Growling lightly, I answered her. You’re saying I should curse my past self?
No. I am saying you should learn to embrace who you are, what you have become.
Shaking my tiger body, I responded. I’ve lost too much, Ana. The tiger has destroyed everything I cared about, my parents, my inheritance, my chance for a family, and has taken from me two women whom I loved.
Perhaps you are right, and yet, think about what the tiger has given you.
I could just as easily ask you to embrace the goddess version of yourself.
She froze with her hand on my head. You are correct that I do not exactly welcome my own destiny. After a moment of silent reflection, she sent a thought to my mind again. You have already started your journey toward our destiny, have you not, Kishan?
Her hand fell from my shoulder as I paced a few feet away. Switching to a man, I kept my back to her and said, “You’re referring to the checked-off item.”
I cocked my head but only heard her quiet breathing as a response. Turning around, I found her gazing at me steadily, waiting patiently for my explanation. I ran a hand through my hair and crouched in front of her. “Kadam asked me to take the amulet and not tell you. He said we needed to save her.”
“Kelsey,” Anamika stated.
“Yes. I had assumed that something was wrong at home, that she’d been attacked, but what really happened was…well, it was completely unexpected.”
“Tell me,” she said as she tucked a leg beneath her other one, exposing a long and lovely bare limb.
Suddenly uncomfortable, I stood up and began pacing. “We didn’t go to Kelsey’s present or her future, we went to her past.”
“Her past? Why?”
“When she was a teenager, her parents died in a car accident.”
“What is a teenager?”
“A teenager is a young girl. Not a child and not yet a woman.”
“I see,” she remarked thoughtfully, “and what is a car?”
“A car is a sort of—” I racked my brain trying to come up with a way to describe it. Instead I offered my hand. “Perhaps it will be easier to show you.”
Anamika stood and held out her hand. As I wrapped her warm hand in mine, I couldn’t help but notice how soft her skin was and how the fragrance of lotus and jasmine wafted from her hair. She smiled, catching a glimpse of the direction of my thinking, but then I quickly shuffled thoughts of her legs and the scent of her hair to the back of my mind and brought my recent experience with Kelsey to the forefront.
During our time together, she’d rarely opened her mind to me and, as a courtesy, I kept mine from her as well, though it was entirely possible to fully know everything each of us felt and experienced. It was also possible to limit what was shown like I had done with Kelsey. I pulled up everything that had happened since Phet revealed himself to me and let her see it through my eyes.
Anamika absorbed everything quietly, and yet I could sense the surprise and the awe overwhelming her. Questions filled her mind as she studied the scenes from my perspective that played out for her like a movie. After she saw the death of Kelsey’s parents and witnessed the removal of myself from Kelsey’s mind, she stretched out gentle mental fingers in an attempt to see more. I cut her off and let go of her hand.
“You’ve seen enough,” I declared abruptly.
She studied me with clear green eyes that were full of sympathy. Taking my hands in hers and offering simply the peaceful warmth of our connection, she said, “Please do not be angry. I am sorry for the intrusion. I did not mean to see more than you wanted to show.”
“But you did see more.”
Anamika nodded. “I saw your intention. What you’re considering is dangerous.”
“Dangerous for whom?”
“For all of us. My teacher”—she paused—“Kadam said that seeing our past selves could be disastrous.”
Setting my jaw stubbornly, I replied, “I just want to see if she’s happy.”
“And if she is not?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Grasping her hands behind her back, she headed across the garden toward the wide stone archway with a determined stride. I trotted behind her to keep up.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To get my weapons.”
“You won’t need weapons where I plan to go.”
She halted midstride and placed her hands on her hips, which emphasized her small waist and raised the hem of her favorite green hunting dress to mid-thigh.
I rubbed a hand over my jaw. “You will, however, need some new clothes.”
As she sputtered a protest, I grabbed her hand, spun, and headed toward the castle, nerves and excitement quickening my stride.
