Reincarnation
Chapter Four
Kelsey watched me as I pace back and forth out by the pool. Ren laid next to her pool chair on the ground, head on his paws and his blue eyes closed. Kelsey, I think, was drawing me in her journal as I was trying to think of ways to see Yajna again. I didn't want to ask my quick-tempered brother; I could just see that was a bad idea.
"Ren?" Kelsey said, making me pause, and making Ren raise his head up to look at her. "When are we going to the temple?"
He tilted his head to the side, as a sign that he didn't know. She rolled her eyes, closing her journal, and got up. Ren got to his feet to follow her, and the three of us traded back into the house.
We found Anik in the work out room, and he stopped his work out of push ups and stood, smiling. "Miss Kelsey."
"Mr. Kadam," she asked, Ren sitting at her side. "Since Ren doesn't know when we're leaving... When are we going to go to the temple?"
"Well, since you seem to want to go so badly," Anik noted, drawing the back of his hand across his forehead. "How about tomorrow? That would be more than enough time to get everything ready. We'd have to wait until later in the night when no one is there."
"Sounds good," Kelsey decided, nodding. She then looked down at me. "Are you going to come with us, Kishan?"
I huffed, sitting, and tilted me head to the side. Kelsey rolled her eyes and reached over and tugged on my ear. I flicked my ear, and ducked away from her reach. She seemed to be fond of doing that to Ren and I lately. I reached up and licked her hand. She made a face, looking at my saliva. I purred in amusement and turned and trotted from the room.
I was in the pool once again. Kelsey, Ren, and Anik had started the drive to the temple four or so hours ago, and they should be there by now. Anik had Nilima come over, and Kelsey joked that she was here to 'babysit me.'
I had grabbed her and tossed her into the pool.
I smiled at the sky at the recent memory of Kelsey getting into the front seat with wet hair.
I took a deep breath and ducked under the water. I loved the calm sensation of being under water, and how cool it was against my skin. In tiger form, my fur would make me heavier in the water.
I blinked open my eyes as a shadow fell over me in the pool. I looked to the surface, and saw Nilima's shape. I pushed up from the bottom, sucking in air. She held a phone up. "It's Yajna Rana," she told me.
"What?" I didn't expect that. I thought it might've been Kelsey calling to tell us that they had arrived at the temple and her and Ren were going in. I went to the edge and pulled myself up, and grabbed the white towel I had gotten and quickly dried my hair and face off. I held out my hand for the phone.
"Here he is," Nilima said before handing it over to me.
"Yajna?" I asked, putting the phone to my ear.
"Hello, Kishan," she replied. I smiled at the sound of her voice.
"What can I do for you?" I said, walking over and sitting in one of the chairs.
"I was actually wondering if you wanted to have dinner," she said, almost shyly. I think my heart stopped for a moment because I was shocked. It was almost too easy!
"That sounds great," I said, and I resisted the urge to purr. "Where?"
She told me the address, and I easily memorized it. I had a very good memory; my mother and teachers had always wanted us to remember specifics just in case anything happened. For example, if we got captured. I had never been in that situation...
"I'll meet you there," I said.
"Okay," she replied. "Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up, and quickly dried my body before changing into a tiger and hurrying through the house to my room. Luckily, the closet was open. I eyed the clothes for a moment, and then transformed and quickly put on the dark grey button up and slacks.
I grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys before heading out and down the stairs. I shouted to Nilima that I was leaving, and I didn't hear a reply as I headed out to the garage. I pressed the button white I was buckling my seat belt.
I had about four hours left until I had to tried my skin for stripes. I figured that would be just enough time to eat and get back.
The place wasn't far away - about twenty minutes away - and I got there before Yajna. I went in, and got a two seater table. It was a nice restaurant, with dimmed lights over each table. There were other groups of people, and there was a large booth close by being taken. It was a group of girls - and they were all laughing and talking. At some point, they caught sight of me. They all threw glances at me, and at one point was nudged from the table. She walked over, and sat in the seat across from me. She was a young woman of average height, with dark hair and dark eyes. She said, "Hello."
"Can I help you?" I asked politely.
"Well, I just noticed a handsome man sitting by himself," she said, running her fingers through her hair. "And I thought I'd come keep him company."
"Well, I'm waiting for someone," I said politely, and winked. "Maybe next time, hon."
She opened her mouth to say something, there was a small cough. We both looked up, and I smiled widely when I saw my date. I stood, taking her hand, and kissed her hand. "Yajna."
"Whose this?" She said, looking at the girl standing from the other seat. There was a hint of annoyance in her voice, and complete dominance. She raised her chin and arched a brow.
"No one," she said glumly after looking Yajna up and down, and saw she was no competition. "I'm going back to my table." And she did as she said. I pulled the seat for her, and she paused before sitting. She wore a dark plum dress, and looked beautiful.
I walked around and took my seat. The waiter came, and took our orders. I asked for lemon water; I had grown fond of the drink ever since I saw Kelsey get it. I still preferred soda water (Dr. Pepper especially) over this drink, but it was runner up.
"Sorry about that," I said, indicating the way the girl had gone. "She did just come over here."
"I believe you," she assured, giving me a small smile. Then she gave a little laugh. "This isn't something I would usually do. But I think me and you would be good friends from the party."
"Well, I was hoping you'd say that," I said. If I were talking to Kelsey, I would probably wink or do something flirty. But something about Yajna, how she was raised and how she acted, I didn't want to be my usually flirtatious self right now. That would come later.
"So," I began, sipping my drink. "Were you born in India?"
"Yes," she said, nodding. "I was born and raised here. I've never been out of the country."
"Really?" I said, a bit surprised. She seemed to be wealthy, and nothing would stop her from leaving. Then again, I had money as well and I've never left, either. Not for three hundred years.
