In my Devil's Arms

Six blissful months passed quickly. A lot of events occured. Manav and Sonia got married. So did Gaurav and Malti. Alok and Laxmi got engaged.

But the girls were concerned about Lisa.

She was disappearing a lot these days. She looked pale too.

" I bet she is hiding something", said Zoya.

" What could it be", asked Riya.

" Boyfriend", suggested Laxmi.

" Hmmm possible", said Zoya.

But Lisa denied their allegations.

" I just landed a job in a statiscal firm. We have to visit a lot of people to collect a lot of data", she said. " Finally I am earning money. I resigned from other jobs. This one pays great".

" We are happy for you", said Riya holding her hand.

Lisa squeezed back.

HER SECRET WAS SAFE FOR NOW..

Riya and Vikram visited a place in Gujrat called Junagarh. There was an ancient palace here owned by king Randheer. There was also a subsidary small scale industry of Bhishma enterprises. It was handlooms and silk. Cotton plantations were there. Silkworm were reared in nearby hill stations. And yarn was brought here. Riya loved the design of the palace. Princess planted a Neem tree in the backyard.

" Maybe my children can play here", she said to Riya. " Dad gave it to us".

" May you have lots of them", said Riya.

" A dozen", Vicky whispered in her ears.

" Shut up", she blushed.

He would make love to her each night. Every time in a different way. An excellent and giving lover he was great.☺☺

Riya's powers increased significantly. She learned to control fire and summon it at her own will. Also she controlled plant growth and creatures dwelling in earth. She was rustic with fireball attack but Vicky asked her to be patient with herself and give herself time.

They have once entered forbidden forest on second day of lunar cycle.

" The day is blessed by Shiva as his", he said.

He gave an amulet to each Shalini and Riya. They wore it. Riya went to the abandoned castle.

" Its British era", Riya said looking at construction. " Those parchment papers you found do not match with its age. Also script on them is pictorial and not easy to decipher".

" Evil lurks here", said Vicky.

He explained what he did here.

" Those terrorists Salman mentioned", asked Riya.

Vikram nodded.

" They are related to the evil", he said.

Then they came to the mound. Riya felt a jolt of energy around it.

" What is this place", she asked.

" Blessed by Shiva. Evil cannot come here", said Agni.

She nodded. But she felt an odd familiarity with the place. As if she had been here. Or lived here for long.

That was six months ago.

Riya was still researching those papers but she was not sure. Unexpectedly it was Laxmi who helped her.

" Ohh", she said looking at symbols of Swan, Eagle and Bull.

" So now are you researching on Indian Mythological Stories "?

" What Mythological Stories ", asked Riya.

" Yes these are the animals associated with Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh",said Laxmi.

" And this fall of poison on Earth as Shiva drinks it symbolises the birth of eternal evil Kalipurush. It gains power from our sins becoming stronger. Protector Vishnu comes as Kalki to end it",, explained Laxmi.

AND EVERYTHING CLICKED.

" Thanks", she hugged Laxmi. " I was stuck".

" Anytime", her friend chuckled.

" I have to meet Mr. Khedekar", she said suddenly.

Riya's friends were aware if she made a discovery she would forget others.

" Let me drop you on the way. " I am having lunch with Alok", she said.

" Okay".

Evening

" Okay what did you have", asked Vicky to Riya.

" What do we know on Kalipurush ", asked Riya.

" The ultimate evil", asked Agni.

" Yes its him to whom Baldev sold his soul. Look these are animals of Trimurti and Shiva drinking poison", she said.

" But we can't defeat kali. I am no Protector", said Vicky.

" But he blessed you with his chakra remember", she said.

" So its not Kali you need to defeat but one of his minions probably...ummmm.actually..", she hesitated.

" Whom Riya", asked Vicky.

" Uttam and probably Sumati; my ex parents", she shrugged.

" I am sorry", Vicky hugged her.

" Its okay", she said. " I don't remember them".

" A question", said Shalini who was quiet till now.

Everyone looked at her.

" What happened to Aditi and Gautam "? Are there soul at peace? Do we have anything on their kids", she asked.

" Those are three questions", smiled Agni.

Shalini shrugged.

" The answers will be in Dasavtar temple", said Riya. " I heard Aditi's name there. Punditji", she said.

" You go with Reshma", said Agni.

" As you say", she touched his feet.

" Temples", smirked Shalini. " No change in you".

Riya just shrugged as Vicky angrily clenched his fist. HE CANNOT KILL HER.

Back Home

" I don't trust Reshma", said Vicky. " I can't leave you alone with her".

" I know. So I asked Manav to come too", she replied.

Vicky relaxed. " That's good. Love you".

The three of them went to Dasavtar temple next day.

" Its good to see you again Shalini. Come home sometime sister", said Manav.

Shalini was filled with gratitude. With a lot of difficulty she said

" Y.yes br.brother".

And then they reached the temple. Manav was elated to find that the architect who designed the renovations was here.

" I'll go and meet him. Will you both be alright on yourself", he asked.

" Sure", said Riya.

" Shalini", he asked.

" Yes", she replied.

Manav left.

" He cares a lot", said Shalini.

" That's his nature", said Riya.

Then they started investigating.

Finally at the last they reached a store room.

" Can we have a look", she asked the guide and security.

" Yeah there is nothing but old books there with old torn pages. Its the reason they are redesigning it.

" Okay", said Shaini. " We shall be quick.

" Take your time", said security.

They went in and searched.

" Look for ten centuries ago", said Riya.

Shalini nodded.

" There is a book from a writer known as Padmanabh", said Shalini. " I knew him. He marrued a BRITISH girl called Lily", she said.

" Just take it", said Riya.

She searched a lot and found some old papers here and there; a few trinkets of no value like broken beads, a broken bell and toys. She kept them.

" We have nothing on them", said Riya disappointed. " I was sure we would get something.

" Collect the oldest books and papers and lets leave. I can hear spiders crawling", said Shalini in an hour.

After an hour they were roaming in locl market. The authorities allowed them to take everything. As per them it was nothing but waste.

" Cheer up", said Shalini.

Riya shrugged.

" Trinkets for you madam. Something to remember the Dasavtar", said a young vendor boy.

" What's your name", asked Riya with a smile.

" Kishan", said the boy.

" And what do you have Kishan", she asked.

" Chakras and Shankhs", he said.

The girls selected two Shankhs. Kishan taught them to blow. Then he said.

" Here take ths set of five chakras. I'll offer discount. Can be used as boomrang", he said.

Riya giggled.

" Okay your money", she paid.

" Good luck", said the boy. " Use every thing wisely".

Then he disappeared in the crowd. The girls forgot what he said as they came back with Manav later.