He bowed his head, silence his answer.
“On the outside, you resemble an angel, but a broken one. I suspect you were sent to this world to make a choice, and I fear you have already chosen. Inside, your nature is that of a demon, and your home is in the lower spheres.”
“A demon? Is that why the humans fear me?”
“Demons are living entities, like daivas and humans, and like the daivas, they have great powers. They desire to be supreme, to impose their will upon the world, and their purpose is to destroy what others value. They are the enemies of everything that is good and sacred. But even a demon such as you can practice austerities, and control, if not conquer, his demonic nature and prevent a descent to the lower planets. If you so desire.”
He accepted the sage’s words as truth but lowered his eyes. He knew the path he would take, but kept his mind blank, not wanting to reveal his ambition in case he was rejected.
The sage seemed not to expect a response and continued. “I shall name you Angelus, and you may stay here, and learn what you can. I have hope you will take the chance I am giving you.”
Angelus. He rolled the name around in his mind. He liked the sound of it. “A chance to what?”
“Earn the right to return to your real home.”
Udyama Muni was a harsh taskmaster who imposed many rules and regulations for those seeking mastery of the mind and body. Breaking any of these principles, even once, resulted in banishment from the ashrama, and avoiding the yogi’s vigilance was impossible. When Udyama deemed a disciple was ready, he offered initiation to mark the birth of a life committed to the search for the absolute truth.
Angelus wanted nothing to prevent him gaining power, and buried his true desires deep in his heart. He applied himself to Udyama’s teachings with dedication: rising early in the gray predawn light, bathing in the cold stream, meditation, prayer, and daily duties left him no time for anything else. He bent his mind to mastering every lesson. Every living being had an allotted number of breaths, and he gained the ability to extend his lifespan by taking a single breath a day. Other proficiencies included how to become lighter than air, heavier than a mountain, how to wield light for healing and protection, how to curve the shadows around him and be invisible, how to read an unshielded mind, and how to bend others to his will. Over time he gained mastery of his senses.
Yet there were times when he contemplated the realm of birth, old age, disease and death where he now lived, and rage and then hatred of whoever, or whatever, had condemned him to this prison consumed him. Those times he would take himself to the far end of the valley and fast till his reactions were under control. He would not risk losing what he’d gained.
At last, on the day of his initiation, he sat with twelve other disciples around the sacred fire, his head bowed, ready to receive the sacred staff, a sign denoting completion of his training.
After the feasting and celebrations were over, Udyama called Angelus to him. "When I've taught my pupils all I know, those who are purest stay here to practice more austerity and uncover the true nature of the soul. Most, however, leave seeking their own purpose, and this is the path you must now walk.”
A hot surge of resentment rose in Angelus’s heart. Again, he was being thrown out, again rejected, but he hid the bitterness from his teacher. "I understand that I cannot return to wherever I came from. That life is gone. Humans pursue this thing they call happiness, but each has their own version. I have observed that when they achieve one goal, another appears, and their desires are unlimited. Human happiness is too fleeting for me. I want something more. You have helped me find the power and magic within me, and for that I thank you.”
"There are two sides to magic. Use what you have for helping others and resist the urge to use it for your own gratification or else it will destroy you,” Udyama said. “Power, too, is fleeting in this world. I wish you well."
Carrying nothing but his staff, Angelus strode forth from the ashram that night, filled with a sense of freedom from Udyama’s restraints and resolved to explore his new powers to his utmost advantage. He was powerful and would show the wolf-men, the weak, treacherous humans, and every other creature he came across, he was not to be trifled with.
After wandering among the high peaks for several moon cycles he came across a small dwelling. No one was within but he waited, deciding to ask for shelter and food from whoever lived here. It was the sacred duty of householders to feed wandering holy sadhus, and it had been a while since he ate warm food and slept under shelter.
Angelus dozed as he sat cross-legged outside the little hut as the sun moved across the sky. A noise startled him awake, and he saw a beautiful woman watching him.
She was young and her figure was curvaceous, lithe and inviting. Her silky black waist-length hair fell down her back in soft waves. She wore a simple white robe belted at her slender waist.
