The Silver Anklet by Mahtab Narsimhan Page B

gazed into his face. Suraj’s face was blank. Had he deliberately forgotten about his friend because it was too painful?
    Had he seen Rohan die?
    Before Tara could reassure him, Suraj looked around the room and frowned. “Weren’t there five of you?” he asked.
    â€œHow did you know?” asked Tara. She met Ananth’s gaze. He looked troubled.
    â€œEr — Kali told me,” replied Suraj. “So, where is he?” he said. Suraj’s voice was a bit sharper.
    â€œDon’t worry about that now, Suraj,” said Tara. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?” Her voice was gentle, soothing.
    â€œTell me about your fifth friend,” said Suraj. He looked around the room and then up at the window.
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œHe’s gone for help,” said Tara.
    â€œNo!” yelled Ananth.
    â€œWha-what did I say?” asked Tara, looking at him in utter confusion.
    But it was too late.
    â€œKali!” roared Suraj.
    Tara stared at Suraj, aghast. Kali came running into the room instantly; she must have been right outside their door.
    â€œSend the hyenas to hunt for their companion and bring him back, dead or alive. He escaped from up there.” Suraj jerked his head toward the barred window.
    Kali nodded and almost tripped, running off to carry out the command.
    â€œSuraj, stop it,” said Tara. She shook him hard. “Have you gone mad? Kabir’s gone for help. For us!”
    She looked into his eyes and stopped. Something was different; his forehead had a small crease. Her skin prickled, crawled, as realization hit her with the force of a slap. It was where the burn on Rohan’s forehead had been. She let go of his shoulders and stepped back.
    There was something very wrong with her brother.
    As Suraj stared back at her, his face changed. Not in its features — the eyes and nose and chin were still his. But he wore a look of utter, devastating contempt.
    â€œSuraj, oh Suraj,” he mocked her in a high- pitched squeak. “You stupid fool,” he said. This time his voice was harsh, yet terribly familiar.
    â€œZarku …” she breathed. Suraj’s face swam before her eyes and then room went completely dark.

    When she came round, Suraj was gone. In the dim light of the lantern he had left behind, three faces peered at her anxiously. “Are you okay?” asked Ananth. “You fainted . That’s the second time!” The question had a slight accusatory tone. As if she was incapable of fainting.
    Tara sat up and retched. The others jumped out of the way. Holding her aching head, she vomited till there was nothing left inside; not food, not panic, not even revulsion. Sadness crept in to fill the void. She had hugged that monster Zarku. And kissed him! And now he was in her brother’s body. How did he get in and how was she going to get him out ?
    â€œSo now we know he’s not in the urn anymore,” said Ananth. “Looks like he’s learned how to possess a body.”
    Tara shivered. Not just any body. That evil spirit was inside her Suraj. This was so much harder than facing the Vetalas. Here the evil resided within and she would have to remind herself to go beyond the exterior.
    â€œBut how do we get him out?” asked Raani. “If we kill him …” She saw Tara’s pale face and her hand flew to her mouth. “I’m sorry — I didn’t mean to say that. I only meant —”
    Tara hugged her knees to her chest. “I thought of it myself,” she said in a dull voice.
    â€œWe can’t hurt Zarku without harming the body he’s in. If he dies, Suraj dies. Ananth, what are we going to do?”
    Vayu held Tara’s hand tightly in his. Oddly, it was more comforting than any words he could have said to her. She looked up at him, her eyes streaming.
    â€œI’m beginning to wonder how Rohan died,” said Raani. “If he had that