Page 43 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Everyone’s eyes met across the room. Now what?

“Rishi,” Ajay said. “What we tell you cannot leave this room. It has to do with the resistance efforts.”

“You know I’d never say anything,” he replied, pressing a hand to his heart.

Ajay took a deep breath, his gaze sliding to Zarya.

“Do you want to tell him?” he asked. “Or should I?”

She inhaled a sharp breath. She was grateful he was considering her feelings in this, but could she get these words out again?

“I’ll tell him,” she said. With her knees pressing against her clasped hands, she recounted everything she’d already shared. Keeping her secrets was secondary to helping Farida.

Rishi’s expression remained impassive during her explanation. Mostly. She could see the slight widening of his eyes a few times. He wasn’t Aazheri, and the impact of knowing about the sixth anchor probably meant less to him, but he knew enough to understand its significance.

“I see,” he said after she was done. “This is… well, to be honest, I’m not sure what it is. I have no idea how to treat a magical ailment such as this.”

Rania glared at Zarya again, and she felt herself wither even further.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered again. “I was only trying to help.”

Rania scoffed, and Zarya felt it like a knife through the heart.

“I will have to seek further assistance,” Rishi said. “For now, she’s stable and breathing, and with any luck, she’ll wake up on her own. But I’ll need to consult some literature to see if I can find anything about curing her.”

He turned to Rania and bowed with his hands pressed in front of his chest. “I’m sorry, but it’s the best I can do for now.”

“Thank you,” Ajay said. “We appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Rishi said. “I’ll come and check on her this evening, and I’ll let you know immediately if I come across anything.”

With another quick bow, he departed, leaving everyone to stew in their awkwardness once again.

“I don’t want her here,” Rania said, her lips pressing into a thin line.

“Rania,” Ajay said.

“What? Just because you’ve got the hots for her doesn’t mean I have to tolerate her presence.”

Ajay’s cheeks turned pink, and Zarya, who thought things couldn’t be more awkward a moment ago, realized they had entered a new level of hell.

“I’m not—” Ajay said.

“No,” Rania said. “She showed up here and is meddling in shit that isn’t her business.”

“It is my business!” Zarya snapped back, her nerves finally breaking. “I’m supposed to be here!”

“You’re not even from here,” Rania answered. “You think because you claim to carry our dead queen’s blood in your veins, you have a right to any of this?”

Zarya’s nostrils flared in rage.

“The prophecy says this is my destiny! And I will remain here to help as long as there is breath left in my body!”

Rania glared at Zarya, her mouth pressed into a line so tight it was a wonder she could breathe. Then, before Rania could say anything else to hurt her, Zarya turned and stormed out the door.

SEVENTEEN

Zarya marched through the streets, weaving through the crowds, consumed with guilt and regret and anger. Yasen caught up but said nothing as he kept pace with her furious strides.