by T. G. Ayer
Back in the motel room Dev set about preparing the amulet and Maya and Sabala watched as he filled a small plastic tube with water and tipped in a sprinkle of turmeric and white holy ash. He sealed the tube with a small screw-top lid, twisting it until it was tight. Then he rifled around in his drawer for three metal nails; small ones, plain and simple hardware store nails. He removed a small black square that Maya saw was actually a tiny bag, just large enough for the vial and the nails to fit comfortably. He pushed them into the bag then folded the edge over and pulled out a needle and black cotton.
"What are you doing?" Maya asked. She gave a short laugh and stared at him.
"I have to seal the edges. Can't have the potions falling out of the bag. This has to work and keep working for a long while." His gaze remained on his handiwork.
Maya narrowed her eyes at him. He knew exactly why she'd asked. He was hopeless with a needle and thread but it seems he persevered when the situation required it. But she couldn't stand to see him sticking his tongue out as he poked the needle into the fabric.
"Just give it here." She held out her hand waving it impatiently.
He handed it to her so fast she was sure he'd have whiplash. "Thought you'd never ask," he said with relief. Maya laughed and took the bag, quickly sewing the open edge closed. "You have any idea how long that would have taken me?"
"Yes, actually I do."
Dev sighed as he leaned back in is chair and threaded his fingers behind his neck. "I always say sewing is a woman's work."
Maya raised one eyebrow. "Watch what you say. I'm the one with the needle." Her dad just grinned as she gave the sealed bag back to him.
"Right, I'll take this to the Nath's and leave them with the instructions. Want to come?"
Maya shook her head. "No I need to finish my reading for English. I don't want to fail the demon's second essay assignment."
"No, you certainly wouldn't want to do that." Dev winked as he headed out the door.
Maya shut it behind and grabbed her bag. She climbed onto the bed and flipped to the bookmarked page. Romeo and Juliet. Scintillating reading. But she was determined to treat the essay as if a real teacher were setting it. One wrong move and she'd mess everything up.
Don't act normal. Be normal.
Later that afternoon they checked out of the motel and headed to the school field. They left the car, carrying her dad's bag full of hunter gadgets, accompanied by the ever silent, ever sedate hell-hound.
The fields looked different at night; all reaching shadows and ominous angles. At the tree they both paused, staring at the shadow-laden branches above them as if expecting the ghost to glide down and greet them. But nothing happened. Dev relaxed, then stepped right up to the trunk and craned his head as if searching for something within the tree.
"Got it," he said triumphantly.
"What are you looking for?" asked Maya.
"A small space where the branches meet the large trunk. Somewhere to hide their little hex bag.
"Hand me three nails and the hammer." Maya did as he requested and watched as he pounded in the large black nails, sisters to the ones they'd driven into the grave of the Churel. His movements were easy and sure, as if he'd done it a hundred times before.
Then, with a small trowel, he dug a little hole in the ground between a couple of entwining tree roots. Inside it, he placed a tiny marigold whose head drooped over in a sad arch, parched from the heat, as if bowing to the power of the suns rays even when no visible sights of the the existed. Also in the hole went frankincense and another nail. Sabala trotted over, sniffed the contents of the hole then returned to stand at the edge of the shade.
Dev gave him an odd look then set the rock hard tree sap alight and got to his feet. While the smoke wafted up from the hole he spoke a series of mantras. Once he was done he covered hole with a scoop of soil, snuffing out the burning frankincense in the same movement. He pressed the soil hard, ensuring it was firmly packed, then stood up.
"It's done. The best I can do. Let's just hope he finds his peace." Dev sighed and gazed up into the branches as if he could see the ghost and communicate with him. Maya knew exactly how helpless her dad felt.
The scent of frankincense wafted on a breeze like a pale emaciated ghost, undulating through the air and then disappearing on the black night air. She didn't feel any different or any better now that the rites were completed. Funny how she'd assumed she'd feel that something had changed in some way.
