Except, her heart beat out, there was no going back. That door was closed, and the one before her waited to be opened. She had to know.

Tanvi had never felt sicker or more scared.

Something shot out of the bush by her feet, writhing across the grass and somehow leaping onto her arm. Tanvi shrieked and tried to shake it loose. The cobra only wound itself around her like a deadly vine until it glared up from her wrist. It opened its mouth wide, baring its fangs and throat. Its forked tongue flicked in and out; its green-gold reptilian eyes glinted accusingly at her.

Tanvi stared at it. She’d never had any reason to fear snakes until now. All it would take was one bite . . .

The cobra hissed and blurred. The next second, a mostly human Asha in a pretty silver dress appeared next to Tanvi. Her unnaturally golden-brown eyes were the only possible giveaway that she was more than what she seemed. “Well, good morning to you, resident troublemaker. Venkat is deeply fearful for you, poor boy.”

Tanvi checked to see if anyone else had noticed the cobra on her arm or the girl materializing out of thin air. Luckily, they were alone. “Wha—what?” she finally managed. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to scare me to death?”

“You ssssseek death perfectly well on your own, it would ssssseem to me.” Asha pointed to the nest in the tree. “That is no ordinary nest,” she went on, mercifully ditching the exaggerated sibilants. “That is an eagle’s nest. Luckily for us, the eagle in question is absent.”

Tanvi didn’t get it. What did nests have to do with anything? Then she remembered the garter snake chasing the rat. Asha could take any serpent form she liked. “Wait, did you follow me?”

“Someone had to keep watch over you, running all over town and exposing yourself as you are so foolishly doing. Harvesting dreams in broad daylight? Truly?” Asha studied her, then added in a guarded tone, “Tanvi, why did you come here?”

Tanvi didn’t say anything, and Asha’s canines sharpened to wicked points. “If you do not tell me, I will bite you, and I promise you will not enjoy the experience.”

“Do you do that to Sameer, too?” Tanvi asked, trying to divert Asha as much as herself. The large house continued to loom over her, and it scared her even more than Asha had.

“Naturally. What is the point of being a nagini if I cannot enjoy myself on occasion?” Asha grinned. “It is hardly my fault you mortals are so easily frightened. Now”—she flashed her fangs again—“tell me!”

“No,” Tanvi said. She waited for Asha to argue, or maybe to bite her. Even naga venom couldn’t hurt as much as the fear in her chest.

Asha gave the house a calculating once-over. Then she tilted her chin toward Tanvi like she was waiting for something.