True Rising: Mark of the Defenders

by Tanishq Sheikh

  “What in the world are you doing showing off like that?” I stare at him in disbelief. He’s going to joke about this? Ajaz touches his forehead to mine, chuckling. “Want to tell me what happened?”

  “Nothing. Just..” I can’t lie to him, he knows that.

  He places an arm around me and turns to face his family. They are staring at me with different expressions. I have just given them a show that will last them a lifetime.

  “Ajaz, my son, welcome home.” Ammi looks tired as she greets him, sinking into her comfortable chair.

  “My sincere apologies to you all, Ammi,” Ajaz leaves my side to take the hand she holds out for him. He touches the back of it to both his eyes before placing a quick kiss on top. “When I heard about the attack on Prisha, I had to come. But it was all so rushed that I wasn’t sure I could actually make it to the flight till I boarded it.”

  He goes to his brothers to embrace them warmly. Then he returns to my side. Just so everyone knows where his loyalties lie. He nudges me to the couch and we sit with his arm around me. “Tell me what happened.”

  Ammi gives a sad shake of her head. “I should’ve never agreed to let Nadira visit here.”

  “She’s here?” I can immediately sense the tension in him. He knows she’s trouble for me and now he knows why I was floating. He throws me a worried glance. “You can’t let her get to you, Prish, she’s not worth it.” I nod agreeing with him. “Was this what it was like?”

  I know he’s referring to my encounter with the beast. I nod. He looks at me sharply. I can tell he’s happy with his decision to come back to me. He jumps to his feet, pulling me along. “I’m sorry Ammi, I need to speak to my wife in private.”

  We retire to our room in haste. I’m wondering why he’s so eager and get my answer as soon as he shuts the bedroom door behind him.

  He pulls me in his arms and captures my lips in a hungry kiss. We surface from the kiss to make our way onto the bed where we snuggle into each other. “I missed you every moment that I was away.” Ajaz lays small kisses down the side of my neck. He splays his hand over my rounded belly, then bends to lay a kiss over it. I smile as he puts his ear on my belly. My fingers play with the curls at his nape. I could live in this moment forever.

  His fingers move over to the bandage under my cotton dress with buttons down front. He frowns opening the buttons before sucking in sharply. The gauze hides the real damage but it doesn’t stop him from peeling it back to see the sharp cut. The curses that flow from him make me wince. “I’m not leaving you alone ever again.” Taping the gauze back, he sits up drawing me in his arms. “Something’s not right, Prish. I can feel them trying to draw out your power. It’s for the baby. I think it’s going to make her stronger.”

  I nod and we go over every detail of the attack. The appearance of the beast worries him. Like me, he’s worried that the crossing over has sinister implications. The Kleshas are getting desperate. But how is it helping their case by drawing my powers out? Are my powers going to get transferred into her?

  The situation is getting complicated by the minute. I realise we are no better now than we were months ago when we realised Raati and Firion wanted our child.

  “Ajaz?” I whisper his name with my lips pressed at the hollow of his neck. His molten eyes regard me with all the love he has. “Can you promise me something?”

  He raises a worried brow. “What is it?”

  “Promise,” I insist.

  He’s not a fool. “You know I don’t make promises I can’t keep. If it’s some whimsical suggestion then I’m not interested.”

  “Hmmm,” I nuzzle his neck making him groan. “I have other ways to make you.”

  “Stop!” He warns before covering my lips with a greedy kiss. “The baby..”

  I laugh pushing him away, done with my teasing. Caught up with situations as we are, we haven’t made love in quite a while. My anxiety over the safety of our baby keeps playing on my mind.

  I sigh. “Just do the right thing when the time comes.”

  He doesn’t respond, instead draws me closer to press a kiss in my hair.

  We come to a joint conclusion having deciphered the beast’s warning. It’s only with my powers at the forefront that they will be transferred in their entirety into the baby making her truly a powerful being. I have no idea how they think I’m going to give a display of my powers while in labour but I need to be alert.

  I’m safe tonight as I sleep in Ajaz’s arms. He’s refused to make any promises but I know when the time comes, he’ll do the right thing.

  Twenty - nine

  An unseen enemy.

  Sheets of rain splatter the windows of the bedroom in the morning. It shouldn’t be raining in winter but it is. The chill that is rising around us is freezing. I wonder if the Kleshas have anything to do with the rains. The baby is due soon.

  Ajaz is already up and has left me sleeping undisturbed. So much for not leaving me alone, I grumble, getting ready. Well, he didn’t mean every second! I scowl at my reflection knowing I’m being a grouch.

  We had chosen to spend the entire day yesterday nestled in our room. Dinner was sent up for us and Ajaz had ensured I finished every morsel from my plate.

  It was good he did that. I’m feeling energised and yet I’m out of sorts today. The baby weighs a ton lying low in my belly. Last week, Ammi had commented that when the baby lies low in the belly it is a sign of impending labour. I guess she was right but the hospital reports have shown the baby is still choosing to come out only by her due date. That means I’ll have to lug her around some more.

