Page 31 of The King of Koraha
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone is inside our room.”
Five
Rendor handed her the key and pulled his sword. “How many?” he asked in a whisper.
She extended her magic, seeking more bumps inside their rented rooms. “One.”
“Armed?”
“I can’t read their intentions without making eye contact. It’s not Kilab or Najib.” Or anyone else she’d read in the past.
“Can you still wield your magic?”
“Yes.” Aside from the power of The Eyes, Shyla’s own magic had three other abilities—movement of the sand, influence over another’s perceptions, and manipulation of people’s thoughts and actions. “But if I trap the person with my magic, they’ll know what I can do.”
“Good point.” He tightened his grip. “What about thatlook awaycommand? Can you do that so I can get through the door without them seeing me?”
“I can.”
She pushed the command at the intruder.
Look away.
Then she unlocked the latch and slid the door open. Rendor rushed inside and stopped, making the all-clear signal. Shyla withdrew her magic. The young intruder sitting on a cushion jumped to her feet in surprise.
“What are you doing in here?” Rendor demanded in his I’m-the-captain-of-the-guard-and-I-must-be-obeyed voice.
Confronted with an angry and armed Rendor, the poor girl’s face paled three shades.
“Well?” Rendor demanded.
“I’m…” She swallowed. “I’m…your guide. Advisor Najib sent me.”
“Why did you break into our room?”
“I…er…” Another swallow. “I wanted to demonstrate…my skills.”
“Skills?”
“Yes, sir. That there’s no part of this city that I can’t get into.”
That was a rather handy skill, except Shyla still didn’t like the fact she was in their rooms without permission. She glanced around to see if anything was missing.
“I didn’t touch nothin’,” the girl said as if offended. “Advisor Najib told me to impress you.”
Shyla met her gaze and lowered her shield. Her brown eyes were wide. She appeared to be about sixteen circuits old, but on the small side for a girl her age. Good for getting through tight places. Aside from being afraid of the big man with the sharp sword, she was telling the truth.
“Consider us impressed,” Shyla said. She touched Rendor’s arm. “You can put away your sword. The girl’s not a threat.”
The girl in question straightened in indignation. “I’m twenty circuits old.”
She was only a circuit younger than Shyla—quite the surprise. She introduced herself and Rendor, who slid his weapon back into its protective leather sheath but kept his hand nearby just in case.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Hakana.”
