The Hand of Kali Box Set Vol 2 Read online

  Hand of Kali Boxed Set (Books 4, 5 & 5.5)

  T.G. Ayer

  Contents

  Authors Note

  Glossary & Pronunciation

  Hand of Kali 4 - Fury & Virtue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Copyright

  Hand of Kali 5 - Spirit & Soul

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Copyright

  Hand of Kali 5.5 - DemiGod

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Copyright

  The Hand of Kali Series

  Also by T.G. Ayer

  Free Books - Join my Newsletter

  About the Author

  Authors Note

  Hindu Mythology is a living religion.

  Like, Christianity, Islam, Judaism & Buddhism, Hinduism has millions of followers around the world. Fiction featuring Hindu gods is not merely a matter of choosing a god, and placing them in a fictional situation, mainly because you risk offending that deity’s devout worshippers. Unlike the Greek, Roman, Egyptian & Norse Pantheon, Hindu & Buddhist gods must be treated with the utmost respect in any fiction. I hope I have maintained this ethic within my series.

  I have tried to maintain as much respect as possible while still using fiction to both entertain and educate the reader. The Kali series is filled with details of the various deities currently worshipped across the world.

  Some rituals and powers are fiction, of course.

  There is much in the Kali series that is part of my own journey in life. I hope my travels in India have lent some level of authenticity to the Indian scenes.

  Some of the gods featuring in this series, like Chayya and Bhumi, are ones who are not currently as popular. They are still worshipped, but belong to the older generation of gods, which would explain why not every Hindu reader would be familiar with them.

  Demons, Zombies, Undead & other creatures and spirits are as per mythology texts and are available online to research.

  Much of how to eliminate these creatures is anecdotal & fictional. Sorry guys, if you come across a Vitala, you’re on your own.

  Glossary & Pronunciation

  Maya Rao – Mah-yah Rao (as in now)

  Devan Rao (Dev) – There-vin

  Leela Rao (Lee) – Lee-lah

  Joss (Jocelyn) Cawood

  Nik (Nikhil) Lucas – Nik-eel Lucas

  Ria Gupta – Ree-yah Goop-ta

  Sunita Gupta – Sue-neeta Goop-ta

  Hardev Gupta – Harr-dev Goop-ta

  Amber Alden

  Byron Richards

  Claudia Romero

  Viren Sen – Vee-ren Senn

  Yama (God of Death and Justice) – Yah-mah

  Dharma (Yama) – DhaR-maa

  Chandragupta (Keeper of the Book of Life) – Chun-thra-goop-ta

  Chayya (Goddess of Shadows) – Chah-yaa

  Varuni (Goddess of Wine & the Amrita) – Vah-roon-nee

  Amrita – Um (as in gum)-reeta

  Narakasura (Kas) – NaR-gah-soora (Kass)

  Balraj – Baal-raaj

  Priya – Pree-yah

  Rakshasa – Ruck-sha-sa

  Patala - Pa-taa-lah

  Naraka – Naa-ra-kah

  Kailas – Ky (as in my)-laash

  Swargaloka – Swarr-ga-law-kah

  Naga – Nah-gah

  Visha – Vi-shah

  Madu – Mah-dhoo

  Hand of Kali 4 - Fury & Virtue

  Chapter 1

  Meeting the parents is always stressful. The only thing worse is when one parent is a god and the other a dying mortal.

  Probably a good thing Maya had already met Nik’s father, Yama, the God of the Underworld. Probably a good thing too, that only a few weeks ago, her actions had helped free the god of death from his captor, the demon lord Narakasura, and helped restore sanity to a world filled with the living dead.

  Now, Maya tightened her fingers into a fist. Her emotions were a maelstrom of fear, doubt and nerves, but Maya tried not to let it get the best of her.

  “Ready?” asked Nik softly from the sofa beside her.

  Nikhil. Demigod. Son of Yama.

  Maya's boyfriend.

  The guy was Bollywood gorgeous, all dark shoulder-length hair, chiseled features and the blackest eyes she’d ever seen.

  There was something else about him, some kind of energy he exuded, that made Maya acutely aware of his presence. Probably because she was crazy about him.

  Or maybe it was his godly DNA.