In an instant, the tilt of her dark brown almond-shaped eyes, the curve of her rose-blushed cheeks, and the full deep red bow of her lips bewitched him.
The young woman noted the way he studied her, and stepped back.
However, he moved fast and grasped her wrist before she could flee. He sensed she possessed a small degree of power, but it was slight compared to his. "Don't be afraid. Tell me your name."
She looked at his hand. "I am Usha, and I’ve dedicated my life to the Goddess Parvati. I'm here practicing the path of dhyana yoga. I see you are a sadhu, and I have food and water to offer you, though my fare is simple, but you cannot stay here. Please let me go."
Angelus felt the wave of lust grow and rise within him. He had the ability to subdue it as it was the first lesson Udyama taught, but he wanted this woman as he'd wanted none before, and her refusal fueled his desire. Here, nobody had the power to stop him taking what he desired, and he would have her. Pulling her closer, he tightened his arms around her waist, and he bent his lips to her mouth. He felt her stiffen and push against him, but her efforts had no effect on his strength. He lifted her and holding her tight against him, carried her inside the dwelling. He tore her robe from her, and raped her, paying no attention to her cries and protestations that she was a virgin, and sworn to celibacy in the service of her Goddess.
Afterward, when he lay satiated and sleeping, she slipped out of his embrace. He woke to a roaring sound and a reddish flickering light. Rushing outside, he stared in shock.
Flames wreathed Usha, yet she did not burn. She raised her hands to the heavens in supplication. When she saw him, she cried out, "You have polluted this body, and I cast if off as it is now useless on my chosen path. In retribution for your merciless act, I lay a curse on you that shall hold for as long as you take breath."
He tried to approach her, to pull her out and save her, but the heat of the mystical fire she had summoned drove him back.
She pointed a flame-wreathed arm at him. "I sacrifice this form, and call on my Goddess to witness and guarantee my oath." Her expression was harsh, and her eyes unforgiving. "I curse you to lose half your power from this day on, and if you ever again seek to possess a woman against her will, at the instant of your pleasure you shall die." The flames turned from red to white hot, and Usha disappeared.
Chapter Eleven: Aid
Sheriff Bill Corwin, Fabio and Eva huddled outside Tatya’s closed bedroom door. The vampires had carried Vanse upstairs with great care and tenderness, and he now lay beside Tatya on her bed.
“The room is prepared?" Fabio couldn't keep the anxious wobble out of his voice.
"Yes,” Eva answered. “Washed with lavender water and smudged with sage and cedar, the way Tatya taught me. The drum is inside, and everything is cleansed and ready for Forked Lightning. Let's just hope Vanse's close presence brings her back from wherever she is."
"Good. We’ll start as soon as the shaman arrives, and, Sheriff, I shall keep you updated on any progress. Thank you for the extra security. Their presence is very useful, and I assure you there will be no problem between the were
s and us.” The ‘us’ Fabio referred to was himself and the twins. There had been no news of what was happening to the rest of Vanse's family, although the attack by Serkan’s vamps in daylight didn't bode well for them.
“Good, because Tat would never forgive me if anything happened to the love of her life.” Corwin had come as soon as he got the call for assistance from Jimmy. “I'll say this for your master, he always put her first. If there are humans involved, a few extra deputies isn’t a problem. For the most part, we have a good record of peace between our supernaturals. Of course, we haven’t told them everything that’s gone on in the past couple of years.”
Corwin was referring to the army of demons that laid siege to Orleton a year and a half ago, when the supernatural squad had been involved, but the public and other official town departments had been kept out of the loop. Last year they’d dealt with Angelus’s serial killer spree without outside help. In the latter case, the solution involved several shortcuts that Corwin’s superiors would not have approved of.
"Jimmy's at the shop, and I've canceled the center's appointments for today, though we've got several workshops due this week that might have to go ahead." A frown creased Eva's forehead.
Corwin patted her arm. "That's what Tat would want. She’d never expect everything to come to a halt because she's… she's, well, taking a long nap."
Eva sniffed.
