Vulture by Rhiannon Paille Page A

or uncross his arms as he scowled at someone across the room. She followed his gaze but couldn’t comprehend who he was angry with. “Pux is foolish,” Krishani said. Her heart dropped. “But he’s happy you’re back.”
    “I was wondering when we would get to welcome you back,” Shimma said, appearing from the crowd. She snaked around one last big oaf and lingered beside Krishani. Kaliel watched her like a hawk, her expression turning to stone.
    “Why are you here?” she asked accusingly.
    Shimma looked at Krishani. “It’s definitely Kaliel.”
    Krishani didn’t move, but he stopped scowling. He took a deep breath, his expression weary. “Shimma was rather helpful after I left Avristar.”
    Shimma blushed. “Yes well, I only stitched you up. You caused all the trouble yourself.” She didn’t wait for a response, but her eyes met Kaliel’s before she crossed the room. Kaliel noticed both Kuruny and Kazza at the dining table and felt dizzy. Nausea swept into her, both at the sight of the witches and at what Shimma had said.
    “She had to heal you? From what? Krishani, why are they here?”
    Krishani pulled her into the fold of his arms. She didn’t struggle against his grip but she was unnerved. His mouth dropped to her ear, his lips skimming the tip.
    “They helped me find the other Flames and face Crestaos. They’re not my enemies anymore,” he whispered.
    Kaliel blinked, thinking about what he said about the other Flames. She gripped him tighter, distress pulling her muscles taut. She didn’t care what they had done for Krishani, to her they would always be her enemies. “Come, let’s dance,” she said, trying to distract herself from the tension surrounding them.
    * * *

6 - True Names
    Kuruny flipped her hair over her shoulder and shot Shimma a disapproving stare. Shimma shied away and sat, picking at chicken bones. She didn’t want to talk about what happened with Krishani and the new Kaliel. It was too awkward to watch Kaliel giggle and skip around the dance floor like nothing had happened. She was acting like they were in Avristar, like she hadn’t died and Krishani hadn’t almost become a Vulture. She was acting like Krishani hadn’t killed someone in cold blood. Shimma snapped a chicken bone in half and pushed it away, wiping her hands down her clean blue dress. She glanced at Kuruny, clad in an unseemly gray tunic to her ankles. It wasn’t formed with a bodice or proper neckline, almost like a burlap sack.
    “Are you satisfied then?” Kuruny asked, her black eyes meeting Shimma’s. Today they were stormy and sharp. She looked away and watched the villagers dance. Kaliel’s laughter frothed from the midst of the crowd and she grabbed another chicken bone and plucked grizzle off it.
    “No,” she began. The bone snapped and she shoved it away. “No I’m not okay alright?” She folded her hands in her lap wiping chicken grease between her legs. The heavy weight against her chest wasn’t going away. She didn’t intend to feel anything for Krishani; he wasn’t likeable to begin with, but there was something vulnerable about him underneath all that hardness. She saw why Kaliel never questioned his love for her. He was loyal and tender when it counted most.
    All of the men she had been with were rough and dishonest. In return she was the same, not expecting it to last very long. She used men for what she could gain. She had no interest in raising a family and settling down. Not with a man anyway.
    Kazza chuckled softly. “She’s hopeless, Kuruny. She still thinks she can be close to him.” Kazza went to stand but Shimma got up first, rounded the table and grabbed Kazza’s shoulder, pinching it hard between her thumb and forefinger. The beads around Kazza’s neck clanked in response.
    “How’s that wound healing, dear sister?” She snickered, digging her fingers in harder until Kazza gasped.
    “Enough,” Kuruny said like she was bored. “You’ll only cause him misery if