upon all those who displeased the Wild God. As the chariot drove past a tavern, Ishvari caught sight of men reclining upon divans, calling out for more arrak, more wine, more dancing girls. A dancer—with painted eyes and naked breasts whose nipples were painted with gold—performed on the sidewalk to the lascivious cheers of onlookers, diaphanous skirts twirling around her lithe body. Lured by the excitement, the demon leapt into the space between Ishvari’s eyes with an ecstatic howl. “Leave!” she screamed, slamming her head against the side of the chariot. “In the name of the Wild God, get out!”

Mandakini seemed equally stupefied by the surrounding chaos. At Ishvari’s scream, the housekeeper placed her arms comfortingly about her mistress. Ishvari closed her eyes; h...

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