Page 91 of Tiger's Destiny
I would have preferred for the tree to remain still, but the vines were already in motion. The Chimera was nuzzling Ren when it suddenly froze and swung its head toward the tree. I’d hidden behind the trunk, but the creature sniffed the air, lowered its head, and growled softly. It stalked toward the tree and despite the “love” bites Ren gave her and the snorting and stomping of Kishan’s feet, they could no longer distract the creature from the call of duty.
I looked up and saw the tree was lowering a plaited length of black rope. The Chimera was almost upon me. She crouched on one side of the tree and sniffed the air.
Ren changed into a man and shouted, “Kelsey! Run to me as fast as you can!”
I heard the snarl of the Chimera, but she didn’t waver from her stance. I gathered my courage, then darted around the other side of the tree and ran toward Ren just as Kishan leapt on the Chimera’s back. The two cats rolled, but the Chimera shoved the black tiger aside and galloped quickly toward me. Kishan morphed back into human form, unsure what the Chimera would do next.
Instead of attacking, the beast leapt over me and positioned herself in front of Ren, as if defending him—even though Ren was no longer a tiger.
The Chimera snarled, and I felt the heat of her breath wash over me.
“What do I do?” I whispered quietly.
The Chimera circled Ren’s human body, licked his arm, and rubbed her head against his leg.
“She’s defending her mate,” Kishan answered as he carefully approached me.
“But he’s a man now,” I hissed.
“She still sees him as a cat. She has his scent.”
“What am I supposed to do?” I repeated.
“Come here,” Kishan answered. “Hold my hand.”
I took Kishan’s hand.
“Now circle me and growl.”
“What?”
“Do it.”
“Fine.”
I walked around Kishan and made feeble attempts to growl.
“Louder,” he instructed. “Stroke my arms.”
I ran my hands up and down his arms and stroked his chest while making as much noise as possible.
“Good. Now follow me.”
Slowly the two of us moved toward the tree. Ren watched us and when we were well hidden, he changed to the white tiger form and calmly trotted to the other side of the clearing. The Chimera followed him like an exuberant puppy. She nipped at his hind legs as he ran.
I stretched up my arms, and the waiting tree lowered the Rope of Fire. It looked more like a whip than a rope. The end of one side had a stiff section that could be used like a handle, and instead of leather, the length was scaled similar to the Chimera and the Qilin. The dark and iridescent scales twinkled like the tail of a small, dusky dragon. The Rope tapered to a sharp point, and I couldn’t help but think that this “gift” might also be used as a weapon.
“I guess I really am Indiana Jones,” I mumbled.
Kishan stopped me as I reached out to unwind it from the branch.
“What is it?” I asked as he gently pulled my hands away.
“The minute you touch it, you could be swept away in a vision like before.”
In my fascination with Durga’s beautiful gift, I had forgotten the consequences of taking it. I had no interest in spending time trapped with Lokesh in a vision, especially knowing that Mr. Kadam would no longer be there to support me. Still, we needed the Rope.
“We’re going to have to get it sometime,” I said.
