The Sentinels gayatri

--and then she was gone, running toward the sea. he followed, breath coming hard and fast, unsure of where she was leading him--or why. she cast a look back that sent electricity through him and then plunged into the surf, the gilded form swallowed by gray-green water.

haye bhagwaan, govinda murmured, and followed after her, his legs moving without volition. the waves spatter against his chest, his face; he loses his footing once or twice, eyes squinted nearly shut against the brine. lilia--or what he thinks is lilia--is close by, and he half stumbles, half paddles toward her, laughing despite himself.

what are you doing?! he asked, pitching his voice high and loud above the insistent roar of the ocean.