Taken (Many Lives Book 2)

by Laxmi Hariharan

  He’d dispersed the meeting and heard me out right there. And it had all come tumbling out. How Vishal had taken my sister. How he’d blackmailed me into trying to get the sword from Jai. And that if I didn’t save Lily, if I didn’t get out of the city in the next few hours … I would lose her. I would probably be killed by the shifters too.

  It had come as a surprise to him that Vishal and the shifters were already working together. He’d suspected that they were already in touch, plotting something but not that things had already reached this stage of their working together.

  He’d said he had an inkling where Lily was hidden. For he had his own alliance with the shifters. He’d allowed them to use an area adjoining the Jungle to house some of their own. And in return the shifters had temporarily agreed to stop attacking the camp.

  I was shocked by what he said. My mind trying to take in the consequences of what he’s told me. It dawned on me that there were wheels within wheels here. The politics between the shifters, the Council and the refugees was an explosive triangle. And my sister was right in the middle of it.

  More than anything I’d wanted to just take Lily and leave. I'd asked Aki outright if he'd get us out of the camp and on a ship home.

  And he’d agreed. It was in his interest to help me. And not only because he wanted to save a little girl’s life. It was to his benefit to unsettle this alliance between the shifters and the Council.

  He’d been very curious about the sword too. And I told him what I knew: that the sword was special, probably is a potent weapon. That there was no telling what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands. But even then I had no inkling of just how powerful the sword was. Of the role it was going to play in the future of this city. In all our futures.

  If I had known perhaps I’d have never left.

  Perhaps I’d have gone back and told Jai about the true nature of his uncle.

  But I didn’t. For all I could think of then was that I had to rescue Lily. Terror gripping me, making me almost faint with worry, I'd followed Aki’s instructions. And he hadn’t let me down.

  He’d created a diversion, set a few of the shifter-homes in the hills on fire. Enough to distract the shifters guarding my sister.

  Leaving the coast clear for me to go get Lily.

  And now armed with my sword and the gun that Aki has given me, I race through the alleyway. Towards the far end of the Jungle, from the opposite side to where we had stayed. It’s one area of the refugee camp that is sparsely inhabited. For it adjoins the area where the shifters have been spotted. Their lair is just beyond the hills. And as long as I’d been at the Jungle I’d given it a wide berth.

  Now I cast nervous glances toward the darkened hills, wondering if the shifters are watching me as I creep up the alleyway. But nothing moves. And I keep going, not looking back. Until I reach the little hut just ahead. Finding it unguarded I send up a silent prayer of thanks.

  Aki’s diversion has worked. They had gone to check out the fire, leaving her temporarily unguarded. Beyond the hut, the fire rages, and the scene is chaos. People running to put out the flames, rescuing their meagre belongings, trying to save their lives and those of their family.

  Like I am.

  Running to the door of the hut, I fire at the lock, shattering it on the first try. When I burst in, it is to find Lily standing in a corner, back to the wall. Her little fists up, mouth trembling.

  She’s scared.

  But ready to fight.

  And in that moment I am so proud of her. For a few seconds she seems unable to believe what she’s seeing. And then her brow clears, her hands drop to her side and she runs to me, hurling herself at me. Dropping to my knees, I hug her tight once, before jumping back to my feet. Hauling her with me, I race out of there. Towards the vehicle that Aki has arranged to take us to the docks. And from there on a ship back home.

  Home.

  Can I even call New London home, when I am leaving behind the one person who makes me feel safe?

  22

  Followed by Gilbert, Jai runs past the burning huts, cutting through the camp to the far end, where the people from New Britain are clustered. Reaching the first of the huts he raises his hand to knock, only to realize there is no door. As he hesitates, the cloth curtain is pulled aside and a woman steps out. Her graying hair is tied back in a bun and her eyes above her sunken cheekbones are shadowed.

  Seeing the leap of fear in her eyes, he rushes in to ask. "Ariana…is Ariana here?"

