The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy #2) - S. A. Chakraborty Page 0,119

Subha interrupted, looking ill. “Why don’t we move on and leave digging in the floors to people who can properly take care of these remains?”

Remains. The word seemed cold, clinical. Family, Nahri silently corrected, knowing there was a good chance the person murdered here still clutching a scalpel had been a Nahid. She removed her chador, draping it carefully over the bones. She’d come back here with Kartir.

By the time she straightened up, Subha was already through the apothecary door, but Ali was not.

Nahri grabbed his wrist bfore he could leave. “Is there something about this place you’re not telling me?”

His gaze darted away. “You’re better off not knowing.”

Nahri tightened her grip. “Don’t you dare condescend to me like that. Wasn’t that your reasoning when it came to Dara as well? All those books I wasn’t ‘prepared’ for? How did that turn out for you?”

Ali jerked free. “Everyone knew about Darayavahoush, Nahri. They just couldn’t agree if he was a monster or a hero. What led to this?” He tilted his head to take in the dim room. “It was buried. And if you want a new beginning, it should stay buried.”

“We’ll attack the second night of Navasatem,” Dara said as they gazed at the map he’d conjured: a section of Daevabad’s narrow beach, the city walls and looming Citadel tower just behind it. “It is a new moon then and will be lightless. The Royal Guard will not see us coming until their tower is crashing through the lake.”

“That’s the night after the parade, correct?” Mardoniye asked. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

Kaveh nodded. “I may not have witnessed a Navasatem in Daevabad, but I’ve heard plenty about the first day of celebrations. The drinking starts at dawn and doesn’t stop until after the competitions in the arena. By midnight, half the city will be passed out in their beds. We’ll take the djinn unaware and the majority of the Daevas will be at home.”

“And Nahri will be in the infirmary, yes?” Dara asked. “You are certain Nisreen can keep her safe?”

“For the twentieth time, yes, Afshin,” Kaveh sighed. “She will bar the infirmary doors at the first sight of your rather … creative sign.”

Dara wasn’t convinced. “Nahri is not the type to be confined against her will.”

Kaveh gave him an even stare. “Nisreen has spent years at her side. I’m certain she can handle this.”

And I’m certain she has no idea the Nahid under her charge once made a living getting in and out of locked places undetected. Uneasy, Dara glanced at Mardoniye. “Would you go see if Banu Manizheh is ready to join us?” he asked. She had barely left her tent in the past few days, working at a feverish pace on her experiments.

The young soldier nodded, rising to his feet and heading off across the camp. The sky was a pale pink through the dark trees. The snows had finally melted and the dew-damp earth glistened under the sun’s first rays. His archers had already left to go practice with their horses in the valley below, and another pair of warriors was leading a yawning Abu Sayf out to their sparring ring. Dara quickly checked to make sure the zulfiqars were still sheathed on the other side of the ring. He had made it clear to his soldiers they were only to practice with Abu Sayf in his presence.

Aeshma snorted, drawing Dara’s attention. “I still cannot believe they celebrate what Suleiman did to us,” he said to Vizaresh.

Dara’s mood instantly darkened. The ifrit had returned to their camp yesterday, and each hour in their presence was more trying. “We celebrate freedom from his bondage,” he shot back. “You remember … the part where our ancestors obeyed and thus didn’t have their magic permanently taken away. And surely you must have once celebrated some sort of festivities.”

Aeshma looked wistful. “The humans in my land would occasionally sacrifice virgins in my name. They screamed terribly, but the music was enjoyable.”

Dara briefly closed his eyes. “Forget the question. But speaking of the attack … are the two of you prepared? The ghouls will be handled?”

Vizaresh inclined his head. “I’m well-accomplished at such a thing.”

“Accomplished enough to keep them from attacking my warriors?”

He nodded. “I will be at the beach with them myself.”

That didn’t make Dara feel much better. He hated the idea of separating his small militia and leaving a group of his untested warriors on the opposite side of the city. But he had no choice.

Aeshma grinned. “If