Page 54 of The Eyes of Tamburah
Shyla had no choice but to follow him. “Why would they help me? I’m not one of you.”
“Why do you think that?”
Frustrated, she grabbed his arm and spun him around to face her. Pointing at her blond stubble, she said, “Because I’m not. I’m not one of anyone. No one in this stinking city would help me unless I pay them or do something for them in return.”
“Woah that sucks,” Mojag said.
“Maybe you’re making friends with the wrong people,” Jayden said carefully.
A laugh burst from her, uncontrolled, but no humor touched the harsh sound. He had a point. If she wasn’t friends with Banqui, she wouldn’t be standing here reeking of rotten cheese with two vagrants and running from both the guards and the deacons.
“There’s no maybe about it,” she said.
He gave her a funny look, but continued. At one point during the trip they descended to level seventy- five. Jayden moved with confidence as if he traversed this route every sun jump. For all she knew, he did.
Finally, they reached the commune. Jayden stopped in the threshold, his face ashen. Mojag cried out and sprinted inside. Jayden joined Mojag as Shyla entered. The cavern looked like a pack of sand demons had attacked. Slash marks ripped through the cushions. Clothing, toys, and personal items littered the bloodstained floor. Mojag searched the area.
“Who did this?” Shyla asked. “Deacons?”
“No.” Jayden crouched by one of the cushions, touching the floor. His fingertips came away coated with blood. “This was done with a sword. Only the Water Prince’s guards carry them.”
“There’s no one here,” Mojag said. His voice was rough.
Jayden straightened. “They’ve been arrested.” He kicked a pile of clothes. “They’re as good as dead.”
She stepped back. “No. Their only crime is vagrancy. Why would the Water Prince kill them?”
“Because he can.”
No. She wouldn’t believe that. Jayden was still upset over Dyani and jumping to the wrong conclusions.
“Mojag,” Jayden said.
“Yes?”
“Go back home, tell the elders there’s been a raid.”
“All right. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to take her to the black river as promised.”
“No,” Shyla said. “Just take me to the stairwell, I can find it from there. You need to help your people.”
He paused, clearly conflicted, but then nodded. “I’ll meet you back here,” he said to Mojag. “Now go.”
Mojag bolted.
Shyla headed for the exit as well.
“Wait,” Jayden said. He rooted through a pile of strewn clothing.
Horrified, she protested. “I can’t—”
“You can. Do you want to join them in the Water Prince’s cells?”
“No, but…” Although at this point, she suspected it was just a matter of time.
“Here, these should fit you.” He thrust a bundle into her arms then turned his back on her.