As they all walked back to the car Maya remained deep in thought until she heard the trunk slam shut. She jerked her head up and met her father's eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes darkening with worry as he searched her face for the answer.
She nodded but she couldn't bring herself to smile. She got into the car and she sighed. "I'm not sure how I feel about all of this. I do know I feel impotent."
"Just because you have powers doesn't mean you have the ability to solve all the problems of this world," Dev said as he shut his door and they buckled up while Sabala seated himself, spreading his long legs across the entire back seat. Good thing he didn't shed either. Score 3 for the hound.
Dev drove out of the lot and turned back toward the city. The stars were pinpricks of bright white in the black sky, and on the horizon a seas of multicolored gems glittered, urging them forward.
"I know that but I still feel helpless. What's all these powers for when I can't use them? Smelling demon blood? How is that supposed to help anything?" She stared listlessly out the window, seeing neither traffic nor people nor bright lights.
"It helps to be able to defend yourself against those who will want you for their own evil reasons. A power like your's come with-"
"Yeah, I know. A power like mine comes with great responsibility. I know. I had my own personal run-in with Balraj, the overeager sorcerer remember." Dev said nothing while Maya shuddered at the memory of Balraj's torture not so long ago. He'd cut her, bled her and tried to extract her fire power. The pain had been excruciating and unbearable to the extent that there'd been moments when Maya had prayed for death to release her from her suffering.
"But you got through it didn't you?" asked her dad. He glanced at her and all she could see was his understanding and his attempt at making her feel better.
She nodded. "Yeah. I got through it but I lost Kas." She still hated the fact that she hadn't killed or at least captured the demon prince Narakasura. But it all happened so fast. Not to mention that she'd sort of empathized with him at the time.
"You can't blame yourself for that."
"Yes, I can," she insisted, the profound ache that simmered inside her soul agreed that she could. "I can because I know deep down that I didn't want to kill him. I hesitated and that's what cost me his capture."
"Can you pinpoint why?" When she glanced at her dad he seemed serious, although she wasn't sure where he was going with his line of question.
Maya nodded as she turned away to look out the window at the miles of desert and tumbleweed that skittered by. "It's because I liked him. It was as if I understood him on a certain level. And killing him just seemed wrong."
"Even though he sent demons to attack you. Even when he made his sorcerer try to take your power away?" her dad asked and she could sense he was controlling his anger. Both her parents had been horrified to hear of Maya's experiences in Swargaloka at the hands of Balraj, and Dev had been justly furious. Even pacing the living room floor hadn't alleviated his anger and it had taken days before he was able to accept the Kas hadn't been relieved of his head.
"Yes. Even then. It seemed there was something driving him." She looked at her father. "What if he was just a pawn and someone bigger and more powerful is behind all this?"
"Is that what you think?"
"It's what my gut is saying. It just didn't seem to fit. The way he spoke to me, the things he said."
"Did he come on to you?" Anger rippled through Dev's voice.
"No, Dad." Maya cracked out
a strangled laugh at the question and at her dad's fury. "He didn't. It wasn't like that at all. It was more like we clicked as two people who could be friends. And I find it hard to accept that I felt that way about a horrible mass-murdering demon king."
"I know it's hard but what if that is the reality? That he is guilty?"
Maya sighed, swirling incessantly in a sea of uncertainty. "If that is the case then I guess I can't trust my gut anymore. And I'd have to accept I'm the reason we didn't catch him." Maya glared angrily ahead at the blacktop as they sped endlessly toward it.
"You know that this is something you might never end up confirming. Not unless he turns up someplace again," said her dad and Maya disliked that he was likely right.
"Yeah, well. If he does I'm certainly not going to be hugs and balloons. The bast-" Maya cleared her throat and flicked a chagrined glance at her dad. "The guy did stick me with a dagger."
Dev ignored Maya's almost-swearword. "Not too nice of a guy if he stabbed you in the back is he?"
