robe, he handed it to her with a formal bow. “Compensation for your loss, my good woman. Kindly prepare your daughter to leave with me at first light tomorrow.”

Sumangali’s hand dropped with the weight of the purse. She cast an anguished look at Ishvari, whose legs had begun to shake uncontrollably—was her mother really willing to sell her to this man? “Your husband was correct,” Lord Kushal murmured reassuringly. “Ishvari’s lines reveal extraordinary intelligence and depth, while the crescent in the corner of her palm indicates Mahadevi’s direct protection—it would take great crimes to negate this spiritual benefaction.”

Slowly, Ishvari returned to the scene around her. The sun still burned her body but the surrounding crowd was now as ominously hushed as was...

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