Page 104 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Amrita has confirmed something feels different. She only realized it recently, but whatever she protects is… escaping, leaking, and poisoning her roots, her steward, and soon, her child.”

“So, what do we do?” Yasen asked. “How do we stop this?”

“Zarya is the key, but I don’t know what that means, nor does Amrita.”

“How do we close the seal?” Row asked. “Can Amrita do it?”

Tarin shook his head. “I do not believe so. The Jai Tree was planted to seal in the darkness, but it also keeps so much more contained.”

“As in the Ashvins?”

“Yes.”

“So we search in her roots or something?” Yasen asked, and Tarin shook his head.

“No, what you need is lower. Deeper.”

“I’m not following,” Row said.

Tarin exhaled a long breath. “The Ashvins once ruled over the ancient city of Taaranas. When the kings and queens of Rahajhan banished the twins, they were trapped inside their home—the one they destroyed in their hubris. That is where you must go. That is where you will find a way to close up the seal.”

Yasen’s mouth opened and then closed. “We have to find Taaranas? The mythical city?”

“It was never mythical,” Tarin answered. “It was real.”

“How?” Koura asked when Yasen couldn’t reply.

Tarin clamped his hands at the top of his cane. “That is all she could tell me. But I do think you will need help.”

“You think?” Row asked.

“You must gather the Chiranjivi,” he said. “If the seal is broken, you can only close it by harnessing the same power the kings and queens of Rahajhan used all those centuries ago. Perhaps you will need more.”

“More?” Koura asked. “How?”

Tarin shrugged his broad shoulders. “I wish I could tell you that.”

Yasen turned to look at Row and Koura, who both wore equally puzzled expressions.

“We’ll return to Ishaan,” Row said. “Find Apsara and Suvanna. Zarya must have returned by now, and we’ll send word to Kindle. Tarin, can you find out how we might enter Taaranas?”

He nodded. “I shall access the library.”

“Good,” Row said, and Yasen blew out a breath of… something. Not of relief, but at least someone was taking charge.

“What about Vikram?” Yasen asked, watching his friend quietly observing their entire exchange.

“I will keep an eye on him,” Tarin said. “But I do fear that if you cannot keep the Ashvins contained, then both the steward and the queen may be in danger.”

“I should remain here with the baby,” Koura said.

“You are needed with the others,” Tarin said. “Can you send for someone to watch over her in your stead? Someone you trust?”

Koura nodded. “I will write home immediately.”

“Good,” Tarin said. “You must not delay. I sense time is of the utmost essence, or we are all doomed to lose ourselves to the darkness forever.”

THIRTY-TWO