Nine: Vengeance of the Warrior (25 page)

Akash walked over to Kim and whispered, ‘I’d love to get you flat on your back, babe.’ He smiled.

Kim smiled back. She took his hand, drew close to him, skimmed his lips. ‘You want me on my back?’ She clasped his hand, twisted and flipped, dragging Akash with her. He landed hard on the floor before he could use his powers.

Tara laughed. ‘Serves you right, Akash.’

Ali had out-manoeuvred Zubin, who was on the floor as well. The two bowed at them. ‘The point of this exercise is that no matter how strong you are or what power you possess, you have to be smart enough to use it against your enemy.’

Akash brushed the dust from his clothes. ‘Bloody hell, I thought you were going to teach us to control our powers.’

‘That comes later. First, you must learn to fight.’

Zubin got up slowly. ‘I didn’t expect this either.’

‘You are facing a formidable enemy. This one has channelled black magic and has a woman as his host. She is conniving and manipulative, and he is powerful and brave. The combination is deadly.’

‘Beauty and brawn,’ Akash mumbled.

‘Not if we can help it,’ Tara said acidly.

‘Come, let’s prepare for war!’ Ali said.

31

Tejaswi

Tejaswi drove to the outskirts of the city. The biodynamic organic farm was about to yield a fresh crop of mushrooms. They used the bag method to grow the mushrooms, the same method used in Russia. Sawdust mixed with compost filled in polyester bags. After a three-month incubation period, the spawns were added which took just three days to grow. She had already assembled a group of Kala Yogis to help her reap the harvest of mushrooms and herbs. They were waiting for her. At the core of her being was an energy centre that kept her psyched as though she was on a high. It gave her an immense sense of pride in being the chosen one. The Kalingan was her guide, her saviour.

Tejaswi parked by the side of the deserted road. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Strong sensations washed over her; her energy centres were connecting and, like jolts of electricity, she felt the ultimate sense of power and joy erupt within her. The Kalingan was in tune with her joy and pumped her up with renewed energy that pulsed from her root chakra. Her head tilted back and she closed her eyes tighter as pulses of light fed her body with power that triggered every cell in her body. ‘You are amazing, Kalingan!’ she said excitedly. She was beginning to enjoy his company.

Half an hour later, Tejaswi was back to her senses, focused and driven. She had a smile on her face and she murmured thank you to the Kalingan over and over again. The Kalingan laughed. The woman was hooked. He knew that no matter what happened, she would keep him inside her being. She was attached to his persona, his immense power and his ability to experience euphoria. They were in perfect balance—yin and yang. The Kalingan, too, had developed a strong affinity with Tejaswi. She was beautiful and unfulfilled. Well, he had yet to show her what he was capable of. He laughed aloud, and this time, it was in Tejaswi’s voice.

She arrived at the location and parked in the shade of a large ficus tree. Taking a few minutes to focus, she emerged from the car and headed towards the hutment. It was a structure of small, detached, square rooms.

Originally designed to house the ayurvedic doctors who worked with her, it was now a herb farm which produced genetically modified plants for commercial use. The herbal scientists had left and Tejaswi had replaced them with voodoo herbalists who specialized in creating mind-altering drugs. One of the concoctions was supposed to be deadly and could kill in a torturous manner. Tejaswi had no doubt that with the strength of the Kala Yogis and the power of her potent potions she would destroy the Nine. They would not be able to escape her. But first, she would find out the location of the Chintamani fragments. Then she would kill them one by one. War was about strategy; it was about planning carefully and achieving results.

Tejaswi surveyed the six-acre plot of land. The verdant growth of herbs indicated a successful harvest. She smiled, pleased at the results, and turned towards the annex, the greenhouse. It doubled as a lab for her specific requirements. After her father’s death, Tejaswi had encouraged three doctors to live on-site and offer their services to the locals for a nominal fee. It was intended as a way of maintaining friendly relations with the locals. Farmers were employed from the nearby villages. The greenhouse was put to optimum use, the area was cluttered with plants of all shapes and sizes. The pungent smell of fertilizer and soil hung heavy in the humid interior.

‘The serum … is it ready?’ Tejaswi asked as she made her way through the rich vegetation.

Dr Verma pointed to a workbench on which a purple concoction was bubbling in a glass tube under a Bunsen burner. ‘I will have the compound ready in a few hours. Do you want it as a tablet or in liquid form?’

‘Liquid in a syringe.’

‘That will be more effective, madam,’ Dr Verma said, smiling. He was in his late fifties, dressed in a shirt and trousers—a far cry from how a witchdoctor was supposed to look. He had been recommended by the Ojaa clan.

‘What about the mushroom formula?’

‘We have created a toxin from a variety of the
Amanita verna
fungus. It is being dried and powdered. It works on the protoplasm and is a neurotoxin, resulting in skin lesions and burns. It attacks the lungs. At the same time, it causes hallucinogenic reactions. A very painful death ensues.’ Dr Rif was working feverishly on a batch of test tubes and didn’t look up from his workbench as he spoke.

‘Where is Frazer?’

‘He is testing a drug on mice,’ Dr Verma replied.

Tejaswi had recently converted one of the small squares into a laboratory for animal testing where she kept birds and mice in cramped cages. It would have been surprising if voodoo doctors didn’t have sacrificial living beings in the vicinity. ‘I am very happy with the progress.’ The Kalingan smiled widely.
We shall fulfil my ancestors’ wishes.

Her phone buzzed. It was the store manager. ‘Ma’am, we have a situation. A police inspector is here, he needs to talk to you. He says it is urgent.’

‘Tell them I am in Dapoli. I will deal with it tomorrow.’

‘Ma’am, Inspector Solanki—’

Tejaswi heard a gritty male voice. He sounded rude and insistent. ‘Ms Tejaswi?’ he asked as he forcefully came on the line.

