“Doesn’t matter. I’m sure someone is watching for us to return.”
“We’re theInvisibleSword, Shyla. We can bypass a few watchers long enough to confirm the supplies are there.” Jayden ran a hand through his golden-brown hair—a sign he was losing his patience. “You need to remember that.”
“I’m well aware,” she snapped. “And you need torememberthat the Heliacal Priestess has a dozen platinum torques that block our magic, Jayden.”
They glared at each other. At one hundred and eighty-two centimeters, he was about twelve centimeters taller than Shyla. He had a thin wiry build and light sienna-colored skin.
“We can send a couple scouts to locate any watchers and check if they’re protected by those torques first,” Ximen said. “It’s worth the risk. We’re running out of food, too.”
“I need to talk to Rendor first,” she said.
“What for?” Jayden demanded. “He’s not in charge. We are.”
“No. I am. And I don’t have to explain my reasons to you.” She strode away.
Jayden was infuriating. He claimed he wasn’t in the upper echelons of the Invisible Sword’s leadership, but he certainly acted like he’d been in charge and was used to getting his own way. Good-looking and charming when he wished to be, Jayden just had to flutter those long eyelashes that framed his amber eyes and supposedly women melted.
Shyla filled her water skin halfway and grabbed a roll of jerky. She scanned the room. Rendor sat alone in a far corner. No surprise there. The others still avoided him and it would take a long time for them to forgive him. He’d earned his ruthless reputation when he was the captain of the Water Prince’s guards. During those circuits, the vagrants and Invisible Swords all feared him with good reason. But he was no longer that man. Shyla had read his soul with The Eyes and had assured them he was trustworthy. Her word was the only reason they tolerated Rendor’s presence among them.
She joined him, plopping on the cushion next to him. Gnawing on the end of the jerky, Shyla missed the hot savory gamelu stew and fresh vegetables served in the dining caverns. The Heliacal Priestess’s deacons tended about half the flocks of velbloud and herds of gamelu on the surface and they worked in the growing caverns on level six. She could sneak in during one of the meals, but, for those who didn’t pay their tithe, it would be stealing. And she decided the Invisible Swords would not steal from the priestess or the prince. Right now, they used Rendor’s savings to purchase supplies. He’d been well paid as a captain and had donated them. However, he wouldn’t let her tell anyone. Everyone believed the monks had given the osmiums to them. Just what she didn’t need—another infuriating man.
“What’s wrong?” Rendor asked.
She glanced at him.
“And don’t say nothing because you’re attacking that jerky like a sand demon ripping apart a fresh kill.”
Shyla stopped eating. The roll did appear to be rather mangled.
“Another argument with Jayden?” he asked.
“Not really.” She turned her attention to Rendor. Concern filled his dark brown eyes, the golden flecks barely visible in the dull light. “Do you remember when you said you were close to discovering the Invisible Sword’s hideout?”
He stilled. Rendor didn’t like talking about his time as the captain. “Yes.”
“How close?”
“We determined there had to be entrances to it on levels twenty-three to twenty-five. Suspected members were spotted most frequently on those levels. But we didn’t know the exact location of their headquarters.”
Yet the priestess had. Someone had betrayed the Invisible Swords. Jayden suspected Banqui, her friend who disappeared after the ambush. He’d said everyone else was trustworthy. “Would the priestess tell the prince where it was?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“They hate each other and she wouldn’t want the prince to have a chance to recover The Eyes, even if it’s a small one.”
At least they only had to worry about the Arch Deacons ambushing them.
Rendor scowled. “You’re not thinking of going back there, are you? Her deacons will no doubt be watching the place.”
Normally she admired Rendor’s sharp intellect. This time, she braced for his arguments as she told him what she’d discussed with Jayden.
“It’s not worth the risk,” he said.
“We’re running out of food and water.”
“Still not worth it. But if you’re determined, pay a couple vagrants to check it out.”
