Three days later, Raghav Khanna disappeared.
Aarohi watched the news from her suite, a cup of tea in her hands, her face expressionless. The reporters speculated about kidnapping. About rival gangs. About a deal gone wrong.
Only she knew the truth.
Karan had delivered.
Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
Khanna is secured. Location sent. Come alone. – K
She deleted the message. She dressed in black. She kissed Kabir goodbye.
"Be careful," he said.
"Always."
She drove to the location Karan had sent. An abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. The same district where she had met the Council. The same district where someone had tried to kill her.
Karan was waiting at the entrance. His smile was wide.
"Right on time."
"Where is he?"
Karan led her inside.
Raghav Khanna sat in a chair in the center of the room. His hands were bound. His mouth was taped. His eyes were wild with fear.
Aarohi walked toward him. She removed her mask. She let him see her face.
"Hello, Mr. Khanna," she said. "We have a lot to talk about."
Khanna's eyes widened. Recognition. Fear. Understanding.
She sat across from him and pulled the tape from his mouth.
"You," he whispered. "You are The Architect."
"I am." She leaned forward. "And you are going to tell me everything. About the bombing. About the Syndicate. About the Council's plans." Her voice was cold. "Or I will leave you here with Karan, and we both know what he will do to you."
Khanna looked at Karan. Karan smiled.
"Talk," Karan said.
Khanna talked.