by T. G. Ayer
As the lesson continued, Maya began to wonder who the mastermind was behind the Rakshasa search for her. Kas hadn't seemed like he was the one. Not that Maya had gotten the chance to ask him before he'd disappeared into thin air, but her gut was telling her that he wasn't the demon lord sending the Rakshasa's to her.
Someone powerful and very angry wanted Maya, and she suspected they were after the powers given to her by Kali. But what was the point really? All she had was firepower and the ability to detect demons. What difference did it make and what would they use that power for? Although it confused her, she knew they were after her and now they were too close to getting what they wanted.
Hopefully all her training would pay off if they decided to snatch her. A bubbled of laughter welled within her. She'd known coming to school was a bad idea. She just hadn't figured on how bad.
The bell rang and the students rose and filed out of the class. The Ms. Harris demon was good. After her initial question, she never once made eye contact with Maya. She'd behaved normal, did nothing out of the ordinary, not a single thing to let anyone know that beneath the pretty human form was an evil demon.
Maya headed to the cafeteria, choosing a seat near the outside door. It didn't take long for Joss to arrive. At last she saw Joss and waved her over before she could slide into the seat beside her, Maya rose and tucked her hand inside Joss's elbow.
She didn't look around, just smiled at Joss and said, "It's stuffy in here. Let's go outside."
"Okay," said Joss slowly as she eyed Maya and allowed herself to be dragged outside into the the sunlight. Maya pulled her toward the tree that had become their spot, where they used to sit with Ria every lunchtime.
They settled on the grass and Maya pulled out their lunches from her bag. Leela had packed a cold chicken salad for both the girls. Something she'd begun to do more often since Joss began spending more time with Maya's family. As she handed Joss her lunch, Maya said, "There's something I have to tell you." She kept her voice low just to be safe. Now with the Rakshasa around she couldn't be certain if there were more where Ms. Harris had come from.
Joss frowned as she poked a plastic fork into a piece of lettuce. "What's wrong?"
Maya glanced around to check if the coast was clear before she spoke. "The new English teacher..."
"Ms. Harris? She's a bit of the stick in the mud, " said Joss making a face.
"Yeah, she also happens to be a demon," said Maya her tone dry, her heart thumping.
"What?" asked Joss, eyes goggling.
"Eat. Don't let them see you're shocked," urged Maya. "And yeah, she's a Rakshasa. She had the whole raw meat and spices perfume thing going on."
"Crap," said Joss. "They found you." She looked across the field then returned her attention to her food. Maya could tell she was having a hard time scanning their surroundings for potential threats.
"It's not like they didn't know exactly where I was to begin with," Maya said, a wry twist to her lips.
"True. But now they sent someone else for you. Did she act weird? Did she talk to you?"
"Standard questions that she asked everyone," answered Maya. "She was perfectly normal, didn't even bat an extra eyelid in my direction."
"Crap," said Joss, her face dark with worry. "We need to speak to someone. When is Nik getting his ass back to town?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," said Maya, trying to keep her emotions out of her words. "Honestly, I expected him to be back already. I wish I knew what's taking him so long."
"Well, he'd better get back here pronto, before the demons manage to get their claws into you again."
Maya nodded, she couldn't agree more.
Chapter 7
The martial arts studio was empty.
Maya and Joss had waited until the afternoon classes ended before heading inside the largest room. Ever since they returned from Patala the two girls practiced as much as possible. Joss was still better at fighting but now Maya's ego could handle it. She was no longer jealous.
Joss threw her bag beside the wall and then swore as three super thick books came tumbling out. She rushed over to it, shoving the books back inside, but not before Maya had gotten a good eyeful of the titles. Hindu Legends & Mythology, Hindu Gods & Goddesses, and The Myths and Gods of India.
Maya smiled. "Interesting reading material, Joss," she teased.
"Well, I'm taking it seriously you know. It's not easy coming into this with zero knowledge. I didn't know my Asuras from my Avatars until now," said Joss so defensively that Maya burst out laughing.
