Protected from her magic, there was no way she could sneak up on the Arch Deacons. Even though that wasn’t what she intended to do on this sun jump, Shyla considered the problem. Perhaps if the Invisible Sword members arrived at the priestess’s worship site before the sun and hid in the sand, they could ambush the Arch Deacons and take their torques.

However, that scenario didn’t sit right. Interrupting a religious ceremony seemed dishonorable. Shyla hadn’t believed in the existence of the Sun Goddess, but then she had been trapped on the surface and almost died of heat exposure. During that time, she had a conversation with the Sun Goddess who had asked her to save the people of Zirdai. Even though the encounter was probably a delusion, Shyla had been more open-minded about the Sun Goddess ever since.

The last of the Arch Deacons crossed her sight line. This one carried a sack over their shoulder—probably incense for the ritual. Shyla’s focus returned to the entrances, seeking Invisible Swords. She spotted Elek’s broad shoulders as he and Jaft strode from the north exit. They wore sun cloaks and carried shovels, not water.

She dug her fingers deep into the sand as her mind whirled with the implications. Was the mission unsuccessful? Needles of fear for Rendor and the others shot through her, leaving behind a painful pulse. At least no one followed them.

Then, despite the layer of sand, the high-pitched wail of a baby in distress reached her. The sound sliced right into her heart.

Son of a sand demon, that Arch Deacon hadn’t been carrying incense but a baby. No doubt a sun-kissed to be abandoned on the surface to die.

In this case, she’d be more than happy to ruin the Heliacal Priestess’s plans.

Seven

Even though they were both hidden under the sand, Jayden managed to grab her arm. “Stay put.” His voice was muffled but the order was clear.

“No.” There was no way she’d let the Heliacal Priestess and her deacons abandon a baby. Another wail tore into her guts.

“We can’t do anything until they’re gone. We’re outnumbered. Besides, we can’t just appear from the sands. There’s still too many people leaving the city.”

She hated that he was right. Hated it with all her heart and soul. “As soon as—”

“Yes, we will.”

How could he be so calm? A third and weaker cry skewered her. A physical need to move, to run, to swoop in and scoop up the baby hummed in her blood and drummed on her muscles.

“Look,” Jayden said. “There’s Nard and Lamar.”