Chapter 54

If women want rights more than they got,

Why don’t they just take them,

And not be talking about it.

.

—Sojourner Truth

.

PAREESA

The sky canoe hovered over her like a fat, squat vulture. A vortex of calm opened up in the wall of sand, providing an unimpeded view of the underside of the ship. A single, round orb rotated to stare down at her. The evil eye watched her. Malignant. Baleful. Waiting for the enemy to collect their bounty by severing Mikhail's head.

“Pareesa?”

Somebody shook her.

Ancient rage rattled every fiber of her being, though whether it was her hatred, or that of the old god, she could not be certain. Using every ounce of strength her mortal body possessed, she heaved her spear at that malignant, reflective, shiny orb. The spear flew true, straight into the Evil One……