The rest of her team waited in a nearby tunnel. Orla had recruited a number of vagrants to aid Shyla. They all could fight, but their main job was to free the victims and take them to the commune for medical care. Shyla and Jayden would tackle the deacons.

“What about Arch Deacons?” Jayden asked. “Any inside?”

“I’ve no idea.”

“What about torques? Do they have any?”

“Don’t know.”

Jayden closed his eyes a moment. “Your plan…”

“Sucks, I know.”

“Then why are we here?”

“We’re helping for a change. If you want to sit this one out, go—”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he snapped. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“All right.” Shyla straightened, took off her wrap, and strode toward the chapel. It didn’t take long for the two deacons to notice her, and less for them to spot her short blond hair.

“The sun-kissed!” the one on the left yelled, pointing.

“Give the man a prize,” she said. “Gather your people. I’m going to make a confession.” Shyla entered the chapel, crossed the nave, and entered the back hallway that led to the confessionals.

The deacons trotted at her heels, calling to the others. She kept a brisk pace despite wanting to stop and help those suffering inside the rooms. More and more deacons joined them and soon Shyla had quite the parade.

When she reached the end of the corridor, she spun around, holding out her open hands to show she was unarmed. The deacons all stopped as well. Six of them stared at her. Behind them, the vagrants and Mojag rushed into the rooms to free the occupants. Jayden waited with his knife drawn in case she needed him.

Gathering her power, she made eye contact with each one. None wore torques. Although, after this, she doubted the priestess would make that mistake again. And none were Iskemu, the deacon who’d backhanded her and cut off her hair. She made a silent promise to get him next time. Then she pushed her magic toward all of them.

“The Sun Goddess has sent me here to commend you on your efforts,” she said.

The deacons preened.

“She applauds your ability to rehabilitate so many lost souls. You’ve done such a good job there are no more souls that need your dispensations and you’ve released them all.” Shyla mustered her strength and targeted each deacon. She caught a glimpse of Mojag carrying a bloody child from one of the confessionals. Heat built inside her as her fury grew. She channeled it toward the deacons. “In fact, if you harm another person in the Sun Goddess’s name, you will suffer as well. You will feel unspeakable pain as if your soul is on fire.” The words seared the air and her throat burned.