Page 142 of Tiger's Destiny
“The transformation is done. The beast is mortal.” Phet stepped forward and clasped Ren’s shoulder. His eyes were also full of tears. “Congratulations, son.”
Ren put his hand on his chest and gasped. “It . . . he’s . . . gone. The tiger is gone.”
“You are a mortal once again,” Phet said. “You will live a normal life span as if you were starting over again at twenty-one years of age.”
Phet approached me and took my right hand. He pressed his over mine until the henna tattoo he’d given me glowed red and then faded. He patted my newly naked right hand. Turning away, he flicked the Rope. Fire shot down the length of it. He whipped it into a circle to open a vortex.
Phet announced, “Three of you came to the past, and three must return. Sunil?”
“No!” Durga gasped in shock. “You willnottake my brother.”
“One that they love for one that you love, Anamika. This is how the universe maintains balance.”
“It is not fair! My burden is too heavy to bear!”
“Damon will help you,” Phet counseled.
She narrowed her eyes at Kishan, who accepted her scrutiny with patience.
Turning to her brother, she took his hands. “I never asked for this,” she said with a voice cracking with tears.
“Shh, Mika,” Sunil said. “It will be alright. Phet told me about this last night, and I agreed.” He gripped her arm and explained. “There is no longer a place for me here, dear sister. The armies look to you now. You are their leader. If I stayed by your side, I would only remind them that you were once human. Men will test you, question you, and use me as an excuse to try to strip the power from you. It must be made known that Anamika and Sunil Kalinga died in this battle. Durga survived, and it is Durga you must now become. Hold this power close. Guard it. The world is in your hands, my sister. It is not easy leaving you, but for you to take your true place in history, I must.”
“How will I do this knowing my brother exists in another time, another place?”
“The same way I will. I will send my wishes to you in the stars. I’m so proud of you, Mika.” He kissed his twin sister on both cheeks.
“I will miss you, Sunil.”
“And I will think of you every day.”
He clutched Kishan’s arm. “Will you care for my sister?”
“I will protect her with my life,” Kishan pledged.
The two men studied each other for a moment before Sunil nodded. We all took a final sip from thekamandalso the pressure of the universe would be less heavy to bear.
I turned to look into Kishan’s golden eyes one last time. He smiled softly, and I whispered, “I love you.”
Then Ren took my hand, and together we ran for the vortex, Sunil at our side.
As I jumped through, I heard Kishan say softly, “Good-bye,bilauta.”
Thoughts dragged sharp claws across my heart, threatening to tear it open. I closed my eyes and whispered to the universe to please take care of Kishan and give him the life he deserved.
Pressing Kishan’s ring to my lips, I gave myself up to the darkness.
promises
Kelsey. Miss Kelsey. Wake up!”
Someone shook my shoulder, and I groaned.
“Come on, Miss Kelsey Please.”
“Listen, bossy warrior Barbie, let me sleep,” I grumbled and rolled over onto cold, smooth tile.
Placing my palm down on the hard surface and propping myself up, I cracked open a crusted eye. “Where am I?”
