Page 101 of The Eyes of Tamburah
A strange notion occurred to Shyla. What if it was real? What if Jayden was waiting for the Water Prince to have both Eyes in hand before he made his move? She mulled it over. The guards would witness their prince unable to hold on to this powerful magic object.
When the Water Prince returned the Eye to its case, Shyla let out a breath. He strode to the bright yellow and orange mosaic on the wall behind his desk, turning his back to them, he fiddled with something and a large tiled section of the wall swung open. The prince placed the marble case in the hole, which appeared to be constructed from metal, then closed the section.
Sweeping an arm out, the prince pointed to the door. “Shall we?”
The guards in the hallway parted to let them through. As they walked through the corridors to the blue grotto, Jayden stayed next to Shyla. She met his gaze once and saw that anger burned in his amber eyes. Instead she focused on the prince’s back. He moved stiffly and she wondered if he was injured. Perhaps training too hard.
The rings of tiles expanding out from around the water fountain were different shades of blue, giving the impression of ripples of water. Standing near the column of water, the Water Prince watched as his guards moved so they lined the walls, effectively surrounding Shyla and the others in the round cavern. More guards arrived and soon they were standing shoulder to shoulder. A sheen of water coated the floor, which would make the footing slippery if they needed to fight. Did the prince plan to double-cross them?
Waiting with an angry prince and dozens of upset guards, Shyla thought that the tension in the room might crack the stone walls. Jayden stood near Gurice and they conversed in low tones. She wondered if they were discussing a new plan to assassinate the prince.
The Invisible Sword wanted to stop the prince and that would certainly do the trick. But Shyla wouldn’t let that happen until after Banqui and the others were out of harm’s way.
She spent the time observing the prince and Jayden. The other Invisible Sword members paced and glared at her, or so she thought. Difficult to tell when only their eyes were visible.
A ruckus of voices outside the grotto announced the arrival of a number of guards. The stench of unwashed bodies and blood was a good sign that Banqui and the others accompanied them.
The group entered the cavern. Two guards supported the weakened archeologist. Everyone who could took a giant step back. Except Shyla. Pure relief spread through her body and without thought, she waded through the rancid fog and hugged Banqui tight.
“You found them?” he asked her, his voice barely a whisper.
“I did.”
“The Water Prince has…”
“Has one, he’ll get the other when you’re safe.”
“You shouldn’t…I’m not…worth…the city will… suffer.”
“We can argue about it later.” She stepped back, but he swayed so she put his arm around her shoulder.
He smiled. “I’m looking…forward to…arguing with you.”
“That’s enough,” the Water Prince said with disgust. “Where’s the other Eye?”
“Not until we’re all out of your domain,” Shyla said.
“Take them out past the main entrance and wait for me there,” he ordered the guards that had brought them in.
Jayden gestured for Gurice and Ximen to follow them out. But he stayed behind and eyed the prince. With all the guards watching, this would be an ideal time for an attempt on the prince’s life. However Shyla had a bad feeling deep inside. If he failed, they were all dead. She grabbed Jayden’s arm as the prince passed them. Jayden tried to shake her off, but she held on.
“Let go,” he hissed between gritted teeth.
Only when the prince was far enough away did she let go. Jayden’s gaze promised pain, but she ignored him and followed the others.
Once they reached the outer foyer, everyone looked to Shyla. She faced the prince. “Let the vagrants go.”
“Release them,” the prince said.
They bolted for the stairwell. Jayden sent the other Invisible Swords to go with them. “See to their injuries,” he ordered.
Gurice hesitated. “What about you?”
“I’ll be along with Shyla and Banqui.”
The prince’s guards allowed the three of them to leave.
“I’ve been more than patient, Sun-kissed. Where’s the other Eye?”
