a respectful distance, and were clearly his underlings.

His leadership demeanor left no doubt. He had to be the captain.

He greeted the doorman with a stiff nod.

I watched him through the slits in the balcony, mesmerized. He had a square jaw and thick eyebrows. A tapered nose, close-cropped beard, and full lips. Black hair was soft and messy. His eyes were as dark as night. Cold and frightening. Tall and strong, his muscles were sculpted by years of fighting.

His features were straight and symmetrical. He could be handsome - were it not for the frightening scar that cut across the side of his face. It started in the corner of his left eye and ran down to his cheek. A battle scar.

Aryan was a frightening figure. A wild beauty that few could appreciate.

The moment I saw him, I knew...

He had to be my master.

Who could teach me better? Who would be a more prepared leader?

Nobody. He was the most skilled.

The doorman escorted them into the Pantheon. They crossed the garden with quick steps. Their dark clothes made them blend into the shadows.

I knew they would go straight to the principal's office. So I waited for a while.

It would have to be strategic. At 2:15 in the morning, the guards would change shifts. The changeover would leave the corridors empty for a few minutes.

The Pantheon needed no protection. No demon would dare enter a school full of guardians. The guards were just a formality.

At the exact moment of the exchange, I took the cue and snuck up to the second floor. There was the director's office. No students allowed.

I stopped at a corner of the ward. I blended into the shadows. From there, I had a privileged view of the principal's office.

He was waiting for them at his office door.

The ten Guardians arrived. They greeted him with solemnity.

The director kept a respectful distance. Hidden were like wild animals. Exuberant, dangerous, and frightening. One should keep a safe distance.

Aryan was leading them.

The director shook his hand, jaw dropped. He tried to maintain his posture. You couldn't open your defenses in front of a Hidden Guardian. They sniffed out fear.

- Captain Razam, it is very good to welcome you again.

Aryan had cold eyes and a powerful voice.

- Yes, it's interesting to be home. - And he returned her squeeze.

I could almost hear the bones in the director's hand crack.

He loosened his grip, livid.

- Shall we go inside and talk?

- I will have to refuse. My men are tired. It was a journey straight from hell. We still have demon blood on our clothes.

The director tried to hide his horrified expression.

- I see. It would just be a brief conversation.

Aryan arched an eyebrow.

- Be quick.

What the hell?

I've never seen someone talk to the principal like that. It was a silent battle between authority figures. Two alpha males demarcating territory.

Finally, the director gave in.

- I will be. - And he pointed to the door of the room. - Please come in.

The squadron entered with firm steps. The door was closed.

Already alone, I clicked my tongue. Aryan lived up to his reputation as a cruel tyrant. Even the Pantheon's highest authority was afraid of him...

They would be difficult years.

They were locked in the room for twenty minutes. Finally, the first men began to come out. The Pantheon's housekeeper led them to their rooms.

Aryan was the only one staying inside. Probably for a private conversation between authorities.

Finally, the door was opened. Aryan and the director came out.

- Are we awake, Captain?

Aryan stopped. Hands behind his back, military posture.

- I will have to think about your proposal. I intend to teach, but I don't know if freshmen brats can handle my training. I only deal with veterans.

- Yes, I know. But this is a project we have been looking forward to for a long time. Please reconsider. I will expect your answer tomorrow.

- We'll see.

The director looked uncomfortable. He was not used to having to negotiate.

- Right. - He sniffed. - Should I call a staff member to take you to your dorm?

- No. I was a student here once, I know this castle like the back of my hand.

- Great. Your room is in the Teachers' Wing. West sector, second floor, room number 33.

- I will find it on my own. If we have finished, I will end the conversation and retire. I stink of demons.

The director huffed.

- Uh, right. Good night.

Aryan just nodded coldly, turned and walked away.

Wow. What a warm welcome.

The director entered the room with a confused and dismayed expression. As if he had come out of a war zone.

My heart pounded. It was time.

Aryan scared me, but when would I have another chance like this? To see him so close and alone?

Never.

So I swallowed my fear and followed him down the hall. I left a very long distance between us. I didn't want him to hear my footsteps.

When we were in an empty area of the castle, I called out to him.

- Teacher?

He stopped immediately. He didn't turn around.

I approached slowly, stopping a few meters away from him.

- Mr. Razam? - I huffed. - My name is Kali, I am a seventh grader.

He didn't turn around. In response, his wrists closed.

I bit my lip. Bad sign.

- Uh... Did you have a good trip?

I noticed his shoulders tensing - but he remained mute. I heard the sound of his nostrils sniffing the air, as if he had picked up some strange aroma.

I frowned.

Wouldn't he turn around and say hello? Or at the very least tell me to "get lost"?

That silence was worse than a rude answer.

I insisted:

- Well, I came to find you personally. I wanted to be the first student to introduce myself to you. I know that many professors open special classes for the best students, and I am very interested in the Hidden Guard. I would love for you to be my mentor.

Then he finally turned around. His jaw was clenched and his eyes sparkled with hatred.

- What did you say?

I swallowed hard. Up close, he was even scarier.

I forced myself not to flinch.

- I said I am interested in a mentorship. If you are opening up positions, please don't forget me. I would love to learn from you.

He came threateningly close.

- What is this aroma?

- What?

- The smell emanating from your body - he growled. - What are you, girl?

I looked around, confused.

- Um... I am Kali... Seventh grader and daughter of Dakti...

It was sudden.

Without warning, the captain advanced on me. He withdrew a dagger from his holster and placed the blade against my throat. I was pressed against the wall. The tip of the knife pressed against my jugular.

- But what? - I gasped. - Professor, let me go!

He surrounded me. Right hand flat on the wall behind me, and face very close.

- Filthy daughter of Dakti! How dare you come near me!

Suddenly, I understood.

Oh, no.

- Are you a son of Shikram?

Fuck, fuck, fuck. It was a terrible idea to be alone in a hallway with a son of Shikram.

I was good at self-defense, yes - but the captain was better. If we fought, I would lose.

- Of course I am. - He confirmed, vehemently.

I narrowed my eyes. I should have known. The captain's appreciation for the underworld was legendary.

I laughed scornfully.

- The fruit does not fall even far from the tree.

- A daughter of Dakti wants my training? What a joke.

- I don't want to anymore.

- Good. Because the only thing I intend to give you is a ticket to hell.

My blood boiled. The feelings were mixed, and I felt everything at the same time. Hatred, resentment, and unresolved love... His touch was electric. Result of the inevitable spark between a Dakti and a Shikram.

- If you hurt me, professor, you will have to answer before the Council. I am a demigoddess. You can't touch me.

He pressed the blade down harder. I could feel the tip cutting into my flesh.

His irises sparked in fury.

- It will be worth it.

- I am the only daughter of Kali's incarnation. If you kill me, my mother will personally hunt you down and kill you. You don't want an angry goddess on your trail.

He gritted his teeth. He knew I was right.

He let go of me and wiped his hands, as if I were dirty.

- Never come near me again, you creature of filthy blood. - He put the blade in its holster. - If I see you again, not even your stupid mother can save you. I will gouge out your eyes and throw your rotting corpse to the demons. That is my first and only warning.

All the admiration I felt for him was gone. All I could think was: Filthy, disgusting Shikram.

- Don't worry. You won't see me anymore.

- Good indeed. For all I care, the children of that despicable woman would never set foot in the Pantheon. My father should have killed her and her offspring when he had the chance.

