“Try it.” Amusement colored his voice.

She followed his instructions, sending her magic forward. Two…bumps rippled her magic, and if she focused, she picked up Mojag’s surface thoughts. It appeared that once she’d read a person, she could link to their thoughts even in the dark.

“Did it work?” Jayden asked.

“Yes. Thank you.” Her breathing calmed and the blackness wasn’t so…menacing.

“You catch on quick. Must be because of The Eyes. Just remember it won’t work if the Arch Deacons are wearing torques like the two hiding in the storeroom. That’s why Mojag’s in the lead,” Jayden said. “Okay, let’s try this again.”

They resumed their creep. Shyla was glad for the soft soles of her dillo leather boots. Eventually, the scent of burnt hair—Mojag was right, it was vile—filled her nose. Jayden stopped and touched her fingers on his shoulder—a signal to let go and get ready. She released her hold and prepared to attack.

“Now,” Jayden ordered.

Mojag opened the druk. Orange light spilled out, revealing the two Arch Deacons. Being caught completely off guard, the two didn’t stand a chance. Between her, Jayden, and Mojag, it took a fraction of an angle to knock them unconscious. She put their torques into her pack.

“You’re bleeding,” Mojag said behind her.

She tried to downplay it. “It’s just a scratch from the other fight.”

“Scratches don’t soak your tunic,” Jayden said. “Keep still. Let me see.” He lifted the material.

Cool air caressed her skin, sending a shiver up her spine.

“It’s deep. We need to get you to Zhek.”

“We need to get back before the Arch Deacons wake up or the next shift arrives,” she said, yanking down her shirt.

“Don’t be stupid. You could get sick if it gets infected. Zhek’s at Orla’s commune on level thirty-nine. It’s not far.”

“How do you know where he is?” she asked a bit petulantly.

“I’m the Vagrant Prince. I know where all my people are.”

Mojag chuckled.

When she didn’t follow Jayden right away, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her along. “They’re your people, too, Shyla. The Invisible Sword was formed to protect the people of Zirdai from tyrants. All the people.”

“I’m well aware, Jayden. Except that’s a tall order at this time. We only have thirty of us. We need to secure the means to our survival first and then we can right the very long list of wrongs.”

For once Jayden didn’t argue. Shyla almost fainted from the shock. Instead she followed him as he navigated the twists, turns, ups, and downs that she had come to realize was required to travel through Zirdai without encountering anyone.