The Deadly Conch by Mahtab Narsimhan Page B

there,” said Lord Yama in a firm voice. “I’ve told you the rules and you’ll just have to abide by them. There is no bargaining here.”
    Around them, darkness was melting away and dawn was approaching. If she went with the Lord to talk to Kali, she would die. But life was already quite unbearable for her. She dreaded each new day, wondering what unpleasant surprises would spring forth from Layla’s sick, twisted mind.
    â€œI have to go, Tara. Are you coming?”
    â€œNo.” The word flew from her lips unbidden. “No,” she repeated softly. “I have so much more I have to do here. How can I leave my family and just give up … I’m sorry, but no.” She stared up at Lord Yama, expecting to see anger or disapproval because of her weakness. Instead she saw sadness.
    He patted her head. “Tara, I understand. It’s tough to think of dying at thirteen. But I respect your decision and your honesty. Best of luck with your fight against Layla.”
    â€œYou’re leaving?”
    â€œYou can’t have Death hanging around you all the time, Tara. You’ll get a bad reputation,” said Yama. He smiled, and, in spite of everything, Tara smiled, too.
    â€œIf I were to change my mind, can I call you?”
    Yama looked stern again. “Tara, I have much work to do and many souls to take to the Underworld. I cannot be summoned on a whim. Do you understand?”
    â€œYes. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI know you called me out of concern for your family and the villagers so I will say no more. You are a brave, unselfish girl and I will always admire you, but there is a limit to what I will tolerate.”
    Tara took a deep breath and held out the conch to him. It was like giving up a part of her. What if she needed it again? Her hand shook and the conch, perched on her palm, jiggled. “Here, take it.” She blinked back tears. This was so hard.
    Yama closed her fingers over the conch. “I will leave this with you, Tara. But it will work only one more time, so use it wisely. Call only when you truly need me.”
    Tara clutched the shell to her breast. For now, the conch of death was with her and she felt an odd sense of relief.
    â€œGood luck, Tara.”
    â€œThank you, Lord Yama.”
    He patted her on the head, climbed onto his bull, and, before her eyes, faded into the morning mist shrouding the forest. She could hear the muffled clip-clopping of the bull’s hooves, though she could not see him. The earth trembled under her feet and then was still. He was gone.
    Tara ran back toward the village, and home. She stopped at the edge of the treeline. The horizon was outlined in gold. The sight brought tears to her eyes. How close she had come to never seeing another sunrise.
    She remembered the fight between the mongoose and the cobra. In spite of being mismatched, the snake had won.
    And so would she.

— ten —

Fire!
    W isps of smoke were curling out the back door of their hut when Tara returned. She walked into the kitchen where Parvati and Shiv sat sharing a cup of tea.
    â€œWhere did you go?” they asked in unison. Worry had etched deep lines onto their faces. Tara wished she had returned before they awoke and spared them the anxiety.
    â€œI-er —”
    â€œDid you go to the temple again?” asked Shiv.
    â€œYes!” said Tara, silently begging forgiveness of Lords Ganesh and Yama for the lie. “I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to sit there for a while.”
    Parvati patted a spot next to her. Tara sank to the ground gratefully, her mind in turmoil. Had she made the right decision in refusing to go with Lord Yama? What if that had been her only chance to stop Layla, apart from killing the girl herself?
    Parvati put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and Tara sagged against her, gazing at the familiar surroundings that always calmed her. Silver vessels and thalis gleamed on the shelves,