“Tantra,” Shivay said in a grim tone.
“The Kabali heir must be working for Tantra,” Nakul said in anger. “Only Tantra has the money and access to such technology to block satellite imagining over an area. It is impossible for the savage Kabalis to orchestrate Nandini’s arrival in Singoor. It has to be Tantra who gave them the information.”
“Yes,” said Rishab. “Tantra is a sick bastard who is capable of killing his own men to throw off suspicion on him. He killed his men when they were nearly caught by us. The security team killed by the Kabalis must also be Tantra’s men, but he wants everyone in Singoor to think those were Thakvar security men.”
Shivay knew there was a high possibility that the Kabali heir was working for Tantra. Ishani’s half-brother and Gauri’s cousin were on Tantra’s payroll and constantly did Tantra’s dirty work before getting killed.
Rishab exhaled in frustration. “We should prepare for an attack. Take every damn man we have, hire additional force, and attack the north clans. Tantra lives outside Singoor, and his mercenaries will not be able to match our man force and weapons.”
“I agree,” said Nakul. “We can keep it as a surprise attack even from the rest of the clans, so Tantra doesn’t have a clue.”
Although Shivay was tempted to do what his brothers suggested, he knew it was a huge risk.
“The Aghoris already told us that the Kabalis will kill Nandini if they feel threatened by us,” he said. “Unless we know the exact location, we can’t risk an attack.”
The holy men had told that Nandini’s throat would be slit by the Kabali heir if Shivay or his brothers attempted an attack to get to Nandini.
“I hope those savages didn’t hurt her,” said Rishab.
Rishab and Nakul looked angry and frustrated.
Shivay understood how his brothers felt because even he couldn’t bear the thought of Nandini being held by a clan known for its brutality. Shivay had been ten, and his brothers eight and seven when Nandini was born. Right from the moment the three of them held their baby sister in their arms, they doted on her and vowed to do everything to keep her safe and happy. No one had ever dared to touch her or hurt her. Until now.
“Let’s send undercover spies to infiltrate into the north…”
As Shivay began to plan, the door opened.
It was his father.
Mihir Thakvar, who has been the beacon of hope for the entire Singoor region for the past two decades, looked haggard and defeated.
“Is Ma okay, Dad?” Shivay asked.
“Yes. Chitra has been praying since yesterday and all night. I just convinced her to take a tablet and sleep for some time.”
“You should sleep too, Dad,” Shivay said, knowing his father must have been awake all night as well.
“I can’t, son,” his father replied. “Not when the worst thing I had ever imagined is happening right now.”
Mihir Thakvar had wanted his family to be kept away from the violence and dangers of Singoor. He sacrificed his happiness and lived away from his family for twenty years to protect them. But now, his youngest child was caught up in the midst of everything.
Taking a deep breath, he looked at his three sons. “I haven’t told your mother yet, but I plan to go to the Kabali clan,” Mihir Thakvar said. “I’ll beg them to release Nandini.”
Shivay and his brothers weren’t surprised. As soon as their father heard that the Kabalis took his daughter, it was the first thing he had offered.
“I will exchange my life with that of my daughter’s freedom.”
A loud buzz grew among the people at Mihir Thakvar’s shocking words.
But the Agoris didn’t agree.
“The Kabalis might take your life, but they will not let go of your daughter. The only way to stop the bloodshed in Singoor is to let destiny take over.”
“Dad, if it is the Thakvar blood the Kabalis want in exchange for Nandini, the three of us will offer it without any hesitation,” Shivay said softly. “Nandini is our sister, and we love her. But the Aghoris have stated that the Kabalis want an alliance with us for Goddess Shakti statue commissioning.”
Shivay’s father’s face fell.
“Dad, we will bring Nandini back safely,” Rishab vowed.