The Silver Anklet by Mahtab Narsimhan Page A

as she stared up at them.
    Someone fumbled with the bolt outside.
    â€œCome down,” begged Raani. “If that madman catches you up there or if Kali sees you …”
    â€œI can’t,” gasped Kabir. “No time.” He reached behind him and wetted his palm with the blood on his back. He smeared his face and pulled, whimpering as he tugged and wriggled. Ananth, still standing on Vayu’s shoulders, pushed Kabir’s forehead. It barely moved. He smeared some more blood on Kabir’s cheeks and pushed again, all the while muttering, “Sorry, Kabir … so sorry.”
    The bolt shot back with a metallic clang. Tara’s legs turned to jelly. They were all doomed. She had seen Zarku in a rage and someone always got hurt. Or died.
    â€œThe clothes,” said Tara. “Throw them out.”
    Just as door started to open, Kabir pulled his head through the bars and dropped out of sight. Raani handed Kabir’s clothes up to Ananth, who threw them out the window. Ananth jumped off Vayu’s shoulders. They quickly moved away from the window and faced the door, their breathing unnaturally loud in the still air.
    Someone walked into the room carrying a lantern. The wick was turned up high and they were momentarily blinded. Tara shaded her eyes trying to see clearly.
    Finally she made out who it was. She screamed.

— seven —
Possessed
    â€œ SURAJ!”
    Tara launched herself at her little brother and hugged him tight, sure that her heart would leap out of her chest. She held him at arm’s length, devouring him with her eyes before clasping him to her, again. She never wanted to let go.
    â€œOh, thank God you’re all right!” She kissed his cheeks, tasting the salt of her own tears. “You’re back and you’re safe but … that monster let you come here?” said Tara. Her eyes darted to the door. “Is Kali around?”
    Suraj shook his head. “No, Didi. I’m all alone. You came. I knew you would! I’m so happy to see you.”
    He sounded so confident, so calm. Tara almost burst with pride at the way he was handling himself despite the scare he had gotten. He was stronger than she gave him credit for.
    â€œWeren’t you scared when the hyenas snatched you?” asked Ananth. He knelt beside Suraj and tousled his hair.
    â€œI was at first,” said Suraj. “But not anymore. Now that you’re all here, everything’s going to be all right.”
    â€œWhere is Sadia?” asked Tara. “Why didn’t you bring her with you?”
    â€œShe’s ill,” said Suraj. “She was too weak to walk so I told her to sleep.”
    They all gathered round Suraj, listening to him intently. Tara was glad that Kabir had escaped. Had he heard this, he would have done something impulsive and very foolish.
    â€œWill you take us to her?” Tara asked. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Once we get her we’ll escape!”
    Suraj’s face turned a shade paler. “We mustn’t,” he said.
    â€œWhy not?” asked Ananth.
    Suraj shot a terrified look at the door. Tara followed his gaze. Why hadn’t someone come to lock it up? Were the hyenas guarding it? She caught Ananth’s eye. He was staring at the door, just as confused.
    â€œIt’s all right, Suraj,” said Tara. “There’s no need to be afraid. We’re together now, no one can hurt you.”
    Suraj slipped his hand into hers. Tara blinked back tears. It was something Suraj did when he was scared. Till this moment she hadn’t realized how much that small gesture meant to her. She squeezed his hand and smiled.
    â€œShe’s right,” said Vayu. “You’re safe with us now.
    You won’t suffer the same fate as your friend.”
    Suraj gripped her hand tighter. Tara glared at Vayu.
    Trust him to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Suraj was already dealing with so much. She knelt and