  Her eyes fall to Jai’s naked sword and, realizing his mistake, Jai begins to sheath it in its scabbard. But it’s too late.

  Starting visibly, she steps back, letting the cloth fall back in place.

  Jai stands there, rainwater streaming down his hair, down his collar. His boots sink into the increasingly slimy earth and his heart clutches with desperation. How is he going to find her in this place?

  That Aria is in the Jungle he has no doubt. But where is she? How is he going to find her among the huts that stretch out in the darkness.

  Despair crawls in his belly and as he wonders what to do next, a movement behind the curtain makes him look up.

  "Here." The same woman steps out and offers them an umbrella. It’s old, tattered, a large beach umbrella which at one time must have been brightly colored. "Take it," she says.

  As he hesitates, Gilbert takes it, thanks her and opens it up.

  It’s wide enough to shield them both. Jai wants to thank the woman as well, but she’s already gone.

  "Come on," Gilbert urges and Jai follows him to the next home.

  By the time they come to the tenth home, they are both soaking wet, despite the umbrella shielding them from the worst of the deluge.

  Gilbert is shivering so badly he can hear his teeth chatter.

  Jai turns to him. "Go home. See to your wounds," he says.

  Gilbert brushes aside his concern with an impatient gesture, "If only there was an easier way to doing this, rather than going from door to door. Did you not ask her where her hut was?" he asks as if unable to stop himself.

  "No. I. Did. Not." Jai bites out the words, swearing to himself.

  So, he’d liked her. A lot. And yet he hadn’t even bothered to find out exactly where in this hellhole she lived. He has been too busy lusting after her. Trying to hold back from touching her. Hell, he’s been too busy trying to pretend she wasn’t even there.

  And at some point he’s actually succeeded in ignoring her completely.

  Succeeded so well that he’s put her out of his mind. Almost.

  If he doesn’t find her in time, if something has already happened to her. He fists his palms at his side. Anger flares, and he clamps down on it, balling that sick feeling into a tight fist that lodges in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He must keep going, keep looking for her. Find her.

  The curtain at the doorway to the next hut is pulled aside, even before they can call out a man stands framed at the door. He’s Jai’s height, broad shoulders, graying beard. Clear blue eyes peer out from below a wide forehead.

  "So you’ve finally come?" he asks.

  Jai stares, taken aback.

  "Jai, isn’t it?" That piercing gaze turns on Gilbert, then back on Jai.

  Next to Jai, Gilbert tenses and reaches for his sword. Jai puts a hand on his shoulder, pressing down till he stills.

  "Ah! You have more sense than your friend here." He tilts his head and his eyes sweep Jai from head to toe and back. "I should have trusted Ariana’s choice," he says.

  "Ariana?" Without realizing it Jai takes a step forward, bringing him close enough to see the lines around the old man’s eyes. "Where is she? Is she safe?" Jai bites out, his voice sharp with worry.

  In reply, the older man turns and walks away inside.

  Jai follows him into the gloomy interior, waiting as he lights a small gasoline lamp. There’s no electricity here at the camp, of course. The Council doesn’t believe in providing such "luxuries" for refugees.

>   He stands at the far end next to a small window. The wall is bare, save for a cracked mirror. It’s hung low enough for someone short – of Aria’s height – to see their reflection. Jai wants to ask the man dozens of questions about who he is, where Aria is. But something in the older guy’s stance holds him back.

  So he clamps down on his thoughts and waits. His eyes are drawn back to the man and he takes in his clothes. A long white cotton shirt worn over slim-fitting skinny trousers and open-toed sandals. A sudden doubt strikes Jai.

  "Who are you?" he asks, his voice urgent.

  "Aki," the old man replies.

  "Aki?" Jai’s brow furrows.

  Where has he heard of him? Why is his name so familiar?

  Aki?

  "You taught me sword-fighting at the school for new recruits," he recalls.