  I choose a white, embroidered dress, tie up my wild hair and make my way to the dining room. I waddle in to find the entire family in assembly. Including Nadira. Wisely enough she’s seated next to Aamina. Ajaz is busy shoving eggs and toast in his mouth. I sometimes forget how mannerless he can be when he’s hungry. I place my hand over his shoulder before sliding into the seat next to him. He looks up with a goofy smile. It’s enough to melt me. I forgive him for leaving me alone in bed.

  Nadira angles a sly look towards us as we murmur sweet nothings in each other’s ears while eating. My intentions are deliberate.

  After breakfast, we head to the library where I show Ajaz my discoveries. An hour later, I’m exhausted and decide to lounge on the couch. Ajaz is pouring over a manuscript when Nadira enters the room. I sit up in surprise. Why is she here?

  “Hi,” she offers an apologetic smile to me. She comes to a stop near me. “I, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about last night.”

  Ajaz raises a brow in surprise. I glance at him before looking back at her. She has the most sickening, insincere smile playing at her lips. I shrug not sure I want to be bothered by her.

  Either she’s dense or very good at pretending not to understand hints. I go for the latter as she walks in further strolling towards Ajaz. She peers over his shoulder. My hackles rise. She’s way too close for comfort. “What are you guys doing?”

  Ajaz takes a tiny step away from her. Good for him! “Just some research.” He gives up the pretence, straightens and stands with his hands on his waist. “What do you want, Nadira?”

  She sends me a sly smile. She knows I can’t get to him fast enough. Taking a step forward, she whispers in his ear.

  Immediate rage clouds my mind. She’s crazy to make a move on my husband in my presence. Doesn’t she know what I can do to her?

  Don’t move, I’m just teasing her. I hear the words clearly. Wait, what?! I look at them confused by my sudden power of super hearing. Ajaz, you know I can never give you up. Don’t you have any feelings for me? Not even a tiny bit? Am I so hateful that you won’t even talk to me? We did have some good times. Do you remember kissing me?

  I gasp and stand up, shaking with anger. They kissed? He never told me they kissed!

  Ajaz turns his attention towards me, startled by my sudden stance. One look at my face and he knows I heard her. Instead of offering an explanation, he moves around
the desk to stand in front of me. “It’s not her speaking, baby. It’s them. Don’t let them rile you.”

  I pin him with a furious glare. “Don’t try to push this aside! What does she mean you had good times?!”

  Ajaz runs an exasperated hand through his hair. He knows I’m getting more agitated by the minute and he knows it’s not the real me. He makes a sudden grab at my hand, pulling me along to stand me in front of a large, ornate mirror on one side of the room. “See yourself, Prish! That’s not you!”

  I stare at the terrifying vision reflecting back at me from the mirror. My skin is flushed, my eyes large with the pupils dilated beyond the abilities of humans and my lips are pulled back over my teeth in a ferocious snarl. It’s not a pleasant sight. Actually I’m pretty horrible and ugly to look at.

  Ajaz wraps his arms around me. I begin to relax as he buries his nose in my hair. When the fury finally abates, I almost faint in his arms. He supports my weight and lays me down on the couch. My forehead is beaded with sweat, I’m feeling exhausted.

  “What’s happening to me?” I ask him weakly.

  He holds my hand in his, pressing a gentle kiss on my fingers. “You’re giving in to them. You have to be stronger, baby. Learn to control your power. You’re being baited by them.” He leans down to kiss my lips. “She means nothing to me.”

  “I know.” I’m suddenly ashamed he feels he has to explain himself to me. “You don’t have to say anything more. I’m sorry.” I look over at Nadira who’s staring at me open mouthed. She’s getting a good preview of what a freak I am. My eyes are calm as they look back into Ajaz’s honey ones. “But I will kill her if she makes a move on you one more time.”

  My statement makes him chuckle and its loud enough for Nadira to beat a hasty retreat.

  I lie on the couch while Ajaz returns to pour over the manuscripts. My mind goes back to Nadira. I know I’m being immature but I hate her. I had let go of Ajaz once but I’m not willing to do it again.

  ‘Tsk, tsk, such a selfish girl!’

  “Raati! What are you doing here? I thought you had left me for good!” I shiver as Raati wraps me in an icy grip.

  “I can never leave you, my pet.” She hovers over my reclined body, her pale face and vivid purple eyes peering into mine with a sly smile. “To be honest, you need me around that hot boy of yours! You’ve hardly got any action since I went on a hiatus!”

  Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be having such a conversation with a Klesha. “Go away, Raati, you can’t do anything to me and you know that! You’ve lost and I’ve won. My child will never fulfil your destiny!”

  Her laugh is hysterical. “Is that so? You think because you have some powers you can get rid of me? But while we’re at it, let me entertain myself a bit more.” She disappears suddenly.

  The cold leaves me as soon as she’s gone. Ajaz is still bent over a manuscript, lost in whatever he’s reading.

  The library door opens suddenly and I see Nadira slink back in. She throws me a triumphant smile before heading over to Ajaz.

  Realization hits me. It’s not Nadira! It’s Raati!

