Page 62 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Besides, it was too great a coincidence that both father and daughter had come into his life through such different circumstances. It had to mean this was the right course.

“I do,” Rabin said. “I believe him.”

“Then you have no reason not to trust him.”

He looked up, his jaw hardening. “I would never let anyone harm her.”

Ekaja nodded. “I’m beginning to understand that.” She paused. “And you’re sure about this whole paramadhar and masatara thing? You’re sure you want to bind your life to this woman?”

He clasped his hands and peered at his friend. He hadn’t had many in his life, and he cherished Ekaja’s companionship more than she could ever know.

“I’ve never been so sure about anything.”

She tipped up a smile. “I’m sure you’ll wear her down. I mean, look at us. I couldn’t stand you when you arrived all cocky and arrogant, but you wormed your way into my pitch-black heart.”

Rabin snorted and sipped his tea as he stared into the crackling fire, her words ringing in his ears. He thought of Zarya and her fierce expression and the hurt in her eyes. He’d caused that with his foolishness and his cowardice. If he’d just been brave enough to admit the truth, then perhaps they could have avoided all of this.

He swore he’d never lie to her again and he would find some way to make amends.

All he could hope was that, eventually, she would forgive him.

That or he would die trying.

TWENTY-TWO

It had been two weeks since the encounter with Rabin in the forest, and Zarya’s mind was occupied with three things.

The first, of course, was him. She wasn’t too stubborn to admit that.

The second was studying the paramadhar and masatara bond, trying to puzzle out a method for controlling the visions. Row had come through for her and sent a dusty old book that had once served as a handbook for paramadhar that he’d found in the Jai Palace library.

The third was the underground operation they’d set up to free the vanshaj from their collars, and that’s where she found herself today.

“Where should this go?” Vikas asked, holding a large crate filled with bottles of black ink. Regular black ink, not the magical kind.

When Zarya had explained her idea, he’d leaped at the chance to help. After swearing an oath using a promise spell to keep their identities secret, they’d met with the vanshaj council. Vikas explained what Zarya had done, and she shared her vision for breaking the collars.

When they were finished, the council agreed to their plans to set up an operation using the money from the rebellion’s unknown benefactor. With Farida still unconscious, Vikas was temporarily promoted to take up her position as liaison between the council and the Rising Phoenix. All decisions would go through him first and then voted on when necessary by its members. For now, they’d keep knowledge of the operation within their closest and most trusted ranks until they might need help from their larger circle.

At first, Vikas seemed uncertain about his new role, but he was taking to it beautifully, and Zarya loved watching him find his confidence. He’d come up with the name Operation Starbreak, and that was how they were all referring to it now.

“Over here,” Zarya said, gesturing for Vikas to follow.

The Rising Phoenix had purchased this sprawling manor in one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods to act as their headquarters. It was a short walk from the vanshaj district if you cut through Ishaan’s twisting maze of alleys. They all had decided it was best to hide in plain sight.

A spacious salon at the front of the house would act as the main center of the operation. Chairs lined one wall, serving as a waiting area, while the remaining space had been divided into sections with sets of chairs facing one another. For now, it would only be Zarya and Vikas, but they shared a vision of filling this entire room with freed Aazheri helping to break the collars.

Leading off the salon was a dining room with a sliding door, and Zarya hauled one open. “I thought we could get some cots placed in here in case anyone needs to recover,” she suggested. “Though hopefully, everything goes as smoothly as it did with you and your friends.”

Every window was hung with thick curtains that Rania had installed the week before to keep prying eyes out. The house was situated far back from the street, and the entire property was bordered by a high fence and plenty of green space filled with dense plants, shrubs, and flowers. It helped obscure the manor from the passersby, and the private back lane provided the perfect spot for people and deliveries to move in and out.

Still, they all agreed they would limit traffic during the day and use the cover of night as much as possible.

“Once they’ve recovered, they’ll come in here to have new tattoos drawn on,” Zarya said, crossing into the hall into a large study. “We’ll get some chairs and rolling carts.”

They’d opted to use semi-permanent ink that would resist coming off as long as they were careful to keep it dry. Ajay had also tapped into his connections, searching for artists who might be open to recruitment within their network.

“This is incredible,” Vikas said as he deposited the box on a table and opened it before they started pulling out the contents, lining up bottles of ink in neat rows. “I can’t wait to get started.”