Page 53 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Yes, I just need a moment. Can I get some water?”

Someone at the table jumped up and retrieved a glass. She gulped it back and then wiped the sweat running down her temple.

“Let’s keep going,” she said after a moment. “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“It mostly feels tingly,” Vikas said, and Zarya nodded.

“Okay, good.”

They continued as she repeated the process she had done so many times. It was beginning to feel like an extension of herself, but she had to remain vigilant.

Slowly, she peeled each star away, watching the ink dissolve. She could sense the tension in the room and everyone’s wide-eyed wonder as they stood witness to this impossible and potentially momentous sight.

And then she did it. The final star fell apart before a bright line flashed around his neck in a ring of fire before it burned away completely. Vikas gasped, clutching at his throat as he bent over.

“Let me see,” Zarya said, dropping to her knees. “Are you okay?”

Vikas nodded and then slowly sat up.

Zarya stared at him.

A band of reddened skin marked his throat.

But he was fine, and the tattoo was gone.

NINETEEN

“What happened?” Vikas asked, carefully probing the skin around his neck.

“Do you have a mirror?” she asked. Again, someone jumped up from the table, retrieved one from a drawer, and handed it over.

Zarya held it up for Vikas, and he stared at himself, still touching his throat.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, and he slowly shook his head.

“It burned a little bit, but I’m fine.”

He examined his reflection for several long, quiet moments, twisting his head left and right. Zarya held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

Then tears filled his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.

“You did it,” he sobbed, falling to his knees and clutching the mirror to his chest. “It’s gone. It’s really gone. I didn’t really believe it could actually be done.”

The other men seated around the table rushed over, circling Vikas and wrapping their arms around each other in a huddle as they wept. Zarya backed up, giving them space.

She looked at Yasen, who was giving her a proud smile. He walked over and draped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close and planting a kiss on top of her head. “Well done, Swamp Girl. I knew you could do it.”

Zarya felt her own eyes fill with tears. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what Vikas and his friends must be feeling right now. After they all spent a few minutes celebrating, they pulled away from each other.

“How do you feel?” Zarya asked Vikas, crouching down in front of him. “Any different?”

Vikas shook his head. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you feel a presence?” she asked, flattening a hand to her chest. “It might be in your heart or your mind. Something that feels… alive?”

She tried to describe the sensation when she also sensed her magic for the first time. Was it a coincidence that Zarya had also once been blocked from accessing hers too?

Vikas rubbed the top of his head and then his chest.