Page 40 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Why wouldn’t I?” Farida asked. “I don’t want to live like this anymore.”

“But at least you’re alive!”

“This isn’t a life,” Farida said. “Always wondering when the hammer will fall. Always under someone else’s thumb. Being vanshaj is more dangerous now than it’s ever been.”

“But…”

“I understand why you’re worried,” Farida said. “But Zarya is right. We knew she was working on something related to the tattoos, and it makes sense for me to be the first. Who else would it be? We can’t ask some innocent person. Besides, we’ll want to keep this information within this room for now.”

“What about the council?” Zarya asked. “Do you want to discuss this with them first?”

Farida shook her head. “This is my body and my choice. If we’re successful, then I will take this to them.”

“And if we’re not?”

Farida pressed her mouth together before answering, “Rania and Ajay know how to reach them in the case of an emergency.”

Zarya said nothing as she watched Farida. Several emotions cycled over the woman’s face—fear, worry, hope, confusion—until they finally landed on determined acceptance.

“I will do it,” Farida said after another moment.

“Farida,” Rania implored, but Farida waved her off.

“I have made my decision. Do not presume to control me, too, Rania.” She said the words pointedly, and they seemed to kick the wind from Rania’s stomach.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and Farida shook her head.

“It’s fine. I understand your fear, but I trust that Zarya will do everything in her power to keep me safe. And if there’s any chance that this might work, then I have to take it.”

She turned to face Zarya, her shoulders back and her chin high.

“I’m ready. Do whatever you need.”

Zarya nodded, suddenly feeling her stomach twist. She’d been mostly confident on her way over, but now that she was faced with the real thing, that conviction faltered. She had no choice but to push through it.

“You’re sure?” Zarya asked, and Farida nodded.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Okay,” Zarya said. “Let’s move over here.”

She gestured to the open living room, indicating Farida should sit on one of the chairs.

“Will it hurt?” Farida asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. “It doesn’t when I try it on myself, but…”

She trailed off, and their gazes met, silent understanding moving between them.

“Nothing could hurt worse than this,” she said, touching the tattoo. “I want to be free. I don’t care about magic, but I’m tired of having my entire life defined by something completely out of my control and by a fantasy concocted a thousand years ago.”

“I understand,” Zarya said, sitting down across from her.

Yasen, Ajay, and Rania hovered in the kitchen, watching the two of them, and her nerves twisted even tighter. Rania’s expression had turned hard as diamonds, and Zarya knew she’d never forgive her if she hurt Farida.

“Okay,” Zarya said. “Please try to sit as still as possible.” She rubbed her sweating palms on her thighs. “I’m nervous,” she admitted, and Farida gave her a patient smile.

“I trust you.”