  Ajaz looks up at her surprised to see her back. Before he can react, she slips her arms around his neck and pulls his head down. Purple fire engulfs them as Ajaz pours himself into the kiss. He can’t help himself. Raati is too strong.

  I scream.

  A sudden sharp pain in my belly has me crying out startling Ajaz who’s standing by the desk. Alone. Oh, thank goodness! That mean entity played a trick on my mind while I was sleeping. There is no sign of Nadira.

  Another stab of pain attacks me with an intensity that overwhelms me. I cry out again, making Ajaz rush over.

  “What is it?” he cries out.

  A third sharp pain jolts me. I sit half up, drawing my knees to my chest. I try to isolate the pain. It’s not coming from within. It’s originating from the wound the beast has given me. “Ajaz, the bandage! Check the bandage!”

  He almost tears my dress apart to expose the bandage only to stare horrified as black blood oozes out of it. He removes it only for more of it to flow out. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! What the hell?”

  I groan in pain as more of the black blood keeps oozing. Another stab and my head falls back. I let out blood-curling scream. On the fringes of the intense pain racking my body, I hear Ajaz call for help before tearing his shirt off to press against the oozing black blood.

  To my horror, I see the blood work its way up his hands, entrapping them with swathes of black gore. For a split second we stare at each other wide eyed before I place my hands upon his and try to pry them from my belly.

  “What’s happening?” I howl as one more stab of pain jolts my body. Find your strength! Find it! Find it!

  Ajaz grunts and grimaces as he tries to pull his hands away. I can see light begin to glow from his body as he digs out his powers from within. I can tell he’s afraid to use them. He’s too close to me, to the baby. He can’t risk hurting us.

  The black blood has travelled up his arms now, entrapping his shoulders, reaching his neck. The glowing marks on his body zap it off but they aren’t powerful enough to stop the flow. It’s going to choke him in minutes.

  No! Power surges within me, I grit my teeth and then place my palms over Ajaz’s chest. He’s knocked off with such force that it sends him flying across the room. He skids to the floor, lying lifeless.

  The scream that rings in my ears is my own and unending in its persistence.

  I killed Ajaz! I killed Ajaz!

  Prisha! Prisha! Prisha! Sweetheart!

  My eyes fly open with a start. I sit up drawing frantic breaths to get my runaway heart beat in control. I’m still lying on the couch in the library, Ajaz is kneeling before me, his face a picture of panic and concern. “What happened?”

  I stare at him, then at my belly. There is no sign of the black blood. The whole damn thing was a nightmare. But it was also a warning.

  ~ ~ ~

  Devastation knows no bounds. It doesn’t differentiate between caste, colour, creed, race, sex or religion. It wipes out whatever comes in its way.

  Not your usual bedtime story but the ancient text draws my attention towards it. Ajaz has forbidden me to hang out in the library but I can’t seem to stop myself. I sneak out while he’s taking a round of the grounds. I know he intends to visit the spot where I encountered the beast. He’s with his brothers. They must’ve apprised him of the mini-crater I created complete with uprooted trees.

  I’ve shared my latest concern with him. They’re going to make me use my powers come what may to ensure it transfers to the baby, even if it means using me to kill him. But I can’t comprehend why it’s of such importance. The baby was already supposed to be the chosen one for them. So why do these powers matter?

  I find some papers in the library desk and markers. I start making a mind map to help the direction of my thoughts. Something has been needling me from the moment the beast appeared before me.

  Q. Who knew of my ability to save myself except Ajaz, Partho and I? Not a single name comes to my mind except Raati and Firion. So I write down their names. A. Raati, Firion.

  Q. Did they send the beast? A. Not sure if they’re connected but possible.

  Q. So who sent the beast? A. ?

  Q. Where have I seen the beast before? A. Once in my out of body experience at Devigrah. And somewhere else but I can’t put a finger on it.

  Q. Who wants to unleash the power in me? A. Raati? Firion?

  Q. Who knows I have ancient secrets transferred within me? A. Me, Ajaz, Partho.

  Q. Do I completely trust Ajaz and Partho? A. Ajaz absolutely with my life. Partho?

  Q. Q. Why? A…

  I stare at the simple question, tapping my pen over it. Why don’t I trust Partho? I force myself to focus on his words that fated night that we met him in Nepal.

  The one who wields the power of the secrets is destined to be the most powerful being in this realm.

  The power of
the secrets. The power of the secrets.

  I press my fingers at my temples. I have the power of the secrets. So does he. So will my child when she’s born.

  But he has one secret less, just as I do. He didn’t master it; couldn’t master it, neither will I because I only have what he has. But my child will have it all. She will be the true master. She will know all the secrets even the last secret that Partho Sangram couldn’t master; Apeksha.

  I gasp as the truth dawns upon me. Partho Sangram wants the secret of Apeksha. Since he can’t have it himself, he wants his hand on it through my child. She would have all the ancient secrets within her. It’s possible she will be more powerful because she’s born with it. Those powers would help her destroy Raati, Firion and any other Kleshas she wished. Or control them.