  Maya let out a puff of breath, the exhalation doing nothing for the conflagration in her stomach. She released the cream silk cushion she’d been suffocating to death, and gave him a tight smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  The TV was on in the Rao’s living room, but Maya barely paid attention to the Supernatural rerun. Sam & Dean had always been enough to keep her attention. Proof she wasn’t as calm as she’d hoped to be.

  Nick frowned. He curled a hand around her waist and leaned closer. “If you don’t want to go I can cancel.”

  Disappointment tinged Nik’s dark eyes and Maya shook her head. She put the pillow back in place, plumping it up to keep her hands
busy. She’d agreed to meet his mother, and she wasn’t going to break their plans now. Besides, she wanted to meet the woman who’d raised Nik, understand how she’d managed a life as the spouse of a god.

  Not to mention Archana Maistry was dying. Maya wanted to get to know his mother before she died.

  Because, for all intents and purposes, Maya was in a similar situation. Sure, Nik was only half a god, and sure they weren’t married, but anything Nik’s mom could tell her would help. She was really the only person who could speak from the experience of being in a relationship with a god.

  Maya looked up at Nik. “Don’t be silly. I’m just nervous. I’ve no intention of canceling.”

  “I know. But you don’t have to-”

  “Nik,” Maya said with a low laugh. “It’s normal to be nervous when meeting the parents.”

  Nik’s forehead wrinkled and he shook his head. “I wasn’t when I met your parents.” Then his lips twisted as he hid a grin.

  Maya punched him lightly on his shoulder and got to her feet. “Of course, you weren’t. You met them before you even met me.”

  And it wasn’t as if he’d met them as a prospective suitor for their daughter’s hand. Nik had been in communication with Dev and Leela Rao as part of his responsibility as Lord Yama’s right hand. He’d been tasked with the responsibility of keeping an eye on the Hand of Kali.

  The Hand of Kali, aka Maya Rao.

  Maya cleared her throat, then smoothed down her skirt. She’d chosen an ankle-length full-circle pink skirt, a color her mom would describe as cerise. Woven with golden thread with a paisley self-print, the skirt was subtle and still elegant with its voluminous skirt. She paired it with a soft cap-sleeved blouse, pink crystal hoop earrings, and a pair of stunning pink high-heeled sandals.

  What happened to black leather and jeans, Maya wondered as she surveyed her feminine attire.

  She’d been totally nervous while dressing, knowing her first impression would set the stage to the visit and not wanting to be a disappointment. She’d gone through a dozen different outfits, wishing her best friend Joss had been around to help her choose. Too bad Joss had to visit with her parents.

  Straightening her spine, Maya took Nik’s arm and gave him a firm nod. Her stomach lurched as they moved through dimensions and solidified inside a spacious, high-ceilinged hotel room.

  Nik gave her arm a brief squeeze before he let go and walked towards a set of inner doors. The place was luxurious with airy gauze nets on the windows, framed by heavy ivory brocade drapes, with the afternoon sun searing a warm path along the cream deep pile carpets.

  The decor too was elegant and feminine, lots of white fabric with subtle gold accents. She was standing in a living room, off which at least half a dozen doors led. Probably bedrooms and bathrooms, Maya assumed.

  Not your standard hotel room.

  Seconds later the door opened and Nik exited, accompanied by a couple. Maya was unable to hide her double-take as she took in Lord Yama, standing beside his human wife. Nik’s mom was almost as tall as his dad. Her waist-length hair was midnight black, and her large green eyes glittered as she smiled at Maya.

  She exuded a resonance so filled with power she could have passed for a goddess had Maya not already known she was a mere mortal. Her aquamarine maxi dress and spaghetti straps would make the case for mortal, but Maya had to wonder.

  She didn’t miss the older woman’s amused expression at her reaction to the handsome god in modern clothing. Lord Yama wore a pair of dark jeans, a long sleeved Henley shirt and black sneakers. You could pass him on the street and have no clue as to the power he possessed.

  Yama smiled and nodded at Maya. “Thank you for coming, Maya.”

