Page 16 of Tiger's Dream
After a brief moment of scrutiny, Anamika sighed and then said, “I learned as a young woman to trust my teacher. He always seemed to know things before they happened.” She glanced up at me and then added, “We will do whatever is required of us.”
When I merely grunted, Kadam favored me with a sparkling gleam in his eye. I knew that look. He was pleased that we’d accepted a challenge. He’d worn a similar expression when I’d been particularly stubborn in weapons training as a young boy.
Kadam bowed to Anamika and, smiling warmly, said, “An open mind and a willing heart are the beginning of many a great adventure. Let’s get started.”
Chapter 4
Tokyo
Anamika gripped the arms of the pink diamond throne, her tension unnoticeable to anyone but me. I put my hand on her shoulder and tried to send her some soothing energy.
Kadam began hesitantly, “I’m not sure exactly where I should start.”
“Perhaps you should begin at the beginning,” Anamika teased lightly, but I still heard the gravity behind her light tone.
“Yes. Well, that’s the thing. There is no beginning. The timeline twists and turns, arching back on itself like a great ring. I only know where there are missing fragments waiting to be filled—what must be done to complete the circle.”
“Then tell us what must be done,” said Anamika quietly.
Kadam shifted and wrung the Divine Scarf in his hands. The colors of the scarf moved as swirls of black stole through the magical fabric.
When he raised his head, he looked at me and said quietly, “You must create the curse.”
My heart stilled at his words.
Anamika asked, “What do you mean by ‘create’ it?”
Kadam explained, “The curse that changed Kishan and Ren into tigers was not caused by Lokesh. The two of you did it.”
When Anamika began to ask how, I overrode her and demanded, “Why?”
Sighing, Kadam pinched the bridge of his nose and said, “There is not one part of this that the two of you didn’t have your hands in. When we visited the temples of Durga, the two of you were there. When Ren and Kishan were changed into tigers, it was you who caused it. The gifts of Durga found in the realms of Shangri-La, Kishkindha, the City of Lights, and the Seven Pagodas were all hidden there by…you.”
Anamika was rendered speechless and I also reeled from Kadam’s words.
Stammering, I muttered, “Are you saying that we brought this upon ourselves? That wecausedthe curse?”
“Caused is the wrong word. It’s more like…you orchestrated it,” Kadam said.
What insanity has gripped his mind? Weorchestrated the curse?What purpose would we have in doing that?Wasn’t it enough that I sacrificed the life I wanted with the girl I loved to play the role of Durga’s tiger?Is this the universe’s way of paying me back?Not only take away what I want the most but make me be the one to cause my own problems?
“I know what you’re thinking,” Kadam said.
Doubtful.
“You’re questioning everything. Your place in the world. Your purpose.”
I glanced at Anamika and found her listening quietly, hands demurely folded in her lap. She seemed more relaxed now.
Of course.To her this is merely another task to accomplish.She doesn’t care if what Kadam proposes ends up destroying my life.The curse of a tiger’s life doesn’t fall on her; it affects me.If I weren’t a tiger, I would…I would what?
Kadam continued, “I, too, had these concerns but then, when I thought it through, I realized that my sacrifices were for the good of my family, the good of mankind.”
The good of my family? The tiger’s curse destroyed my family. The good of mankind wasn’t number one on my priority list either, and I was pretty sure that if there was a way for Ana to give up being Durga, she’d go after it wholeheartedly.
“No,” I said.
Anamika looked up at me with a curious expression.
