Shyla and Jayden returned to headquarters. Gurice, Mojag, and Ximen were regaling the others in the common room with stories of how they spent the sun jump hiding from the various factions.

Unable to wait another moment, Shyla sent Ximen a silent command.

Come here!

He turned to her in surprise, but once he saw her expression, he hurried over to her and Jayden.

“What happened?” she demanded.

“The mission was a complete success. And, as long as we’re careful, we can tap into that water source whenever we need it.”

“A complete success?” she asked doubtfully. “Then where’s Rendor?”

Ximen glanced at Jayden then away. “He…” Ximen fidgeted with the sleeves of his tunic.

She wanted to strangle him. “Spit it out, Ximen.”

Ximen drew in a breath, then released it slowly. “He decided to remain behind. He said he’s not welcome in the Invisible Sword and it would be better for everyone if he just disappeared.” Ximen touched her arm. “Rendor did the right thing. It’s best for all of us.”

Eight

It’s best for all of us. Had Ximen just said that to her? She stared at him in shock.

Rendor had decided not to become a member of the Invisible Sword.

Rendor had decided not to come back to her.

His angry words—which she’d been avoiding thinking about—replayed in her mind. You’re embarrassed? Is that why you only showed me you care when the Invisible Swords couldn’t see us? Or is it that you don’t want my history to tarnish your leadership?

Scorching hells, why did she have such a good memory? Each word stabbed into her heart. Why hadn’t she chased after him right away? Why had she waited? Stupid, selfish sun-idiot. And now he was gone.

“Did you erase his memory of us?” Jayden asked.

The thought of Rendor not remembering her tore through her with sharp teeth. She glared at Jayden. He wore a pleased smile that Shyla wanted to slap right off his face.

“No,” Ximen said. “He’s been exiled. If the guards see him, they have orders to kill him. Besides he doesn’t have anyone to tell.”

“What about his parents and older brother?” Jayden asked.

Stunned, she almost rocked back on her heels. Rendor had a brother? Why didn’t she know? What else didn’t she know about him?

Ximen shrugged. “They disowned him when he signed up to be a guard.”

“How do you know this?” she asked.

“Rendor’s been causing the vagrants and the Invisible Sword trouble since he joined the guards,” Jayden said. “We were hoping to find some leverage to keep him from being such a heartless killer. When we threatened to harm his brother, Hastin, he laughed and told us to go ahead, and, while we were at it, to take out his parents as well and save him the trouble.”

“Where do they live?” Shyla demanded.