I tried to restrain myself - but the anger was stronger than I was. The instinct to strike back sprang up from deep and unknown places...

Memories and pains that were not mine.

- What chance? Your father has been groveling at my mother's feet for centuries. He only says he hates her because he got a foot in the ass. That's not hate, stupid Shikram. It is elbow pain.

The captain laughed disdainfully.

- There it is! The delusional arrogance of her children. Typical of your kind of trash. Do you really think that all men are falling at your feet?

- All of them? No. But you and your father are.

- Wipe your mouth to talk about my father!

- Don't mention my mother's sacred name!

- Yours...

- Yours, what?

He opened his mouth, but then closed it. He massaged his temples.

- You know what? I'm not going to throw away my chance to teach at the Pantheon because of an insolent brat like you.

I just stared at him coldly.

- Would you like a round of applause?

He opened a mischievous smile.

- I have a better idea. - And it came dangerously close.

I walked backwards.

- Don't come near me!

But he didn't stop.

To my amazement, he put a strand of my hair behind my ear. I froze. Under his touch, my skin became electrified. Controversial and frightening sensations.

He whispered a few words in my ear.

Suddenly, I felt an anguish in my chest. I put my hands over my throat, barely able to speak.

- What... What have you done to me?

- It is a little note from my father to his despicable mother.

I started to stagger. I leaned against a wall. I leaned back and went down until I hit the ground. My head was spinning.

He watched this with devilish pleasure.

- Farewell, daughter of Kali. If I ever see you in these halls again, you will be dead. Enjoy your gift. - He laughed, disappearing around a corner.

So, I get it.

Aryan put a curse on me! Now I could see glimpses of Paatal, the Hindu dimension of hell!

I started having absurd and frightening visions. Vultures with teeth and red eyes touched my body. They shook my shoulders, wanting to speak through me. They whispered, screamed and moaned. They were frightening.

A little message from my father to your mother.

No, no, no! I wasn't ready for that! I was just a fledgling! I was not psychologically ready to deal with the sight of an Occult Guardian.

Although terrified, I tried to stand up. I needed to get help. I groped along the walls, finding my way. I had to keep my eyes closed so I wouldn't see the creatures.

All right, Kali, think.

I had to get to my Guardian-Guide's room. Aryumand could help me.

It took hours. Or, at least, that's what it appeared.

I finally made it to his room. I knocked on the door and fell to the floor. I hid my face and cringed.

The creatures were screaming in my head:

"Pass on my message!"

"Let me into your body!"

"Give me some of your energy!"

- Stop it! - I shouted. - I can't do anything for you!

At that moment, Aryumand opened the door.

- Kali? - he was shocked. - What are you doing on the floor?

I blinked several times. I tried to see her through the fog and the frightening faces.

- Aryumand... I need help.

Aryumand had been my friend and protector since I arrived in the Pantheon. A powerful guardian who could reverse the curse. My only hope.

She knelt down and held my shoulders.

- Honey, who are you yelling at?

I held the root of my hair, terrified.

- Aryan Razam put a curse on me. I am having visions.

She swallowed hard.

- Oh, no.

Aryumand took me into her room. I repeated Aryan's words to her, and she exhaled.

- By the gods! He has put a curse on you of the most complex kind! You are not ready to see the nether world yet.... Even the oldest guardians cannot survive the emotional charge...

I curled up on his bed.

- Please take it away from me. The demons are screaming inside my head.

Aryumand tried everything she knew. She was an ancient guardian with much knowledge, but she did not master Dark Magic. Aryan, yes. She suspected that none of the Pantheon teachers could help me.

Talking to the principal would be worse. The Council of Gods would have to be activated and Aryan would be expelled. Shikram would be furious. Aryan would become an enemy, and the Hidden Guard would lose its best soldier.

If Aryan didn't work for us, he would work against us. A risk no guardian wanted to take.

After a turbulent early morning, Aryumand declared:

- I'm sorry, but I can't reverse the curse on my own. - She massaged her temples, exhausted. - It is a forbidden magic and very strong. We'll have to talk to your mother.

Arfei. Talk directly to Dakti?

- This is very extreme! It can be a lot of trouble!

If the goddess knew that a Shikram had put a curse on one of her daughters, she would be furious. It was a very big affront.

Believe me, she would fight back.

- We have no choice, Kali. No one here has the power to undo what the captain has done.

- This could start a war between factions!

We have gone to so much trouble to introduce peace...

- It is a risk we will need to take.

- There has to be another way.

- But you don't. You can't live like this. The Goddess will know what to do. Let us trust in her wisdom.

It was five o'clock in the morning. The day had not even dawned.

Aryumand took me to the Dakti Temple blindfolded. Only in this way would I not see anything scary on the way.

The temple was empty. We only went to that part of the Pantheon on special dates.

Aryumand left me sitting on one of the benches, and I took off my blindfold. It was sacred ground in there, therefore safe. Visions would not enter.

She lit the candles on the altar and began chanting. The mantras summoned the presence of the goddess. Between one mantra and another, she spoke:

"Lady Dakti, this is Aryumand, your servant. One of your daughters is in trouble."

But time passed and we got no answer. Aryumand sighed, knowing what he had to do. To get the goddess's attention, he would need to touch her wound. To name the one who-should-not-be-named.

"She was attacked by a son of Shikram. It was a message from him to the lady."

Suddenly, the candles went out. A strange wind opened the windows. But there was no storm in the Pantheon.

Dakti was here.

Aryumand fainted and fell to the ground.

I gasped and ran to her. I shook her shoulders, but she wouldn't wake up. I sat down beside her, hid my face on my knees, and started to cry.

"Mom... Help us..."

I had never spoken to my mother personally. No guardian, for that matter. The gods lived in a higher world. Their appearances were very rare. Events that went down in our histories.

I watched her sleep and prayed. That was all I could do.

About twenty minutes later, Aryumand woke up, startled.

- Thank Gods! Are you okay?

She stood up, expression delighted.

- Kali, I was up there. I have seen the Goddess.

I stood up, perplexed.

- In person?

- Yes, we were face to face. Your mother gave me the solution to your problem. A blessing!

- Really?!

Blessings were a thousand times more powerful than curses.

- She sent a message, "don't be afraid, for I will always be by your side. "This is her gift to you.

Then Aryumand came closer and whispered the ancient words in my ear.

A secret mantra, a blessing.

I felt the weight go off my shoulders. My veins were riddled with a warm, delicious sensation - as if angels were blessing my soul. A caress in my heart.

I breathed out in relief. Nothing more needed to be said. I knew I was healed.

I hugged Aryumand.

- Thank you. Finally I can breathe.

- You are welcome, my dear. - She stroked my hair. - But I must say... Your mother is furious.

- With me?!

- No, with Shikram's son. She sent you this. - Aryumand removed a necklace from the pocket of his sari. - It is a protective amulet. As long as you are wearing this jewelry, Shikram's son cannot harm you.

I put the amulet around my neck. The pendant was gold. It was shaped like a woman holding a snake around her neck - the symbol of Shikram's defeat. The day Dakti overpowered him.

Wow. No demigod received gifts directly from his parents. That was a great honor. But it was not typical of my mother to act without hidden pretensions.

I looked at Aryumand, suspicious.

- Didn't Dakti say anything about taking revenge?

Come on... My mother wouldn't miss a chance to provoke Shikram...

She sighed.

