“She burned,” Rao said again. “That’s what you saw. And she stepped out of the flames unharmed. She saved us all. That’s what we’ll say. When you survive this—and you will—that’s what you’ll say. She’s a living mother of flame. A living goddess. You understand?” Through the pain, Sahar’s expression cleared. She nodded. “Yes,” she said, more firmly. “That’s what I saw.” No one would have power over Malini again.