‘Yes?’

‘Do you know a Raj Singh?’

Tejaswi closed her eyes.
Shit!
She knew who he was referring to. The bodyguard who had disappeared in Ellora. It was best to tell the truth. ‘Yes, I do. Why?’

‘He was found murdered.’

You haven’t killed a man, have you?
The Kalingan was responsible.

Maintaining her composure, she asked, ‘What has that got to do with me?’

‘Ma’am, I’ve come to know that you’d hired him for personal security.’

‘Yes, I did. I travel alone. You know very well that it can be dangerous for a woman to travel alone around the country,’ Tejaswi said in an accusatory tone.

The inspector’s tone was hard. ‘Were you in Ellora on these dates?’

‘Could be. I travel around the country often. My assistant keeps my schedule. She keeps a record and she will help you with whatever details you want. Now can I please disconnect? I’m in the middle of urgent work here.’

The inspector seemed reluctant at first, then spoke. ‘Very well. I will be in touch, Ms Tejaswi. Please do not leave the country.’

Tejaswi wondered. There was no proof. It was just a coincidence, but the police could dig deeper and come up with something. The inspector could pin the man’s murder on her.

You don’t have to worry … I have a plan …

The outhouse was a storage facility. Inside, Karl was gagged and bound to a chair. The Kala Yogis had taken turns with a stick. His face and body were bruised, his swollen face was covered with contusions. His head hung above his chest, he was barely conscious. He mumbled, begged and cried in pain.

Tejaswi smiled when she saw him. ‘Karl, good to meet again!’ she said, pulling his head back by a clutch of his hair. A thin thread of drool hung from his slit lip. ‘I hope my men have been treating you well.’ Rakha and Mersa stood quietly to the side.

‘Why have you done this to me?’ His words were garbled and he looked up as he spoke, one eye swollen shut.

‘Oh my! You don’t remember?’ Tejaswi leaned in closer. ‘Jeez, you smell like shit.’ She prodded his bruised cheek with a switchblade, traced it down his chest and stopped. She pushed the blade through the fabric. He let out a yelp. ‘Now do you remember?’ she hissed.

‘I’m sorry,’ he croaked. ‘Really sorry. Please let me go. I will never bother you again,’ he blabbered, tears streaming down his cheeks.

‘You will never bother me. But I want my father back, how do you plan to achieve that?’ She felt her anger rise and the blade streaked his chest.

Karl yelled in pain. ‘I never expected him to die. I sent my men to threaten him, not kill him.’

‘Well, we need to teach you a lesson, then.’ Tejaswi turned theatrically. She had come to realize that the eyepatch had an effect, an evil effect. The Kalingan laughed hard.

My beautiful Tej …

Karl raised his head, looked at her in fear.

Whimpering softly, he mumbled more apologies, the tears still flowing. Tejaswi chortled. ‘You will still pay. I want you to hand over the title deed of your store. Make sure I get the papers by morning, do you hear me?’

‘Yes, yes, whatever you say.’

Tejaswi was in his face. ‘One wrong move, and—’ She pressed the knife to his crotch.

‘I promise, you will get the papers. I don’t want my store any more. It’s yours, all yours.’

Tejaswi smiled coldly. ‘I release you, Karl.’ She turned to her guards. They removed the bonds from his wrists and ankles—he fell to the floor whimpering in agony.

The guards dragged Karl out of the outhouse and pushed him into a car with his belongings. Tejaswi called the driver. ‘Place this in his bag,’ she said, giving him the wrapped dagger. ‘Send an anonymous tip to the police. Karl murdered the bodyguard because he was trying to get to me, to force me to sell my property.’

32

Anita

Tejaswi arrived on time. Anita opened the door and greeted her warmly. Grandma was in the kitchen, putting the final touches to a simple but delicious dinner. ‘What a cosy place!’ Tejaswi remarked.

‘Small, you mean.’ Anita smiled and led her into the kitchen. ‘Meet my Grandma.’

‘Nice to meet you, dear,’ Grandma shook Tejaswi’s hand, and studied her expression and her eyepatch. Then, suddenly, she pulled her hand away and glanced around as if dazed. She quickly leaned against the kitchen counter.

‘Are you okay?’ Tejaswi asked. ‘I hope my disability does not bother you,’ she said, pressing the eyepatch in place.

‘Not at all!’ Grandma smiled unsteadily. ‘I’m fine, it’s just old age. Sometimes I get a little dizzy.’ Grandma’s voice quavered. Anita helped her sit down. ‘Have you taken your blood pressure pills?’

‘Yes, dear. I’m fine.’

Anita poured out some juice in tall glasses. ‘Something healthy first?’ She handed a glass to Tejaswi.

Tejaswi smiled. ‘Sure.’ She sipped it. ‘Hmm, nice. By the way, I don’t know if you’ve heard, Karl was arrested for murder.’

‘Yes, I heard. What a creep! Justice is served. You must be relieved,’ Anita said.

Tejaswi smiled and headed out to the balcony.

Grandma immediately gripped Anita’s arm. ‘There is something wrong with her.’

‘What is it, Grandma?’

‘She has something evil inside her.’ Grandma was trembling. ‘It’s a very strong feeling.’

‘Calm down, Grandma. I knew it. There is something wrong with her. Can you tell me what it is?’

Grandma looked at her incredulously. ‘You knew and still brought her here?’

‘Tell me, Grandma. What’s wrong with her?

‘She is possessed by a spirit. A very angry spirit who is out for revenge.’ Grandma blinked rapidly. ‘You should not be with her, Anita. She is controlled by this spirit.’ She clutched her crystal beads. ‘Keep the beads on, they will protect you from her.’