Forest of Demons by Debbie Cassidy Page A

motion.
    He slipped onto the stage and whispered, “Keep singing until I tell you to stop.”
    She looked into the moving shadows, and caught a flash of blue ringed with white. The song died.
    A rakshasa leaped into the circle of fire, straight onto a young woman clutching a baby. A bloodcurdling scream filled the air. The villagers turned to watch almost curiously as the woman was devoured.
    The world was still except for the tearing of flesh, and then the rakshasa raised its head and howled.
    The dazed crowd erupted into action, scattering in the same moment as the rest of the beasts attacked.
    Ravi cursed, grabbed her hand, and swung her round, lifting her up and over his shoulder. Her face banged against his silk-clad back as he ran through the frenzied crowd. The air was filled with screams and snarls.
    Something smacked into the back of her head with a wet thud. She looked up to see a disembodied arm roll away.
    Her mind shut down. She tucked herself against Ravi and closed her eyes.
     
    Ravi didn’t set her back on her feet until they were safely within the confines of the smithy. He ran around slamming the shutters closed and bolting them.
    “This is one of the strongest buildings in the village. We should be safe here,” he said.
    Priya stood shivering in the center of the room. How was this happening? How were the Rakshasa here, in the village? They never came into the village.
    “I don’t understand . . . what’s happening?”
    Ravi finished reinforcing the door and moved toward her. He cupped her shoulders with his large hands. “It doesn’t matter how they’re here, what matters is that they are, and we need to survive until dawn.” His lip curled in disgust. “The filth will retreat at dawn.”
    “How can you be so sure? They’ve attacked in daylight before.”
    “Daylight has little to do with anything aside from weakening them slightly. They’ll retreat because they’ll be weary. They’ll be sated. They will sleep.”
    “How can you know so much?”
    Ravi released her, turning away. “The world is much larger than the constricted beliefs of this tiny village. I’m sure your visit to the capital will broaden your horizons considerably.”
    The mention of her impending trip sent a stab of horror through her. “My parents! I have to go!” She ran to the door, but he snagged her by the waist pulling her back.
    “Are you insane? You’ll be ripped to shreds.”
    Priya sagged. He was right, but she couldn’t just sit here and wait. “There must be something we can do.”
    Ravi’s arm around her waist tensed.
    “There is something. You know something. Tell me!” She twisted in his arms wanting to see his face, wanting to know if he lied to her.
    Ravi averted his gaze cursing softly under his breath. “I think . . . I think you should sing.”
    “What?”
    “I don’t know how or why, but I think you’re singing is what brought them here.”
    She stared at him in horror. “You’re saying I did this?”
    “I don’t know! I could be wrong. We’ll know soon enough once we step out those doors.”
    “Sing? I sing and they what? Stop attacking, is that it?” He was crazy. The whole thing was insane!
    Ravi shrugged. “Or we stay here and wait till dawn.”
    While Ma and Papa could possibly be ripped to shreds, the rakshasas battering down their flimsy door to get to their flesh. Ravi’s idea was insane, but it was all they had. She had to believe it would work.
    “We go.”
     
    She stood behind Ravi, a length of metal clutched in her right hand, just in case, as Ravi had put it. He brandished his shaping hammer, one hand on the door handle.
    “What should I sing?” Her voice trembled.
    “I don’t think it matters.”
    Priya nodded. He opened the door and they stepped out.
    The noise that had been muted by the thick smithy walls hit them in a sickening wave.
    Three sleek shadows lifted their heads from their meal, swivelling to pin them with their glistening pale blue eyes.