Maya's mom strode into the room from the inner office. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," both girls replied simultaneously and Leela grinned.
"Fine then, don't share." She handed Joss a set of gleaming Madu's.
Maya grinned at the look on Joss's face. "You're kidding me right?" she asked as she stared wide-eyed at Maya's mom.
"Not not kidding at all. That's for you. Your very own set." Leela smiled as Joss turned the weapons over and over inspecting it and grinning widely.
"Wow," said Joss, her voice still holding a touch of disbelief as if she couldn't believe that someone had actually given her something that she wanted so much. She of the parents who whored her with every known meta rial object in the hopes that she wouldn’t realize they were pretty much absent all the time. "These things are pretty awesome. I wanted my own set ever since I saw yours Maya."
"And now you have one," Maya said, grinning at her friend. "Now how about practicing with them instead of ogling them and feeling them up."
Joss giggled and the two girls moved to the center of the mat. Maya sank into the start position, softening her knees and bouncing on them. She held her Madu's in front of her, turning and twisting them this way and that. She loved the fluidity of the antelope horns. Opposite her, Joss mimicked her movements and soon enough they settled into a fluid dance, moving back and forth away from each other, then towards each other again.
Leela watched for a while, then stepped forward. "Okay, now that you're both comfortable with the weapon's physics there are a few sequences that we could practice to get you more comfortable in using them in a fight. Maya, when you've fought with the Madu's in the past, have you ever had the opportunity to jump and fight with them?"
Maya frowned wondering what her mom meant. "I'm not sure," she said. "I don't think so. Whenever I've had to use then I did so while on both my feet."
Leela nodded. "So, I think it's time you both train to fight with Madu's while doing things like jumping or running or spinning."
"Oh. I see what you mean," said Maya. "Using the Madu, and even while your hand is occupied with them still doing martial arts stuff with the rest of you body."
"Yes, exactly. Now watch me for a moment." Leela sank into her stance and began to perform a series of movements that were so unique and different that both girls were transfixed. She moved with such fluid grace it looked like she was dancing. Maya recalled the first time she'd ever seen her mother practice with the Madu's. Her mother's movements was so beautiful, so small, so intricate that it was a form of dance.
Maya scowled. She had never been much of a dancer. She'd failed to inherited her mom's dancing genes. Probably one of the reasons martial arts came a little harder to her than to the rest of her family but Maya did the best she could in spite of her two left feet.
And she was pretty good, if she said so herself.
Joss and Maya followed Leela's instructions and fell into a routine of practice for the rest of the session. They were both drenched as they sank to the mat in exhaustion.
"Boy, this is harder than it looks" said Joss, the expression in her voice saying she had enjoyed the session as much as Maya. "To be honest I don't want it to end."
"Maybe it should," said Leela. "You girls have done enough. You don't want to overtire yourself. If you're too tired you may lose your concentration and end up accidentally skewering each other with the Madu's. Change and head back to the hou
se. There's roast chicken on for dinner tonight and you both deserve a nice hot meal after all this hard work."
The girls headed off to the showers and Maya grinned to herself. She loved that Joss was spending much more time with her. It was like having a sister. She'd almost lost Joss, and her stomach still hurt when she remember looking down at Joss's pale and lifeless face.
She had lost Joss.
And if Yama had not granted her boon and given Joss her life back, Maya would be alone today.
Chapter 8
When the girls returned home after practice at the center, the first thing they did was gulp down their dinner of roast chicken and garlic potatoes. Both tired from their training session they spent the meal mostly in comfortable silence. Then Joss headed home and Maya ran upstairs to check on her dad.
As she entered the room he glanced up from reading the paper. A light blanket lay over his legs and his laptop sat beside him. He didn't look too happy to be confined to his bed. But then when faced with the fury of his wife he didn't have much of a chance.
"Hi," said Maya as she took a seat at the foot on the bed.
