Guard

Mr Feathers turned its head away from Visha. He refused to face her directly out of his own guilt.

"What?" Visha screamed and stomped towards the already guilt ridden bird. She picked him up so she'd face him directly. Mr Feathers was still not looking straight at her and kept on trying to avoid her gaze.

"Is this really true? Were you purposely not helping me? You knew how important it was for me to get out of here and you still did this. Why?" she glared at him angrily. Mr Feathers could feel the rage boiling inside her. He knew she wouldn't back down till she got the explanation she wanted so he gave in. After a long sigh, he started to squawk and continued for a long time, as if explaining everything. Visha then turned to the beautiful woman to translate. Mr Feathers too turned towards her, since she was the only one who could understand him.

"He meant well. He says there was a danger outside and he wanted to protect you in return for healing him. He had asked his wife to go someplace safe while he kept you out of danger since he was feeling indebted. Says you should be grateful since he has never left his wife's side in centuries." she explained calmly. The haughtiness from before was nowhere to be seen anymore. She resented humans but since this little girl didn't seem to be one she had no reason to treat her like one. Even though she was curious about her identity, she wouldn't want to be the one to provoke her. Atleast not till she was entirely sure of what exactly she was and where her powers stood. Afterall, risks were not in her nature.

Visha's gaze grew softer as she listened to Mr Feathers' explanation. He had good intentions, she couldn't stay mad at such a good hearted one, right?

"Listen, Mr Feathers or should I say Grandpa Feathers, I'm not entirely sure." Visha sounded confused but this seemed to have offended the bird. She ignored and continued, "Thanks for your concern but I can't just hide out here while everyone out there is suffering. I have to help them and for that I need you. If you really do feel indebted then get me out of here and lead me to them." Visha blinked cutely at him a few times and Mr Feathers let out a long sigh before nodding.

Visha held him in her arms like before and started to walk towards the exit. The woman followed right behind her, finally she could get out of this cage. She didn't want to stay there for the rest of her extremely long life. She felt relieved to have finally found a way out. But before she could touch the bird Visha took a step back. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the outrageous little girl demanding an explanation.

"Who said we'd help you?" Visha asked her asher lips turned up in a wicked smile.

"How dare you? Didn't you say if I was helpful, then we could work together to get out of here?"

"I only asked for information so I could be of help. Now I did help you find a way out, but I never agreed to take you out."

The woman wanted to beat Visha to a pulp as she heard her. So this little girl had the audacity to play word games with her. She would definitely tear her to pieces for that. But right now she needed her so she couldn't hurt her or else there wouldn't even have been her corpse left behind. She'd have devoured her whole!

She grit her teeth trying to suppress the rage whirling inside her, "What do you want then?"

"You're very powerful, I can sense that. And there is someone dangerous out there, Mr Feathers can sense that. You need me to get out of here, and I need someone powerful around as soon as I get out of here. Maybe we could come up with some sort of arrangement." Visha said with a straight face as if she was just stating facts that had nothing to do with her.

"Fine. I'll offer you protection. After we get out of here." she had to give in. She needed this little twat to get out of this god forsaken place. As soon as they get out, she will have her head. Does this little bitch really think she could manipulate her?

"So you agree to offer me protection from the moment we step out of this place? Make a contract then." Visha knew that spirits were very cunning and she was not going to be at a disadvantage of any kind. No matter what, they are unable to break contracts. The woman's face started to twitch. This little twat was too smart, once she makes a contract with someone her powers would be bound according to that person. She had never made contracts with humans because that'd mean she'd be weak. But since this girl wasn't one, she should still be able to use all her powers.

A dagger appeared in her hands out of nowhere. It looked ancient with its hilt beautifully carved, its head looked like some sort of monster with a wide mouth, large fangs, and huge scary eyes. She made a cut on her hand and smeared the dagger with her blood. She then handed it over to Visha.

"I promise to protect you with my life from the moment we step out of this place."

Visha took the dagger and smeared her blood the same way.

"I promise to release you from your vow, as soon as I'm safe."

After that the dagger disappeared the same way it had appeared, into thin air.

"I'm the yakshini, Nati. And from now on, I shall be your guard."