(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

24.2 Motherhood

"Ready?" Doctor asked, slinging his brown satchel bag down his shoulder.

Celina tightened her shoelace and resumed her stance. She held a food basket in her hand, and a bag filled with basic necessities in another. For a moment she felt unsure but then nodded at Doctor.

Together, they wended their way towards the island past the bridge.

They were supposed to begin this journey about three weeks ago. Only if Shourya's men hadn't been such a hurdle and attacked her clan as well as the amphitheater back to back, A complete month of the Fest would have given a substantial amount of time to finish the job they were set out for. She was later forced to get busy with improving the safety of the clan, especially during the days when Vrishabha had to lock herself in the Parallel Universe. Whereas Doctor, on King Agahsthya's behest, had shifted his focus to Lithika's marriage that was later interrupted by Rahu Kerenza's savagery. Panchayat had summoned Doctor to deliver some answers, which delayed their plans even further. Celina envisioned a highly delighted Shashi Thribhuvan smirking and winking down at her. He was the brains behind this formulaic planned attacks, after all. With or without dark magic during the month of the Fest, he had yet been brutally domineering.

Celina straightened the cuffs of her sleeves and pulled her bag up watching the innumerable Vrindahina trees pervaded everywhere on the island. Almourah was residing only a few feet away. Every step of hers was a jaunty swagger as if daring the dread gnawing at the pit of her stomach. She was scared, although in denial. The way Doctor had trained her, according to Naag, she could be called undefeatable. The confidence was based on the fact that she would now be able to resist the pain that came with any kind of dark magic.

Then why was she suddenly doubtful? Why was her heart pounding like a jackhammer?

Thanks to the heavens, that it was the month of the Fest. No chance of snowfall. There were walking freely in the beautiful weather with clear blue sky above them and the sound of the birds chirping from the distant. A few steps later, she picked up the sudden shift in the scent that reminded her of lemons. The bridge beneath their feet suddenly began to creak and shone as if the stone bridge was repainted lately. She frowned and looked up at Doctor who answered her dubiousness. "It's damaged. Be careful. King Harsh had made sure that the beasts don't have easy access through the bridge. So he destroyed it."

"It doesn't look like its damaged. It seems more like someone fixed the damaged."

"You are right," he said, having his gaze down, watching his wood creek in slight astonishment. "This confirms that people are illegally traveling through the bridge to meet Almourah and learn dark magic from him. Or maybe Shashi himself rebuilt it years ago. We can't say for sure though."

As they walked further ahead, the scent in the air aggravated. The rays of the sun seemed to be getting blocked by darkened mist, the plumes of black smoke swirling upwards like inverted confetti, cloaking the entrance of the Almourah's territory.

"That's the seal," Doctor said, his voice gruff, "The further we go in, the more drastic its intensity is, not that it's detrimental to us in any way. But it will begin to fade. And that shall indicate that we've entered his territory. Listen to me carefully now- once we enter, there's a possibility for the beasts to catch the smell of your blood and they'll instantly attack you. Living without the blood of a woman for the past thirty years must have definitely aggravated them. Their hunger must be a thousand times more than that of a Samagraha. If that happens...you know what to do."

"Right." She nodded.

It was two days prior to the scheduled day of Hayden confronting Shaytan Rup. Pruthvi must have already captured Tyrell and waiting for Doctor's return. The other parts of the Pride were safely secured with Doctor. The rest of the job that was dependent on her must be done as quickly as possible. Two more days, she said to herself. Just hang on, Tyrell.