Page 55 of The City of Zirdai
The deacons trotted at her heels, calling to the others. She kept a brisk pace despite wanting to stop and help those suffering inside the rooms. More and more deacons joined them and soon Shyla had quite the parade.
When she reached the end of the corridor, she spun around, holding out her open hands to show she was unarmed. The deacons all stopped as well. Six of them stared at her. Behind them, the vagrants and Mojag rushed into the rooms to free the occupants. Jayden waited with his knife drawn in case she needed him.
Gathering her power, she made eye contact with each one. None wore torques. Although, after this, she doubted the priestess would make that mistake again. And none were Iskemu, the deacon who’d backhanded her and cut off her hair. She made a silent promise to get him next time. Then she pushed her magic toward all of them.
“The Sun Goddess has sent me here to commend you on your efforts,” she said.
The deacons preened.
“She applauds your ability to rehabilitate so many lost souls. You’ve done such a good job there are no more souls that need your dispensations and you’ve released them all.” Shyla mustered her strength and targeted each deacon. She caught a glimpse of Mojag carrying a bloody child from one of the confessionals. Heat built inside her as her fury grew. She channeled it toward the deacons. “In fact, if you harm another person in the Sun Goddess’s name, you will suffer as well. You will feel unspeakable pain as if your soul is on fire.” The words seared the air and her throat burned.
Jayden glanced at her in surprise. She’d no idea where that came from or if it would work, but she was too angry to think clearly. The desire to stop their hearts pulsed within her. But she remembered her orders not to kill another unless it was in self-defense.
Instead, she dragged up the last of her energy and commanded them.
Sleep.
They dropped like a ceiling during a cave-in. Unfortunately, so did she. Jayden hurried over and helped her stand.
“What did I tell you about using all your energy?” he asked, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
“Not to do it.” The chapel spun around her.
“It was a rhetorical question. Come on.”
“But…the people…”
“Are being helped by the others. We need to get out of the city before the next shift of deacons shows up.”
They climbed to the commune on level thirty-nine and rested. She gulped a glass of yellow-colored water that Zhek handed to her before rushing to tend to the others. He’d mixed a restorative in the liquid. At least she hoped that was what tinted it yellow and not his sleeping drug. Good thing Zhek had returned from the monastery in time.
While she caught her breath, Jayden and Mojag gathered the supplies they’d purchased. They said goodbye to Orla, who thanked them.
“Feel free to spread the rumor that it was the Invisible Sword and not you,” Shyla said. “I don’t want you to experience any backlash.”
“Don’t worry about us, dear. We’ve handled worse.” Orla shooed them out. “Better hurry.”
They only had twenty angles to ascend thirty-nine levels. It was doable in most circumstances, but this wasn’t one of them. Shyla soon lagged behind. Jayden tried to help her, but her legs wouldn’t last long. If he had to carry her out, they’d draw too much attention.
“Go,” she said when they reached level twenty-three. “Take Mojag and get to headquarters.”
“No.”
“It’s not a request. And look for Aphra, she might be waiting near the north exit.” Shyla described the woman.
“Why would she—”
“I’ll explain later.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Jayden crossed his arms—the universal sign of male stubbornness.
“I’ll find a place to rest. Don’t worry.”
“You can’t protect yourself if you’re passed out.”
“I’m going to collapse right here if you don’t stop wasting time. It’s an order. Take Mojag and go.”
“You’re not in your right mind. I’m not—ah hells.” Jayden looked over her shoulder. “What areyoudoing here?”
