“You can’t be here,” the woman by the door said. “They’ll kill you.”

“And us,” the leader added.

Go away.

Go away.

Go away.

Shyla turned to the two using magic. “I’m not going away. You can’t make me, nor can you disappear. Do you want to know why?”

Stunned silence.

“Because I know what you two can do. You’re using magic.”

The women glanced at each other.

“Yes, that’s what you’ve been doing. It’s real. I’ll demonstrate to make this go faster.” Shyla gathered her will and aimed it at all four.

Gone.

Gasps and confused exchanges followed, confirming that they all witnessed her disappear. Shyla stepped to the back of the room and stopped the magical command.

“You have three choices,” Shyla said.

They started and spun around to face her.

“We haven’t had a choice since being rehabilitated,” the leader said.

“Well now you do. The first one is that you can do nothing, keep working in the kitchen, keep cowering in your room. Or you can run to your boss and report that you’ve seen the evil sun-kissed. You might get a pat on the back, but when they can’t find me, you’ll probably be in trouble.”

“No probably about it,” muttered the leader.

“The third choice is to join me. You can help stop the deacons from rehabilitating more people. I’m gathering an army and we’re going to change the leadership of Zirdai.” Might as well be optimistic that she would soon have an army.

“Say we do join you. What would we do?” the leader asked.

“For now you would learn how to fight and shovel lots of sand, and for these two…” She pointed at the women on the right. “They would need to open the rest of their magic and learn how to use it.” She explained what that would entail.

They both paled several shades.

“And the dangers?” the woman by the door asked.

“Deacons and guards. Everyone is after me and my people. If you’re caught, you’ll be tortured for information and killed.” No sense dancing around the truth.

“We need to think about it,” the leader said.

“Of course.” Shyla told them where to meet. “Be there by angle three-fifty-five. If anyone else trustworthy wants to join, they’re welcome. And I’ll know if there’s an ambush of deacons waiting for me.” Although she doubted they would rat her out. “So be prepared for any backlash that will cause.”

“From you?”

“No, from the deacons. I don’t think they’ll be pleased that your information was inaccurate. I won’t cause you any more trouble. I suspect you’ve already had more than your share and that’s what I’m trying to stop.” Shyla left.