Nine: Vengeance of the Warrior Read Online Free PDF Page A

inducing a state of trance. Yogis have used it as a mind tool to access deeper levels of the unconscious and discover secrets of the universe, more specifically superhuman knowledge.
    Anita placed her palm over the embedded metal disc and focused all her energy on her third eye. The disc suddenly felt hot to the touch. And she could feel herself floating in mid-air, over the trees. In her mind’s eye, she saw Ravi leaning against the car, smoking. She saw the Acharya making a call to someone; she heard him whisper, ‘She’s probing about the Nine. Be warned.’ She felt an amazing sense of peace centre in her heart chakra. Anita tried to move the disc, but it suddenly shifted and seemed to sink. Her eyes flew open. ‘No!’ she shouted. Her hand was now elbow-deep in water. The stone was sinking. ‘Stop!’
    ‘How dare you?’ The voice was a shockwave breaking the stillness and caused her to pull back her hand. On three sides of the water tank, yogis thronged every single step. The tall bearded men wearing loincloths and rudra beads, with their chests smeared with ash and hair tied in a knot at the top of their heads, were motionless like statues, eyes peeled on her.
    Anita gaped. ‘I …’
    One of them approached her and banged his wooden staff on the stone step. ‘Why are you here?’ he demanded. He pointed at the submerged mandala and growled, ‘You have no right to interfere.’ The water level rose and suddenly she found herself waist-deep in the pond. The water was ice cold. ‘Oh my God, please stop!’ she murmured.
    Anita quickly scrambled to the upper levels, breathing heavily, soaked to the skin. Her camera had been submerged and thus rendered useless. She stared at the holy men, too shocked to speak. ‘I was searching for …’
    ‘Proof of the existence of the Navratnas.’ The yogi looked at her fixedly. ‘We know.’
    ‘Who are you?’ she finally squeaked.
    ‘We are the people who make sure commoners like you keep your filthy hands away from the pure. These are private and sacred grounds. You are the intruder and you dare to question me?’ he said, his voice rising.
    Anita’s eyes searched the upper levels, there was no one to whom she could call for help. She was so overwhelmed by what she had experienced, and the magical appearance of the yogis, that she didn’t know what to do. ‘I’m just an explorer, I want to learn about the Nine unknown men, the secret society created by King Ashoka,’ Anita said firmly, although it sounded flimsy to her ears. ‘I know they exist. It’s absolutely fantastic to have gained this knowledge from that metal mandala!’ she exclaimed.
    He pointed his staff at her, his eyes bloodshot and angry. ‘How dare you come here without permission?’ The staff was as thick as a bamboo pole, but seemed to undulate. Anita blinked, trying to get a grip on her senses. The old man was not done with his rant. ‘With your polluted hands and mind you touched the holy stone!’ Hypnotized by the stick being waved in her face, she thought it moved like a snake. She stepped back, fear taking control of her senses, and inched closer to the topmost step.
    Anita tried to reason with the man. ‘I didn’t mean any disrespect. I didn’t mean to disturb this sacred place or anybody … but I am learning about King Ashoka, I am learning about the great things he has done in his life. One of them was to start the secret society to protect ancient knowledge,’ she was almost at the top of the stairs. The yogis moved apart, making way for her. The yogi still held the stick in her face, following her. She felt like an idiot, having gone there unarmed. And now she faced a bunch of crazy men. This was such a great discovery that she needed time to study it. ‘Those markings on that stone are proof that the Nine unknown men exist; the most secret of all secret societies is not a legend, it is a fact. Tell me that it is true, and I shall leave.’ She raised her hands as if in