Once Aphra neared, Shyla needed her—and only her—to break off from the group. It would be tricky. Projecting the image of a water skin, Shyla aimed her power.

Forgot.

Aphra straightened and stopped.

“What’s wrong?” asked the digger next to her.

“I forgot my water skin. Go on ahead, I’ll catch up.” Aphra waved her companions on and turned around.

They countered with good natured insults. When they were out of sight, Shyla dropped the not here command and called to Aphra.

Aphra whipped around so fast her hair flew up. “Scorching hells, where did you come from?” Then a beat later, “You shouldn’t be here, you’re wanted—”

“By everyone. I know.”

She cocked a hip and squinted at Shyla. “Do you have a death wish?”

“No. Do you? You’re working for the Water Prince’s archeologist.”

Aphra grimaced. “It’s called hiding in plain sight and it’s my only option other than being arrested and tortured. I don’t have enough coin to leave. Besides, who’d think to look for me there?” Her forehead creased with apprehension. “How did you find me? Did that son of a sand demon, Fadey—”

“No. He didn’t tell me. And I doubt he noticed you. He seemed pretty wrapped up in his own misery.”

“Good. You didn’t answer my question.”

Shyla considered, then decided to go with the truth. “I asked the vagrants to be on the lookout for you.”

“Why?”

“Because of your connections. I’ve some sweets to sell.”

“Ah.” Then she shook her head. “Can’t help you. I’d be caught for sure. I’m barely surviving as it is and risk being exposed every sun jump. Once I’ve saved enough osees, I’m outta here.”

Not what Shyla wanted to hear. Without coin, the Invisible Sword couldn’t afford to feed themselves let alone help others in need. “Is there anyone still selling treasures on the black market?”

Aphra gave her a sly smile. “I may have a contact you can sell to directly, but I’m having trouble remembering the name.” She scratched her head.

Cute. Shyla handed her an osee. “Maybe this will jog your memory.”

Aphra scrunched up her pudgy nose. “Sorry, still not able to recall it.”

Shyla briefly considered just taking the information from the hunter, but the woman was just trying to survive. However, she would ensure Aphra didn’t lie to her by reading the woman’s surface thoughts and emotions.

Handing her two more osees, she met Aphra’s gaze and said, “I’m sure this will do the trick.”

“Ah, yes. It’s Professor Emeline from Catronia University.”

“She’s still here?” It seemed like it was over a circuit ago that the Water Prince mentioned meeting with the visiting professor. But it was only fifty, maybe sixty, sun jumps ago.