  Aki’s brow clears and one side of his lips lifts in a smile. "You remember?"

  "Yes, you just look a little different. Older."

  "You look older too." Aki tilts his head, a twinkle coming into his eyes.

  "Where is she?" Jai asks again, letting the urgency show in his voice.

  He can trust Aki.

  He can, right?

  "She’s gone," Aki says.

  Pushing away from the wall, Jai asks, "What do you mean, gone?"

  "She left this for you." He hands Jai a letter.

  "She left it?" Jai bursts out. "How could she—"

  "Read it," Aki says and walks out of the little space.

  Walking to the light of the sole lamp in the cramped room, Jai opens the letter.

  Jai,

  Don’t look for me. London may not be the "shining new hopeful" world of the East. But at least it’s home. It’s time for me to stop running.

  - Ariana

  Jai crumples the letter and walks out to where the silver light of dawn washes over Aki’s shoulders. It bathes him in an unearthly glow. He looks like a ghost or a God. Jai blinks.

  The illusion passes and he’s a man again.

  "What does this mean?" Jai asks, his voice unsteady. "What is she not telling me?"

  When Aki doesn’t reply he persists, "I need to know." Jai swallows the lump in his throat. It’s as if a part of him has been cut away.

  What had he expected? That she’d still be here, waiting for him? Waiting for him to rescue her? After he had told her to leave, thrown her to these beasts, asked her to fend for herself.

  "I’m going after her," Jai curses and turns away, only for a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  He turns to look into Aki’s knowing eyes, wise eyes that have seen a lot. Those all-knowing eyes which know much more than they are revealing. And in them he sees sympathy and understanding "Why?" Jai whispers. "Why didn’t she wait?"

  "Would you have gone against your father, your city? Would you have stepped aside from your duty to your mother?" Aki asks, his voice calm.

  The answer is clear in Jai’s silence. Turning, he slams his fist into the wall of the hut, driving his hand right thorough it. The hut promptly collapses. No other sound now, except for the rain that still slams against the roof-tiles.

  No man should have to choose between his promise to a dead mother and his future. But he had. He’d chosen to let her go. And now he’s going to spend the rest of his life regretting it. Shrugging off the old man’s hand, he walks away.

  "Jai." Aki’s voice stops him.

  He pauses but doesn’t turn around.

  "This is not the end, Jai. You’ll find out more. Get your answers when the time is right."

  By then it will be too late.

  It’s already too late for him.

  23

  Vishal turns from the window and smashes his glass against the wall on the far side. But it brings little relief.

  Besides, breaking a glass of juice is just not as satisfying as breaking a glass filled with whiskey.

  What he wouldn’t give for a drink just now.

  And yet, since Ruby’s death, he’s become a teetotaler.

  Alcohol had only fed the pain of separation after her death. Instead of dulling his senses it seemed to bring everything into sharp focus. Every single memory of her laid raw, scrolling through his mind’s eye. It only sharpened the feeling of loss, rubbing it in. Letting him know that in death she had dealt him a final blow.

  There was no second chance with her.

  And he’d known he couldn’t go on like that anymore. Spending his days and nights in a drunken haze that had still left them on edge. Too aware of his own thoughts.

  So he’d gone cold turkey on the booze. Taken up weights and the rush of endorphins instead.

  A better way to work off his frustrations, also making him stronger. He’s fitter than Vik, that much he can take solace in.

  His only other consolation – that now Ruby didn’t belong to Vik either. And yet in death she’d brought them together in a way she could never have when she’d lived. Leaving Vik and Vishal with something in common. A link. A shared memory.

  "Done with your meltdown, uncle?" The voice taunts, cuts through his thoughts. It’s so familiar that for a second he starts as if he’s heard a ghost.

  She sounds so like her. Like it’s Ruby come to life, walked out of her funeral pyre alive, not a hair on her head harmed.

  But she’s not a ghost, not this one.

