As expected, no one dared get in their way. Elek took a route that avoided all the crowded areas of Zirdai but wasn’t on the edges. Deacons didn’t worry about being noticed so if they appeared too furtive, it would trigger suspicion.

They traveled unheeded all the way down to level ninety. There they entered one of the larger caverns that tended to be a gathering place for the residents in the area. There were many of them throughout Zirdai. Due to the wealth of the citizens at this level, this one was extravagantly decorated with oversized cushions, tables, plush rugs, and trol lanterns.

It was also empty.

The Invisible Swords had a moment to exchange a warning before the other side of the cavern filled with a similarly sized group.

The good news—they weren’t from the priestess’s holy army. The bad—they were the Water Prince’s well-armed guards.

Seventeen

The two groups sized each other up. All had drawn their weapons. Invisible Swords disguised as Arch Deacons faced the Water Prince’s guards. Rendor had told her the two factions avoided conflicts. Except, apparently, when it came to The Eyes. This was the second encounter. And informing the guards they weren’t deacons would just make things worse—although she really couldn’t think of how things could get worse.

Captain Yates entered the cavern and proved she hadn’t been thinking hard enough. His people parted, allowing him to walk to the front. Yates scanned them. His gaze paused on Shyla. It burned with deadly intent—a pledge just for her. She tried to read him but was blocked. He had gotten another torque. Fear burned up her throat. How many of his guards were also protected?

“Who’s in charge?” Yates asked.

“I am,” Elek said, stepping forward. “You are interfering with the Blessed One’s wishes. Move aside.”

“No.” Yates looked at Shyla. “The Heliacal Priestess will kill you. The Water Prince won’t. His promise.” Then he turned to Elek. “Give me the sun-kissed, and you can walk out of here.”

His confidence was based on the guess that Shyla would choose the prince over the priestess and not attack the guards with her magic. If she was truly the priestess’s prisoner, then he would have been right. Shyla scrutinized the guards, sensing if any of them blocked her. She found four, which she considered a lucky break.

“No,” Elek said.

With nothing else left to say the two groups engaged. Yates and Elek crossed swords. Shyla worried for Elek—he wielded one of the stolen swords, but fighting with a weapon wasn’t his strongest skill. Unlike Yates, who was much better. Avoiding the fighting, she, Ximen, and Gurice backed up to the far wall.

“Target the guards,” Shyla said, aiming her magic at one of them.

“Any special requests?” Ximen asked. “Confuse them, stop them, or put them to sleep?”