THE CALL OF DARKNESS

The howling of a dozen

nguage as they performed a ritual an

d, casting frightening shadows on the

t. Slow.

at have I done to deser

r the hood, two eyes glinted with madness

ath. Accept it. Be humble and respectful

hrew him at the shadow's feet. He leaned ove

made the man lower his head and burst into tears.

e shadow's hand. He raised

him! Oh Great One!

walls and the massive statue. Th

The shadows continued their dance.Then, ther

≈ ≈ ≈

tled. She looked around nervously, t

d been struck hard. It was hot an

tered from the sun's rays. It was noisy and c

with a searching look. She shuddered,

hat exactly?

The man deftly dodged her blow while giving her a pu

at he was a completely different person. His f

sn't seem to be from

kshmi Khan? "

speaks E

Lakshmi

nd uncertain. She cleared h

Khan, that's

r to her, gently taking her by h

eful "

hurt when y

akshmi gave him

you remember?

hen I saw you faint. The

was scared for you or because yo

ding up to her fainting spells. Her gaze fell on the vendor,

bserved them the e

Will the lady

Hindi, a language sp

all, the jewelry laid out o

utiful jew

azaar. She wanted to get something to remember

lowing me? " Laks asked

Harry Jones. I'm

you need, and let's get going. They've been wai

clearly didn't want the

our pick

ralds, Rubies from Subramanya. N

rstand Hindi, he still grimaced

dler "

" The vendor sudden

fine jewelry wit

le, concentrating on w

es sparkle so beautifully in

tone. It sui

l suit such a b

id him, and then proc

≈ ≈ ≈

preoccupied with their own lives, the

essed men and women, plea

, brazenly tugging at their sleev

r away from them, brushing off the

mi and Harry. It was far easier to beg a foreigner for mone

get around the small crowed of b

her through the crowd, shooing aw

t to pester such a large a

ers and a strong grip. She had no doubt that with him by

d of him. The impeccable way he carried himself made it immediately

f the missing British di

as you " He

tails of the case. Can you tel

out soon enoug

ight l

n refuse. And now my younger brother is all alone in Eng

e brief " Harry sa

im to talk is li

ndependence from the British, about thirty years ago, we periodically send diplomat to monitor compli

ing to look for

other members of a t

crowd of beggars and H

ain in the army? "

an indologist, I g

indology. But I have

rk expe

get any, due to some pe

sons...An inexperienced indologist could ruin e

kills. That's why I was selected for this mission, same as you. Are you doubti

ou speak captain, if you don't want to co

ten on my nerves. What were these personal rea

. Someone had to r

who could do it.

? " Harry fur

're in high demand

n Harry's face s

assy. He slowed down and st

family in In

ved to England lon

le they headed t