Chapter 64: Alya’s request
"Ravi, I would like to think that we are friends. I know something is bothering you, seeing you out of it is really worrying. Did something happen? Are you in some kind of trouble? Or is it the case? If that is the case, I can take you off it. Getting close to you is already so hard, so when you put these walls, I get scared. Whatever it is, I will do my best to help, and if I can’t help, at least I can listen?" He lowered his hand from his chin and placed it over his right hand, "You can talk to me, Ravi."
*****
"I greet her Majesty, The Black Impermanence." He folded both hands over each other and raised it to his forehead, bowing as he did so.
"Sentinel West. You may rise."
There was an awkward silence between the two of them for a minute. He did not know what to say to her and she in turn just watched him silently.
"You have been well." She said after a minute, she turned to look at Arlen who was sleeping, "And he, who is he? Your lover?"
Ravi moved to block Arlen from her view. She would not harm him, he knew but there would be some effect when someone like Alya stared at ordinary human people. Who can meet Death and still escape unscathed?
"He is just an ordinary human. He is of no consequence." He said curtly. Remembering Luxor made his breath hitch and he forced himself to be in control. Everything can happen later.
Of no consequence? Alya looked down at Ravi, his red-rimmed eyes, his trembling fingers, "You have changed and yet you have not."