Page 141 of The Eye of the Fifth
Everything had changed in the Four Mother’s tomb, and now-
It was here, in Gallena’s temple. She knew it. Resting unapprehended under Naal’s protection. Hidden from everyone.
Everyone but Kyra.
Naal’s quarters was one of the few places in the temple Kyra hadn’t been, though it wasn’t far from her own room she’d been assigned to. The door itself was just like every other, as bland as the rest, with no inkling that the rooms of the noblepramahlay behind it.
It was there that Kyra paused.
Could she really do this? Not only force her way into Naal’s quarters, but into the Air Warden’s mind? Would Naal ever forgive her for it?
Would she ever forgive herself if shedidn’tdo it?
How many months had passed since she’d made the bargain with Lilion? She’d lost count. How many disgusting patronshad Oslan been forced to entertain since she’d safely left Avaldale with Naal? How many men and women had he unwillingly killed in the pits, all because of that blood-red cross scarred into his chest?
Would Naal have understood, if Kyra had justtoldher in the first place? Would she have helped her? Or would she have let the bargain fail, knowing that it kept the Eye of the Fifth firmly in her possession?
Kyra braced her hands on the doorframe.
It was too late now anyway. She was ready. And she was not leaving until she got what she came for.
She was alone. As she should have been the whole fucking time. Craving company in her quest had almost gotten Kawai killed. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
The lone wolf, prowling once more.
Taking a silent breath, Kyra pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Chapter Forty
The Eye Of The Fifth
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Gallena’s Temple, Phaenon.
Kyra.
Naal’s still, sleeping form lay resting under a neatly folded sheet.
Kyra crept up to the four-poster bed, grateful that the floor below was stone and not wood, that there was no accompanying creak with each step she took.
What if Naal woke up? What the fuck would Kyra even say to her? How would she explain this? Why hadn’t she thought of that?
It had been surprising enough that there were no wards in her quarters to alert her of intrusion.
But then, would Naal ever expect anyone in this temple to commit this sort of treachery? Perhaps that was her downfall. Too quick to trust those closest to her.
With immense difficulty, Kyra swallowed the guilt that threatened to envelop her, and carefully, so very carefully, touched her fingers to Naal’s temple.
Earth magic surged instantly, knowing what it needed to do, where it needed to go, tethering Kyra’s mind to Naal’s.
It was nothing like falling into Kawai’s memory.
There were walls up every which way she turned, walls put in place for exactly this reason. To stop anyone from entering her mind unwantedly. Kyra was willing to bet that it would be impossible for an imperi to control Naal, if this defence was anything to go by.
But Kyra’s power was not like an imperi’s. Naal herself had told her that. Nor was she a mere reader of minds, if those with the gift were truthful about their calling.
She was the Earth Warden. The power within her was strong. So strong, in fact, that even the monster was subdued in this moment.
