Page 33 of A Shade Too Far
He planted himself in front of it and crossed his arms. “Don’t be a dick.”
Naveen returned to sullenly poking around behind the fridge with the screwdriver.
Daya pulled a bright box out of the cupboard. “How about lemon ginger?”
“Sounds good,” I replied.
“Didi,” Naveen said from behind the fridge. “It’s time for her to go.” He grunted, the screwdriver scraping against something.
Daya mugged at me. “Ooh, he’s broken out the Hindi.” She planted her hands on her hips. “You’re being incredibly rude, chota bhai. And you’re going to break the refrigerator.”
My footsteps faltered. Oh. She had no clue about my magic.
I’d hidden who I was for so long and it was such a relief to have it out in the open. Daya had been a good friend at one point and if we were going to resume that relationship, I wanted to move forward on a foundation of truth. I’d made peace with who and what I was, and though my stomach twisted at potentially losing her friendship for good, at least I’d lose it with my head held high. Nor did I want to continue to catch up if she shared Naveen’s prejudices.
I cleared my throat. “I’m a Banim Shovavim.”
Daya slammed the box of tea on the counter.
In my head, my house of cards shook.
I twisted my old engagement ring around my finger, my happiness leaking out of me like a deflating balloon. However, I could deal with my emotions later. “Naveen, please hear Laurent out, because one person has already died, and another is in danger.” I motioned toward the front door. “I’ll wait outside.”
Daya narrowed her eyes and raised her hand.
I flinched, anticipating a magic attack, but she smacked the counter.
“Did you honestly believe I would toss a friend out of my home for that?” she said.
The house of cards stilled and held.
Naveen swung his head to me, holding the screwdriver like he was going to shank me, and his brows furrowed like I’d pulled a Jedi mind trick on his sister. Shaking his head, he turned back to her. “Are you not listening? She’s a BS, just like—” He pressed his lips together.
Laurent sighed and looked down at the floor.
“The person who killed my Rishi.” Daya’s tone could cut glass.
I gasped. “Oh, Daya. I’m so sorry.” The two of them had been a couple forever. I’d met Rishi once and had a vague memory of an intelligent man with a wry sense of humor.
While it was unfair to paint all Banim Shovavim with the same brush, understanding why Naveen hated my kind lessened the insult somewhat. I rubbed my palms against my thighs. Had I done the same to him by writing him off as another prejudiced Ohrist without bothering to learn if there was a genuine reason behind his feelings?
Daya nodded at me absently, her focus on her brother. “Don’t ever use Rishi as an excuse for your hate again. You dishonor everything he stood for when you do that.”
Naveen’s head bowed lower and lower under her words, as if they very precisely flayed strips off him.
“Sit down, Miri,” she said gently. “We will have tea and you and Laurent will tell us what you need.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. Had our situations been reversed, I’m not sure I could have managed the level of grace and forgiveness she exemplified. With a watery smile, I hugged her, hard. “Thank you.”
She patted my back. “Don’t be daft. Now sit.” She pointed a finger at Naveen and Laurent. “That means you two numbskulls as well.”
Laurent slid into the chair closest to me.
“Scared, are we?” I said quietly.
“She once gave Nav a detailed rundown on the order and manner in which she would break every bone in his body.” Laurent didn’t bother lowering his voice. “Daya doesn’t need magic to be terrifying.”
She put the kettle on the stove and blew him a kiss. “That’s why I adore you, Laurent. You always say the sweetest things. And for the record, I’m perfectly happy that both myself and Evani dodged that bullet.” Banim Shovavim powers didn’t kick in until puberty, but Ohrists were born with theirs. Huh. So, she and Evani were Sapien. “In my experience, magic doesn’t make people happier.” Daya opened a cupboard. “Baby brother, I’m giving you until the count of three to stop being a git and join us.”