- Not explicitly. But I am sure she is planning something hidden. She said that you are to use this necklace against Shikram's son at a special moment.

- What? How will I know the right moment?

- She assured me that you will know.

I sat down on one of the benches, discouraged.

- What the hell. - What have I gotten myself into? - How naive of me, Aryumand. I can't believe I approached the damn captain. It was a suicide mission.

- Yeah. It wasn't his best lapse of judgment. In fact...

- No, you don't have to lecture me. I've had a hell of a night, and I've learned my lesson.

- Great. Needless to say, you will have to avoid him at all costs, won't you? Aryan is not known for his benevolence. He won't spare a daughter of Kali twice.

- I know. He threatened to kill me.

Yay. And it was only the first day.

I held up the gift from my mother. Although the necklace was an honor, I was not happy. I had failed miserably. Not only did I not gain a mentor, but I gained an enemy. An unbeatable opponent.

How would I avoid a teacher for the next twenty-three years?

Damn. Impossible. I couldn't believe my lack of luck...

Did my idol have to be a son of Shikram?

The captain made no empty promises. He could mess up my life in the Pantheon. Make my stay hell and delay my graduation. My chances of joining the Hidden Guard had gone down the drain.

And if I had the misfortune of running into him in a dark hallway...

I wasn't sure if I would make it out alive.

CHAPTER 2

The other day, we had no classes. It was a sacred day, the weekly rest.

Shantai and Rajan had gone out for an afternoon at the lake. The lake was a huge, crystal clear waterfall on the outskirts of the Pantheon. There was always sunshine there. The students gathered there on their days off for swimming, picnics, and sports. These were our rare moments of fun.

I didn't want to go. I told my friends that I would study. They believed me.

The truth was that I was still not fully recovered from yesterday. I felt trembling and shivering. Every now and then I caught myself looking around - fearful of seeing something scary.

Thank you, Captain, for the delicious emotional trauma.

Demigods didn't get sick. If I told my friends about post-traumatic stress, they would be suspicious. And no, I didn't want to make a fuss about it.

The peace between Daktis and Shikrams was very fragile. Any reason would ignite a fight.

I was already thinking like a guardian. If two factions of guardians fought each other, it would weaken our defenses. The demons would have their way, and the human world would suffer. Natural disasters, waves of violence, and many suicides...

In other words, our unity was our strength.

Aryan's resignation - and a war between factions - benefits no one. Only the demons.

The Pantheon was practically empty. So I took advantage of the occasion and went to the Sanctuary.

The Shrine was a large chapel where the students said their prayers. Most came here to pray and to cast blessings on their human relatives. Those who raised them and those they left behind.

I took advantage of this and said a prayer for my grandmother. I also said a little blessing for her.

I was a student and didn't have much influence on human life. But whenever I could, I sent little blessings to Grandma. Health, financial bonanza, good omens and luck. I wanted her last years of life to be as smooth as possible.

After I died, Grandma suffered a lot. So, once I learned about guardian blessings, I made her life much better.

I would still be in the Pantheon for another twenty-three years. Grandma wouldn't live that long. Guardians didn't go to the human paradise, so we would never see each other again.

At first, the grieving process was complicated. But now my heart had accepted it. Life in the Pantheon was hectic and full of responsibilities. There was not much time to think about what I had left behind.

After praying, I went to the dining hall and had dinner. I went back to my room, took a shower, and read a few pages of "The Story of the Hidden Guard. "

With nothing else to do, I went to sleep.

That night I dreamed of my newest nightmare.

Dark, cold eyes. Deadly muscles and treacherous little smile.

I woke up with mixed emotions. I put on my uniform and went to class.

All the way through, I rubbed my chest, feeling anguish.

The feelings were conflicting. First, there was hatred. You're going to pay for what you did to me, you stupid captain.

However, deeper inside, there was another feeling that I couldn't name...

Was it curiosity? Obsession?

When our skins touched, I felt a strange electricity. The spark between a Dakti and a Shikram. Suddenly, all my nerve endings seemed alive.

Yes, our parents were sworn enemies. But, before everything collapsed, they were lovers. An explosive and destructive love that never ended.

To this day, her children bear the scars of that unresolved romance.

The truth was embarrassing. Sons of Dakti and Shikram hated each other because they did not want to love each other. The spark of hatred between the two could easily be mistaken for something else. A centuries-old obsession... A fatal attraction...

I had strong feelings for the captain. However, I couldn't say for sure if it was hatred.

And that was very, very disturbing.

***

Later, all freshmen were summoned to the auditorium. We would be introduced to the new professor of Fighting Underworld Darkness.

Shantai and I sat in the crowded auditorium. Rajan got a seat two rows back.

I twiddled my fingers, distressed. I murmured to Shantai:

- Do you think the teacher will be Aryan Razam?

- Logical. Our old teacher was great. They wouldn't fire him for anyone less.

- It is not a certainty. Any other member of the Hidden Guard would be a great master.

- That is true. But think with me... The captain will need to spend a few years in the Pantheon to re-energize himself, and his talents are too precious to waste. It is an obvious choice.

I hoped she was wrong.

The auditorium held some two hundred students. All freshmen. The place was circular in shape, with raised bleachers. The center was square and usually acted as a stage. Here professors gave speeches on special occasions.

However, that morning, the stage was replaced by a fighting ring.

I grunted, bitterly. Surely the director wanted to boast about Aryan's fighting skills.

Clapping for the arrogant captain was the last thing I wanted to do.

Some time later, the director arrived. He stopped in the middle of the ring and spoke:

"My dears, I am sorry to interrupt the class schedule, but the Pantheon has urgent news. We have just welcomed the most promising Hidden Guardian to our teaching staff. He graduated from the Pantheon twenty years ago, and his name has become a legend in our halls. He single-handedly metamorphosed the method of fighting demons. He has led combat teams in the darkest spheres of the underworld, and is a true prodigy. His presence is a prize for our school and an honor for the Pantheon. Please give a warm welcome to the new Underworld Combat Darkness teacher! The captain of the Hidden Guard, Aryan Razam!"

The auditorium erupted in a round of applause.

From the locker room, a shadowy figure emerged.

Aryan wore a military uniform and black, as usual. Chin raised in arrogance, hands behind his back. Poisonous eyes, quick and deadly steps, just like a tiger.

He pushed the rubber band away from the side of the ring and stepped inside.

Around us, the girls began to murmur, excitedly.

- By the gods. - Shantai elbowed me. - Do you see this? Nobody said the guy was beautiful.

Argh. He didn't deserve those perfect features.

- I don't think so - I lied. - The scar is scary.

- Come on, it's a battle mark. It's not scary, it's sexy.

Two girls were whispering in the row behind us.

"Fuck, Captain Razam. What a delight you are..."

Another disagreed.

"Do you think? I don't know. It's not my style."

"Of course not. You like the slender and gentle ones, and the captain is a wild and angry mass of muscle." She sighed, delighted. "I'm not going to lie... It made me wet."

Her friend laughed.

"Dream on. He's a teacher, and teachers don't eat students."

"Too bad. Everyone here has sex with everyone. This rule is a waste."

Unable to contain himself, Shantai turned around and entered the conversation.

"Make no mistake, girls. He won't eat any of us. The captain is celibate."

One of them gasped.

"How do you know?"

"There's a rumor going around."

"It must be a lie."

