In my Devil's Arms

Shalini's body was discovered near the temple. Agni informed the authorities . The postmortem said snake bite. As an ascetic Agni cremated her.

Manav was shocked to learn about her death.

" I promised her that I shall get her married", he said to Sharman. Even Sharman the hardened military man cried. Sonia too was crying. Shalini was close to them.

" She handed over all her assets to you", said Alok. " Her house and her jewels".

" But", said Manav.

" Take it Manav", said Riya. " Honour her wishes".

He nodded and agreed.

Agni said to Ramcharan,

" Our primary aim is to get that sword before evil".

" Why punditji", asked Ramcharan.

" Because it has Srikant's blood on it and Blood is important", said Agni.

" Blood"?

" Yes blood", said Agni. " Srikant is a powerful elemental. If a sword dipped in his blood is plunged in him the attacker will control his life and death. He will also control his soul after death. Hence for his soul to be at peace one of us should do it"..

"As you say punditji", said Ramcharan.

Then came another shock..

Duleep and Sharman visited Oberois with SP.

" Bad news", said Sharman.

" What", asked Ramcharan.

"There was a gang war in forest. We found dead bodies".

" Terrorists ", Riya enquired.

" Yes", said Duleep

" One of the gang member who died worked for your son", said SP.

" Who", Vikram was curious

" Tarun Solanki", said SP.

Vikram was not shocked. He knew the enemy was close to him.

" Well you guys did warn", he said.

Sharman nodded.

" There could be more", said Duleep.

" Yes.", said Vikram. Definitely one more he thought.

" Vicky nooo.."

That voice. Familiarity of calling him. In fact it was on the tip of his tongue to reply him taking his name. But who?

Vicky was plagued by these thoughts

" Vicky where are you lost", Riya asked him one day. " They were having evening tea in the garden.

" I know him that cobra boss", he said. " He knows me too. In desperation he called me Vicky".

" Ohhhh", Riya said. " Was he a young man or middle aged".

" My age", he said. " I mean the age world knows".

" Hmm".

They came up with many names. All seem plausible. And all were rejected by them.

Life went on.

But with a speculation of doom. Riya's search for sword intensified. She took Laxmi's help.

Laxmi was very close to her mother-in-law.

" Maa soon Alok will be a pundit. Our son will be born a pundit", she said. " My father is helping him. Also with memoir now being a historical arifact you have not only earned respect in society but money too.", she said.

" All thanks to you. You truly are Goddess Laxmi ", replied the old lady.

Laxmi blushed.

So now Riya and Laxmi were at her in laws.

She showed Mr. Pundit a painting by Darshan.

" Look at this sword sir", said Riya. " Its broken but it is a war relic. You will get paid handsomely for it by the Government. In his memoir Sushant wrote he kept it".

Mr. Pundit looked at it keenly.

" Looks really like a heritage but sadly Pundits split into many factions later on . Where is this; well no one knows", he said.

Riya was disappointed.

Vishnu and Alok came. Vishnu looked at her.

Riya was really well maintained. She was beautiful. And a rich man's wife. Branded clothes, jewellery, cars. VIKRAM OBEROI.Disdain engulfed him. She should have been his. But he was a chameleon. To obtain her Oberoi should be controlled. AND EVIL HAD TOLD HIM THE WAY.

" Hello Mrs. Oberoi", he said demurely.

Laxmi was alerted. Something was not right.

" Hey Vishnu", Riya said cheerfully.

" Princess likes your art. Maybe we both can select a few of your landscapes for her living room Sonia is designing".

" That would be good", said Vishnu nicely. BUT LAXMI WAS NOT FOOLED.

" Okay enjoy with your family. I take a leave", said Riya.

And she left.

That Evening

" I don't know. Something about Vishnu does not fit", said Laxmi.

She was sitting with Vicky and Manav in a restaurant.

" I agree", said Manav. " A terrorist after all".

" Alok is optimistic but not me", said Laxmi.

" And for that matter neiether is my mother in law. A virtuous lady", she said fondly.

" Okay I will take care of the matter Laxmi", said Vicky.

Laxmi then left.

" Riya and Sonia should be least involved", said Manav.

" I have a suggestion", said Vicky.

" What"?

" Once the work is over for this resort let both our families take an out of country vacation", he said." Meanwhile we can take care of Vishnu", he said.

" Not a bad idea", said Manav " Tarun business terrifies me. He was one amongst us. I would have never suspected."

" Neither would I", said Vicky.

" His wife left the country with the infant daughter", said Manav.

" A thourough tragedy", said Vicky.

But more tragedies were about to come.

Two days later

Riya decided to randomly visit the pundits. Surprisingly Laxmi and Alok were there.

" Alok think of a child soon", said his mother.

Laxmi blushed but Alok shook his head.

" My child will be born a pundit", he said.

" Blood is important not name", said Mrs Pundit.

Riya was stunned..Agni said the same.

" Why do you say this ", she asked Mrs Pundit.

" Because Shiva blessed our clan. Our blood shall live. We will join the eternal war of good and evil on the side of Protector lord. Also our blood is a powerful weapon".

" Well as much as you are emotional about it maa its not a fact. No proof whatsoever that we are blessed and magical", said Alok.

" That is because we did not know our own strengths. Once we were powerful elementals. But not today", she said.

" I believe in you maa", said Laxmi.

Alok smiled. Laxmi was not flattering her. She really liked her. She was really a gift. His Wife. He genuinely fell for her.

Riya agreed with Mrs Pundit too.

Srikant had their blood. And he was a powerful elemental.

" Okay I take your leave. Any word on sword and inform me", she said.

" Positively", said Laxmi.

She left.

That Night

Mr. Pundit sat in his room. He slowly opened a wooden box. And took out a broken sword.

" I am sorry. But I have to lie", he said.

His father has entrusted him with the sword.

" It must not fall in wrong hands", he was warned.

He kept it hidden. Now he hid it again. But it was too late.

At abandoned building

" So the sword was always with the pundit clan", laughed the evil.

"Ha ha ha ha ha".

" Srikant pundit I will own you now"!!!!