“Poppy only discovered her powers recently,” Hasan said. “She didn’t grow up with any entitlement, and even now she remains an underdog. If we refuse to support her, then we’ll lose this chance. We’ll never get another Virian viceroy. Our lives will be hell forever.”
“Since when do you care?” Tara tossed her thick braid over one shoulder. “Do you know, Jackal, how many lives you and your brothers have made hell with yourbusiness?”
“Call me Hasan. Iinsist.” His smile was dissolving rapidly. “And we never forced anyone to do business with us. If their lives were ruined, it’s because they made poor decisions.”
“Does the victim blaming help you sleep better at night?” Akash asked. “You make these loans because you know we’re too desperate to refuse them. You know the banks won’t give us the money, and so you hike up your interest rates, forcing us to agree to unethical terms. You and your brothers have only ever used your power against us, instead of fighting back.”
Hasan bit his tongue. Defenses, half formed, floated through his mind. He didn’t want to admit that he’d spent the past ten years doing more harm than good. But if he couldn’t humble himself now, he’d lose their support.Poppywould lose their support.
“You’re right,” he said grudgingly. “I’m sorry. I can’t take it back, but I recognize that what we did was wrong.”
“Let’s not let the past prevent us from looking at the future,” Arun suggested. “Sit, and if you don’t like what we have to say, then you may go.”
The four newcomers exchanged skeptical glances but relented, taking seats across from Hasan and Harithi. “What do you have planned?” Tara asked.
“The hearing to confirm Poppy Sutherland is this Monday,” Hasan said. “We need the Welks to know that we won’t be silent about this. We have to organize crowds to come and rally outside the House of Representatives, really lay the heat on them. Let the representatives know that we won’t follow anyone else.”
Akash and Maya exchanged a look. “I don’t know,” Maya said. “We’ve heard what’s happened to your daivyakt followers, Jackal. It sounds an awful lot like you’re forming this delegation as a substitute for your gang.”
He pressed his lips together. He couldn’t deny that if he had the choice, he’d have much rather had his gang to support him on this. In his silence, the others came to conclusions of their own.
“Why are we here?” Niraj threw up his hands, turning to Arun. “You say it’s about the girl, but I think it’s really about the Jackal.”
Hasan tilted his head up, closing his eyes for a moment. When he looked at Niraj again, he asked, “Answer me honestly: If Arun had been the only one to present this idea to you, would you have agreed to support Poppy Sutherland?”
Niraj hesitated. It was Akash who said, “Yes.”
Hasan rose to his feet, heart heavy. “Then I’ll be on my way. I recognize that my untrustworthiness is the roadblock here. I’ve done things that I cannot expect forgiveness nor understanding for, but Poppy shouldn’t have to bear the consequences for this.”
“Hasan.” Harithi reached for his hand. “Sit down.”
“No,” he said. “All that matters is that there’s a show of support for Poppy. If the only way I can help her is by leaving, then I will.”
He opened the door and left. He was a good way down the street when the door flew open again.
“Stop,” Maya called. He turned to see her standing on the road outside the house, faded pink dupatta fluttering. “Come back.”
He approached slowly, as though if he moved too quickly, he’d startle her into changing her mind. She let him back into the house, where Arun and Harithi wore matching satisfied smiles.
“We’ve decided to let you stay,” Niraj said. “It seems like, at least for now, you truly care for the girl’s interests, if not ours.”
“And we’ll join the delegation,” Akash added. “But weallget an equal say. You don’t get to order us around just because you’re daivyakt.”
“We’ll do coleaders,” he said. “One daivyakt, one vasudhakt. Me and Arun.”
Tara nodded. “Very well. What do you have planned?”
“We have to organize,” Hasan said. “We have to spread our messaging, reach Virians in the city and the countryside. There needs to be a massive turnout. Because if there’s one thing we have to make clear, it’s this: We will no longer be governed silently. Our voice will shape the rules we live by.”
Chapter Forty-Four
An Arrangement
Zephyr,
I regret to inform you that Richard left Viryana at dawn. There will be no trial against the girl. As such, there is no longer a need for you to testify. We no longer have an arrangement regarding the House of Representatives. Do not contact me again.
WM
