Page 132 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Is dead,” Yasen finished.

Row nodded as they turned to face the massive temple standing at the end of the road with a glittering star hovering over it. It had obviously stretched to the sky until something had destroyed the roof.

“I suppose that’s probably where we’re headed,” Yasen said.

Row grunted something that sounded like agreement as they searched their surroundings again. Looking up, Yasen noted thousands of shimmering white roots clamoring across the ceiling peppered with tiny black marks of rot. He looked back at the city and the wisps of black smoke curling around the windows and buildings.

“What do you think happened there?” Yasen asked, pointing towards the street where a patch of grey stone had broken up the endless stretch of white.

Row shook his head. “Maybe it has something to do with Zarya.”

The way he said it didn’t make it sound like a good thing.

After drawing their weapons, they marched towards the temple, up the steps, and through the high doorway. Inside, they found a mess. Large stones covered the floor, and dust hung in the air.

They approached the largest pile sitting in the center.

Yasen climbed on top to find himself looking down into an empty well.

“It looks like this was a pool,” he said. “And someone cleared this all away to enter.”

Row nodded as he ascended the rubble. “This must be the way they went.”

Yasen peered down. “Only one way to find out.”

He scrambled down the wreckage and peered into the well. Broken stone filled the hollow, and someone had cleared it to reveal a narrow path.

Yasen took a step and lightly dropped to the bottom in a crouch.

With any luck, they’d catch up to Zarya soon.

And with even more luck, maybe they’d bring her home.

FORTY-FIVE

When Zarya awoke again, it was to the sound of banging. Her eyes fluttered open as she blinked away the haze of sleep. The cavern was… vibrating?

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind as she thought of Rabin and the forest. She twisted her shoulders, relieved to find she could move without pain. She stretched her hand across her skin, feeling the ridges of remaining scar tissue.

He’d healed her. He’d overcome whatever Kishore had done to the bond and helped her so she could carry on. Another thumping crash sounded in the distance, rousing her from the floor. She checked on her clothing to find it was still damp, but it would have to do.

Another crash and bang echoed in the silence, and she cocked her head, listening.

Despite what they’d shared last night, Rabin was still trying to get to her.

She folded up her clothing with her boots, tucking everything into a bundle, and entered the pool. Holding the ball over her head, she did her best to kick across the water, attempting to keep everything as dry as possible.

Thankfully, the water was shallow enough to touch the bottom with her tiptoes most of the way. By the time she reached the other side, her shoulders and back were screaming. She would probably have died in this cold cavern without Rabin’s help.

She heaved her bundle onto the bank and climbed onto the ledge. Throughout it, she could hear crashes in the distance.

She shook off the water and struggled into her damp clothing. Thankfully, her boots were dry, which would make running easier. If her memory of the map was correct, she would soon arrive at the fortress guarding the trigger that would open the seal.

She tried not to think too hard about what lay ahead.

She only wished she could warn everyone about the horror coming their way.

Suddenly, her chest constricted with the knowledge that once she was done here, she’d find the Chiranjivi and convince them to kill her. When she died, Rabin would, too. This is what she’d been afraid of. This is what he’d been so certain he could handle.