Nine: Vengeance of the Warrior Read Online Free PDF

surrender.
    ‘We are the yogis who protect the secret. We keep people like you from messing with something more powerful than you can understand. You?’—he pointed a bony finger—‘Nothing but a weakling; a mere mortal who has no respect for that which is beyond your understanding. You are not strong enough to understand.’ The holy man lowered his staff. His voice was calmer. ‘The truth is too powerful for you. This mandala is not proof of any Nine unknown men, it is proof of ancient knowledge that must remain submerged in mystery or the likes of you will use it for your own selfish ends. You will suffer the consequences if you search for the Navratnas. Knowledge attracts energy, sometimes the wrong kind if you are not careful. You will be attacked by vengeful spirits that will want to know more. Ignorance is bliss for mere materialistic mortals like you,’ the mad yogi said, rhythmically hitting his staff on the stone. The yogis around him did the same, tapping the stone steps with their staffs. Anita’s brain throbbed from the noise. She could not understand what he was talking about. The metal disc had ancient markings and these were symbols of the Nine. But this crazy man was talking about something else.
    ‘Okay, I will leave.’ She looked down at the pond. Its surface was still and murky.
    ‘Yes, go back to your world and don’t ever return or you die,’ he said viciously.
    Anita could see from the man’s glare that he meant business. Still, she decided to make one last attempt. ‘Tell me it is true. Tell me that I am right, that this is evidence of King Ashoka’s secret society and that the Nine exist even today.’
    His glare was angrier than ever. Slowly, he raised his stick. Anita had a sinking feeling. She should have just left. Her obstinate nature was going to get her into big trouble one day, her grandmother had warned. Looks like the day had come. This time the staff looked like an arrow. She blinked a few times.
    He spoke softly. ‘What is the matter with you, woman? Do you not understand? The truth will destroy you. You materialistic humans are nothing but selfish and cruel!’ He looked at her menacingly. ‘What do you know of this era or of the thousands of eras before you? What do you know of the people who sacrifice everything to protect it from destroying itself? Shoo! Get out of here! Go!’
    Anita stood her ground even though she realized it was foolish to annoy a mad yogi. ‘I’m not the enemy. I just wish to know the truth about Ashoka’s men. That’s all. If they exist or not … or was that just a lie?’
    The yogi came close and stared deep into her eyes. Anita’s pulse raced. This was it. He was going to kill her. He was going to impale her with his magic stick. She would be reduced to ash. She waited for the inevitable. Instead, he just stared hard. Anita felt his gaze drill into her skull, deep into her mind. It was too much. She stepped back and turned away from his ferocious eyes.
    The yogi started to laugh. He shook his head. ‘Amazing! What destiny has chosen for you is amazing!’ He laughed harder.
    ‘What?’ Anita shouted back, feeling violated and insulted.
    He pointed a finger at her. ‘Your fate is already written … You will be like us, one of the protectors!’ He gave a throaty laugh. Then, abruptly, he grabbed her arm. His grip was strong and firm. ‘We might as well connect you to us,’ he whispered harshly. Anita felt such a panic-stricken churning hit her gut that with a sudden surge of adrenalin, she twisted and wrenched her arm away from his hold. She scrambled up the remaining steps and ran as if a pack of wolves were after her. She raced out into the open area, passing the vegetation along the path. She found Ravi leaning against the car, enjoying a cigarette.
    ‘Ravi! Let’s go! Hurry!’ she shouted. ‘Come on!’ She slammed the vehicle. ‘Move, Ravi, move!’ Quickly, without even opening the door, she jumped into her seat.
    ‘What