Page 96 of The Eyes of Tamburah
She moved further in so Ximen and Jayden could join them. The two men pulled the grate back into place, creating another horrendous screech.
“Now we need to keep quiet. We’re right above level ninety-six,” Jayden said, leading the group.
The Heliacal Priestess’s level. She rubbed her wrists without thinking. Bad idea as her irritated skin flared to painful life with the motion.
Jayden and Ximen bent forward in the narrow space. Gurice dipped her head like Shyla, but Bazia was fine. Shyla wondered if the reason Bazia was picked for this mission was because she fit into Rae’s uniform. Or if Bazia had actually wanted to help protect Shyla. Hard to tell with Bazia.
After a few angles, her right shoulder complained with increasing spikes of agony. The blood-soaked material of her tunic stuck to the open wound. She wondered if they reached the Water Prince if he’d let Timin take care of her injuries. Somehow she doubted he would. At this point, she guessed the prince’s reaction to their visit would initially be hostile. Hopefully, they’d be able to reach an accord.
Jayden stopped at another grate—this one also on the floor. “When we get down there, we’re going to sprint to a stairwell. At this time, most of the deacons are on the surface with the Heliacal Priestess worshipping the Sun Goddess,” he whispered.
“Most? What if some remained behind?” Shyla asked.
“Then we fight. Only one level to go.”
Which reminded Shyla. She fingered the key-shaped lump under her tunic. “Is that the only stairs to level ninety-seven?”
“Yes, so it’s important we get to them.” Jayden knelt to pull the grate up.
Shyla touched his arm. “When we get down to the prince’s level, those guards will sacrifice their lives to keep us from him. I don’t want anyone to die.”
“We’ll use magic.”
It still sounded crazy even though he said it so matter-of-factly. “What about finding the prince? He owns the entire level.”
“Magic again. Don’t worry Shyla, we’ll get you there. The rest is on you.”
Why did it sound as if he had the easier job?
Jayden lifted the grate. It didn’t squeal and she suspected it’d been oiled. How many times had he been down here? He peeked past the edge, signaled the all clear and dropped down. They each took a turn. Then Ximen knelt on one leg. Bazia used his other leg to hop up onto Jayden’s shoulders. Sitting on him, she was tall enough to pull the grate back into place. She grabbed his hands and dismounted with ease. The entire maneuver had been executed in silence and with such precision that Shyla figured they’d been a team for a while.
They encountered no one as they ran to the stairwell. She didn’t breathe easy until they were in the stairwell. Amazing, since she’d never really thought they would get this far. And now she needed to execute a small task of her own—something she hadn’t had an opportunity or secure location to do before.
Jayden stopped them on the landing. “This is where it gets interesting. About five meters to the left is the main entrance. There will be guards there. Five or six. We need to save our magic for when we get closer to the Water Prince. Once we’re inside we’ll interrogate an official to discover the prince’s location. Got it?”
Nods and affirmatives.
Shyla glanced up, counting steps.
“Shyla? Are you ready?” Jayden asked.
“Can you give me a moment alone?”
The four of them exchanged looks. Postures stiffened. Muscles tightened. Eyes narrowed.
“Do you really think I’d abandon you now?” Her tone was as hard and cold as ice.
“Why do—”
“It’s better you don’t know.” She put her hands on her hips. “Does this mean you don’t trust me? Even after I pledged my word?”
“Not long, Shyla. Time is critical,” Jayden said.
They continued down the stairs until they were out of sight. Shyla pulled the key from underneath her tunic. Her heart slammed in her chest. Was Rendor lying? Had his kiss been an act in order to steal The Eyes from her? Sliding her fingers along the lip of the third step, she found a keyhole. Inserting the key, she twisted it and a click sounded. She pushed on the step and it lifted. Inside was a bulging velbloud leather pouch. It jingled when she picked up the heavy bag. Rendor hadn’t lied about that, but was that part of his plan? With no time to consider the implications, she stuffed it into her pack then left something else in its place before closing and locking it.
By the time she joined the others, the key was back underneath her tunic. They didn’t ask her to explain about the noises as they descended the remaining flight.
Jayden paused before stepping out. “We’ll march up to the guards and demand entrance.”
