“We were betrayed by someone we considered our own,” Taraana says. “He came to Jbeil with us and figured out my identity. He later approached one of Baarish’s creatures to cut a deal with Baarish. He told me he had no choice. Siding with Baarish guarantees his survival while allying with me is like trying to survive on a tightrope.” Taraana looks up. “Perhaps I shouldn’t blame him?”

“No, you should. You should totally blame him,” Kamboja says, her eyes blazing.

“Blame him to death,” Areum adds, her red lips snarling.

Taraana ducks his head, stealing a moment. Then he continues. “When Baarish’s creatures attacked, Assi did her best to get me into the Between before they could drag me away. I wanted to stay and fight, but she told me I would be hindering her ability to fight. So, I ran like the coward I am.”

Paheli flicks him on the forehead. “Trying to survive isn’t an act of cowardice.”

“Are you worried that they might have caught Assi?” Eulalie asks.

“She said she would much rather die than be captured,” Taraana replies. They seem to share that sentiment.

“Ah,” Eulalie says. “I shall find out what happened to her. Give me a few days and I will have some news for you.”

“Thank you.” Taraana looks straight at Eulalie, perhaps for the first time.

“All right. Let’s talk about Baarish now,” Paheli says without letting another minute pass.

The air in the parlor loses its warmth, and we gather closer together to deconstruct the monster to find the man within.

Our days of reconnaissance led us to some inviolable facts about Baarish: He straddles the fence between the human and the middle worlds, dipping his thumbs in both pots. All testimonies that we heard from the middle worlders in Agra tell us that Baarish subscribes to an old-fashioned code of honor that precludes humans and women. His power means everything to him. He will exploit anyone he can, even if they are related to him. Even little children do not escape his quest for money and power.

Uttar Pradesh, which includes Agra, and other states were ruled by one of Baarish’s enemies for a long while. Baarish was imprisoned during that time. However, there was a recent coup, which led to a change in rulers. The new administrator of the region is not just Baarish’s closest and oldest friend, but also his brother-in-law.

“Who fulfilled the role of Dar while Baarish was in prison?” Eulalie asks with a frown knitting up her eyebrows.

“Baarish’s youngest brother,” Ligaya replies. “Ask me what happened to him. Quick!”

“Baarish killed him the day after he was released from prison,” Etsuko replies to the question that wasn’t asked. “He doesn’t share his power with anyone.”

“Hey!” Ligaya wails.

“Children,” Daraja says.