“I’ve heard that before,” Gurice muttered, but she released a long breath and met Shyla’s gaze.

Despite Gurice’s bravado and dry humor, the woman was apprehensive about having Shyla read her soul. She liked the sun-kissed, even considered her a good friend, but what if her secrets scared her off?

“I’m not going to uncover all your secrets,” Shyla said, trying to reassure her.

What about her fears about the viability of the Invisible Sword? Gurice worried they’d never return to full strength. Never achieve any of their goals.

“Stop fretting.” All of Gurice’s chatter was blocking her.

“Then stop reminding me that you’re reading my thoughts,” Gurice shot back.

Shyla paused. Was it nerves or Gurice’s magic that prevented her from delving deeper? Perhaps she needed to change tactics. “Imagine you’re standing in the desert, preparing to erase your tracks with magic. You can close your eyes if you need. I’ve already established a connection.”

“Does that mean we’ll be connected all the time?”

“No. After this, I’ll break our link and I won’t invade your privacy without permission.”

Gurice bit her lower lip then touched Shyla’s arm. “If something bad happens like we’re being attacked and you need to…read me, you have my permission. I trust you.”

And with that, Gurice finally relaxed. Shyla briefly covered Gurice’s hand with her own. “Thank you. Now imagine—”

“Yeah, yeah.” She closed her eyes and soon her thoughts filled with rolling dunes. “Got it.”

Shyla let the scene encompass her as well. She stood next to Gurice. One set of footprints marked the otherwise smooth sand. Gurice held a hand out with her palm down.

“Now erase the tracks,” she ordered.

They disappeared, but there wasn’t a change within Gurice.

“Did you wield magic?” she asked.

“I pretended to. I can’t use real magic on an imaginary desert.”

Of course! Shyla bit down on a groan. “Mojag, can you bring that bucket of sand over here?”

He lugged the container and set it between the two women.

Gurice scrunched up her nose. “Uh, that’s not exactly my forte.”

“Doesn’t matter as long as you use your magic on the sand.”

“All right, but you’ve been warned and if sand gets all over your room, I’m not cleaning it up.”

“Noted.”

Gurice reached out so her hand hovered over the bucket.

“Why do you do that?” Shyla asked.

“It helps me focus and aim. Otherwise, I’ll spray sand in your face.” She gave her a pointed look.

“Okay, I’ll be quiet.”

After a few moments, a bright yellow glow filled Gurice as if someone had uncovered a druk lantern deep inside her. The light intensified and filled her, but Shyla only saw it through their link and not with her own eyes. An odd disconnection.