She used four druks to hold the edges down. The extra light also helped to illuminate the faded ink. Tracing the tunnel the grave diggers used to escape the crypt, she found an entry point into the temple then calculated just how much sand would have built up over thousands of circuits—approximately six or seven meters. The air would be stale, perhaps even toxic or explosive or both. And there was always the danger of a cave-in. And booby traps.

Groaning, she rubbed her face. This was not her area of expertise. She needed Banqui. Not knowing where he was or if he even was alive dragged on her. He could be confined in one of the priestess’s chapels or in one of the prince’s black cells on level ninety-eight, waiting for her to rescue him again. Or he could be hanging upside down in one of the prince’s special rooms that were on the same level as the cells. That possibility gave her nightmares.

Too tired to think anymore, Shyla rolled up the map and crawled under a fur in what she was beginning to consider her room.

She woke before angle zero determined to find Rendor. They would have another conversation. Although she knew he wouldn’t be at his parents’, her curiosity wouldn’t let her not check out where they lived. Using the power of The Eyes, she tricked a guard into pointing out their suite of rooms on level eighty-four.

Once again she waited in a shadow like a creepy stalker. The double-wide stained-glass doors showed an idyllic and ancient scene of water flowing through a garden. Trol lanterns hung to each side. An expensive hand-woven rug beckoned visitors.

At around angle ten, a man exited the suite. Shyla had to clamp her hand over her mouth—his resemblance to Rendor was uncanny. A few centimeters shorter than Rendor, Hastin had equally broad shoulders, but he wasn’t as muscular. Not as dark-skinned either, but with the same color hair and eyes. Hastin’s powerful and confident stride carried him right past her hiding spot. He didn’t pause or acknowledge her. Obviously she was far beneath his notice.

Shyla waited some more, but Rendor’s parents remained inside. When she left the area, she sensed Rendor but was unable to locate him. Again. Then she spent the rest of the sun jump searching for him. Hanif hadn’t called her stubborn for no reason.

But she couldn’t find him. Admitting defeat hurt deep inside her. She returned to the commune near angle one eighty. Jayden and Mojag had also come back. They exchanged information.

“The Heliacal Priestess is buying every bit of platinum she can,” Jayden said. “We’ve estimated that she bought enough for another twenty torques, which means she has about two dozen.”

“Not good,” she said.