The Hand of Kali Box Set (Books 1-3)

by T. G. Ayer

  "When he dies, and his soul leaves his body, place it in this container. Once the lid is closed the metal will seal itself and it will no longer be able to be opened. The vessel is indestructible, warded by old magic, so nobody can penetrate the metal to get at the soul."

  Maya took the pot from the giant palm, trying not to stare at the lifeline that split his hand down the center and glowed, a deep cavern filled with stars, and slipped it into her jacket pocket. She wondered what had made Kas so special to deserve such a great gift, and one that he eventually disrespected.

  As if attuned to her thoughts, Lord Shiva sighed, the gusting breath shifting Maya a few feet backward. She glided to a slow stop as he said, "When people have faith in their gods, their trust and their prayers do not go unheard."

  Maya winced. Startled by the accuracy of his words, she glanced up guiltily at the god's face but he didn't appear displeased or angry. Clearly privacy was not an option, so she'd better watch what she thought.

  "Many people receive boons, even if it is not given in person. In times gone by, gods would visit their faithful and grant the gift in person, but times have changed and limited our access to the world. Perhaps I was wrong with Narakasura, perhaps I should have chosen better but at the time he was the right choice. Gods grant their boons, then leave the humans to live with that boon, to manage that gift in a way that will justify having received it. Too often they fail. And they fail because humans are fallible. They are not perfect, which is essentially what is so beautiful about them."

  Not so beautiful when they abuse the gifts they're given. She winced when she caught the small lift to Lord Shiva's lips. He'd heard.

  But the god seemed to care little for Maya's errant thoughts and she assumed he had much bigger things to consider than her inability to control her mind.

  "The gods do not interfere with human life and action. They allow things to take their course. And sometimes, even when a person believes they should receive a god's help, they will not, only because destiny has other plans."

  Maya squinted at Lord Shiva, trying to figure out if he was talking about abandoning her in Lanka. When he laughed she knew he was.

  "I did abandon you, Maya but for a good reason. Redemption comes in many forms. Your interaction with Narakasura has shown me that he does not deserve to be annihilated."

  "Annihilated?"

  That sounded pretty harsh.

  The god inclined his head, his eyebrows hooded, serious. "I can obliterate him from existence if I so wish. His soul will not live on, he will not be destined for another plane. He will just simply cease to be. That would be the ultimate punishment for someone like Narakasura, but I have decided against such a sentence. He has you to thank for that."

  "Me?"

  "You showed him kindness, friendship. And it stirred something within him. Brought him back to a time when friendship was a true thing. You spared his life in the first instance," Lord Shiva said, pausing while Maya nodded and apologized but he ignored her words and continued, "and because of that simple act, he was able to see that not everyone wanted something from him. That some people were just being kind for the sake of kindness."

  "He remembered what it was like before Bana started in on him?" asked Maya, still feeling her fists clench at the memory of the older man's viciously cold face as he'd taunted the young Narakasura. That was tantamount to brainwashing as far as she was concerned.

  "Yes, he did remember. And when you ended up in Lanka with him, you gave him a chance at redemption. Both Nikhil and Lord Yama offered him a second chance because you believed in him."

  "But he betrayed that trust." Maya found it hard to tamp down the volume of her criticism.

  "Yes, indeed he did," said Lord Shiva sadly. He stared off at the extraordinary view, and the moment seemed to stretch for ages. "But his heart did not remain hard. You chipped away at the walls he'd build around his emotions, Maya. And for that he will always be thankful. But do not expect him to show his appreciation. To him, caring is weakness and he will not reveal it to anyone. Just know that you did right by him. It is enough."

  Maya nodded, a little shocked by the somewhat-apology and the revelation that she'd redeemed Narakasura somehow. She wasn't entirely sure how that made her feel considering she was still so furious with the demon king.

  But she needed to focus, instead of getting distracted. "How do we get her to kill Narakasura?"

  Lord Shiva leaned forward, the muscles in his arms and abdomen rippling. This time his hand extended and when he opened it, a weapon sat on his palm.

