VAANI - His Deadliest Desire

CHAPTER 18

Vani crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently as she stared down the nervous man in front of her.

Gyaan, the so-called spy Rudra had stationed outside

Arms crossed, her gaze sharp and unwavering. The man shifted nervously, his hands clenching and unclenching as he looked anywhere but directly at her.

"Madam, I did what you said," he said hurriedly, voice almost trembling. "But please—please don't let Chote Sarkar know anything. He'll kill me, madam. I have a family—"

Vani let out a slow, unimpressed exhale. "Kill you?" she repeated, her tone almost amused. She took a slow step forward, forcing him to meet her gaze. "What do you think will happen if I tell him you failed your job? That you stood here, watching, while I caught you red handed, knowing damn well I was two steps ahead of you? Tell me is this your first job?"

Gyaan stiffened. His lips parted like he wanted to argue, but no words came out.

Vani tilted her head, her smirk growing. "You really think Rudra will let you live if he finds out his most trusted man couldn't even keep tabs on someone even for few hours. Are you even trained enough for the work you have been hired for"

The man flinched. "Madam, I—"

"—Shhh," she interrupted, pressing her index finger to her lips in mock secrecy. "I can already imagine how disappointed he would be."

She took another step forward, lowering her voice just enough to make his blood turn cold. "You know how he punishes people who fail him, don't you? How he doesn't care about excuses? Tell me, Gyaan, have you ever seen how he deals with traitors?"

Gyaan's face drained of color. He had.

Everyone in Rudra's world had.

"Of course you have," Vani murmured, reading the fear in his eyes. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper, "And yet here you are, failing him."

The man's hands trembled slightly, and Vani knew she had him exactly where she wanted.

"Now," she continued, stepping back with a casual shrug. "I can either keep your little secret and let you live to see another day, or..." Her smile sharpened. "I can tell Rudra the truth."

Gyaan swallowed thickly. "Madam... I—"

"Choose wisely," she said, her voice all sweet and honeyed, like she wasn't threatening to end his life with just a few words.

He hesitated for a second, then dropped his head in defeat. "I-I will do as you say, madam."

Vani smirked. "Good."

She turned on her heels but then paused, glancing back at him. "And Gyaan, listen carefully," she said, her voice smooth, almost soothing. "Even if Rudra gets to know tomorrow, I will make sure nothing happens to you. Not even he will be able to harm you."

His eyes flickered with uncertainty, and she could see the slightest hope breaking through the terror.

"But," she continued, her tone turning icy, "if you dare go against me, even once... I won't need to tell Rudra anything."

Gyaan frowned in confusion.

"Because I will ask him to end your own life himself," she finished, voice calm, unwavering.

Vani was bluffing, of course. But he didn't need to know that.

Gyaan inhaled sharply, his face paling even more. He had seen people follow Rudra's orders without hesitation, even if it meant walking toward their own deaths. And for the first time, he wasn't sure who to fear more—Rudra or her.