by T. G. Ayer
And, as she fell, arms flung out before her, Maya had her first look at her hands. An old metal bangle encircled one wrist, reflecting the yellow lamplight. Old frail hands, skin so papery thin it lay upon the bone of her arm as if her flesh had vanished.
They were not Maya's hands.
Chapter 9
The lock clicked, and the door sighed open. Aunt Claudia stepped into the room, a wry smile on her face as she leaned against the door and took in Maya's forlorn expression.
"Trust you to sneak out of the house to go to a party and end up smokin' a dude."
"Very funny." Maya tried not to smile, but it had always been difficult to sulk around Claudia.
Claudia Romero, a close friend of Maya's mom, and more of a big sister to Maya. She was so close to the Rao’s she might as well have been family. From babysitter, to friend and confidant in sixteen years, Claudia was still easier to confide in than her mom. Although she’d get a motherly rebuke if she put a foot wrong.
As it was, Maya found it strange Claudia wasn't as pissed off with her as her parents. Perhaps she wasn’t entirely aware of the whole demon situation.
Maya stiffened, shock paralyzed her limbs as she stared at Claudia. Claudia's dark doe eyes stared blandly back at her.
"What did you say?" Maya kept her voice low enough to cover the wobble of fear.
"What do you mean?" Claudia walked to the bed and sat beside Maya. She placed a small gift bag on the covers over Maya's knees.
"You just said 'smokin’ a dude'. What did you mean by that?" Maya ignored the gift even though she ached to open it.
Claudia leaned closer, until their faces were a mere foot apart, and asked, "What did you want me to mean by that?"
Maya shook her head. "Stop trying to confuse me. Why did you say that? What do you know?"
"I know enough."
"Enough to know I killed someone?" asked Maya, her voice like granite. "Enough to know it’s not that big a deal 'cos the dude I 'smoked' happened to be a demon?"
"Yup."
Maya wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream or cry. Perhaps both would make her feel better. She bit her lip, stemming the wave of self-pity about to engulf her.
"No way are you going to wuss out on me now, chica. We have serious business to attend to."
The sharp, stern command stopped the tears that had been so ready to fall. "What do you mean?"
Maya's heart fell as she realized Claudia might know exactly what was going on.
"What I mean is we need to get you ready. Stronger. Tougher."
"So you know about the demon?" Maya cut in. "What do you know?"
"I know everything, chica. I know about your powers, about how your parents bound those powers for your protection. I know who you are, and who you were." Claudia took Maya's hands in hers, and squeezed them, and the mere meeting of skin began to relax the confused girl inside Maya. "You have the same eyes, you know?"
"Same as whom?" Maya asked, fearing the answer.
"Same as Mother." Claudia nodded, lost in thought for a few minutes.
"How did you know her?"
"She trained me. She was my teacher and my mentor, my mother and my friend. She left many broken hearts behind when she died." Claudia laid her palm on Maya's cheek. "And we see her in you, shining so brightly there is no question. The same spunk, the same strength."
Maya shrugged the palm off and rose from the bed. She walked to the window to stare outside, where the trees were red and gold, and the sky was a cool clear blue.
"So you're one of them?" Maya nodded at the door to her room. "A Kali follower like them?"
Claudia’s face fell, and for a moment Maya wished she could take back her tone of contempt. Too late. Besides, she was pretty sure she meant it.
"Yes I am, chica." Claudia rose, joined Maya, and curled up on the window seat. "What do you know of Kali?"
"Enough."
"What exactly do you know?"
"Enough to know I can’t bear the thought of all of you guys following those . . . ancient . . . illogical beliefs. All that blood-sucking makes me sick."
Maya refused to look at Claudia, instead inspecting the silent street outside, the fallen leaves gathered in untidy piles beneath the trees lining the path. She turned only when the sound of laughter disturbed her.
Claudia was well into her laughing fit, tears welling in her eyes, one hand clamped over her mouth.
"What's so darned funny?" asked Maya.
