Chapter Ten
It was the worst roller coaster ride Shanti had ever been on in her life. The ship bumped up and down, went faster, rose higher, and dipped lower. She gripped her stomach, certain she was about to lose the lentils she'd eaten for dinner at the ashram. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the large eyes of Niao.
"Do not be afraid." The little boy entwined his long fingers with hers. "All will be well."
Calmness washed over Shanti. Like, literally, washed over her. She felt it creep through her fingers and up her arms.
Shanti yanked her fingers free. "What are you doing to me?"
The child looked guileless. "Giving you zen."
"Zen?"
"Peace."
Another bump sent her stomach lurching. She reached out for the boy's hand. Upon contact, her stomach relaxed, her
