Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(31)

Sasha’s feet felt heavy as she followed her sister. With every step she walked farther away from her goals. “I can leave at any time, though, right?” But she was afraid she wouldn’t like the answer to her question.

“We may leave only when the mother believes we have each learned what we came here to learn,” Imogen said, her eyes filled with tears. Sasha realized how long Imogen would be away from her husband, Lucien. The separation could feel like an eternity for her.

“Each of us?” Sasha glanced at her sister and the silent man who stood just ahead of them. “I am the one here to learn.”

“Oh, she’ll have something to teach us all,” Jayesh said bitterly. “If it’s one thing the mother does well, it’s teaching those who don’t want to be taught.” He hefted his bag up onto his shoulder. “She will not allow our departure until she believes we are ready.”

“Gen … I’m so sorry,” Sasha whispered.

“Do not be sorry, sister. I would never let you do this alone. We will learn together, but you must understand, it will take longer if you do not embrace this experience.”

“Then we should go meet this mother and get on with it. I have important things to get back to at home.” Sasha took a step forward.

Jayesh groaned. “We’re going to be here forever.”

~~~

Sasha gazed up at the stone walls as they approached the northern gate. The silence was deafening and it struck her that this was a place only ghosts haunted.

"We must go to the main temple to request an audience with Mother Raghavan," Imogen explained. “She’ll be expecting us.”

“She’ll make us wait,” Jayesh said.

“Are there other people here?" Sasha asked.

"Many are here, seeking wisdom from the mother, although it will seem deserted to us," Jayesh said. "There are … many layers of this place. We will never cross paths with anyone outside our own time.”

Jayesh led them to the temple at the center of the complex.

Sasha’s eyes were huge as she tried to take it all in. It really is like stepping out of time.

"Come, please. The mother will see you." The voice caught Sasha by surprise; she didn't see or hear the man approach from the garden path behind them. With her sense of hearing as sharp as it was, the sensation of having someone surprise her from behind was a strange one.

"Do not worry. Brother Raj has trained here all his life," Imogen whispered. "He is like a ghost. He travels the shadows on silent feet."

Sasha nodded as they followed the monk along the path to the center of the complex. The temple cast them in shadow as Sasha gazed up. Each level grew smaller as the structure rose to its highest peak. Statues of men and women stood twisted into the most impossible contortions, wielding sharp-bladed weapons and shields. Trumpeting war elephants and pouncing tigers, carved in relief, seemed to leap from the building.

Hundreds of steps rose from the garden path up to the great stone building. Sasha took them slowly, warmth spreading from the roots of her hair, standing on end, all the way to her toes. But it wasn’t from the heat of the day. It radiated from the marks left by Imogen’s protection. A warning that she was in danger. She shared a nervous glance with her sister. Gen took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It is just the unnaturalness of this place causing you distress. Nothing to worry about.”

Sasha wasn’t so sure about that as she stepped into the coolness of the temple vestibule. The shade was refreshing after their long climb up the pathway, but the atmosphere here gave her a creepy vibe.

Brother Raj led them to a small antechamber to wait. "Please rest. The mother will be with you shortly." He bowed as he left them. Silken pillows rested on the cool stone floor, surrounding a table of refreshments. Braziers burned at the entrance, filling the room with a cloying incense.

"It could be a while," Imogen said, taking a seat at the table.

Sasha sat beside her and fidgeted with the fringe on the corner of her pillow.

"Meditating would help speed this along," Jayesh said. "The mother will not join us until we are all in the right frame of mind."

"You are right. As long as we are tense and uneasy—and impatient," Gen added with a nudge to Sasha's side, "we will be here for a long time."

Sasha meditated regularly with her family. It was part of their daily training and she knew she needed it now.

"Fine." Sasha found a comfortable position and began the breathing exercises that would help her find peace within her mind. She had to leave all her baggage at her feet and focus only on her mind and her body, letting the tension and fear fall away.

When she opened her eyes, the sun was setting for the second time that day. She heard the soft shuffle of footsteps along the stone corridor behind her. The immense lifeline of the mother washed over her as she came to greet her guests. She might be the oldest Immortal I've ever met. Even older than Grandmother Nadira.

"You are welcome here, Sasha El Sadawii, daughter of the most honored Mughal empress and sister of Rani.”

Sasha glanced at her sister at the mention of the unfamiliar name.

Imogen’s only response was to stand and bow to the ancient guru.

The mother was old, but her features were still smooth, giving her an ageless appearance. She walked with a cane, but didn’t seem to need it. Her long hair was swept up in a no-nonsense bun at the nape of her neck, a few wispy strands escaping to frame her face. Her robes were plain and well worn. She was exactly what one would expect of a guru living in an ancient Hindu temple in the valley of the Ghat Mountains. And Sasha was pretty sure that was what the mother wanted her to think.