Moments later, I wore a dark business suit and tie and had decided to play the part of an auditor. I’d used the scarf to dress Anamika as my assistant.
“Why are we not going directly to visit Kelsey and Dhiren?” Anamika asked.
“Because I don’t want to interfere unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“So you will find the information you seek at your…compenny?”
“It’s company, and yes, I should be able to learn more if I can access the computer.”
“I do not understand companies or computers.”
“I know. Look, your job is to just be my assistant.”
“Must assistants wear this uncomfortable clothing?”
She tugged irritably at the gray jacket before making disparaging remarks about the color of her pink silk blouse. After running her hands down the trim skirt and kicking the chair with her soft woven slippers, she demanded, “I want to at least keep my boots.”
“You’re lucky,” I answered her with a wry grin. “If the scarf could make high heels, you’d be wearing those instead.”
Sweeping her long hair over her shoulder, she headed to the mirror, muttering under her breath all the while about heels that were high and companies.
I folded my arms across my chest and smiled. Even with modern clothing, Anamika looked every bit the wild warrior princess. Clearing my throat, I said, “We’ll have to do something about that hair.”
She spun and glared defensively at me. “What is wrong with my hair this time?”
“It needs to be…well…contained. Perhaps a bun at the nape of your neck?”
“My hair cannot be contained. Many have attempted it but they were all unsuccessful.”
“I see.”
Rubbing my thumb across my jaw, I studied her long tresses. “Sit,” I commanded.
She took a step back, eyes full of alarm. “What do you mean to do?” she asked warily.
“I mean to fix your hair.”
Lifting her chin haughtily in the air, she answered, “No.”
“It needs to be done, Ana.”
She shook her head and backed farther away from me.
My senses sharpened and something in me shifted. I felt a sudden impulse to hunt. A growl rumbled through my chest as I stalked closer. When her back hit the wall, I narrowed my gaze on her slim neck and took another step, transfixed by the pulse that jumped wildly at my approach.
Reaching out a hand to touch her hair, I asked, “Are you frightened of me, Ana?”
She swallowed, then raised her eyes. It wasn’t fear I saw there, but there was something else, something…vulnerable. As quickly as I recognized it, she blinked and her beautiful green eyes glittered with defiance.
“I am not afraid of you, black tiger.”
I mocked her gently, “No. You are just afraid of having your hair brushed.”
With a hiss, she shoved me away and sat down. “I am afraid of nothing,” she said as she handed me her hairbrush.
Sweeping her hair over her shoulder, I pressed my lips to her ear and said, “Forgive me if I don’t believe you, Goddess.”
Anamika waved her hand in the air like a queen dismissing a minion and I chuckled. She sat stiffly as I drew the brush through
her long, dark hair. The sensation was soothing and made me think of my mother.
When I was a young boy, I liked to brush my mother’s hair. It was our little secret, she’d say. After I’d started training with Kadam, I took my mother’s brush and hid it. A few days later, she sent for me and asked if I’d taken it. Scowling as only an eight-year-old boy can, I proceeded to tell her that a warrior as formidable as I was to become would lose all credibility, his reputation would be ruined, if it was discovered that he liked to brush women’s hair.
My mother, in reply, asked if a woman could brush a man’s hair. “Of course!” I’d answered. She bent toward me, her nose almost touching mine, and said, “Then perhaps I can brush your hair instead.”
She took the brush as I willingly laid my head in her lap, and as she ran it through my hair, we spoke of my childish musings. As the years passed, I’d developed a habit of laying my head in my mother’s lap. I’d share all my worries and concerns and then listen to her wise counsel.
When I first set eyes on Yesubai, I remembered noticing her long, long hair. As I got to know her, I decided it was entirely appropriate for a husband to brush his wife’s hair when in the privacy of their chambers. I’d been planning to give her a set of beautiful brushes as a wedding present. Then she died and I was cursed to live as a tiger.