"You." Claudia managed the single syllable between hiccups of laughter as she tried to regain control.
Maya clenched her teeth, then immediately unclenched them as pain spiked into her cheekbone. Byron's blow still hurt like the blazes.
"I’m sorry Maya. It's just I never, ever thought I'd hear those words coming from you. And especially when you consider who you are."
Maya took a deep breath. "Okay then. So who am I?"
Claudia sighed, at last in control of her giggles. "You, Maya Rao, are the Hand of Kali. The living embodiment of the power of the Dark Goddess."
"Cue the dramatic music," said Maya, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on, Maya. I’m trying to tell you the truth here," Claudia snapped. And Maya looked away. She had no intention of apologizing. Not when the entire family seemed to have been in cahoots her entire life, keeping the truth from her.
"So, when you were babysitting, what were you doing exactly? Demon watching? Or watching me for power spurts?"
"To be honest, I was doing both. We’ve had you hidden pretty well. Until now. The question is, how did they find you?"
"Care to tell me who they are?" snapped Maya.
"The Rakshasas. They are the demons who roam the earth. They are and always will be around. Many of them, but not all, are monsters who roam to kill. They knew about you a long time ago. The Hand of Kali. That’s what you were called ever since your reincarnation was confirmed."
"The Hand of Kali. So what does the Hand do then?" asked Maya, repulsed and yet intrigued. She’d felt the rush of energy run through her body in the seconds before Byron had been incinerated. She had to admit it if only to herself; if this whole power thing was real, it was safer to get a handle on it, rather than to have it control her.
"The power to scent the blood of a Rakshasa. The Power to create and control fire. And the power to-"
"The power to kill the demons," said her dad as he entered the room.
Maya watched as he sent Claudia a look far too stern, almost bordering on a reprimand. She blinked in shock as she watched Claudia lower her eyes, a silent apology for some unknown transgression.
"I’m sorry to interrupt you girls. Maya, when you came home last night you mentioned Nik believed you had turned the demon into flames?"
Maya nodded.
"How well do you know him?"
"Not that well. He’s always around. We aren’t friends or anything." As she spoke, Maya blushed and was glad her darker skin hid the rosiness.
"And he arrived to help you after the demon disappeared?"
"No, he arrived as Byron was burning up. Nik saw him go from flames to ashes." Maya frowned. "But Dad, how would Nik have known? Is he one you your followers too?"
Maya cringed at the thought. Not another nice guy falling into the clutches of mythology. Although twisted within her own dilemma, Maya didn’t miss the fleeting expression on his face. A meaningful twist of guilt that had nothing to do with Maya's health and everything to do with the enigmatic Nik Lucas.
An odd expression flickered over Dev's face. Then it was gone. "Maya, I know you must feel like we've been keeping you in the dark but remember this knowledge is given with a responsibility that, until now, you've been too young to bear. We've discussed it and we agree. It's time for a full-scale training effort. Your rib should be healed before the week is out. In that time Claudia, your mother and I will get you up to speed on the theory."
"Theory?"
"Yes, Demon culture, sub-culture and social interaction
. Methods of killing. Methods of armed combat. The truth behind the old myths and legends. And above all, the teachings of our Dark Goddess."
"So you're telling me you'll be turning me into a Kali follower?"
"Maya, whether you like it or not you are a follower of the Goddess. Our job is to teach you everything we can in the time we have. You need to know everything. There's nothing we can do about the info dump, but we have to be prepared. Just in case."
"You think they will try again?"
"Yes, I do. That's why you're not to be left alone at any point in time."
"So you guys have powers too?"
Dev frowned, then nodded. "If by powers you mean can we fight the demons, then yes."
"No, I meant can any of you guys smell them and turn them into flames like I can?"
"No Maya, only you can. You are the conduit to Kali’s power. And, as much as you might not want to hear this, we are not here to protect you."
Maya's dad rose and came to stop in front of her. He held her by the shoulders, squeezing in reassurance.
