The warehouse had become suffocating. The air was thick with tension, the weight of Vihan’s revelation pressing down on all of them.

  His mother had left the book in the temple.

  She had known this moment would come.

  But if the Council of 9 had spent years searching for it, and they now knew it was in Vihan’s hands—

  “They won’t let us keep it,” Zara said, echoing his thoughts. “We have to move.”

  Asha nodded. “There’s someone we need to meet. An old friend of my grandfather—someone who might know why the Council wants this book so badly.”

  Vihan forced himself to focus. “And you trust them?”

  “I trust that they hate the Council just as much as we do,” Asha replied. “That’s enough.”

  Vihan exhaled and grabbed his backpack. “Then let’s go.”

  The Streets of Mumbai – Shadows in Pursuit

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  The city felt different tonight.

  As they navigated through the darkened alleys, avoiding main roads and surveillance drones, Vihan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

  Mumbai was always alive—always buzzing with traffic, neon signs, and late-night vendors. But here, in the forgotten corners of the city, it felt almost abandoned.

  Too quiet.

  Asha led the way, her pace swift but cautious. Zara flanked the group, her hand hovering near the concealed blade at her hip.

  Vihan kept his head down, adjusting the straps of his bag. Every step he took felt heavier, like the weight of history itself was pressing down on him.

  Then he saw them.

  At first, it was just a flicker—a figure disappearing behind a building. Then another. Dark silhouettes moving with unnatural grace, keeping to the shadows but always within range.

  Vihan tensed. “We’re not alone.”

  Zara didn’t hesitate. She spun on her heel, drawing her knife in one fluid motion. “How many?”

  Vihan scanned the rooftops, the alleyways. “At least three. Maybe more.”

  Asha cursed under her breath. “They found us faster than I thought.”

  Vihan’s heart pounded. The Council of 9.

  “They won’t attack in the open,” Zara said, voice low and sharp. “They’ll wait until we’re isolated.”

  Asha nodded. “Then let’s not give them the chance.”

  She took off, leading them deeper into the maze of Mumbai’s forgotten streets.

  Vihan followed, his mind racing.

  They didn’t know who these watchers were yet—but he had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.

  The shadows moved behind them.

  The hunt had begun.