"I don't think so. Veterans remember when he graduated. He took the vow of celibacy twenty years ago, so that nothing could get in the way of his missions. The guy is totally dedicated to the Hidden Guard."

One of them groaned, devastated.

"Delicious, wild and untouchable. That only makes me hornier."

In the meantime, the director introduced Aryan.

- Would you like to say a few words to your new students, Captain?

Aryan raised an eyebrow, cold. He took the microphone from the director's hands. He looked at us, soldierly.

- Good morning. I am Aryan Razam, but you can call me Captain. - It was dry and rude. The students looked at each other, surprised. - I will be the new Combat Darkness teacher, and I expect one hundred percent dedication from my students. I don't intend to take it lightly because they are fledglings. You need to learn from an early age the dangers that await you out there. Demons will not be gentle. So neither will I. If you think you can't handle it, don't sign up for my classes. That's all. - And he passed the microphone to the principal.

A stunned silence filled the auditorium.

The director was embarrassed.

- Uh, that was the introduction of our new teacher. His official classes will start tomorrow. There will be few openings. So if you want to enroll this year, please come to the office as soon as possible. It will not be an easy subject. Only enroll if you are completely committed. Now I will leave you with a presentation by our captain. He will teach us some new fighting maneuvers. We will need an opponent for the demonstration. Any volunteers?

The impetus took me. My heart beat, fierce. A voice in my head commanded: go.

By the time I saw it, I was already on my feet. I raised a hand without realizing it. I was panting and alert.

Aryumand said that "I should wear the necklace against him on a special occasion." And when the time came, I would know.

The time was now. I simply knew. The intuition came from deep within my body. Surely it was Dakti acting through me.

From his seat, Shantai babbled, voice strangled.

- What the hell...? Sit down, you crazy woman.

Everyone was looking at me.

What a nut. Do you want to be humiliated in front of the whole Pantheon?

But it was too late to turn back. The director called me to the stage.

"Ah, we have a brave volunteer! You there, miss of the Dakti faction! Please come to the ring!"

I started to head there. My heart, in my throat.

What am I doing?

It was crazy! Aryan would finish me off! Getting caught in front of the entire Pantheon would earn me a good few years of bullying and mocking laughter....

Around here, they only valued strength. Nobody would let me forget.

Anesthetized, I walked down the stairs to the center of the auditorium. As I did so, I muttered in between:

"Mom, why are you doing this to me?"

Aryan was waiting for me in the ring. Hands behind his back, sarcastic smile.

Stupid girl. I'll slaughter you.

And I would.

I entered the ring. Aryan denied with his head, frowning. Bad idea.

An assistant handed us two swords. The director left the ring.

Aryan needed no microphone. He spoke loudly, and his timbre reverberated throughout the auditorium.

- Now that we have a volunteer, I will begin the demonstration of a new attack tactic. When you face the lower levels of the underworld, you will need these techniques. Whoever joins my classes will learn step by step.

All the students sat on the edges of their chairs, anxious. Aryan was the foremost expert in combat techniques. Learning from him would be an honor.

He raised an eyebrow at me:

- Are you ready, fledgling?

No, I wasn't. But it was what my mother wanted from me.

- You can come. - I raised my sword in a defensive position.

With a wicked smile, he turned and attacked me. His sword stopped inches from my throat.

The students gasped, full of adrenaline.

Aryan applied the blows without actually stabbing me. At each movement, he explained the techniques to the audience. My job was to stand still, and that was it.

Just when I thought I would end the episode without humiliation, he proposed:

- Great, now that we have detailed the moves, let's fight. I taught you the defenses. Try to apply them.

What?

- It won't be a fair fight, professor. - I swallowed hard. - I think I should train first.

He tried to hide his satisfaction.

- Come on, fledgling. I'm not going to hurt you. Show me what you know.

All around, people were murmuring, anxious.

A fight between teacher and student? It would be a massacre!

The director closed his expression, annoyed. He knew it was not a good idea. Nevertheless, he had learned to stay out of Aryan's business.

I knew he didn't mean to hurt me. It was against the rules. He only intended to humiliate me and bury my reputation in the trash. Yay.

Everyone expected my answer. Denial would have been considered cowardice.

I sighed.

- All right. - And I went to my side of the ring.

- No swords. - Aryan dropped his weapon on the ground. - It will only be a demonstration, not a real fight.

I dropped my sword as well.

- Now, you must attack me," he advised. - Try to apply the blows I taught you.

I just wanted to get it over with.

I ran up to him and threw a punch. He caught my hand in the air. He spun it around and twisted my arm. I felt my bones crack, but I gritted my teeth. I wasn't going to scream.

People clapped for him.

He let go of me, expression defiant.

- Again. Attack me.

Furious, I obeyed. Again he disarmed me, making me fall to the ground.

He came to the middle of the ring and held out his hand.

- Are you okay - pretending to be a civilized opponent.

Annoyed, I accepted his help.

- Yes.

He lifted me up. We ended up inches away from each other. He took advantage of the proximity to whisper in my ear - inaudible and poisonous.

- Are you enjoying the humiliation, Dakti's bitch?

I exhaled, shocked. What a sneaky bastard...

Without giving him a taste of an answer, I turned around and went back to my side of the ring. I muttered in between.

"Mom, if you have a plan, this is the time."

On the other side of the ring, Aryan held up two fingers and called out to me. The expression, mocking.

- Come.

Suddenly it happened. Dakti's cord warmed up around my neck, and I had an inspiration. I don't know where it came from. The idea just welled up in me.

With unshakable certainty, I picked up my sword from the ground. I advanced toward him with a war cry.

Aryan was surprised for a millisecond, but soon reacted. He picked up his own sword from the ground and knelt, defending himself against my blow. Our blades touched with a sharp thud.

The audience stood up.

"What? She's crazy," they said.

The director went to the side of the ring, startled.

- Hey, student! No weapons!

Aryan just raised one hand - staring at me.

- Leave us, director. I know what I am doing.

I didn't fight or talk to myself. The cord burned against my chest, suddenly warm. It was my mother speaking through me.

Resigned, the director returned to his seat.

I spat at Aryan:

- Are you enjoying the humiliation, son of Shikram?

He narrowed his eyes.

- Don't tease me.

I lowered my sword and walked backwards, eyes fixed on him.

- Don't be a crybaby.

Aryan stood up. He raised his sword, murderous expression.

- Do you want to fight for real? Very well. You're the one who asked for it.

He came forward and attacked me. Surprisingly, I managed to fend off all his blows. I looked like a professional guardian!

No... She looked like a guardian of the Hidden Guard. A specialist.

He attacked and I retorted boldly. My blade nearly tore through his skin several times. It was a deadly dance inside the ring.

I had never fought like this in my life! What was happening to me? I didn't even know the punches I was throwing! It wasn't me in that ring! It was as if I was receiving divine guidance.

Aryan spun around and threw me a kick. I dodged, crouching down - almost as if I could see the blow coming before it happened.

The audience was in shock. Many were standing. Others, with their hands over their mouths. There was no way a freshman could fight on equal terms with the captain.

Bizarre! Incomprehensible!

Our blows were furious and deadly. His blade was inches from my throat. He could scratch my skin, but I could also hit him. We were full of scratches.

I was a force of nature. Unstoppable.

We both gasped and sweated. Aryan had an incredulous look on his face. He couldn't understand my sudden ability.

At a certain point in the fight, he could no longer attack me - only defend himself.

