Page 22 of Dark Witch: Twin Destinies

Dagor leaned forward. "The altitude is the most significant challenge. Much of Tibet lies above three thousand meters, which can cause altitude sickness and affect overall performance. It's less of a problem for us, but immortals and humans will need to acclimatize gradually."

Negal nodded in agreement. "The terrain is rugged, mountainous, and very sparsely populated. We'll be trekking through areas far from settled regions, so we must be prepared for self-sufficiency."

"The weather is unpredictable," Aru said. "It can change rapidly and without warning. Sudden snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperature fluctuations are common. Having the right equipment is crucial." He looked at Jasmine. "Especially for a human."

Edgar was starting to feel uncomfortable about the whole thing. It seemed like the mission was much too dangerous for Jasmine. "Can't we wait for Jaz to transition first? I think it's worth postponing our departure for another week if it means that she can travel as an immortal and not a human."

"We can't wait," Aru said. "Besides, it's not guaranteed that Jasmine is a Dormant. You could spend the next two weeks trying to induce her transition, and if nothing happens, we will be back at square one."

"We need to leave now," Jasmine said. "I feel it in my bones that we are running out of time, or rather they are. I mean the twins and whoever else is in their pod."

There was a long moment of silence as everyone absorbed her statement.

"I'm not going to argue with a witch." Kian smiled. "Do you often get premonitions like that?"

She shook her head and put her hand over her chest. "No, but I have this sense of urgency that I didn't have before."

Kian nodded before returning his gaze to the others. "You will need specialist gear. High-altitude tents, cold-weather clothing, portable oxygen, if necessary, etc. Julian, can you work with Shai to procure these items?"

Julian nodded, making a note on his tablet. "Consider it done. I can have everything delivered to our location in Lhasa. There is no need to haul it from here."

"Except for the clothing," Margo said. "We need to buy it here to make sure that everything fits. It's especially important with hiking boots. They must be comfortable and broken in, or they will be a source of grief."

"Agreed," Julian said. "We should all go shopping for those items later today."

"Indeed." Kian pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to Jasmine. "Charge everything you need on this card."

She looked at the card and frowned. "That's not my last name."

"I know. We are getting you fake documents with a different last name. In case the cartel is still searching for you, it's better not to leave a trail of crumbs they could follow." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. "Here is the travel itinerary. You will take a commercial flight to Chengdu, China, and from there, you will fly to Lhasa. From there, you will fly to Shiquanhe and travel overground following Jasmine's directions. We are still working out the last details, but I wanted you to have a general timeline."

Aru looked at the page. "This says that we are leaving in a week. Why so long?"

"Because we are not sure we will have everything ready for you before that. We are still negotiating the helicopter purchase and need to secure special permission from the Chinese government to fly it. If we manage to arrange things beforehand, we can push the flights forward."

"Tibet is heavily restricted.” Aru sighed. "Permits are needed for everything, and it takes time to get them unless you are right there to thrall the bureaucrats."

"Don't worry about that," Kian said. "We are handling everything—Tibetan travel permits, alien travel permits, and possibly military permits. Kalugal is working with his contacts to secure all of these. Your cover story is that you are a group of environmental researchers studying the Himalayan ecosystem."

"Environmental researchers?" Jasmine asked. "Won't they check our credentials?"

Kian smiled. "We are creating backstories for each of you, and we will provide you with the necessary documentation and cover identities."

"Wow." She slumped back in her chair. "I feel like I have friends in high places."

"You do." Edgar leaned over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Welcome to your new reality, where almost anything is possible."

17

JASMINE

Jasmine followed Edgar into their bedroom, her arms laden with shopping bags filled with the clothing and footwear they'd purchased for the expedition to Tibet, and that was just a small portion of what they had gotten. Edgar was carrying the lion's share of their loot.

It had been nice to shop with the credit card Kian had given her without worrying about card limits or having to pay the bill once the statement became due.

Edgar put the bags in the walk-in closet, lining them up against the wall, and then took hers and added them to the neat line.

The speed and ease with which he did things still amazed her, and as he straightened and turned around, he must have liked the awed expression on her face because a smirk tugged on his lips.

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