A/N Hey, sorry for the sluggish update, but holidays and Christmas and New Year…keeps you busy you know? Anyway thanks so much to all the people who review each chapter. Shout out to BayBailey812, an11linnie and mysterious 'guests'.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing except the storyline. Nope, I don't think I can even take credit for that.

CHAPTER 11

EMMA

I glanced back between Edison and Anik, studying both their reactions with shock. Anik was stunned, and took a step backwards, unsure. But Edison looked perfectly normal, only with a slight amused expression on his face.

'You knew this?' I accused him. 'Wait, are you…?'

'A tiger?' Edison answered casually and I flinched. 'Yep.'

I started shaking my head.

'No. No, this can't be happening,' I muttered. Edison's expression changed into one of concern.

'It's fine, really. You don't need to worry,' he said, attempting to assure me.

'I'm not worried!' I yelled, beginning to snap. 'You lied to me!'

'What, no I didn't!' Edison protested. 'How could I have told you the truth?'

'Oh, so now your admitting you lied to me. And of course you could have told me the truth! You knew who I was all along!'

'Emma-'

'Don't…just don't. I don't want to hear it.' I stared up at Edison's desperate, anxious eyes. 'I thought you were different. How do I know everything you said wasn't a lie?'

'I-'

'Goodbye Edison,' I said forcefully, and shoved him, pushing him out the door.

'Emma,' Edison insisted. 'I'm really sorry, I should have told you who I am.'

'That's not what I'm upset about!' I exploded. 'You don't get it do you? I don't care what you didn't tell me, I care about how you lied.' I stared at him right in the eye. 'You never lived in Italy, and you never had a horse named Snuffles. Tell me the truth, Edison. Now.'

'The truth…' Edison sighed, taking a step forward. 'I grew up in a small cottage in a forest on a high mountain of India. In the past… um, hundreds of years ago. My father is a tiger too, and my mother is the Goddess Durga.'

He lived in the past? What? And is mother is a Goddess?

'How…? Okay, you know what, I have had enough. This is too much. Everybody out of my room. Actually, out of my house. Now.'

ANIK

I sat on the couch, in human form waiting for Emma to come over. I thought back to the day before, and the confusing events that had happened all in the space of… what? Ten minutes? I scowled when an image of Edison entered my mind.

'Hi, I'm Edison,' I mimicked in a high-pitched, annoying voice, imitating him. 'Is this normal? Do you always come in through people's window? I always thought the front door was an easier option…' Stupid person, I thought to myself.

A knock sounded through the house and I hastily moved towards the door, flinging it open.

'Hi,' I said breathlessly.

'Hi,' Emma muttered into my shoulder as she pulled me into a hug. Her hair smelt of strawberries and stray strands tickled my nose. My heart thudded loudly and I reluctantly let my arms fall to my side when she pulled away.

'I miss you,' she murmured softly. 'I hardly see you anymore. I hate it.'

'Yeah, I miss you too,' I replied, because I couldn't say anything else. My chest was aching and it felt like I was gasping for air.

'When is everyone else arriving again?' Emma asked, stepping past me into the house. The swift change of subject hurt more than I would imagine.

'Uh, about ten minutes.'

Mom had decided to have a 'meeting' with everyone. That unfortunately included Edison, and his father – my uncle – who I had not yet had the chance to meet. Emma looked slightly nervous as we sat on the couch, waiting. Mom and dad walked in together a few seconds later, smiling at one another sadly. I could tell dad was anxious to meet his brother whom he had not seen for nearly twenty years.

The doorbell echoed and mom immediately ran to answer it. I heard laughter and a moment later Edison and his father walked into the living room.

My uncle was tall and Indian looking, and had shocking golden eyes. I jerked back in shock, gaping. Those same eyes stared back at me every day from the mirror.

'Hello, Anik,' Kishan said, as if he already knew me. 'It's very nice to finally meet you.' For some reason that made me very annoyed.

'I wish I could say the same,' I replied coldly, folding my arms. If Kishan seemed the least bit affected by my comment he didn't show it. Mom shot me a glare but I ignored it.

Dad was standing and smiling the instant Kishan walked through the door. They laughed and talked rapidly in Indian to one another before they turned to Edison.

'Ren, this is Edison, my son,' Kishan announced proudly as Edison reached forward to shake dad's hand.

'It's nice to meet you sir,' Edison said politely. Then he turned and smiled at Emma, but she shot him a withering glare and the smile faltered. Ha! Serves you right! I thought savagely. Then Dad turned to Emma.

'Edison, and Kishan, this is Emma, Durga's chosen one.'

'We've met,' said Emma, Kishan and Edison simultaneously.

'Hi Sohan,' Emma began, standing up to hug the man. 'Nice to see you again.' Sohan? See you again? Mom and Dad looked equally confused.

'Likewise. But you can call me Kishan.' He turned to Mom. 'Edison has been going to school with Emma for a couple weeks.'

'But that's… impossible!' Kelsey exclaimed. 'How can Edison have more than twenty-four minutes a day?'