Page 32 of Dark Witch: Twin Destinies

Tenzin led them up the many steps to the entrance. "The Potala Palace was built in the seventh century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo," he explained as they climbed. "It has served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas since the seventeenth century and is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

They explored the many rooms and halls of the palace, with its rich colors and intricate designs of the murals and tapestries that adorned the walls; the air was thick with the scent of incense and the soft murmur of chanting monks.

After the Potala Palace, they visited the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet. The place was bustling with activity, with pilgrims from all over Tibet and beyond coming to pay their respects and offer prayers.

"King Songtsen Gampo also built the Jokhang Temple," Tenzin said. "It was erected to house a sacred Buddha statue brought to Tibet by his Chinese wife, Princess Wencheng."

Walking through the temple complex, they passed pilgrims prostrating themselves on the ground, their foreheads touching the stone floor as they murmured prayers and mantras.

"The temple is the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the most important pilgrimage site in Tibet," Tenzin explained.

Their final stop for the day was the lively Barkhor Street, a bustling marketplace and pilgrim circuit surrounding the Jokhang Temple. The narrow, winding streets were lined with stalls selling everything from colorful prayer flags and traditional Tibetan clothing to yak butter tea and momos, a kind of dumpling that made Jasmine's mouth water.

"How are you feeling?" Edgar asked. "Is the altitude bothering you?"

Jasmine chuckled. "I was so busy sightseeing that I forgot about it."

"Good." He squeezed her hand. "So, you are not dizzy or anything?"

"No, I'm good."

Smiling, Gabi leaned to whisper in her ear, "Don't get adjusted too quickly. I want at least another day here, and if you are good to go, Aru might push up the timeline."

"Got it." Jasmine gave her the thumbs up.

Given the smirk lifting Aru's lips, he'd heard their exchange, but he was pretending that he hadn't.

As they wandered through the market taking in the sights, sounds, and smells, Jasmine thought about the journey ahead of them, and she wasn't eager to begin it. It wasn't because she was worried about the discomfort of camping or the rigors of the trek—not even the lack of a daily shower.

It was the fear of failure.

Negal and Margo stopped by one of the stalls and started haggling with a vendor over a beautiful, hand-woven rug. Jasmine and Edgar joined Julian, Ella, Frankie, and Dagor in sampling yak butter tea.

"This is an acquired taste." Frankie wrinkled her nose. "But when in Tibet, right?"

Dagor chuckled and took another sip. "It's not so bad once you get used to it. And it's supposed to be good for you, especially at high altitudes."

"It's disgusting," Ella whispered. "Is there anywhere I can pour it out without anyone noticing? I don't want to offend anyone."

Julian took the cup from her. "I'll take one for the team." He drank half of the liquid before returning the mug to the vendor.

Jasmine smelled the tea and decided to pass on it as well. "I hope they serve regular food at the hotel. I'm hungry and afraid to sample the local fare and suffer the consequences."

"We should head back soon," their tour guide said. "And yes, you will be happy with the cuisine at the hotel."

Jasmine felt her cheeks redden. She'd thought he hadn't heard her.

That evening, as they gathered for dinner in the hotel's elegant dining room, Aru invited Tenzin to join them so he could share more details about what lay ahead.

"Tomorrow, we will continue the tour of the city, and the day after that, we will take a short flight to Gunsa Airport in Ali Prefecture. From there, we will have two drivers pick us up and take us to Darchen, the starting point for our trek."

She leaned toward Edgar. "Is Tenzin joining us on the search?"

Edgar shook his head. "Not likely. I'm sure that Aru will take care of this."

Meaning he would thrall the guide and leave him behind whenever it was possible.

24

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