Page 125 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Didn’t we just break out of there?”

“Yes, but Operation Starbreak needs you, and we’re entering through another route.”

“We’re not taking him there?” she said, pointing to Miraan. “You told him about the manor?”

“Zarya, please,” Apsara said. “We shouldn’t discuss this here. I swear to you he can be trusted.”

Zarya gave her half-brother another skeptical look before she offered a curt, “Fine. But if you’re wrong, then it’s on your heads.”

They made a wide loop around Ishaan, arriving on the far side of the palace. They’d have to navigate the network of back alleys to reach their hideout. When Miraan gave the signal, they hopped off their horses, concealing them in a thick patch of bushes.

“What will happen to them?” Zarya asked.

“Someone will retrieve them in the morning,” Miraan said.

She still didn’t understand what was happening but was relieved to be free of that dungeon. It didn’t seem like they were being led into a trap, but she kept a close eye on Miraan regardless. After exchanging a look with Rabin, he nodded. She couldn’t hear him—the paramadhar mind connection required deeper concentration than she could manage right now—but somehow, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

Be on your guard. Be ready to run. What the fuck is going on?

Miraan then led them to a gate hidden by a tangle of vines and leaves. He used a tendril of fire magic inside the keyhole. It flared brightly for a moment before the gate swung open on silent hinges. Zarya would have to ask him about that trick later. Provided she didn’t have to kill him first.

He pulled up his hood as they entered the city, quickly making their way down quiet paths. It didn’t take long before she spied the familiar fence surrounding the manor house.

A light burned in the kitchen as they approached. Zarya knocked in their secret pattern, hoping someone was awake. When no one came, she tried again, louder this time. It took another minute before the door popped open to a sleepy-eyed Vikas.

“What’s…” He shook his head. “Zarya? Yasen? You’re here!”

He gestured towards them. “Come in. Come in. We thought you were goners.”

“Well, thank you for your faith in us,” Yasen said. “We were perfectly fine.”

Zarya rushed up and threw her arms around Vikas. “I’m so sorry.”

He pulled away. “For what?”

“I tried to help them, but…” Tears filled her eyes as she clung to his shirt.

For a moment he gave her a confused look. “No, Zarya—you did stop it. They called off the execution. They’re still in the palace, but we have every reason to think they’re still alive.”

“Really?” she asked, hardly daring to believe it.

“Really. I owe you my thank you.”

She exhaled a long breath. “You owe me nothing. I’m so relieved.”

They hugged again before Vikas called up the stairs.

“Ajay! They’re here!”

Thumps came from above, and a moment later, Ajay descended, looking rumpled and dragged from sleep. A moment later, Row also followed him down.

“What are you doing here?” Ajay asked. “We’ve been trying to find out what happened to you.” He strode over and threw his arms around Zarya, wrapping her in a tight hug.

“We’re okay,” she said. “At least we are now.”

Ajay pulled away and then hugged Yasen, who tolerated it for only a second.

“Get off me,” he said, and Ajay smiled.