Page 121 of The Eyes of Tamburah
“Are the monks spies for the King?”
“I dislike the word spy. But yes, we provide information to the King.”
“Then why hasn’t he sent troops to help Zirdai’s people?”
“Because he does not think anything is wrong with the way the Water Prince rules or the Heliacal Priestess’s decrees for worshipping the Sun Goddess. As long as they send the proper payments, the King is content.”
“Then what do you tell him?”
“If we hear plans for an assassination attempt on his life. If the black-market trade is getting out of hand. If the water is being withheld from legal citizens. If the prince or the priestess are amassing too much power. For example, if the prince had the real Eyes, that would concern the King enough to act.”
Ah. “Does he know you guide and encourage?”
Hanif gave her a tight smile. “He does not. Which is why we don’t share this information with anyone who hasn’t taken the oath.”
Except now. Smart enough not to preen, Shyla considered his disclosures. More of her childhood memories bubbled to the surface and a few other oddities no longer seemed as strange.
She gathered clues. Comments. Remembered restricted areas. And then one of the Sun Goddess’s comments—or her subconscious—connected a few inconsistencies.
The revelation struck her with the force of a sunbeam at angle ninety. She gripped the edge of the table to remain on her feet. The Sun Goddess claimed the monks were family. It hadn’t been figurative, but literal.
“Shyla?”
“I wasn’t abandoned and rescued. I was born in the monastery.” She met his gaze.
Hanif didn’t flinch, but he didn’t protest either.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“For the same reason, to keep our full activities secret. Sun-kisseds—although few—are still left in the desert to die and the monks rescue as many as we can. However, despite the rumors, the monks do not take an oath of celibacy. We raise our children as a collective rather than in individual family units. Some of our children are born sun-kissed.”
Her legs trembled and she sank to the floor. “But the children…”
“Are not told until they become a monk. Some, like you, decide to leave and explore the cities of Koraha. Unlike you, they have an easier time blending in and a number do return when they’re ready to become a monk.”
So much to take in. Shyla rested her head in her hands. “Who are my—”
“I’ve told you more than I should and have risked our way of life.”
“Who am I going to tell? Rendor is becoming a monk, Banqui is missing, and Jayden is probably dead.”
“Jayden lives. His magic has protected him, but it won’t last.”
She glanced at Hanif as hope bloomed in her chest. “Does he know about the monks?”
“Not everything. But he isn’t stupid.”
No he wasn’t. And while taking the oath to become a monk was the safest, smartest thing she could do with her life… she just couldn’t. Spying, training, and encouraging held no appeal. Besides, she’d already pledged her loyalty to another organization.
At that very moment, all she wanted to do was to rescue Jayden, despite the risk. The only way to do that would be to gather the remaining members of the Invisible Sword. And the only way to be successful… The room rocked underneath her as terror sank its claws deep into her.
“Shyla, are you well?” Hanif crouched next to her. “Perhaps you should eat.”
“The Eyes.” Her voice cracked.
“Yes?”
“They stirred in my hands.” She showed him her left wrist. “They healed the scars on my wrist.”
