Chapter 5
THE BIG ASK
Areverent hush enveloped us as we entered the stone building. A white marble floor surrounded a silver shimmering rectangular aperture. Vayujaari stood around in clusters. Some were dressed in silver robes while others wore tunics and britches in varying colors.
I spotted a couple of familiar faces. Vayujaari that had come to the Prashikshan domain weeks ago to carry us to the coast. Jaantor with hair like flame—he was emberheart, if I recalled correctly—and beside him stood a woman with hair the color of evergreen and eyes like moss.
I couldn’t remember her name, but I did remember she was of the rootwoven.
They looked across at us as Zarael led us toward the robed figures.
These had to be the elders.
They turned to face us as one. They might be called elders, but they didn’t look much older than Chandra.
Immortality could do that to a person, I guess.
A quick sweep and it was obvious that this collective represented the interests of the various types of vayujaari.
Emberheart with their flame-red hair, rootwoven with their green hair, and whatever the blue-haired and pale blue-skinned vayujaari were.
There was even a stormbound with mercury eyes like Zarael, and it was he who stepped forward now to greet us.
“Zarael of the stormborn, you have brought us visitors?” A delicate frown marred his forehead. “They must be of great importance for you to bring them into the sanctum now.” There was a thread of warning in his tone, one that made my skin prickle with unease.
But Zarael seemed unfazed. “This is Leela, blood of Vijayroodra, soul of Raknara and twin flame to Iblees, rightful heir to the throne.”
The hush deepened, and I was acutely aware of all eyes on us.
The elder looked at me, gaze probing. “Raknara…After all this time, the soul returns.”
“And she needs our help,” Zarael said. “Leela…” She nodded at me, handing me the floor.
I took a breath, blocking out all the people around me, and focused on the elder.
“You know the primordial evil has taken the throne. But you may not know that he also has control of Iblees.” The elder’s eyes flared, and I continued.
“The evil has also taken control of the Asura in Aakash Sansaar, and I have no idea what he plans to do next. But I know that I have to stop him, and the only way to do that is to summon back the Deva.” I filled him in on my plan to get to a portway, into the royal domain, find the obelisk, and activate it.
“But I need an army. I need allies. I need you.”
He nodded slowly. “I understand your predicament. And believe me when I say that I wish wholeheartedly that we could join you in this fight. But we cannot. We’d best serve you by leaving now.
If we stay, we are bound by oath to serve the throne and therefore serve the evil that now holds it.
We leave before such a summons can come. ”
My blood ran cold at the thought of these powerful beings being on his side because yes, if they were oathbound to serve the throne, then they were now oathbound to serve him…the evil that held the seat.
I’d expected them to say no, but a part of me had hoped that maybe I’d be able to change their minds. But if staying meant potentially being the primordial evil’s bitch, then yeah, best they leave.
Kalani caught my eye, her brows pinching as she waited for me to execute my plan. A plan that might still work.
“I understand. You can’t stay, but can you give refuge to innocents? To the djinn and Asura civilians left orphaned by the death of the devouring force? They have nowhere to go. Please…can you take them with you?”
I’d learned this negotiation tactic from Chandra: Go in with the big ask first, knowing you’re unlikely to get it but acting as if it’s everything, then once rejected follow up with the real ask—one that now looks smaller and almost insignificant in comparison. You were more likely to get a yes.
The elders exchanged glances, sorrow and pity etching their features. My heart sank.
“We would gladly take all if we could,” the stormbound said. “But they would not survive in our world. The air would kill them in a matter of minutes. I am sorry. If there was some way that we could help, then—”
“Elder Sorell, if I may?” Zarael said. “We could offer them a sky ship to take them to Shantivan. Distance might keep them safe.”
Sorell seemed to consider this, then shook his head. “A sky ship needs a vayujaari to steer it. Any who stays will risk becoming beholden to evil.”
“Not if they are excised from the collective,” Zarael said.
A buzz of alarm skimmed over the gathered.
Sorell raised a hand, and the room quietened once more. He stepped closer to Zarael, looking down at her with a look that was filled with shadows. “Who would accept such a fate?”
Zarael smiled up at him, her gaze softening. “I would.”
“Zarael, what are you saying?” Jaantor asked, striding over to join us. “You’d excise yourself? For them?” He sneered at me. “For her?”
Zarael balled her hands into fists. “Yes. Yes, I would. I was forced to walk away once. To turn my back on my friend and watch her die. I would ask for the opportunity at redemption.” She looked to Sorell now. “Excise me. Please.”
My pulse pounded. I didn’t understand the magnitude of this moment, but I felt it. “What’s going on?” I looked from Zarael to Jaantor.
Jaantor’s jaw flexed. “An excision is tantamount to death. Your friend is asking for a slow execution.”
“Aging is not an execution,” Zarael snapped at him. “Mortality is not a curse.”
Wait, she was giving up her immortality to stay here? With me? “Zarael, I can’t let you do this.”
“I’m not asking for your permission, Leela. I am asking for the redemption of my soul.” She looked to Sorell. “Please. I ask you now, not as elder but as a father. Please, give me this boon.”
He closed his eyes. “Then you shall have it…daughter.”
Zarael’s face broke into a smile. “Thank you, Father.”
Jaantor’s shoulders dropped. “Then I stay too.”
“What?” Zarael stared at him. “No. What are you talking about?”
“If Zarael stays, then so do I.” He looked to the elders. “I petition for excision too.”
“Jaantor, no, you can’t do this—”
“Without you, immortality is the curse,” Jaantor said softly.
Zarael searched his face, her eyes welling.
“We will be excised, Zar. We can be together, however long we have.”
“Begin the ceremony now,” Sorell said. “Excise them both and prepare the ship.” He turned to me. “If you wish to recruit allies, I suggest a visit to the nagrata. They sleep now, but they will awaken for the blood of Raknara.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because the nagrata are creatures born of fire and spirit. They are allies to Iblees and were also friends to the Raknara. They do not forget, and they see the truth no matter the veil. Jaantor will provide you with a map to their lair. Best of luck, child. The fate of this world now rests on your shoulders.”
And boy, did I feel it.