Page 112 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Do you think they’re okay?” Yasen asked, and Row shook his head.

“If she isn’t sending letters…”

“Something could be wrong.”

Everyone was silent for a moment before Row said, “I’m planning to see the mystic who performed their Bandhan. I’ve been meaning to do so for a while. Perhaps something has happened with their bond.”

“I’m coming, too,” Yasen said, and Row dipped his chin.

“Then let’s go.”

It took a short while to arrive at the mystic’s door, where they were greeted by a striking woman with deep brown skin and silver hair hanging down either side of her face. She wore a deep blue dress with long wide sleeves and embroidered with metallic threads along the hem of her skirt.

“Hi,” Yasen said. “We’re sorry to disturb you, but you performed a Bandhan for our friends not long ago, and we have a few questions. They might be in danger.”

She blinked, her expression curious, and then opened the door wider. “Come inside.”

They entered the small shop, lined with shelves and hundreds of ingredients. Their fragrance combined to give the place an unusual scent.

“What is this about?” the mystic asked as she closed the door behind them. She folded her hands in front of her and waited.

Yasen deferred to Row, who understood more about this magic stuff.

“When you performed the Bandhan for Zarya and Rabin, did you sense anything amiss with the bond?” Row asked.

“Amiss?” Thriti asked. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Zarya didn’t tell you she has unique magic, did she?”

Thriti’s head tipped as she stared at Row. “Unique?”

“She has six anchors,” he said and paused.

Yasen almost rolled his eyes—it was a bit exhausting how dramatic they all were about this.

Thriti considered that answer. “I see. That’s rather unusual, I suppose, but not unheard of.”

“You’ve met others with the sixth anchor?” Row asked.

Thriti folded her arms and nodded. When it was clear she didn’t care to elaborate, Row continued.

“How would the presence of a sixth anchor affect the Bandhan? If Zarya failed to disclose it, what precautions could you take now to rectify it?”

Thriti’s dark eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”

“We’ve been told the sixth anchor taints the Bandhan, and theirs has been affected. They were blocked from entering the mind plane, and Rabin is quite ill. I’m worried Zarya will soon be, too.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “The sixth anchor has no effect on their bonding. A Bandhan cannot be broken by anything but the paramadhar or masatara’s death.”

The blood in Yasen’s veins turned to ice at those words. “You’re sure,” he asked. “It’s not just something you’re unaware of?”

She tossed him a cold look. “What do you take me for? Of course I’m sure. Who told you such nonsense?”

Row and Yasen looked at one another.

“He lied to them,” Yasen said. “He’s keeping them there for a reason.”

“Who?” Thriti asked.