Praise for The Pataala Prophecy: Son of Bhrigu
Doyle creates a world of fantasy and adventure, in which mythology, action and suspense come together to weave a thriller that keeps you spellbound to the very end.
The New Indian Express
The Pataala Prophecy: Son of Bhrigu , another riveting series which creates an enchanting world of fantasy and adventure, blending mythology, action and suspense.
Deccan Chronicle
Theres a chosen one, theres a secret society, and philosophical ideas from the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam have been quoted Christopher Doyles latest, The Pataala Prophecy: Son of Bhrigu has it all.
Sunday Mail Today
The storykeeps you on the edge of your seatthe atmosphere crackles with energy.
Sakal Times
The Mists of Brahma
Christopher C. Doyle is a bestselling author who transports the reader into a fascinating world where ancient secrets buried in legend blend with science and history to create gripping stories. His debut novel, The Mahabharata Secret , featured among the top ten books of 2013 and was nominated for the Raymond Crossword Book Award, 2014. His The Mahabharata Quest series features the bestselling novels The Alexander Secret and The Secret of the Druids .
Son of Bhrigu , Book 1 of The Pataala Prophecy series was published in April 2018. It went on to become a bestseller and won rave reviews from readers.
An alumnus of St Stephens College, Delhi and IIM Calcutta, Doyle had a successful career in the corporate sector before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey, running a firm which helps companies to achieve exponential growth. He is also one of Indias leading CEO coaches. He lives in New Delhi with his wife and daughter.
He can be contacted at:
Website: www.christophercdoyle.com
Email:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorchristophercdoyle
The Quest Club: www.christophercdoyle.com/the-quest-club
Also by Christopher C. Doyle
The Mahabharata Secret (2013)
The Mahabharata Quest Series
Book I: The Alexander Secret (2014)
A Secret Revealed: The Mini Sequel to the Alexander Secret (2016)
Book II: The Secret of the Druids (2016)
The Pataala Prophecy Series
Book I: Son of Bhrigu (2018)
First published by Westland Publications Private Limited in 2019
1st Floor, A Block, East Wing, Plot No. 40, SP Infocity, Dr MGR Salai, Perungudi, Kandanchavadi, Chennai 600096
Westland and the Westland logo are the trademarks of Westland Publications Private Limited, or its affiliates.
Copyright Christopher C. Doyle, 2019
Christopher C. Doyle asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
ISBN: 9789387894679
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organisations, places, events and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously.
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
This book is dedicated to my mother,
whose strength and determination are an inspiration.
For teaching me to be strong even in the face of adversity.
For all the nights you stayed awake, caring for me,
so I could sleep.
For your love, blessings,
and years of prayers for my success and well being.
For everything you have taught me and given me.
Contents
Five Years Ago
New Delhi
Maya tossed and turned in her sleep. The nightmare had her in its steely grip and would not let go. Her body stiffened, her muscles tensed, as her brain responded to the horrifying scenes that were playing out in her mind. Her hands clutched the bedsheet as if trying to gain purchase, the movements of her fingers betraying a sense of desperation.
She screamed; a sound filled with terror and despair.
The sound of her own shriek jerked her awake and she sat bolt upright in her bed.
She was sweating profusely.
The door to her room crashed open and a figure rushed in, looming in the darkness.
Maya shrank back against the headboard, cowering under the quilt.
The lights came on, flooding the room with a sense of comfort and assurance, a shield against the darkness and the things that hid beneath its cloak.
Maya! It was her father, Naresh Upadhyay, roused by her scream. He looked anxious. What happened? he asked gently.
Maya closed her eyes. Unbidden, the images from the nightmare rushed back into her mind. She saw the black, shadowy shapes as clearly as if they were real. The intense cold that had permeated the dream still clung to her bones.
And the voice the voice
Whispering to her, the words unintelligible. It had been a hoarse rasp with a chilling edge to it that made her hair stand on end even now, when she was awake.
What the dream meant Maya couldnt fathom, but it had ended with her being sucked against her will into an infinite darkness that enveloped her. She had tried to scream but no sound came out. Desperate to escape the clutches of the living darkness that drew her into its fold, she had scrabbled wildly for something to hold on to, to no avail.
The cold voice had seemed to beckon to her, drawing her deeper into the darkness, wrapping itself around her. Even now, she could feel its slimy touch, as if it were a living thing, folding her in its embrace, stifling her consciousness.
Then, suddenly, she had found her voice. And screamed.
That was when her father had woken up and rushed to her room.
Maya shivered involuntarily. Her eyes were still wide with terror and glazed with confusion. She snuggled up against her father, as he sat next to her on the bed and put a protective arm around her. She struggled to tell him what she had seen.
Its alright, Naresh Upadhyay murmured. It was only a nightmare. His voice was calm and comforting, assuaging her fears. It wasnt real. Those things werent real. Nothing but a nightmare.
Mmm hmmm. Maya snuggled closer to her father, safe in his protective presence. Her breathing returned to an even rhythm. Nothing could harm her as long as her father was with her. Not even the shapes from her nightmare.
Dad, I wont be able to go back to sleep, she said tremulously.
Dont worry, my dear, her father told her with a smile, as he stroked her head. I am going to recite a very powerful mantra that will not only help you go back to sleep but will also ensure that you do not have any more nightmares tonight.
Dad! Maya was not reassured. How can a mantra help?
It will. I promise you. Now, lie down and close your eyes. Im turning the lights out.
Ten minutes later, Naresh Upadhyay shut the door of Mayas room behind him. His forehead was creased with thought. He made his way to his study and sat at his desk, lost in contemplation.
A little over a month ago, Mayas dreams had begun. She had had them every night since then, but they werent the usual dreams of a ten-year-olds fertile mind. She had described them to him as slow, lazy dreams filled with peace and happiness. Nice things happened in them, though she never remembered what they were about once she woke up. But she always rose in the morning with a smile on her face and a strange, joyful sensation inside her head.