“Good. Mojag, you go first. When we get close, open the druk and dodge to the other side of the tunnel.”
Mojag stood next to the wall with the druk. Jayden was right behind him and Shyla last. Jayden put his left hand on the boy’s shoulder and his other on the wall. Mimicking Jayden, Shyla clasped his shoulder and placed her fingertips on the cold stone. This way they had contact with each other and hopefully wouldn’t stumble in the complete darkness. A nervous tremble traveled through her legs at the thought of being in the dark.
“Now,” Jayden said.
Mojag snuffed the light. She gripped Jayden’s shoulder. Hard. Her fingernails dug into his flesh.
“What’s wrong?” he hissed.
“I can’t see.” The panic in her voice was unmistakable.
“Hold up, Mojag.” He pried her hand off his shoulder. His boots scuffed on the floor. “That’s the point. What’s really wrong?”
“I’m…very uncomfortable being in the dark.”
“And you’re just figuring this out now?” Jayden’s tone was incredulous.
“I haven’t been in the dark before now.” In fact, the thought of being in the dark scared her more than fighting Arch Deacons.
“Don’t you sleep?”
She really didn’t want to have this conversation now, but Jayden needed to know. “I always have a druk on low when I sleep. I can’t…ever since I was locked in the dark for twelve sun jumps, I can’t…I don’t…I avoid being in the dark.”
“So our fearless leader is afraid of the dark? Heck of a time to tell us.”
She’d never claimed to be fearless. In fact, her fears increased with all her new responsibilities. “Can we talk about it later?” she snapped. “I don’t know how long I can…tolerate it.”
“How about a quick magic lesson?”
“What? Now?”
“Yes. Your magic can sense others nearby. It’s a handy skill and helps us avoid encountering people. It’s similar to gathering your will and directing it at a person. Instead, you send it out in a wide arc to seek. And if anyone’s within five or six meters, you’ll know. Not who they are or what they’re doing, but you do get a vague sense if they’re coming toward you or heading away.”
“That is handy.” She thought about it. “How does this help me now?”
“You can use that toseeme and Mojag. You won’t truly be blind.”
“Oh.”
“Try it.” Amusement colored his voice.
She followed his instructions, sending her magic forward. Two…bumps rippled her magic, and if she focused, she picked up Mojag’s surface thoughts. It appeared that once she’d read a person, she could link to their thoughts even in the dark.
“Did it work?” Jayden asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” Her breathing calmed and the blackness wasn’t so…menacing.
“You catch on quick. Must be because of The Eyes. Just remember it won’t work if the Arch Deacons are wearing torques like the two hiding in the storeroom. That’s why Mojag’s in the lead,” Jayden said. “Okay, let’s try this again.”
They resumed their creep. Shyla was glad for the soft soles of her dillo leather boots. Eventually, the scent of burnt hair—Mojag was right, it was vile—filled her nose. Jayden stopped and touched her fingers on his shoulder—a signal to let go and get ready. She released her hold and prepared to attack.
“Now,” Jayden ordered.
Mojag opened the druk. Orange light spilled out, revealing the two Arch Deacons. Being caught completely off guard, the two didn’t stand a chance. Between her, Jayden, and Mojag, it took a fraction of an angle to knock them unconscious. She put their torques into her pack.
“You’re bleeding,” Mojag said behind her.
She tried to downplay it. “It’s just a scratch from the other fight.”