"More like the side, but I accept your point." Maybe she should be less flippant considering the level of her dad's seething fury.
"But you still don't think he's all that bad of a guy?" There was that edge in his voice again. The one that made her wonder if this conversation should never have begun in the first place.
"Nope."
"I guess everything is a journey of understanding." He was trying to be understanding, despite his distrust of Kas. She could tell, and she'd never admired her dad more that that moment. "Maybe, if you do ever encounter him again, you can approach the situation with more of an objective eye, given that he did try to kill you in the end." She could tell he wasn't convinced by her sympathetic stance, and he probably never would be.
Maya nodded, but she still wasn't so sure. Yes, it stung that Kas had stabbed her but she'd gotten the feeling that he'd been desperate. And desperate people do desperate things. In the end he'd looked like he'd regretted hurting her. Then she sighed. "And in the end I could be totally wrong and he is just an evil son- . . . er . . . evil demon."
"That may be. But you also could be right. So just stay alert and aware at all times." It was the best and only advice she was going to take regarding Kas and she was glad her dad seemed to understand that. She wasn't sure how she would respond if he came on hard and strong insisting she was wrong about Kas. She glanced again at him but his face didn't give anything away.
Soon they turned onto the Interstate and headed west. Homeward bound. Maya used the rest of the ride to finish reading XXXX, figuring she was better off getting that English assignment out of the way.
Chapter 20
"Maya, wake up." Dev shook Maya's shoulder and she opened gritty eyes to the view of their garage door.
She lifted her head, felt something wet on her shoulder and her cheek, then flushed beet red. Drool. Like a freaking baby. Drool soaking through her teeshirt and pasted all across her cheek.
Great.
Her dad must have had a bellyful of laughs. She'd fallen asleep between sentences, somewhere in the last two hours of the trip and her dad hadn't awakened her. It looked like night with the sky all blue black and barely a star in it, but the crisp air floating into the car said it was very early in the morning. Too early.
Annoyed, she dragged herself and her bag inside the house feeling as though she'd been hit by a Mack truck. Her muscles were sore, her butt ached and her eyes felt like a boatload of sea-sand had been poured into each one. She was so tired she almost slammed the door in Sabala's face, having forgotten he was even there at all.
Maya headed straight to bedroom making a face. She had about as much chance of skipping school as she did of being crowned Miss America. She sighed, climbed the stairs and fell face down onto the bed.
A soft clacking sound alerted her to Sabala's presence. Thank goodness the creature hadn't progressed to the licking stage of their relationship. That would have totally marked the end of things between them. No licking.
Score 4 for the pooch.
The next day went by uneventfully and Maya was again at the kitchen table, this time poring over her Math homework. She figured she might as well get into the habit of getting work done when she can. The trip to Tucson had given her a bit of time related education.
On the road and on the case, time open often not as available as you'd think and using those pockets of minutes she had to get things done made too much sense for Maya to ignore it.
Her mom was busy peering into the oven where a small leg of lamb was slow-roasting. Her day had been uneventful with Nik gone and Joss chattering as usual. She'd arrived home been immediately roped into peeling onions and potatoes for the creamy gratin she loved. She'd gotten the meal prep out the way fast enough and was now folded over her books, swinging her leg under the table.
Leela moved toward the edge of the table, arms on her hips. Maya felt her watching and glanced up in case her mom wanted something but all she got was a smile.
"What?" she asked giving her head a little shake.
"Nothing. Can't a woman look at her daughter?"
Maya opened her mouth to say no the frowned. "I suppose. But if looks could kill…"
They both giggled and then Maya's mom said, "To be honest I'm trying to get used to seeing you so comfortable around the deities and all the things you need to do, both good and bad. Especially when you were the one who refused to believe in them." Leela shook her head and laughed softly.
"You won't let me forget that will you?" Maya asked, exasperated.
"Not really," said her mom and they both burst out laughing.
