Mumbai…
Rajput Family Mansion…
After stepping into his room, Vikram Das carefully placed the golden box — the one he had collected from the ancient cave temple — onto the small stone table beside his bed.
Without sparing another glance, he walked toward the washroom, fatigue weighing heavily on his body.
The icy water from the stone shower rained down on him as he turned the handle, letting the cold stream wash away the dirt and grime of the past days.
He tilted his head back, letting the freezing water flow down his face and body, chilling him to the bone — but waking his spirit.
As he stood there, his mind drifted.
The words of Nivedita echoed in his ears — words of rebuke, of disappointment, of truth.
He had left Maya unprotected, without planning for her safety properly.
The Maurya Family, the Forbidden Soul Sect, the assassin who had already once tried to kill Maya — all of them were still threats.
