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“Not at the moment,” Zeinab returned dryly.

Neil stared at Constance with a look of horrified admiration.

“Well, then.” Constance brushed the date crumbs from her hands. “I suppose that settles things.”

“Not entirely,” cut in a crisp, authoritative voice from behind her.

Ellie whirled to see Kumari Padma standing at the top of the stairs, clad in a luxurious sari of richly patterned silk in hues of pink and green. Mr. Mahjoud stood at her back, giving them a quietly exasperated look that made Ellie wonder just how long he had been listening.

“There is still the matter of a few little favors you owe me.” Padma’s gaze shifted meaningfully from Ellie and Adam to Constance and Neil. “Perhaps now would be an appropriate time to discuss them?”

It was not really a question.

“Of course, Aai.” Constance swallowed thickly as she looked nervously to the rest of them. “We would be happy to.”

??

Forty-Seven

Padma led Ellie, Constance, Neil, and Adam into the house after they bid Zeinab and Sayyid a quick but warm goodnight. One of the household staff guided Kalb away—the dog, apparently, not being invited to join the meeting.

The kumari’s suite of rooms included an elegant, high-ceilinged salon with screened windows overlooking the courtyard. The space was framed by a divan piled with cushions in colorful patterns of embroidered silk. An altar stood against the wall, draped in a beautiful cloth and hosting murtis of a handful of gods. Incense burned in front of it next to a scattering of fresh flowers.

Padma sat down in the center of the plush bench, looking regal, comfortable, and entirely in charge.

Mr. Mahjoud poured out more tea. Instead of the sweet, minty brew Ellie had become accustomed to in Egypt, this was richly creamy and spiked with notes of cardamom and clove.

Constance cast a distinctly nervous look at her grandmother, even as she clearly aimed to bluff unconcern. Adam cocked an eyebrow as he picked up on the simmering tension in the room.

Neil shifted uncomfortably until he took a sip of his tea, at which point his eyes widened with delight. “Oh! This is…” He took another sip. “This is absolutelylovely!”

“I am so glad that you enjoy it, Dr. Fairfax.” Padma’s reply was serene—and still somehow carried an air of subtle threat.

Neil’s cup paused on its way back to his mouth—but after a moment, he brought it up anyway. Apparently being deeply intimidated wasn’t enough to put him off his chai.

“Now that we are all nice and cozy together,” Padma said with a dangerous smile, “I thought we might talk about how you will settle your debts.”

Something about the subtle emphasis Padma put on the word ‘your’ made it sound distinctly and alarminglyplural.

“And how many favors are… er, owed you, exactly?” Ellie pressed carefully.

Padma waved an airy hand. “I do not think we need to be so vulgar as to mention numbers.”

Constance frowned, too surprised to keep quiet. “But you always keep count, Aai.”

“I think the little favor I mean to ask should settle any outstanding balances.” Padma waved to Mr. Mahjoud to refill her cup.

Constance looked warily hopeful. “It would?”

“And what is the little favor, Kumari?” Ellie asked.

“Call me Auntie, Jhia,” Padma replied with a frankly intimidating note of affection. “After all, we will be spending a great deal of time together over the next few weeks.”

“We will?” Ellie squeaked, her nerves jolting.

Padma calmly sipped her tea. “What do you know of the Brahmastra?”

Neil and Adam gave each other a blank look. Padma shifted her gaze to Constance, who sank back against the cushions.