“In the volcano,” she said. “When I saved you from falling, I felt the truth of you, and I knew there was hope for this world. But now, with the primordial evil free again, I’m not so sure.”
“Do you know what he is?”
She shook her head. “No. We came to this world once he’d already been locked away, and we felt the residual effects of a memory warp. An alteration of the truth. Our elders ordered us never to allow the gods to discover that we were immune to their manipulations. We have bided our time, waiting for our world to heal so we can return.” She exhaled softly. “I do know that Iblees was thrown into the same prison as the evil. If the evil is free, then maybe the djinn god is too.”
I stared at her for several beats. Obviously, their ankh didn’t know everything. “Ibleesisfree. He melded with Araz, but the primordial evil took control of their body. Araz is Iblees, but he’s trapped. That thing…that monstrous evil, whatever it is, has my twin flame, and I need to get him back.”
“That makes sense. Iblees always had an avatar to house a fragment of his soul.” Her eyes narrowed. “There is hope for you yet, then. Iblees will not stop fighting, and hopefully he will find a way to weaken the evil that has him in its grip.”
“I believe that too, but we need to call the Deva back so they can lock away the primordial evil for good. The only method that Chandra had would trap it inside Araz’s body, which was fine when I believed he was truly gone, but there is no way I’m condemning him to that fate now. We need an army. Warriors to help us get to a portway and into Aakash Sansaar.”
“I’m sorry,” Zarael said. “The order to leave has been given. We do not disobey our elders.”
I nodded slowly. “Then maybe I can convince your elders to change their minds.”
“They will not change their minds.”
“Please, let me try.”
Zarael sighed and nodded. “Very well, follow me.” She strode past us toward a white stone building at the end of the platform.
I made to follow, but Kalani grabbed my arm. “What are you doing? We came here for refuge from what’s left of the devouring force. Not to form an army.”
“I know. But maybe we can find a way to gain both. Trust me, okay?”
Her frown didn’t drop, but she nodded. “Fine.”
We hurried through the arch after Zarael. It was time to put my negotiation training to the test.
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 astormbound 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. Ineedyou.”
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 onhisside because yes, if they were oathbound to servethe throne, then they were now oathbound to serve him…the evil that held the seat.
