Page 35 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Eat up,” she said.

“Did you see the new posters?” Zarya asked Ajay as she sipped her tea.

“I did, but I don’t think they actually have any idea what you two look like based on those drawings. I suspect the Jadugara and royal family are just making it seem like they have more information than they do.”

“That’s what we figured, too,” Zarya said.

“They were preening their way down the street this morning,” Yasen said. “We passed them on the way here.”

Ajay shook his head. “A bunch of posturing cowards. They don’t know what to do with themselves now that someone is finally standing up to them.”

Zarya hoped they hadn’t overplayed their hand. Cornered, frightened men tended to act out in erratic ways that could mean more trouble than any of them bargained for.

“Have you heard from your friends?” Ajay asked. “How are they doing in the palace?”

Yasen nodded. “I received a message this morning. Suvanna and Apsara have been invited to stay with the royal family and are doing what they can to find out more about the rebuilding of the ink factory and the proposed raids of the vanshaj district. It may take them some time to get close to those conversations.”

“Let’s hope the royal family’s ego means they aren’t guarding their tongues too closely,” Ajay answered.

He spoke of the royal family with such disdain that Yasen’s gaze flicked to hers. While she completely agreed with Ajay’s opinion on the Madans and the criticism of their policies, it still twisted a deep hurt inside her chest. Her feelings for them were complicated. She knew that simply sharing the same blood didn’t obligate her in any way, but a family was something she’d craved for so long.

“Let’s hope,” Zarya said, again sipping her tea as Farida placed a fresh paratha from the pan in front of her. “Thank you.”

“Morning,” came a cheerful voice as Rania appeared. “Zarya. Yasen. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this morning?”

“Zarya has something to tell us,” Ajay said.

“Oh?” Rania asked as she settled into a seat. “What is it?”

Zarya took a deep breath and willed herself to be brave.

“You know how I’ve been working with the ink?” she said, and Rania and Ajay both nodded. Zarya could see Farida had paused her cooking and was also listening.

“Yes,” Ajay said. “What about it?”

“I think it’ll be easiest to show you. Farida—I want you to watch this most of all because… well, you’ll see.”

Zarya held up her arm, showing them the remaining dots as she performed the series of maneuvers she’d been practicing for days. Using the thread of her darkness anchor, she pulled apart the ink and forced it to dissipate in the air. She kept her eyes on her arm, avoiding the inevitable looks on their faces when they realized what she was doing.

When the mark was gone, she revealed her blank skin and finally gathered her courage to meet their eyes.

Farida was staring at her with a mixture of hope and awe, while Rania and Ajay both looked like they’d seen a ghost emerge from the middle of the kitchen table.

“What was that?” Ajay said, his voice cracking. “Why is your magic made of shadows?”

Zarya wrinkled her nose. “So, I haven’t been entirely… forthright about who I am.”

“I should say so,” Rania said, her gaze narrowing in suspicion. “Who are you?”

She looked to Yasen for a bit of courage, and he gave her a smile and nodded. “It’ll be okay,” he said.

“You know?” Ajay said, and Yasen frowned.

“Zarya’s my second-best friend. Of course I know.”

“What? Second best?” Farida asked, and Zarya rolled her eyes.

“Never mind him. It’s just a joke.”