Page 57 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“This way,” Ajay said, leading them deeper into the trees until they came upon a clearing where hundreds of people had gathered.

Someone had erected a few wooden crates in the center where Vikas, Farida, and Rania stood, looking over the crowd. Yasen also spotted Suvanna and Apsara on the fringes, stalking back and forth to help keep order.

“The Jadugara are hunting us!” Vikas was shouting to the crowd.

With Farida’s recovery, they had become co-leaders. Row had informed them that Farida and Vikas became friends almost immediately and were working together as one.

“You must protect yourselves. We’re doing everything we can to get your friends and family out of the city, but the palace has increased patrols, and it’s becoming harder and harder to hide.”

Farida stood next to him, nodding and agreeing. Shortly after their attempted coup, she discovered she had four anchors and was learning how to use them.

“What happened to the ones they’ve captured?” someone shouted, and Farida shook her head.

“We’ve been told they are attempting to re-collar them. Jadugara from other realms have been sending their stockpiled ink back to Ishaan,” she said, her voice soft but with the strength to carry over the clearing. “Our informants claim they’ve been unsuccessful so far. Something about the procedure is preventing the magic from taking hold again.”

“With the manor no longer useable, we’ll continue with Operation Starbreak in the forest,” Vikas said. “I’m urging everyone to line up and have your collars removed. Once you’re free, they can’t take you again.”

An anxious murmur rippled through the crowd. “Some are still unsure about Aazheri magic,” Row whispered under his breath. “I can’t blame them.”

Yasen nodded as Farida began speaking again. “We will resume training for the Army of Ashes imminently,” she said. “We must protect ourselves. We can’t hide out here forever. We have people scouting the city to collect whatever weapons were left behind. Once they’re gathered, I urge you to train during every spare moment. You will also continue to receive lessons from the Aazheri who have joined our cause.”

Last night, Row and Ajay claimed the Rising Phoenix hoped to approach the palace again, but they disagreed on whether another attempted coup was the answer or whether they should approach things with more diplomacy.

Either way, they had to prepare themselves.

The royals weren’t currently fighting back, and it was their one advantage. With Dishani indisposed and Miraan out of the picture, the prince suspected they were retreating into the safety of the palace walls to lick their wounds and hide behind the Jadugara as they’d done for so many years.

He’d explained that the king consort, Kabir, had always been a figurehead. He’d rarely been included in important state affairs or politics when Asha had been queen.

When they’d first married, he’d bristled against it, but ultimately, his wife had no interest in including him in these matters.

She was the queen, and her word was final.

Eventually, he gave up and decided to enjoy his life of luxury without responsibility by drinking and sleeping around. It was the arrangement Miraan’s parents had made many years before his birth, and they both seemed happy enough with it.

When Asha disappeared, Dishani had already been acting as her mother’s right hand for many years. She stepped directly into the role, once again leaving Kabir to tend to himself.

That left Miraan’s two youngest siblings, who’d also been sidelined from making any important decisions. Dishani had spent her entire life shutting people out, terrified someone would try to take her power. She’d allowed Miraan to assist her only out of necessity and only because she refused to trust anyone who wasn’t blood.

Not that any of that had worked in her favor, either.

“We must come together for our freedom!” Vikas was shouting now. “We can only survive if we learn to trust each other and those who’ve come to support our cause. I understand why you are wary, but change is here, and there is no stopping it anymore.”

Yasen moved along the crowd’s edge, studying their faces and bared necks. The temporary tattoos were gone, and there was no need for pretenses out here.

Vikas and Farida took another few minutes to address everyone’s concerns before they broke apart and returned to their tasks and training.

Vikas, Farida, and Rania jumped down from their perch and quickly headed over at the sight of Miraan.

“You’re back!” Vikas said, throwing his arms around Yasen. “We were so worried about you.”

Apsara and Suvanna joined their huddle a moment later.

“Where have you been?” Rania asked.

Yasen and Miraan filled them in on everything they’d experienced in Andhera.

“When is Zarya coming back?” Farida asked.