If it were a real fight, he would die.

I screamed and hit him non-stop - until I left him completely trapped in a corner of the ring. The tip of my blade stopped at his jugular. He raised his hands and dropped the sword, surrendering. His expression, shocked.

We were both breathing heavily.

Aryan was not an idiot. He knew there was something wrong with me. He frowned.

- Who is helping you?

Blind rage seized me.

- Shut up and fight. - I dropped my sword and stepped forward.

In a split second, I grabbed his collar and threw him to the ground. His body spun in the air. That physical force was not mine.

We ended up in the middle of the ring, lying on the floor. Aryan countered - spinning around and stopping on top of me.

But I wasn't scared. I knew what to do.

All the students carried concealed weapons on their bodies. The habit of guardians.

Aryan was on top of me, thinking he had won. As he grinned treacherously, I reached for my dagger hidden in my ankle holster inside my boot. Within seconds, my blade appeared against his throat.

- Surprise. - Poisonous spit.

- What the fuck? - he narrowed his eyes. - You're not fighting alone.

- You can't prove it.

We were glued to each other. Our faces were centimeters apart. His arms were around my head, and I had both legs hooked around his waist. We were entwined, panting and sweating. We didn't know where one ended and the other began.

There, so close, her scar was more frightening - and her features even more beautiful. The smell that emanated from his body was delicious. I could feel his breath against my mouth.

It was then that something unexpected happened.

I felt something pressing against my hip. Something stiff, hard, and huge. My mouth opened and I looked down.

Aryan was excited! Very, very excited.

When he realized this, his eyes widened. He looked at me mortally embarrassed.

The director came to the edge of the ring.

- All right, enough of this fighting. We've had enough demonstrations, professor.

With a jump, Aryan got off me. He stood up and ran his hand through his hair, unable to face me.

I slowly stood up. I could only look at the captain's pants. The bulge between his legs was clear. That wasn't adrenaline from the fight - that was a hard-on.

I couldn't help but remember...

The captain was celibate. He had not had sex with anyone for years. He had immense self-control over his body. I doubted that he got horny every time he fought.

So, why?

The audience was too far away to notice his condition. They clapped their hands, outraged by the struggle. How could a freshman do this?

Aryan took off his jacket and put it in front of his body. Embarrassed, he tried to hide his erection.

The director entered the ring.

- Please shake hands. Let's end this demonstration right here.

We met in the middle of the ring. I held out my hand, smiling victoriously.

- Good fight, professor.

His teeth were gritted and his eyes sparkled with hatred. He squeezed my hand hard.

- I say the same - he grunted.

- Good," the director was relieved. - Now that we're done, you may leave the ring. - And he turned to leave.

When the director walked away, we untied our hands. I murmured softly:

- If you want to fuck me, captain, just ask. No need to pretend you hate me. The strategy didn't work for your father and it won't work for you.

His jaw dropped. Even I couldn't believe my audacity.

Before I heard a response, I turned my back and walked out of the ring. A smile tore across my face.

As I left, the captain's scandalized gaze fanned my back.

You will pay me for this.

***

IN ARYAN'S VIEW

Aryan rushed into his room. He closed the door violently. He huffed in anger.

How the fuck did this happen?

No, he didn't mind being beaten by a fledgling. It was clear that this Kali girl had received help from her mother - or from some other enemy god of Shikram. Those skills were not hers. It took decades to learn them. Aryan forged her techniques with twenty years of dedication, self-denial and discipline. She gave up much to know what she knew. He knew himself and his abilities.

No, he did not have a fragile ego. Humiliation was nothing to him, for he experienced far more frightening things.

However, Aryan was shocked at himself.

She ran to the bathroom, took off her clothes, and opened the shower. He needed to calm down. He turned on the cold water and got in under there. He hoped that the shower would wash away his sins.

His member was throbbing, huge, hard and thick. It even hurt. The hard-on was inexplicable.

An obsessive thought overwhelmed him. That daughter of Dakti was simply delicious.

She fought like a goddess. Murderous, deadly, and invincible. Honestly, Aryan just wanted to kneel down and revere her.

Its smell was intoxicating. It penetrated his pores and drove him crazy.

Damn. Why did he feel such a hard-on for his enemy?

That was terribly inopportune! Mortifying! Embarrassing!

When they were both on the floor, he felt her soft body against his... And God, it was heaven. He wanted to take off his clothes and fuck her right there.

It had been years since he had seen a daughter of Dakti. It was overwhelming. How could Shikram's other sons live with her? How could they not fall at her feet, in love or mad?

The girl, Kali, was right. Every damn right.

Not all men are at my feet. But you and your father are.

Aryan felt his heart reverberating memories and feelings that were not born from him. They were born from his parents' unresolved love.

However, that hard-on and attraction was very real. The terrible, awkward spark between a Dakti and a Shikram.

Aryan could not stay in the Pantheon. Not in the presence of that girl. It would drive him mad. He would end up killing her or loving her. He didn't know yet which one.

Aryan couldn't stop teasing her. His compact and unapproachable personality was completely ruined when she was around. She triggered deep-rooted emotional wounds and triggers inside him. A deep resentment - angry and unexplained.

He wanted to hurt her, yes, but he also wanted to fall at her feet and cry.

Why did you leave me? The lack of your love has ruined me...

Teasing her was a tactic. As long as they were fighting, she would be around. And Aryan wanted to orbit around her desperately.

Rationally, Aryan knew that this was not instant passion. It was just his Shikram spirit reacting to the girl's Dakti spirit. He understood that these feelings were not his, they were his father's.

But damn... They seemed so vivid and real...

Aryan leaned his hands on the wall. He let the cold water fall on his shoulders. He breathed deeply, trying to calm his body.

He had been celibate for twenty years. Celibacy was a prerequisite for being a captain in the Hidden Guard.

Aryan knew that being the captain was what he wanted most in life. So he gave up sex.

At first, it was horrible. He had always been a legendary libertine in the Pantheon. He ate as many demigodesses as he could. But as the years went by, he created strategies of self-control. He managed to master his own body. It had been years since he had been this horny. Years since he had lost complete control.

But that little girl awakened something inside him. Some angry, repressed yearning.

Sexual energy pulsed through every fiber of his being. His member throbbed, hard and aching. He didn't want to fuck anyone else. It had to be her.

Aryan knew his own history. Her parents had a complicated past, and often their children could not stay in the same room. Often these mixed feelings were resolved with ugly fights or wild sex. The greatest lovers between demigods were the sons of Shikram and Dakti.

And all loves between them, without exception, ended badly.

The history of the parents repeated itself. Betrayals, broken hearts, and abandonment. A fate, a karma that happened again and again.

Were your parents really mortal enemies? Or just lovers who hated to love each other?

Aryan did not know. As long as their father did not resolve his own feelings, his children would not either.

After ten years away from the Pantheon, he had forgotten what it was like to have a Dakti so close.

The indomitable and senseless rage... The obsessive thought... The borderline compulsion between hate and love... After so long without seeing a copy, the feelings came flooding back.

He ran his fingers through his hair.

- Stay the fuck calm. - He hissed to himself. - Just stay calm.

Damn. The damn girl saw his erection under his pants-and she wouldn't let him get away with it. She saw him out of control, horny and vulnerable. And that was very humiliating.

Aryan was a teacher. He shouldn't care about the opinion of a simple student.

But he cared.

Nothing made a man more blind than a maddening sexual attraction.