My mother tried to bridge the gap that had grown between us after I became a tiger, but I was determined to be miserable. She’d put her arms around me or stroke my tiger back, but I always stalked away. I missed the closeness between us but didn’t know how to fix what I was or undo what I’d done. Being the tiger was the punishment I got for falling in love with Ren’s girl.
Then Kelsey came. Her embrace healed me. Her touch made me forget. Gave me hope of a future that now seemed to be swept away forever. I had laid my head in Kelsey’s lap. Asked her to be my wife. I was finally going to become the man I always wanted to be. But the tiger wouldn’t let me go. Once again, the curse threatened to undo me because I’d fallen for Ren’s girl.
As if sensing my thoughts, Anamika asked, “Did you brush her hair?”
I knew right away the “her” she was referring to. Still, I asked, “Kelsey?”
She nodded. I stilled and thought about my once fiancée. I swallowed thickly before answering, “No. I never did.”
“Perhaps you should have,” she teased lightly. “You have good hands.”
Gathering her hair, I twisted it into a loop and fastened it at the nape of her neck with a leather tie. Satisfied, I nudged her from the chair. “I am fairly adept at massages as well,” I said with a sad smile.
Anamika turned, trying to figure out the button on her jacket. “What’s a massage?” she asked as she wrapped the Rope of Fire around her waist like a belt and tied the Divine Scarf around her neck.
Stretching out fingers to help her with her button, I answered, “I’ll show you later.”
Anamika fingered the button of my suit jacket, stroked the silk tie, and then touched the amulet hanging around my neck.
Offering my arm, I asked, “Shall we?”
She stared at my arm with a puzzled expression. “Shall we what?”
I took her hand, curved her fingers over my arm, and said, “Shall we go?”
Staring at her fingers as if they were no longer attached to her body, she nodded mutely.
Selecting a time of four weeks after Ren and Kelsey had returned to the future, I closed my eyes and envisioned the shaded park near Rajaram Industries in Japan. Pressing Anamika close to my side, we disappeared.
***
I’d purposely chosen a shady place under a large tree in the early morning just before sunrise, and with great luck, no one was around when we appeared. Taking Anamika’s hand, I led her through the trees and toward the pond. Rajaram Industries was on the other side of the park, and if we timed it right, we’d arrive just as they opened.
When a pair of early-morning bicycle riders passed just in front of us on a path shaded by ginkgo trees, Anamika started.
“What…what are those?” she asked with awe. “Are they cars?”
“No.” I chuckled. “Those are called bicycles. They are used for travel and for sport.”
Music drifted on the wind and she tugged on my arm to pull me toward it. “Come. I wish to hear the drums.”
We neared an area where musicians of all types were setting up to play. I was surprised to see delight on her face rather than fear. After I told her it was impolite to point at the strange clothing and appearances of the passersby that increased in number as the minutes lapsed, she contented herself with whispering to me of the strange hairstyles, clothing, and piercings she noticed.
She was especially fascinated with the early-morning joggers. Of women who wore their hair in ponytails and sported earbuds and colorful running shoes. She marveled at the extensive rose gardens, and the thrill on her face made me slow my pace so she could stop and smell the fragrant blossoms. When we passed over the bridge, the fountain in the pond shot a spray of water high into the air. I let her watch the water for several minutes until she seemed satisfied and turned to me with an expression of curiosity.
“This is the world you grew up in?”
“No. This is Kelsey’s world. I was born in a time when things moved slowly, very similar to your own.” As we resumed our walk, I asked, “Does this place frighten you?”
“No. Not while I am with you.”
I glanced at her, wondering if she was attempting to toy with me, but she was taking in her surroundings, completely oblivious to my thoughts. Chiding myself, I remembered that Anamika was many things, but a flirt was not one of them. She prided herself on being direct. It was something I appreciated about her. The fact that my presence gave her courage stirred a feeling of satisfaction in me.
