Unlike Shyla who had been upset when the deacon had chopped off her long locks. Soon Kaveri’s hairstyle matched Shyla’s. And a strange sensation swept through her as the resemblance between the two of them was undeniable. Shyla stared into her future.

“You…” Again words failed her as Shyla tried to speak.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Kaveri said, cupping Shyla’s cheek for a moment. “Now, let me tell you the plan.”

As far as plans went, this one was rather simple. But it put Kaveri at considerable risk. Shyla argued that Captain Yates might arrest the woman out of spite.

“He can try, but he won’t succeed. I am a monk.” Kaveri’s confidence was unshakable.

Shyla wondered if she’d ever be that…comfortable with her role in their world. At least, if she survived, Shyla might learn more about the woman who gave birth to her. The two of them crept back up to level seven. By now, enough time had passed and the surface would be safe…sort of. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but it wouldn’t kill her either.

They stopped at a collection station before splitting up to implement Kaveri’s scheme at one of the ramps to level six. From a hidden vantage point, Shyla held her breath and watched as her mother rounded a corner as if being pursued. Kaveri halted when she spotted the six guards. They stared at each other for a few stunned heartbeats. Then Kaveri spun on her heel and dashed away.

“It’s the sun-kissed,” one guard cried. “Baru and Lute, stay here. The rest with me.”

Four guards raced after Kaveri, leaving two behind.

If all went according to plan, Kaveri would lead them deep into the monastery before allowing them to catch her.

The guards that remained at the ramp buzzed with a new sense of purpose. Shyla waited about three angles. Covering her hair with the robe’s hood, she hefted the heavy bucket and strolled toward the two guards.

They wrinkled their noses at the foul odor and parted, allowing Shyla to pass without questioning her or even looking closely at her. She didn’t even need to use her magic. In fact, everyone gave her a wide berth as she carried that noxious bucket up to the growing cavern on level six. Wow. Who knew the power of poop?

She set the container in the back room for Kaveri to turn the contents into fertilizer. On the way out, she stopped and bent close to one of the plants, breathing in its fresh scent to purge the stink of excrement from her nose and lungs. Then she hurried to the surface. The temperature increased with each level, until she pushed through the hot thickness.