"You are here to protect us."
Chapter 10
The sky bled orange and red and yellow and the colors danced to the sound of the waves. There was something so visceral about a sunset over the ocean. The waves, breaking on the shore, retreating, then reaching back again, and again. It was Maya's favorite place.
After almost a week confined to her room, Maya was finally able to walk on her own. She’d demanded a trip to the beach. It was annoying to be tailed constantly, to be dropped off like a little child, watched from the hillside parking lot. She refused to glance up at her mom waiting in the car, to acknowledge she wasn't alone. That would spoil everything.
The sand beside her shifted, and someone dumped themselves next to her. She didn’t look. Knew before he sat down it was him. He had a unique scent. Some exotic, spicy fragrance he wore. No doubt he knew it drove the girls crazy.
Maya blushed and stared as the evening sky darkened, still grasping at the disappearing splotches of brilliant ruby. She suspected her mom or dad had arranged this and made a mental note to thank them. This meant she probably wasn't waiting for Maya any longer. A quick glance up the hill confirmed her mom's Audi was gone.
"How you holding up?" Nik asked. Maya sneaked a peek. His elbows rested on raised knees and he kept his eyes on the skyline too.
"As well as can be expected under the circumstances," Maya mumbled. "Who told you?"
"Your dad paid me a visit."
"Did he try and kung-fu your ass?"
"Pretty much. I survived. Then we had a long talk. So it's all fine," Nik chuckled "I’m glad you’re still alive."
Nik met her eyes, a question hovered there. Or an expectation.
"Okay, I’ll say it . . . thank you for saving my life." Maya bit the words out as if each one were a poisoned gumdrop.
"What are you thanking me for?" Genuine puzzlement creased his forehead. "You are the one who killed that demon's ass."
Maya thought about it for a while. True, Nik had arrived a little too late to be of much use. Had Byron meant to rape her she’d be having a totally different conversation right now. Instead, she had to accept he was really a demon, not the nasty linebacker she’d thought he was.
"But how did you know it was me who did that to Byron?" Maya had been dying to ask Nik that question. "When you got to the pool-house he was already on fire. You didn’t see a thing."
Nik linked his fingers, deep in thought. He’d heard her question and Maya hoped he wasn’t trying to make up some bland excuse.
"I can see them," he answered at last, ending his sentence on a sigh.
"See whom?" Maya hesitated.
"The Rakshasas. I can see them. It’s okay Maya. I know all about them," Nik reassured her.
"So what, are you also one of them?" She pinned him with an inquisitorial stare.
"Them?" He stared at her. His expression arctic. What had she said to make him go cold on her so suddenly?
She didn’t find his evasiveness at all funny. "The Kali followers."
His eyes warmed and he relaxed, but his face remained blank. "I am, and I’m not. It’s hard to explain. My allegiance lies with another god, although I would bow to the Dark Goddess in a flash."
"So to whom do you owe your allegiance?" Maya gritted her teeth. Why was it so darned difficult to get a straight answer from anyone?
When he finally answered she expected Nik to lie, and glared at him, daring him. But he blinked and smiled. "My allegiance is to Lord Yama."
Around them the beach was silent, sand shifted at Maya's feet in the warm breeze.
"Yama as in the God of the Dead?"
"Yes, the Lord of the Underworld. That Yama."
His voice rang with a deep reverence and yet the respect was edged with a hint of anger or impatience. Almost a petulance Maya couldn't understand. She shook her head, unable to believe that the whole crazy mess could get any worse. "Okay where are the hidden cameras?"
"What?" Nik twisted about, looking around and behind them.
Maya laughed, more at herself than at the confused boy. "Nothing. It's just a joke."
Nik shook his head. "Maya, I was sent here to protect you. That is my job."
The words stung, but they made sense too. He’d been there, everywhere she’d gone. Ever since he’d first arrived.