Dev smiled. "Hi, yourself. How was school?"
"School was . . . interesting." Maya wasn't sure how best to put it.
"That sounds foreboding," said her father, scrunching up one brow.
"I guess foreboding would be the right word to use when it comes to demons," said Maya.
He frowned and laid his paper on his lap. "What do you mean, Maya?"
"Ms. Harris, my new English teacher is of the Rakshasa persuasion."
Dev's eyebrows shot up almost into his hairline as he stared at her. She was amused to see that he clearly had no idea what to say to that revelation. He sat up straight, folded his paper and set it beside him. Maya watched him unsure what his next move will be. He wasn't taking this news very well and she hoped he wasn't going to overreact and leap off the bed to go on a Rakshasa hunt.
Her dad studied her face, his eyes dark with worry. "Maya, maybe you shouldn't go to school."
"Are you crazy, Dad?" asked Maya. "The moment I stay at home they will know something is up." Maya couldn't believe it. Just this morning she was convincing herself that going to school was the worst idea ever. Now she was actually advocating going to school. But it made total sense. The last thing she wanted to do is to alert the demons that she was on to them.
Her father sat back against the pillows and sighed. "You're probably right, Maya. I really wish we knew what to do. Who is it that's sending these demons to find you?"
Maya shrugged. "Maybe Nik knows something," she said hopefully. "As soon as he gets back I'll ask him." Maya spoke with a confidence she simply didn't have. She had no idea when Nik was returning. But she didn't want her dad to know that she was clueless herself. "And besides, I can take care of myself. If Ms. Harris decides to go all Rakshasa on me I'll give as good as I get."
"I'm guessing you will," said her dad chuckling.
Maya smiled, tugged his big toe through the blanket, and left him to his own devices. Back in her room she flung her bag on her bed and pulled her books out to begin her homework. Soon she found herself staring at the papers in disgust. Homework. Why did she need to do homework? Maya clicked her tongue. It was a never-ending argument. She had to go to school so she had to do her homework. End of story. No point in complaining about it, no point in fussing.
With a little bit of persistence Maya was soon making steady headway when she heard a sound at the door. She looked up expecting to see her mother, a smile already on her face.
Chapter 9
Nik stood at the door leaning against the door jamb, a cheeky grin on his face. As soon as Maya saw him all she wanted to do was fling herself into his arms. But she remained on the bed and held herself stiff. She was still pretty annoyed with him that he had disappeared for so long without even a phone call to say how long he will be. Sure they had no phones in Patala but surely he could have found a way to let her know how long he'd be. Just because he was now here didn't mean she'd have to go jumping up and down and smothering him with kisses.
Not that she didn't want to smother him with kisses.
So in the end she just smiled at him and sat on her bed. Nik grinned as he walked in to the room. And Maya heard the click-clack of nails on the wood floor. She peered around his legs.
Sabala.
Maya grinned at the hell-hound who looked at her with all four of his big black eyes. He came around Nik to sit at the foot of her bed. Once comfortable he looked up her and tilted his head as if to say 'I'm here, now you don't have to worry about anything.'
But Maya's attention remained on Nik.
"Hey," he said as he sat on the bed beside her.
"Hey," Maya responded. She smiled and her smile was genuine despite the little bubble of anger. "There is something you need to know, though."
"Well, let's just get down to business then," said Nik with a wry smile. She detected a hint of annoyance in his tone and narrowed her eyes at him, but he hid it well and offered her a grin. Maya quickly told him about Ms. Harris, the Rakshasa demon. "She's your English teacher?"
Maya nodded. "And she hasn't given any indication that she's there for me. Didn't even pay me any extra attention."
"Interesting." Nik seemed to be far away as he absorbed the demonic development.
"Is that all you can say?" asked Maya, finally allowing her annoyance to filter through.
"What do you expect me to say?" he asked, the expression on his face one of confusion.
