Next morning, Samanya rolled off the sofa, groaning from the soreness in his neck and back. After spending time acting shady in the bazaar, he had bought a strip of sleeping meds, a nice jute rope, and some chewing gum.

Rubbing his neck, he got up to see the bathroom occupied and realized Bhairavi had woken even earlier. He went to find the owner lady, and after sidestepping all her winks and questions about how well they slept, ordered breakfast.

On returning he found Bhairavi drying her hair and getting ready. She had already dressed up in a full sleeve button up shirt and capris while her winter coat lay on the bed. Smiling, he wished her good morning.

With a serious expression she wished back, and he realized that Bhairavi was a bit nervous. He did not push her but promised himself that if need arose, and somehow she was unable to defeat his father, he would do it for her and get her out safely even if it was the last thing he ever did.

Other than his mother, no one had ever felt like family till he met Bhairavi. She accepted him and appreciated him just the way he was, and that made him feel alive again. He would not confess how he felt to her till she was ready for it, maybe never. All he knew was that he would follow her to the end of the world to be of use to her.

After putting the lipstick back in her bag, she looked up to find Samanya staring at her intensely. But she did not allow herself to be swayed by it, not today. Today was all about doing the right thing and setting the people of Aritar free from the tyranny of Jaragarbha, along with quenching her vengeance. She would always have time to spend with Samanya later. 'Let's order breakfast? ' she spoke into his mind, effectively breaking his train of thoughts.

"Oh, don't worry. I just gave the order. Toast, eggs, and, coffee. Is that fine?"

'Absolutely. Thank you. ' she smiled a little before becoming serious again.

'Samanya...so first of all, we...'

"Bhairavi, I remember. We went over and over it last night till I could say it word for word in my sleep. And don't even talk about sleeping, because of you I am aching everywhere. How do I act like a traitor if I can't even roll my neck without wincing?"

Bhairavi smiled at that. A woman came to serve their breakfast, preventing further conversation. After breakfast, they locked their room and left. Bhairavi thought, It's show time.

The Swift Dezire from yesterday was there to pick them up and while he gave the driver directions, he tied her hands in a simple yet effective knot which would be impossible to tear but could be easily sliced through if the need arose. Bhairavi was chewing the gum all along and she stuck it on her wrist, inside the sleeve of her shirt and pressed the blade to it. It would easily hold and could be used for emergencies.

"Bhairavi.."

'Yes, Samanya?'

"You know what you are doing, right?"

'Do you trust me?'

Samanya instantly answered, "Yes. But, it's them I don't trust."

Bhairavi smiled, 'Then don't worry. And, lets not talk anymore. Get into the mood of a traitor. I need to act drugged too. You have the half empty sleeping med strip in your pocket?'
Samanya nodded.
'Then let's do it.'

The car drew up in front of a huge mansion on the edge of a lush forest. Samanya got out and pulled a dazed Bhairavi from the car before she half fell on him. Steadying her, he carried half her weight while she leaned heavily into him and they stepped into the house.

The house was tastefully decorated, classic European architecture with Indian touches. As they walked in, with half shut eyes, Bhairavi checked out the Rakshasas lining the corridors. All of them were staring, some with anger, some with amusement, some with disbelief.

After walking for what felt like an eternity in that half dragged manner, they reached a big room, which she immediately understood was the throne room. All this while, her stomach had been a mess of nerves and awe while looking at the hordes of supernatural Rakshasas of different shapes and sizes. But in the throne room, when she caught a glance of the man sitting on the throne, and the small group of men standing near him, a wave of anger and rage like never before arose within her. She felt like decimating all of them at once.

With great restrain she kept up her act. "Father, I have a gift for you from my travels." Samanya announced.
Bhairavi heard a cruel, smooth voice, "But who gave you the permission to travel, son," the last word was almost spitted out.

"Why? To get you what you wanted and lost. The girl whose family you murdered." Samanya said, smirking, "On hearing the news, I had gone to check the accident spot. And guess what? I found only two bodies. I knew the bitch had escaped, and I decided to capture her and present her to you."

Peeking, Bhairavi saw Jaragarbha's face, it was etched in shock, "What do you mean? I had sent your capable brothers to kill them. They reported no survivors," and he turned to glare at the group standing beside him.

"Had they checked the bodies, father, like I had? The girl had escaped and changed her appearance but I found her still. Now do you believe my worth?" Samanya's voice boomed.

