Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
It had been two weeks since the encounter with Rabin in the forest, and Zarya’s mind was occupied with three things.
The first, of course, was him. She wasn’t too stubborn to admit that.
The second was studying the paramadhar and masatara bond, trying to puzzle out a method for controlling the visions. Row had come through for her and sent a dusty old book that had once served as a handbook for paramadhar that he’d found in the Jai Palace library.
The third was the underground operation they’d set up to free the vanshaj from their collars, and that’s where she found herself today.
“Where should this go?” Vikas asked, holding a large crate filled with bottles of black ink. Regular black ink, not the magical kind.
When Zarya had explained her idea, he’d leaped at the chance to help. After swearing an oath using a promise spell to keep their identities secret, they’d met with the vanshaj council. Vikas explained what Zarya had done, and she shared her vision for breaking the collars.
When they were finished, the council agreed to their plans to set up an operation using the money from the rebellion’s unknown benefactor. With Farida still unconscious, Vikas was temporarily promoted to take up her position as liaison between the council and the Rising Phoenix. All decisions would go through him first and then voted on when necessary by its members. For now, they’d keep knowledge of the operation within their closest and most trusted ranks until they might need help from their larger circle.
At first, Vikas seemed uncertain about his new role, but he was taking to it beautifully, and Zarya loved watching him find his confidence. He’d come up with the name Operation Starbreak, and that was how they were all referring to it now.
“Over here,” Zarya said, gesturing for Vikas to follow.
The Rising Phoenix had purchased this sprawling manor in one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods to act as their headquarters. It was a short walk from the vanshaj district if you cut through Ishaan’s twisting maze of alleys. They all had decided it was best to hide in plain sight.
A spacious salon at the front of the house would act as the main center of the operation. Chairs lined one wall, serving as a waiting area, while the remaining space had been divided into sections with sets of chairs facing one another. For now, it would only be Zarya and Vikas, but they shared a vision of filling this entire room with freed Aazheri helping to break the collars.
Leading off the salon was a dining room with a sliding door, and Zarya hauled one open. “I thought we could get some cots placed in here in case anyone needs to recover,” she suggested. “Though hopefully, everything goes as smoothly as it did with you and your friends.”
Every window was hung with thick curtains that Rania had installed the week before to keep prying eyes out. The house was situated far back from the street, and the entire property was bordered by a high fence and plenty of green space filled with dense plants, shrubs, and flowers. It helped obscure the manor from the passersby, and the private back lane provided the perfect spot for people and deliveries to move in and out.
Still, they all agreed they would limit traffic during the day and use the cover of night as much as possible.
“Once they’ve recovered, they’ll come in here to have new tattoos drawn on,” Zarya said, crossing into the hall into a large study. “We’ll get some chairs and rolling carts.”
They’d opted to use semi-permanent ink that would resist coming off as long as they were careful to keep it dry. Ajay had also tapped into his connections, searching for artists who might be open to recruitment within their network.
“This is incredible,” Vikas said as he deposited the box on a table and opened it before they started pulling out the contents, lining up bottles of ink in neat rows. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Zarya smiled as they quietly surveyed their surroundings.
“How is your family doing?” Zarya asked. Vikas lived with his parents and his younger brother in the vanshaj district. She knew they were worried about his involvement with the Phoenix and, despite all evidence to the contrary, refused to believe his collar was gone and that he had magic.
“Not great,” he said. “My parents are scared. I understand it, but I wish they’d have a bit more faith in me.”
She nodded. “Give it time. This is all new to everyone.”
He blew out a breath and placed his hands on his hips. “I know this is all necessary, but I admit that I’m scared, too.”
“It would be strange if you weren’t,” she answered. “I’m terrified all the time—I just do my best not to let it show.”
He turned to give her a small smile. “Then we can both pretend.”
The sound of the back door opening drew their attention, along with the sound of voices Zarya recognized.
“Come and meet some people who are actually very brave,” Zarya joked, and Vikas nodded before he followed her into the kitchen, where they found Suvanna and Apsara with Yasen. Behind them came Ajay.
“We brought lunch,” Apsara said, holding up a bag before she began unpacking foil-wrapped parathas and small tubs of raita. Everyone circled around the large island as Suvanna deposited a large carafe of fresh coffee, and Zarya went in search of mugs.
She also introduced Vikas to Suvanna and Apsara, who became completely tongue-tied at their presence and couldn’t stop staring. Who could blame him? Sitting here in this ordinary kitchen, they were both too ethereal and otherworldly for this place.
“How are things at the palace?” Yasen asked them. “How were you received?”
“With open arms,” Suvanna replied as she pulled up a stool. “They’re obsessed with magic and were very keen to discuss what we’re both capable of.”
“Are they?” Zarya asked.
“Well, the princess is,” Apsara said. “Dishani.”
Zarya always felt a weird tug in her chest every time she heard her sister’s name. She wanted to know so many things about her.
“How are you feeling?” Apsara asked Vikas. “After the removal?”
Vikas shrugged and accepted a plate of food from Zarya. “I feel different.”
“Good different?” Apsara asked.
“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “The best. Like I’m as light as air.”
“And your magic?”
“I’m learning,” he said. “Zarya is helping me.”
“I don’t have a lot of experience, either,” Zarya said. “But I’m trying.”
“I’ll work with you,” Ajay said. “I’m not as strong as either of you, but I graduated top of my class at the university and know some techniques to help with your control.”
Zarya tried to discern any hint of envy or irritation in his words but, thankfully, detected none. That wasn’t the sort of man Ajay was, anyway.
“What else have you learned in the palace?” Ajay asked, turning to Suvanna and Apsara.
“Dishani and Prince Miraan have been meeting regularly with the Jadugara,” Apsara said. “They’re all very cozy.”
“Do you know why?” Ajay asked.
Apsara nodded. “They aren’t making a secret of it. They’re working on plans to rebuild the ink factory and, of course, looking for ways to prevent further sabotage.”
“They’ll be increasing security,” Yasen said. “It’ll be impossible to get inside again. We had the advantage of surprise last time and their confidence that no one would ever confront them.”
“Now they know that isn’t true,” Ajay said.
“Exactly,” Yasen said. “If we want to thwart their plans, then we have to find other ways.”
Zarya waved a hand, indicating the manor house where they were all gathered. “Well, this is the start.”
“It is,” Ajay answered. “What else?”
“They’re trying desperately to root out members of the Rising Phoenix,” Suvanna said. “They’re gearing up for random searches throughout the vanshaj district. They’ve been holding back for some reason, but it’s clear how antsy the princess has become.”
“Is there anything you two can do?” Ajay asked.
“I’m not sure,” Apsara said. “While we’ve been welcomed as guests, we’ll have to be careful. It is not our place, and they may grow suspicious if we attempt to interfere.”
That was met with silence as everyone stewed in their thoughts.
“I wish there was something we could do to affect their rebuilding plans,” Ajay said.
“Like what?” Zarya asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said. “But there must be something.”
“In the meantime, let us show you how we have everything set up,” Vikas said.
He walked them through the house, pointing out the different rooms and areas.
“As we free more people, I’m hoping some can be conscripted to help us,” Zarya said. “It’ll be a slow process at first, but the vision is for this whole house to be full soon enough.”
Ajay stood in the foyer, staring up at the stairs leading to three more floors.
“It’s incredible,” he said softly. “I never thought we’d get this far.”
“It’s going to be glorious,” Zarya said, following everyone’s appreciative gazes.
This would be exceedingly dangerous.
The hardest thing they might ever do.
But also, the most important.
And, gods, how she hoped everyone would get their happy ending.