Strangely Familiar - The Stolen Fate | On Hold

Chapter 12

"The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is the duty of the living to do so for them." - Lois McMaster Bujold

***

"Killed?" 

Rahil Kazmi stood rooted to the spot, his mouth agape as a wave of incredulity washed over him. He opened his mouth but no words came out; instead, confusion and disbelief glazed over his face. His head shook slowly from side to side in a desperate attempt to process what he had heard. "But... how? How is that even possible?" he stammered.

Naina sat beside him, her eyes focused on her hands as she fidgeted with a loose thread on her shirt. She chewed at her lips, hesitating before speaking. "Dunno," she finally said in a hushed voice.

They perched on a large boulder at the edge of the Glowing Fields. The lush fields were bewitched, radiating with light even in the blackness of night. An enchanting fountain was nearby, its ripples swaying gently in the breeze, and grasses rhythmically with each gust of wind, gracefully in harmony.  

Her brother's face turned a steely shade of grey and he slowly stood up, challenging her with a level stare. He deliberately emphasized each word as he spoke, "Let me get this straight," he said slowly, emphasizing each word as if to make sure he understood correctly. 

"You said a Forest Princess - that complete arse Royalty's prospective companion - invited you over for a cup of tea and then suddenly attacked you? Your magic went wild, spiraling out of control, and killed her - an immortal?" He dragged out the last word, emphasizing each syllable. "An Immortal? As in one who is not supposed to die?"

She furrowed her eyebrows and crossed her arms, her lips tightly pressed. "Doesn't make me feel any better now that you are writing an essay on it," she finally said, her voice dripping with indignation. 

"Hey, I am serious," Samraat said as Rahil Kazmi raised an eyebrow skeptically and shot him an incredulous look. He held back a scoff as he waited for the young man to explain himself further. "You killed a being who wasn't supposed to die?" A grin spread across Samraat's face, making Naina shift back in shock. "Wicked!" he exclaimed, seeming entirely too enthusiastic about the situation.

She was startled by the tone more than his words.  "Why do you find this amusing?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

A smug grin still graced his face as he uttered the words, "We aren't as powerless as they thought. Serves them right."

Her eyes widened in shock, her jaw muscles tightening as she exclaimed, "Stop!"

"I'm sorry!" He ran his hand through his hair, not looking very apologetic. His eyes lit up and a crooked grin spread across his face. "No - no I'm not! This is great news," he said, his voice cracking with excitement.

Naina leaned in, her eyes flashing with a mix of confusion, hurt, and accusation. "Two years ago, if anyone had told me I'd inadvertently take the life of someone who invited me for a cup of tea, and that you'd find it enjoyable..." Her words trailed off as she let out a dry laugh, "I would have thought they were mad." She paused to gauge her brother's reaction before continuing with a pointed stare. "But now here we are."

Samraat corrected her sternly. "Not someone. An Immortal. An Immortal who feels no human emotion and considers mortals to be inferiors - lowly creatures," he said, his expression grave. Naina gave a slight nod in understanding, remembering the few Immortals she had met who held such disdain for humans.

She cast a quick glance at the two of them before quickly looking away, her expression troubled. "You're only saying that to make me feel better," she said.