  The girl learning against the bookcase on the far side of the room pushes away from it, book in hand. Walking over to an armchair diagonally opposite from where he’s standing, she slides into it. Her lithe body moving sideways until she’s draped across it, long, jeans-clad legs swinging.

  A sense of déjà vu washes over Vishal.

  Ruby right here in his home, in that exact same spot, legs swinging, taunting him about their ongoing rivalry.

  Making it clear that Vik was her chosen one but that yeah, she would always be fond of Vishal. After all it was thanks to him that the three of them made it out of the immediate aftermath of the tsunami alive.

  "General?" The girl’s voice brings him back to the present.

  "So why are you doing it?" he asks, folding his hands over his chest. "They are your immediate family, why would you go against them?"

  "You are my family too, aren’t you?" she says, her voice calm, a hint of a smile in them.

  He nods. Once.

  His gut twists at her words. In another life, another time, she could have been his and Ruby’s daughter.

  But she’s not.

  And then she tilts her head, and the light from the window catches her eyes. And he freezes.

  No, she’s Vik’s daughter. Those eyes. Amber eyes glowing. Like Vik. Like his son.

  Yeah, she is his daughter first and Vishal’s niece later. And the only one who can help him now.

  Oh! Jai has been trying hard the last few years to win him over. And he had almost fooled Vishal into believing they were on the same side. That Jai would help him in his plans.

  But then Jai would say or do something which would give away just how much like Vik he was. And Vishal knew there was no way this nephew of his was going to see things the way he did.

  Besides, it was Jai who'd charmed Aria into leaving without the sword. That he’s sure of. The bitch had run away.

  And he’d spent the last few years cursing himself for missing that opportunity. If he had only got his hands on Aria, he knew Jai would have done anything to save her. It was the only reason Jai would have gone against the promise he’d made to Ruby.

  He’d almost given up hope then of realizing his ambition to rule the West. Until Maya came along.

  Now Vishal looks at his future in her amber eyes, which stare back. Then she blinks and slides back to her feet. Gliding towards him in that half-animal like walk that hints at her upbringing. And that mirage is broken too.

  She may have come from Vik and Ruby, but she's a human brought up by shifters.

  "Why?" he asks again. "Why would you do this?"

  She glides towards him, stopping
less than an inch away. Close enough for him to see the smattering of freckles across her face. Close enough that when she leans in, her nipples rub across his chest and that illusion of innocence shatters.

  A quick intake of breath and he steps back. The shock a painful fist to his gut.

  And it isn’t because she’s turned him on with that light brushing against him. It’s more that he couldn’t have predicted his reaction to her. That he wants to bury himself in her youth even now. Drown himself in the seductive echoes of the past that she carries within.

  She’s Ruby’s daughter.

  And that’s why you want her. Her replacement.

  She’s your niece.

  She’s hybrid. A shifter.

  He’s convinced of that now, that she’s more beast than human. And with that any guilt of using her to get what he wants falls away. His mind clears and he backs off, his hands held up.

  "Let’s keep this business, shall we?" he says, trying to sound like the General he is and cursing a little when his voice still wavers at the end.

  She raises her eyebrows, a smirk curving those lips for a second. She bares her teeth once. Feral. A low growl rumbles up. And that makes him look for his gun. The one he’s placed on the table by the window.

  "Relax, old man," she drawls. "You’re not my type. Was testing you is all."

  Vishal clears his throat.

  But before he can say anything more she says, "Why do I help, you ask? It’s because we’re not so different you and I. We’re both on the outside, looking in. Seeing this family as they survive, thrive, get what we’ll never have. Love, a family. A home." She pauses, her voice stark with emotion. "They belong. We don’t."

  For a second he glimpses a vulnerability that reminds him of how he’d been the day Vik’s mother had decided she couldn’t have him in her house anymore.

  Then that fades too.

  And all there is now is the two of them. United in purpose. By blood. By family ties they are willing to sacrifice. One for power. The other for…?

  24

  London, three years later