Aryan put his hand around the member and held it. He gritted his teeth, trying to contain the urge to masturbate. He knew that if he did, it would be worse. He would become addicted. The sexual energy would only hinder his concentration on his work, and twenty years of dedication would go down the drain.

Kali, Kali, Kali. Her name was like a drug.

She wasn't even the most attractive one in the place, but he didn't have eyes for anyone else.

Kali obviously fought with the help of her mother. Days ago, Aryan challenged the goddess. Did Dakti return the favor by throwing a curse of attraction on him? So that it would drive him mad and ruin him?

No. There were no spells that inspired attraction. If there were, he would know. Aryan recognized spells from afar. He could sniff them out in the air.

No spell messed with his head. Kali messed with his head.

Aryan turned off the shower and dried himself off. As he did so, he tried to convince himself that the attraction would not be repeated. Only then would he remain sane.

He put on some clothes, got into bed, and reflected.

The first time he saw Kali, he felt hatred. Something deep and maddening. The hatred took away his reason and almost made him commit a madness. He almost killed a student in the middle of the hall. Rationally, he would never do this. But the feelings between a Dakti and a Shikram were fierce.

In the fight, however, the potent feeling did not come in the form of hate - but of attraction.

And that was much worse.

Aryan listed the reasons to forget that feeling.

First, he wouldn't stay with a daughter of Dakti! Not after the goddess had broken his father's fucking heart. He couldn't give her that taste.

Second, Aryan was a teacher. Kali, a student. An involvement would be immoral and forbidden.

Third, he was celibate and could not have sex. Otherwise he would lose his position as captain in the Guard. And his work was the most important thing in his life.

Even if there weren't so many cons... Even if it wasn't a forbidden attraction...

He didn't know if Kali would reciprocate.

Did she also feel that torrent of sensations when their bodies touched?

Shit. Not knowing was torture.

Aryan decided that he would stay as far away from the girl as possible. She was his particular ordeal.

The captain has been to the depths of hell, and he would not let a simple girl ruin him. Not now. Not after all he had faced to get here.

He would pluck that daughter of Dakti from his memory and heart.

At least, that is what he repeated to himself for days.

CHAPTER 3

I did not sign up for Aryan's classes.

It was a painful but necessary decision. His presence destabilized me. Every time we met, sparks would fly. Either of hatred or of something else...

Uh, awkward.

The erection in his pants made the conflict of feelings very clear.

After our public fight, I went to Aryumand for advice. She instructed me to stay away from him. I could enroll in Defense classes in a few years, when there would be another teacher. Eventually, Aryan would have to return to field work.

Argh. That day I would have a party.

The truth was revolting. Our parents were using us to duel with each other. Perpetuating a childish and petty quarrel that had lasted for centuries.

There was nothing good for us in this rivalry. We would only lose out. Meanwhile, Aryan was a captain with a stable profession. Me, a nobody. I had much more to lose than him.

After my little show in the ring, my name became famous.

I became popular in the Pantheon overnight. People stopped me in the hallways and in class.

"How did you do that?"

"Who trains her?"

"How come I never noticed her before?"

I had to tell the truth. Or a half-truth.

"I had been asking my mother for a blessing for many months. It seems she finally decided to answer me. She saw that I was in need."

Dakti was not known for randomly distributing blessings. Direct blessings from the gods were rare, but they did happen.

People seemed to buy my story. It was more believable that a freshman beat an expert.

A week went by.

That night, the Pantheon would hold a ball. A gala event in honor of the Hidden Guard. Everyone was thrilled to have them hosted here.

In the last week, people have arranged their dates.

Surprisingly, I received several invitations. I didn't accept any. They all came out of interest. People who never looked me in the face before wanted to ride the sudden wave of popularity. The fledgling who beat the soul eater.

They were not really interested in me. Why would they be? There were other more interesting beauties at school.

So I arranged to go in a trio with Shantai and Rajan.

It was Saturday night.

Shantai got ready in my room. She wore a purple sari, and I wore a red one. I was the type of girl for fighting, and not for eyeliners. Then Shantai produced me.

At nine, we meet Rajan at the door of the dormitories.

When he saw us, his eyes widened.

- Wow! Who are you and what have you done with my friends?

- Ha, ha. - Shantai put his arm through yours. - We are beautiful like this every day. I don't know what the surprise is.

- If you like to fool yourself...

I crossed my arm over his free arm. I rolled my eyes:

- The way you're picking on each other, you're going to end up getting married.

They spoke at the same time:

"Jeez!"

"May the gods not hear you!"

Among Guardians, marriages were rare. Most decided not to commit to monogamy. We had very long lives and a lot of sexual freedom. Moreover, we all put work before love.

A marriage could shuffle a guardian's priorities. Sometimes a guardian would be assigned to one side of the world - and the spouse to another. And nothing could be done.

Orders from above.

This is why many guardians avoided serious commitments. We were already married to our missions.

We walked towards the party hall.

- I am serious, people. - I insisted. - I have no doubt that Rajan will start courting you, Shantai.

- He wouldn't have the audacity. - Shantai laughed.

- It must be because I am not desperate...

The two of them were always fighting and teasing each other. I loved to irritate them.

- Be careful, hein. All this hatred can hide a repressed love.

- No, thank you. - Shantai shuddered. - In fact, if that were a rule, you and Captain Aryan would be lovers.

I looked forward, face livid.

- Let's change the subject.

We were almost at the big hall. The other students came in first, wearing gala clothes. Party saris and Hindu suits.

Rajan noticed my expression.

- What is it, Kali? Don't tell me the captain is your new "Kamala."

- Don't talk nonsense.

- Why not? Every time we talk about him you get weird.

- It's survival instinct, asshole. After what happened in the ring, he might want to take revenge. Of course I'm afraid. Nobody deserves an enemy like him.

It was a half-truth.

Yes, I was afraid of the captain's revenge - but I also didn't want to tell my friends the embarrassing truth. My erotic and secret desires with him.

- Fair enough," Shantai agreed. - He can end his academic life in the Pantheon.

- Don't travel, girls. He is a teacher and a trained professional. He is above such university intrigues.

I shrugged.

- So be it. But I'm not going to pay to see it.

We arrived at the ballroom. The party was raging. There was good music, champagne, and snacks. All the students and teachers were there.

There was a rise at one end of the hall. On it, several chairs. Places of honor. The Hidden Guards sat there, watching the hall silently.

I watched them, intrigued.

Hidden Guards were strange creatures. Both men and women had fierce, distant, icy stares - as if they were filled with hatred inside.

Well... A life fighting the worst demons created scars.

They were very respected, yes, but I wasn't sure they were happy. They hardly talked to each other.

The teachers orbited around them, but they could not establish any bond. They were closed and suspicious creatures. Maybe they didn't even know how to smile.

I noticed that Aryan had not arrived. Just as well. I hoped he wouldn't show up.

We quickly met a group of Daktis and stopped to chat. Since our teachers were present, it would not be a typical student party. No one would get high, vomit in the middle of the hall, or have sex with strangers.

What a shame.

The music was lively. Waiters passed by serving glasses of champagne and snacks. Everyone gathered in affinity groups.

Some veterans talked to professors - in an attempt to create alliances. The appointment of professors was very important to the trainees. When they came down to Earth, they could protect larger cities, important humans, and fight in deadlier areas. This is why mentorships were common.