  "This is the bow that Satyabhama used to slay Narakasura. It is necessary that the same weapon be used again. And there is something else you must remember, Maya," Lord Shiva's voice, though soft, echoed around Maya like a living wind, bringing her gaze from the bow to his face again. "Everything is connected. In some way, in some shape, everything is connected. Remember that. It will help you in the coming days."

  Everything is connected.

  Lord Shiva didn't seem to be in any particular hurry, but Maya cleared her throat, feeling like she should at least ask the crucial question. "How do we find Bhumi?"

  "Bhumi does not need to be found."

  If that was the case, Maya sure hoped she'd hurry and reveal herself.

  "Why is she human?" she asked, confused as to why the earth goddess would wander the world instead of ruling from the heavens.

  "Bhumi is the earth, the goddess of the soil and of this planet. She still rules from the heavens," Lord Shiva said in answer to her mental question. She was beginning to get used to it. "A god has many aspects. And the avatar is only one part of the whole."

  "So the living avatar of Bhumi is just one aspect of her? And she still watches over her human form?"

  "Yes. Bhumi knows what she needs to do. Just as she knew when she walked the earth as Satyabhama, so shall this living form."

  "So how long do we have to wait before she finds us?"

  "She has already found you." Maya frowned. That, she had not expected. "You have known her all your life."

  Maya swallowed. "All my life?"

  Lord Shiva nodded. "When you begged to be reborn, to be given the opportunity to serve once more, Mother Kali searched for the best home for you. What better place to leave you than within the arms of the goddess of the Earth."

  Chapter 44

  Maya blinked.

  She found herself staring straight into her mom's eyes, a little disoriented and a little dizzy. Maya rubbed her forehead. then gave a short laugh. "Gosh, if that was a dream, then it was one heckuva dream."

  "Honey, you just closed your eyes," said Leela, her expression one of patience. "I don't think you would've had much time to dream."

  Maya's eyebrows shot up as she stared at her mom in shock. "No way, Mom. I had a long conversation with Lord Shiva. In outer space no less." Leela shook her head. "I know how that sounds but it was for real . . . I had no idea."

  "No idea about what, honey?" Leela asked, her spine stiff.

  Maya cleared her throat. "Everything I tell you is going to sound insane but just . . . give it a chance okay?" she said, her eyes narrowing on her mom's face. Only when Leela nodded did Maya continue. "It was amazing. I think it was Lord Shiva's true form."

  Although Leela's expression began as skeptical, as Maya spoke, describing universes and stars, the great dancing god, the termination of Kas, Maya's influence and the fact that everything was connected, her mom's expression changed.

  She nodded, impressed but her soft scowl revealed she was troubled. "What's wrong, Mom?" asked Maya, Leela's expression taking the edge off her excitement.

  Leela shook her head. "Nothing, really. I just have this feeling that whatever is going to happen here on out isn't going to be something any of us like."

  "Whoa Mom, you turning oracle on me?"

  Leela laughed. "No, I do not have the sight."

  Maya studied her mom's face. "Are you sure you aren't going to start telling me
this is too dangerous?"

  Leela shrugged, smoothing her expression out to a more acceptable serenity. "Of course not. This is your destiny. Who am I to tell you otherwise?"

  "Er . . . you don't have a problem with me fighting one of the most powerful demon kings in the history of . . . history?" asked Maya, more than a little surprised she'd barely gotten a reaction from her mom.

  Leela shook her head. "No. I think I have finally accepted that you will always be more than I expected. And . . . It's probably time we allowed you to do your duty. The Hand of Kali is more important than little old me."

  "And what about Maya Rao?" asked Maya softly. Her throat hurt and she had to swallow the tears that threatened to well up.

  Leela sighed and her lower lip wobbled. "Awww, honey. I didn't mean . . ." She gathered Maya close and kissed the top of her head. "You will always be my baby, you hear me. Always." She gave Maya a tight, almost threatening squeeze for effect, but instead of throwing her off, Maya reveled in the hug, feeling more relaxed than she'd been in a while.

