Page 59 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“No. I think I got the measure of it,” she said, not entirely sure she wanted his help after that so-called training session with her nightfire. She would try to translate it herself.

Dhawan continued reading the book in his hand. Again, she heard the whispers, and she spun around, but of course, there was nothing. What lay beyond those gates?

“Can I ask you something?” Zarya asked, tearing her eyes away to face the professor again.

Dhawan’s forehead pleated with a question. “Yes?”

“Can you tell me more about vanshaj magic?” she asked, and his frown deepened even further. He slapped his book shut.

“Why would you want to know about that?”

“I’m just curious,” she said, carefully dancing around the questions she really wanted to ask. “If they were connected to the Ashvins, would they have some of their gifts? Are they Aazheri, too?”

“Why are you asking such questions?” he asked, his voice full of admonishment and maybe a touch of rage. “The vanshaj are forbidden from using their magic and are certainly not Aazheri. Who is putting these ideas in your head?”

“No one is. I can think for myself. And I know all that, but don’t you think—”

His hand reached out to grab her wrist, gripping it tight enough that she winced.

“Do not speak of such things, girl,” he said, his eyes flashing. “These are dangerous ideas that will get you killed. The vanshaj are broken. Wicked. Do not for one moment let their docility fool you into thinking otherwise. Their kind tore apart this world once, and if given the freedom, they’d do it again.”

Now, Dhawan was shaking, his grip growing tighter on her arm.

“Okay,” she said. “Professor. You’re hurting me.”

Immediately, his hold slackened, and he ran a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry, my girl. I just… Please, be careful. Forget these ideas. This is not something to toy with. Do you understand me?”

Zarya rubbed her wrist and nodded, not sure what to make of his strange behavior. His eyes were warm and concerned now.

“Good,” he said before flipping his book open once again. “Is there anything else I can help you find?”

“No,” she said. “I’ve had a long day. I’m going home.”

“Very well,” he said. “I’d like to invite you for dinner one night so we might discuss your magic further.”

“Sure,” she said, still a bit shaken by the way he’d just reacted but didn’t want to stoke his ire by turning him down.

“Excellent.”

Dhawan turned, burying his nose in his book as she made her way to the exit. Before she left, she turned back.

“Professor?”

“Hmm?” He looked up.

“How are your flowers?”

He blinked and then smiled. “They’re doing quite well. Thank you for asking.”

She returned his smile and then left the room.

SIXTEEN

As Zarya headed for the haveli, she pulled the book with her mother’s image out of her bag and flipped it open as she entered the house and slammed the door behind her.

Dhawan’s reaction to her questions about the vanshaj hadn’t been completely a surprise, given everything she knew, but that manic light in his eyes had thrown her off. Why was everyone being so… belligerent about this? Did people truly believe the vanshaj might cause them harm? Or was everyone too rooted in their prejudices to think logically?