A silence had fallen in the room, no one knew what to say. His brothers were glaring daggers at him. Jaragarbha seemed to be looking at his son in a new light, "Well done, son. I never thought you had it in you to kidnap and bring a girl for my pleasure. I am glad. Well, we must not delay then. Tell me, how long will she be out. I am eager to taste her. "

Bhairavi felt revulsion tighten her spine as well as Samanya's hold on her while he spoke, "She should awaken now. I had drugged her long ago. Somebody drench her in cold water."
The moment ice cold water was dunked on her, Bhairavi gasped in pain and shock, and opened her eyes. Though she knew what to expect, she pretended to look around in surprise and fear.

"Speak, girl. What is your name? Your parents had dared to deny me even of that."

"Father, her name is Bhairavi, and she cannot speak. Not since the accident."

"Do not speak while I do, Samanya. Go stand over there. I shall do all the talking then."

Samanya moved to the side without looking at her.

As rage bubbled in her stomach, she felt the chill evaporate around her. She stood upright in front of him as he talked about himself, who he was and how honored she should feel to belong to him, and analyzed him. She could see through Maya quite easily now, and saw his real appearance. Green and red scaly skin, with two horns on his head, red eyes and bared fangs. He was dressed in semi formals and suddenly Bhairavi found the combination so comical that in spite of her rage she began laughing.

Jaragarbha paused in the middle of his speech and glared at her, insulted, "How dare you laugh, you insolent slut, while I talk?" But Bhairavi kept laughing. Samanya stared at it all in horror, this was not part of her plan. Before he could act out of character, Bhairavi's voice echoed through everyone's minds, 'What can I say, Jaragarbha. You look so funny and ridiculous, talking about your own glory without realizing how spineless and puny you are.' She was laughing no more.

Realizing something was off, Jaragarbha changed tactics, "What are you? An Apsara, or a minor Goddess? Tell me, I will woo you accordingly and show you what you are missing out on. Your stupid parents were mortal indeed, and must have been unaware of how special you are. Its a good thing I got them out of our way. We can have a great time together. "

Bhairavi's ears grew red hot and she smiled sweetly, 'You are right. I am special indeed, but a mortal still. Untie me, and I will show you my skills. I swear on the Parmatma, that I am a human.'

Jaragarbha's eyes narrowed and he thought what could a mortal girl do to him, even if she could speak in minds. He had thousands of Rakshasas at his service, while the girl was unarmed. He decided to teach the girl a lesson and show her her place. "Of course. Samanya, untie the girl. " Samanya did as told.

"Now undress her, right where she stands, and bring her to me. I shall have her right now in front of everyone. She will show me her skills of pleasuring, is that not right, Bhairavi?" Samanya forgot all about the act and stared at her, horrified.

Bhairavi's entire body seemed to burn in mortification, but she decided to not make Samanya suffer the embarrassment. 'Why, your majesty, you would let a minor Rakshasa touch me and undress me? Me, who is only for you to taste and sample? Let me disrobe myself and offer my body to you.'

Taken aback by her changed behavior and subservient attitude, Jaragarbha did not know what to do other than concede. He was already aroused at the thought of her undressing herself publicly for him. "Bhairavi, don't. What are you doing!?" Samanya whispered, aghast at the turn of events. Bhairavi spoke only in his mind, 'Trust me.'

Unable to say or do anything, Samanya turned and went to his place, but he angled his face away and covered his eyes. "Samanya, not man enough yet to see a woman undress herself, eh? Well, you always were a coward, a stain on our family name and on our gender."

Bhairavi gritted her teeth at that before taking off her coat. As she unbuttoned her shirt, she refused to feel ashamed. 'Om Hreem Bhairavi Kalaum Hreem Svaha,' she kept uttering in the back of her mind. She remembered the night of the accident, the lust in Jaragarbha's eyes, the fear of her parents, her Baba driving the car rashly, her Maa throwing her out of the car to save her, the desire of Samanya's brothers as they talked about how they would have liked to rape her.

As she stood naked in front of them and saw the lust and desire gleam in their eyes, her anger was uncontrollable, and this time she did not hold it back, 'You wanted to have me badly, right? Let's see if you can handle the heat of my flesh.' She could feel the temperature increase and sweat break out on her body while she felt feverish. She concentrated all the rage, all her anguish, her agony of an entire month, along with her mental power and just let it flow through her veins.

The eyelids of her closed eyes burned red and yellow and her body seemed to heat up and tingle all over. For a moment the air was filled with screams of agony. Bhairavi felt savage pleasure, they had desired her body but were unable to survive and enjoy her 'hotness'. She felt tears stream down her face, tears of rage, sadness, embarrassment and slowly opened her eyes.

The entire room was filled with swirling ash, there was no Jaragarbha, none of his vicious sons, none of his armed men in sight. The world seemed to swim in front of her, all the energy and rage had left her body. Her mind felt woozy and stuffed with cotton balls, and as she slipped out of consciousness her last thought was that she had evaporated her best friend.

A/N

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Love,
Kaushiki.