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EMMA

I watched as Edison turned away and morphed into a tiger. He walked away into the jungle without looking back, the prominent white colour of his fur eventually fading in the dark undergrowth of trees and ferns. The words 'I'm sorry, Emma,' echoed through my mind as I sat numbly in the moonlight.

For so long it had only been Anik and I. The two of us against the world, preparing each other for end-of-year exams. Arguing about what movie to watch at the cinemas, or what type of ice cream is better. But now since the beginning of the curse, fate had thrown Edison into what had originally only been a two-package-deal. He hadn't only been my replacement biology partner; he had been my friend too.

And now I've lost him.

If mum had been here, she would have thought it was hilarious. 'Oh, Emma. Your biggest problem in life is that whatever boy you happen to come across, they fall in love with you,' I could practically hear her say. 'Stop feeling sorry for yourself.'

On the verge of tears, I lay back on the prickly grass and stared at the sky, speckled with the glowing stars. The moonlight filtered vibrantly through the entanglement of branches as if defying the night from reigning absolute darkness. I remembered when my mum had taken Alyss and me camping when I was little while Dad was away on business. We would make a fire and go searching for long sticks to roast marshmallows on. I never had the patience to wait for them to slowly melt, so I would stick them into the flames until they burnt black. Alyss would just eat them raw. Then after the fire had burned to charcoal, we would all lye down in our sleeping bags, staring at the sky. 'Tents are for wusses,' mum had always said. She would then point out the different constellations and stories behind them until we fall asleep. After she had died, I had named my own stars. There was the Lonely Star, one that burned brightly but isolated from the rest; the Memory Star, that had always reminded my of mum when I looked at it; the Wish Star, one that I would wish on every night and the Broken Star, that seemed to flicker and was fainter than all the rest.

I fell asleep gazing at the display of memories that were scattered before me.

ANIK

The next morning I awoke dazedly to the sound of Phet clapping his hands loudly.

'Good morning Ehm-ma and Anik! Phet pray as you sleep! Hurry, we must converse!' I lifted my head from my paws and blinked as everything came into focus.

Emma was asleep on the grass, surrounded by the wilting flowers of the daisy chain. Had she been sleeping outside all night? And where was Edison? Emma sat up blearily and caught my eye, shrugging.

'All right Phet, I'll hurry,' she replied, rolling her eyes before following the monk into the hut. I saw her glance almost guiltily around, and I guessed she was looking for Edison. I nudged her hand with my nose and she sighed, ducking as she entered.

'Sit, sit!' Phet ordered as soon as we stumbled into to house. He waited until Emma had seated herself and I had lain down on the rug before beginning. 'Phet talked with Dhiren long time ago, and warned him of what may happen to his newborn child. Stubborn prince refused to listen, tell me that he had broken the curse and they were free to live mortal lives as a family. Wrong!' The fierceness in the monk's expression and tone took me by surprise. 'I tell Dhiren when time is right, bring Durga's special girl, who has green eyes and brown hair, along with tigers. I was unsure it was you,' he said, pointing at Emma, 'but you are devoted to tigers I can see, so you are chosen one.'

'Okay,' answered Emma slowly. 'Great. So what do I have to do?'

'Durga help you at Kanheri Cave. Use key to open chamber.'

'Key?' Emma asked.

'Key is distinguished Mujulaain Empire Seal. Tiger knows. Find underground place in cave. Seal is key. Durga lead you to answer. Free tiger.' I studied Emma hard, waiting for her reaction. I had expected her to look scared and unsure, but all I saw was grim determination.

'So… what do we do now?'

'Go to cave,' Phet replied sternly. 'Hasten departure. Dhiren knows. Get seal. But first Phet bestow on you Goddess mark.' Emma glanced at me, a puzzled expression on her face as Phet bustled around the kitchen, rummaging for something. After a minute, he finally seemed to find what he was searching for. It was a grimy jar, which looked as if to contain a brown, sticky substance. Phet grabbed a thin twig, twisted the cap of the jar and dipped the stick into it, swirling it around. Taking Emma's right hand in his, he began to draw geometrical designs. The liquid had a pungent smell, and I wrinkled my nose. The pattern he drew reminded me of henna hand drawings.

'What is this for?' Asked Emma in a bewildered tone.

'Powerful symbol,' was Phet's vague answer as he tightly screwed the cap back onto the jar and returned it to the miscellaneous cupboard it had come from. 'It will stay on for many days.'

Phet gestured to the door.

'Now time to depart. Go. White tiger already waiting for you.' Emma stood up and briefly hugged the monk before ducking under the doorframe into the crisp morning air. Phet grinned at me and waved a hand as if to say, 'shoo.'

Edison was indeed waiting for us at the border of the clearing, and turned away, walking into the jungle ahead of us as we approached. I heard Emma give an almost inaudible sigh, before following him, with me bringing up the rear. The journey had just started.

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