Page 100 of Silver & Gold
“And good riddance,” intoned a dark, heavy voice as Soroush shimmered into sight on the other bank of the river. The djinn’s ancient eyes shone bright in his indigo face.
Tarjan accused, “You let evil into the Garden.”
“No, Tarjan, I let it out. Jannat is cleansed at last.”
“Jannat may be rid of its stain—but you are not.”
“I did no violence. The only violence here was done by humans, as always. Let them continue with it. Let them destroy themselves—well away from us. It is what they do. I do not know why you love them.”
“Better love than hate, Soroush.”
Soroush scoffed. “Your love will not save them.”
“No. They will save themselves. And I would rather help with that, than help as you did.”
Soroush laughed. “Go on then, fool. We’ll soon see the truth of them.”
With that, Soroush vanished. Tarjan glared at where the other djinn had been, then he set two long fingers to his lips and let out a shrill, piercing whistle.
CHAPTER 31
THIS TIME, RAIDER was able to appreciate the full magnificence of the roc as it glided toward them through the sky. Nasrin let out a sharp cry and even Seth cursed under his breath as the huge tawny bird swept down, its wings fanning wide. Air whooshed their way as the roc beat its wings to control its descent. It alighted on the rocky edge of the cliff and lowered its pale breast to the ground.
At a wave of Tarjan’s blue hand, a huge, bulbous palanquin of brilliant red appeared atop the roc’s back. A shimmering ladder rolled down from the palanquin’s opening to the ground.
“She will take you to Kastari.”
Raider gaped at Tarjan. “You’re not coming with us?”
The djinn shook his head. “I would only be tempted to break my oath, as I was tempted today. I’m sorry, but I can do no more than this.”
Raider shoved down his disappointment. He still had questions that he hadn’t yet found the courage to ask.
But he didn’t really need answers. He only needed Seth.
“You’ve done more than enough,” Raider said. “Thank you, Tarjan.”
Tarjan’s golden eyes searched him. His lips parted like he wanted to say something. But then his mouth closed, and he nodded in farewell.
Raider turned from him and walked to the shimmering ladder. Seth and Nasrin followed him, both clearly wary. But the great golden talons were relaxed, the dark eye soft.
As Raider climbed the ladder, which felt like silk in his hands, his fingers and toes brushed the smooth tawny feathers. At the top, Raider glanced back at the others. Seth was leaning toward Tarjan, frowning as Tarjan whispered something into his ear. Nasrin was waiting at the bottom of the ladder—and looking very unsure.
“Would you rather stay here?” Raider teased her.
“Hasa, no,” Nasrin grumbled and set her foot on the first soft rung of the shimmering ladder.
Raider ducked through the opening into the palanquin. He halted abruptly, marveling at the interior. The space was larger than even the huge bird’s back could possibly have accommodated. The floor, which was softened by a large blue and green carpet, was also flatter than should have been possible. Even more shocking, a low table held numerous platters and pitchers. Plump cushions surrounded it. From little openings in the roof, light filtered in.
“Holy Kasha,” Nasrin marveled, elbowing past Raider where he’d stalled in the doorway.
“More like Great Fire Mother,” Raider said as he went to sit on one of the cushions. “The djinn honor the sun, not the arcane.”
“This is absolutely—oh,” Nasrin muttered apologetically as Seth had to elbow around her just as she had elbowed around Raider.
“Holy Kasha,” Seth marveled, stalling where everyone else had.
“Great Fire Mother, apparently,” Nasrin told him as she came to sit across the table from Raider.