Maya glared at him. "What took you so long anyway?" she asked, keeping her gaze on his face.
Nik's brown lifted with slightest bit and his smile disappeared. "I'm sorry. There were a few things I need to get for you. Sorry it took so long."
"You were getting stuff for me?" asked Maya,her annoyance had suddenly evaporated, repleted with a good dose of curiosity.
"Yes," said Nik as he patted his rucksack. "I'll show them all to you at our next training session."
"And when will that be?" asked Maya pointedly.
"As soon as you can make time," he responded. She hadn't expected that and for a moment she was thrown.
"Now, would be good," said Maya. She raised an eyebrow at him. "You've been gone long enough." She got to her feet, abandoning her books, and headed out the door. Nik and Sabala followed closely. As she passed her father's room she popped her head inside. "Dad, Nik is here and we are off to do some training downstairs."
Her dad gave Nik a welcoming smile and then waved them off. Nik and Maya headed to the garage. Dev had converted the triple garage into a small fire-training area. A more convenient place for Maya to practice controlling her fire power. Maya and Nik usually trained in an abandoned parking garage on the outskirts of town. But it was not always convenient for them to rush off to the garage for training. Sometimes they were just doing focused training which didn't really need to be done in a concrete building. Dev had sprayed the walls of the garage with flame retardant paint in the hopes that Maya will not burn the place down.
Maya hoped it would help to prevent her from torching the place
She led Nik into the garage. He followed closely behind her, although she did notice that he remained oddly silent. How she managed so long without him? She didn't like the idea that she was beginning to feel like she depended on him too much. There had been a time when she hadn't depended on anybody and she'd been pretty happy with that.
The click-clack on the floor confirmed that Sabala was also coming along. Maya scowled, wondering what she would do with the hell-hound when she had to go to school the next day. He'd either have to stay at home or be invisible.
She flipped the light switch and waved a hand at the empty garage.
"Set up wherever you like," she said glancing at Nik. He nodded and walked over to the metal table on the far wall where he proceeded to empty his rucksack of an array of little glass bottles. Maya frowned at the line of tiny bottles. They looked suspi
ciously as if they contained blood.
Maya didn't like the idea at all.
"What are those," she asked, certain she didn't want to hear his answer.
She wasn't surprised when he responded, "Blood."
"Is that where you were all this time? Looking for blood?" Maya asked with a silent scoff.
Nik nodded. "This is it an important part of your training. It's essential that you know how to a identify the different types of blood."
Maya just nodded, unsure what she should say to that. The idea of working with blood in any shape or form was just gross. With Nik in charge of her training, the last thing she wanted to do was to challenge him.
Once his bottles were all sorted Nik turned to Maya and leaned against the table behind him. He smiled at her and the next moment he was Nik all over again. The same Nik that had helped her after she'd torched Byron, the same Nik who'd guided her through the tasks that Yama had set for her. The same Nik who'd promised that she would always have him.
"So where did you disappear to all this time? Was it really that hard to find blood samples?" She had tried but she'd been unable to keep the accusation out of her voice.
Nik smiled apologetically and shook his head. "I'm really sorry. I know I was gone for a long time without contacting you."
Maya shrugged, "Three weeks isn't exactly the longest time in the world, but I guess you could say that I did wonder where you were and what had happened to you."
"I'm really sorry, Maya. I guess I should've realized that you'd be wondering. I didn't realize how long I'd been gone. I was a little preoccupied." When Maya didn't respond his smile slowly disappeared. "I had to pay my mother a visit."
All Maya managed was a soft "Oh." She was beginning to feel a little guilty pushing Nik for an answer.
"It's been a while since I visited her," said Nik. "I didn't want her to worry."
Maya smiled. "I understand. Maybe someday you could take me to meet her." After the words were out Maya realized how forward that sounded. It's not as if Nik had asked her to marry him. They were just together for now. How does one date demigod anyway? Maya gritted her teeth and chided herself for her big mouth.