  Then she stiffened.

  In the arms of Mother Bhumi.

  Her mom's eyes widened, and Maya realized she'd said the words out loud.

  Leela sighed and got to her feet. "So you know?"

  Maya was glad she was still seated. Had she been standing she knew her knees would have given out. Her ears were ringing so loudly she could barely string two words together.

  Her mom was the incarnation of Bhumi the goddess of the earth. Maya took a breath.

  "Oh my god," Maya whispered, watching her mother's shocked expression. "Mom?" said Maya, wanting to know if it was true but unable to say the words.

  Her dad's arm went around her mom's shoulders. Where had he come from?

  Maya watched as he guided her mom to the nearest sofa. They sat together, both silent for a long moment. Her mom's face was bloodless, the corners of her eyes tight. Her dad looked a little green around the gills.

  "Did Lord Shiva tell you?

  Maya nodded, giving her dad a narrow-eyed glare. "Don't tell me you knew?"

  Dev shrugged. "I knew. And it wasn't as if I could say anything. Not until we knew what we were dealing with."

  "So all this time, with Kas out to get me, you knew the truth."

  Leela shook her head. "No, it's not so cut and dried." Her mom swallowed, taking a few seconds before saying, "I'd had no idea until this morning."

  The look on Maya's face was clear enough. She'd been tempted to roll her eyes, but had managed to hold back the urge.

  "It is true," said Chayya from the doorway. "Most avatars do not know who they are until the time is right. And the time became right with today's events." Then Chayya turned and greeted Leela with a Namaste, her bow low and long, and Maya felt slightly sick. "Greetings, Mother Bhumi. I welcome you with all my heart, goddess of the earth, mother of all."

  Chayya's voice was reverent and Maya understood, being in awe herself. For a lesser known goddess, Bhumi certainly had an effect on the rest of the pantheon. Even lord Shiva had only respect for her.

  Leela cleared her throat and met Maya's eyes from across the coffee table. It all seemed so surreal and so strange. Her mom was an avatar of the earth goddess. But the revelation would never be enjoyed.

  "Are you okay, Mom?" asked Maya, finally pushing to her feet and going to her mom's side. She put an arm around her mom's shoulder and glanced up at Chayya. How do you make someone feel better about killing her own child?

  The goddess had no answers.

  Leela nodded. "I'm okay." Then she laughed. "It's a lot to absorb, of course. But I'll be fine."

  "But are you going to be okay to do this?" Maya dared to ask the question but a glance at her dad said that he knew she needed to ask it. There was no time to be gently with her mom.

  Leela gave a weak smile. "I'll be okay, Maya. It's a little strange to think the Narakasura is my son, but just the knowledge has opened the feelings up inside of me. I know I should be okay with killing him, but suddenly it just feels so wrong." Her face crumpled as if she was about to cry but then she stiffened her spine and took a shuddering breath. "But I will do this. There is too much at stake." She glanced at the silent television set, the wide screen still reporting undead and worldwide crises.

  Maya gave her Mom a tight squeeze. "I'm so sorry, Mom," she said as she leaned her head on Leela's shoulder.

  They sat that way in silence and then, blinking back tears, Maya whispered the words, understanding now what Lord Shiva had meant.

  "Everything is connected."

  Chapter 45

  "Okay people. Stop the soppy stuff and get back to work." Dev clapped his hands together.

  Maya smiled. "So what's the situation? Other than my mother the goddess?"

  Dev made a face. "Still no more deaths, still far too many undead . . . or not yet dead, or whatever they are calling it. God knows what it will be like if things don't go back to normal."

  "Yeah, I'd rather they go back to normal and people accept it as a freak incident. This being the way life is from now on is going to suck."

  Dev nodded. "All the phone lines are manned, Joss is keeping me updated, KALIMA HQ is running themselves crazy attending to the case. They are apprehending as many of the 'undead' as they possibly can. The less there are on the streets the better."

  "Do we have the manpower for that?" Maya found it hard to concentrate on mundane information when she still absorbed the truth about her mom.

