Anger, confusion, frustration, greed, and disbelief rolled through them, but nothing dangerous. At least, not yet. Jayden would have to watch his back. Two faces seemed familiar—a young man and his father, their resemblance unmistakable. When the young man glanced at Rendor for the third time, she remembered.

Hastin! Rendor’s older brother. No wonder Rendor was so tense. She laced her fingers with his and gave him an encouraging squeeze. He glanced at her and then visibly relaxed before giving her a squeeze back and releasing her hand. She wasn’t offended—she knew he needed to be ready just in case violence broke out. It didn’t, but a number of poisonous looks were aimed at Jayden as the elders left. Rendor and his men escorted them out.

“You still have a long way to go,” she said to Jayden.

“No kidding.” He looked at her as if in pain. “Are you going to take my magic now?”

“No. I think that should be done in front of everyone.”

Alarmed, he asked, “The entire city?”

“No, just the Invisible Swords, Hanif, Kaveri, and the protectors.”

“Do all the protectors know about wielders?”

“Yes. When Rendor recruited them to our side, he told them. When he was the captain of the Water Prince’s guards, he always told them what was going on if he could. That’s why they trusted him more than Yates.”

“Isn’t Rendor still the captain?”

“He’s my captain, not yours. You’ll have to find your own.”

Jayden was thoughtful. “Perhaps he’ll have some recommendations for me.”

“I’m sure he will.”

After a time was set for Jayden’s unofficial coronation—the official one would be when the King’s emissary arrived—Shyla returned to her room. Rendor was already there. He worked at the desk, assigning shifts. Another thing Jayden would need to do was recruit more protectors.

She told him about the plans for Jayden and mentioned that he would be asking for recommendations, but Rendor was distracted and closed off, reminding her of when she’d first met him. And she didn’t need to read his emotions to know something was bothering him. She only needed on guess to figure out what.

“Time for a break,” she said.

“I need to get this done,” he said, writing team names.

“It wasn’t a suggestion.” This time her voice was firm.

“Huh?” Rendor barely glanced at her. “Just a couple more---”

“Captain, take a break.”

She had his full attention. Fun. However, his scowl wasn’t as fun. Shyla took his hands in hers. “Do you really care what they think?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your family. Is it important to you that they change their opinions about you?”

He studied her for a few moments. “Are you offering to use your magic?”

“No, but I’m offering you my support if you want to talk to them.”