"I am here to help you. To train and to learn. Whatever it is you need. You're important, not only to Kali but to the rest of the pantheon too. Yama wants me to ensure your safety. Yama’s word is law and I usually do what I am told."
"So all the time you've been in Somerville you've been on surveillance duty?" The question came out clipped and cold.
Nik nodded. "I guess you could call it that. Moving into a big house in a rich neighborhood almost guarantees entry into the popular crowd. In my case, it worked well. And Amber honed in on me. She'd been possessed when I first met her. At first I thought she’d recognize me, but she didn't."
"So why did you think she would recognize you?"
"I’m not sure. I thought at first the Rakshasas would smell me or something but they were oblivious. I watched them. I was tempted to get close, but I had no idea who they were working for and if I'd be walking straight into a trap. I couldn’t take the chance. Especially since my main task was to find you, Maya, and keep you safe." Nik was silent for a moment before continuing, "The presence of the Rakshasas told us you were in danger. But we thought your power was latent, and it wouldn’t reveal you even if they tried anything. That’s why I kept close at Amber’s party. We still have no idea who these demons are working for."
"So you've encountered them before?" Maya asked.
"Of course. They work in the palace in Patala. I've known them all my life."
"You grew up with them?" Maya's skin rippled with anger.
Nik turned to face her. "The Rakshasas are a race. They all have different allegiances. Some give their allegiance to demon kings of the other underworld planes, some still worship Ravana, and some have even thrown off the mantle of servitude and now live in the human world, side by side with humans who haven't the faintest idea who they really are."
"So do you track them down?" Maya asked, shocked that demons were allowed to live among humans. Surely it shouldn't be allowed.
"Why? They have as much a right to a life as you and I. We do keep an eye on them though. And the hell hounds know when one of them goes off the rails."
The sky had darkened, now more black than red or orange, and the gentle breeze had turned frosty, nipping at Maya's bare, sand-covered toes.
She shook her head, trying to fathom how she felt about all the people who populated her world. Parents who'd hidden her true nature from her for her entire life. A Mexican woman and a good old American boy who served Kali and Yama. Who was she to deny the existence of mythology anyway? Maya sighed. For every time she’d ever scoffed at the legends, or criticized the traditions. She sighed for every time she�
��d sneered at her parent's ancient, dusty old beliefs.
Maya laughed silently. Was she really taking this so calmly, when all she wanted was to throw herself onto the sand and scream and kick and yell and cry out her frustrations.
But it was the deep, burning fear inside her that worried her more than anything. The fear of the power she contained within her. The fear of what she could do with all that power. The fear of whom she was meant to be and of how little control she had left in her sorry life.
If this was all true then she was in deep doody.
Chapter 11
Maya sat on the backyard steps, dusting her feet, and her sneakers. Sand seemed to have gotten everywhere. The screen door opened and shut behind her and her dad dropped onto the step beside her.
"Thanks, Dad."
"What for honey?"
"For telling Nik to come over."
"Well now that I know he’s not here to abduct, maim or kill you . . . . He seems okay. Just be careful who you trust, okay?"
"Sure. Maybe we need to draw up a rule book." When her dad frowned she said, "Rules for Maya. No life, no friends, kill demons, don’t trust anyone."
"Maya!" he admonished. "Whatever rules we have are only there for your protection. Once you know what you're doing you’ll be fine."
Maya scowled. Nothing her dad said made any difference to how she felt. Everyone seemed so busy trying to control her they’d all forgotten she should have a choice in the whole business, seeing as her life and her power were the problems.
"And we never said you can’t have friends now, did we?"
"I guess not. But what if having anyone over meant they’d be in trouble? What if they get mixed up in this whole mess?"
Her dad ruffled her hair. "You seem to have a pretty good set of brains in that head of yours. There is some truth to that, Maya. It’s up to you of course, but there’s nothing stopping you from finding a good balance. You have to be-"
"Be careful. Yeah, I know." Maya sighed and got to her feet, dusting her rear. She turned to go back into the house when her dad touched her arm.