Shikram's sons stood on the other side of the hall.

It was better this way. Nobody wanted to make a scene in front of the guests of honor. And if we got too close, it would be inevitable.

Old rivalry plus alcohol? Bad combination.

About twenty minutes later, the door opened violently.

Aryan entered alone.

Of course he did. He didn't consider any of us worthy of being his date.

The captain wore black clothes and a grumpy expression. As always. He advanced through the hall with his hands behind his back and his chin up. Unconsciously, everyone made way.

He walked to the elevation, greeted his fellow Guard members dryly, and sat down in his seat.

Shantai watched him from afar:

- The captain-ranzinza arrived. - He put one arm through mine, supporting himself. - If he wasn't so handsome, it would be easy to hate him, don't you think?

- If you say so. - I mumbled.

Many students found the captain super attractive. Others found his scarring frightening. I, on the other hand, refused to think about it.

No, I am not attracted to a son of Shikram. I refuse to accept it.

But every now and then my gaze slipped to him, uncontrollably.

I noticed how he behaved. All the while, Aryan refused the champagne and food. He didn't speak much. He only exchanged quick, cold words with the teachers who approached him.

He didn't eat in public and he didn't drink alcohol. The epitome of self-control. He held all the qualities desired for a guardian. The respect of all, impeccable fighting techniques, and a controlling, cool personality.

When fighting demons, you couldn't be too sentimental. And the captain was a rock of ice.

Shantai, Rajan and I were talking in a group. Besides us, there were three other Daktis from our class.

They were talking about the most coveted topic of the moment: Aryan's classes. Two of them had gotten spots. The other was on the waiting list.

- He is the devil incarnate," one of them said. - His classes are much harder than I expected.

Another one corroborated:

- I agree. I was sore for the rest of the week.

- If we can get out of his matter alive, we will be able to face any demon.

Rajan laughed.

- I was considering applying next semester. Now I am rethinking.

- No, sign up. It is hard, but we are learning a lot. Take advantage of these months to train. It's good to have a little foundation before you face the devourer of souls.

Rajan drank from his cup.

- That nickname is really a delicacy.

Her colleague snorted.

- Devourer that is. He sucks your soul at every lesson.

Shantai commented:

- I am going to try for a position next semester. I need to prepare myself emotionally.

At that moment, someone nudged my shoulder. I looked back and almost choked.

Kamala.

She was sporting her typical smug little smile. She wore an orange sari and lots of jewelry.

Rajan and Shantai looked at each other. What was my evil ex up to?

- Kali, hey, it's been a while.

I raised an eyebrow and stared at her coldly.

- Well, well, well. If it isn't the three-headed dog himself... If you're here, who's guarding the gates of hell?

My friends held back their laughter.

Kamala narrowed her eyes.

- How hilarious you are. Sometimes I even miss your humor.

I was in no mood for Kamala's antics tonight. There were already too many stressful events in my life.

- Really? Interesting time to miss me. Especially you, who have been ignoring me for three years...

Now that I am suddenly popular? Convenient.

- I didn't ignore you, you ignored me. We just didn't work out as girlfriends.

I sipped my champagne, skeptical.

- Why are you unable to keep your tongue out of other people's mouths?

She clicked her tongue. Nothing embarrassed or shook her.

- More or less. For me we would be friends with benefits.

- And for all I care, you would fly away on the same broomstick on which you arrived.

She raised an eyebrow.

- The more you reject me, the more you challenge me.

I snorted.

- What's the matter with you, Kamala? Are you bored?

There was nothing more between us. Not a drop of romance or unresolved feelings. It had been three years since our relationship had ended. There was only bitterness left.

- Why? Do I have to be bored to talk to you?

- I see no other reason for you to torment me again.

He sighed.

- You know what? We got off on the wrong foot. Shall we dance?

- Uh... No.

She held out a hand.

- Why not? If you don't like me, you won't feel anything.

- I pass.

- Why? Do you have unresolved feelings?

I gritted my teeth.

- You know what? - I handed my cup to Rajan. - Let's go. - I held his hand. - One dance and you will leave me alone, understand?

- Done. - Cynical little smile.

I followed the viper onto the dance floor.

I tried not to speak or show any emotions. She was like a wild animal. If she smelled fear, she would attack.

The dance floor was at the far end of the hall - right in front of the Guardians' chairs.

A song was starting. We stopped in the middle of the dance floor. Kamala held out a hand and we danced, glued together. She put her hands on my waist and I put my arms around her shoulders.

I accepted your invitation just to prove a point. I outdid you, you cow.

And it was true. A year ago, I would never have been able to dance with her. But the wound had healed.

As we danced, I let my gaze run around the room.

I observed the Hidden Ones. Many had gotten up, going off to talk in closed groups. Others remained in their chairs - quiet and observant.

Aryan was one of them. While his soldiers talked among themselves, he remained seated, unwaveringly alone. He watched the hall with eagle eyes. Cold and calculating.

Suddenly, our gazes met.

Ah, damn.

I quickly turned my face away. I didn't want to arouse his anger. Mouthing off to a professor at a gala ball would be bad for my academic record.

I was determined to avoid it.

Kamala and I danced slowly. In the middle of the music, she asked.

- Do you know the captain intimately?

I stared at her, tense.

- What? Obviously not.

- But you have already fought.

- Are you talking about that fight in the ring? We were kind of busy killing each other. We didn't have time to chat.

- Um... - she looked from me to him, suspicious. - But he seems intrigued. You must have made a strong impression. He can't take his eyes off you...

I froze. Aryan was still staring at me?

I didn't have the courage to check it out.

- He is just analyzing the enemy. It's a natural curiosity. He has probably never lost a fight in his life.

- That's right, speaking of which. How did you do that?

I rolled my eyes.

- Forget it, Kamala. You won't get any information from me. It's been years since I fell for your manipulations.

She pulled me around the waist.

- You know, this new indifferent personality of yours makes you very sexy.

Argh. Manipulative cow.

- Don't you have a new girlfriend, girl?

- I do. But I would kick her in the ass right now if I could keep you.

- Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass.

- Why? You're obviously not over me yet. You haven't dated anyone since me.

- I have been busy training and studying.

- And didn't you find a window of time to kiss on the mouth? Or have a little one? Please. Everyone in this school studies and trains. If you want to, you find the time. You're becoming a celibate just like the captain. - His hand came down, feeling my ass. - But I can solve your problem...

I took his hand and moved it up to my back.

- Don't make me regret dancing with you.

She let out her typical cheeky little smile.

- I will win your heart back yet, Kalizinha.

- Your ego is really impressive.

She put a lock of my hair behind my ear.

- He says he doesn't want to kiss me, and I stop.

Suddenly, a venomous voice spoke up:

- May I interrupt?

We look away and...

I almost choked.

Aryan was standing two steps away from us. Murderous expression and hands behind his back.

She let me go immediately.

- Captain? - shocked voice. - Is there a problem?

He kept his irises fixed on me. He hardly seemed to see Kamala.

- None, student. I have come because I would like to have a dance with Miss Kali.

What?

- A-ah," Kamala stammered. - It's okay. - She turned to me, voice strangled. - See you later," and practically ran off.

My heart was beating in my throat.

He stopped in front of me. He held out a hand, expression defiant.

With no alternative, I accepted.

What else would I do? It was a public place, everyone was looking at us. I didn't want to cause a scene.