She chuckled, nodding. "I don't see why I should leave now. Maybe in a few years; go travel."
"Maybe Kelsey can show you America," I said, smiling.
"Perhaps," she agreed. "Is she and Dhiren together?"
I paused. "What makes you ask?"
She blinked, and shrugged. "The way he looks at her, I guess."
I laughed. "It's a long, complicated story."
Our food came. I had gotten a steak, and a slice of paan. I took my knife and began cutting it while Yajna started on her soup. It was quiet for a few moments, both of us obviously hungry. I made sure to chew before swallowing.
And then the strangest sensation came over me. It felt like I was being watched. I looked up at Yajna, and she had frozen as well. I looked around slowly, trying to see if there was a cause of the dark presence. My grip tightened on the knife.
"Do you feel that?" Yajna whispered lowly. I nodded slowly, and brought my attention back around. The group of girls obviously didn't feel it; they were still talking and giggling. I put my knife down, and looked around once more.
The waiter came over to ask us if we needed anything, and it both calmed us both, I think. We said we were good, and I asked for the check. There still lurked the dark feeling, but it seemed Yajna wanted to try and brush it off.
The waiter came back with my check, but also a dessert.
"Coconut soufflé," he said, placing it between us, and the check closer to me.
"We didn't order this," I said, glancing at the dessert.
"It's a treat from the man across the way," the waiter said, motioning in the direction. "He sends his regards."
We both looked to the man, and I froze cold. He was a big man, tall and broad shouldered. He had dark eyes and dark hair, and he was obviously indian descent. And I saw the amulet that clearly stood out from his black clothing.
"Who is that?" Yajna brought me back. I looked at her, and trying to keep calm, took my wallet, glanced at the bill amount, and took out cash. I gave it to the waiter, along with a nice tip.
"Keep it," I told him. I looked to Yajna, trying not to avert my eyes, and said, "Can I drive you home?" I offered her my hand, and willed her to see in my eyes that we needed to leave. Now.
She nodded, taking my hand. I lead us out with a hurried step, and took my keys and unlocked the car.
"Kishan," Yajna said, tugging lightly at our hands. "Stop real quick!"
"We'll stop in the car," I snapped. She yanked her grip from my hand, and I paused, turning around to see her arms crossed. I wanted to yell, and I bit my tongue to keep form doing so It wasn't her fault that she didn't know we were trying to run away from her cruel father.
"Kishan," she said sternly. "Who was that?"
"A very bad man," I said. "Please, we have to leave. And I would feel much better if you came with me. Please."
I think the desperation that was in my voice was why she nodded. I motioned to the passengers seat, and she obediently went to the door. We both got into the car, and I fastened my seat belt. When I was pulling out I saw the man at the door. He smiled cruelly and smiled.
I bared my teeth, and wheeled around, pushing on the accelerator.
The drive home was quiet and fast. I saw Yajna holding on to the bar above the door as the car picked up speed. It would have amused me at any other time, but not now. Now I was in full protector mode. I was not going to let him take Yesubai from me again.
"Kishan, who was that?" Yajna finally spoke.
"A man named Lokesh," I replied, turning on to the street that would take us to Ren's.
"Who is he?"
"Let us get home before I explain anything," I said, and I looked over at her. She looked slightly frightened. I looked back to the road, and I let go of the wheel with one hand. I reached over, taking her small hand in mine, and gripped it hard. "Don't worry, Yajna. I'll protect you."
I pulled into the garage, and turned the engine off. I released her hand, and got out. She followed, and she hurried around and gripped my hand as I lead her inside.
"Nilima!" I called. There was no answer. I paused, inhaling, and listening. I couldn't detect anyone. I led Yajna into the kitchen, turning the lights on. Weird; the kitchen lights were rarely off.
And then I saw why.
Lokesh sat in one of the chairs at the dinning room table, fiddling with the amulet around his neck. He looked slightly older now, the amulet preserving his life like it had with Anik. But Lokesh seemed to have aged slower.
He smiled at me, and I pulled Yajna behind me. I was actually scared. This was the man who cursed us; who was cruel and wanted power. And nothing would stop him. I wished I was more like Ren, just then. How he acted cool and calm on the outside, while he was actually a merciless killer when need be. He was the one to be afraid of; not me.
"Kishan," Lokesh said, almost fondly. He stood, still smiling, and walked around. I moved a step back, forcing Yajna back as well. He sighed. "You have kept your youth - I'm jealous."
"What do you want, Lokesh?" I said, glad that my voice didn't betray my fright.
He chuckled. "What do I want, Kishan? I want your pieces of the amulet."
"I don't have them," I said, sticking my chin up.
The man grinned. "I know. But Anik and that pretty young girl does - should I go find her instead?"
Dread gripped my heart, closing cold fingers around it. "Ren is with her."
He paused at that. "Dhiren? Hmm. Very interesting." Then his eyes averted to the young woman behind me, and he grinned. "I see you still love my daughter."
"I am not your daughter," Yajna hissed.
He chuckled, shaking his head, and then his face grew serious, and he looked at me. "While the amulet turned you and your brother to beasts, it made my daughter's soul be reincarnated. She will die when she turns twenty-two, and on the same day she died all those years ago. Remember that, Kishan."
I felt her fingers grip my shirt, and this time Death seemed to whisper in my ears.
But not for long.
There was a loud shot, and Lokesh was suddenly gone. I heard heavy breathing, and turned to see Nilima with a shot gun in her hand, the barrel down and smoking slightly. There was a gash above her brow, and she looked battered. Her hair was messy and she looked like if a strong wind picked up she would fall.
"Ki... Kishan..." she gasped, and stumbled towards me. I jumped forward, and caught her right before she collided with the floor.