Page 110 of Tiger's Dream
Her hand twirled and then directed the glittering cloud toward my hand where it encompassed the snake. With a pop of bright light, the bits of gold were sucked into the snake’s body. Her long form took on a familiar sheen, and the patterns of her scales were now edged with a shimmery outline.
“There now,” Ana said. “Go ahead and give it a try.”
With that, the snake curled around her fingers and then her body stilled and shrank until she had turned into a golden ring with jeweled eyes.
Stretching out a finger, I ran my hand over the snake’s head. “Are you sure it’s her?” I asked.
“It is Fanindra,” Ana promised. “She was born of the phoenix egg. You were witness to both her birth and her death.”
“But how is it possible?”
“How is anything we do possible?”
“And…and she speaks to you?”
“She told me that only those she’s bitten can hear her. Kelsey thought it was her own mind telling her things or that it was the guidance of the goddess or her mother, but she could hear Fanindra, too, when it was necessary. We are new to her now, but she said she is happy to be with us.” Ana looked down on the snake fondly. “And though she is her own person, or in this case, snake, she does not mind that you gifted her to me.”
“What…what did you do to her?”
“I gave her the ability to transform. Do you remember how Lokesh used the amulet to fashion new creatures?”
I nodded.
“The magic itself is not evil, but he forced changes on the unwilling. Phet, or Kadam, as you know him, told me that we would be required to harness the same power. He didn’t tell me everything, of course, but he told me that Fanindra would lead the way.” She stretched out a hand, touching my arm. “Are you ready, Sohan?”
“I am.”
“Would you mind if we made one stop before we begin?”
“I am at your service, Goddess.”
Anamika’s face fell for a moment, but then she took in a breath and gave me a small smile. We were whisked away and materialized at a very familiar place.
“Ana!” I hissed. “Why are we here?”
“Shh,” she answered and yanked me behind the towel closet. She touched her hand to the amulet and I felt the shift as we became invisible.
I was about to question her again when I heard a splash and an outraged gasp. “Sunil!”
A deep laugh quickly followed. Ana took my hand and led me closer so we could get a better view of the two people by the pool. Under an umbrella, lying on an outdoor lounge chair, was Nilima. Her legs were dripping and she huffed impatiently as she wiped the water from the book she was reading.
“I was not aware that you were reading,” he said, though it was obvious he knew she was. “I apologize if I damaged your book.”
“It’s fine,” she groused. “Just don’t do it again.”
Sunil folded his arms on the edge of the pool and propped his chin on them. “Are you certain you do not wish to join me?” he asked. “The water is cool and you look hot.”
His smile was a mile wide and Nilima’s brows narrowed as she scowled at him. “Stop using that phrase.”
“What…hot?” he asked innocently.
“I never should have taught you what that means.” She lifted the book so it blocked him from view.
Sunil hoisted himself out of the water and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. He dried his hair with another and tossed the damp towel on top of Nilima’s legs.
“Sunil!” she said again and jumped up, grabbing the towel and throwing it at his face. He caught it easily and darted after her but she kept the chair between them. He approached slowly, grinning, while she picked up her large and very full glass of lemonade. Sunil’s eyes narrowed.
“You wouldn’t,” he said.
