Page 95 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Row’s gaze slid to Rabin and back to her. “Tomorrow night. There’s a big party in the ballroom, and everyone should be distracted. The keepers guard the library at night and will be stationed at the gates as usual, so you won’t be able to enter that way.”

“So, how do we get in?” Zarya asked.

“From the roof,” Row answered, and Rabin sat forward with his hands clasped, nodding in agreement. “There’s an access point from above—a grate that you’ll need to unlock, but that shouldn’t be a problem with your magic. You can climb down, and I’ll ensure the keepers are occupied while you search.”

“We won’t be able to take anything from the restricted section,” Rabin said. “The books are spelled to sound an alarm if they’re removed without permission.”

“I know of an enchantment you can use to copy down whatever you find,” Row said.

“What exactly are you looking for?” Koura asked Zarya.

Rabin had always liked Koura’s calm, steady presence. He was one of the few people he admired. He watched as Zarya confirmed with Row.

“Koura knows everything you told me,” Row said. “He will keep your secrets.”

Zarya lifted her hands in a question. “Anything that can help us break the magic of the collars faster,” she answered. “Or anything else that can help us stand up to the Jadugara. Maybe something that can expose them for the frauds they are.”

“I’ll be attending the party,” Koura said. “I was asked to perform a magic demonstration, and it will serve as an added distraction.”

“What time?” Rabin asked.

“Around midnight.”

“Then we should be on the roof by eleven thirty,” he said.

“I still have my concerns,” Row said, and Zarya nodded.

“I know, but we have to try. We’re running out of time in Ishaan, and it won’t be much longer before the situation grows unstable here, too. We’re not doing this just for Gi’ana but all of Rahajhan.”

Row blew out a resigned breath. “Very well.”

“Okay, great,” she said, pushing herself up from the table. While she seemed to have gotten over her initial embarrassment, the incident was clearly still on her mind. A fact Rabin confirmed when her gaze darted to him and then flicked away, her cheeks flushing again.

“I’m going to shower, then,” she declared and headed up the stairs.

Once she was gone, Koura also stood up from the table.

“Good luck,” he said, reaching out to shake Row’s hand and then Rabin’s. “If there’s anything else I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Of course,” Row said. “Thank you.”

When he was also gone, Row focused his stony attention on Rabin.

“What is your intention here?” he asked, his voice tense.

“To help Zarya.”

Row stood from the table, pressing his hands to the surface. “You lied to her once.”

“And I’ve explained everything.”

“And you’ve told Abishek about her?” Row asked, his jaw turning hard.

Rabin rolled his neck with a crack. He understood Row’s reservations, but he wondered how long he’d have to spend proving himself. “He does not want anything except to meet her.”

Row let out a breath, his mouth pressing together. “How can you be sure of that?”

“Because I am. I would never let anything happen to her.”