  Maya hesitated, her heart slamming against her ribs as if wanting out. Had she been summoned without her knowledge? Despite her confusion, she smiled and said, “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  He nodded approvingly, then held a hand out to Maya, beckoning her closer. Nik stood at his mother’s side, oddly silent.

  Maya stepped closer and Lord Yama drew his wife to him. He smiled from her to Maya, then met his wife’s eyes. “This is Maya Rao.” Maya noticed he didn’t get too formal and neither did he mention the word ‘girlfriend’. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but she smiled as the god continued, “And Maya, this is Archana, Nik’s mother.”

  Maya reached out and took Archana’s hand, surprised Nik’s mom looked younger than her eighty-something years. In fact, she looked about Yama’s age, early fifties maybe, though God knows how old he was.

  Maya swallowed down her nerves. “It’s lovely to meet you.” As she spoke, Maya’s cheeks grew hot. She had no idea how to address the woman. Nik’s mother deserved a more respectful salutation than just her first name.

  What nerves Maya had disappeared as Archana reached for her and drew her into a warm hug. When she released Maya, she said, “I’m so glad to finally meet you Maya. Nikhil has told me so much about you.”

  Heat bloomed in Maya’s cheeks and she glanced at Nik who stood just behind his mom. What had he told his mother? But she didn’t have time to think about it as Archana drew her to the sitting area and pulled her down beside her.

  “Now, I want to hear everything. Nikhil told me you had a bit of an adventure a few weeks back. I admit he did give me the Cliff’s Notes version, but I wanted the hot details direct from the source.”

  Maya grinned and relaxed at last. “It’s not all that exciting, to be honest.”

  Archana raised a dark eyebrow. “I shall be the judge of that. Now spill.”

  Chapter 2

  The only moment Nik and Maya had to themselves was when he returned her to her house after midnight, the silence of the house duplicitous. Either sleep or work would provide such a dead calm.

  Nik had barely taken a breath before Maya rounded on him, keeping her voice low in deference to sleeping occupants. “I thought you said your mom was old?”

  Nik chuckled as Maya drew him into the kitchen. “Yeah. About that . . .”

  The kitchen held a hint of her mom’s special Tikka Masala chicken and though Maya wasn’t exactly starving, she didn’t miss a step as she grabbed plates and glasses, and warmed a few pieces of the delicious meal.

  As she worked, she glanced over her shoulder at Nik who was attending to their drinks. “So?”

  Nik cleared his throat and paused just as he was about to pour cranberry juice into their glasses. “My father finally managed to convince her to take the Amrita.”

  Maya’s movements stilled. The Amrita was the elixir of Life. The goddess Varuni herself created the elixir and Maya knew first-hand how precious the drink was.

  The gods used the elixir from time to time to sustain them during their extended lives, and in the past Yama’s human wife had refused to take it, preferring her mortality to living an immortal life just because of her relationship with a god.

  “Holy wow. That must have been a relief for the two of you?” She forced herself to move, bringing the warmed chicken and a bowl of fragrant yellow rice to the table.

  Nik nodded as he finished pouring, then sat on his stool. “We were more than relieved.”

  “What made her change her mind?”

  Nik looked up at Maya and grinned. “Maybe it’s because I told her about you?”

  She frowned. “What do I have to do with it?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing directly. She said she realized then there was a future to be had and if she chose to die then she was choosing to miss out on my future as well as my father’s.”

  “That’s both very sad and very sweet.” Maya sighed.

  Nik smiled and reached for the chicken. He served them both as Maya did the same with the rice.

  How very domestic.

  Nik had healed fairly quickly after being stabbed in the neck by the demon lord Kas. Plus, he’d fidgeted around the last few days, making Maya more certain he was itching to return to doing something with his time other than watching movies and vis
iting historical sites around the world.

  They’d made a few pit-stops, the Colosseum, Machhu Picchu, the Great Wall of China. But one can only do so much traveling before it becomes tiresome. Maya had split her time between Nik and her mother who were both recovering from the poison with which Kas had laced his daggers.

  And school.

  Thank goodness her parents had had the foresight to begin homeschooling. It gave Maya and Joss the flexibility to train, handle cases, and recuperate where necessary.

  Leela had also made steady progress, purging the poison from her system with the help of the power of the goddess Bhumi.