Maya narrowed her eyes on her mom's face, suspicious now that the topic came up. "I take it Dad told you about my worries about Kas?"
Leela pushed away from the table and headed to the stove to check on the boiling potatoes. "Of course. I'm sure you knew he would."
"It's called Skype, dear."
Maya snorted. She opened her mouth to respond but her attention was drawn to the kitchen doorway. Sabala, who'd taken a seat beside the doorway, raised his head from his paws and gave a soft whine as the air shimmered,. Wisps of shadow whirled, spiraling around a figure that slowly formed before them.
Maya tensed, pulling her fire to her fingertips, ready to slam fireballs at the intruder. Slowly the spinning threads of darkness shifted into a familiar face and Maya relaxed.
"Hello, Maya," said the goddess Chayya, her dark almond shaped eyes glittering with amusement as she took in Maya's wary stance and open palm. "I do hope you do not plan on incinerating me."
Maya laughed and relaxed, shaking the fire from her hand. "Of course not." She grinned at the goddess whose dark hair fell in soft waves to her slim waist. "How have you been? It's been a while."
Chayya smiled serenely and inclined her head. "I am very well. I hear you have been improving in your ability to control your powers."
News certainly got around. Not that Maya minded too much if it was Chayya. Maya shrugged. "I'm getting there."
The smile evaporated from Chayya's face for a moment. "You have made amazing progress. Do not deny yourself the credit for your hard work." Maya gave a shy smile as her cheeks flamed. Before she could figure out how to respond, the goddess continued. "I apologize. I am unable to stay long. I have something for you."
With a flourish, a scroll appeared in her hand. She held her palm out to Maya, who took the scroll, frowning at the goddess. "What's this?"
Chayya nodded at the rolled up paper. "Open it. The letter is for you. From Lord Shiva."
Maya went cold, and suddenly her throat became dry and scratchy as she tried to swallow. "Lord Shiva?" she asked, her hand now trembling a little. She'd been summoned by a god before but had not yet had the privilege of communicating with the most important and most powerful god of all. Lord Shiva was to Hindu's what Zeus was to Greeks. A message from the god of gods is no small matter.
Her hands shook as she cracked the golden seal. She placed the paper on
the table and smoothed out the rolled parchment. The message was written in Sanskrit and Maya's stomach clenched tight. She couldn't read the language, had never learned to.
Now what?
She looked up at her mom who had craned her neck to get a glimpse of the message. "Do you know how to read it?" Maya asked. Leela shook her head, disappointment clearly etched on her face. "I thought you and Dad knew how to read Sanskrit?"
Before even as her mom opened her mouth to answer, Chayya broke in. "All you need to do is concentrate, Maya."
Maya threw a skeptical glance at Chayya but in the face of the goddesses encouraging expression, Maya decided she had little to lose by following her instructions. She ran a hand over the parchment and studied the words, written in dark blue ink on yellowing paper. Moments later she frowned and shook her head, glancing up at Chayya. "Nothing's happening."
"Patience, child." The goddess spoke kindly, not a hint of annoyance in her tone. She seemed eternally serene and her emotions gave Maya strength.
She nodded and returned her gaze to the parchment. Not so long ago she would have laughed at the prospect of staring at a foreign language in the hopes that it would eventually make a lick of sense. That was way back when gods and goddesses were not as real to her as her parents, when hell-hounds were creatures of myth and Kali was merely an awfully hideous figment of her imagination and not the kind generous and stung goddess she now knew her to be.
Maya forced herself to relax and concentrate on the curves of the letters. As she blinked she thought she saw a flicker of light shimmer over the parchment. Then her eyes went wide as each letter began to shine, letting of rays of light as if the parchment was held up before a blazing sun.
Then even as she blinked she thought she saw the letters begin to move. But when she concentrated harder she realized they hadn't budged at all. She let out a breath, surprised that she had been holding it in all this time. The world seemed to have stilled around her. She blinked at the bright letters and was about to shade her eyes when she gasped.
