Page 143 of Tiger's Destiny
“You are home,” a friendly voice answered.
“Home?”
I sat up and rubbed my eyes.Nilima!
I was sitting in a ray of sunshine in the foyer of Ren’s house.
She hugged me lightly, and we both turned when we heard a grunt.
“Ren?”
I crawled over to Ren as he blinked and sat up.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he cupped my cheek.
I pressed my hand on top of his. His eyes searched mine, and I knew he was asking about more than my physical health.
“I will be,” I answered softly.
We heard another moan and found Sunil sprawled on the thick carpet of the music room. Nilima stepped around us, and her eyes widened at the stranger.
Trying to get his bearings, Sunil stood and gaped openly at the grand piano, Ren’s guitars, and the giant stereo system gleaming before him.
“Welcome to our home,” Ren said. “We’ll put you in Kishan’s room for the time being.”
Sunil nodded distractedly as he stretched out his fingers to touch framed pictures and an antique lamp, but when Ren pulled Nilima into the room to make introductions, the stranger from centuries earlier ignored everything but the woman in front of him.
Sunil smiled disarmingly, and I was struck again by how handsome he was. His green eyes flashed as he took Nilima’s palm. Bowing, he pressed his forehead against her hand and said, “It is an honor to greet one so beautiful. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Nilima narrowed her eyes suspiciously and snatched her hand back. “You’re welcome.” Turning to Ren, she queried, “Who is he? And where is Kishan?”
“Kishan . . . won’t be returning,” Ren said softly.
Nilima turned questioning eyes to me. I swallowed and nodded as I felt the pain of leaving Kishan creep back up my throat.
“Tell me we haven’t lost him too,” she entreated.
“He has not passed on, dear lady,” Sunil explained. “He has stayed in the past to take care of my sister.”
“Who is your sister and why is she worthy enough to demand his attention?” Nilima asked hotly, tears in her eyes.
“My sister is the goddess Durga. Your brother Kishan has become the tiger Damon. He is to serve alongside her.”
“I see,” Nilima nodded and took a step backward, stumbling a bit.
Regret stole over Sunil’s face. “Forgive me. I am sorry to bear news that causes you pain.”
Ren put his arm around Nilima. “We have much to tell you.”
She wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders. “Perhaps you’d better tell me everything that has happened over the last six months. It’s June already.”
Ren and I couldn’t believe so much time had passed. The four of us went to the Peacock room and spent all afternoon speaking of our travels. Sunil asked many questions about how we obtained the gifts for Durga and was fascinated by the Fire Realm. I sat next to Ren and didn’t say much. I just listened to his warm voice as he patiently answered question after question.
Later that night I called my foster family. Nilima had been sending them cards from me, but it was good to hear their voices. Mike and Sarah had a thousand questions and stories to tell. They weren’t my parents, but they too were part of what I’d come to call home and talking with them helped ease the ache of missing Kishan a little.
At sunset, Nilima brought in food, but I found I didn’t have much of an appetite. Ren kept me close by wrapping his arm around me. I fell asleep cuddled on Ren’s chest to the sound of the three of them quietly talking.
Waking abruptly in pitch darkness, I discovered I was lying in my bedroom upstairs. Automatically my hand shot out over the side of the mattress, searching for my tiger. He wasn’t there. Sleepily, I stumbled to the sliding balcony door and opened it.
