Goddess of War Read Free Page B

will have to sleep with the other young recruits.”
    “Thank you so much for helping us,” Preeti said.
    “It is my pleasure. It’s not every day that I get to save the world.”
    Vineet smiled. “Is that what we are doing?”
    Errison nodded, glancing back at them. “It is. With Litha in charge, everyone suffers.”
    The monastery was massive. It was built in honor of the Goddess of Health, but all worship was welcome. Four stories above ground resembled the castles of Pollos in Aden, but the two levels below were more like catacombs. Walking those corridors gave her an eerie feeling.
    Rubbing her arms, Preeti glanced at a painting of Tawni, the Goddess of Health. They’d met a few times before at the annual feast her father held at their manor. Tawni was a beautiful and kind woman.
    If only all gods and goddesses could be as kind and loving. Just thinking of Litha gave her chills. It was only a matter of time before she found them.
    Preeti scratched her arm. She couldn’t wait to bathe and change out of her prison uniform.
    He stopped and turned to them.
    “What are your names?”
    “I am Preeti, and this is Vineet.”
    Errison nodded, then his soft green eyes went wide. He waved his hands before them. “We will have to change those. No one can suspect who you are.”
    Vineet raised a brow. “We have to change our names?”
    “Yes,” Errison said.
    Preeti cracked a smile. She loved her name, but how often do you have the freedom to choose a name for yourself?
    She nudged Vineet. “Errison is right. It will be fun. I already have a few names for you, Vineet.”
    “Like what?”
    “Glutton, Sleepy, and how about Arrogant?”
    Vineet pushed her forward. “And I can call you Ridiculous,” he said. “Let’s just get to our rooms. I’m exhausted.”
    Preeti covered a snicker with her hand. It was grand to smile again, but the memory of why they were there crept back upon her. She straightened her shoulders, her smile fading.
    As they walked down the dark corridor, she glanced at the many doors on either side where others were already asleep.
    “Are you sure this is okay?”
    “Yes. I am the head of the monasteries in this region. No one will question me. We receive new recruits every week. There are always young folk seeking refuge and truth. You’ll fit in just fine.”
    Preeti was pleased by his answer. Desi was right to send them there. Preeti gave her pocket a little pat.
    Once they stopped at the door on the end, Errison pulled a long key from his cloak’s inner pocket. He opened the door and held it for Preeti.
    “This one is yours,” he said.
    Preeti stepped inside and glanced at the single cot, and a chest. The walls were so close that Preeti could almost stretch both arms out to her sides and touch the slick stone at the same time.
    “Where will Vineet sleep?”
    She became nervous about leaving Vineet’s side. They’d never been more than a wall apart, and in the past few months they’d been constantly by each other’s side.
    “He will be in the male quarters on the other side of the monastery,” Errison said. He nodded to the chest beneath the rectangular window. “You’ll find fresh clothes inside. I’ll have one of the other monks hang a cloak and Seer gear outside your door in the morning. You’re to wear it everywhere. Only top ranked missionaries wear that uniform, but it’s the only one that will make sense.” He lowered his voice. “No one can see those tattoos, and it covers the entire body.”
    Preeti nodded, wondering what a Seer was.
    “And have a new name picked out by breakfast,” he added. “I’ll see you then.”
    Watching them leave left Preeti feeling cold. When the door closed, the emptiness started to settle in. She already missed Vineet, but when she flopped onto her wool-covered cot, Desi flew from her pocket.
    A smile came to Preeti’s face as she watched the fairy twirl and light the small room with her bright glow.
    “Good,” Desi said. “This is