Pandit Devraj gathered the villagers.
They lit havan fire and began chanting protection mantras.
Smoke filled the temple courtyard.
Ananya stood inside the circle.
The air twisted.
The idol trembled.
Suddenly Ananya screamed.
Not in her voice.
Something deeper.
Older.
Her eyes rolled back.
Her body bent unnaturally.
The fire turned blue.
The idol's shadow detached and entered her.
Pandit shouted,
"Stop chanting!"
Too late.
Ananya's lips moved without her.
"Ab main hoon mandir."
(Now I am the temple.)
The bells rang violently.
Walls cracked.
Villagers ran.
And Ananya smiled with someone else's devotion.