Page 54 of The City of Zirdai
Mojag was a lousy liar. Did he not remember she could read his emotions? What had Jayden told him about Rendor? Sick to her stomach, she left them and found Orla sitting in her favorite nook. Shyla joined her and asked the woman to have her people look for Rendor.
“Do we have to worry about him giving us trouble?” Orla asked.
“No. But I don’t know how he’s going to find food, or what he plans to do. If you see him or find out where he’s living, can you please let me know.”
“All right.” Orla paused. “Can I let you know when I seeotherthings?”
Not sure where Orla was going with this, she said, “Of course. Do you have some information for me?”
“The deacons who are stationed at the chapel on level fifty-one are especially cruel. They recently rounded up a number of people for ‘lack of proper devotion’ and are rehabilitating them. I’m afraid some of the younger ones aren’t going to survive.”
Shyla shot to her feet. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“I’ve been debating whether the backlash is worth it,” Orla said calmly.
“The backlash?”
“Yes. If you go in there and rescue those people, the deacons will retaliate. And I can guarantee you it will be worse.”
“Oh no, I’ll ensure there’s no backlash,” Shyla said.
“You can do that?”
Shyla had no idea. “I’m going to try.”
Nine
“Tell me again what we’re doing here?” Jayden asked for the fourth time.
“We’re going to rescue the people being tortured inside that chapel,” she whispered with annoyance. Granted, she’d woken him up and yanked him from his cushion, but still…
They crouched in a shadow on level fifty-one, watching the chapel. It was angle three hundred. Two deacons stood guard outside. Since no one dared to attack a chapel, they were more for show. However, the deacons were quite capable of defending themselves. Plus they all carried knives.
The rest of her team waited in a nearby tunnel. Orla had recruited a number of vagrants to aid Shyla. They all could fight, but their main job was to free the victims and take them to the commune for medical care. Shyla and Jayden would tackle the deacons.
“What about Arch Deacons?” Jayden asked. “Any inside?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“What about torques? Do they have any?”
“Don’t know.”
Jayden closed his eyes a moment. “Your plan…”
“Sucks, I know.”
“Then why are we here?”
“We’rehelpingfor a change. If you want to sit this one out, go—”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he snapped. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“All right.” Shyla straightened, took off her wrap, and strode toward the chapel. It didn’t take long for the two deacons to notice her, and less for them to spot her short blond hair.
“The sun-kissed!” the one on the left yelled, pointing.
“Give the man a prize,” she said. “Gather your people. I’m going to make a confession.” Shyla entered the chapel, crossed the nave, and entered the back hallway that led to the confessionals.
