Page 34 of The City of Zirdai
“Thanks.”
“No, thank you for going on this mission.”
Gurice cocked a hip. “Did you know Rendor caught Mojag once?”
“No. He doesn’t like to talk about what he did when working for the prince.” Not like they had any time to talk.
“This was before you came to Zirdai. Before Rendor was the captain. He could have arrested Mojag and tortured him for information on the location of the vagrant communes. Mojag was only nine circuits old. But he didn’t. Instead, he showed my brother a shortcut to avoid an area where there were lots of guards, and then let him go. Mojag didn’t even know the guard was Rendor until he was promoted to captain.”
Shyla wasn’t sure where Gurice was going with the story so she waited.
“What I’m trying to say is, working as the captain for the prince drained his soul. Or so we all thought. I’m glad he still has some left.”
Nice of Gurice to share her thoughts.
“And, scorching hells, girl. He’s a fine-looking specimen. Hope you’re taking full advantage.” She winked.
Not so nice now. “Don’t you have buckets of sand to dump?”
Gurice laughed, waggled her fingers in goodbye, and left.
Her room was too quiet without Gurice. Shyla debated. She should rest, but she was…restless, which didn’t make any sense. Her thoughts kept circling around in her head, but she refused to analyze them. Or rather, overanalyze. Instead, she decided to help clear sand from the dorm level.
Leaving her room, she walked straight into Rendor. Hitting a wall would have been softer. He grabbed her elbow to steady her even though he scowled at her. It didn’t take the power of The Eyes to sense she was in trouble.
She glanced down the hallway. At least no one lurked nearby to overhear their forthcoming argument. Suppressing a sigh, she returned to her room. Rendor followed.
He didn’t even wait until the curtain swung back into place. “I’ve my team. Ximen, Balin, Lamar, Daksh, and Nard volunteered after your speech.”
Except Lamar, they were all strong men. Balin, Daksh, and Nard were ex-acolytes. Hanif had grumped over losing them, claiming they were top level fighters—a high compliment from him. Lamar was one of the eleven Invisible Swords who had survived the ambush. With Gurice, Mojag, Jaft, and Elek, Rendor’s team had nine people. So why the scowl?
“That’s good. Is everyone entering the city this darkness?”
“Yes. Gurice and Mojag assured me they could obtain the supplies without delay.”
“Will everyone be able to leave at angle zero?”
“That is my plan. If we run into anything unexpected, we might have to stay another sun jump.”
Her stomach twisted with just the thought of waiting that long for news. “Do you need another magic wielder?”
“No.”
Short and to the point. Was he afraid she’d order Jayden to tag along? Or that she’d join them and take over his mission? She’d told everyone she trusted him. So she kept those thoughts quiet. “All right. What else do you need. Osees?”
“No. Nothing else. But I want to know something.”
Oh boy. Shyla laced her fingers together to keep from cringing at the rumble of anger in his tone. “Go ahead, ask.”
“When were you planning on tellingmeyou read my soul?”
“I didn’t—”
“So you lied to everyone?”
“No. I… When I first woke The Eyes, your and Hanif’s thoughts inundated me. I didn’t know how to block either of you. At that time, I picked up on your sincerity, your desire to atone, and your emotions. It was all there on the surface. I didn’t probe deeper. But I trusted you before that. Otherwise I’d never have asked you to become a member.” And to cut her eyes out, but she wisely refrained from reminding him.
“I remember. You trusted me to join the Invisible Sword, but I also distinctly remember you saying you wouldn’t risk your heart. Not until I proved myself to you. You know how I feel about you. Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you…”