  Her dad nodded. "The police are helping. And the hospitals are giving us the heads up as soon as new cases come in."

  Maya sighed and got to her feet.

  "I suppose it's time to go?" She looked at Chayya, and the goddess smiled and offered a nod.

  Maya stood beside her mom as she spoke softly to her dad, ready to go to Patala. But killing Kas was the last thing she wanted to do. Especially when she was taking her mother with her so she can kill her son. It all sounded so weird to her ears, but even she was affected by the revelation.

  She'd gone from calling him Narakasura to Kas, then back again when she'd found out he'd betrayed her. Now, he was Kas again because he was her mother's son, and her sorta-brother in a very convoluted way.

  It was a total mind fudge but Maya had to suck it up and deal with it. So did her mom. A glance at the tv confirmed the news reports were becoming worse by the minute, and there didn't seem to be any let-up. Police and the army and navy across the worlds were being run ragged and there was no rest for anyone. How long could they hold them off before everything went to hell? That's what they'd want, what Kas would want.

  Anarchy in the world meant it was ripe for the taking. He'd be like some sort of devil, rising up to conquer the masses. And then there'd be no help for anyone.

  She had to do this. And so did her mother.

  Maya patted her pocket and her fingers brushed Lord Shiva's little pot, safely hidden within it. Her mind and body had grown stronger, her wounds were well healed and she sent her gratitude and thanks to Kali.

  Chayya shifted forward, and held out two weapons. Leela took the bow and arrow, Maya the trident. Chayya smiled and pointed at the bow that Maya's mom now bounced on her palm testing its weight.

  "This bow belonged to Satyabhama, the avatar of Bhumi who killed Narakasura the last time he saw life in this world. It is fitting that you would select this very weapon, for it belongs to you. Let the weapon guide you, let Lord Shiva guide your aim."

  No one mentioned anything about the guidance she'd need to kill her son.

  Chayya turned to Maya and gave the trident a nod. "That is a Shakthi." Maya stared at the trident-shaped end of the weapon. The two side spikes were curved, meeting in a U shape. Despite its simplicity, it had always been known as a destructive weapon. The middle blade bore a red dot, the symbol of power, and Maya hoped the power of the Shakthi will help her through the next few hours.

  "Now, you must leave." Chayya took a step forward and glanced at Dev. For a moment
it looked like he'd insist they stay, but then he kissed Maya and her mom and stepped away. His face was dark, stubble grayed his chin, and there were circles under his eyes.

  Maya gave him a reassuring smile, hoping it would make him feel a little better but his expression didn't change.

  The sadness in his face was the last thing Maya saw before they disappeared.

  Chapter 46

  They arrived just outside the giant bronze doors to main hall within Yama's palace. Which made Maya frown.

  "I thought we'd go straight to the cell for Nik and Kas?" she asked, holding tightly onto the bow.

  Chayya smiled. "I had to make one stop. There is something here that you will need. This battle may be harder than you expect. The best way to tackle it is to be prepared." Chayya turned on her heel and headed down the corridor.

  The path was familiar to Maya, one she'd taken with Nik when they'd waited to see Yama before their mission to save Varuni from Kas.

  When Chayya pushed open the doors of the training room, Maya knew why she took them there.

  "But we already have weapons," said Leela, staring around the grand open space.

  "There is one thing that may benefit you. It is always best to be over-prepared than to be caught without defenses." That was certainly true.

  The goddess entered the room, took the two steps down to the training area sunk into the center of the room. She crossed the space, twice the size of a basketball court, then went to the other side of the room.

  The sunken area was surrounded by a columned level and along the back, weapons from around the world filled the walls. One particular piece shone brightly, a golden sun that attracted Chayya.

  She slipped it off its hook and brought it over, handing it carefully to Maya. "This discus belonged to Lord Krishna." Maya recalled it from folktales she'd read. Made of pure gold, it spun under some mysterious power. One hundred and eight serrated blades were embedded around the perimeter of the discus, making it one deadly weapon.