During third meal, Shyla observed the kitchen staff in the dining cavern on level thirty-nine. There she spotted a young man using magic. She trailed him to his room and repeated her recruitment spiel to him and his roommates. Except this time one of the men contemplated how to report the sun-kissed to his superiors. So she erased his memories of her visit and sent him to sleep.

“He’ll betray you if you tell him about me. Decide to come or stay, but don’t reveal your plans to him.”

“How do you know he planned to betray us?” one man asked.

“The same way I know you’re thinking of finding your sister, Karrah, hoping to convince her to come with you.”

He straightened in surprise. “Oh.”

“And, by the way, she’s welcome.” Although where Shyla was going to fit all these people she had no idea.

She wished she could visit the other six dining caverns. Because once these people disappeared, she doubted she’d be able to get near the kitchen workers again.

Jayden arrived at Orla’s commune after darkness.

Surprised, she asked, “Where’s Ximen?”

“Good to see you, too,” he snarked. Then he sobered. “Mojag is driving me crazy. The kid is inexhaustible and wants to learn everything about magic. Right away! For the first time in his short life, Mojag is focused and determined.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“For you,” he mock-grumbled. “Not for me. I needed a break so I asked Ximen to take a turn with him.”

“Good idea. Did you bring a statue?”

Jayden dug into his pack. “I thought this one makes him look the most kingly.” He handed her a statue of Tamburah wearing a crown and elaborate royal garments.

It was about thirty centimeters high and weighed around two kilograms, which meant it was hollow. If it’d been solid gold, it would be much heavier.

She updated Jayden on the new members. “We’ll take them with us when we leave at angle zero. In the meantime, I’m going to visit the professor.” She grabbed a handful of coins and gave them to Jayden. “Here. We’re going to have twelve more people to feed. Please buy some fresh food.”

He stared at the coins in his palm. “Twelve?”

“So far. I’ve been recruiting and I plan to get a dozen more.” She slapped him good-naturedly on the back before hurrying to level forty-two to finish her business with Emeline.