Page 136 of The Eyes of Tamburah
The two holding Jayden dropped.
“Ximen, grab Jayden and go,” Shyla ordered. “All of you go!”
The words pierced Ximen’s horror. He surged forward while the others sprinted from the chapel.
“Blessed One?” an Arch Deacon asked. “Should we give chase?”
Sleep.
Nothing. The Heliacal Priestess remained standing with all six of her Arch Deacons. Why hadn’t her magic worked on them? Shyla must not have enough strength.
“No. They are unimportant. The Water Prince’s guards can have them. Bringherto me.”
Son of a sand demon. They rushed Shyla. She fought them off, but it was a pathetic attempt since she’d exhausted all her energy. It took mere moments for them to subdue her. They grabbed her arms and dragged her to the woman. This wasn’t going to end well.
The priestess pulled off Shyla’s hood. Even though they made eye contact, the woman’s thoughts remained hidden from Shyla.
The Heliacal Priestess’s calm composure cracked. “The sun-kissed?” She rounded on her men. “You said she was dead.”
“She…should be. I…we saw…she went out into the desert…there was no way for her to reach shelter in time.”
“The Sun Goddess protected me.” Shyla couldn’t resist.
She backhanded her. Shyla rocked back as pain exploded along her cheek and jaw. If it wasn’t for the Arch Deacons, she would have spun to the floor. Tears spilled from her eyes. Blood filled her mouth.
“You will pay for that heresy.” The priestess stepped close. “You will beg me to sacrifice you to—” She gasped and slapped her hands on Shyla’s cheeks, yanking her face so they were almost nose to nose. “Your eyes…they’ve…changed color.” A dangerous fury ignited the priestess’s gaze. “You woke The Eyes? But… you are cursed! There is no way the Sun Goddess would have shown you such favor.”
Unable to stop the words, Shyla said, “She kissed me. That means she loves me.”
The Heliacal Priestess roared. A sound worthy of Rendor, who Shyla would never see again. No, don’t go there.
“Lay her on the altar,” she ordered. “I will cut The Eyes out of her now.”
Seven hells. The Arch Deacons carried her to the stone slab at the front of the chapel. Panicked, Shyla thrashed, trying to get free. But they easily held her still as the priestess withdrew a long dagger from her robes. Shyla caught a glint of the platinum torque around the woman’s neck. At this distance, she could see symbols had been etched into the metal. They looked familiar. She stared at them until the sharp edge of the blade moved closer and captured her full attention. The priestess wouldn’t be as quick and efficient as Rendor. No, the woman planned to make this as painful as possible.
“The Eyes won’t wake for you,” Shyla said in desperation.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Are you willing to sacrifice your own eyes?”
She hesitated.
“Right there! That is why you’ll fail.” Shyla laughed despite her terror. “We’ll be blind together.”
“You are wrong.” She spread Shyla’s right eyelid apart.
Tears blurred her vision—a blessing, considering. The knife dipped.
A crash erupted behind the priestess. She spun around and Shyla caught a glimpse of Elek’s broad shoulders. So much for the plan of her four acolyte friends escorting Jayden to safety. However her annoyance over them not following orders was eclipsed by joy as more acolytes poured into the chapel.
The Heliacal Priestess jabbed her knife at the invaders. “Take care of them.”
All but one of the Arch Deacons pulled two knives and jumped into the fray. The other kept a tight grip on Shyla—not that she had the energy to escape. Yet.
Instead, she watched as Elek—no, Rendor!—grinned at the Arch Deacons. The big idiot. No mistaking him despite his “disguise.” He wore a nondescript tunic and pants. At least he had his sword, which he wielded with expert precision despite his injuries.
The Arch Deacons were skilled, but between Rendor and the acolytes, they didn’t have a chance. Halfway through the fight, it was obvious that the Arch Deacons would eventually lose. The priestess ordered the man to bring Shyla.
