Free Devi by Unknown Page B

thought she would trust more humans, yet she had, and knew they would not betray her. Hell, she even liked Dave. He and January dating took some getting used to, but at least she seemed happy.
    So why aren’t you happy, too? You have a great man. Friends and a life for a change.
    Devi squeezed her eyes closed. She didn’t need to think about telling him now. She would—much later.
     
    * * * *
     
    Indulgently, Devi watched as Rhodes ran after his niece and nephew up the trail. She liked seeing him so carefree with the two kids. They were precious and fun. They had taken to her and she was already half in love with them.
    The kids shrieked as Rhodes chased them. She strolled behind them. She nodded to the other park patrons as she kept an eye on Rhodes and the kids. Rhodes trotted back to her with a child held under each arm. C-man, as Rhodes called his nephew, reached for her. She took him and cuddled him.
    “This is fun. I wish we could have brought Pebbles,” C-man said.
    “I know. But she needed her shots, so we left her with Ashia. We’ll get her later,” she promised.
    “Okay. Down.” He squirmed.
    She put him down. Rhodes put down his sister. The two dashed up the trail.
    “Not too far,” she called.
    “You would make a great mother,” Rhodes said.
    Devi looked at him, startled. Rhodes put his arm over her shoulder and they walked behind the children. Devi glanced towards the kids. Not seeing them, she frowned. She hurried away from Rhodes, towards the crossway of the path.
    “Where did they go?” Rhodes asked.
    C-man stumbled from the bushes, crying hysterically. They ran to him.
    “Where’s your sister?” Rhodes said.
    “The man grabbed her,” he whimpered.
    “What man?” Rhodes demanded.
    Devi narrowed her eyes and flared out with her power. Feeling him, Devi hissed at the familiar taint of evil. She shimmered, and appeared by him. The man glanced up from the prone body. His eyes widened.
    “I warned you.” She bound him in place.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it!” he cried.
    His cap was pulled low over his eyes, shielding his features from her and rendering him visually unrecognisable. She waved her hand, magically knocking off his hat. The same man who had accosted her in the park before now gazed at her. His eyes were wide and frightened.
    She waved her hand and his hourglass appeared. “Your time is up.”
    The empty hourglass rotated. She made him vanish.
    Devi leant down over Rhodes’ niece. She healed the little girl and wiped the memory of what had happened from her mind. Thankfully, he hadn’t touched her inappropriately, just frightened her into falling.
    The little girl sat up. There was confusion on her face.
    “No more wandering away.” Devi pushed her hair back from her face.
    “Sorry.” The little girl smiled sheepishly.
    A sound made Devi look up. Rhodes stood a little way away from them. The grim look on his face made her breath catch. He walked over and lifted his niece.
    Devi opened her mouth.
    “Later,” he said stiffly.
    She shut her mouth.
    “Are you okay, sweetie?” Rhodes asked.
    ”I’m okay. Sorry.”
    “For—?”
    “I took the memory from her and C-man,” Devi interrupted.
    Rhodes looked at her sharply. Devi didn’t say anything else.
    He turned and strode back to the trail. In silence, they returned to the SUV and headed home. That, too, was done in silence.
    At his house, Rhodes helped the kids out of the car and they all went inside. He set them up with a video. Rhodes strode into the kitchen, then outside. Devi followed him, noticing how rigid his back was.
    “What are you?” His voice was soft and angry.
    “I’m a goddess,” she admitted.
    “What is your name?”
    “Devi.”
    “Your real name.” Rhodes glanced at her, his eyes fierce.
    “Renpet.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded.
    “I wasn’t sure if you could accept it.” Devi’s chest was tight.
    “You didn’t even give me a chance to.” He turned