He pulled me around his waist, and our bodies became entwined. I could feel his breath on my face. He was a head taller than I was. His free hand entwined with mine. His skin was warm, and his smell, intoxicating.

We started to dance slowly.

He noticed my nervousness. He murmured:

- I can hear your heart racing. Are you afraid of me?

If I looked up, I would have to face his dark, penetrating gaze. I kept my gaze on his chest and spoke in broken tones.

- If you try anything here, there will be consequences. My teachers will protect me.

I felt him smile, treacherous.

- Don't worry, fledgling. Assassinating an enemy is an intimate thing. When I'm going to kill you, it won't be in a crowded hall.

I was livid.

There was the confirmation. He wanted to kill me.

- You look pale.

I held back a grunt.

- It is a common reaction when you receive a death threat.

He laughed softly. It was a surprisingly velvety sound. Magnetic and delicious.

- I'm not going to kill you. It was a joke.

Wait, what?

- If you don't want to kill me, what do you want with me?

He stared at me deeply - as if he was experiencing a conflict of feelings.

- I'm still trying to figure it out.

I turned my face away, perplexed.

Part of me wanted to run away. How long would it take for that crappy music to end? But another part wanted to stay. When would I have the chance to touch him again? To smell him so closely?

Damn delicious Shikram aroma.

He cut the silence, abruptly:

- Was that girl your girlfriend?

- How is it?

- Do you fuck?

I almost stuttered.

- It is not appropriate for a teacher to ask about a student's love life.

He arched an eyebrow.

- Just answer me. I need to know.

- Ex-girlfriend.

For some reason, he seemed disappointed.

- So you like women?

- Yes, but I also like men.

This seemed to rekindle some flame in the depths of his eyes. Could it be... hope?

No. I was seeing too much.

I looked around. People were already starting to stare at us.

It was not uncommon for teachers to dance with students. They had all lived together for many decades. Some were even friends.

It was just not common for the Aryan-devourer to dance with someone.

Our history was controversial. People were afraid that he would snap and attack me in the middle of the hall. After all, the captain was an unpredictable creature, and nobody really knew him.

The director watched us from a distance, cautiously. Clearly he feared that we would fight.

A Shikram and Dakti dancing?

Tsc. We would either end up in jail, or in bed.

The music got livelier. He twirled me around, surprisingly adept at dancing. Then he pulled me around his waist, possessive. I collided against his muscular chest.

- So you are single at the moment?

- Uh... Yes.

- And do you think about having someone?

What the hell was that all about?

- No. I want to focus on my training. Dating would only hinder me.

He stared at me for a long time. His expression dark and inscrutable.

- What if the right man came along? Would you give him a chance?

- I don't know, professor. If it's love, yes. - I frowned, rethinking. - Although I haven't believed in such romantic nonsense for a long time.

- I didn't believe it either.

- Did something change your mind?

- Not something. Someone. - He pulled me closer. - And this is very disturbing.

I cleared my throat.

- Why would it be?

- Because it might fuck up my life.

The music ended suddenly. Aryan let go of me.

- Thank you for the dance, daughter of Dakti.

- You are welcome, professor.

He put his hands in his pockets, expression grim.

- If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to stay away from me. No matter how hard I try to get closer, don't give in. It will ruin both of us.

- "That," what?

- Soon you will find out. - And he turned around, disappearing into the track.

He did not return to his seat. He simply left the hall, leaving the party.

I just stood there on the track, watching him go.

Someone cleared his throat behind me. I turned around and was surprised.

- Director?

- Miss Kali, good evening.

- Can I help you?

I only spoke to the director personally when I arrived at the Pantheon, seven years ago. After that, never again. It was bizarre.

He came closer, speaking softly.

- I need to give you a message.

- Uh, sure.

- We have fought hard to have Captain Aryan on our faculty. He is an unprecedented asset to the Pantheon. It is not in the interest of this school nor of the gods for him to be on the wrong side of this war.

- On the side of the demons, you mean...

- Yes. It's hard to admit it, but the captain has a fickle personality. So here's my personal request... Stay away from him. Don't irritate him. I know you have a natural rivalry, but avoid him for your own good. We don't know what he is capable of, and we don't want there to be any catastrophic incident. Can you understand me?

I was indignant. He was the crazy one, but I was the one getting the spanking?

- Warden, with all due respect... Since he came here, Aryan Razam has been threatening and harassing me. I never provoked him. He is the one who needs to be stopped, not me.

- We know that. This school will protect your physical integrity. If you feel threatened by him, you can come to us. But please don't take the matter public. It would create chaos with unpleasant consequences," he raised an eyebrow significantly, "for everyone involved.

I closed my wrists, coming to my senses.

Between the lines, the director wanted to say: Aryan is a very important figure for us. You are just another student. You can be replaced. He is not.

- I get the message. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find my friends.

- Of course.

- Goodbye. - I turned around and walked off the track.

I went back to my friends. Shantai and Rajan showered me with questions. I didn't answer any of them.

I drank the whole night. Only alcohol would help me forget the chaotic state of my life.

A suddenly interested ex. A veiled threat from the director. An enemy telling me to "watch out" for what was coming next.

I stuffed my face and got drunk. At dawn, Rajan and Shantai threw me out of the party. They thought it was time to put me to bed.

Shantai led me to the door of the dormitory. I slept in the south wing, she slept in the west wing. I couldn't go into my section.

- Will you be able to find your room?

- Of course. - I solved it. I stank of alcohol.

She rolled her eyes.

- Okay, drunkard. The key is in your purse. See you tomorrow.

She was gone. I took off my high heels and braided my legs down the hall.

There were a few couples leaning against the walls, making out.

I turned to a couple who were kissing furiously.

- Hey, Nyati! Your boyfriend can't come in here!

Nyati was a nasty classmate. She used to drag her "boyfriends" into the dormitory, even though she knew it was forbidden.

She stopped kissing the boy and growled.

- Mind your own business, Dakti.

I was too drunk to fight back.

I managed to reach my bedroom door. I took the key from my purse and tried to put it in the lock. I blinked several times, trying to see.

Bloody alcohol haze...

That's when I saw her.

A red rose was placed on the floor, right outside my bedroom door.

I crouched down and picked it up in horror - as if it were something radioactive.

- What the fuck is this?

Was it a joke?

I looked around. No one was paying attention to me.

I walked into my room and quickly closed the door. I threw the rose on the bed, taking two steps back.

Red roses had a very serious significance in the Pantheon.

Roses were not born in our city; one had to go to the human world to pick them. They signified the beginning of a courtship. When a man gave a woman a red rose, it meant that he was interested in serious commitment.

It was beyond a flirtation. Only the most traditional men followed this ritual.

The man kept handing red roses to the desired woman until she sent some sign of accepting him.

In my seven years here, I have only seen a Cortege happen once. And it was years ago.

The few married demigods had gone through the courtship ritual. Only in this way did a man show serious intentions toward a woman. It was a very serious act. Young people no longer followed this tradition. Nobody wanted to get married anymore.

Who the hell would play a joke like that on me? I didn't have any suitors, and I wasn't flirting with anyone.

Unless...

Kamala?

No, Kamala was not the marrying kind. She was a jerk, but she wasn't dumb. She wouldn't joke about such a serious custom.

Either someone was playing a very bad joke on me, or I was being courted by a mysterious suitor.

That rose signified a real interest, and conveyed a message.

I am coming into your life. And when the time is right, I will reveal myself.