How could the priestess kill so many? How could she destroy an entire level? That thought stopped Shyla. A memory crept up from the turmoil—Rendor claiming the priestess would preserve certain areas. Then others sprang to life: Hanif and Kaveri had been in those areas, not all the guards were down here, and Invisible Swords had been sent into the city to provide backup.

Shyla pulled in a deep breath. Not all was lost. There had to be survivors. And she was wasting time. Straightening, she carefully climbed from the space, keeping her weight as spread out as possible. Once she reached the top, she searched for a safe path through the rubble. Perhaps there was a way to get to a higher level.

Her progress was slow and painful, but it was progress until the Heliacal Priestess’s voice sounded behind her. She froze.

“Find her body,” the priestess ordered. “I want The Eyes.”

Shyla glanced over her shoulder. Green-clad figures moved over the debris. They poked long poles in between the gaps. She ducked out of sight. It appeared they were close to where she had landed. Did that mean Rendor survived? Had he told the priestess where to find her? Did she dare hope?

Pushing those thoughts aside, she focused on her immediate predicament. She needed to stay hidden, but she had to keep moving. At least the deacons searching for her made enough noise to cover her own. She altered her route to keep the piles between her and the deacons, then picked up the pace.

She skirted holes that exposed the level below. Zirdai had ninety-seven residential levels, but the black cells and the prince’s special rooms were located on level ninety-eight, and a forgotten drainage tunnel was underneath. Not completely forgotten as the vagrants knew about it. She paused. The priestess had to know about it as well. Had Jayden told her? And was there another way down there than that abandoned stairway?

The metal grates in the floors of the special rooms would provide access to level ninety-eight from the tunnel, which connected to the prince’s level. In fact, Shyla had considered using them to sneak into the Water Prince’s complex. The priestess must have utilized them for her explosions. If that had been the case, then the black cells might be intact, which would be good news. That meant half the level was undamaged. Except, the guards’ quarters were located above the special rooms. Nausea churned as she realized the priestess must have targeted them.

Up ahead, Shyla noticed an intact wall—a good sign for more survivors, but bad for her as it blocked her escape. She considered her options, then backtracked to the last hole. Peering into the darkness, she couldn’t judge the distance to the ground. She scanned the debris. A weak violet-hued light shone through a gap. It was a buried druk.