Page 34 of Tiger's Dream
“When?”
“Does it matter?”
I shrugged, uncomfortable with the idea that Ana hadn’t even found this bird’s egg yet, and lifted the cage.
“He’s old now,” Kadam continued as he followed me to the door. “I thought I’d spare her his death, but it seems he wants to look upon her face when he leaves this world.”
Peering at the bird who twitched his head back and forth between us, I said, “I guess I can’t blame him for that.”
“Yes.” Kadam stared into my face with his too knowing eyes, then lowered his gaze, mumbling, “It’s appropriate to be near those you love when you depart from this world.”
I nodded, not knowing what to say, and he grasped my hand tightly. Kadam shook it slightly and I could feel the trembling in his fingers. He gave me a nod and said, “Best be heading back now.”
Then, with a little wave, I used the power of the Damon Amulet to take me back to Anamika in the past.
When I arrived at the place and time I’d left her, careful to give myself a few hours so as not to collapse the universe or risk crossing over into my own past by bumping into my former self, it was night. The sky above the trees was dark and speckled with stars. The heavy boughs of the trees shifted in the brisk wind. Their creaking signified a storm was coming.
I took the bird from his cage and gave him one last chance to leave, but he flew to the pocket of my shirt instead and tucked himself inside. Gently, I patted his warm little body and tossed his cage into the trees. “All right, then,” I said. “Let’s go find your mistress.”
It only took me a few seconds to locate Anamika’s scent. Her trail was barely noticeable. But since she was obviously following the hunters, I took the easier route and trailed the path they’d trod through the jungle. Two hours later, I was crouching at the edge of the tree line, deciding if I should head into the city and find her or if I should wait until the morning.
The storm decided me. It broke overhead, and the crisp breeze that had cooled the jungle chased me from it with a wet deluge that soaked me in moments. I headed into the city and followed Anamika’s scent until it ended in an alleyway between buildings. It was a particularly rotten-smelling alley too.
“Ana?” I hissed. When there was no answer, a prickle of worry bit at my nerves. “Ana!” I tried again.
“I am here,” an irritated voice answered.
I reached out into the darkness, groping wildly until my fingers caught hold of her silky hair, and I moved closer. A hand wrapped around my wrist, and a scowling goddess emerged from the shadows. The Rope of Fire was a golden belt bound around her waist, and the Divine Scarf was tied around her neck. I cursed the fact that we’d brought none of her weapons.
“Are you hurt?” I asked, running my hands over her shoulders and arms.
“Unhand me,” she groused and shoved my arms away. “I am not injured.”
“I should have left you the kamandal, just in case,” I said.
She scoffed. “Those hunters are no match for me, even with just my mortal abilities. I was never in any danger, Kishan. Unless you count the rats scrounging in the garbage dangerous.”
“You can never be too careful,” I said.
Tilting her head, her green eyes sparkling in the dark, she considered me. “What is wrong with you?” she asked shrewdly. “You are unnerved. Has something happened to our teacher?”
“No. Yes. Well, it will. And soon. He’s just…” I ran a hand through my hair. “He’s so tired. He’s close to the end, I think.”
She nodded soberly. “Has he agreed to help us then?”
“He did. But we’re on our own after this. He said he can’t assist us with the list going forward, but he was able to give me some suggestions for this particular situation.”
I told her all that had passed between Kadam and me. She listened carefully, pinching a lush lip between her teeth as her mind worked.
When I was done, she lifted her chin, pointing out the building across the street. “The hunters have congregated inside. I believe they are imbibing spirits. Ren is sequestered a few buildings down with the other animals. He is safe for the time being. The young man you impersonated has been sent out to find Anik Kadam, the buyer of the tiger, but he has since run off, for he knows no such man. His disappearance gives us an opportunity.”
“Agreed. It’s unlikely they’ll expect him back until tomorrow. Do you wish to return home and take your rest until then?” I asked.
Anamika shook her head. “I would rather remain close to Dhiren until we are assured of his safety.”
I blinked. “Yes, of course. Then it would seem we need to acquire accommodations of our own tonight. Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
Heading in the direction of the raucous noise coming from the building, I opened the door and stepped inside. It only took a moment to locate the innkeeper and inquire as to the possibility of a room. When I mentioned that I’d need two, one for me and one for my sister, the hunters perked up their ears. The few bawdy remarks I heard made me curse myself. Men were men no matter the century, and men such as them were always looking for trouble.
