As the members dispersed to return to work or to rest, Shyla consulted Ximen, Mojag, and Gurice about what to do with Jayden. They sat in a circle around him. Poor Mojag hunched over his crossed legs in utter misery. The others were equally dejected—they’d been friends with him for a long time. No one tried to speculate as to why or how or when he decided to betray them. They knew Shyla would discover the answers.

“I’ve extra velbloud tethers,” Gurice said. “We can secure him.”

“It’s going to take all of our magic to keep him from escaping,” Ximen said, glancing at Shyla.

Between using her magic to keep Jayden unconscious and doing the vows, she’d drained most of her energy. “After I interrogate him, we’ll need somewhere to keep him.” There wasn’t any place in their headquarters. “Somewhere that we don’t need a guard or else he’ll use his magic to escape. Somewhere where no one will accidentally find him. We’ll have to— Oh!”

“Think of a good place?” Ximen asked.

“Oh yes.”

Shyla rested while the others took turns keeping Jayden asleep. When the sun started its jump, she sent out a few members to keep watch on the city. At least they’d have some warning if the priestess attacked. Yes, the priestess. While trying to sleep, her mind had reeled and spun with the implications of Jayden’s betrayal. Three things had stood out—the deacons had ambushed the original headquarters, they’d captured Jayden, and they knew how to block magic.

Elek and a few other strong Invisible Swords helped her to relocate Jayden and carry the supplies he’d need to survive. Ximen and Mojag also accompanied them. Gurice remained at headquarters.

After Jayden was secured, Elek and the others left. Shyla, Mojag, and Ximen stood just out of reach. One druk glowed with a yellow light. It cast long shadows from its place on the floor.

“Ready?” she asked them.

Mojag pressed against her and she wrapped an arm around his bony shoulders, squeezing him in encouragement.

“You don’t have to be here,” she said to the boy.

“I know. I need to be here.”

Another squeeze. “I know.”

“Let’s do this,” Ximen said grimly.

They stopped commanding Jayden to sleep. It didn’t take long for him to wake. He opened his eyes and spotted them. They braced for a magical attack, but he sighed and pushed to a sitting position. He froze when the rasp of metal over stone sounded. His gaze followed the chain from his ankle to the anchor in the middle of the small cavern.