Jayden glanced at her in surprise. She’d no idea where that came from or if it would work, but she was too angry to think clearly. The desire to stop their hearts pulsed within her. But she remembered her orders not to kill another unless it was in self-defense.

Instead, she dragged up the last of her energy and commanded them.

Sleep.

They dropped like a ceiling during a cave-in. Unfortunately, so did she. Jayden hurried over and helped her stand.

“What did I tell you about using all your energy?” he asked, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

“Not to do it.” The chapel spun around her.

“It was a rhetorical question. Come on.”

“But…the people…”

“Are being helped by the others. We need to get out of the city before the next shift of deacons shows up.”

They climbed to the commune on level thirty-nine and rested. She gulped a glass of yellow-colored water that Zhek handed to her before rushing to tend to the others. He’d mixed a restorative in the liquid. At least she hoped that was what tinted it yellow and not his sleeping drug. Good thing Zhek had returned from the monastery in time.

While she caught her breath, Jayden and Mojag gathered the supplies they’d purchased. They said goodbye to Orla, who thanked them.

“Feel free to spread the rumor that it was the Invisible Sword and not you,” Shyla said. “I don’t want you to experience any backlash.”

“Don’t worry about us, dear. We’ve handled worse.” Orla shooed them out. “Better hurry.”

They only had twenty angles to ascend thirty-nine levels. It was doable in most circumstances, but this wasn’t one of them. Shyla soon lagged behind. Jayden tried to help her, but her legs wouldn’t last long. If he had to carry her out, they’d draw too much attention.

“Go,” she said when they reached level twenty-three. “Take Mojag and get to headquarters.”

“No.”

“It’s not a request. And look for Aphra, she might be waiting near the north exit.” Shyla described the woman.

“Why would she—”

“I’ll explain later.”

“I’m not leaving you.” Jayden crossed his arms—the universal sign of male stubbornness.

“I’ll find a place to rest. Don’t worry.”

“You can’t protect yourself if you’re passed out.”

“I’m going to collapse right here if you don’t stop wasting time. It’s an order. Take Mojag and go.”

“You’re not in your right mind. I’m not—ah hells.” Jayden looked over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

Huh? Now who wasn’t in his right mind?

“I’ve got her. You go,” Rendor said from behind her.

She spun so fast she ended up on the ground. Peering up and up, she met Rendor’s gaze. She was so happy to see him that she didn’t mind the pain in her hip from the fall.