Chapter 45
FORTY-FIVE
A short while later, Rabin led their entire group through the alleys of Ishaan, entering a busy square at the heart of the vanshaj district. Fruit and vegetable stands and other vendors surrounded the perimeter, most of them with long snaking lines as everyone gathered necessities for the week.
Rabin stopped and looked around, surveying the exit and entry points and the flow of people in and out of the square. They would have to do this carefully, but they’d chosen an area deep inside the district where no one but the vanshaj ventured—even the city watch mostly avoided the area. It acted as an unspoken boundary between them and everyone else.
Zarya came up next to him as she also studied the plaza. He would protect her, no matter what. This had all been his idea, and now he was responsible for everyone he’d lead into this task.
Yasen stood on his other side, and they easily fell into an old pattern as he awaited his commander’s orders. They’d spent many years together operating like this, though their rank and duties hadn’t allowed them the freedom to be anything more than leader and subordinate.
“Have someone at each exit point to keep an eye out for the city watch or royal soldiers,” Rabin ordered. “You take the others and spread out. If there’s anything amiss, give the signal.”
“Yes, Commander,” Yasen said and then turned on his heel, rounding up Ajay, Row, and even Miraan, who’d wrapped a scarf around his head to conceal his identity.
What Rabin wouldn’t have given for a trained battalion, but they’d have to make do with their meager resources. Yasen was an excellent soldier. Rabin had been the one to train him, after all. And though Ajay hated his guts, Rabin wasn’t too proud to recognize competence when he met it. With Row and the others also helping, perhaps they could pull this off.
Then Zarya, Mina, and Kajal all moved deeper into the square. Rabin and Vikas flanked their sides as they made their way to a raised fountain in the center. It stood dry and empty, the basin cracked, but the stairs would provide an elevated demonstration point.
As they ascended the steps, their presence started to draw a few curious glances. Their lack of star collars stood out in contrast to the people milling about. They waited for another minute as whispers began to filter through the crowd and every eye slowly drew their way.
Hundreds of vanshaj came to a stop, clutching their children or anything they were holding to their chests as they all checked in with one another, wondering if anyone understood what was happening.
They all appeared intent on fleeing at any moment until Vikas raised a hand and began speaking. “Everyone! Please. These people mean no harm. They are here to help. I know that many of you have heard me talk about the magic that can break the collars, and I understand you are afraid, but I beg you to listen.”
Rabin nodded to Yasen, Ajay, Row, and Miraan as they spread out, manning the different streets leading into the plaza.
Vikas was still talking, encouraging everyone to move closer. A few brave souls took a few careful steps towards the center. As more advanced, more joined them, comforted by the safety of their numbers.
From the corner of his eye, Rabin noticed Yasen conversing with two members of the city watch, but he kept it to himself. Everyone was already on edge enough.
He held one eye on them as Yasen slowly maneuvered the watch away from the square, gesturing for Row to follow. They melted into the shadows, and a second later, both guards lay dead on the ground. Row waved a hand, and they both disappeared from view. It all happened in nearly the blink of an eye.
Satisfied the situation was under control, Rabin returned his attention to the plaza as everyone shuffled to the center. Soon they found themselves surrounded by hundreds of vanshaj peering up with hope and fear in their expressions. He felt the weight of this mission in a way he hadn’t until now. These were living, breathing people who’d been punished for absolutely no reason. He understood why they had to do this. No matter what happened to any of them, they could no longer turn away.
“This is Zarya!” Vikas shouted. “She’s been gifted with special magic that can break the collars. She removed mine and those of my friends. I have magic! Many of us have magic!” He then conjured a ball of flame, sending it into the air before it exploded in a shower of sparks.
Though Vikas had shown them all this before, it had fallen on unwilling ears. As Rabin stared over the crowd, he wasn’t sure this time would be any different. Not without proof.
“But you want to see it with your own eyes,” Vikas continued. “I understand that. You are right to distrust the Aazheri. You are right to be wary of their magic. The Jadugara have held us captive for centuries, but they have been lying to all of us. They have kept us prisoner only to save themselves, but today that changes.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “On my life, I swear to you, everything changes today.”
Vikas then backed up and then made room for Zarya and Mina.
They stepped forward, and Zarya reached out her hand towards Rabin. He took it, wrapping his fingers around hers as she looked up at him with a trusting expression. Gods, he loved her. It wasn’t until a few days ago when he’d said it in that alley, that he realized how much. Saying those words had untapped a well of emotion he hadn’t even known he was capable of feeling.
Abishek’s warnings about keeping his distance from Zarya itched in the back of his thoughts, but he pushed them away. They were bound now, and nothing would change that. The king would be displeased when they returned to Andhera, but there was little he could do about it.
Rabin would never understand what he’d done to deserve this. Why the fates had chosen him to be hers, but he would thank them every day for the rest of his life.
“You can do this,” he said to Zarya softly, and she nodded.
“With you, I can.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but her words exploded against his chest, nearly knocking him sideways.
Then she turned towards Mina and performed the same spell as she had with Kajal, adding a little extra flourish for dramatic effect. The glittering black ribbon of her magic twisted in the air, spiraling over everyone’s heads before it gently circled around Mina’s throat. Zarya squeezed tighter and then the tattoo melted away almost instantly as the ink dissipated into puffs of dark smoke.
When she was done, she lowered her hand, and Mina stared wide-eyed with her fingers wrapped around her bare skin. Every single person standing in the plaza stood frozen as Zarya stepped towards Mina and began whispering in her ear.
Rabin heard her giving Mina instructions on how to find her magic, just like he’d taught her in the dream forest.
Mina pressed her lips together as she held up her palm and stared at it while Zarya continued to whisper encouragement.
And then, a tiny flickering flame appeared in Mina’s hand, hovering above her palm. The delight on her face could have melted every heart within a thousand miles.
That’s when Rabin felt the shift. This wasn’t just a demonstration of magic. This was a sign that anything was possible. No matter what happened in the past, today, things would start to change, one way or another. They’d just opened a box of secrets that could never be closed.
He scanned the faces of the crowd, noting the wonder in their expressions and the tears building in their eyes. It had taken some convincing, but finally, they saw it. This was real. This was possible .
A moment later, the crowd exploded into screams, cheers, and excited chatter, the loud noise shaking the very ground where they stood. They hugged and jumped up and down, laughing and celebrating. Even Rabin’s heart squeezed at the sight.
In the center of the square they all shared looks around their circle.
“You think that worked?” Zarya asked Vikas, who stared over the crowd with tears tracking down his cheek.
He nodded and grinned. “I think that worked.”