“You honor me, Goddess,” I said with a twinkle in my eye.
Her green eyes lifted to mine, seeking to discover my mood, and a second later she graced me with a rare smile.
After passing a Japanese shrine, we left the forest and headed across a wide lawn. Anamika paused in her tracks. Her breathing quickened and I scented the sharp tang of her fear. She clutched my arm.
“What is it?” I asked softly.
“It…it is not possible,” she said.
Her head was lifted to the sky. Where the trees parted, the Tokyo skyline was clearly visible, and a plane passed over one of the skyscrapers as we watched.
“Anamika, look at me.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and turned her toward me. “In this time, there are ways for people to build great buildings and to travel through the sky in metal chariots. They travel over land on great roads that seem to never end. There is an unseen power called electricity that gives the light of a hundred candles. Doors are made of glass and open without anyone holding them. You will see many strange and different things, but I want you to remember that you have more power than all of these. You are the goddess Durga and nothing can hurt you. I will be by your side. If you are unsure, watch what I do. I promise I will not lead you astray.”
Anamika swallowed and nodded. A familiar glint stole into her eyes.
“I am ready,” she said. “You may escort me to the giant metal company.”
As we began walking toward the now bustling crosswalk and her eyes widened at seeing the hundreds of cars changing lanes and honking, I added, “Oh, and one more thing. It’s probably better if you don’t talk too much.”
She frowned and arched a defiant brow, the expression making me laugh. Her righteous indignation at my comment also served the purpose of helping her forget how utterly foreign this world was to her. We approached the glass doors of the Rajaram Industries headquarters, and as she boldly strode by my side, I wondered if I would handle this time as well if our roles were reversed.
The greeter at the front desk was friendly enough until I stated our purpose. Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “We’ve just finished our yearly audit. I’m afraid I
don’t understand,” she said politely but with an expression of no-funny-business-gets-past-her. Anamika didn’t help when she rudely asked the girl why she was wearing color on her lips and cheeks.
The receptionist was picking up the phone to call a supervisor when Ana waved her fingers in the air. The girl blinked and apologized for bothering her supervisor unnecessarily before hanging up the phone. She then returned to her paperwork, ignoring us completely.
We’d long since discovered that both of us could access the power of the Damon Amulet no matter who wore it as long as we were within a few kilometers of each other. “What did you do?” I asked incredulously.
“I simply accessed her memory and blocked us from her thoughts. She won’t remember us or see us while we are here.”
“How did you do that?”
“It’s the same thing you did with Kelsey.”
“Not exactly. You made us invisible.”
“Oh, that. It is a trick. The scarf can bend light when used with the time travel piece of the amulet.” She frowned. “It is difficult to explain. Our bodies are blurred so that we walk in a slightly different time that overshadows the old one, and then I use the fire piece to reform the light patterns around us. It is similar to hiding from prey with painted skin or clothing.”
I stared at her in open awe until she fidgeted and asked, “Can we hurry and find your company please?”
Nodding, I took her elbow, guiding her into the elevator, and cursed myself when I saw we’d need a key card. I briefly explained how an elevator worked while pushing the keep-door-closed button, but she placed her palm over the key pad and blue crackles of electricity sparkled from between her fingers. For a technologically illiterate girl, her ability to grasp concepts and keep an open mind was astonishing. In a second, we were racing up to the top floor of the building, where we’d find my office.
This time I had the upper hand, literally, as I palmed the lock and the door opened. I handed her a Japanese chocolate bar and a bottle of soda from the mini-fridge before leaving her to explore my office while I checked the computer. Watching her find delight in a fish tank, raid the mini-fridge, and gasp at the view of the city from my office window was distracting, but I still managed to skim through Nilima’s email and discovered the announcement that Ren was taking over Rajaram Industries as president.
Tiger's Dream (Tiger's Curse Book 5) Page 6