Tiger’s Destiny by Colleen Houck Read Free Book Online Page A

I’d seen Lokesh use his pieces of the amulet and suddenly stood and took Kishan’s hand.
    “Where are we going?” he asked.
    “I want to blow something up.”
    Kishan laughed. “You are definitely the girl for me. Let’s go.”
    When we found a large rock, I infused so much energy into the burst that the rock disintegrated. I stared at my hand incredulously. I had no idea I’d become so dependent upon my power and knowing for sure that the amulet was the source was a relief. I could put on and take off the power at my leisure.
    Kishan and I practiced drills for the next half hour. He taught me how to create bursts of light so they’d explode right in front of someone’s eyes to temporarily blind him, how to snap my fingers to start a fire, and after finding some roadkill to practice upon, how to use the beam to burn the flesh. It wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but I knew that if Lokesh was still alive and came after me again, or if I had to face another monster in order to fulfill Durga’s fourth prophecy, I would have to be able to use this technique.
    When we returned to the tent, Ren was moody and yelled at Kishan for walking off with me and not telling him. “We need to watch over her constantly. We have no idea if Lokesh is still alive, and I don’t want to take any chances on losing her again,” Ren said sternly then turned around and left.
    After he stormed off, Kishan sighed and picked up my hand. “He’s right. We have to remain vigilant where you’re concerned.”
    I scooted closer and lay my head on his shoulder. “I’ll just make sure one of you is always around.”
    He put his arm around me. “He shouldn’t be that mad anyway. He won the bet. He gets to ride with you all day tomorrow.”
    I teased, “What happened to doing whatever it takes to win?”
    Kishan grunted. “Apparently, he took my advice. He shoved me face-first into a boulder. It broke my nose.”
    “What?” I gasped. He started laughing. “I don’t find anything funny about that,” I said.
    “I do. Ren’s never cheated in his life. He must have been pretty desperate.”
    “Hmm.”
    That night, I dreamed of Mr. Kadam. He was standing in front of a movie screen studying various battle scenes that flashed by so fast I couldn’t make them out. When I touched his arm, he turned and smiled. There was something different about his eyes. He seemed much older and a little sad.
    “What is it?” I asked. “Is something wrong?”
    He patted my shoulder. “It’s nothing, Miss Kelsey. I’m just a bit weary.”
    “Where are you? We can’t find you.”
    “I’m much closer than you think. Try to relax your mind and go back to sleep.”
    “But I am asleep. This is a dream.”
    Mr. Kadam paused. “Of course it is. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. It will take all your strength to face what lies ahead, but for now, rest.”
    When his voice began to fade, I felt the darkness gently engulf me. I wanted to nod but couldn’t. As his presence faded from my mind, I felt a light touch, a gesture of comfort and understanding.
    Ren and Kishan were thrilled about my dream the next morning. They believed it was a vision and that the amulet had reconnected us with Mr. Kadam somehow.
    When we finally pulled onto the pebbled drive of our Indian jungle mansion, I felt tears fill my eyes. As we stepped into the house, I breathed in the warmth and felt the spirit of the Rajaram family envelop me.
    With Kishan and Ren flanking either side, I crossed the threshold and announced, “We’re home.”

5
    putting the pieces together
    W hile Ren and Kishan checked the house for signs of Mr. Kadam, Nilima, or intruders, I reacquainted myself with Fanindra, who had indeed swam through the waves near the shore of Mahabalipuram and found her way to my tigers. My golden pet blinked her jeweled emerald eyes and raised her head under my palm.
    “I missed you too. How clever you were to have found the boys.” I stroked her head for a