"You were granted life with a purpose, not as a choice. So uniting with Death isn't your choice either. Stay in the arms of Life."

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 "How may we help you?" One of the Fates rose from her seat, silently floating towards me.

Her canary dress glittered with speckled blood rubies. The strong oily liquid swirled in her glass as she sipped it lazily, her eyes scanning over me.

"I-um-I..."

"Yes?" Her voice was surprisingly gentle.

"I'm a new intern in the House of Kuber. Mr Kuber sent me here as a personal fashion advisor for you three, Madame," I drawled, making up lines on the spot.

She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," I blurted, "I'm new here and quite lost. I didn't mean to barge into your evening relaxation time."

"It's okay, honey. We can keep her, can't we, Atropos?"

The second sister had somehow appeared at her side.

"She does really seem lost, Clotho," the first sister mumbled. Honey dripped from each word. Her voice was almost like a lullaby.

"I think we should let Kuber know his intern has reached here safely. There are so many places to get lost in the underworld, when you don't belong here, little Yakshini." The third sister gave me a lazy grin, still playing with the water.

"No," I panicked.

Clotho and Atropos frowned.

"I mean, I wasn't supposed to reveal to you all about me being an intern. Doesn't look good on the reputation of Mr Kuber to hire inexperienced staff," I said slowly, trying to cover up. "But I told you all honestly, because you three seem kind enough."

 "Kind enough?" Clotho laughed.

Atropos gave a sly smile too, "You are really cute."

"Please don't say that to Mr Kuber." I gave them one of my puppy-eyed looks."And you being women, would understand how the big bad male ego is. He says he doesn't want me acting like a kid."

"We know the male ego, girl," Atropos said.

"And to crush someone's big ego, we recently took some measures." Clotho nudged her sister.

"And the look on his face," Atropos tittered.

"And that little imp of his was shaking like a dry leaf." Clotho shrugged.

There was no doubt whom they were speaking about. Mrithun hissed at the other end of my earpiece. I almost jumped. I had completely forgotten that he was listening.

"Who is it, Madame?" I inquired, faking enthusiasm. I had to get in their good books.

"Death. We replaced him with the new age technology. What a shame!"

Mrithun growled. For a brief second, I was afraid they could hear his rage, but they were still nudging each other and giggling like spoiled rich women. I felt anger burn through my system. I couldn't afford to lose my calm just yet, so I gulped some air and kept quiet.

"Wow, I wish I could see that machine," I said, trying to change the topic.

"Ah, girl. Stay for a few days here with us and we may show you," Atropos lulled. Her dark chocolate lips twisted in an alluring smile. Who would know what vile secrets were hidden behind the enticing beauty of the Fates? Hell was definitely a mirage of peace.

"I hope I can prove myself worthy of being here," I breathed. My eyes darted to the third sister.

Lachesis was sitting still, unmoving. Her eyes were trained on me, calm and calculating. I had a strange feeling that she could see through my disguise. It was a frightening thought.

She gave a knowing smile.

I flinched.

I bet none of the other sisters noticed.

"Good job. I'm proud of you," Mrithun breathed from the other side.

I almost smiled. His encouragement made me feel elated. Mrithun was proud of me. My inner self did a small pirouette in a pink tutu.

It also made me realise the power dynamics between the Fates. The weaver and the cutter of the thread of life were boisterous, noisy showoffs. The real power rested with the measurer of the thread. She is the one who actually alloted destinies to us. We were all puppets in her hand, but she never showed off her powers. But she analysed more and watched more.

"Mani." Atropos clapped her hands.

A man popped out of a swirling cloud of mist.

"Yes, mistress?" He gave a quick bow.

"Please make arrangements in the quarters for..." Clotho pointed at me.

"I'm Tora," I supplied.

"Yes, Tora is a new apprentice with your Dad. She will stay with us for a while."

Dad? This young man was Kuber's son? Oh shit!

"Keep calm, keep calm." Mrithun's voice rang out in alarm.

"Apprentice is by rank only. It doesn't define skills. I bet she's more efficient in her work than my Dad," Mani said calmly.

"Don't like your Dad much, eh?" Atropos commented, unfiltered as usual.

I stopped breathing for a second. What was happening?

Mani's cobalt eyes studied me intently for a moment.

"I don't think a one-night affair with my mother, gives him the right to be called my father," he seethed.

Clotho and Atropos rolled their eyes in the most insulting way. I felt like strangling them right there. They were truly unfeeling. Emotions had no place in their dictionary.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said quietly.

"Why are you sorry for something that happened ages ago?" he laughed. "Sorry if my anger seemed directed at you."

"It's okay I..."

"I'm Manibhadra. Some call me the God of Property." He extended his hand. "I didn't know a new Yakshini was born recently."

"Um..." I took his hand gingerly, afraid of being zapped at any moment. I heaved a sigh of relief when nothing happened. I had been kissed by Death before too. Touching other underworldly beings shouldn't be a problem. What a fool I was!

"Where were you born, Tora?" he asked again. His hands were rough and calloused. His long fingers lingered for a moment longer than I would've preferred, but it didn't feel awkward. There was something friendly in his gaze.

"What will you do by knowing her history?" Atropos snapped. "Lots of them are born here and there. Sometimes even in the human world. You can't expect to keep track of them all since you're a Yaksha yourself."

He was a Yaksha too?

It was then I noticed his skin wasn't almond like the Fates. There was a bluish tinge to it. Exquisite silver tattoos marked every inch of his powder blue skin. Strong muscles rippled beneath his bottle-green shirt. And he was handsome, like crush material handsome—chiselled jaw, sharp features, toned body.

"He's handsome, I know." Somewhere in my head, Mrithun chuckled.

Not more than you—I thought in my head. Somehow I preferred the softness of Mrithun's facial featured to the perfect Adonis features of Mani.

Someday I wish Mrithun could hear my thoughts clearly.

But then did I want him to know everything?

"Not yet," I chuckled under my breath.

"What?" Mani asked, perplexed.

"Nothing. Please lead me." I gestured to him, putting on my brightest smile.

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A/N What do you think of Mani and what will be his role in the entire game?

Mythology Reference

Manibhadra is one of the major yakshas. He is also referred to as the God of Property . He was a popular deity in ancient India. Manibhadra was the son of Kubera and his wife, Bhadra. In Ramayana, Manibhadra fought with Ravana to defend Lanka but failed. In the Mahabharata Manibhadra is mentioned along with Kubera as a chief of the yakshas.