"Hang in there. Once Forked Lightning's done his thing, you'll see, she'll wake up, and demand to know what the fuss is about." Corwin’s phone rang, and he glanced at the number. “Sorry, folks, I gotta go. Crimes to solve, people to arrest. Keep me posted.”
Corwin reached the bottom of the stairs as Forked Lightning walked into the house, a backpack over his shoulder. The two men had bumped up against each other several times last year, and not always in the friendliest of ways, but the young man had grown and matured when he adopted the mantle of shaman for his tribe, and gained a wife who was having his child.
"Sheriff."
Corwin nodded. "Thanks for coordinating protection here and at St. Raphael’s. I know you're worried about retaliation from Serkan after running those vamps off yesterday, and I appreciate you taking the time out to do this."
"Daniel's in charge over there right now. but Tatya's my family, too."
"That I get. Do your best."
"I will."
At the door, Corwin paused and turned. "I know she'd appreciate whatever you can do for him too," he called after the shaman's retreating back.
Forked Lightning raised his hand, acknowledging the sheriff's remarks.Ten minutes later, showered, dressed in clean clothes, with his hair hanging loose as it dried, Forked Lightning replaced the sheriff in the little group outside Tatya's bedroom.
"Angelus is Serkan's maker," Fabio informed the shaman as the pair of them stood as far away from each other as possible while maintaining the appearance of politeness.
"So that's how he knows about the walking in the daylight thing. I guess he didn't get as lucky as Vanse."
"Vanse told me Angelus strips that ability from those he turns. Vanse is the only one who has independence and retained that inheritance, and he is the only master who can pass it on to his family."
"Could Angelus be behind this even though Tat imprisoned him in that crystal tomb?" Forked Lightning had been one of the few weres whose support had been instrumental in defeating Angelus last year.
Thanks to the relationship created when the demon turned Vanse, and despite his banishment to Hell the previous year, Angelus had taken up residence in Vanse's body. Unknown to the Orleton vampire master, the demon had on occasion wrested control from his host and killed several women from Forked Lightning’s pack. Driving the oak stake into Vanse’s heart had been the only way to eject his maker.
"I fear it's a possibility we cannot dismiss. But Tatya should come with us to the Council, while we plead for time. Even though there was no official notification of her status, his blood is in her veins, and her voice carries weight. The lives of my family are at stake."
"Did Tat mention hearing an unusual noise?" Forked Lightning asked Eva.
"No."
"She mentioned it the other day. She wanted me to do a scrying with her to check it out, but it's been crazy ever since Serkan appeared on the scene. It may be connected."
“We’ve no way of finding out unless you discover something.”
“Right, let’s do this thing. Eva, ready?”
When Eva opened the door, Forked Lightning shuddered at the sight of Vanse lying next to Tatya.
“I positioned them holding hands, because Tat said she could see her bond with Vanse, even though it appeared dead, and I thought—”
“You did right. It might act as an anchor.”
“Are you all right?”
“It’s just I haven’t seen him for a year, and now he’s lying in her bed with that thing sticking out of his chest.”
“There’s just one thing I forgot.” Eva hurried around the bed, picked up the silver locket on Tatya’s bedside table, and looked at the image of Lord Narasimha. “She’s really attached to this. Maybe it’ll help bring her back.” She settled the locket around Tatya’s neck.
“Time is precious. If you could get started?” Fabio’s voice behind them had an insistent edge.
Eva rolled her eyes at Forked Lightning, and positioned herself on the floor by the bed. “Tell me when to start.” She picked up the small drum and readied herself.
Forked Lightning clambered up onto the bed and sat cross-legged at Tatya’s feet, taking great pains to stay as far as possible from the vampire. “Her aura seems fine, if more transparent than normal.” He sat up straight with his eyes closed, and after a few minutes of deep breathing, he raised his hand, signaling Eva to begin.
