Page 80 of Tiger's Quest
I snickered. “Yeah. So what is it with you and unattainable women anyway?”
The light faded from his eyes, and he visibly withdrew into himself. He grimaced. “Yes. You’re right, Kelsey.” He laughed at himself dryly. “Maybe I can find a support group.”
I giggled but then became sad. “I’m sorry, Kishan. That wasn’t very nice of me to say.”
Smiling ruefully, he held out his hand. “Don’t worry about it, Kells. I’ve still got you. Remember, you’re my warp and I’m your weft.”
“Yeah. Not too flattering for me, eh?”
“You’re a beautiful warp.”
“Hmm, I don’t think my warp drive is operating within normal parameters.”
He tilted his head, confused. “What’s a warp drive?”
I winced. “Sorry. Dad was a Trekkie. I couldn’t resist.”
“A Trekkie?”
“I’ve got to introduce you toStar Trek. It’s a television seriesandnot one but several movies. You may like it.” I mumbled, “Too bad Scotty can’t beam us out of this crazy life, huh?”
Kishan’s brows knit together in confusion. He had no idea what I was talking about.
“Just ignore me. Someday, when we’re not fighting demons, I’ll teach you all about science fiction. We’ll start easy. Maybe withE.T.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you say, Kells.”
I teased, “Come on,ebony one. Let’s go find Mr. Kadam.”
He grinned. “After you, my lovely.”
I rolled my eyes at him again and headed down the stairs. “Didn’t get enough flirt time in with the goddess, huh? Well, knock it off. It doesn’t work on me, anyway.”
He laughed and followed me downstairs. “Then I’ll keep trying until I find something that does.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Casanova.”
“Who’s Casanova?”
“Never mind.”
The moon had disappeared behind the clouds, and the temple walls and floors were covered with the same grime and dust as when we entered. Kishan took my hand again, and together we stepped out into the dark night.
14
The Friendship Highway
We met Mr. Kadam outside the temple. When we asked if he’d noticed the statue moving, he said that he hadn’t. He hadn’t felt the wind either. I told him that he should come with us next time. He always took the look-out position and said he had assumed that Durga would appear only for me and the tigers. He thought that his presence might deter us from our course.
I teased, “Of course, if you did come along, you’d probably fall under Durga’s spell the way Kishan did, and then I’d have to bringbothof you out of your love stupor.”
Kishan scowled at me while Mr. Kadam’s face lit up with delight. “The goddess is beautiful, then?”
I responded, “She’sokay.”
Kishan began gushing, “Her beauty surpasses all other women. Her ruby lips, soft limbs, and long dark hair would be enough to cause any man to lose control of his faculties.”
I scoffed, “Oh,please!Exaggerate much?Rennever reacted that way.”
