Page 30 of The Eyes of Tamburah
Was that actual concern? No. She had one purpose—to find The Eyes—and Rendor’s purpose was to ensure that she fulfilled her goal.
“Yes.”
“All right. What do you need?”
Shyla explained about the diggers. “One or more of them could be waiting for the right opportunity to slip away and join up with their collaborators. I want you to assign unobtrusive guards to keep an eye on them. Maybe follow them if they leave.”
He crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on his biceps, his gaze growing distant as he considered. “You’re thinking they would lead us to the person who stole The Eyes?”
“Possibly. It’s worth the effort at least.”
“You might be on to something.”
“Wow. Tone down your enthusiasm there,” she snarked. “I’d suggest you get those guards in place right away. You do have people who can blend in, right?”
He tilted his head. “Not all my staff wear uniforms.”
Ah. Good to know.
“Most of the time, once they change into ordinary clothing they’re practically invisible.”
Shyla almost choked. Did he just say… Was he implying… No. No way he was part of the so-called Invisible Sword.
“Are you all right?” he asked, watching her expression closely.
“I…just…can’t imagine you blending in at all.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
Sweeping a hand out, she indicated his body. “You’re too…muscular.” She’d just dug herself in deeper.
A sly smile crossed his face. “Is that a compliment?”
The man was certainly full of himself. “Hardly.”
“You’re not a very good liar.”
Time to deflate his ego. “Do you know what happens to all that muscle when you get old? It turns to fat.”
“No need to worry about that, sunbeam. I’m the captain of the Water Prince’s guard. We don’t grow old.”
Shyla grappled with that comment. She ignoredsun- beam…for now. “Is your job that dangerous?”
He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “What happens if you don’t find The Eyes?”
Sensing there was more, she answered the obvious question. “Banqui dies. I’ll probably be arrested.”
“No probably about it. And I’ll be killed,” Rendor said in such a matter-of-fact voice that it took her a moment to process his words.
“Why?”
“If they’re not found, then I failed. Twice. One too many times for the prince.”
“But he can’t…” She sighed. The princecould. Although she had a hard time picturing him ordering his captain’s death. Regardless, she didn’t need another person to worry about. One she wanted to hate, or at least strongly dislike. One who was supposed to dislike her in return.
“Now you know why I’m so invested in this investigation,” Rendor said.
“Then you should hurry up and assign your agents to watch the diggers.” She tried to shoo him out.