The rhythm of the soft regular drumbeat, combined with the beat of his heart, created a backdrop as he withdrew his senses from the world. Opening his inner eye, he saw Tatya’s bond with Vanse. Although inert, it was thicker and stronger than her tie to him. Looking at Vanse he saw with amazement many fine delicate lines, too numerous to count, with some almost invisible, fanning out from his heart. These must be links to those Vanse had turned, and he supposed he must have similar connections to the weres in his pack. He studied his own link to Tatya. Their connection wasn’t anywhere near as strong as hers to Vanse, but it shone with a silver glow, a positive signal it was active. Studying Vanse intently, he noticed a slight space between the blade and Vanse’s heart and wondered if the spell was weakening.
Closing out the distraction of Vanse’s bonds to his family, he went deeper into his trance and espied a faint glow showing the route Tatya had taken. He gathered his strength, focused, as Tatya had taught him, and soared up and out of his body. Yet instead of emerging onto the astral plane, he found himself slammed back inside his body. Dazed, he took a moment and tried again to follow the trail her spirit had left, but again he was roughly flung backward. Something was badly wrong.
He opened his eyes. “Stop drumming.”
“What’s wrong?” Eva knew Forked Lightning had returned too soon to have found Tatya.
“There’s a barrier. I can see her trail, but something or someone is blocking me." He frowned. "And it's way stronger than me.”
“Are you going to try again?”
Forked Lightning didn’t answer. Instead, he closed his eyes, but almost immediately opened them again. “Fabio! Fabio! Get in here,” he yelled.
Eva’s mouth dropped open as Fabio poked his head around the door.
“Yes, how can I be of help?”
“There’s a problem. I can’t follow Tatya, but I did notice a gap between Vanse’s skin and the blade. Alone I’m not strong enough to break through whatever the obstacle is, but I have an idea. If Angelus has escaped his confinement, then it’s possible the space developed around the blade indicates the spell holding it in place could also be weakening. I want to try and free him. If he wakes, that might be enough to
bring Tatya back to us, but I'll need your permission and assistance."
Fabio’s face lit up, but he instantly sobered as he understood the inherent risks. “Would you be able to withdraw if you sense any danger to my master?”
“I hope so.”
“I’m not sure hope is a satisfactory answer. Safeguarding my master’s life is of paramount importance.”
Forked Lightning’s words came out in a rush, and he didn’t hide his anger at Fabio's response. “Without Tatya, your master would already be dead, or his body usurped by Angelus, and your whole family in thrall to a demon bent on the domination of your race. I was there, and I know how great a debt Vanse owes her. What do you think he would say if we could ask him?”
Fabio had the grace to look ashamed. “You are right. You have my permission to do whatever is necessary.”
“You have my word. I won’t put your master’s life at risk unnecessarily.” Forked Lightning gave a grim smile as he moved around the bed, and seated himself next to Vanse. “Apart from anything, Tat would kill me. But you can’t disturb me once I start, no matter what goes on, because you’d be jeopardizing all three of our lives. Fabio, stand at the head of the bed and take Vanse’s hand. Your touch will help ground him. By the way, your tie is way stronger than the rest of your family."
"Probably because I've been with him the longest." Fabio smiled deprecatingly.
"Or you care for him the most. That's what strengthens the connection."
For a second Fabio's normal suave expression wavered, disclosing the depth of his devotion, but he blinked and his mask slid back into place. “One second, if you don’t mind.” Before Forked Lightning could object, Fabio pulled out his mobile phone. “I want to take a photo, just in case. Do you mind?”
Forked Lightning shrugged. “No problem. Go ahead.”
Fabio took several photos of the knife sticking out of Vanse’s chest, before picking up his master’s hand.
Once Fabio was in position, Forked Lightning signaled Eva, and she resumed drumming. Absorbing himself in the rhythmic beat, he breathed deep, relaxed and at once detected that the physical proximity had strengthened Fabio's bond with Vanse. As his trance intensified, the drumbeat faded into the background, and he examined the weapon with more confidence. To his inner sight, the weapon appeared black with silver runes inscribed on both sides of its surface. The handle glowed white, and the sliver of space around the spot where it entered Vanse's chest was clearly visible.
The Kala Trilogy: An Urban Fantasy Box Set Page 52