The Secrets of the Elements

Chapter 44: Who has Grantha?

"Maya," whispered Zarna and pulled her behind. "Don't you think you are kind of provoking him?"

"I know what I'm doing," she murmured.

She stepped ahead and stood in the centre of the room. "What do you want from us?"

"The book," said the Prince.

Rutuja looked at the five. "Which book?" questioned Maya. "We don't know what you're talking about."

The Prince chortled. "You know I'm talking about Grantha. There's no need to pretend."

"These people have the book," said Daksh and pointed at them. "No, we don't," opposed Advika. "Do

you see us carrying it?"

Rutuja's eyes fell on the black bag lying in the corner of the room. She tiptoed towards Rishi and bend Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

towards him. "What did you hear? Do they have books-"

"Yes," murmured Rishi. "They do have a couple of books from the library I guess. Ru, we need to know

what they know."

Rutuja took a few steps towards Advika. "No, but we know you know where it is," she said and crossed

her arms.

"Guys," whispered Rishi and stepped in between the two groups formed. "Let's not be enemies here at

least. Let's get out of here first, then we'll-"

"We don't need them," protested Daksh. "Neither do we," said Tej and titled his head.

"Okay, okay," interrupted Ray. "Let's us get out of here first, then we can continue with our differences."

"Exactly," added Rishi. "Let's help each other, add our powers, and get out of the Prince's clutches."

"What is all the murmuring about!?" thundered the cold voice.

"Lights. Camera. Action," said Daksh and marched towards Tej.

"These people," he almost yelled. "They have been hiding the book from us."

"Do you think we'd be stuck here with you if we had the book?" Tej yelled back at him.

"We don't know why you are here," Rutuja stepped in. "Nor do we," added Advika and slowly moved

towards her bag kept in the corner. "I came here looking for clues for Grantha," said Rutuja. "You guys

know where she is."

"She is her own master," said Maya and crossed her arms. "She is not a slave. And besides," she

slowly advanced towards the black bag, not looking at it. "She knows right from wrong."

"No, you stole her. You misused the powers-" began Rutuja.

"Misuse?" opposed Zarna. "You're the one to talk. I mean, you are the guys breaking into people's

house and-"

"Enough!" thundered the cold voice. "I want the book. And you have 13 hours. Or else, you know the

consequences."

The roof of the hut caught fire and exploded. Tej pulled Advika and Ray aside, saving them from the

burning shreds of the hut's room. Maya uncapped the water bottles and threw the water in the air.

Zarna whirled her hands in the air, creating a protective layer of water above them.

Rishi created a void surrounding him and his friends. Rutuja saw Advika rush towards the black bag

and doge a piece of burning thatch.

"Advika!" cried Tej as she mounted the bag on her back. "Should we run now?" wondered Ray. "Yes,

please, but watch the fire," said Maya and threw a ball of air towards the main door.

"Zarna," said Advika and poured some water in her hands. Zarna closed her eyes as Rishi extended

his circle of protection towards the five. "What are you doing?" quizzed Daksh. "He's saving them so

they can help us get out of here," whispered Rutuja.

Zarna threw droplets of water in the air that came down as cloudbursts, extinguishing the fire. "Break

the door. The spell has been uplifted by the Prince now," said Rutuja.

Tej and Daksh kicked open the door.

They sped towards their cars with drenched clothes. Advika sneezed. Ray turned to look at the three.

"Need a lift?"

"No, thanks," replied Rishi. "You can't drop us where we live. It's a secret that cannot be told."

"Understandable," said Rishi and got into the driver's seat. Maya headed towards her car, squeezing

the water out of her top. Zarna followed.

Tej took off the bag from Advika's back and bent a little to reach her ear as he was much taller than her.

"Come with us," he said and took her hand.

"Wait," said Rutuja and walked towards Advika. "The Prince can reach us if he wants, or else, harm the

ones we care about," she began. "Listen, we won't give the book to him, but we need to plan

something together."

"Together?" said Advika. The idea of working together with them dreaded her already. Also, Rutuja

coming forward to initiate what looked like a truce was surprising.

"Meet at the forest in an hour," said Tej and opened the car's door for Advika.

"Forest?" wondered Daksh. "Oh, please don't pretend you don't know," said Maya and revved the

engine. "Let's go," said Tej as he fixed his seatbelt.

The three stood there waiting for their so-called enemies to get out of sight. "That was an excellent

discovery. We found the secrets of the moon and Prince himself," said Daksh and turned to look at

Rutuja.

"Later," said Rishi and held Rutuja's arm. "Home we go."